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NARPM Conference Agenda
 | New course |
 | Advanced |
 | Category A: Investigation |
 | Category B: Design, Remediation, and Post-Construction |
 | Category C: Technology and Contaminant-Specific Topics |
 | Category D: Resources and Tools |
 | Course can be applied to contract training requirements of the Clinger-Cohen Act (Maloney Bill) |
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Please click on the name of the session to download and view presentation materials.
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Day 1
Monday, May 21
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| 8:00 am to 10:00 am |
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Opening Plenary Session
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Monday, May 21, 8:00 am to 10:00 am |
Abstract is not available.
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| 10:00 am to 10:15 am |
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Break
| Date and Time: |
Monday, May 21, 10:00 am to 10:15 am |
Abstract is not available.
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| 10:15 am to 12:00 pm |
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Engineering TSP Forum Business Meeting
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Federal Facility Panel Session
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Monday, May 21, 10:15 am to 12:00 pm |
The Federal Facilities panel session will offer an update on current initiatives and “hot” topics
that affect federal facility sites. Managers from the Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse
Office (FFRRO) will provide insights into current activities and issues in the program, including
updates on emerging contaminants, the Record of Decision (ROD) improvement project, the
Federal Facility Docket, and the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program. Time will also
be set aside for discussion among participants about issues and concerns they are experiencing.
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Take Charge! - Improving Your Document Management Skills Panel Session
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Monday, May 21, 10:15 am to 12:00 pm |
What are the biggest challenges RPMs and attorneys face with files and records management
(electronic and hard copy), data collection, and database management? This panel session will
examine data and file management issues that confront RPMs and attorneys on a regular basis.
The panel members will also solicit input from participants on how to better manage site records.
The primary goal of the session is to develop a simple guide and systematic approach, including
useful hints and techniques, to assist EPA staff in improving records management. Participants
will be given an easy-to-use handout that provides tips on how to resolve some of the main issues
with e-mail and electronic document retention by establishing a level of consistency in the overall
files and records management system. The panel will also examine EPA’s Enterprise Content
Management System (ECMS) and its effect on e-mail management.
The full extent of electronic discovery can be overwhelming, ranging from e-mail, hard drives,
and databases to hard copy reports. Common complaints involve the following:
- Inconsistent direction and guidance among the regional offices.
- Software updates that affect archived files.
- Dates that can change.
- The lack of effective procedures for ensuring smooth site transitions, for example, when RPMs or attorneys change.
- The lack of consistency in removing drafts (letters and documents) from electronic files.
- The need for more management input and guidance on this issue.
In response, the panel will address:
- EPA’s information "overload."
- Problems with EPA’s current records management systems.
- EPA’s records management guidance.
- An overview of documents that RPMs typically create.
- Procedures for retention (for such items as draft documents, electronic records, and e-mails) (What to save? How long to keep? What to recycle?).
- Electronic data management (Who is responsible? What are the various regional approaches? What are the pros and cons?).
- EPA’s databases (What are they? Where are they? Which are most critical?).
- Administrative Records (ensuring accuracy and timeliness).
As a follow up to this session, members of the panel will consider developing a national
workgroup to examine this issue of securing a consistent approach to files and records
management.
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TCE Toxicity/Vapor Intrusion Pathway Panel Session
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Monday, May 21, 10:15 am to 12:00 pm |
The TCE Toxicity/Vapor Intrusion panel session will update RPMs on the status of the draft TCE
toxicity value, present the National Research Council's major review findings on TCE, and
provide a forum for the exchange of information about how the various regional offices are
handling vapor intrusion and lessons learned. Panel members, made up of RPMs, toxicologists,
and experienced vapor intrusion specialists, will discuss how they have been using the TCE
inhalation toxicity value and how it applies to evaluation of the vapor intrusion pathway. The
panelists will also share site examples of the challenging issues that influence evaluation of the
vapor intrusion pathway, what they have done, and the lessons learned.
It is expected that TCE will be the primary contaminant that prompts further evaluation of the
potential health risks from the vapor intrusion pathway, for two reasons. First, TCE is the most
common volatile organic compound (VOC) at Superfund ground water sites; and second, there is
debate about which TCE values to use when evaluating the vapor intrusion pathway. RPMs
whose sites may have been affected by TCE and are evaluating the vapor intrusion pathway
should attend, and are invited to share challenges at their sites with the panelists and other
participants.
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Remedial System Evaluation in 2007 Information Session
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Monday, May 21, 10:15 am to 12:00 pm |
The Remedial System Evaluation (RSE) process, also referred to as pump and treat optimization, provides a format for evaluating the operation of long-term remedial actions that involve ground water at Superfund sites. On "Fund lead" sites, EPA provides funding for operation of the treatment facilities for a 10-year period until the site is transferred to the states for continued operation. Many sites require an annual budget of well over $500,000 to operate, maintain, and monitor. The RSE process involves a review of operation, maintenance, and monitoring actions and their costs, as well as conducting a re-evaluation of the characterization of the plume and potential contributing sources. The information gained in this evaluation provides significant benefits towards the cleanup of ground water. The RSE process helps identify areas where (1) costsaving measures can be implemented, (2) increased efficiency of operations and maintenance can be recommended, and (3) new technologies might be applied to help reduce the need for long-term operation of the plants. The RSE process helps ensure remedial goals are achieved based on the increased understanding of current site conditions. The Remedial System Evaluation in 2007 information session will cover the following topics:
- Where the RSE is most applicable during the long-term response action.
- The steps involved in an RSE.
- Planning by the RPM for an RSE.
- Understanding and using the recommendations from an RSE.
- Quantifying the savings of an RSE.
- Case studies of RSEs at EPA sites.
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We Want You! Why the Response Support Corps Needs RPMs Information Session
| Date and Time: |
Monday, May 21, 10:15 am to 12:00 pm |
The We Want You! Why the Response Support Corps (RSC) Needs RPMs information
session will address the crucial roles filled by RPMs, both historically and with a view for
the future. This information session will discuss why RPMs are key components and
especially well suited for membership with the RSC. Current RPMs who have been
involved in past responses – or who will hold key leadership positions in future responses
– will discuss their experiences. In addition, the Office of Emergency Management
(OEM) will provide the latest information regarding the RSC, including contact
information for regional RSC coordinators. The following topics will be discussed:
- Emergency response – it’s an agency responsibility
- Homeland security performance measures and the link to the RSC
- RPMs who are also RSCs – and glad they are!
- How RPMs can be involved in future incidents of national significance
- Potential involvement in training and exercises
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| 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm |
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EPA Business Lunch
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Monday, May 21, 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm |
Abstract is not available.
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| 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm |
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Monitored Natural Attenuation Panel Session
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Monday, May 21, 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm |
The Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) panel session will provide an update on the selection
and implementation of MNA as a response action for sites under CERCLA remedial authority.
Historically, MNA has been selected at more than 200 sites on the National Priorities List (NPL)
as either the sole response or in combination with other response actions to address ground water
contamination. However, limited information has been collected on the performance of MNA
actions. The Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI) and the
Office of Research and Development (ORD) are coordinating efforts to close this data gap.
Today, the Superfund program is being challenged to show progress and results. Parties within
EPA and outside the agency are looking for data to show that remedies are performing as
designed. This session will:
- Provide RPMs with a national summary of MNA policy.
- Roll out ORD's new documents, "MNA for Inorganics."
- Present examples of the use of MNA and success stories.
- Provide RPMs with an opportunity to shape future MNA
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Radiation or Uranium Mill Tailings Paper Session
| Date and Time: |
Monday, May 21, 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm |
Evapotranspiration or Extraterrestrials - Which One Will Win Out at Monticello?
Presenter: Paul Mushovic, EPA Region 8
This paper will focus on the successes of the cover, lingering problems, and the lessons learned at
a site in Monticello, Utah. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and EPA collaborated on the
design, construction, and monitoring of an alternative cover for a uranium mill tailings disposal
cell at Monticello. The disposal cell was designed to satisfy the minimum technology guidance
specified in Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, and the radon
attenuation and the 200- to 1,000-year longevity requirements in the Uranium Mill Tailings
Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA) of 1978. Environmental conditions — including relatively
low precipitation, high evapotranspiration potential, and thick unsaturated soils — favor longterm
hydrologic isolation at semi-arid sites such as Monticello. The cover was designed to mimic
the natural soil-water balance at the site. As a result, the cover relies on the water storage
capacity of a thick, fine-textured layer of soil that overlies a sand-and-gravel capillary barrier to
store precipitation while plants are dormant. It also relies on evapotranspiration (ET) to remove
stored water during the growing season. The cover was constructed in 1999 and 2000, and there
are now 6 years of data and study on the performance of the cover and the establishment of
vegetation. Recently, an invasion of voles has further jeopardized the performance of the cover
by significantly stressing shrub species necessary for removing water from the soil storage layer.
Historic Mine Water Discharges Hinder EPA's Cleanup Effort at Former Uranium Mill,
Church Rock, New Mexico
Presenter: Mark Purcell, EPA Region 6
This paper will discuss EPA's cleanup effort at a former uranium mill located in Church Rock,
New Mexico that was hindered by historic mine water discharges. Historical mine water
discharges to a local arroyo significantly resaturated and contaminated three shallow waterbearing
zones beneath the United Nuclear Corporation (UNC) Superfund site, a former uranium
mill and tailings disposal site near Church Rock, New Mexico. The site is also adjacent to the
Navajo Indian Reservation. When milling operations began, leachate from acidic tailings seeped
from three unlined tailings disposal cells and mixed with the mine water discharges, resulting in
increased concentrations of radionuclides, metals, and sulfate. The contaminated ground water
migrated under Tribal Trust and Indian Allotment lands and threatens to affect the Reservation.
In a 1989 record of decision (ROD), EPA selected an extraction and evaporation remedy to clean
up the contaminated ground water. EPA also selected a post-mining, pre-milling water quality as
the background conditions for the site.
The extraction system was shut off several years ago because pumping rates declined as a result
of insufficient natural recharge. Furthermore, saturation of these units by mine water discharges
dissolved gypsum and other evaporitic minerals, hindering EPA's effort to achieve site cleanup
levels for sulfate and total dissolved solids (TDS). EPA is evaluating the merits of a technical
impracticability (TI) waiver for state ground water standards for TDS and sulfate, along with
institutional controls (ICs) to prevent exposure to contaminated ground water on tribal lands.
Treatment Cell Supplement to a Permeable Reactive Barrier: Performance Monitoring at a
Former Uranium Milling Site near Monticello, Utah
Presenters: Rich Muza, EPA Region 9, and Paul Mushovic, EPA Region 8
A permeable reactive barrier (PRB) that contains 300 tons of zero valent iron (ZVI) filings was
installed in June 1999 at a former uranium milling site near Monticello, Utah. The PRB includes
three zones, consisting of (from upgradient) 2 feet of a mixture of gravel and ZVI, 4 feet of ZVI,
and 2 feet of gravel. Ground water samples and water-level data have been collected at regular
intervals from more than 50 wells in the PRB. Satisfactory performance of the PRB requires that
(1) contaminant concentrations are lowered to regulated levels, (2) a high proportion of the
ambient ground water flow is treated, and (3) there are no adverse affects to land use.
Contaminant concentrations have remained low in most wells in the ZVI zone to satisfy the first
criterion. Attainment of the second and third criteria is less certain, considering a continuously
rising ground water mound behind the PRB. This occurrence is likely coupled to an order-ofmagnitude
loss of permeability in the PRB, as measured by serial gas-injection slug tests. The
decline in permeability is presumably a result of the mineral precipitation observed in the ZVI
zone. As a result, the proportion of treated ground water may have decreased significantly from
an initial mass-balance estimate of 4 to 5 gallons per minute (gpm), and the rising water table
now threatens crop production. Flux estimates based on Darcian principles are limited by high
spatial and temporal variability. A supplemental treatment cell was installed in June 2005 to
alleviate the ground water mounding and provide additional treatment capacity. This cell is
currently (as of October 2006) treating about 4.5 gpm and, since construction, has treated in
excess of 2.5 million gallons of ground water. Performance data (flows, pressures, and pH)
collected and transmitted daily to operations personnel indicate that the cell is operating normally.
In August 2006, an infiltration gallery was constructed downgradient of the PRB to reintroduce
treated ground water into the alluvial aquifer with the hope of improving water quality
downgradient of the original PRB. Effluent concentrations of uranium remain less than the
ground water standard. The costs of construction and operation of the treatment cell are
favorable, and long-term maintenance costs for the treatment cell are relatively minor.
Furthermore, the amount of data required to confirm the performance of the treatment cell is
much less than was required to confirm the performance of the existing PRB at a similar level of
confidence.
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Sediment Paper Session
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Monday, May 21, 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm |
Consideration of Confined Aquatic Disposal Cells and Underwater Capping for a Cleanup in New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts
Presenter: David Dickerson, EPA Region 1
This paper will discuss confined aquatic disposal (CAD) cells and considerations in underwater
capping used in a cleanup in New Bedford Harbor. The 1998 record of decision (ROD) for New
Bedford Harbor calls for the removal of approximately 900,000 cubic yards (cy) of sediment
highly contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the upper and lower harbor. Fullscale
hydraulic dredging, dewatering, and off-site disposal began in 2004 and, together with
earlier accelerated cleanups, approximately 125,000 cy of contaminated sediment has been
remediated to date. At the current funding rate of $15 million per year, it is estimated that it will
take many decades to complete the harbor cleanup with this approach, with huge impacts on the
overall cleanup cost. As a result, the project team has initiated a planning-level analysis of
potential alternative approaches that would involve CAD cells and underwater capping in
combination with dredging. This presentation will discuss the alternatives developed to date and
summarize the main “pros and cons” of each. The presentation will also focus on CAD cells and
their potential as an increasingly important tool in the toolbox for remediating contaminated
sediments. For example, the presentation will explain the potential for use of the clean sand and
gravel created during the excavation of CAD cells as a source of underwater capping material.
Lessons Learned from Southern California Coastal Fish Survey – Palos Verde Shelf Superfund Site
Presenter: Sharon Lin, EPA Region 9
This paper will discuss the lessons learned from EPA’s fish monitoring effort for the Palos
Verdes Shelf Superfund site and the importance of using Standard Reference Material (SRM) of
the same matrix in fish tissue analysis. EPA and the natural resources trustees jointly conducted
the fish monitoring effort in Southern California coastal waters from 2002 through 2004. About
900 fish tissue samples were analyzed for dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT),
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dieldrin, chlordane, and mercury. The process involved a
rigorous study design and an extensive and careful laboratory selection process. After finding
that the results for the fish tissue SRM (a critical quality assurance and quality control [QA/QC]
indicator) were consistently biased low in the analysis or organic constituents, the issue of
underreporting the contaminant levels was carefully considered. Researchers worked with the
laboratory to identify the underlying problems and correct them. The presentation will share the
details of the steps that have been taken to ensure the laboratory delivers reliable analytical
results. The experience sheds some light on the importance of having a SRM of the same matrix
when fish tissue is analyzed. The research indicates that most analysis during projects does not
use an SRM based on fish tissue on a per-batch basis as a key QA/QC measure.
The results indicate that DDT and PCB contaminant levels are about 5 to 10 times higher in
whole fish than in fish fillets for white croakers (soft bottom species) and kelp bass (hard bottom
species). The presentation will share details of the whole body and fish fillet comparison study.
The message is that modifying fish cooking and preparation can reduce health exposures caused
by PCBs and DDT.
Announcing…Formation of an EPA National Sediment Forum!
Presenters: Marie Lacey, EPA Region 9
The purpose of this new forum is to give RPMs and others working on sediment sites an
opportunity to share lessons learned, ask questions of each other, discuss sediment issues and
news, hear about recent national policy, and provide a network for information exchange. Some
of the potential topics for the forum include:
- Contaminant migration through caps
- Treatment technologies
- PCBs as a cleanup goal in fish
- Sediment resources for RPMs
- Updates on ORD sediment research
- Development of long-term monitoring programs
- Selecting an appropriate fate & transport model
- Determining an appropriate time frame to reach risk reduction or achieve cleanup goals
- Residual risk
- Institutional controls for sediment remedies
Do you think this forum is a good idea? Do you agree with the proposed objectives of the group?
Are you interested in participating? What other topics would you like the forum to cover? This
forum is in the early stages and we want your ideas!
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An Overview of Performance Measurement and Reporting for the Superfund Remedial Program Information Session
| Date and Time: |
Monday, May 21, 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm |
The Overview of Performance Measurement and Reporting for the Superfund Remedial
Program information session will demystify the processes associated with performance
measurement. A comprehensive summary of Superfund's suite of performance measures
and the data systems used to record performance targets, baselines, and accomplishments
will be provided. Participants will come away with a better understanding of the
Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), EPA's fiscal year 2006 through 2011
Strategic Plan, and EPA's annual Performance and Accountability Report (PARS). The
information session will provide an overview of how EPA's senior management monitors
programmatic performance through reports such as the Quarterly Management Report
(QMR), the Organizational Assessment, Regional Reviews, and the conduct of periodic
briefings for the Deputy Administrator (the "Marcus Reports"). With a focus on RPMs,
the session will conclude with an in-depth discussion of several key performance
measures and the RPM's role in ensuring consistency in their implementation across the
regional offices.
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Remedial Action Contracting Information Session
| Date and Time: |
Monday, May 21, 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm |
The Remedial Action Contracting information session will discuss the various aspects of
developing a contracting strategy for implementing remedial action. The following
topics will be covered:
- Relevance of site characteristics.
- Appropriate type of design.
- Appropriate contract type.
- Characteristics of contract types.
- Procurement methods.
- Contract management considerations.
- Cost risk management.
After the information session, two RPMs will discuss their experiences with both fixed
price and cost reimbursement contracts at Superfund sites. Open discussion will follow
these presentations.
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| 1:15 pm to 6:30 pm |
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Ground Water TSP Forum Business Meeting
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| 2:45 pm to 3:00 pm |
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Break
| Date and Time: |
Monday, May 21, 2:45 pm to 3:00 pm |
Abstract is not available.
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| 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm |
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Cleanup - Clean Air Initiative Panel Session
| Date and Time: |
Monday, May 21, 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm |
The goal of the Cleanup – Clean Air (CCA) Initiative is to encourage, facilitate, and support the
use of cleaner heavy-duty diesel equipment and renewable energy technologies at Superfund
cleanup and redevelopment sites. CCA was launched in early 2006 in the Region 9 Superfund
Division and is a joint effort with the Air Division. Currently, efforts encompass Regions 5, 8, 9,
and 10. The goal is to involve all regions involved and assign at least one person to work on
CCA by the end of 2007.
The presentation will provide an overview of CCA, including near- and long-term goals such as
development of (1) contract and grant language that encourages use of cleaner diesel equipment
and renewable energy technologies, (2) pilot projects at various Superfund sites, and (3) the
Smart Energy Resources Guide (SERG). SERG will be a one-stop-shop for EPA and state
project managers and contractors to help evaluate the feasibility of using sources of renewable
energy to help augment energy demands at cleanup sites, as well as reducing diesel emissions
from the equipment used at these sites. The SERG will cover all relevant technical and economic
aspects of (1) three main renewable energy sources, namely photovoltaic, wind, and biogas, and
(2) diesel construction equipment retrofits (diesel particulate filters [DPF] and diesel oxidation
catalysts [DOC]), and alternative and cleaner fuels (biodiesel, biodiesel blends, and ultra low
sulfur diesel, or ULSD).
Success stories, as well as current pilot projects, and a brief overview of the upcoming SERG will
be presented.
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Case Studies Paper Session
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Monday, May 21, 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm |
In Situ Oxidation of 1,4-Dioxane with Ozone and Hydrogen Peroxide
Presenter: Eric Yunker, EPA Region 9
A pilot-scale field evaluation was carried out to assess the effectiveness of an innovative in situ oxidation
process (using ozone with and without hydrogen peroxide) for remediation of 1,4-dioxane and chlorinated
volatile organic compounds. These contaminants were detected in ground water at the Cooper Drum
Company Superfund site in South Gate, Los Angeles County, California.
The ozone/hydrogen peroxide generation and delivery systems were installed in mid-July 2005 and the
system operated continuously until early May 2006, a period of 10.5 months. Ozone alone was injected
into the subsurface in the initial operation phase. Injection of hydrogen peroxide was initiated after 5
months to evaluate the effectiveness of combined ozone/hydrogen peroxide injection in remediating the
recalcitrant compounds present in the site ground water. Some conclusions of the field pilot test are as
follows:
- Ozone injection alone can significantly reduce the concentrations of the site chemicals of concern (COC), including trichloroethylene (TCE), cis-1,2-dichloroethylene, 1,1-dichloroethane, and 1,4-dioxane.
- The effect of hydrogen peroxide on destruction of COCs is not clear. However, ex situ testing of the site ground water does indicate that it is likely that injection of stoichiometric (0.7–to–1 mole: mole) or less of hydrogen peroxide to ozone is required to achieve optimal results and to increase oxidation kinetics.
- The presence of high levels of secondary constituents in the ground water (such as iron, bicarbonates, and organic matter) may have enhanced the effectiveness of oxidation by ozone.
Response to Contaminated Buildings in Proposed Redevelopment Areas
Presenter: Pauletta France-Isetts, EPA Region 7
This paper discusses non-typical responses to contamination, the importance of EPA involvement
and presence during response actions, and the benefits of cleanup to the community. The PCB
Treatment, Inc. (PTI), sites were located in highly visible areas of Kansas City, Missouri, and
Kansas City, Kansas. The PTI sites operated, pursuant to a Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA) permit, during the mid-1980s to treat, store, and dispose of polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCB). Two multi-story buildings and surrounding soils were contaminated with PCBs at
concentrations above health risk-based levels. The Kansas City, Missouri building was located in
the Freighthouse District, an area undergoing intense redevelopment. Residential lofts were
located east and west of the PTI building. The Kansas City, Kansas building was located between
two buildings in the West Bottoms District. The PTI building shared a wall with the building to
the south, and fewer than 6 inches separated the PTI building and the structure to the north.
Former PTI customers were deemed potentially responsible. More than 1,500 information
request letters were issued, and an allocation formula was developed. More than 99 percent of all
responsible parties settled; de minimis parties “cashed-out” with EPA or the Steering Committee.
Action memoranda identified controlled dismantlement of the buildings and soil excavation as the
response action. The cost for both buildings was estimated at $34 million. Additional studies to
quantify TSCA and non-TSCA wastes and segregation of the building debris for disposal were
performed. The response actions were completed on or ahead of schedule, under budget, and
with no loss of time accidents. Both properties are now under contract for purchase, and will be
redeveloped in the near future.
Get SMARTe: Electronic Tools for Revitalization Planning
Presenter: Gary Riley, EPA Region 9
Sustainable Management Approaches and Revitalization Tools electronic (SMARTe) is an online resource to help overcome obstacles to site revitalization. EPA developed this tool after evaluating model sites across the country and around the world as part of the U.S.-German Bilateral Working Group.
SMARTe (http://www.smarte.org) consists of:
- Best Practices and Education: Information, Resources, Case Studies, Links; Checklists; Identification of Key Questions
- Analysis Tools: Technical and Non-Technical
- Search Engine: Find Specific Information
This information can benefit a number of groups including community members, local governments, developers, and revitalization process managers. The presentation will emphasize the portions of SMARTe that may be useful to RPMs and the stakeholders we come into contact with while facilitating land reuse. The presentation will also provide an overview of the "beta test" sites where SMARTe is being applied to a real-world EPA removal action, and will show the new features coming in the fall 2007 release of SMARTe.
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Mining Paper Session
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Monday, May 21, 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm |
Monitoring Hydrodynamic and Geochemical Processes in a Valley-Fill ARD Waste-Rock Repository
Presenter: Ken Wangerud, EPA Region 8
Acid mine site remediation is a significant problem, both in the U.S and globally. Due to
the volume of acid producing rock the only practical solution is minimizing acid
production by reducing or eliminating water flow through the rock. Typically, this is
achieved through emplacement of a cap over the waste rock. The Ruby Gulch repository
at the Gilt Edge Mine NPL site is such a capped waste rock repository. Eliminating
discharge from valley-fill capped waste-rock repositories is difficult and multiple factors
can cause continuing oxidation and ARD discharge. Consequently, early in the cap-cover
design EPA and the Bureau of Reclamation design-build team recognized the need for a
long-term monitoring system which would provide actionable information on the
repository performance and behavior. Specifically, the following objectives were defined
for a monitoring system: 1) provide information on the integrity and performance of the
newly constructed surface cover and diversion system; 2) continuously assess the waste's
hydrological and geochemical behavior, such that rational decisions can be made for the
operation of this cover and liner system; 3) provide easy and timely information access
on system performance to a variety of stakeholders; and 4) generate information and
insights which can be used to enhance future cover and monitoring discussions between
EPA, the Bureau of Reclamation and DOE Idaho National Laboratory. A long-term
monitoring system was designed and integrated into the multi-layered geomembranerock-
soil cap-cover over the 65-acre, 450-feet high, sulfide waste-rock dump to provide
information to meet these objectives. The system consists of tensiometers, lysimeters and
thermocouples in four wells, a 523-electrode resistivity system installed below the cap
and in the wells, a weather station, and a precision outflow-meter at the toe-discharge of
the repository. Continuous data from this system as well as auxiliary manually collected
samples is parsed into a web accessible central server. Automated and on demand data
processing allows for 2-D, 3-D, and 4-D resistivity tomography and user controllable data
mining. The philosophy underlying this system is that it should provide both for
effective automated and autonomous data collection and for a cost effective way for
multiple stakeholders to use this data.
Paper was written by Ken Wangerud (Remedial Project Manager in the Superfund Remedial Program at the Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 8, Denver, CO 80202); Roelof Versteeg (Senior Advisory Scientist at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho
Falls, ID 83415); Gail Heath (Principal Scientist at the INL, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415); Rich Markiewicz (scientist at the Bureau of
Reclamation, Denver, CO); and Alex Richardson (scientist at the INL, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83415).
Origin of Ground Water Contamination at the Molycorp Mine Site
Presenter: Mark Purcell, EPA Region 6
This paper will focus on the origin of ground water contamination at the Molycorp molybdenum
mine, located along the Red River Valley near Questa in Taos County, New Mexico. Molycorp
is conducting a CERCLA investigation at its mine under a consent order with EPA.
Approximately 328 million tons of acid-generating waste rock was placed in piles at the site from
historical open-pit mining. Many of the tributary drainages within the valley, including some at
the mine site, contain areas of hydrothermally altered rock that resulted in steep, highly erosive,
sparsely vegetated scars (hydrothermal scars). Alluvial ground water at and upgradient of the
mine site contains elevated concentrations of metals and acidic pH values. Molycorp believes the
source of the ground water contamination is primarily the naturally occurring hydrothermal scars.
Molycorp funded the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a baseline study at a nearby
analog drainage to assess pre-mining water quality. The USGS findings confirm that scars impair
ground water quality. The EPA-directed CERCLA investigation also demonstrated that acid rock
drainage within the waste rock piles contaminated ground water. The naturally occurring
background levels of metals in ground water exceed state ground water standards and will affect
the cleanup levels EPA ultimately selects for the site.
Use of a Conservation Easement to Address Mine Waste Impacts
Presenter: Anne Dailey, EPA Region 10
This paper will discuss the use of a conservation easement used to address mine waste impacts,
specifically in the Couer d' Alene Basin. Migrating waterfowl winging their way across Idaho's
Panhandle will have a safe new place to rest and feed, thanks to a newly forged Conservation
Easement Agreement in the Coeur d'Alene Basin. The agreement was developed by EPA, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Ducks Unlimited, Inc., and a willing private property
owner. This easement agreement uses an innovative approach and is an integral part of the
comprehensive mine waste cleanup under way in the basin. In an unusual partnership, federal,
state, tribal, and private parties have come together with a non-profit wetland conservation
organization to launch a cost-effective project to reduce waterfowl mortality in the Lower Coeur
d'Alene Basin.
More than a century of mining and ore processing upstream in the historic Silver Valley have
contaminated the Coeur d'Alene River and its floodplain with sediment that contains high
concentrations of lead and other metals. Concentrations of lead in more than 18,000 acres of
wetland are above levels toxic to waterfowl. As a result, waterfowl frequently ingest leadcontaminated
sediment and suffer serious toxic effects or die. The problem has become so
pervasive that an annual "die-off" of waterfowl has occurred in the area for decades. This project
is an important first step in addressing contaminated wildlife feeding areas within the Coeur
d'Alene Basin. In its recent final report on the Bunker Hill Superfund Site, the National Research
Council encouraged EPA's efforts to secure agricultural lands, stating that converting them to
high-quality feeding grounds and reestablishing wetland in these areas is a laudable effort (NRC
2005).
The agreement was established within the framework of the EPA's 2002 Bunker Hill Record of
Decision, which charts the course for mine waste cleanup in the Coeur d'Alene Basin over the
next 30 years. EPA, FWS, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct a Superfund
cleanup action on the easement area over the coming months, converting the existing agricultural
land to clean wetland waterfowl feeding habitat. FWS will implement a wetland restoration
project at this site in the coming years. By returning the area to a more natural state, the
partnership predicts it will become an attractive feeding alternative and provide safer habitat for
both resident and migratory waterfowl.
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Sampling and Analysis Paper Session
| Date and Time: |
Monday, May 21, 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm |
Anatomy and Physiology of a DoD Training and Testing Range
Presenter: Jane Dolan, EPA Region 1
Initial intrusive investigations of a range on the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR)
resulted in trace detections of explosive compounds, even though greater potential impacts were
suggested by the signs present. Range features included firing points, impact areas and backstop
berms, open burn/open detonation areas, a melt-pour facility, and disposal areas. Additional
records review and exploratory work expanded on the delineation effort. Symptoms of range
contamination were manifested in ground water monitoring wells after the accumulated
information could be examined and common sense judgments applied to the existing evidence.
This paper will present the lines of evidence that were developed based on a records review,
witness interviews, soil sampling, geophysical surveys, ground water monitoring well installation
and sampling, and modeling. All these lines of information were holistically analyzed to
delineate the nature and extent of contaminatio n on and emanating from a range on the MMR.
The target audience is federal, state, and local government employees, citizens, and contractor
personnel interested in the investigatory approach, results, and lessons learned from a remedial
investigation of a federal facility site.
Multi-Incremental Sampling: An Innovative Approach for Site Characterization at the
Portland Harbor Superfund Site
Presenter: Kristine Koch, EPA Region 10
This paper will discuss the methodology and findings of the multi-incremental sampling in
contract with the previous sampling methodologies and findings at a property located within the
Portland Harbor Superfund site. Since the early 1900s, there has been a very lengthy history of
diverse industrial operations at the site. The State of Oregon oversaw the environmental studies
conducted at the site prior to 2006 and issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for soil contamination
at the site in February 2005. Based on historical soil sampling conducted at the site, the
following soil constituents of concern (COCs) have been identified: metals including antimony,
arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc; polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs); polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); diesel and heavy oil range petroleum hydrocarbons;
pentachlorophenol (PCP); tributyltin (TBT); and dioxins/furans. As part of a Bona Fide
Prospective Purchaser (BFPP) agreement for this property, EPA Region 10 has applied the
concept of multi-incremental sampling for the property. The multi-incremental sampling concept
is partially based on EPA's guidance document, Guidance for Obtaining Representative
Laboratory Analytical Subsamples from Particulate Laboratory Samples (USEPA 2003). Multiincremental
sampling is an innovative approach to evaluate whether soils at a site can be
considered "clean" for COCs.
This approach, which is being disseminated to EPA technical staff throughout the U.S., involves
collecting multi-incremental samples composed of 30 or more sub-samples within each
designated sampling area, which results in a high sampling density. The multi-incremental
sampling approach is considered more representative of areas with no known source of hazardous
constituents. This approach has been developed using statistical analysis to assess the
representativeness of sampling; its effectiveness has been confirmed by empirical testing. The
number of samples required for characterization of a surface using the multi-incremental
sampling approach is based on statistical analysis and is independent of the area of the surface.
Therefore, the number of samples collected from any one area may not appreciably differ from
the number of samples collected from an area half the size of the first area. However, more
samples may be necessary to delineate the contamination in that area for a removal action.
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Superfund and Federal Facilities Cross Program Revitalization Measures Information Session
| Date and Time: |
Monday, May 21, 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm |
The Superfund and Federal Facilities Cross-Program Revitalization Measures
information session will summarize the new reporting requirements for identifying EPA's
Superfund and Federal Facilities Universe, Acres Protective for People under Current
Conditions (acres PFP) and Acres Ready for Anticipated Use (acres RAU). Discussion
during the session will familiarize regional program managers with the new Guidance for
Documenting and Reporting Performance in Achieving Land Revitalization developed by
EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI) and EPA’s
Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (FFRRO), data collection requirements,
and the CERCLIS module. The procedures for identifying eligible acreage, evaluating
when entire sites or portions of sites satisfy the measures, and clarifying how these new
performance measures relate to existing metrics will be outlined. In addition, the new
CERCLIS screens for the measure will be demonstrated.
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Day 2
Tuesday, May 22
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| 8:00 am to 8:30 am |
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Day 2 Plenary
| Date and Time: |
Tuesday, May 22, 8:00 am to 8:30 am |
Abstract is not available.
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| 8:30 am to 8:45 am |
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Network
| Date and Time: |
Tuesday, May 22, 8:30 am to 8:45 am |
Abstract is not available.
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| 8:30 am to 12:00 pm |
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Federal Facilities TSP Forum Business Meeting
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| 8:30 am to 5:00 pm |
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Superfund Analytical Operations Training Conference
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National Remedial Managers' Meeting
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| 8:45 am to 12:00 pm |
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Engineering Design Considerations for Vapor Intrusion (VI) Mitigation
| Date and Time: |
Tuesday, May 22, 8:45 am to 12:00 pm |
| Instructors: |
Raphael Cody, U.S. EPA Region 1 |
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Ronald Curran, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection |
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Ronald Mosley, EPA HQ |
The Engineering Design Considerations for Vapor Intrusion (VI) Mitigation course will
provide technical information on the design and operation of active mitigation systems
and passive VI barriers. VI typically arises as a result of the migration of contaminated
ground water plumes under commercial and residential buildings, although VI may also
arise from contaminated soils (for example, from underground storage tanks) or landfills.
New or existing commercial and residential buildings that are affected by VI may require
engineered systems or barriers or a combination of both to mitigate the risks to human
health associated with VI.
This course is sponsored by the TSP Engineering Forum and EPA’s Office of Superfund
Remediation and Technology Innovation.
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Interpreting Non-Detect Data Correctly: Statistical Analysis Methods for Data with Non-Detects
| Date and Time: |
Tuesday, May 22, 8:45 am to 12:00 pm |
| Instructors: |
Dennis Helsel, U.S. Geological Survey |
Measurements of trace chemicals in ground water and other media frequently result in values reported only as less than the laboratory reporting limit ("less-thans," "nondetects," or "qualified values"). Statisticians call these measurements "censored data." Common recommendations in environmental guidance documents for incorporating nondetects are (1) substituting one-half the reporting limit and continue as usual, (2) using Cohen's (1959) tables of approximate maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), or (3) using a version of the delta-lognormal method (Aitchison 1955).
These methods are outdated, however, and often result in significant errors. Standard methods for interpreting censored data exist in medical and industrial applications but have rarely been applied to environmental data. Methods are available for computing summary statistics, hypothesis tests, and regression equations. Their results are unequivocal, powerful, and accurate. This course provides an overview of these methods from the author's textbook Nondetects and Data Analysis: Statistics for Censored Environmental Data, published in 2005 by John Wiley.
The most important requirement for participants enrolled in the Interpreting Nondetect Data Correctly course is an interest in and need for interpreting nondetect data correctly. If you have been frustrated by a statistics course, this session will provide an English translator for the few statistical equations reviewed.
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Jump-Starting Ecological Revitalization
| Date and Time: |
Tuesday, May 22, 8:45 am to 12:00 pm |
| Instructors: |
Sally Brown, University of Washington |
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Harry Compton, U.S. EPA |
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Ken Finkelstein, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
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Scott Fredericks, U.S. EPA |
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Melissa Friedland, EPA HQ |
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Steven Handel, Rutgers University |
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Elaine T. Stanley, U.S. EPA Region 1 |
The Jump-Starting Ecological Restoration course will provide information to RPMs that
can be incorporated early into planning actions to enhance the ecological structure and
services of the site. There are compelling reasons to consider the ecological value of
sites, including the contribution to EPA's initiatives for revitalization and beneficial
reuse. Reasonable and realistic activities can be incorporated that will not "cramp" the
budget. Rather than thinking about how the site will look after the "heavy lifting" is
done, start early to promote ecosystem restoration and ecological processes that are of
real value — economically and socially — to the community. The RPM can leave a
natural legacy; the local community will be grateful; and the legacy can advance EPA's
mission to protect the environment. RPMs will learn the importance of native plants and
habitats, how to manage invasive species, and will discuss the executive orders that
promote this approach. Concerns about wetlands and leaving waste on site also will be
addressed.
This course is sponsored by EPA's Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology
Innovation (OSRTI).
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Real Estate for Environmental Regulators: Taking on the Tough Sites
| Date and Time: |
Tuesday, May 22, 8:45 am to 12:00 pm |
| Instructors: |
Pankaj Arora, U.S. EPA Region 9 |
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Barbra Greenfield, Vita Nuova, LLC |
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Barry Hersh, Vita Nuova, LLC |
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Michael Taylor, Vita Nuova, LLC |
The Real Estate for Environmental Regulators: Taking on the Tough Sites course is an
interactive workshop that will combine lecture from leading real estate experts with an
interactive problem-solving session to brainstorm solutions to challenges in site
redevelopment. The focus of the course is to use real estate and planning tools to solve
problems at tough sites.
The lecture portion of the course will cover mid-level planning, market analysis, risk
management, public and private partnerships, and concepts in property transfer applied to
Superfund sites. Examples from across the nation will be discussed. Key concepts
include working with the private sector to negotiate agreements, understanding the
private sector process, and integrating cleanup and redevelopment.
Participants are invited to bring their case to the interactive problem-solving portion of the course, where experts in real estate, planning, and Superfund law will work with them
to identify strategies to promote redevelopment.
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Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) Scoping: Taking A.I.M. (Anticipate, Identify, and Manage)
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