HSED SACM REPORT Published by the Hazardous Site Evaluation Division/Office of Emergency and Remedial Response Publication 9203.1-071 Intermittent Bulletin January 1993 Volume 1, Number 1 WELCOME! Readers of the HSED SACM Monthly Report As everyone associated with the Superfund Program is well aware, we began implement- ing the Superiund Accelerated Cleanup Model (SACM) during the past year. An important aspect of this effort is keeping HSED staff and personnel in the Regional offices well-informed about the broad range of activities that were begun in recent months to revise programmatic procedures to comply with SACM. Accordingly, HSED will prepare and periodically distribute a report that describes SACM-related efforts. Since this is the inaugural issue (January 1993), we invite your comments on its overall useful- ness, appropriate distribution, format and so forth. Also, we are particularly interested in receiving input on planned or recently completed activities which are relevant to SACM implementation. If you have information or opinions that you would like to convey, please contact Delores Rodgers- Smith at (703) 603-8856. HSED SACM WoRkqnoup The HSED SACM Workgroup meets weekly to coordinate SACM activities within HSED. Recent activities have included planning of training for Headquarters personnel, discuss- ing "indicators" of SACM implementation, preparing a briefing package on SACM and publishing the HSED SACM Report ASSESSMENT UNC!ER SACM SACM Assessment Workgroup HSED has organized a staff-level SACM assessment workgroup under the guidance of the SACM Steering Committee. The workgroup, which will provide guidance on the "nuts and bolts" of implementing SACM, includes representatives from HSED, HSCD, ERD, OPM, OWPE, OGC (see glossary below) and the Regions. It will sponsor theme meetings which focus on integrating various aspects of current assessments. Meetings will be held on a monthly basis at EPA Headquarters. JJ GLossARy oF SElECTEd ACRONYMS AOB: Analytical Operations Branch/HSED ATSDR: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ERD: Emergency Response Division/OERR HSCD: Hazardous Site Control Division/OERR HSED: Hazardous Site Evaluation Division/OERR OERR: Office of Emergency and Remedial Reponse/OSWER OGC: Office of General Counsel/EPA OPM: Office of Program Management/OERR OSWER: Officeiof Solid Waste and Emergency Response/EPA OWPE: Office of Waste Programs Enforcement/OSWER ROB: Response Operations Branch/ERD SAB: Site Assessment Branch/HSED TIB: Tories Integration Branch/HSED PLANNEd ACTIVITIES HSED SACM Workgroup meets every Tuesday. SACM Training Series of all hands meetings (for Headquarters personnel) • January 7th: SAB—site assessment screening (video) • January 28th: TIB—UBK Model, Three-City Lead Study and soil cleanup levels • February 11th: TIB—risk communication training • February 25th: AOB—automated data review, QTM analytical services and field methods Faster... C/eaner... Safer Site Assessment SAB prepared and revised the fact sheet on the site assessment process under SACM and, along with other fact sheets, distributed it to the Regions and States for comment SAB is summarizing the comments and will meet with OWPE, HSCD, ERD and OGC to resolve any major issues raised by reviewers. SAB completed revisions to the fact sheet in December. SAB and ERD/ROB are continuing to identify and assess issues involved in integrating removal and remedial site assessment activities into a single assessment under SACM. A questionnaire was recently distributed to OSCs and to removal field staff with the goal of obtaining Regional input and determining how combined assessments can meet both removal and remedial objectives. ------- Comparison of RA and PA/SI Data Requirements SAB and ERD/ROB are jointly continuing the special project to compare removal assessments and PAs/SIs on program data requirements and to anticipate issues involved in integrating assessment activities into a single assessment under SACM. SAB will distribute a report on this project to Regional contacts. Future steps include formation of a workgroup and field implementation. Checklist for Integrated ESI/RI Enforcement Support SAB is coordinating with OWPE in develop- ing a checklist for integrating Expanded Site Inspection (ESI) and Remedial Investigation (RI) enforcement support. The checklist will be designed to assist a site manager in coordinating the timing of PRP searches and other enforcement activities during site assessment. The expected completion date is February; initial drafts are under review by OWPE. Benefits Analyses for ESI/RI Integration SAB is preparing the final report for an analysis of the time and cost savings likely to result from integrating ESI and RI activities. The report concludes that site assessment could be accelerated by up to two years, along with modest cost savings, if ESI and RI are integrated. The expected completion date for this assessment is March 1993. Pilot PROJECTS Region HI SACM Pilot AOB recently met with Region HI Labora- tory personnel to discuss progress in the Region in SACM pilot for data validation, a process which typically consumes a-signifi- cant amount of resources. The new approach involves centralization of data review, a combination of manual and automated validation, and a tiered approach to selecting the desired level of review through the DQO process at the start of the project. Region HI recently demonstrated the new process for Headquarters personnel. OthER QA Standing Committee The QA Standing Committee developed a mission statement at its meeting on Novem- ber 23rd and discussed ways the group could gather information from ongoing activities in Headquarters and the Regions. Data Useability HSED is beginning to work with ERD to integrate the data useability documents fqr risk assessment, site assessment and removal. A model is being developed that will be used for discussion and comment by other Superfund participants. Quick Turnaround Method Analytical Service The new quick turnaround method (QTM) analytical service provides validated data to users with a 48-hour turnaround time. Region n has been piloting the service for one year and is planning to use it on several upcoming SACM projects in order to streamline the RI/FS process. QTM analytical services may be able to substantially expedite the site assessment process. QTM analyses are especially well suited to screening and monitoring activities. Indeed, data is often available to users while the field crew is still on site! In addition, QTM services promote the multiple use of sample results. Printed on Recycled Paper HSED PARTICIPATION IN SACM WoRkquoups OERR SACM "Lunch Bunch": Mission: Overall coordination of SACM activities and issue resolution. Participants: OERR Division Directors ' Schedule: Weekly HSED SACM Workgroup: Mission: To provide effective coordination and communication of SACM activities within HSED. Lead: Ruth Bleyler Participants: Chuck Sands, David . Ouderkirk, Dee Rodpers-Smith Schedule: Weekly ' OSWER Communication Workgroup: Mission: To effectively communicate information about the mission and accomplishments of the Superfund program. Lead: Sherry Hawkins Participants: (HSED) Tina Maragousis SACM Site Assessment: Mission: To integrate all site assessment activities under HSED, HSCD, ERD and OWPE. Lead: Steve Chang Participants: (HSED) Steve Caldwell, Barbara Bach, Ruth Bleyler, David Ouderkirk Data Quality Objectives: Mission: To revise and develop the DQO guidance for Superfund response activities. Lead; Carolyn Offutt (HSCD) Participants: (HSED) Rum Bleyler, Steve Chang, Jim Barren ATSDR/EPA: Mission: To develop a plan for ATSDR's involvement in the EPA SACM program. Lead: George Buynoski (ATSDR) Participants: (EPA) Ron Borsejlino, Joe LaFornara, Ruth Bleyler, Don Williams SACM QA Standing Committee: Mission: To ensure consistent and efficient application of appropriate levels of QA and QC to all phases of SACM environmental . sampling. . Lead: Duane Geuder (OPM) Participants: Carolyn Offutt, Bill CoaMey, Ruth Bleyler, Hans Waetien (CJWPB) Schedule: 3rd Tuesday of each month Data Useability Integration: Mission: To develop a "short sheet" on integrated data useability guidatfce. Lead: Bill Coakley (EREty Ruth Bleyler Schedule: Twice monthly Presumptive Remedies: Mission: To accelerate remedy selection through use of presumptive remedies. Lead: HSCD, ERD Participants: (HSED) Steve Chang, Monique Curry ------- |