RAMS
(RESULTS ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM)

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AN AUTOMATED MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM TO TRACK RESULTS
AND TARGET RISKS
OFFICE OF INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
345 Courtland Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30365

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RESULTS ANALYSIS AN0 MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
{RAMS)
—C
OBJECTIVES
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a management system to track
enviornmental progress by counting documents processed, permits issued, etc.
The National GIS Center of Excellence for EPA is establishing a management
system based on environmental results. This system is the Results Analysis
and Management System (RAMS) and has three components to: (1) identify and
prioritize problems and risks, (2) target needed regulatory controls to these
problems and risks, (3) track environmental trends. The system is built by
integrating many different environmental data bases and automatically analyz-
ing them to produce the above three types of reports.
PROJECTED USES
Targeting enforcement actions based on problems and risks. Preparing stra-
tegic planning. To prepare reginal water quality trends report.
PRESENT USES
Targeting Superfund pre-remedial activities for contractor assignment based
on risk. Preparing 305(b) trend reports to Congress. Preparing water supply
vulnerability reports. Targeting RCRA enforcement activities and site evalu-
ations based on problems and risks. Used to prepare regional air status and
trends report. Prepared regional report prioritizing all groundwater problems
(RCRA, Superfund, Water Supply, etc.).
SUMMARY OF CAPABILITIES
See separate RAMS sheets for Air, Surface Water, and Groundwater

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RAMS PROGRAMS INDEX
I:

SURFACE WATER
GROUNDWATER
AIR
RAMS PROGRAMS FOR SURFACE WATER
305(B) REPORTING AND SURFACE WATER DATA INTEGRATION SYSTEM
PROTOTYPE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE REPORTING SYSTEM
HAZARDOUS WASTE SITE ANALYSIS USING GB3CHEMICAL AND SPATIAL MODELS
SHAVER FARM'S SUPERRIND SITE
VULNERABILITY PRESCORE
TOXIC WASTE SITE PRIORITIZATION
SUPERRJND PRE-REMEDIAL RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
RETRIEVAL SYSTEM TOR STATE DRINKING WATER PROGRAMS
SUPERRJND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
REGION GIS LIBRARY

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SURFACE WATER PROGRAM (RAMS)
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The surface water data vfaicJi is needed consists of data en the pollutants
being discharged (permit data stored in the Permit Catpliance System (PCS),
the water monitoring data (stored in STOKET), and water quality standards
file and the treatment plant construction data, (stored in Grants Infor-
mation and Control System, (GICS).
These databases need to be integrated and then analyzed to produce a data-
base for each of the elements of RAMS. These data sets have been integrated
by Region IV's Office of Integrated Environmental Analysis (OIEA) and the
needed analytical tool have been, and are being developed. These automated
tools analyze all the monitoring data and compare the values to water quality
criteria. Violations are identified and ranked. A digitized river system
called the "Reach System" is utilized. The RAMS Ocrputer programs displays
monitoring stations en these rivers and colors them differently correspond-
ing to the degree of the violations. Monitoring statical numbers where
streams are significantly exceeding standards (or not meeting uses) are
colored red, monitoring station nunfoers where the data indicates the water
body is partially meeting uses are colored green, and monitoring station
numbers where uses are being met are colored blue. A printout can prior-
itize all violations. Discharge permit numbers (NPDES) cure displayed on
these digital naps, and construction grants are also designated by phases
of the project-planning, construction, or completed.
The different colored monitoring stations indicating the degree of problems
are used to identify and prioritize problems and risks, element #1 of RAMS.
Element #2 of RAMS (relate problems and risks to needed regulatory controls)
consists of spatially relating violations to nearest discharge which is
causing the problem. By running the analysis program for different years
and time frames, trends can be generated, which is element #3 of RAMS.
Element #4 determines the effectiveness of regulatory controls and is
obtained by overlaying regulatory controls with trend data.

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GROUNDWATER PROGRAM (RAMS)
In the groundwater area, there are different regulatory programs—Superfund,
UIC, RCRA, UST, Drinking Water, and Wellhead Protection. These Programs can
all use the following same three factors to prioritize problems and risks
and then relate these problems and risks back to needed regulatory controls:
(1) the source of contamination (Superfund site, RCRA site, etc.), (2) the
closeness of water supply wells and people served, and (3) the ease of
movement between the contamination source and well (vunerability). The
Office of Integrated Environmental Analysis (OIEA) of EPA, Region IV is
integrating and analyzing the needed data to product these three above
factor.
A digital database for contamination sources, RCRA and Superfund sites,
etc., is being generated from the EPA databases for Superfund and RCRA,
etc. Water supply locations and population served are being generated from
the EPA water supply database and a USGS water supply database. Private
well information from a census database is used to create a digital data-
base of private wells.
Capability to evaluate vulnerability is being added. A soils database will
be obtained from the soils maps being digitized for SCS. Plans are that
depth to aquifer recharge areas and other ccrrponents of vunerability.
These above three factors are analyzed together to prioritize needed regu-
latory controls - which RCRA and Superfund etc. sites pose the greatest
risks to groundwater and water supplies. RAMS contains printouts of all
contamination sources listed in priority order.

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AIR PROGRAM (RAMS)

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The Air Program stores their monitoring data in a database v£\ich is to be
called AIRS. OIEA access this database and analyzes the monitoring data to
ccrtpare data to criteria and determine exceedence. A digital database is
created slowing all monitoring stations and designating the ones with
violations in red. Emissions data is being overlayed to determine sources
needing controls. Population data is overlayed. By analyzing there to-
gether priority areas are developed and sources that need to be controlled
are identified and prioritized. Trends can be tracked by running the
analysis for different time frames.

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GEORGI A
PART ICULATE
EMISSIONS

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GEORGI A
PARTICULATE
MONI TOR ING
1988 TSP DATA

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RAMS PROGRAMS FOR SURFACE WATER
OBJECTIVE
Develop software to analyze all Storet water quality data to develop ocrputer naps
integrating violations and trend data with permit discharge data. This gives us
the capability to relate cause (permit) and effect (violations and trend).
Use by states in preparing 305(b) reports. Use to relate point and non-point
source activity to problems (violations).
Presently used by sane states in Region IV and other regions in preparing 305(b)
reports for Congress, status and trend reports required by section 305(b) of the
Water Act.
The system consists of programs that run on the 3090 IBM mainframe ocnputer at RIP.
They are accessed by getting an the Storet system and entering "RB34 RAMS" under
the TSO ready prcnpt. These are menu driven and conversational with the final
output being graphical. The product allows for 6 program options in retrieving
information from the Storet database, followed by 17 options for data analysis and
ocnparison. Utilizing these programs, the product calculates and displays water
quality violations, percentage of time these are in violation and the extreme
values. It presents the data on ocrputer nape. Storet stations are colored accord-
ing to the nuirber of exceedance of the standard using the ASWIPCA/305(b) criteria
(0-10% violation meeting uses, 11-25% partially meeting uses and greater than 25%,
not meeting uses). The trends RAMS reports calculates trends at each storet station
displaying them on a state wide map. The slope of the trend line is displayed at
each station. The confidence level is calculated also. All the above programs are
menu driven and can be accessed by all regions and states via the above procedures.
PROJECTED USES
PRESENT USES
SUJWAFY OF CAPABILITIES
TEAM LEADER: James (Jim) Bricker
PHCNE: 347-3402

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305(B) REPORTMG
AND
SURFACE WATER DATA INTEGRATION SYSTEM
OBJECTIVE
Integrate various databases with textual and spatial context to identify, target,
and prioritize 305B. 3041L, and 307A reporting criteria.
PROJECTED USES
To target problem areas in conjunction with quarterly norxxnpliance reports to
identify and prioritize permit violations. Identify areas where monitoring
data should be collected.
PRESENT USES
Recognition of spatial relationships between discharge permits, monitor data,
and nonconpliances.
OF CAPABILITY ACHIEVED
Monitor parametric data target upstream sources of surface water contamination.
Upstream sources have been cross referenced with various other data sets (IFS,
PCS, NPS) to report probable causes, i.e.. Point source disdiarge or rm-podnt
sources.
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•TURK 0* MORE
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|^iyj Not Meeting iUndjrds
|yyi PartlAlly Meeting St.nd.fdj
Meeting SUndirds
Untveilifale data
NonpolM Source Identified
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in
SELECTED
SUBSET
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HAZARDOUS WASTE SITE ANALYSIS
USMG GEOCHENNCAL AND SPATIAL MOOELS
OBJECTIVE
Groundwater contamination analysis and cleanup cost analysis on Super fund and
RCRA.
PROJECTED USES
Determination of criteria cleanup elevations of metals with soil matrix and
estimate removal volume and cost. Add groundwater analysis to determine
•plume extent and movement use to automate RIFS. Track cleanup levels and
effectiveness.
PRESENT USES
System integration of various models with required databases. Have begun
analyzing three (3) sites for cleanup coast and alternatives.
SUMMARY OF CAPABILITIES ACHIEVED
Data analysis using integration techniques that combined lab data, site
groundwater and soils data and survey.
Integration of the MINTEQ and PRIZM geochemical models used in concert with
the spatal capabilities of ARC/INFO to project contaminent levels. Analysis
program have been developed to calculate the amount of soil that has to be
removed to meet the clean up levels and cost. Alternatives levels and
associated costs can be ccrnpared quickly.
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PROTOTYPE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
REPORTMG SYSTEM
Objective
Improve the ability of EPA project managers to perform
more complete and timely reviews of compliance monitoring data
for RCRA sites, and of analytical results for CERCLA sites; and
to allow the project managers to quickly perform site analyses
using the reported data.
Projected Uses
RCRA project managers will require sites to report all
compliance monitoring data and CERCLA project managers will
require PRP's as well as EPA contractors to report sampling and
analytical results from Super fund sites, in digital format for
purposes of analysis, and in hardcopy format in order to meet
legal requirements.
Present Uses
Region IV is currently conducting a pilot project with
the DOE Qak Ridge facility to determine what changes, if any may
be needed in the design of the electronic reporting system.
Summary of Capabilities Achieved
A standard interchange format has been adopted which
provides for reporting the necessary information about the
establishment of monitoring stations, acquisition of samples, and
results of analyses. The format is in ASCII SDF format, which
allows transfer of data between diverse hardware platforms
ranging from personal computers to mainframes. Adoption of an
interchange format, rather than a standard software package
allows persons making the reports to utilize a database
management package or spreadsheet with which they are already
familiar, and in fact, the- interchange format can be produced
using many: word—processing programs. As an adjunct to the
i nterchang* format, input and reporting systems have been
developed in INFO ( for use on minicomputers ) and in compiled
code for PC.
Project Teams Phyllis G. Mann
Phone: FTS 257-3402
404-347-3402
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STATES
RAMS (B)
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305B
Hard copy report
305B
Formated digital data
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Prototype Electronic Compliance Reporting System
Direct ealry by Piojecl
Managers or contractors
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U.S. EPA Region IV - OIEA
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ASCII characters
SDF format
May be generated from
many different database systems,
spreadsheets, word processors,
or other software packages.
Transportable via flexible disk
or 9-track ANSI tape, or even
communications.
U.S. EPA Region IV - OIEA
Interchange Files
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EXPLANATION
] Elevation data
from survey
M Soil Sample
data from
survey and lab
resulls
Monitor Well
data from
survey and lab
results.
Resultant Data
derived from
PRIZM after
MINTEQ results
Elevation Data
Monitor Well Data
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mo a
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nd PRIZM
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ESULTS |
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OBJECTIVE
Develoce background covers of the site and qenerate contours for
geophysical log data (.Proton Magnetometer, EM-34, and WADI) for Shaver
farm. Gives the project manager the capadility to use data gathered
on-site to support his professional .judgement of what is needed for
c1ean up.

PROJECTED USES
As cleanup Deqins, the data gathered will be used for field
verification of the use of different geophysical loacina techniques in
finding anomylies which indicate buried drums. Also can ce used to
check cleanup progress.
PRESENT USES
The analysis of the geophysical logs was used in negotiations with the
PRP to establish the workplan for clean up.
SUMMARY OF CAPABILITIES ACHlhVtD
GIS capapilities were used to support the project manager's professional
jugement that important
cleanup proposed by the
generated. Areas where
logs were found. These
be cleaned up. Qrapics
data was being overlooked in the workplan for
PRP. Contours for each geophysical log were
anomylies overlapped between the three types of
areas will de used to help determine areas to
of contours, 3-D views, sample locations, and
points of fosgh values were shown for each geophysical log. Graphics of
the background were used for visual orientation and overlays were made
to aid in t;he comparison of anomylies.
TEAM LEADER: Phyllis Mann
PHONE: 347-3402

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Locating Buried Hazardous Waste Drums using
Very Low Frequency (VLF) Current Density Indication.
WADLJteophysiical Survey method.
EXPLANATION
Measured Parameters*!!
- Vertical and
horizontal in-pha$e
and out-of^phase
components.
.Calculated Parameters:
Current Density
calculated Front ijji|j|{![j
y«rtic»l in-phasecMiiii
jjjjji! percentage of the
like li9rizonliilij|]!!!
CURRENT DENSITY
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Locating Buried Hazardous Waste Drums using
Proton Magnetometer Geophysical Survey Method
52,000-
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EXPIANATION
Measured parameters:
- Intensity of the
earth's magnetic
field.
• Changes in the
magnetic intensity
caused by magnetic
anomolies.
^j]j!il|iji|iii!!ij||||y
Calculated Parameters:
Li i hi Mi b
¦ ¦ ¦ •" ¦ ¦ ppiiiiiiii
-Vertical components
of magnetic strengt
calibrated from
50,100 nano teslas
as datum.
"!M !ym
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mniiiitilliijliUftiit
i Sil Pill
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•53,600 nano teslas-—I
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SHAVERS FARM SITE
EM-34
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SHAVERS FARM SITE
WADI
CMTtn
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FOMC

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AZIMUTH - 2 OEMEES
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SHAVERS FARM SITE
PROTON MAGNETOMETER
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TIWUII

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AZIMUTH - 2 OEftREES
AZIMUTH - 35 DEOREES
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VULNERABILITY PRESCORE
A
OBJECTIVE
To identify, target and prioritize superfund sites, RCRA facilities and water
supplies using the alogorithms of HRS II and DRASTIC.
PROJECTED USES
Risk analysis and site feasibility studies. To prioritize and target RCRA, Super-
fund and water supply
PRESENT USES
Ranking Superfund sites based on prescorings.
SUMMtfY OF CAPABILITIES ACHIEVED
Calculation of region wide DRASTIC scores from county databases. Modification of
elements of scoring system to refine geologic, hydrogelogie, soils and elevation
data. Using scoring system as a ccnpcnent of the HRS III prescore technique.
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TOXIC WASTE SITE PRIORITIZATION
Object ive
Obtain the most effective use of limited resources,
including funds, manpower, and time, in addressing the monumental
problems of toxic waste cleanup.
Projected Uses
Establish a priority order of unevaluated sites based on
an estimate of relative risk to human health and the environment
for each site. Periodically review and reassess this ranking
based on new or more complete information.
Present Uses
Region IV has used the process for preliminary
prioritization of 81 sites as part of the Environmental
Priorities Initiative, as well as for 4,298 entries in the
CERCLIS database. These relative rankings have been used by the
Super fund program for purposes of assigning sites to contractors.

Summary of Capabilities Achieved
A compi1ed-code program has been written which interfaces
directly with the Regional ARC/INFO GIS to determine realistic
estimates of target population size for the groundwater component
of HRS-II. Said program uses attribute data from the 1980 census
to determine the probable number of persons using private water
supplies within a series of concentric rings around each site.
The rings themselves are map features which carry attributes, and
one of these attributes is a dilution < or distance ) weighting
factor derived from the HRS-II model. A total weighted target
population is derived for each site by combining the results of
this analysis with those from an ARC POINTDISTANCE using public
water supply intakes as targets. This target population is then
combined with previously-prepared groundwater vulnerabi1ity data
using a series of INFO programs based on the HRS-II algorithm for
calculating the groundwater score. The score thus produced was
used as the priority ranking factor.
Team Leader:
Phones FTS 257-3402
404-347-3402

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SUPERFUND PRE-REMEDIAL RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
—fj
OBJECTIVE
Gives pre-remedial managers additional information for public and domestic water
supplies within four (4) miles radius of a CERCLA site. It is menu driven so GIS
applications can be used without knowledge of ARC/INTO.
PROJECTED USES
Locations for single or multiple ssites can be entered and spatial analysis done
using the available databases. The additional information can be used to estab-
lished priorities when assigning sites.
PRESENT USES
This method has been used for assigning sites to FIT.
SUMMARY OF CAPABILITIES ACHIEVED
Can enter locations for sites or select data previously entered and saved. Qui
find public and domestic water supplies within 4 miles and get estimated total
target populations for each site. The databases can be loaded at graphically and
the various databases queried interactively. Reports can also be generated.
TEAM LEADER: Phyllis Mann	PIENEs 347-3402
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RETREVAL SYSTEM FOR
STATE DRMKMG WATER PROGRAMS
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objective
This retrieval systan gives the state drinking water program access to EPA
data, provides then with GIS capabilities to help than in decision making,
and reporting to EPA.
PROJECTED USES
All state drinking water programs will have access to the retrieval system
and can use the available databases and GIS capabilities in decision making.
PRESENT USES
Alabama is acquiring equipment needed to allow thann to dial in to our system.
The state of Tennessee is sending someone to learn how to dial in and to have
seme input in possible additions to the nenu. All of the states in Region IV
have expressed interested in bing able to access the system.
SUMMARY OF CAPABILITIES ACHIEVED
The menu new allcws the user to view public water supplies, CERCLIS sites,
HWDMS sites, NPEDS sites, reaches, and county bcurdaries. The user can inter-
actively query the datgabases of any layer selected for viewing. It is
possible to zoom in on an area of concern. The user can also select a public
watger supply, give a radius of concern and find any possible contaminant
sources (CERCLIS, HWDMS, and NPDES) within that radius.
TEM LEADER: Phyllis Mann	PHONE: (404) 347-3402
(FTS) 257-3402
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SUPERFUND RETREVM. SYSTEM
OBJECTIVE
Develop menu driven interfaces to allow RPM's to access site data, look at
it graphically, perform sate spatial analysis, and generate reports.
PROJECTED USES
The RPM will be able to use the retrieval syston to manage their sites with-
out being expert GIS users or having to wait for others to help them.
PRESENT USES
Data for Superfund sites are presently being entered using the electronic
reporting database. The specific functions of the nenu will be developed
with input from the REM.
SUMMARY OF CAPABILITIES ACHIEVED
The retrieval system will allcw the RPM to identify data gaps while work
is still being done on site. They will be able to generate isopleths for
various contaminats. This will enable them to track contaminant plumes
and make decisions as data becomes available. The RPM will also have
access to a variety of other databases to help than in their decision
making.
TEAM LEADER: Phyllis Mann	PHONE: (404) 347-3402.
(FTS) 257-3402
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REGION GIS LIBRARY
Ob j ec ti ve
Provide a common frame- of reference for all Regional GIS'
data, and a single source from which all such data may be
accessed; allow for easier integration of different databases for
which the only relational factor may be location; provide for
periodic update of GIS information by specific map layer; provide
for security against unauthorized modification of the Regional
GIS database; and simplify management of spatial information
dat abases.
Projected Uses
The GIS library will provide spatial data for user
queries from all quarters of the Regional GIS user community,
including all operating programs, management, service-oriented
offices, and delegated states. It will also provide some support
for the information r equi r ernents of the Regional Center of
Excellence in GIB.
Present Uses
The GIS library is currently in use by the Region for
purposes of map composition, interactive feature query, and input
for spatial analysis procedures, such as the regionwide toxic
waste site prioritization procedure.
Sumraary of Capabilities Achieved
The GIS library is a standard ARC'/INFO library using the
USGS 1:250,000 scale quadrangles for the tile scheme. The
library uses an Albers projection which is centered on the Region
to minimize distortion, and map units are in meters. This allows ¦
direct determination of distances without further manipulation of
a map. Arvy. GIS user can query the library, extracting portions
for further- processing, as well as simply using the map layers as
background information for map composition. Security is
implemented in two layers: (1) the ARC/INFO Librarian provides
for query-only access for most users, while Library Managers have
full access, and (2) system access control lists CACLS) prevent
unauthorized modification of the database.
Team Leader: Jerry Sorensen	Phone: FTS 257—3402
404-347-3402
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