Underground Tactics

Newsroom

Fall 2006
This is an archived article. Facts and links are current as of publication date.

Protecting Human Health and the Environment

The U.S. Army deploys a high-tech arsenal of hardware and strategies on its installations as it confronts contaminants released in the past. While the surface appears undisturbed, the work of cleanup takes place deep underground. A number of tactics could be selected as the Army contends with a typical solvent site.

Facility Assessment

Facility Investigation

Corrective Measures
Studies

Corrective Measure
Implementation

Closeout

Preliminary Assessment/ Site Investigation	Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study	Proposed Remedial Action Plan/Record of Decision	Remedial Design, Remedial Action and Operation and Maintenance	Closeout
Determining the threat and hazardous substances present, and whether the site should be placed on the National Priorities List.	Determining the nature and extent of contamination, technical practicality of taking action, possible actions to take and risks involved. A risk assessment is made.	Selecting and committing to a long-term plan in a document.	Designing, building, and operating based on the plan.	Requiring no further action other than long-term monitoring. Propose deletion from the National Priorities List.
Public involvement takes place throughout the process through Restoration Advisory boards, public meetings and comment periods, and fact sheet distribution.

Federal regulations require agencies to engage many substances when concentrations reach a specific level. These chemicals are suspected or known to harm humans, plants and wildlife.
Type	Likely Source	Possible Approach
Chlorinated Solvents Trichloroethylene, PCE	Manufacturing plants, power plants, dry-cleaning operations	In-situ sparging or remediation, land use controls, source removal
Explosives components Perchlorate, RDX, TNT	Weapons manufacturing, storage, use	Composting, other bioremediation, pump-and-treat, land use controls, source removal
Metals Lead, arsenic	Manufacturing operations, laboratories	Phytoremediation, pump-and-treat, land use controls, source removal
Petroleum products Fuel, oil, petroleum distillates	Motor pools, roadways, vehicle and machine maintenance	Source removal of soil, bioremediation, venting, monitored natural attenuation, land use controls, source removal

For more information, visit our Cleanup page. PDFs for download or printing: 11" X 8.5" \| 14" X 8.5" \| 17" X 11"
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