Message #53: July 2001

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Mention of non-EPA documents or presentations does not constitute a U.S. EPA endorsement of their contents, only an acknowledgment that they exist and may be relevant to the TechDirect audience.

Upcoming Live Internet Seminars/Webcasts

Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvents in Groundwater - July 10. The seminar focuses on the basic information one needs to determine and document the conditions necessary for natural processes to be an effective part of remediating chlorinated solvents in ground water. To register, see http://clu-in.org/studio .

Passive Diffusion Samplers - July 12. This seminar will present the technical and regulatory considerations associated with deployment of diffusion samplers, and summarize major points of the recently issued USGS document, Users Guide For Polyethylene-Based Passive Diffusion Bag Samplers To Obtain Volatile Organic Compound Concentrations In Wells. To register, see http://clu-in.org/studio .

Dynamic Data Collection Strategy using Systematic Planning and Field-Based Analytical Measurement Technologies - July 17. This seminar presents information on integrating field measurement technologies into dynamic strategies for site clean-up. Three case studies illustrate the enhanced clean-up capabilities derived by integrating field tools and dynamic work planning strategies. To register - see http://clu-in.org/studio .

Planning and Implementing Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Webcast - July 26. The purpose of this 4-hour course, developed and taught by a team of U.S. EPA Remedial Project Managers, is to assist participants in planning for and implementing O&M activities at their sites. Site examples and case studies are used to examine key issues related to: regulatory and policy provisions and definitions pertinent to O&M; how to properly plan for the O&M phase of a remedial action; how to ensure a smooth transition from remedial action to O&M; how to effectively and efficiently oversee O&M activities; how to optimize and address operational problems that affect remedial actions; and when to terminate O&M. To register, see http://clu-in.org/studio.

New Documents

Reuse Assessments: A Tool to Implement the Superfund Land Use Directive (OSWER 9355.7-06P). This directive was issued by the U.S. EPA Office of Emergency and Remedial Response. It presents information for developing future land use assumptions when making remedy selection decisions for Superfund sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The purpose of this directive is to: Reaffirm the directive "Land Use in the CERCLA Remedy Selection Process," OSWER Directive No. 9355.7-04, May 1995 (the Superfund Land Use Directive) in Superfund response actions, and highlight its importance in achieving the goals of the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative (SRI); Extend the applicability of the Superfund Land Use Directive to non-time-critical removal actions, where appropriate; and Introduce the "Reuse Assessment" as a tool to help implement the Superfund Land Use Directive (June 2001, 24 pages). View or download at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/resources/reusefinal.pdf .

Operation and Maintenance in the Superfund Program (EPA 540-F-01-004). This Fact sheet, produced by the U.S. EPA Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, provides an overview of Operation and Maintenance throughout the phases of the Superfund pipeline and presents guidance for Remedial Project Managers (RPMs). If the appropriate O&M approach differs because of site status (Fund-lead, Potentially Responsible Party (PRP)-lead, etc.), it is noted. It provides practical information on the timing of O&M planning, the transition of a remedy from construction to the O&M stage, the performance of O&M functions, RPM oversight responsibilities, record keeping, troubleshooting, and termination of O&M (May 2001, 11 pages). View or Download at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/resources/sheet.pdf .

Abstracts of Remediation Case Studies Volume 5 (EPA 542-R-01-008). This report, published for the Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable, is a collection of abstracts summarizing 56 case studies of site remediation applications prepared primarily by federal agencies. Abstracts, Volume 5, covers a wide variety of technologies, including full-scale remediation projects and large-scale field demonstrations of soil and groundwater treatment technologies (May 2001, 168 pages). View or download at http://clu-in.org/techpubs.htm .

A Citizen's Guide to In Situ Thermal Treatment Methods (EPA 542-F-01-012). The Citizen's Guide Series are 2-page fact sheets that provide a general description on approaches to clean up contaminated waste sites, soil, and groundwater. Each fact sheet answers the questions: What is it? How does it work? Is it safe? How long will it take? Why use it? View or download at http://clu-in.org/techpubs.htm .

Clarifying DQO Terminology Usage to Support Modernization of Site Cleanup Practice. This paper was produced by the EPA Technology Innovation Office. It is intended to provide, as briefly yet unambiguously as possible, a basic conceptual understanding of DQO-related terms in a way that facilitates systematic project planning in the context of site cleanups. Descriptions for the terms/concepts appear first, followed by a discussion of the working relationships between the concepts (May 2001, 10 pages). View or download at http://clu-in.org/techpubs.htm .

EPA Requirements for Quality Management Plans, EPA QA/R-2 (EPA/240/B-01/002). This document was published by the US EPA Office of Environmental Information. The quality management plan documents how an organization will plan, implement, and assess the effectiveness of its quality assurance and quality control operations applied to environmental programs. This document provides the development and content requirements for quality management plans for organizations that conduct environmental data operations for USEPA through contracts, assistance agreements, and interagency agreements, and it may also be used by USEPA (March 2001, 30 pages). View or download at http://www.epa.gov/quality/qs-docs/r2-final.pdf .

EPA Requirements for Quality Assurance Project Plans, EPA QA/R-5 (EPA/240/B-01/003). The U.S. EPA developed the Quality Assurance Project Plan as a tool for project managers and planners to document the type and quality of data needed for environmental decisions and to describe the methods for collecting and assessing those data. The development, review, approval, and implementation of the QA Project Plan is part of EPA's mandatory Quality System. The EPA Quality System requires all organizations to develop and operate management structures and processes to ensure that data used in Agency decisions are of the type and quality needed for their intended use. This document provides the QA Project Plan requirements for organizations that conduct environmental data operations on behalf of EPA through contracts, financial assistance agreements, and interagency agreements; however, it may be used by EPA as well (March 2001, 40 pages). View or download at http://www.epa.gov/quality/qs-docs/r5-final.pdf .

Guidance for Preparing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) EPA QA/R-6 (EPA/240/B-01/004). This document was published by the EPA Office of Environmental Information. It provides a tool to be used for documenting routine quality system management and technical activities. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a set of written instructions that document a routine or repetitive activity followed by an organization. The development and use of SOPs are an integral part of a successful quality system as it provides individuals with the information to perform a job properly, and facilitates consistency in the quality and integrity of a product or end result (March 2001, 58 pages). View or download at http://www.epa.gov/quality/qs-docs/g6-final.pdf .

Technical and Regulatory Guidance for in Situ Chemical Oxidation of Contaminated Soil and Groundwater (ISCO-1). This document was published by the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Cooperation (ITRC) workgroup. This guidance document was developed to outline the technical and regulatory requirements of In Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO). ISCO refers to a general group of specific technologies, with each t echnology representing specific combinations of oxidants and delivery techniques. Specific primary oxidants addressed in this document are hydrogen peroxide, potassium and sodium permanganate, and ozone (June 2001, 71 pages). View or download at http://www.itrcweb.org/ISCO-1.pdf .

Conferences and Symposia

Reminder - ER-TEC 2001. Environmental Restoration Technology End User Conference, Atlanta, July 17-19. This conference is sponsored by DOE, DOD, and EPA. The purpose of the conference is to Share DOE/DOD/EPA cleanup successes and technical innovations, promote deployment of innovative technologies, and facilitate integration and teamwork between DOE, DOD, EPA, and State Regulatory Agencies for site cleanup.

Reminder - WTQA 2001 . Waste Testing and Quality Assurance, Arlington, VA August 12-16. WTQA 2001 is sponsored by the WPI under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The conference brings together regulators, analysts, engineers and managers from Federal and State regulatory agencies, the regulated community and the laboratory and engineering support communities in an informal setting on the edge of our nation's capitol. The latest changes in regulatory policy, sampling techniques, and new methods will be presented and discussed. Formats include panel discussions, oral and poster presentations, and short courses. For registration and agenda information, see http://www.wpi.org/wtqa/ .