Office of Emergency and
Remedial Response
Washington, DC 20460
9203.1-15
PB 94-963270
EPA 540/R-94/042
August 1994
uperfund Accelerated
Cleanup Model
SUMMARY OF
REGIONAL PILOT PROJECTS
V-/EPA
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9203.1-15
PB 94-963270
EPA 540/R-94/042
August 1994
uperfimd Accelerated
Cleanup Model
SUMMARY OF
REGIONAL PILOT PROJECTS
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Emergency and Remedial Response
Washington, DC 20460
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If you wish to obtain additional copies
of this document, contact:
National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
U.S. Department of Commerce
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
(703) 487-4650
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
BACKGROUND v
ACCELERATING CLEANUP THROUGH EARLY ACTIONS 1
Kearsarge Metallurgical Site — Region 1 2
Accelerating Cleanup to Reduce Risk — Region 3 3
Early Action Pilot (Better Brite) — Region 5 4
Accelerating Cleanup Through Removal
(Yakima Plating and Allied Plating) — Region 10 5
INTEGRATED SITE ASSESSMENT 6
"Start"/SACM RDT Initiative: Accelerating the
RUFS Process — Region 1 7
Accelerating the RUFS Process — Region 2 8
Integrated Site Assessment and Early Enforcement
Activity — Region 3 9
Integrated Site Assessment — Region 5 10
Wisconsin Single Site Assessment — Region 5 11
RUFS Acceleration Pilot — Region 8 12
Sandy Smelters Pilot — Region 8 13
SACM Site Assessment Pilot — Region 9 14
Regional Decision Teams 15
ACCELERATING CLEANUP THROUGH THE USE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY 17
Demonstration Pilot (Alaskan Battery Enterprises) — Region 10 18
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OTHER REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Cross-Program Integration
Eliminating the Backlog
Operating Procedures
Raymark Site
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CONCLUSION
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BACKGROUND
IN AN EFFORT TO SPEED AND MAXIMIZE CLEANUP OF
the worst sites first, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
developed the Superfund Accelerated Cleanup Model (SACM).
SACM streamlines the Superfund process so hazardous waste
sites can be addressed quicker and in a more cost effective man-
ner. EPA Regional offices developed a number of pilot projects to
test the principles of SACM. Although many pilots are underway
in the Regions, the pilots described here involve four areas:
accelerating cleanup through early actions; integrating site assess-
ments; using Regional Decision Teams to establish priorities; and
accelerating cleanup through the use of new technology.
In addition, the Regions are developing management initiatives
that will speed cleanup. Several Regions are integrating pro-
grams, rotating personnel, and developing new operating proce-
dures in an effort to maximize resources.
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ACCELERATING CLEANUP
THROUGH EARLY ACTIONS
Traditionally, Superfund cleanups
were performed after long periods of site
study and assessment. Once EPA
determined the appropriate response action,
cleanup was generally undertaken at one
area of the site at a time. Under SACM,
this is no longer the case. Pilot
projects are initiated to consolidate steps.
Early actions are being used simultaneously
with site studies or to address areas of
contamination typically cleaned up through
long-term actions. Regions 1,3,5, and 10
have successfully tested pilots that use
early actions to speed cleanup.
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Kearsarge Metallurgical Site — Region 1
THE KEARSARGE METALLURGICAL SITE, LOCATED IN
New Hampshire, is an abandoned foundry that contained waste
piles, catch basins, and contaminated groundwater. To acceler-
ate cleanup of the site, Region 1 conducted early and long-term
actions simultaneously. Traditionally, the cleanup process was
performed at discrete site areas, one area at a time. At the
Kearsarge site, however, an early action was undertaken at one
portion of the site while longer term activities took place to
clean the groundwater. The later stage cleanup work began
nine months earlier than usual because different site areas were
cleaned up concurrently.
In evaluating the pilot, Region 1 found that cleanups occur more
rapidly and at a lower cost when early actions are performed.
Waste cleanup was completed 6 to 12 months faster by using
early actions, resulting in a savings of $300,000 to $400,000.
The construction of the groundwater pump and treat system
occurred nine months earlier than originally anticipated. In
addition to the resource and time savings, public confidence in
EPA has been heightened because the risk to human health was
quickly reduced and cleanup is more efficient.
Contacts: Dennis Huebner (617)573-9610
Ira Leighton (617) 573-9650
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Accelerating Cleanup to Reduce Risk — Region 3
REGION 3 CREATED A SYSTEM THAT QUICKLY REDUCES
threats to human health and the environment by selecting sites
that are candidates for early actions. A team of site experts
developed procedures and criteria to help managers determine
whether an early action is appropriate for expediting the
cleanup of a site. The checklist has been successfully used in
accelerating cleanup at the following Region 3 sites: Spectron,
Westinghouse-Sharon, Dixie Caverns, Delaware Sand and
Gravel, North Penn Area 6, Rentokil, Maryland Sand and
Gravel, Mid-Atlantic Wood Preservers, DuPont-Newport, and
Boarhead Farms.
By using the criteria, managers identified sites for early actions
that previously may have been cleaned up using long-term
actions. Use of the checklist also expedited the integration of
the removal and remedial authorities by clarifying requirements,
decision points, and necessary conditions for undertaking early
actions.
Contacts: Abe Ferdas (215) 597-8132
Peter Schaul (215) 597-8334
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Early Action Pilot (Better Brite) — Region 5
THE BETTER BRITE SITE IS LOCATED IN WISCONSIN AND
consists of two former metal plating shops that contaminated
the soil and groundwater in the area. Region 5 is accelerating
site cleanup by using early actions to control the source of the
contamination and contain the polluted groundwater plume
while the remedial investigation and feasibility study are being
conducted. By containing the plume, less cleanup will be
required in the long-term action and risk to human health and
the environment will be addressed more quickly. Region 5,
EPAs Office of Public Affairs, the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Control worked together to plan the pilot, setting the
groundwork for future cooperation between different agencies
and authorities.
The early actions are complete. The activities undertaken
addressed most of the contamination and significantly reduced
the time required to clean up the Better Brite site. The
improved coordination between different agencies and authori-
ties is anticipated to reduce response time at sites in the future.
Contact: Doug Bdlotti (312) 886-4752
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Accelerating Cleanup Through Removal
(Yakima Plating and Allied Plating) — Region 10
THE YAKIMA PLATING FACILITY CONDUCTED ELECTRO-
plating operations in Yakima, Washington. Rinse water and
plating solutions used in the process contaminated soil at the
site. Region 10 used an early action to accelerate the cleanup of
the facility.
Region 10 estimates approximately 15.5 months and $100,000
were saved by conducting an early action instead of a long-term
action. By saving considerable time and resources and reducing
risk to human health and the environment, the pilot satisfied the
concerns of the community.
The Allied Plating site is located in Portland, Oregon, and was
used for chrome plating. Wastewater used in the plating
process was discharged into a surface impoundment, causing
soil contamination. Region 10 accelerated site cleanup by using
an early action to remove contaminated soil.
Using early actions enabled the Region to eliminate the need for
the remedial design and long-term action, saving approximately
16.5 months and nearly $500,000.
Contacts: Kathy Davidson (206)553-1088
Carol Rushm (206) 553-7151
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INTEGRATED SITE ASSESSMENT
When a site is discovered, EPA
conducts various assessments to determine
the seriousness of the problem.
Historically, these assessments were
performed separately, moving from
one step to the next based on information
found during the previous step.
Under SACM, EPA began integrating
the assessments in hope of saving time
and resources. The pilots undertaken
by Regions 1,2,3, 5, 8, and 9
are expected to prove effective
in achieving that goal.
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"Start"/SACM RDT Initiative: Accelerating the
RI/FS Process — Region 1
"Start" Initiative
UNDER THE "START" INITIATIVE, REGION 1 DEVELOPED A
strategy that streamlines the remedial investigation/feasibility
study (RI/FS). Various EPA staff are brought in at the beginning
of the RI/FS to determine the objectives for cleaning up a site
and how the work should be performed. As part of the strategy,
Region 1 reviewed files and conducted field investigations to
prepare Data Summary Reports for nine sites. The reports are
used to determine the course of the RI/FS. By providing more
information sooner, this approach prevents delays during EPAs
review of the workplan for a site, and eliminates the cost of addi-
tional work during cleanup that was not anticipated in the RI/FS.
Based on preliminary results of the "Start" initiative, the RI/FS
scoping process is easier because site objectives are clarified. In
the future, this procedure could replace or supplement parts of
an expanded site inspection, and streamline the site assessment
process. The "Start" initiative is continuing. Future activities
will include additional site studies and identification of potential
early actions at all sites.
SACM RDT Initiative
Information on the SACM RDT Initiative can be found in the
Regional Decision Teams section on page 15.
Contacts: Dennis Huebner (617)573-9610
Ira Ldghton (617)5 73-9650
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Accelerating the RI/FS Process — Region 2
REGION 2 IS ACCELERATING THE REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION/
feasibility study (RI/FS) process so it can be completed before a site is
listed on the National Priorities List (NPL). This approach involves con-
ducting NPL listing activities at the same time as site assessment, early
actions, and long-term action planning. Conducting intensified site
investigation and sampling before NPL listing will enable EPA to begin
cleanup activities shortly after the listing process is completed.
Historically, the workplan for the RI/FS was not developed until after a
site was listed on the NPL.
Region 2 is testing this pilot on two sites in New York and New Jersey
The GCL Tie and Treating site in New York is an inactive sawmill and
wood treating facility. Creosote, used to treat wood, contaminated soil
and surface water on the site. The New Jersey site, a copper reclamation
facility, has contaminated soil and ash piles. This site is being scored
using the Hazard Ranking System (HRS) to determine whether it should
be included on the NPL.
At the GCL site, the new approach has increased the amount of data col-
lected and studied before the site was listed on the NPL The intensified
sampling and analysis at the beginning of the process provided enough
information to fully characterize the nature and extent of contamination,
eliminating the need for additional investigations. A remedy addressing
the principal threats associated with the site will be selected based on the
data generated during the intensified sampling. The Region anticipates
that risks will be reduced more quickly and cleanup will be faster.
At the New Jersey site, the Region expects the RI/FS will be more
focused, saving resources and time by reducing unnecessary sampling.
Because the RI/FS is better focused, it is also expected to reduce the
amount of time and resources spent on the remedial investigation, the
step in the cleanup process that characterizes the site conditions.
Contacts: RonBorsdlino (212)264-1870
Vmce Pitruzello (212) 264-3984
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Integrated Site Assessment and Early Enforcement
Activity — Region 3
REGION 3 IS INTEGRATING SITE ASSESSMENT AND
enforcement activities to clean up a former rail switching and
maintenance yard in Virginia. Contamination has been found
in several areas on the site.
The Region will conduct an extent of contamination study (ECS)
after the preliminary assessment/site inspection. The data gath-
ered for the ECS will be sufficient to proceed with the remedial
investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS), eliminating the separate
RI/FS data gathering and analysis phase of the assessment
process. Based on the findings of these studies, EPA will deter-
mine whether the site will be listed on the NPL. The ECS will
result in significant time savings and faster completion of the
RI/FS, leaving more resources available for other projects.
The potentially responsible party (PRP) has signed an
Administrative Order on Consent, agreeing to conduct the ECS.
The PRP has begun the ECS under EPA oversight. If the site is
listed on the NPL, Region 3 expects that one to two years may
be saved in the cleanup process by eliminating RI/FS data gath-
ering. Use of the accelerated timetable created by the pilot at
other sites will lead to more construction completions and faster
risk reduction.
Contacts: AbeFerdas (215)597-8132
Peter Schaul (215) 59 7-8334
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Integrated Site Assessment — Region 5
IN AN EFFORT TO SPEED CLEANUP, REGION 5 HAS INTE-
grated the site assessment process. Instead of conducting
numerous assessments through the cleanup process, the Region
is combining elements of the assessment for an early action with
those of the preliminary assessment and site inspection. This
integration has created a "one door" entry into the Superfund
process for all sites. On-Scene Coordinators, Site Assessment
Managers, and a representative from the State work together as a
team to coordinate early action and long-term efforts.
Region 5 has addressed seven sites using the integrated site
assessment concept. EPA expects this process to reduce risk
more quickly and increase the knowledge and experience of the
team, which can then be employed to accelerate future cleanup
efforts. In addition, early actions will address most of the site
contamination, significantly shortening the time spent in
cleanup.
Contact: Doug Ballotti
(312) 886-4752
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Wisconsin Single Site Assessment — Region 5
IN THE WISCONSIN SINGLE SITE ASSESSMENT PILOT,
Region 5 is working with the State of Wisconsin to combine the
separate assessments used for early and long-term actions into
one site assessment. The State of Wisconsin has assembled a
team that is developing a strategy for site evaluation at several
sites.
The State and Region 5 have succeeded in using the pilot at four
sites. At the first site, approximately 15 months and $6,000
were saved as compared with the historical Superfund process.
Approximately three months were saved at the second site, and
resources spent were about equal to those spent under the tradi-
tional process. The third site had a savings of approximately 18
months and $3,000. At the fourth site, approximately 18
months and $2,000 were saved.
Contact: Doug Ballotti
(312) 886-4752
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RI/FS Acceleration Pilot — Region 8
REGION 8 IS CONDUCTING SEVERAL PHASES OF THE
cleanup process simultaneously at the Summitville Mine site in
Colorado. The site is an abandoned gold mine with cyanide
and heavy metal contamination.
Under the integrated approach, EPA will collect more informa-
tion about the site before it is listed on the NPL, expanding the
knowledge base and reducing the amount of duplicate work
performed. The intensified site investigations and sampling to
collect information for both for the Hazard Ranking System
(HRS) scoring and the remedial investigation/feasibility study
will enable EPA to move quickly towards selecting the remedy
and cleaning up the site.
The Region found that it took only two weeks to finish the HRS
package using this approach instead of the traditional three to
six months. In addition, Region 8 estimates that cleanup of the
site will be reduced by more than one year.
Contacts: Diana Shannon (303)293-1517
Carol Campbell (303) 293-1293
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Sandy Smelters Pilot — Region 8
THE SANDY SMELTERS SITE IS AN ABANDONED MINING
smelter in Utah where the soil is contaminated with heavy met-
als. To speed cleanup and reduce risk to residents near the site,
Region 8 is combining steps in the traditional assessment phase
of the cleanup process. The components of the preliminary
assessment/site inspection (PA/SI), remedial investigation/feasi-
bility study (RI/FS), and remedial design assessments, and in
some cases early action assessments, will be consolidated into
one process. The goal is to reduce the amount of testing signifi-
cantly and also to prevent duplicate testing during the assess-
ment process.
Region 8 successfully reduced the timeframe from the PA/SI to
the RI/FS from three years to one year.
Contacts: Diana Shannon (303)293-1517
Carol Campbell (303) 293-1293
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SACM Site Assessment Pilot — Region 9
REGION 9 IS STREAMLINING THE SITE ASSESSMENT
process by expanding data collection efforts at its beginning.
Additional information is gathered in the early stages of the
process so that it may be used for the preliminary assessment/
site inspection, emergency action, early action, and long-term
action.
The Region is combining several steps into the integrated assess-
ment (IA). Consequently, the IA is a single, continuous assess-
ment that begins with a record search and may lead to field sam-
pling. EPA conducted all or some portion of an LA at 17 sites.
Eight sites were closed out after the expanded records search,
seven sites went on to field sampling, and two sites were evalu-
ated but did not require field sampling.
For sites that require long-term actions for cleanup, the Region
integrated the expanded site inspection and remedial investiga-
tion (ESI/RI) into one step. Region 9 found that an ESI/RI is
much more expensive and complicated than an LA. After using
this approach at one site, therefore, the Region concluded that it
is more appropriate for sites that have a long-term action com-
ponent. As a result, the Region has determined that the
Regional Decision Team will have input in deciding whether an
ESI/RI will be conducted at a given site.
Contacts: Nancy Lindsey (415)744-2421
Sherry ffikzat (415) 744-2360
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Regional Decision Teams
THE CONCEPT BEHIND THE REGIONAL DECISION TEAMS
(RDTs) is to bring experienced EPA personnel together to "traf-
fic cop" sites toward early actions, long-term actions, or both.
Members of the RDT are skilled in early and long-term actions,
site assessments, enforcement, and community relations.
Region 1 created an RDT made up of a screening team to review
prospective NPL sites, a core group to recommend appropriate
response actions, a site-specific case team to implement cleanup
actions, and a support group to provide information, recom-
mendations, and consultations. The RDT meets periodically to
discuss the work being done at sites and considers priorities
from a Regional rather than a site-by-site perspective.
Region 1's RDT has reviewed more than 30 sites. Reviewing
sites in this manner has stimulated creative thinking about
how to address sites and has increased communication among
the Region's personnel.
In Region 5's pilot, the RDT meets on a monthly basis and is
developing a single process to evaluate and clean up sites effi-
ciently and quickly. Since the beginning of the project, the
RDT has reviewed close to 25 sites. In 1994, Region 5's RDT
is directing funds program-wide to sites with the most signifi-
cant environmental threats.
Region 6's RDT is screening sites to accelerate and integrate
site assessments, combine technical requirements for sampling
and analysis, and increase the use of early cleanup actions.
The Region is piloting the process at the National Zinc site in
Oklahoma. State representatives have played an active role,
reviewing documents and facilitating meetings.
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Communication and cooperation between the Region and the
States has increased, leading to quicker cleanups.
Contacts:
Dennis Huebner
Ira Leighton
Doug Ballotti
Carl Edlund
Betty Williamson
(617)573-9610
(617)573-9650
(312) 886-4752
(214) 665-6664
(214) 665-2241
(Region 1)
(Region 1)
(Region 5)
(Region 6)
(Region 6)
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ACCELERATING CLEANUP THROUGH
THE USE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY
During the 14 years the Superfund
program has existed, EPA has steadily
increased its knowledge and experience
in cleaning up hazardous waste sites.
As a result, EPA is placing more
emphasis on developing and expanding
the use of new cleanup technology that
can quickly reduce contamination
and save resources.
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Demonstration Pilot (Alaskan Battery Enterprises) —
Region 10
THE SUPERFUND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Evaluation (SITE) program conducted a demonstration pilot at
the Alaskan Battery Enterprise site. The site, an abandoned
battery recycling and manufacturing facility located in Alaska,
has soil contaminated with lead from buried battery casings and
used battery acid.
The pilot used a new soil washing technology to remove the
lead contamination from the soil. This overall process involved
excavating and washing all contaminated site soil; backfilling
excavated areas with clean, treated soil; and disposing of treated
soil that did not meet cleanup goals.
The soil washing technology saved a considerable amount of
time in the cleanup process, taking only 12 months instead of
the predicted 22 months. The funds spent on this pilot ($1.3
million), however, exceeded the cost of simply excavating and
disposing of the contaminated soil ($500,000). The funds spent
by the SITE program are intended to promote the use of innova-
tive technologies at Superfund sites and are not recoverable.
Contacts: Kathy Davidson (206)553-1088
Carol Rushin (206) 553-7151
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OTHER REGIONAL INITIATIVES
Several Regions are developing
initiatives that do not fall within the
SACM pilot category, but will also speed
cleanup and save resources. These
initiatives involve changing administrative
procedures so that site cleanup may
be achieved more efficiently.
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Cross-Program Integration
Several Regions have taken innovative approaches to achieving
the cultural change associated with SACM by promoting cross-
program integration. Region 5 has moved its Site Assessment
Section into the Removal Branch where early actions are per-
formed. This has proven effective in creating one program and
"one door" for sites entering the cleanup process in the Region.
Region 5 has also rotated its removal and remedial authority
branch chiefs to foster cross-program integration and under-
standing. By maximizing the combined expertise of the staff,
Region 5 has effectively balanced their resources to assure a
smooth flow of projects through the pipeline.
Region 8 has hired technical retirees in its removal section to
screen sites as they are discovered, make initial site visits, and
make recommendations to a technical workgroup. These expe-
rienced retirees have helped facilitate integrated site assessment.
Regions 5 and 10 have involved all staff in SACM through open
meetings, workgroups, bulletins, and cross-program training.
Other Regions also have been or are currently conducting cross-
program training for Site Assessment Managers, On-Scene
Coordinators, and Remedial Project Managers to promote
greater coordination within the Region.
Eliminating the Backlog
Regions are making significant progress in reducing the Site
Inspection Prioritization (SIP) backlog. Region 5 has developed
a process for addressing the SIP backlog that will identify the
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worst sites, flag environmental justice concerns, and prioritize
future site work. To establish priority among the sites in every
State in the Region, Region 5 set up a workgroup to establish
objective criteria based on risk. The Region anticipates that the
States will use the criteria to take the first cut at prioritizing
backlogged sites and develop a list of the worst sites in each
State to speed decision making for quick cleanup.
Operating Procedures
Many Regions have developed Region-specific SACM proce-
dures that follow Headquarters guidance. Examples include
Region 5, which developed the Regional Integrated Site
Evaluation (RISE) process for screening newly discovered sites.
RISE ensures that all sites enter through "one door," and that site
assessment, early action, and long-term cleanup activity are inte-
grated in a one-step screening process that addresses the worst
sites first.
RISE establishes a chain of command to ensure appropriate
coordination and management attention as a site moves through
the Regional assessment process (site identification, planning
and mobilization, site sampling, and reports).
Raymark Site
Region 1 is using both remedial and removal authorities to
address the contamination at the Raymark site. At the site,
which is in a residential community, a thin layer of soil deterio-
rated, exposing hazardous waste. The hazardous waste had
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once been buried in a different location, but was transferred as
"clean fill" to the inhabited area at Raymark.
To address the problem, Region 1 opened a satellite office where
nearly 100 employees worked together on the site inspection,
early action, and long-term actions for site cleanup. Integrating
personnel fostered cooperation and increased understanding of
each staff members responsibilities and expertise.
Staff integration will be expanded in the spring of 1994 to
include program managers. The management role in the satel-
lite office will rotate between the removal and remedial authori-
ties; the manager will serve in the position for at least six
months.
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CONCLUSION
Efficient, effective, and geared for
results, the SACM pilots will direct more
Superfund resources to cleaning up haz-
ardous waste sites. By working to correct
the worst problems first, Superfund is max-
imizing its protection of human health and
the environment. If you have suggestions
or want to know more about a pilot, call
the Regional contact listed.
•if US. GOVERNMENT PBINTING OFFICE: 1994 386-629 814/22643
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