SCIENCE
IN ACTION
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Highlights 2003-2004
Science in Action
Highlights from 2003-2004 Office of
Environmental Assessment
Region 10's scientific and technical leadership is housed in the
Office of Environmental Assessment (OEA). Staff members are
located in EPA's offices in Seattle and at the Manchester
Environmental Laboratory (MEL), in Port Orchard, Washington.
These staff members and their managers work collaboratively with
regional and national EPA programs, various agencies within the
four states in the Region (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and
Washington), other federal agencies, hundreds of tribes, industry,
non-profit organizations and the public to establish the scientific
principles and develop the associated technical work products that
are so critical to environmental decision-making. OEA is also
home to the Pollution Prevention program (P2), added in 2003, to
help incorporate P2 principles and real-world applications into our
technical and scientific work. Here is a brief summary of notable
accomplishments:
Work Accomplished in Calendar Year
2003-2004
Over 85 site-specific quality assurance project plans reviewed
and approved
"First in the Nation" P2 outcome measurement system
developed
2004 Regional Innovator of Year Award presented to two IEU
staff members for inventing a new sampling device.
Over 200 inspections in support of 14 regulations and 11 media
programs
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Science In Action
Collaborated on development/release of test method
distinguishing organic/ inorganic arsenic in seafood
BlueSkyRAINS wins the Region's Innovation Gold Medal in
2003
Numerous publications including:
- Modeling Fish Distributions in the Pacific Northwest Coast
Range Ecoregion Using Environmental Monitoring and
Assessment Program (EMAP) Data
- A Review of Some of the Effects of Dissolved Oxygen on the
Fish and Invertebrate Resources of Ward Cove, Alaska
- 2003 Region 10 Annual Quality Assurance Report and
Manchester Environmental Laboratory Annual Report
- Water Quality Assessment of American Falls Reservoir; EPA
910-R10-04-006
- Receptor Model Analyses of Aerosol PM2.5 Data from the
IMPROVE Monitor at Denali National Park; EPA 910-R-
04-012
Science is at the heart of EPAs work from evaluating the
condition of the environment, to the assessment of risk, to the
development of methods to prevent or remediate risk. Region 10 is
committed to developing new tools and providing sound and
thoughtful scientific input to our regulatory decisions. The Region
seeks to advance the integration of science on a geographic and
cross-media basis to address environmental concerns more
holistically and to use our limited resources more efficiently. Our
success depends upon the talent and hard work of staff and
managers within OEA, and on the Region's commitment to proper
utilization of these resources. You have our pledge to continue
working cooperatively and productively, with our internal and
external partners, toward the development and application of
sound science in making decisions that affect the environment of
the Pacific Northwest and Alaska that we all cherish.
Signed,
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Highlights 2003-2004
Mission Statement
Office Of Environmental Assessment
The mission of the Office of Environmental Assessment is to
demonstrate scientific/technical leadership, develop partnerships
for providing scientific/technical information, assess the condition
of the environment, and determine the compliance status of
pollution sources.
Scientific/Technical Leadership:
Learn, use, and develop state-of-the-art assessment methods to
continuously improve the depth and accuracy of the Region's
knowledge and evaluation of environmental conditions.
Promote a system of peer review and data quality management
to ensure our actions are scientifically and technically
defensible.
Collaborate with other agencies and the public to identify and
explore new scientific/ technical issues, methods, and solutions
for enhancing our assessment and protection of the
environment.
Provide scientific/technical training and consultation within
EPA, and to other agencies and the public.
Partnerships:
Provide the best available scientific/technical support, including
analysis and interpretation, to our partners and the public.
Establish and improve scientific/technical networks, both
internal and external to EPA.
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Science In Action
Environmental Assessment:
Assess the condition of the environment, including the
compliance status of pollution sources.
Identify information gaps to direct future data acquisition
activities.
Provide information on meaningful and measurable
environmental indicators that can be used to make informed
management and/or policy decisions.
Provide comparative risk analyses and risk management options
for use in setting priorities.
The Composition of OEA
In order to achieve these objectives, the Office is divided into
units, each responsible for particular aspects of the mission
statement.
There are 91 staff in OEA, including the Office Director,
Associate Director, Laboratory Director, three Unit Managers, and
a senior supervisory chemist. There are three (3) units: the
Investigation and Engineering Unit (IEU), the Risk Evaluation
Unit (REU), and the Technical Support Unit (TSU). OEA is
home to the Manchester Laboratory as well. There are three key
administrative staff who support the units in the Seattle office and
two supporting the staff in Manchester. There are several staff who
work directly for the Office Director including the Regional
Quality Assurance Manager, the Regional Science Liaison to
EPAs Office of Research and Development (ORD), and OEAs
management and program analysts.
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Highlights 2003-2004
Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL)
Regional laboratories apply science policies, principles, and
methods to support regulatory programs, monitoring programs,
and special projects. Regional laboratory expertise is directed at a
daunting array of environmental issues through direct
implementation and leveraged through partnerships with state,
local, and tribal governments, private industry, the academic
community, EPA program offices, ORD, and the public. Regional
laboratories are crucial to advancing the Agency's science agenda
through the application of the following principles:
Integrate laboratory activities with those of field and quality
assurance partners into a comprehensive, holistic, multi-media
approach to solving ecosystem-based environmental problems.
Provide scientific data of known quality to support Agency
decisions through partnerships with regional and national media
program offices, state, local, and tribal governments, academia, the
private sector, and the public.
Maintain a fully equipped laboratory to produce physical,
chemical, and biological data of known quality to be used for
environmental decision-making at all levels of government.
Maintain and enhance a technically and scientifically skilled,
dedicated, and diverse staff through outstanding recruitment,
career development, training, management, and leadership.
Advance the Agency's science agenda at the point where
decisions are made.
Technical Support Unit (TSU)
The Technical Support Unit provides broad scientific and
technical support to all Regional programs. The Unit includes
experts in chemistry, atmospheric sciences and meteorology,
health physics, engineering, and economics and finance. The Unit
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Science In Action
staff members provide advice and technical assistance to state,
local, and tribal agencies, other federal agencies, international
organizations, and the general public. The staff members
participate in the development of Regional and national technical
guidance in their respective areas of expertise, and participate in
professional organizations and conferences.
Quality Assurance Expertise: In support of the Regional Quality
Assurance program, Unit staff members ensure that environmental
data employed in management decisions are of acceptable and
appropriate quality; review and approve quality assurance plans;
and, conduct technical and performance audits of field and
laboratory activities.
Air Program Support: The Unit provides analyses of ambient air
quality and meteorological data; performs and reviews multi-scale,
multi-pollutant air quality modeling analyses; oversees state, local,
and tribal air quality monitoring and modeling programs; manages
submittal of state, local, and tribal data to national data bases;
performs assessments of state and local air quality monitoring
networks; develops and reviews air emission inventories; and,
assesses the adequacy of air pollutant control technologies.
Economics and Financial Analysis Support: The Unit has two
staff with economics and financial analysis expertise that they
provide to all programs, including expert advice and financial
analysis on an array of enforcement-related issues; developing and
implementing surveys, workshops, and training; and, performing
other special studies.
Radiation Program Support: Unit staff members integrate and
coordinate the Regional radiation program with other Regional
programs, involving such areas of responsibility as radiological
emergency response and homeland security; remediation of
contaminated sites; radiological safety and training; monitoring
and regulation of radionuclide emissions; and, maintaining
professional health physics capability for the Region and the
Agency.
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Highlights 2003-2004
Risk Evaluation Unit (REU)
The Risk Evaluation Unit is responsible for characterizing the
environment as well as assessing risks to people and ecosystems.
The Unit includes experts in the physical, chemical, and
biological sciences. The Unit supports all EPA programs by
determining what would be considered safe consumption of fish
and shellfish; identifying and assessing point and non-point source
stressors to aquatic ecosystems; recommending ways to reduce
human health and ecological risks from exposure to persistent,
bioaccumulative and/or toxic chemicals (lead, pesticides, PCBs,
dioxins); characterizing ecosystems including the conditions in
Indian Country; improving the public's ability to reduce exposure
to human health and environmental risks; and, advancing the
scientific understanding of the integrity and sustainability of
ecosystems through measurement, modeling, maintenance, or
restoration at multiple scales (i.e., macro-, micro-scale). The staff
members provide advice and technical assistance to tribes, states,
other federal agencies, and the general public on all matters
related to the condition of the environment. The staffers also
assist Headquarters in developing guidance on human health and
ecological assessments.
Investigation and Engineering Unit (IEU)
The Investigation and Engineering Unit is a multi-disciplinary/
multi-media team providing scientific, engineering and technical
support to all Region 10 media programs. It is an expertise-driven,
technical support unit. Field inspectors in this Unit are trained in
environmental monitoring, assessment, and sampling for
pesticides, toxic chemicals, water quality, air quality, asbestos and
PCBs. These experienced inspectors serve as mentors, assisting
new staff by providing job development and training support.
They have expertise in the area of multi-media inspection
coordination and execution.
This Unit has special investigations capabilities for enforcement
and other programs, including Superfund. They provide support
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Science In Action
for civil and criminal enforcement actions, as well as assist in
program initiatives. Investigators provide intelligence- and
information-gathering on companies and individuals who may be
in non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
Pollution prevention (P2) experts provide support for state
programs, with the intention of fostering constructive working
relationships and integrating P2 work in the Region as well as
providing technical assistance to businesses. This Unit also
provides credentials training for prospective inspectors.
Meet the New Leader of OEA
Bill Riley recently joined OEA as its Director. Bill began his
federal career in 1974 at the US Geological Survey. He has
also worked for the Corps of Engineers, Seattle City Light and,
in 1980, joined Region 10 to work on energy issues. During
his 24 years with Region 10, he has worked on environmental
impact statement (EIS) development and review, managed the
Regional Wetlands Protection Program and prior to his new
assignment, served for 9 years as the Region's Mining
Coordinator in the Office of Water. Bill has a varied
interdisciplinary educational background and enjoys working
cross-program issues. He likes working with technical specialists
to properly incorporate good science into complex regulatory
decision-making.
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Highlights 2003-2004
Key Elements to Achieving OEA's Mission
OEA staff members are actively involved in providing direct
environmental assessment, oversight, and/or advice to nearly
every office in the Region. There are several key elements to
OEA's work that are essential to achieving the mission of the
organization. These elements include:
the preparation of statistical or qualitative study designs for data
collection and analysis,
collection of data or other environmental information by
conducting field work, inspections and interviews,
completion of chemical, microbiological, and geochemical
laboratory analyses,
interpretation of environmental information using
measurements, models, and best professional judgement, and
completion of quality assurance reviews of data.
In addition to direct project support to the Region and its
partners, OEA staff members are also involved in the development
of new guidance, procedures and techniques as part of state,
regional, national and international efforts. This report is intended
to give the reader a better idea of the scope of OEA's work.
OEA Delivers!
In response to the age-old question "So, what have you done for
me lately?", the following is a "snapshot" of the work conducted by
staff in OEA over the past two years. It is not meant to account for
all of the Office's work, rather it highlights several areas that are
important to the Region where OEA has focused resources and
staff.
OEA hazardous waste team hydrogeologists and risk assessors
work with project managers in Superfund and RCRA to identify
the fate and transport of toxic chemicals as well as the
likelihood of exposure to these chemicals. Over 100 site-specific
projects within these programs were supported by these OEA
staff over the last two years.
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Science In Action
OEA's hydrogeologists have been instrumental in characterizing
groundwater at various facilities and hazardous waste sites as
well as providing assistance for groundwater remediation. They
developed a method for measuring groundwater and its influence
on surface water; thereby improving the monitoring of
contaminants and assessing remedy effectiveness. In addition to
these types of assessments, these staff have provided on-site
support and expertise to several Native American tribes in the
Pacific Northwest who face challenging environmental
problems.
OEA's human health and ecological risk assessors helped
advance the understanding of tribal exposure scenarios through
regional and national workgroups and site-specific discussions.
They have developed regional and national guidance on vapor
intrusion, which was particularly important to the Georgetown
community (a Seattle neighborhood) where toxic vapors were
seeping from groundwater into area homes.
OEA inspectors, working closely with the program staff and
attorneys to develop inspection strategies, conducted 203
inspections for 11 media programs in 2003. The table below
indicates the total number of 2004 inspections performed and
under what authority.
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Highlights 2003-2004
FY2004
OEA INSPECT/ON ACTIVITIES
Completed Inspections
Total Lead Assist
tf CFC 15 15 0
< FCE 15 13 2
Air Totals 30 28 2
AHERA 4 4 0
EPCRA 12 1 11
FIFRA 7 7 0
TSCA 55 54 1
RCRA 0 0 0
UIC 42 14 28
UST 0 0 0
OPA 1 1 0
Other 0 0 0
S/W 6 6 0
CEI 31 28 3
ฃ> CSI 23 15 8
Q CSO 1 1 0
Z PCI 8 8 0
SSO 0 0 0
Other 2 2
NPDES Sub Totals 71 58 13
Grand Totals 222 167 55
This table makes an important distinction. Where two or more
OEA personnel are involved in an inspection, each must
document their role, however, only the "lead" inspector's report is
counted for reporting purposes.
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Science In Action
During FY 2003, 88 site-specific quality assurance project plans
(QAPPs) were reviewed and approved by OEA staff. Each plan
took, on average, 17 days to review by various OEA staff. An
additional 40 QAPPs were reviewed and approved for Superfund's
Emergency Response program.
The environmental monitoring and assessment team completed
total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for sediment and
temperature pollution in Idaho, Washington and Oregon. They
also either prepared in-house biological assessments (BAs) or
reviewed contractor-prepared BAs as required under the
Endangered Species Act.
The water quality modelers developed the temperature model for
the Columbia and Snake Rivers. This model was used to complete
the temperature TMDL for the Snake River.
State and Local Government Entries into the
Region 10 P2 Results Measurement Tool*
Cumulative Reductions (starting in 1992)
575 million pounds of reduced hazardous waste generation
1.2 million pounds and 600,000 gallons of reduced toxic
materials
646 million kWh of electricity not used
28,000 therms of natural gas saved
5,000 gallons of diesel and 15 million gallons of other fuels not
used
2.2 billion gallons of water saved
242 million pounds of solid waste reduced
840 tons of CO2 emissions prevented
18 million vehicle miles avoided
1.4 million kWh renewable energy generated
These results demonstrate the success of P2, energy efficiency, solid
waste and natural resource reduction projects in Alaska, Idaho,
Oregon and Washington, assessed between 1993 and the present.
This accounting does not reflect all of the reductions and resource
efficiencies in the Region.
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Highlights 2003-2004
RIO P2
The Region 10 Pollution Prevention program has made great
strides in outcome measurement. Region 10 was the first in the
Agency to develop a viable outcome measurement system for P2
(a multi-year project). The Region 10 system has now been
adopted by EPA Headquarters and other regions as part of the
national outcome measurement program.
RIO
Technical and field support staff are responsible for purchasing,
repairing, servicing, maintaining, loaning and tracking the field
equipment and supplies utilized by staff in the Seattle office and
MEL. These include 6 boats, 4 field vehicles, hundreds of pieces of
equipment, and thousands of supply items.
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Science In Action
OEA staff members responsible for the boats provided support for
many projects in 2003-2004 including:
Headquarters tours,
Dive support,
Texas A&M study of the Duwamish River,
Eagle Harbor study,
CID support,
Rhone Poulenc, and
Columbia River study.
In 2003-2004, they prepared and shipped supplies and equipment
in support of numerous projects or sites, including:
NPDES compliance inspections,
Kivalina Village drinking water inspection,
LUST and UIC inspections,
CAFO overnights
TMDL studies,
Site assessments,
Nez Perce Tribe,
Shoshone-Bannock project,
Umatilla Basin,
Colville Tribe, and
Coeur d'Alene Basin.
They also provided materials and supplies for staff in the
Operations Offices in Idaho, Oregon, Alaska, and Washington,
along with EPA contractors, EPAs Criminal Investigation
Division, regional health and safety personnel, and the Oregon
Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ).
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Highlights 2003-2004
Working With Our Partners
As part of our daily work to protect the environment and public
health, we support or assist our local, state, tribal, and federal
partners in numerous ways. A few of the 2003 activities are
described below:
In Oregon
Carpenter Lane: OEA staff assisted the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) by collecting water,
soil, vegetation and air samples
for environmental
contamination assessment,
including pesticides. The
samples were analyzed by MEL.
This project began when
ATSDR needed additional
information to conduct a health
consultation requested by
concerned community members
in Gresham, Oregon. The
community members live in a
rural area, surrounded by
commercial tree farms, where
pesticides are applied to the
trees both aerially and by hand.
The community was concerned
that the pesticides may be causing health problems for them and
their animals. The results of this study have been provided to
ATSDR for review and analysis.
Mercury TMDL: MEL is assisting ODEQ by testing the rivers for
mercury. This data will be used in establishing the TMDL for
mercury in the Willamette and Umpqua/Calapooya Rivers in
Oregon. Monitoring began in July 2003. MEL has analyzed the
samples collected for total mercury in addition to other
parameters, and will be collaborating with others who can, for
example, perform methyl mercury analyses.
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Science In Action
Portland Harbor Superfund Site: Sturgeon, spring Chinook, and
lamprey were collected from the Willamette River within the
Portland Harbor Superfund Site in the summer of 2003 through a
cooperative effort involving the Oregon Department of Human
Services (ODHS), ATSDR, Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife (ODFW), the City of Portland and EPA Region 10. The
samples were analyzed for metals, semi-volatile organic
compounds, PCBs and pesticides by MEL. The results of these
analyses have recently been used to: (1) help ODHS determine if
a change is needed in the current fish consumption health
advisory for this stretch of river and
(2) develop ATSDR public health consultations done as a part of
ODHS' work under Superfund. The Potentially Responsible
Parties (PRPs) for the Superfund site will also use these data in the
baseline human health risk assessment for the Portland Harbor
Remedial Investigation.
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Highlights 2003-2004
Nitrate and Perchlorate in the Lower Umatilla Basin: OEA
supported a Basin-wide sampling initiative for nitrates in
groundwater in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater
Management Area (GWMA) at the request of ODEQ. This area
of approximately 550 square miles includes 180,000 acres of
irrigated agriculture and was last sampled in 1992 at the time the
GWMA was established. OEA provided sample analyses through
MEL and, OEA personnel developed the project's quality
assurance plan. Of the 164 wells sampled, 54% had detectable
concentrations of perchlorate - a salt consisting of the most
oxidized form of chlorine and four oxygen atoms. Perchlorate and
nitrates may be toxic to people who drink the water. Due to
possible adverse health effects EPA Region 10 recommends that
individuals whose drinking water contains greater than 4 ppb of
perchlorate should seek alternative sources of drinking water.
In addition, OEA, in a continuing cooperative effort with ODEQ,
Region 10's Office of Water and Watersheds and Office of
Ecosystems, Tribal and Public Affairs, has been working in the
Lower Umatilla Basin of Eastern Oregon. OEA developed a model
to assist Morrow and Umatilla Counties in determining
appropriate zoning (i.e., residence spacing) necessary to protect
groundwater quality in the Basin which records less than 7 inches
of annual precipitation. OEA developed this mathematical model
to assess septic tank nitrate loading, degradation processes and
dilution from infiltrating rainwater.
In Washington
Temperature Impacts to the White River: At the request of the
Puyallup Tribe, OEA staff used a model developed by Puget Power
to analyze temperature impacts of diverting water from the White
River into Lake Tapps and found substantially higher impacts than
had been previously reported. This work is under consideration in
a National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) biological opinion
regarding endangered salmon stocks in the White River.
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Science In Action
Water Quality/Quantity Peer Review for Columbia Basin:
OEA's Peer Review Coordinator for Region 10 set up a "peer
review" process for a new report using two private consulting firms
and the U.S. Geological Survey. The report, Hydrostatigraphic
Mapping of Selected Sediment and Basalt Units in the Columbia
Basin Groundwater Management Area, Adams, Grant, and
Franklin Counties, Washington, will be used by state and local
officials in protecting both water quality and quantity in the
Columbia Basin.
Eelgrass Survey for Swinomish Tribe: Working with NASA, the
Dryden Flight Research Center, and the Swinomish Tribe, EPA
Region 10 is providing high resolution GIS analyses of aquatic
vegetation, as well as GIS representation of adjacent uplands, in a
resolution compatible with satellite images. The techniques used in
this study included an airborne multi-spectral scanner and infrared
photography. Four teams of OEA staff members were involved in
the survey. OEA participated in this effort by providing technical
assistance to the Tribe in order to assess Tribal natural resources,
particularly shellfish beds. OEA staffers, in collaboration with
NASA, are preparing a report on this eelgrass survey conducted for
the Swinomish Tribal Community in 2000. The report, Evaluation
of Mapping Several Northern Puget Sound, Washington Seagrass
Beds (Zostera spp.) Using an Airborne Thematic Mapping
Simulator, is expected to be published in 2004.
Tribal Risk Assessment for the Midnite Mine Superfund Site:
OEA risk assessment staff members are writing a tribal risk
assessment for the Midnite Mine Superfund site. The Spokane
Tribe owns the property upon which the mine is located. In
addition to the typical human health exposures, OEA staff worked
with the Spokane Tribe to develop a special tribal-exposure
scenario. OEA's radiation program provided technical review of
data, and developed the radiological risk assessment portion of the
baseline risk assessment as part of the Remedial Investigation/
Feasibility Study baseline risk assessment. The radiation program
also provided technical input to support removal actions that
address nonuniform contamination along the mine haul road
routes.
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Highlights 2003-2004
Upper Columbia/Lake Roosevelt: OEA staffers are providing
technical assistance on human and ecological risk issues to support
project planning, external communication, and PRP negotiations
for the Upper Columbia River (aka Lake Roosevelt) Superfund
assessment/study.
Measuring Arsenic Uptake in Port Gamble S'Kallam Tribal
Members: At the request of the Port Gamble S'Kallam Tribe,
OEA, in cooperation with ORD, measured arsenic uptake in tribal
members who consume seafood. The results of this study provided
ORD with information on the likelihood of arsenic uptake by
tribal people who are subsistence fishers. It also helped advance
the science of measuring different forms of arsenic. Arsenic
metabolism in aquatic organisms results in forms (speciation) with
differing toxicities. It is, therefore, important for risk assessment to
understand the critical form of arsenic which may be consumed.
This study, along with advancement in laboratory analytical tools
spearheaded by ORD and MEL, will result in an improved
understanding of the risks of exposure to arsenic.
In Alaska
QA Plan for Toxics in Fish Tissue: The State of Alaska
Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) requested
OEA staff support on developing a quality assurance plan for
collection and analysis of toxic chemicals in fish tissue from the
waters of Alaska. These data were used by the State to determine
whether there is a need for fish advisories. ADEC's analysis and
interpretation of the data led to a conclusion by the State that no
fish advisories are warranted.
Cook Inlet Fish Contamination Assessment: At the request of
the Cook Inlet Villages, OEA completed a summary report titled
"Cook Inlet Fish Contamination Survey." The report discusses the
contaminants in fish, shellfish, and other aquatic biota from Cook
Inlet. The villagers will use the information to determine the
effect on their traditional foods and their potential exposure to
contaminants released during oil and gas drilling in Cook Inlet.
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Science In Action
Rivers and Streams Monitoring: During the summers of 2003 and
2004, as part of the National State Monitoring, Assessment, and
Reporting Program Grants, 50 wadeable (shallow) streams were
monitored in Alaska. Water chemistry, physical habitat, benthic
macroinvertebrate and periphyton assemblage data will be
collected using EMAP field protocols. ADEC has selected the
Yukon River Lowlands/ Yukon Tanana Uplands as the study area.
This area is located in interior Alaska, north of the Alaska Range.
It extends from Denali National Park and Preserve east to the
Yukon Territory border. The project will be managed by ADEC in
collaboration with the University of Alaska Environmental and
Natural Resources Institute, OEA staff, Alaska Cooperative Fish
and Wildlife Research Unit and the US Geological Survey's
Alaska office. OEA conducted the field training and audits, and
will continue to provide technical support to this project.
In Idaho
Temperature Monitoring and Modeling System for the Snake
River: Pursuant to the 2000 biological opinion for endangered
salmon within the Columbia and Snake Rivers, OEA participated
in a multi-agency effort (Corps of Engineers, National Marine
Fisheries Service, and the States of Idaho, Oregon and
Washington) to develop a temperature monitoring and modeling
system for the Snake River. The workgroup completed a report
that establishes a plan for data collection and model development.
Once developed and tested, the model will be used in planning
cold water release operations at Dworshak Dam to improve salmon
habitat in the Lower Snake River.
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Highlights 2003-2004
Region-Wide Initiatives
Much of OEA's work crosses state borders and involves working
collaboratively with other agencies and organizations. Here are a
few examples of that work :
Columbia River Basin Regional Priority: In 2002, EPA Region
10 completed an assessment of chemical contaminants in resident
and anadromous fish species caught and consumed by four Native
American Tribes (Nez Perce, Warm Springs, Umatilla, and
Yakama) in the Columbia River Basin. This Basin-wide survey
found the highest level of contamination in four resident fish
species collected from the mid Columbia and lower Yakima Rivers.
The chemicals of concern in fish were identified as those which
are the primary contributors to the risks from consumption offish.
These were dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) and analogs,
chlordane and analogs, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),
polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated
dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and eight trace metals (arsenic, cadmium,
chromium, copper, mercury, nickel, selenium, and zinc).
With the completion of this study, Region 10 agreed to include
toxics chemicals as one component of the multi-level Columbia
River Regional priority. OEA has lead responsibility for
developing the toxics component of this strategy. The objectives
of the toxics strategy are to determine the source of contaminants
found in fish and the likelihood that fish are at risk to toxic
chemicals released in the Basin.
To date, OEA inspectors and investigators have examined
information from hydroelectric facilities in the Basin and
determined that all are in compliance with respect to storage and
disposal of PCB-laden equipment. The Superfund program
reviewed their records and identified sites which may be sources of
the primary contaminants of concern (PCBs, DDT, mercury,
arsenic, etc.). The GIS group developed maps of hazardous waste
facilities as well as all other activities in the Basin which may
contribute to toxic chemical exposures. OEA also developed a
plan for sampling sediments in the Basin to determine the loading
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Science In Action
of toxic chemicals. Sample collection and analysis occurred during
Fall 2004. Finally, OEA staff members are working with scientists
from the Science Center of the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA-Fisheries) on a joint
proposal for addressing the effect of recently-used pesticides on
salmon in the Basin.
Air Quality: Over the past several years, OEA has been active in
building capacity for regional air modeling in agencies and
universities in Region 10. We are providing leadership to two
collaborative organizations:
The Northwest Regional Modeling Consortium (NRMC) is
focused on state-of-the-science meteorological modeling,
weather forecasting and air quality analysis. The products of the
NRMC have been recognized as a world-class environmental
prediction system (Bulletin of the American Meteorological
Society, October 2003, cover story).
The Northwest International Air Quality Environmental
Science and Technology Consortium (NW-AIRQUEST) is
focused on all science related to air quality, including modeling
and monitoring. The NW-AIRQUEST Consortium was
officially formed late in 2003, and is facilitating collaboration on
a variety of air quality projects that are in support of air quality
management decision-making in the Pacific Northwest.
OEA and the Region's Office of Environmental Management and
Information staff are collaborating with the U.S. Forest Service
Pacific Northwest Fire Sciences Lab in the development of a web-
based forecast system to predict air quality impacts of prescribed
forest and agricultural burning. The prototype system for the
Pacific Northwest became operational in March 2003 at http://
www.blueskyrains.org. The system is used as a tool to help
prescribed-burn decision makers manage smoke, and minimize its
impact on public health. In addition, the system was used during
the 2003 and 2004 wildfire season to predict wildfire smoke
impacts and direct aerial fire-fighting activities. Initial efforts to
transfer the BlueSkyRAINS technology to other regions of the
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Highlights 2003-2004
U.S. are underway, with Region 8, 9 and part of 6 being included
for wildfire prediction in 2004. The vision is eventually
BlueSkyRAINS will become a national system. The
BlueSkyRAINS development team was awarded the Region 10
Gold Medal Innovation Award in 2003. Currently the system is
being used to monitor volcanic activity at Mount St. Helens.
Energy Efficiency: From a standing start in October 2002, OEAs
P2 staffers have made considerable progress in promoting energy
conservation/pollution prevention by educating school districts,
universities, hospitals, home builders, supermarkets and others
about the benefits of the ENERGY STARฎ programs for buildings
and new homes. ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program
helping businesses and individuals protect the environment
through superior energy efficiency.
As a result of OEAs efforts, at least five school districts, one
university complex, one major hospital complex, a supermarket
chain and a couple of home builders have indicated their
commitment to energy reduction by signing up with the EPA as
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Science In Action
new ENERGY STAR Partners. Several of them have already made
considerable progress in reducing their energy use. For example,
two schools in the Renton
School District were awarded
ENERGY STAR plaques
certifying their high energy
efficiency. These were the first
ENERGY STAR building
plaques ever awarded to any of
the schools in the Region.
Subsequently, two schools in
the East Valley School District
in Spokane also received similar
recognition and continue to
make further progress.
In addition, OEA P2 staffers have made significant progress in
coordinating with other organizations and agencies who are
promoting energy efficiency in the Region (e.g., Northwest Energy
Alliance, Puget Sound Energy, City of Seattle, Seattle City Light,
Pollution Prevention Resource Council, Washington State
University Energy Efficiency program, King/Snohomish Master
Builders Association). Through closer cooperation in the future
with these organizations, agencies and our partners in the various
sectors, it is anticipated that we will continue to achieve ever
increasing participation/partnering in the various ENERGY STAR
programs throughout the Region, leading to reductions in air
pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental
impacts associated with energy production.
Economics: Economics and financial analysis technical support is
available to all staff and management for all programs and media
in Region 10. This Region is fortunate to have staff devoted solely
to economic issues. Some of the activities performed by the
Regional Economist are: conducting special studies; advising on
environmental and natural resource economics and regional socio-
economic issues; reviewing the economic component of various
types of reports, studies, and applications; providing technical
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Highlights 2003-2004
Asbestos--From Dream Material to Major
Environmental Problem:
Asbestos was once a "dream material" used in everything from
fire proofing to brake linings. OEA staff members, along with
other programs and EPA staff throughout the country, have
been working on projects
where asbestos has caused
environmental problems.
IEU completed a study of
asbestos-contaminated soil
at the former Vermiculite
Northwest / W.R. Grace
Vermiculite Expansion
Facility in Spokane,
Washington. This work was
requested by the Region 10
Superfund Emergency Response Unit as part of their assessment
of the site. The three-phase study demonstrated that asbestos
found in several soil samples collected from the site can become
airborne if the soil is disturbed. This study has led to
involvement in similar on-going studies of other asbestos sites;
particularly the North Ridge Estates site in Klamath Falls,
Oregon, a Superfund removal action.
This work also demonstrates
the innovation and on-going
skill development by OEA
staff. Julie Wroble and Jed
Januch collaborated to
develop a method to help
assess airborne asbestos
exposure from asbestos-
contaminated soil. A glove-
box technique developed by
Jed Januch will be available for use by other labs around the
country once the standard operating procedures have been
developed. Both Jed and Julie have received national
recognition for their innovative methods and interpretation
of complex data.
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Science In Action
assistance for analyzing the economic benefit component for
enforcement cases; and, developing, implementing and advising
on surveys.
Specific financial analysis to the programs comes in the reviewing
a company or individual's financial statements, tax returns and
related accounting, financial and economic information to
determine a violator's ability or inability to pay their penalties or
contribute to a cleanup action. Expert advice can be provided to
regional staff on the structure and relationships of special financial
entities such as trusts and endowments. Both the economist and
financial analyst can provide expert testimony at hearings or trials
on financial issues.
Radiation: The Region 10 radiation program played a key role in
the planning, preparation, successful completion and follow-up of
the May 2003 TOPOFF 2 (TopOfficial) radiological dispersal
device emergency exercise in Seattle. Radiation program health
physicists provided critical technical input into the exercise
scenario design to ensure effective and practical testing of exercise
objectives. By specifying the radiological make-up of the
hypothetical terrorist incident, responders had the necessary
conditions to test their capabilities in practical terms.
Protective action recommendations for this type of incident had
not been developed previously, so Region 10 radiation experts
worked collaboratively with technical and program staff from the
Washington Department of Health (WDOH) to prepare
protective action recommendations that could be used in the early
phases of response to large-scale radiological dispersal devices. To
be effective, protective action recommendations must be provided
to the public early in such events, often before radiological data or
dose estimates are available. Working with WDOH, Region 10
helped to analyze potential consequences of various possible
radiological dispersal devices in urban environments, and
developed prepared actions that could be taken with minimal
available data. During the exercise, the use of these protective
action recommendations by decision makers in the early phase of
the exercise was an essential element in the response.
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Highlights 2003-2004
In preparing for the exercise, Region 10 health physicists also
worked closely with local fire departments, health departments,
utilities, and elected officials to provide training and technical
support for the local response organizations. To support the special
needs of radiological response within EPA, the Region 10
radiation program provided training for Superfund On-Scene
Coordinators and technical advice on radiation instrument use
and purchase, as well as participation as technical experts during
the exercise.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Program (EMAP)
Water monitoring in Region 10 is performed by states and tribes
via EPA Headquarters' Office of Research and Development's
EMAP. OEA, working closely with these partners, secures funding
for sampling and analyses. EMAP generates regional-scale
assessments of ecological resource conditions by describing the
current geographic extent of ecological resources, what resources
are degrading or improving, and how the resources are responding
to changing control and regulatory programs. OEA staff completed
a report, Modeling Fish Distribution in the Pacific Northwest
Coast Range Ecoregion Using EMAP Data, in support of EMAP.
In 2003, NOAA, EPA, along with the States of Oregon,
Washington and California, combined efforts to conduct a survey
of the ecological condition of aquatic resources in near-coastal
waters along the U.S. western continental shelf. NOAA-Fisheries
provided field support and analysis of fish pathologies through a
cooperative agreement with EPA. Sampling was conducted at
approximately 50 stations along the West Coast of the U.S., for a
total of approximately 150 stations. This survey provided the data
necessary for this "first ever" comprehensive assessment of
ecological conditions of near-coastal waters (30-120 meter depth)
from the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Washington State to the
Mexican border. The survey included stations in all five of
NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries on the West Coast, thus
providing an opportunity to assess conditions in sanctuaries as
compared to non-sanctuary areas of the shelf.
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Science In Action
During 2002 and 2003, staff working on landscape issues
developed a series of databases to be used in the management of
coastal and inland aquatic resources. Much of this database work is
now complete and the data are used to develop associations
between measures of landscape attributes and aquatic conditions.
An example of these associations is an attempt to identify areas of
potential rangeland grazing impacts to aquatic resources. In 2002,
a full suite of data sets and preliminary landscape analyses for the
Western EMAP landscape pilot area in northwest Oregon was
completed. These data and analyses are available on CD and will
soon be available via an interactive web browser-based tool. Much
of the landscape data are also available for the entire State of
Oregon. As the data sets are completed for Idaho, Oregon, and
Washington, landscape metrics will be calculated for the various
landscape components. A core set of metrics will eventually be
developed for each state. In addition, more specific analyses will
be conducted on other targeted regions within the Pacific
Northwest. The goal is to have all of the data and analyses
produced by these landscapes scientists available via interactive
Web browser-based tools.
Emerging Environmental Problem: PBDE
In 2002, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were
identified as an emerging environmental problem. PBDEs are
suspected of causing brain development defects in fetuses and
children. These chemicals are used as a fire-retardant and are
found in clothing, fabric, computers and electronic devices.
PBDEs have been banned in some European countries. OEA
staff began to collect and analyze samples to determine how
wide-spread these chemicals may be in the environment.
Initial testing for PBDEs: In 2003, OEA investigators and field
staff provided MEL chemists with water and sediment samples
to be tested for PBDEs and triclosan, an anti-microbial product
found in various consumer products. Residues of PBDEs and
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Highlights 2003-2004
triclosan were found in Columbia and Yakima River water and
sediments, as well as sludges and effluent from waste water
treatment plants that discharge into the Columbia and Yakima
Rivers and Puget Sound.
Results and Further Testing for PBDEs and Other
Contaminants: OEA staff sampled sediments off the McNary,
Ice Harbor and Priest Rapids dams. Nine sediment samples
were collected from areas near the dams and analyzed for
various compounds, including PBDEs. PCBs and various other
pollutants were measured in fish collected around these dams
as part of the earlier Columbia River Basin fish tissue study.
Additional information is needed to determine the extent of
possible environmental problems. In the Fall 2004, staff from
OEA collected sediment samples along the Columbia Reach
to try to establish a correlation/relationship between the
sediment loads and the fish tissue analytical results. The
samples are being analyzed for pesticides, priority pollutants,
and PBDEs.
Open Ocean Sediment Sampling for PBDEs: At the request
of OEA, PBDEs were included in open ocean sediment
sampling at roughly 150 stations off the coasts off Washington,
Oregon and California. The sampling was conducted by OEA
and NOAA and State environmental agencies as part of the
National Coastal Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Program (EMAP) sampling project. Samples for PBDE analysis
were taken offshore from the mouths of major tributaries
entering the ocean to assess any impacts in the open ocean
sediments. These were the first open ocean sediments collected
for PBDE analysis in the Region. OEA staff participated in
the shipboard sampling activities and MEL is responsible for
analyzing approximately nineteen (19) samples obtained from
the 150 stations for PBDEs. The entire group of 150 randomly-
located samples were archived for PBDE analysis, however,
only those collected offshore from the mouths of large rivers
("potential sources") will be the first to be analyzed. If these
results show "hits", others can be analyzed later.
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Science Leadership On the National Front
As much of OEA's work cuts across media and is transferable to
other regions, OEA staff members are active in national initiatives
and activities. These include involvement in about 30 state and
national workgroups and guidance development teams, such as the
National Ground Water and Engineering Forum, the Ecological
Risk Assessment Forum, and the Risk Assessment Group for
Superfund. These forums provide an opportunity for OEA and
other Region 10 staff to share newly developed methods that were
designed to address problems encountered on site-specific projects.
Ideas are shared and new information may be incorporated into
the national guidance and methods through these forums.
Do You Need to Know...?
...where one of your violators lives now, a few years after the
violation? who currently owns the environmentally-damaged
property and who owned it or worked on it in the past? or,
who are the potentially responsible parties that caused the
contamination?
These are a few of the activities OEA civil investigators are
involved in every day. Investigators conduct research in support
of a number of R10 programs including wetlands, air, pesticides,
RCRA, NPDES, and TSCA. Investigators also provide
litigation support to the Office of Regional Counsel. However,
the majority of the investigators work is to identify PRPs for
the Office of Environmental Cleanup sites. During FY 2003,
investigators supported the Upper Columbia River Preliminary
Assessment by researching over one hundred years of property
ownership and operation for selected mines in this assessment.
In 2004, focus shifted to the Duwamish Waterway, along with
additional mines in northeastern Washington and an asbestos
removal action in Oregon.
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Highlights 2003-2004
Council on Regulatory Environmental Modeling
(CREM)
CREM, a council of senior managers from across EPA, was
established in 2000 to promote consistency and consensus among
environmental model developers and users. Region 10's Deputy
Regional Administrator is Co-Chair of the Council along with the
Assistant Administrator of EPAs Office of Research and
Development.
CREM's purpose is to:
help ensure that EPA documents and communicates the data,
algorithms, and expert judgments used to develop models,
document and implement best management practices to use
models consistently and appropriately,
establish and implement criteria so that model-based decisions
satisfy regulatory requirements and Agency guidelines,
facilitate information exchange among model developers and
users so that models can be continuously improved and,
proactively anticipate scientific and technological developments
so that EPA is prepared for the next generation of
environmental models.
OEA staff members have been active participants on the CREM.
They provided substantial input on the draft modeling guidance
developed by the CREM, particularly on model documentation
and the wisdom of using proprietary models in regulatory actions.
OEA staffers were also responsible for the concept of the
interactive video seminars. They presented the development of
the Columbia River temperature model for the first seminar.
Additionally, they have started a water modeling workgroup that
includes modelers from states, tribes, other federal agencies, and
ORD.
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Science In Action
Laboratory Guidance and Methods
In addition to conducting analytical work for the programs, MEL
scientists are actively involved in reviewing national guidance and
developing new test methods and guidance on their use. Here are a
few examples of the work conducted in 2003:
Guidance on Establishing A Laboratory Reporting Limit was
submitted by MEL scientists to the Office of Water, interested EPA
laboratories, other federal agencies and private laboratories and
organizations. The guidance describes a procedure for establishing a
reporting limit with a level of confidence in quantitation based on
accuracy and precision rather than the Agency's minimum level of
quantitation which is based solely on precision.
MEL and National Environmental Research Laboratory/Cincinnati
scientists developed a method to distinguish arsenic species in
seafood, providing for improved characterization of the risks
associated with seafood consumption.
MEL staff assisted in the review and modification of Method 1623
(Detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in Drinking Water
Using IMS/IFA).
Environmental Management Systems
OEA and Region 10's Suspension and Debarment Division, working
in cooperation with Headquarters' Office of Sustainability, have taken
the national and international lead in bringing together businesses
with successful Environmental Management System (EMS) designs,
non-governmental organizations, regulatory agencies, international
governing bodies, and academics to study the EMS concept for non-
traditional applications. EPA Headquarter's Suspension and
Debarment Division has required an EMS in all of their agreements
with environmental violators. From this experience, the Region has
learned that a well designed and implemented EMS that is fully
integrated into the overall business management system, and actively
endorsed by the CEO, can be beneficial to the environmental, social
and economic performance of the business.
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Highlights 2003-2004
Region 10 Dive Team Key
In Shuttle Recovery Efforts
Seven members of EPA Region 10's Dive Team, at the request
of the EPA Region 7 Dive Team, provided assistance with in-
water recovery of parts of the Columbia Space Shuttle, which
disintegrated upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere on
February 1, 2003. The divers spent 10-day rotations at the site
in Toledo-Bend Reservoir, near Jasper, Texas on the Texas/
Louisiana State border. The U.S. Navy provided the overall
direction to divers from EPAs Environmental Response Team,
EPA Region 3, and Texas police search and recovery teams.
EPA divers have the special expertise needed for the many
hazardous materials that could be encountered and the effects
of a low-visibility diving environment.
Each day, divers conducted sonar searches for possible shuttle
debris. Divers entered the water in areas where suspected debris
was identified. The tethered divers were in constant
communication with the surface staff who directed in search
patterns around a differential global positioning system
(DGPS) buoy marked "target." Divers searched the bottom in
low or zero visibility conditions by sweeping with their legs
and arms to locate any suspicious objects. The reservoir
contains a submerged forest, so divers had to beware of the
constant threat of entanglement with trees, horizontal logs,
and stumps.
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Science In Action
Training and Technical Guidance
The expertise of OEA staff is recognized around the country. As a
result, OEA staffers are involved in regional and national training
activities. These are some of the courses OEA staff helped teach:
OEA staffers are actively involved with the National
Environmental Training Institute (NETI), teaching the
complete Basic Inspector Training course. This course is given to
federal, state, tribal and local agency inspectors to ensure
consistency in the techniques used for environmental
inspections. During FY 2003-2004, a number of courses were
given throughout the country.
The OEA field support staff organized and provided in-house
training on the use of field equipment and shipping of hazardous
materials. They also provided training at EPAs annual National
Inspectors Workshop.
MEL scientists taught the Metals and Microbiology Analytical
Methods segment of a Drinking Water Laboratory Certification
Officers Course for the EPA Office of Groundwater and
Drinking Water.
Region 10 also offered the first in a series of regional seminars
on modeling. OEA staff presented the Columbia River
Temperature Model to an Agency-wide audience using Lotus
SameTime technology.
Development of Transition Zone Technical Guidance: OEA staff
members have been involved in the development of RCRA
Environmental Indicators Guidance for Groundwater/Surface
Water, and the National Remediation Technologies Development
Forum-a private/public partnership. OEA staff members work
regularly with state agencies, tribes, and other federal agencies
(NOAA, FWS) during routine project negotiations, to use and
enhance these techniques.
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Highlights 2003-2004
Other Technical Applications: While OEA's hazardous waste
team was conducting this work, the OEA environmental
monitoring and assessment team was developing a similar view of
heat transfer between groundwater and surface water through the
"hyporheic zone." This heat exchange may contribute to
temperature increases. These analyses have added another layer of
complexity that needs to be factored into the creation of state
temperature TMDLs developed in the Region's Office of Water
and Watersheds.
OEA Goes fnternational
Two OEA staff were instrumental in coordinating an international
workshop held in Bratislava, Slovak Republic in April 2003. The
workshop, "Defense and the Environment, a NATO Advanced
Research Workshop", sponsored by EPA, the NATO Science
Programme and the Slovak Republic, was held to foster effective
scientific communication related to recent environmental
protection challenges and activities in the military sector. OEA
staff also presented a paper and took the responsibility for
compiling the technical papers given at the conference.
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Science In Action
OEA Vision/Work Focus for 2004-2005
P2 and Inspections: Inspectors from OEA have helped craft two
projects designed to integrate P2 information into our inspection
and enforcement process. In 2004, we began sending letters to
facilities after inspections informing them of pollution prevention
resources that can assist them in improving their environmental
performance (the letter is independent of potential enforcement
actions and decisions). This step will likely strengthen ties
between the pollution prevention and enforcement programs.
A Legacy of OEA Involvement and Support
OEA work conducted for regional Superfund projects has led to
the development of national guidance and exchange of
information. One example is the work originally done at the
Wyckoff Eagle Harbor and Western Processing sites in the 1980's
and early 1990's. Based on the challenges faced by OEAs
hydrogeologists working on problems in the upland area of the
site and the ecological risk group (including the EPA divers at
Wyckoff) working on the offshore problems, these two groups
combined efforts to better understand the contaminant issues at
the transition zone between the uplands and the intertidal beach.
Workshop on Groundwater/Surface Water Transition Zone: As
a result of issues raised on this project, a national workshop on
the groundwater/surface water transition zone was held in
Denver in January 1999. That workshop led to a more detailed
workshop on the tools and techniques available for this very
specific need. Today, the techniques such as micro-wells, mini-
piezometers, seepage meters, diffusion samplers, towed probes,
and in-situ toxicity testing bioassays are in use at other sites
throughout the country and have been used to help characterize
and define plumes of contaminants flowing from upland RCRA
and Superfund sites into rivers in South Carolina, Maine,
Oregon, and Washington, to name a few, and in Lake Michigan.
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Highlights 2003-2004
In 2004, OEA sponsored a P2 workshop for federal, state and local
inspectors to create a dialogue between the inspectors and P2
Technical Assistance Providers about basic P2 concepts and
resources. The workshop was the first step toward exploring and
improving the relationship between inspection and P2 technical
assistance.
New Methods Development to Analyze Metals in Mammals: In a
joint project with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), MEL is
working on a multi-year project to analyze metals in mammals from
the Bunker Hill Superfund site area to assess the extent to which
contamination is impacting the food chain. As part of the project,
MEL has developed new methods for sample preparation and
analysis.
Development of Tribal Seafood Consumption Survey Software:
Tribal members typically consume much more seafood than the
general population and consequently have higher risks from seafood
contaminants. Tribal seafood consumption survey results will
support risk analyses and tribal water quality standards that are
protective of tribes. Tribal seafood consumption survey software was
developed from previous Region 10 seafood consumption surveys to
facilitate cost effective adaptation of survey methodologies for tribes
desiring their own surveys. This software will standardize survey
methodologies and data entry, and facilitate data analysis. The first
draft of the software is near completion.
Coastal EMAP
The coastal component of Western EMAP applies EMAP's
monitoring and assessment tools to create an integrated and
comprehensive coastal monitoring program for the West Coast.
Water column measurements, sediment characteristics and
chemistry, benthic organisms, and data from fish trawls are
combined to describe the current estuarine condition. Sampling has
focused on a different type of estuarine resource each year. In 2004,
samples were collected from small estuaries along the Washington
and Oregon coasts, as well as the southeast coast of Alaska. Coastal
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Science In Action
EMAP is a cooperative project between EPA ORD, EPA Region 10,
Alaska DEC, Oregon DEQ, and Washington Department of
Ecology.
Surface Waters (Rivers and Streams) EMAP
The surface water component of Western EMAP evaluates the
ecological condition of rivers and streams of the western United
States at two scales. The broad scale assessment will allow
evaluation of the overall condition of rivers and streams for each
state and the entire region. The second level of evaluation is smaller
and more localized. Region 10 will be intensifying the Western
EMAP sampling effort in three focus areas: the John Day and
Deschutes Basins of Oregon, the Wenatchee Basin of Washington,
and the medium to large-sized rivers of Idaho. Water chemistry,
physical habitat, benthic macroinvertebrate, fish, and periphyton
assemblage data will be combined to describe the current river and
stream conditions. The Western EMAP Surface Waters program is a
cooperative project between EPA ORD, EPA Region 10, Oregon
DEQ, Washington Department of Ecology, Idaho DEQ and the Nez
Perce Tribe. 2004 was the final year of field sampling.
Lower Duwamish Groundwater Sampling Project
The risk to organisms in the Lower Duwamish River in central
Puget Sound from contaminated groundwater is currently unknown.
OEA has begun an effort to collect and analyze groundwater
samples taken along the Lower Duwamish River shoreline. Between
10 and 20 sites were chosen, based on both the probability for
encountering contamination and the likelihood that an area is
clean. The locations were identified using data about potential
sources of contamination obtained during the Lower Duwamish
Superfund site assessment. Mini-piezometers were driven into the
shoreline area and groundwater samples collected. Samples are
being analyzed for PCBs, VOCs, and metals at MEL. A data report
will be produced that will summarize sample results and relative
risks.
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Highlights 2003-2004
Homeland Security
Under the National Strategy for Homeland Security, EPA is
charged with building laboratory diagnostic surge capacity for
environmental samples during crises. To this end, in FY04-05,
MEL will be actively involved in reviewing and commenting on
reports from the Homeland Security Laboratory and Response
Workgroup. MEL will continue to encourage governmental and
private laboratories in the Northwest and Alaska to document
their capacities to analyze standard chemical and biological
analytes and chemical warfare, bioterrorism, and radiochemical
agents in EPAs Compendium of Environmental Testing
Laboratories. This compendium will help personnel who respond
to emergency situations in identifying qualified and appropriate
laboratory capabilities, and their capacity to analyze chemical,
biological and radiochemical agents. MEL will also continue to
encourage other federal and state (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and
Washington) laboratories to enter into a written agreement with
EPA regarding cross-laboratory support in the event of a terrorist
incident or natural disaster. Currently, the Office of Regional
Counsel is investigating the concept of an Oregon DEQ/EPA
Region 10/FDA-Bothell inter-laboratory emergency support
agreement. Finally, MEL will continue to support the EPA/ORD's
National Homeland Security Support Research Center (NHSRC)
in establishing analytical methods for assessing the need for, and
effectiveness of, response actions to terrorist incidents. To date,
three MEL chemists have provided valuable input on the selection
of methods for the analysis of arsenic compounds and other toxic
metals, inorganic gases, biotoxins, halogen-, nitrogen-,
phosphorous- and sulfur-containing compounds and chemical
warfare agents. In addition, MEL's senior microbiologist has
participated in five-month detail with the NHSRC.
Asbestos
In FY04-05, OEA will be further developing and refining its
capabilities to analyze asbestos in environmental samples. Plans
are underway to convert space in one of the MEL facilities into an
asbestos laboratory. OEA has previously relied on the Washington
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Science In Action
Department of Ecology for analysis of asbestos samples. Region 10
is working with Headquarters to standardize a glovebox method to
determine whether asbestos in soil or other matrices can become
airborne when agitated. This method is particularly valuable in
assessing current and former vermiculite processing facilities, and
may provide a quick yes or no answer to whether vermiculite attic
insulation is contaminated with asbestos.
Regional Methods Initiative (RMI)
Benthic macroinvertebrates are frequently used in monitoring and
assessment of freshwater ecosystems. Macroinvertebrate taxa can
be classified in terms of their sensitivity or tolerance to
anthropogenic disturbances (tolerance values). These tolerance
values for different stressors provide a basis for diagnosing the
causes of impairment. Although tolerance values have been
successfully applied to assess the condition of streams in the
Midwest and eastern United States, their use in the western
United States is currently limited by two factors: different species
are typically collected in the West, and different stressors are often
important. Therefore, Regions 8, 9 and 10, and ORD (NCEA,
NHEERL) are working on an RMI project to derive tolerance
values for western taxa. In February 2004, a workshop was held
with biologists from western state agencies, EPA and academia to
review methods that are currently available for deriving and
applying tolerance classifications. In 2005, ORD will publish a
report titled The Derivation and Application of
Macroinvertebrate Tolerance Values.
Regional Applied Research Effort (RARE) Project
in the Lower Umatilla Basin
OEA initiated a study in the Lower Umatilla Basin to determine
isotopic analyses of the sources contributing to Basin-wide nitrate
contamination. The study is titled Developing and Utilizing
Isotopic and Tracer Tools to Evaluate the Movement of Nitrate in
Contaminated Groundwater in the Lower Umatilla Basin,
Oregon: A Site Specific Study With Broad-Reaching Regional
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Highlights 2003-2004
Usefulness for Groundwater, Surface Water, and Land Use
Management. The potential sources of nitrate contamination in
the Basin include: irrigated agriculture, confined animal feeding
operations, rural residential septic systems, land-application of
food processor waste and waste from munitions originating at the
Umatilla Army Depot. OEA obtained ORD funding from the
RARE program to determine the most important nitrate sources in
order to focus resources on the most important contributor. This
work is in cooperation with the USGS who is providing expertise
on the isotopic techniques.
Dive Team Activities
The nine members of Region 10's all volunteer Dive Team are
actively involved in a number of ways to ensure EPA divers across
the country properly trained and safe while diving. Dive Team
members are completing and testing modified dive tracking
software that stores dive statistics, diver training, certifications,
and equipment maintenance and usage. The expected outputs
could show dive profile histories and other graphics. The Region is
assisting in the development of Dive Team Emergency Response
Capability using some "lessons learned" from the Columbia
Shuttle recovery work. For example, a system allowing better diver
coordination capability has been established with records that
contain information on divers' general and technical training and
experience, including re-certification status (e.g., first aid,
HazWoper, surface-supplied air diving, Nitrox diving). Region 10
has developed diver decontamination protocols for biological
exposures and chemical hazards and testing the effectiveness of
these procedures with the intent of producing a protocols
document. Dive Team members are collaborating with MEL and a
national committee comprised of unit diving officers and the Gulf
Breeze training center to conduct tests on dive gear and suited
divers during this fiscal year and the next.
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Establishment of the Regional Science Council
OEA's Office of Research and Technical Development liaison
spearheaded the creation of the Regional Science Council (R10-
RSC), a group of EPA Region 10 scientists and their Executive
Team (ET) sponsor who support regional science activities and
interests by transferring and exchanging information. The RSC's
vision is to be instrumental in advancing science issues and needs
of all regional programs and media. Their primary purpose is to
maintain and strengthen the Region's cross-program, cross-media
science network and support regional and national strategic
objectives by enhancing the use of sound science in
environmental decision-making. Over the next year, the RSC will
develop a two-year work plan which will then be reviewed
annually.
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Highlights 2003-2004
Conclusion
OEA looks forward to an even better year in 2005. The Office is
anxious to engage in helping the Region's media programs and
others define technical assistance needs and priorities. We stand at
the ready to provide the technical support in the next year and
coming years that is needed to promote better decision-making on
behalf of the environment we live in and that we all depend on for
sustenance and quality of life.
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Science In Action
B
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