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CERCLA and Brownfields Research Center Subcommittee
Gary King (IL), Chair
gary.king@illinois.gov
Jennifer Patterson, ASTSWMO Staff
jpatterson@astswmo.org
The ASTSWMO CERCLA and Brownfields Research Center serves as the core agent for research related to the detection, risk identification, and remediation of hazardous substances in the environment. The Center’s mission is to enhance and promote the development of flexible and effective State-run cleanup programs addressing releases of hazardous substances into the environment, including State-run Superfund programs under CERCLA, and State response programs in their implementation of the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. This includes research of specific program elements; the development of State position papers; commenting on federal regulation and policy development; and the development and dissemination of resource documents and tools to assist States in developing and enhancing their State Superfund and State response/brownfields programs. Research is overseen by the CERCLA and Brownfields Research Center Subcommittee and its programmatic focus groups and task forces, covering State Superfund programs, removal actions, long-term stewardship, State response and Brownfields programs, site evaluation, sediments, and natural resource damages.
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Sediments Focus Group
Paul Craffey (MA), Chair
paul.craffey@state.ma.us
Mission
To create opportunities for State-to-State information exchange and development of new approaches for contaminated sediment assessment and remediation, and to influence national sediment cleanup guidance and policy.
Past Work Products
In June 2007, the Sediments Focus Group completed a multi-year work effort titled, “Guide to the Assessment and Remediation of State-Managed Sediment Sites”. The report is available at: http://astswmo.org/publications_cercla.htm. Also in the past, the Group has worked with EPA OSRTI and EPA’s Science Policy Council to provide State comments on the Contaminated Sediments Guidance for Hazardous Waste Sites, the draft Contaminated Sediments Science Plan, and other Sediments-related guidance documents and white papers. The Group has also coordinated with EPA on the Contaminated Sediments Technical Advisory Group (CSTAG), and members of the group continue to work closely with the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC) on mutual issues of concern. Members of the Sediments Focus Group jointly hosted the ASTSWMO NRD-Sediments Symposium in March 2006.
Current Work Efforts
Members of the Sediments Focus Group are currently working on a report designed to act as a framework for the long-term monitoring of sediments, water quality, and/or biota (plant and animal species) following remediation. The Group continues to work with EPA on sediments-related issues and guidance documents.
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State Superfund Focus Group
Jay Naparstek (MA), Chair
Jay.Naparstek@state.ma.us
Mission
The mission of the State Superfund Focus Group is to research issues associated with the remediation of hazardous substances at State and federal Superfund sites and the infrastructure development needs of these State programs. This mission includes providing States with the research tools, studies and training necessary to develop and enhance their programs, and to carry out their responsibilities in the federal Superfund program. The Focus Group actively evaluates the potential impacts and relevance to the States of Superfund program issues. The Focus Group works closely with EPA staff to identify priority issues and approaches to resolving those issues.
Past Work Products
In June 2007, the State Superfund Focus Group published the document titled, “Status in the Implementation of Institutional Controls: Summary of Inventory Findings” which is available at: http://astswmo.org/files/publications/cercla/IC-Report-200606/IC%20Report_Final.pdf. In the previous year, the Focus Group compiled and published a compendium of success stories on State involvement in Superfund (see: http://astswmo.org/files/publications/cercla/SF-Final-Compendium.pdf). This Focus Group takes the lead in planning the State Superfund Managers Symposium, which is historically held every 2 years in Scottsdale, AZ.
Current Work Efforts
The Focus Group is currently planning the substantive agenda for the 2008 State Superfund Managers Symposium, which will take place on July 29-31, 2008 in Scottsdale, AZ. The Group continues to work with EPA on issues related to Institutional Controls, efficiencies in Superfund contracting, and other Superfund-related issues of concern to States.
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Long-Term Stewardship (LTS) Focus Group
George Klein (NJ), Chair
george.klein@dep.state.nj.us
Mission
To facilitate and promote State/Territorial implementation of reliable, effective, and protective long term stewardship at contaminated sites, to include identification of the resources necessary to conduct long term stewardship activities, as well as development and communication of State program strategies to promote effective communication among interested parties regarding institutional controls and long term stewardship.
Past Work Products
In June of 2007, the Group published a document titled, “Analysis of State Operation and Maintenance Costs at Superfund Sites”. (See: http://astswmo.org/files/publications/cercla/OM-Costs/OM-report-062207.pdf.) In 2006, the Group published a report on State Action Levels, available at: http://astswmo.org/files/publications/cercla/ReportofStateActionLevels/Report-of-State-Action-Levels.pdf. The LTS Focus Group has been involved and provided EPA with State input in the IC Tracking System and IC Database, and in draft versions of the IC Life-Cycle Costing and IC Implementation and Assurance Plan guidance documents.
Current Work Efforts
The Group is currently researching existing State costs for long-term O&M at Superfund sites, and State efforts to budget and maintain these long-term actions. The Group continues to work with EPA in reviewing draft IC and LTS-related guidance documents, and in developing recommendations for the use of common nomenclature in web-based distribution of IC and contaminated site information.
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Removal Action Focus Group
John Regan (NH), Chair
jregan@des.state.nh.us
Mission
To advocate for and support State removal action and emergency response programs, to enhance these programs’ capabilities to perform time critical and non-time critical removal actions and emergency response activities, so that these may be performed with greater protectiveness of human health and the environment, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. The Focus Group will work to enhance the partnership between the States and EPA in implementation of removal actions and emergency response actions, to facilitate effective transition of these sites to States for further remediation and site reuse.
Past Work Products
In October 2006, the Removals Focus Group completed a multi-year research effort on State drug lab response programs and published the document titled, “Clandestine Drug Laboratory Remediation: A Guide to Post-Emergency Response”. (Link to the document at: http://astswmo.org/files/publications/cercla/removals/Drug-Lab-Paper-final.pdf.) In 2007, the Focus Group prepared an update to their 2001 guide to the “Coordination of Federal Removal Actions with State Remedial Activities”. The document is available at: http://astswmo.org/files/publications/cercla/removals/CG-final.pdf.
Current Work Efforts
The Removals Focus Group is currently researching the roles and capabilities of State environmental agencies as related to environmental emergency response to hazardous materials releases. Members of the Focus Group continue to advocate for State programs on issues such as Institutional Controls at removal sites, clandestine drug lab response, and on other issues of importance to State removals and environmental emergency response programs.
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State Response and Brownfields Program Operations (SRBPO) Task Force
Andy Shivas (TN), Chair
andy.shivas@state.tn.us
Mission
The mission of the State Response and Brownfields Program Operations Task Force is to promote the use and effectiveness, and recognize the diversity of State response and Brownfields programs, while providing research tools and training for State program development and enhancement.
Past Work Products
In March 2007, the Task Force completed the “Toolbox for Cleanup and Redevelopment of Contaminated Sites in Small Cities and Rural Communities” (link to document at: http://astswmo.org/files/publications/cercla/Toolboxfinal.pdf). Previously, the Task Force prepared a report titled, “State Response Programs: Measuring Success”, which compiled State methods for measuring the success of Voluntary Cleanup, Brownfields, and other response action programs. In December 2007, the SRBPO Task Force hosted the “Remediation and Reuse Symposium”, which is the biennial ASTSWMO Symposium for State Response Programs. The Task Force also participated in EPA’s Brownfields conferences and sponsored sessions in 2005 and 2007.
Current Work Efforts
In the current year, the Task Force is planning to research how States are measuring the return on investment for dollars spent on Brownfields cleanup and revitalization. The Task Force is also planning a session designed specifically for State/Territorial representatives at EPA’s Brownfields 2008 conference, May 5-7, 2008 in Detroit, MI. Members of the Task Force continue to assist EPA in developing effective guidance to States, and have recently commented on draft EPA guidance documents related to petroleum brownfields and the process for obtaining EPA-State Memoranda of Agreement.
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CERCLA Site Evaluation FG
Ken Kloo (NJ), Chair
Ken.Kloo@dep.state.nj.us
Mission
The mission of the Site Assessment Focus Group is to serve as a voice and resource for State programs in the initial stages of hazardous substance detection, the appropriate tools and methods for detection and identification of potential risks, and the communication of these risks to the public.
Past Work Products
This Focus Group was inactive for the period July 2006-December 2007. Previously, however, the Focus Group represented State interests in development of the Rule on All Appropriate Inquiries and in review of EPA guidance documents on vapor intrusion. The Group also assisted EPA in planning the National Site Assessment Symposium in 2003 and 2005.
Current Work Efforts
In the current year, the Site Evaluation Focus Group will be researching and comparing (for a select number of States) the total number of sites entered into the CERCLIS database, versus the total number of sites cleaned up and/or addressed by other (non-NPL) programs. The results of this research are intended to further illustrate the success of State CERCLA Site Assessment Programs. The Group will also continue to act as the primary resource within the Subcommittee for exploring State efforts and issues in the area of vapor intrusion.
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Natural Resource Damages Focus Group
Dale Young (MA), Chair
dale.young@state.ma.us
Mission
The mission of the Natural Resource Damages Focus Group is to enhance the ability of States to cooperatively and efficiently address the restoration of natural resources injured by hazardous substances, and to integrate restoration activities into the remediation process.
Past Work Products
This Group has been inactive due to lack of funding since July 2006. Previously, the Focus Group worked with industry representatives on the report titled, “Accomplishing Restoration: A Reference Guide for Restoring Natural Resources Under CERCLA, OPA, and Federal and State Laws” (see http://astswmo.org/files/publications/cercla/Accomplishing-Restoration.pdf). The NRD Focus Group also assisted the Sediments Focus Group in planning and conducting the 2006 ASTSWMO NRD-Sediments Symposium.
Current Work Efforts
This Focus Group is currently inactive but remains in tact as an Advisory Committee to the ASTSWMO Board of Directors on NRD issues of concern to States. As such, the members are currently compiling State comments on the proposed changes to the NRDA regulations under CERCLA. ASTSWMO staff and the Chair of the Committee are currently exploring federal funding opportunities to reconvene this Focus Group.
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Cross-Program Cleanup Task Force
Mark Giesfeldt (WI), Chair
Mark.Giesfeldt@wisconsin.gov
Mission
This is a new Task Force within ASTSWMO and the group has not yet developed a formal mission statement. However, this Task Force is unique in that it will work with all of the Subcommittees within ASTSWMO on areas of interest to all or more than one of the cleanup programs. Membership on this Task Force is designed to be representative of State Response Programs, to include State staff with expertise in Tanks, RCRA-Corrective Actions, Federal Facilities, CERCLA, and Brownfields.
Current Work Efforts
The Cross-Program Cleanup Task Force is currently researching State experiences with area-wide cleanups and the one-cleanup approach, in order to develop a compendium of best practices. Members on the Task Force also intend to work with EPA on prioritizing and implementing the recommendations of EPA’s Groundwater Task Force, the OSWER Cross-Program Revitalization Measures, and on other cross-program issues of concern to States.
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