The ASTSWMO Brownfields Focus Group undertook a research project to gather and share data from all State brownfield programs. The project began with the development of a research tool that would capture the key components of State brownfield programs. In total, 52 States participated in the project, resulting in a robust data set that was a true reflection of the nation’s brownfield programs. A summary of the results is provided throughout this report.
CERCLA & Brownfields
ASTSWMO Annual Webinar Recordings
Presentations
Preparing Post-Construction Cleanup Sites for Natural Disasters
The ASTSWMO CERCLA Post Construction Focus Group has developed a checklist called, Preparing Post-Construction Cleanup Sites for Natural Disasters, which is solely intended to help States in identifying efficient and effective measures for preparation in advance of potential natural disasters to aid in the identification of likely concerns following a natural disaster. The information provided on the checklist can be used to identify and respond to changed conditions at sites to support action to ensure protectiveness of human health and the environment.
Download Checklist
(must be opened in Adobe PDF viewer).
Using Technology to Tell a Story – Webinar
View Presentation
In today’s age it is important to show our project successes and use technology and visual displays to help demonstrate the great work. This joint webinar from the CERCLA and Brownfields Subcommittee and the Federal Facilities Subcommittee will focus on how technology can tell a story and will showcase three examples from Idaho, Kentucky and Missouri. These case studies will focus on use of technologies and visual applications like unmanned aerial vehicles, Geographic Information System Mapping functionality, and story maps.
Using Technology in the Field – Webinar
View Presentation
Documenting environmental data in the field is very important, and using technology in the field allows field personnel to be more efficient. This webinar will discuss various field technologies currently being used by States and EPA. Presenters will provide examples of how they use Esri Survey123 and Collector to enhance field collection.
Speakers:
1. Darryl Morgan, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, “Welcome Slides”
2. Joe Schaefer, U.S. EPA, “EPA’s Approach to Electronic Data Collection for Sampling and Analytical Data”
3. Sheri Uhlenbruch, Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection, “GIS in the Field”
4. Chad Von Gruenigen, Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection, “GIS in the Field”
5. Chanh Le, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, “ArcOnline For CERCLA Projects”
6. David Nykodym, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, “Field to Report: Using ESRI Mobile Data Collection for Field Collection and Report Generation”
TI Waivers Webinar
The ASTSWMO Remedial Action Focus Group will present the data that came from the research tool on Technical Impracticability (TI) waivers at National Priorities List sites. The intent of this exercise is to evaluate the criteria used to justify TI waivers and evaluate the consistency on approval of TI waivers in the various EPA regions where TI waivers have been requested since 2010. The webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, February 25th at 2:30 PM Eastern.
Speakers:
• David Bartenfelder (EPA OSRTI)
• Ashley Blauvelt (RI)
• Jenny Chambers (MT)
• Cherona Levy (GA)
• Bill O’Connell (AK)
• Ed Putnam (NJ)
• Mark Rickrich (OH)
Removals Request Form
The ASTSWMO Removals Focus Group (Focus Group) has developed a form for putting together consistent referral packages across the States and Territories (States). This form identifies critical information needed to appropriately evaluate the commitment of limited resources by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) when reviewing referral requests. It also addresses the need for consistency in the removal action request process that has been identified by EPA headquarters, the regions and States.
Uniformity of Time Critical Removal Actions
The ASTSWMO Removals Focus Group has developed a form for putting together consistent referral packages across States. This form identifies critical information needed to appropriately evaluate the commitment of limited resources by the U.S. EPA when reviewing referral requests. It also addresses the need for consistency in the removal action request process that has been identified by U.S. EPA headquarters, the regions and States.
CERCLA Modernization Position Paper
The ASTSWMO CERCLA and Brownfields Subcommittee has published a position paper on CERCLA Modernization in which there are specific areas of the Superfund Program where States could contribute in a larger, more significant role which would make the process more efficient.
Site Assessment Focus Group Toolbox
The ASTSWMO Site Assessment Focus Group have published a report that provides additional follow-up to the August 2017 publication, On Time and Under Budget, Superfund Site Assessment Program Analysis, States’ Perspective, and includes a discussion of the variations identified for these tasks; including Pre-CERCLA Screening with sampling, Preliminary Assessment with sampling, combined Preliminary Assessment and Site Inspection, and Abbreviated Preliminary Assessment.