Navy Investigations and Technical Oversight

Project Summaries


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9722-9FA - Navy Investigations and Technical Oversight and Scientific Investigations at U.S. Navy Facilities in Washington and Alaska

Problem - The U.S. Navy's Engineering Field Activity Northwest (EFANW) is responsible for various types of environmental work on Navy installations in Washington, Alaska, and other northwestern states. EFANW is directing investigations mandated by the Comprehensive Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) at various sites. These investigations, which are generally conducted by private consulting firms under contract to the Navy, are commonly focused on small areas near specific waste-disposal or spill sites. EFANW has requested assistance from the USGS in oversight and scientific investigation activities related to geology, geochemistry, microbiology, and hydrology. Specifically, the USGS provides technical reviews of various documents being generated by their contractors in order that the Navy can proceed with cleanup activities in a more informed manner. Such reviews are for technical content only and not for matters of policy or editorial style. The USGS also conducts innovative scientific investigations related primarily to contaminant fate and transport at various facilities. Such Investigations are designed to compliment and enhance the activities of private contractors at the site, and involve particular areas of expertise of the USGS.

Objectives - The USGS provides technical reviews of various types of documents being generated as part of environmental cleanup activities at Navy and Marine Corps installations in the State of Washington. The USGS also proposes and conducts, when requested, focused scientific investigations related to contaminant fate and transport. Recently completed investigations include evaluations of natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents in ground water at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport. Ongoing investigations include laboratory and field experiments on the biodegradation of dichloroethane and RDX in ground water at Submarine Base Bangor

Relevance and Benefits - This work is relevant in enhancing partnerships and working relationships with other Federal agencies and with private consultants. It enhances the USGS understanding of contaminant fate and transport and state-of-the-art ground-water remediation issues, and it provides the Navy with an efficient method to explore leading-edge scientific approaches to effective site remediation.

Approach - A USGS hydrologist is designated the single point of contact for all EFANW inquiries and requests. Each year, the USGS and EFANW prepare an annual workplan for Navy Investigations and Technical Oversight and investigation activities stating the anticipated costs of fulfilling each request and a time schedule for same. More detailed proposals for specific investigations are provided to EFANW when required. Completed technical reviews are provided to EFANW as official correspondence. Investigation results are provided to EFANW as official correspondence, formal USGS reports, or published scientific journal articles according to the specific needs of the investigation.