Other Strategies & Initiatives Resources
- Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable
- State Coalition for Remediation of Drycleaners
- Measurement and Monitoring Technologies for the 21st Century (21M2)
- Remediation Process Optimization
- Long-Term Monitoring Optimization
- Triad: A Smarter Solution to Site Cleanup
- Green Remediation
- Technical and Technology Support Services
- Strategies & Initiatives Documents
Strategies & Initiatives
EPA's Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program, Materials Management and Remediation (MMR) Center
The EPA ETV program seeks to provide credible information about the performance of environmental technologies from disinterested third parties under the auspices of EPA. The Materials Management and Remediation Center, established in 2008, is operated in cooperation with Battelle. This center verifies the performance of materials management technologies, including for recycling, beneficial use of waste materials, recovery of useful components of waste, and treatment to minimize disposal requirements (e.g., containment, volume, cost); and technologies to remediate contaminated land and ground water, such as that found at Superfund sites and other properties where industrial or commercial activities have resulted in a legacy of hazardous constituents that limit future use of the property.
EPA's Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation has developed a Green Remediation web site. The site explains the basic principles and objectives of green remediation, and outlines best practices for reducing the environmental footprint of contaminated site cleanup projects. Over coming months, the site will expand to describe more details on green remediation best practices, and serve as a clearinghouse for technical materials, decision-making tools, site-specific case studies illustrating green remediation implementation efforts, and information on green remediation related events and new information products.
Remediation Process Optimization
Remediation Process Optimization (RPO) involves systematic monitoring and evaluation to detect and respond to changes in performance. System optimization offers benefits that include enhanced protectiveness, reduced cost, shortened cleanup times, and the increased likelihood of site closeout.
Fractured Bedrock Project Profiles
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Technology Innovation and Field Services Division is assembling information on efforts to identify and remediate contaminated fractured rock sites. Our goal is to establish a series brief site profiles that will identify the nature and extent of the contamination problems at such sites, geology affecting site assessment and remediation efforts, characterization and remediation actions taken or planned, and compile site contact information to open communication between individuals currently involved in using these technologies.
Long-Term Monitoring Optimization
Long-term monitoring is defined as monitoring conducted after some active, passive, or containment remedy has been selected and put in place, and is used to evaluate the degree to which the remedial measure achieves its objectives (e.g., removal of groundwater contaminants, restoration of groundwater quality, etc.). LTM optimization (LTMO) offers an opportunity to improve the cost-effectiveness of the LTM effort by assuring that monitoring achieves its objectives with an appropriate level of effort. The optimization may identify inadequacies in the monitoring program, and recommend changes to protect against potential impacts to the public and the environment. LTMO may also reduce costs. This is especially true as the remedy progresses, monitored parameters become more predictable, and the extent of contamination diminishes. Decreases in monitoring frequency, locations, and analytical requirements can result in substantial cost savings, and such reductions can be implemented in ways to maintain adequate understanding of the site conditions to make site decisions.
EPA's Ground Water Task Force is a workgroup established under the "One Cleanup Program Initiative" of the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER). This Task Force is comprised of EPA and State regulatory officials, and was formed to: serve as the main technical / policy / communication / networking resource for OSWER on groundwater issues; promote cross-program coordination and communication on technical and policy issues related to the cleanup of contaminated groundwater; identify and prioritize and work to solve and/or provide guidance on groundwater issues and projects that will benefit multiple programs; and assign subgroups to work on priority issues, and/or making recommendations to EPA senior management on the best course of actions for such issues.
U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development Land Research Program
This site provides information on the innovative science solutions being developed by the program to preserve the nation's land, restore contaminated properties, and protect public health from exposure to environmental contaminants. The site includes a description of the program, fact sheets, science topic experts, links to ORD technical support centers, research publications, research accomplishments, and links to tools, models, and information.
U.S. EPA - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Superfund Partnership: Program, Policy, Guidance, and Activities
The Superfund program and EPA's support were instrumental in developing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' environmental remediation expertise and missions. The Corps continues to support the EPA's Superfund mission through design, construction, real estate services and technical assistance. Established at the request of the headquarters of both organizations, this joint site is intended for hosting information useful and/or beneficial to both EPA and the Corps Superfund project and program managers.
Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable
The mission of the Roundtable is to exchange information and provide a forum for joint activity regarding the development and demonstration of innovative technologies for hazardous waste site remediation. The exchange systhesizes the technical knowledge that Federal Agenices have compiled and provides a more comprehensive record of performance and cost. Members include major developers and users of these technologies: Department of Defense: U.S. Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
U.S. EPA Environmental Response Team Center
The Environmental Response Team (ERT) offers an array of products to assist other environmental practitioners both in the field and in the office. They offer immediate download of items such as software packages, guidance related to a wide variety of environmental sampling procedures, analytical and quality assurance Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), fact sheets, and bulletins.
For more information, please contact David P. Wright, Environmental Response Team, (732) 321-6743, wright.dave@epa.gov.
For more information, please contact David P. Wright, Environmental Response Team, (732) 321-6743, wright.dave@epa.gov.
EPA's Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program, Site Characterization and Monitoring Technologies (SCMT) within the Advanced Monitoring Systems Center
The EPA ETV program seeks to provide credible information about the performance of environmental technologies from disinterested third parties under the auspices of EPA. The Site Characterization and Monitoring Technologies Pilot functions within the Advanced Monitoring Systems Center of ETV to evaluate technologies that can be used to characterize the environment. Third-party verification organizations design and perform simulated field demonstrations and prepare reports on each technology accompanied by verification statements.
EPA Brownfields and Land Revitalization Technology Support Center
Coordinated through EPA's Technology Innovation and Field Services Division, the Brownfields and Land Revitalization Technology Support Center ensures that Brownfields decision makers are aware of the full range of technologies available to make informed or "smart" technology decisions for their sites. The Brownfields Center provides a readily accessible resource for unbiased assessments and supporting information on options relevant to specific sites. The Center also provides a technology-oriented review process for investigation and clean-up plans for these sites. The project also provides information about other available support activities, such as those conducted by the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Program located at the five regional Hazardous Substance Research Centers. Direct support is available to EPA regional staff, state staff, and local governments.
For more information, please contact Carlos Pachon, Technology Integration and Information Branch, (703) 603-9904, pachon.carlos@epa.gov.
For more information, please contact Carlos Pachon, Technology Integration and Information Branch, (703) 603-9904, pachon.carlos@epa.gov.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society (CCMS)
The Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) established the Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society (CCMS) in 1969. CCMS was charged with developing meaningful programs to share information among countries on environmental and societal issues that complement other international endeavors and to provide leadership in solving specific problems of the human environment. A fundamental precept of CCMS involves the transfer of technological and scientific solutions among nations with similar environmental challenges. The management of contaminated land and groundwater is a universal problem among industrialized countries, requiring new and improved remedial technologies. Documents describing a Pilot Study that was designed to share information among countries on innovative treatment technologies are available for downloading.
Remediation Technologies Development Forum (RTDF)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Remediation Technologies Development Forum (RTDF) in 1992 to enhance the development and application of innovative hazardous waste characterization and treatment technologies. Eight self-managed RTDF Action Teams have formed over the years. The last Action Team was established in 2001 and several teams have completed, or are no longer actively involved, in field demonstrations of new technologies. Therefore, as of the end of June 2006, active maintenance of the RTDF web site will no longer be conducted. However, the web site, including all RTDF products, will be available until at least 2010 and minor updates will be made on an as needed basis.
Measurement and Monitoring Technologies for the 21st Century (21M2)
Through the Measurement and Monitoring Technologies for the 21st Century initiative, EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) will identify and deploy promising measurement and monitoring technologies in response to waste management and site cleanup program needs by matching existing and emerging technologies with OSWER program and client needs.
U.S. EPA Technical Support Project
Provides technical assistance to Regional Remedial Project Managers, Corrective Action Staff, and On-Scene Coordinators. The Project consists of a network of Regional Forums and specialized Technical Support Centers located in ORD and the Office of Radiation Programs (ORP) laboratories, and OSWER's Environmental Response Team.
For more information, please contact Linda Fiedler, Technology Assessment Branch, (703) 603-7194, fiedler.linda@epa.gov.
For more information, please contact Linda Fiedler, Technology Assessment Branch, (703) 603-7194, fiedler.linda@epa.gov.
State Coalition for Remediation of Drycleaners
The State Coalition for Remediation of Drycleaners is made up of representatives of state governments with a formal program to address remediation of dry cleaner sites. The Coalition, supported by EPA's Technology Innovation and Field Services Division, serves as a roundtable for discussion of issues related to cleanup of dry cleaner sites, with particular emphasis on the use of innovative technologies. Coalition members are developing and making available a variety of information to assist states in addressing the cleanup of drycleaner sites more efficiently and effectively.
Innovative Treatment Remediation Demonstration (ITRD)
The Innovative Treatment Remediation Demonstration (ITRD) Program is funded by the DOE Office of Environmental Restoration (EM-40) to help accelerate the adoption and implementation of new and innovative remediation technologies. Developed as a Public-Private Partnership program with Clean Sites, Inc., and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Technology Innovation and Field Services Division and coordinated by Sandia National Laboratories, the ITRD Program attempts to reduce many of the classic barriers to the use of new technologies by involving government, industry, and regulatory agencies in the assessment, implementation, and validation of innovative technologies.
Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC)
ITRC is a state-led coalition working together with industry and stakeholders to achieve regulatory acceptance of environmental technologies.
ITRC consists of more than 35 states that work to break down barriers and reduce compliance costs, making it easier to use new technologies and helping states maximize resources. ITRC brings together a diverse mix of environmental experts and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to broaden and deepen technical knowledge and streamline the regulation of new environmental technologies. ITRC accomplishes its mission in two ways: it develops guidance documents and training courses to meet the needs of both regulators and environmental consultants, and it works with state representatives to ensure that ITRC products and services have maximum impact among state environmental agencies and technology users.
ITRC consists of more than 35 states that work to break down barriers and reduce compliance costs, making it easier to use new technologies and helping states maximize resources. ITRC brings together a diverse mix of environmental experts and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to broaden and deepen technical knowledge and streamline the regulation of new environmental technologies. ITRC accomplishes its mission in two ways: it develops guidance documents and training courses to meet the needs of both regulators and environmental consultants, and it works with state representatives to ensure that ITRC products and services have maximum impact among state environmental agencies and technology users.
