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Remediation Management of Complex Sites

About this Website
Executive Summary
1 Introduction
1 Introduction Overview
1.1 What is a Complex Site?
1.2 Significance of Complex Sites
1.3 Site Objectives and Interim Objectives
1.4 Remediation and a Reasonable Remediation Time Frame
1.5 What is Adaptive Site Management?
1.6 Notable Previous Guidance for Complex Sites
2 Site Challenges
2 Site Challenges Overview
2.1 Technical Challenges
2.2 Nontechnical Challenges
2.3 Developing a CSM Based on Site Characteristics
3 Remediation Potential Assessment
3 Remediation Potential Assessment Overview
3.1 Whole Site versus Site Segment Analysis
3.2 Preremedy Implementation
3.3 Answering Preremedy Questions
3.4 Weighing the Evidence
3.5 Postremedy Implementation
4 Adaptive Site Management
4 Adaptive Site Management Overview
4.1 Steps in the Adaptive Site Management Process
4.2 Refine the Conceptual Site Model
4.3 Set or Revisit Site Objectives
4.4 Develop Interim Objectives and an Adaptive Remedial Strategy
4.5 Document Interim Objectives and the Remedial Approach
5 Long-Term Management
5 Long-Term Management Overview
5.1 Remedy Components
5.2 Basis for Predicting Performance and Decision Criteria
5.3 Periodic Evaluations
5.4 Decision Logic for Adaptive Site Management
5.5 Completion Strategy
5.6 Project Risks and Uncertainty
6 Case Studies (Part One)
6 Case Studies Overview
6.1 Koppers Oroville Wood Treatment Facility, California
6.2 Moffett-MEW Regional Plume, California
6.3 Rocky Flats Solar Ponds Plume, Colorado
6.4 Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Colorado
6.5 Naval Air Station Jacksonville OU 03, Florida
6.6 DOE Test Area North, INEEL, Idaho
6.7 Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, Illinois
6.8 Tri-State Mining District (Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri)
6 Case Studies (Part Two)
6.9 Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) Groundwater, Kentucky
6.10 Velsicol Chemical, Michigan
6.11 Onondaga Lake, New York
6.12 Former UGI Columbia Manufactured Gas Plant, Columbia, Pennsylvania
6.13 Savannah River Site (SRS) F-Area Seepage Basins Groundwater, South Carolina
6.14 Former Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant, McGregor, Texas
6.15 Hanford 200 Area ZP-1 OU, Washington
6.16 Industrial Site, Australia
7. Stakeholder Perspectives
Additional Information
Appendix A. Survey Results
Appendix B. Summary of Tools For Site Characterization
References
Acronyms
Glossary
Acknowledgments
Team Members and Contact Information
Document Feedback

 

Remediation Management of Complex Sites
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5.5 Completion Strategy

The long-term management plan includes a completion strategy for eventually achieving site objectives. Completion strategies are a best practice to establish sequentially devised actions based on site-specific decisions. While a straight-line concept for a completion strategy might be appropriate for typical sites, an iterative adaptive site management approach is better at complex sites. This strategy could include transition to the next phase of the remedy from more aggressive engineered remedy components to less aggressive remedy components, with separate sets of interim or site objectives and performance metrics. Completion strategies are often developed through a collaborative process, with decision documents and work plans to memorialize agreements, including interim and site objectives and performance metrics. The site closure completion strategy may also consider options to maximize future land use. ITRC offers guidance on developing completion strategies (ITRC 2006a).

Another useful reference when developing a completion strategy is the USEPA Groundwater Remedy Completion Strategy (USEPA 2014b). This document recommends a completion strategy for all CERCLA, Superfund, PRP and federal groundwater sites. USEPA includes the following steps for a groundwater completion strategy: understand the site conditions, design site specific remedy evaluations, develop performance metrics and collect monitoring data, conduct remedy evaluations, and make management decisions. At CERCLA sites, remedy evaluations are conducted during Five-Year Reviews, which is also a good time to review the long-term site management plan.

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Permission is granted to refer to or quote from this publication with the customary acknowledgment of the source (see suggested citation and disclaimer). This web site is owned by ITRC • 1250 H Street, NW • Suite 850 • Washington, DC 20005 • (202) 266-4933 • Email: [email protected] • Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Usage Policy ITRC is sponsored by the Environmental Council of the States.