UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, B.C. 20460
April 7, 2004
OFFICE OF
SOLID WASTE AND
EMERGENCY
RESPONSE
OSWER Directive 9285.6-12A
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Superfiind Sediment Resource Center
FROM: Michael B. Cook, Director /s/
Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
TO: Superfund National Policy Managers, Regions 1-10
PURPOSE
This memorandum announces creation of the Superfund Sediment Resource Center
(SSRC) to assist EPA project managers with site-specific technical issues related to the
assessment and management of risks at contaminated sediment sites. The focus of the SSRC will
be on providing review and comment on topics related to site characterization such as data
collection, data evaluation, and sediment stability; modeling (e.g., hydrodynamic, contaminant
fate and transport, and food chain); ecological and human health risks; and the efficacy of
remedies such as capping, dredging, monitored natural recovery (MNR), and treatment
technologies.
The SSRC is designed to provide timely reviews of draft technical work products
prepared by EPA, Responsible Parties, States, and Federal Facilities. It provides EPA another
opportunity to continue our commitment to improve our remedy decision making at
contaminated sediment sites.
Enclosed is a 2-page fact sheet further describing the SSRC.
BACKGROUND
EPA Remedial Project Managers (RPMs) often rely on contractor support to provide
technical assistance in developing or in reviewing documents and deliverables as part of the site
cleanup process. During recent EPA meetings related to contaminated sediment sites, RPMs
have expressed a need for additional expertise on some highly technical issues for these sites.
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The SSRC is intended to provide access to experts within and outside the Federal government to
meet this need.
IMPLEMENTATION
The SSRC will be administered by the Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology
Innovation (OSRTI). To operate and assist with the SSRC, OSRTI is providing extramural funds
to a support contractor and to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Laboratory.
Additionally, the SSRC will coordinate with existing EPA programs (Office of Research and
Development's Technical Support Centers), other federal agencies (National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration), and other organizations (Hazardous Substance Research
Center/South&Southwest) to provide the necessary expertise. The SSRC is not intended to
replace the assistance that is currently being provided by these organizations, but rather provide
easy access to additional resources for site specific sediment assistance.
RPMs can access the SSRC via e-mail at sedimentsolutions@ttemi.com or by telephone
at 703-390-0698. Consisting of a core staff from OSRTI supported by extramural and in-house
scientists and engineers, the SSRC will work with the requesting RPM to access the appropriate
expert(s). The SSRC level of effort for most requests is expected to be approximately 40 hours
with a turn-around time of less than 30 days.
When accessing the SSRC, a complete and clear description of the request should be
provided, including mention of the cleanup program under which the site is being addressed. At
this time, site-specific requests will only be accepted from federal project managers working on
Superfund sites. As funding and time permit, the SSRC will also provide support to other federal
cleanup programs. State project managers will need to work through their federal counterparts to
determine if assistance is available through the SSRC.
For additional information about the SSRC, please contact: Kelly Madalinski (703-603-
9901, madalinski.kelly@epa.gov), Steve Ells (703-603-8833, ells.steve@epa.gov), Leah Evison
(703-603-9022, evison.leah@epa.gov), or Ellen Rubin (703-603-0141, rubin.ellen@epa.gov).
Enclosure
cc: OSRTI Managers
Ramona Trovato, Senior Advisor to OSWER AA
JimWoolford, FFRRO
Debbie Dietrich, OEPPR
Robert Springer, OSW
Cliff Rothenstein, OUST
Linda Garczynski, OBCR
Dave Kling, FFEO
Susan Bromm, OSRE
John Michaud, OGC
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Lee Mulkey, NRMRL
Peter Preuss, NCEA
Gary Foley, NERL
Lawrence Reiter, NHEERL
Nancy Riveland, Superfund Lead Region Coordinator, USEPA Region 9
JeffJosephson
Ecological Risk Assessment Forum Co-Chairs
NARPM Co-Chairs
Regional Toxics Integration Coordinators
Joanna Gibson, OSRTI Documents Coordinator
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What is the Ssfessf Jtes&grce t««f*r?
The Superfund Sediment Resource Center (SSRC) is
designed to assist EPA staff on technical issues related to
the cleanup of contaminated sediment sites. The Center
focuses on providing timely and helpful input on site-
specific issues for topics related to sediment site
characterization such as data collection and evaluation;
sediment stability; modeling (e.g., hydrodynamic,
contaminant fate and transport, and food chain);
ecological and human health risks; and the efficacy of
remedies such as capping, dredging, monitored natural
recovery (MNR), and treatment technologies.
What Types ef &ssfctctB«e are Available from fh«
EPA's project managers often rely on contractor support to
provide technical assistance in developing or in reviewing
documents and deliverable* as part of the site cleanup
process. However, in some cases, EPA Regions have found
this support not to be sufficient in providing the needed
technical expertise, or have found it difficult to easily
access this expertise. To meet this need, EPA's Office of
Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
(OSRTI) has established the SSRC to assist EPA staff
working on contaminated sediment sites. Types of
assistance available from the Center include:
^ Reviewing documents and deliverable* such as work
plans
Providing general input on the results of engineering
studies, modeling work, statistical/sampling designs,
and bioaccumulation studies
^ Conducting technical transfer activities such as
preparing fact sheets and holding workshops
Wfw! Ixjsofti$« is Accessible Through tb tester?
Exhibit 1 illustrates the types of resources available for
contaminated sediments. The SSRC works with existing
EPA programs, federal agencies, and other organizations
to make available experts within and outside the federal
government. Areas of expertise accessible through the
Center include:
t- Geomorphology and sediment transport/stability
evaluations
*»• Modeling {hydrodynamic, fate and transport, food
chain)
* Ecological and human health risk assessment
* Sampling design and statistical analysis
^ Remedy evaluation, design, and implementation
(dredging and excavation, capping, MNR, treatment
technologies, confined disposal facilities, upland
disposal and reuse, and innovative technologies)
<$> Monitoring plan design and implementation
At this time, site-specific requests will only be accepted
from federal project managers working on Superfund
sites. As resources and time permit, the SSRC will also
provide support to other federal cleanup programs.
State project managers should work with their federal
counterparts to determine if assistance is available
through the Center.
Hew Cars I Access tbs Cestsr?
You can access the Center via e-mail or telephone.
Requests to the Center should be sent to:
or (703) 390-0698
Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
EPA542-F-04-011
OSWER 9285.6-12FS
April 2004
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ill
Resources for Contaminated Sediment Sites
Development
www.ep4.9ov/ofd/
Engineering Technical..
Support Center (TSC) -
EPA's Office of Superfund
Remetflation and:
Technolpgy innovation
Environmental
Laboratory
wvwif.v«9*.arniy,m(l/«l/
> Ecological Risk .
Assessment TSC -
NCEA :
> Vtonitortng and Site
Makins avaitabl* to EPA staff
experts withm and outekfe the
Federal government
Sediments.;: ;•:;::• :..-:
Dredging Operations and
Environmental Research
ijERL '••':•'"•
• Superfund Health Risk
TSC -NCSA
• National Health and
Environmental Effects
: Research Laboratory
1 Center for Exposure
Assessment Modeling
(CHAM)
Center (HSRQSouth&Soottiwest
jsjalional Oceanic and Atmospheric
When accessing the Center, please provide your name,
affiliation, telephone and e-mail where you can be
contacted, and a complete and clear description of your
request. Please identify the name and location of the site
and indicate the cleanup program under which the site is
being addressed (e.g., Superfund).
Wkere C?m I Find Out SHJor*
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/resources
/sediment/
This web site includes a list of sediment sites, by EPA
Region, as well as information about guidance documents,
fact sheets, and policies; the Contaminated Sediments
Technical Advisory Group (CSTAG); meetings, conferences,
and workshops; and links to additional web sites.
Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation
EPA542-F-04-011
OS WE R 9285.6-12 FS
April 2004
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