UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
Headquarters Repository MAR 8 !
USEPAWestBldg
1301 Constitution Avenue N.W.
Room 3340
Washington, DC 20004
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Update on SACM Implementation
OFFICE OF
SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Directive no. 9203.1-14
FROM:
TO:
Henry L Longest II, Director
Office of Emergency and Rem
:esponse
Waste Management Division Directors
Regions I, IV, V, VII
Emergency and Remedial Response Division Director
Region II
Hazardous Waste Management Division Directors
Regions III, VI, VIII, IX
Hazardous Waste Division Director
Region X
Environmental Services Division Directors
Regions I-X
Background
The implementation of the Superfund Accelerated Cleanup Model (SACM) is
proceeding apace and meshing well with transitional initiatives that bridge to the
Superfund Reform Act. I commend all Regions for their excellent work towards
achieving our goal of full implementation this fiscal year. As a program, we are seeing
real results of SACM through the pilots and through day-to-day management
efficiencies. SACM is proving ever more useful in reducing time and costs of
cleanup...one of the chief goals of the new Bill.
Purpose
Headquarters has recently received a number of updates from the Regions on
SACM progress and procedures that have been put in place to implement SACM.
Several Regions, particularly Region V, are truly embracing and implementing a
Vision of SACM that is, "one program, with all employees working together to
accelerate cleanup". I would like to take this opportunity to draw from those updates
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and summarize for you what I consider significant progress in SACM implementation
to date. I think it is important for us to learn from each other in order to avoid "re-
inventing" the wheel.
Cross-Program Integration
Several Regions have taken innovative approaches to achieving the cultural
change associated with SACM and promoting cross-program integration. Region V
has moved their Site Assessment Section into the Removal Branch. This has proven
effective in creating one-program and has resulted in "one-door" for sites entering the
Region. Region V has also rotated their removal and remedial branch chiefs to foster
cross-program integration and understanding. By maximizing the combined expertise
of their staff, Region V has effectively balanced their resources to assure a smooth
flow of projects through the pipeline. In order to facilitate integrated site assessment,
Region VIII has hired technical AARPs in their removal section to screen sites as they
are discovered, make initial site visits, and make recommendations to an EPA
technical body. Regions V and X have involved all staff in SACM through open
meetings, workgroups, newsletters and cross-training. Many Regions have been or
are currently conducting cross-program training for Site Assessment Managers, On-
Scene Coordinators, and Remedial Project Managers. Regions are encouraged to
continue these types of efforts.
Eliminating the Backlog
Regions are making significant progress in reducing the Site Inspection
Prioritization (SIP) backlog. Region V has developed a process for addressing the
SIP backlog intended to identify the remaining worst sites, flag environmental justice
concerns, and prioritize future site work. They have established a workgroup to
provide objective criteria based on risk to establish priority among all the sites in their
States. The Region expects that the States will also use this criteria, and provide the
first cut at prioritizing backlogged sites so that the Region can then start with a list of
the worst sites.
Operating Procedures
Many Regions have developed Region-specific SACM procedures that are in-
synch with Headquarters guidance. Region V has 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,
removal and remedial activities are integrated through a one-step screening process to
address worst sites first. It establishes a chain of command and paper flow to assure
appropriate coordination and management attention as a site moves through the
Regional assessment process (site identification, planning and mobilization, site
sampling, and reports). Region II has established a similar process to ensure cross-
program coordination throughout the assessment process. Region VIII has drafted a
comprehensive manual that outlines their vision for SACM and procedures for
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integrated assessment, priority setting, decision-making, early action and long-term
action response, community involvement and enforcement. Region X has put in place
a process for prioritizing potential National Priorities List sites for both Federal Facilities
and non-Federal Facilities. The guidance includes: pertinent questions to ask;
procedures for Regional Decision Team involvement; voting and documentation of
decisions; and factors that should be considered.
Communicating Successes/Lessons Learned
All Regions see the value of documenting successes and lessons learned. As a
pilot project, Region X created an outreach specialist position in their Superfund office
to communicate the progress of Superfund, particularly SACM, to legislators, the
media, publications and communities. Region V has published Superfund
Accomplishments in 1993 and Region X has published Superfund Update, both
intended to keep interested parties current on Regional Superfund activities and
successes, including SACM. By communicating SACM successes we can show that
we are making the Superfund process faster and more efficient.
Conclusion
I hope this information is helpful to you as you continue to implement SACM. I
recognize that all of the Regions are making excellent efforts towards making SACM
operational this year. I plan to issue more updates as you share your progress with
Headquarters. The SACM Partners have been visiting the Regions and will continue to
keep in contact with their Regions on a regular basis. Please take advantage of these
opportunities to share information with Headquarters. The Regional documents that
prompted this memorandum and contact names are listed below:
Region II
contact: George Pavlou
SACM Coordinator: Ron Borsellino (212) 264-8667
Integrating Removal and Remedial Site Assessment Investigations
Region V
contact: Jody Traub
SACM Coordinator: Doug Ballotti (312) 886-4752
Superfund Accomplishments in 1993
Region VSACM Full Implementation/Accomplishments
Regional Integrated Site Evaluation Process
Region V Site Inspection Prioritization Backlog and Screening of NPL Caliber Sites
Region VIII
contact: Robert Duprey
SACM Coordinator: Diane Thiel (303) 293-1282
Region Vlll's Streamlined Superfund Process (Draft Manual)
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Region X
contact: Randall Smith
SACM Coordinator: John Myer (206) 553-1271
A Region 10 Superfund Update
Region 10 SACM Progress Report
Region 10 Superfund Site Evaluation Policies
cc: Elliott Laws, OSWER
Walt Kovalick, OSWER
Tim Fields, SRO
Bruce Diamond, OWPE
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