NCD980602163_20000908_Warren County PCB Landfill_SERB C_EPA Technical Outreach Program, 1996 - 2000-OCR

Technical Outreach Services for Communities http://www.hsrc.org/hsrc/html/tosc/sswtosc/sopines.html
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Southern Pines, N.C. {Active Site)
Site description
An environmentally contaminated site at the Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex Facility.
Organization requesting assistance
Moore for a Clean Environment (MooreFORCE, Inc.) of Southern Pines
Summary of TOSC assistance
TOSC has performed a review, evaluation, and interpretation of the Remedial Investigation
Work Plan prepared for the site. The program office also will :
• Review and interpret other technical documents and materials;
• Offer workshops and learning opportunities to explain science and technology policy and
operations;
• Provide technical assistance materials or sources of information such as pamphlets,
manuals, and visual software detailing site investigation and clean up matters pertinent
to the issues affecting the community.
Project lead
Bob Schmitter
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Copyright© Georgia Tech Research Corporation, 1999.
All Rights Reserved.
Make comments to: [e-mail]
Last modified on: August 18, 1999.
URL: http://www.toscprogram.org/
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SERVICES FOR COMMUNITIES
Ecological Risk Assessment
WHAT IS AN ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT?
An ecological risk assessment is a scientific process that evaluates the potential
adverse impacts to plants, animals, and the environment from exposure to toxic
contaminants. An ecological risk assessment does not consider the impacts to humans
or domesticated species. The goal of the risk assessment is to evaluate actual and
predicted potential effects on animal and plant populations. It also examines
communities that occupy or could occupy habitats (such as lakes, wetlands, streams or
estuaries) affected by contamination.
The U.S. EPA defines an ecological risk assessment as the process that evaluates the
likelihood that adverse ecological effects are occurring or may occur as a result of
exposure to one or more stressors (see definition below).
THE ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS
There are three basic parts to an ecological risk assessment: Problem Formulation,
Analysis Phase, and Risk Characterization.
PROBLEM FORMULATION
Problem formulation is a systematic planning step that identifies the major factors to be
considered in the risk assessment. It primarily involves a review of existing data about the
site. The end product is a conceptual model that identifies the stressor characteristics,
ecosystems potentially at risk, and ecological effects to be evaluated. In this step,
assessment and measurement endpoints for the ecological risk assessment are identified.
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Some Definitions:
• A stressor is any physical, chemical, or biological entity that can cause an adverse
response, such as a toxic chemical.
• Assessment endpoints focus a risk assessment on particular components of the
ecosystem that could be adversely affected at the site. These endpoints are expressed
in terms of individual organisms, populations, ecosystems, or habitats with some
common characteristic, such as ingestion or exposure.
• Measurement endpoints provide the actual measurements used to evaluate
ecological risk and are selected to represent mechanisms of toxicity and exposure
pathways. A measurement endpoint is a measurable biological response to a stressor
that can be related to the valued characteristic chosen as the assessment endpoint. In
most cases the endpoint is determined by modeling the site characteristics, such as the
contaminants, soil/sediments, plants, and organisms, in the laboratory. In other cases,
the endpoint can be measured directly.
ANALYSIS PHASE
In this phase, an exposure assessment and an ecological effects assessment are conducted.
Exposure Assessment
Exposure assessment quantifies the exposures of ecological receptors (animals, plants and
microorganisms) to site contaminants. The key elements are quantification of contaminant
release, migration and fate; determining the receptors that may be exposed; and measuring
the concentrations to which the receptors are exposed.
The amount of contaminant a receptor takes in depends on such factors as:
• The prope1iies of the contaminant.
• The way the organism takes it in (skin absorption, ingestion, etc.)
• The nature of the receptors (behavior, life patterns)
Ecological effects assessment
This step seeks to link concentrations of contaminants to adverse effects in receptors.
Literature reviews, field studies, and toxicity testing provide this "dose-response"
inf01mation-that is, how much toxicant is associated with how much of an adverse effect.
Organisms vary widely in their ability to tolerate toxicants, and the research literature can
provide information of the species under study. Field studies offer direct evidence of a link
between contamination and ecological effects.
Finally, toxicity tests evaluate the effects of contaminated media on the survival, growth
and reproduction of test organisms .
RISK CHARACTERIZATION
Risk characterization, the final phase of the risk assessment, compares the results of the
exposure assessment with the results of the ecological effects assessment. Investigators seek
to answer the following questions:
• Are ecological receptors cmrently exposed to site contaminants at levels capable of
causing harm, or is future exposure likely?
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• If adverse ecological effects are observed or predicted, what are the types and
severity of these effects?
• What are the uncertainties associated with the risk assessment?
The risk characterization concludes with a risk description, which involves presentation of
the risk results in both numerical and descriptive terms. This step provides information on
the confidence the risk assessor has in the results, and identifies a threshold for adverse
effects.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Ecological risk assessments can have their greatest influence on risk management at a site
in the selection of site remedies. The ecological risk assessment should identify threshold
contamination levels for adverse effects. These threshold values provide a yardstick for
evaluating the effectiveness of remedial options and can be used to set cleanup goals.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• EPA's ecological risk assessment site
(www.epa.gov/superfund/programsltisk/ecolgc.htm)
• General overview of topic
(www.iet.msu.edu/joumalists/ecotox/Default.htm)
For more information on the TOSC program, contact:
Michigan State University TOSC Office
B-lOOA Research Complex-Engineering
East Lansing, MI 48824-1326
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
GLMAC Homepage I University of Michigan I University of Michigan Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering I Michigan State University I Michigan
State University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering I Howard
University I Howard University Department of Che1nical Engineering
Copyright© Hazardous Substance Research Center, 1999.
All Rights Reserved.
Send comments to: Kirk Riley at [e-mail]
Web Pages Maintained By: Jason Killian
Last updated on Thursday, April 27, 2000 13:52:12
URL: http://www.egr.msu.edu/tosc
09/08/2000 3:15 PM
A publication of the Hazardous
Substance Research Centers'
Technical Outreach Services for
Communities (TOSC) Program.
Hazardous Substance
Research Centers
The five regional Hazardous
Substance Research Centers
were established in 1989 and
funded by the U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency (U.S.
EPA). The Centers' mission is to
support and conduct innovative
research and technology deve 1-
opment in hazardous substance
control, cleanup and manage-
ment. The Centers have an i n-
terdisciplinary group of know 1-
edgeable scientists and eng i-
neers who can offer technical
advice, review sites, and help
increase understanding of ha z-
ardous contamination.
For more information visit
www.toscprogram.org or call 1-
800-490-3890.
The Great Lakes & Mid-Atlantic
Center is a consortium of the Uni-
versity of Michigan, Michigan State
University and Howard University
Human Health
Risk Assessment
What is risk assessment?
Risk assessment is a method used to
estimate a community's increased risk
of health problems as a result of exp a-
sure to a toxic pollutant. Risk assess-
ment methods can also be used to es-
timate increased risk of adverse ec a-
logical effects due to chemicals in the
environment. This Information Brief
addresses human health risk assess-
ment. There are four steps to risk as-
sessment: hazard identification, exp a-
sure assessment, toxicity assessment,
and risk characterization.
The four steps of risk
assessment
1. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
The first step of risk assessment is
hazard identification. This is the at-
tempt to determine what potentially
harmful chemicals are present in the
environment. Scientists collect sam-
ples of soil, air, water, sediment,
plants, fish and/or animals at and
around a site. They analyze those
samples in laboratories. This analysis
reveals the chemicals present and their
levels. Often a screening process is
conducted to determine which chem i-
cals are most likely to pose risks.
These chemicals are studied further in
the following steps.
2. EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT
The exposure assessment identifies
conditions where people could come
in contact with the chemicals identi-
fied in step 1 and how much exposure
could occur.
Exposure to toxic pollutants occurs
primarily in three ways: ingestion, in-
halation, and absorption through the
skin. Several ways that exposure o c-
curs are listed below.
• Ingestion
• Eating contaminated soil or food
• Drinking contaminated water
• Inhalation
• Breathing contaminated air
• Breathing dust that is contaminated
with a toxic substance
• Showering with contaminated water
• Absorption
• Skin contact with contaminants,
whether in soil, water or air
• Showering or bathing in contam i-
nated water
For each of these pathways, scientists
estimate quantities of a given chemi-
cal to which a person is exposed.
They take into account how long, how
often, and how many ways people
could be exposed to site chemicals.
3. TOXICITY ASSESSMENT
The toxicity assessment examines the
tox1c1ty, or harmfulness, of each
chemical found at the site by looking
at studies of those chemicals. Scien-
tists examine both the cancer and non-
cancer health effects. For chemicals
known to cause cancer, any exposure
is assumed to increase the chance of
developing cancer.
(continued on reverse)
The likelihood of cancer result-
ing from exposure to a chemical
is expressed as a probability-for
example, a "one in a million
chance." For non-cancer effects,
a very low exposure may not
cause harm to human health.
Threshold values have been de-
veloped for those chemicals.
Exposures below the threshold
value are considered safe and
levels above the threshold value
are considered harmful.
4. RISK CHARACTERIZATION
During the risk characterization
step, information from the hazard
identification, exposure assess-
ment, and toxicity assessment
helps scientists to estimate the
additional risk to human health
that is caused by toxic pollutants.
They add up potential risks from
the individual chemicals and
pathways and calculate a total
site risk. They also consider the
amount of uncertainty in the risk
estimates. Risk assessment re-
sults are then factored into dee i-
si ons on how best to clean up the
site during the risk management
phase.
-Prevailing wind direction
•·c, Exposure
'(; point , ...
Ingestion
exposure
route
Watertahlc
Transport
medium (air)
Release source
olatilization)
Release source
(site leaching)
Transport medium
(groundwater)
Fig. J: Commo11 ways Jo~ exposures to occur at a co11tami11ated site
How accurate are risk
assessments?
Risk assessments cannot be com-
pletely accurate because they
contain estimates and assump-
tions. Scientists often do not have
enough information on how toxic
substances react in the body or on
actual exposures at the site to
make completely accurate calcu-
lations. Risk assessment is not an
exact science. Scientists use the
best available data on what is oc-
curring, or could occur, at the site,
and apply their judgment to cal-
culate the risks associated with
chemicals at the site. Results are
probabilities, not certainties.
From risk assessment to risk
management
Following the completion of the
risk assessment, steps are taken to
reduce 1isk at the site. Risk man-
agers plan strategies to limit or
prevent exposures to contami-
nants. This may or may not call
for the removal of contaminants
or the cleaning of soil, air, or w a-
ter. Sometimes workers can place
a cap over the site or build under-
ground walls to keep chemicals
from reaching people. In other
cases, removal may be needed as
risk managers seek a solution that
will make the site suitable for
both current and expected future
uses.
For more infonnation:
• U.S. EPA 's Human Health Risk
Assessment
http://www.epa.gov/Superfund/progra
ms/risk/humhlth.htm
• Superfund Today-Focus on Risk
Assessment
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/tools/to
day/riskl .htm
HAZARDOtrSSU:BSTANCE
RES:fiARCI-I C :ENTERS
This publication is published by the Hazard-
ous Substance Research Centers as part of
their Technical Outreach Services for Com-
munities (TOSC) program series of Environ-
mental Science and Technology Briefs for
Citizens. If you would like more information
about the TOSC program, contact your re-
gional coordinator:
Northeast HSRC
New Jersy Institute of Technology
Otto H. York CEES
138 Warren St.
Newark, NJ 07102
[phone]
Great Plains/Rocky Mountain HSRC
Kansas State University
101 Ward Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
[phone]
Great Lakes/Mid-Atlantic HSRC
A-124 Research Complex-Engineering
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Ml 48824
[phone]
South/Southwest HSRC
Environmental Science & Technology Program
Georgia Tech Research Institute
229 Baker Building
Atlanta, GA 30332
[phone]
Western Region HSRC
Oregon State University
210 Strand Agriculture Hall
Corvallis, OR 97331 -2302
[phone]
I<iSTATE @NjfflrjlhfMfW
Acknowledgment: Although this article has
been funded in part by the U.S. Environmen-
tal Protection Agency under assistance agree-
ment R-819653, through the Great Plains/
Rocky Mountain Hazardous Substance Re-
search Center, it has not been subjected to
the agency's peer and administrative review
and, therefore, may not reflect the views of
the agency. No official endorsement should
be inferred.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS FOR CITIZENS
adapted by P. Kulakow
A Guide to Thermal Desorption
Adapted from EPA Technology Fact Sheet: EPA 542-F-96-005
Thermal desorption is one of many
methods used to clean up soil that has
been contaminated with hazardous
chemicals. The purpose of this brief is
to describe thermal desorption along
with some of its advantages and dis-
advantages. B efore any cleanup
method is chosen for use at a location,
many potential cleanup choices must
be carefully studied and compared to
determine how well each will work at
that site. The information presented
in this brief has been adapted from the
EPA Technology Fact Sheet: EPA 542-
F-96-005.
What is thermal de-
sorption?
Thermal desorption is a way to
treat soils contaminated with hazard-
ous wastes. By heating these soils to
temperatures of 200-1,000 degrees F,
contaminants with low boiling points
will vaporize or turn into gas and sepa-
rate from the soil. These vaporized con-
taminants are then collected and
treated, usually by an air emissions
treatment system. (If there are other
contaminants present in the soil, they
are treated in other ways.)
Thermal desorption is a different
process than incineration because it
uses heat to physically separate the
contaminants from the soil. They will
then require further treatment. Incin-
eration uses heat to actually destroy
the contaminants.
How does thermal
desorption work?
Typical thermal desorption sys-
tems are made up of three parts: the
pretreatment and material handling
system, the desorption unit, and the
post-treatment system for both the gas
contaminants and the remaining soil
(See Figure 1 on page 2).
Pretreatment and Material
Handling System
Pretreatment of contaminated ma-
terial involves sifting it to remove large
clods and foreign objects. If the contami-
nated material is very wet or has a lot
of contamination, it may need to be
mixed with sand or dried to make it a
more workable product for treatment
in the desorption unit.
Desorption Unit
The desorption unit is used to heat
the contaminated soil to a high enough
temperature for a long enough time to
dry it and vaporize the contaminants
from it. A common design for this unit
is a rotary desorber, which has a rotat-
ing, cylindrical metal drum. In a di-
rect-fired rotary desorber, the contami-
nated soil enters the rotating cylinder
and is heated by direct contact with a
flame or the hot gasses coming off a
flame. In an indirect-fired rotary
desorber, the soil does not come into
contact with a flame or combustion
gases. Instead, the outside of the cylin-
der is heated and the hot metal indi-
rectly heats the soil tumbling inside.
As the soil is heated, the contaminants
vaporize and become part of the gas
stream of air and contaminated vapors
flowing through the desorber toward the
post-treatment system. Sometimes a
non-reactive gas, such as nitrogen,
is added to the gas stream to keep
the vaporized contaminants from
catching fire in the desorption unit
and to help in vaporizing and re-
moving the contaminants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS FOR CITIZENS A 2 ~GE
Post-Treatment System
"Off gas" from the desorber is usu-
ally processed to take out particulate
matter still in the gas stream after the
desorption step. The vaporized contami-
nants in this offgas may be burned in
an afterburner, collected on activated
carbon, or recovered in condensation
equipment. Depending on what the con-
taminants are and the amount of them
present, any or all of these methods can
be used. But disposal methods must
meet federal, state, and local standards.
Treated soil from the desorber is
tested to see how well the process
worked in removing the target contami-
nants. This is usually done by compar-
ing the contaminant levels in treated
soils with those of untreated soils. If the
treated soil is nonhazardous, it is put
back on site or taken somewhere else
to be used as backfill. If, however, the
soil needs further treatment, it may be
treated using another method, or taken
off site for disposal.
Why consider thermal
desorption?
Thermal desorption works well at
separating organics from refining
wastes, coal tar wastes, waste from
wood treatment, and paint wastes. It
can separate solvents, pesticides, PCBs,
dioxins, and fuel oils from contami-
nated soil. The equipment needed to do
this can treat up to 10 tons of contami-
nated soil per hour. Finally, the lower
temperatures used in the desorber take
less fuel than other treatment methods.
Will it work at every
site?
Thermal desorption does not work
on most metals, although mercury can
be removed by this process. Other met-
als will tend to stay in the soil and not
evaporate enough to be reasonably sepa-
rated from the soil. Also, capturing
evaporated metals might complicate the
off gas treatment. A decision about met-
als needs to be made before the soil is
processed.
Thermal desorption does not work
well for treating all types of soil. If the
soil is wet, water will vaporize along
with the contaminants. This means
more fuel would be needed to vaporize
all of the contaminants in wet soil. Soils
high in silt and clay are also harder to
treat with thermal desorption. When
silt and clay are heated, they give off a
dust which can interfere with the air
emission equipment used to treat the
vaporized contaminants. Also, tightly
packed soil often won't permit the heat
to make contact with all the contami-
nants, making it more difficult for them
to vaporize. Finally, thermal desorption
would not be a very good choice for
treating heavy metal contaminants
since they do not separate easily fro~
soil; or strong acids, since they can cor-
rode the treatment equipment.
Where is thermal de-
sorption being used?
Thermal desorption is the treat-
m en t method of choice at many
Superfund sites. For example, it was
used at the TH Agriculture & Nutri-
tion Company site in Albany, Georgia,
to treat 4,300 tons of soil contaminated
with pesticides. The system ran from
July to October 1993 and met the
cleanup goals, removing over 98% of the
pesticides in the treated soil.
References:
EPA Technology Fact Sheet:EPA 542-
F-96-005
■ ■ ■
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Peter Kulakow has
a Ph.D. degree in genetics from the Univer-
sity of California-Davis and is currently do-
ing research on the use of vegetation to
clean up hazardous waste sites.
Figure 1. The Thermal Desorption Process. Typical thermal desorption sys-
tems are made up of three parts: the pretreatment and material handling
system'. the desorption unit, and the post-treatment system for both the gas
contaminants and the remaining soil.
Vapor
Air Emissions ControV
Condensor
Treated Air
Emissions
Separator
Soil Tested
for Contaminants
Organic liquid tor
Further Treatment
or Disposal
No •
Further Treatment
or Disposal
Soil Redeposijed or Reused
Kansas Srare Universily0
Great Plains/Rocky Mountain
Kansas State University
101 Ward Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
[phone]
HSRC
• Hazaroous Substance Research Centers http://www.hsrc.org/hsrc/html/tosc/newtosc-text.html
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Home Page
Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) is a no cost, non-advocate technical assistance
program supported by the Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRC).
Since 1994, the TOSC program has guided communities through the environmental cleanup and site
reuse process. TOSC uses the resources of researchers and professionals in environmental science and
engineering from more than 30 major research universities to provide communities with the independent
technical information they need to participate actively in solving environmental problems. -~
TOSC serves its clients by:
• Helping community members become active participants in cleanup and environmental
development activities.
• Providing independent and credible technical assistance to communities affected by hazardous
waste problems.
• Reviewing and interpreting technical documents and other materials.
• Sponsoring workshops, short courses, and other learning experiences to explain basic science and
environmental policy.
• Informing community members about existing technical assistance materials, such as publications,
videos, and web sites.
• Offering training to community leaders in facilitation and conflict resolution among stakeholders.
• Creating technical assistance materials tailored to the identified needs of a community.
Copyright© Georgia Tech Research Corporation, 1998.
All Rights Reserved.
Send comments to: [e-mail]
Revised: November 10, 1998
URL: http://www.hsrc.org/
5/2 1/99 9:18 AM
South & Southwest TOSC Home Page http://www.hsrc.org/hsrc/html/tosc/sswtosc/sswframe-text.html
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Welcome Page
Since 1994, the TOSC program has guided communities through the environmental cleanup and site
reuse process. TOSC is a no-cost, non-advocate technical assistance program supported by the
Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRCs ). The HSRCs conduct
basic and applied research, technology transfer, and training focused on
various aspects of hazardous substance management.
TOSC uses the resources of researchers and professionals in
environmental science and engineering from more than 30 major research
universities to provide communities with the independent technical
information they need to participate actively in solving environmental
problems.
How TOSC Assists
Communities
• Assists community members in becoming active participants in
cleanup and environmental development activities.
TOSC helps communities
learn how to deal with
chronic pollution, such as
this creek's sewer
overflow.
• Provides independent and credible technical assistance to communities affected by hazardous
waste problems.
• Reviews and interprets technical documents and other materials.
• Sponsors workshops, short courses, and other learning experiences to explain basic science and
environmental policy.
• Informs community members about existing technical assistance materials, such as publications,
videos, and web sites.
• Offers training to community leaders in facilitation and conflict resolution among stakeholders.
• Creates technical assistance materials tailored to the identified needs of a community.
How to Get Assistance
If your community is affected by hazardous waste (e.g., Superfund and brownfield sites), you may be
eligible for free assistance by TOSC professionals. If your community is located in one of the states in
EPA regions 4 or 6, call the TOSC toll free number at 1-888-683-5963 or contact:
Ms. Eliesh O'Neil Lane
TOSC Coordinator, South & Southwest HSRC
EPA Region 4 contact
GTRI/EOEML
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA 30332-0837 USA
Telephone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Ms. Denise Rousseau Ford
EPA Region 6 contact
3418 CEBA Building
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803-6421 USA
Telephone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Copyright© Georgia Tech Research Corporation, 1999.
All Rights Reserved.
Make comments to: [e-mail]
Last modified on: February 17, 1999.
5/10/99 3:45 PM
South & Southwest TOSC Home Page http://www.hsrc.org/hsrc/htm1/tosc/sswtosc/sswframe-text.html
URL: http://www.tosc.org/
2 of2 5/10/99 3:45 PM
-;rechnical Outreach Services for Communities http://www.hsrc.org/hsrc/html/tosc/sswtosc/tab.html
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Technical Assistance to Brownfields
Communities
Program Background
Brownfields are abandoned, idled, or underused industrial and
commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is
complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.
Brownfields can be located in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
EP A's Brownfields Initiative is an organized commitment to help
communities revitalize such properties both environmentally and
economically, mitigate potential health risks, and restore economic
vitality to areas where brownfields exist.
Purpose
The Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (TAB)
program has been established as part ofEPA's Brownfields
Initiative to help communities clean and redevelop properties that
have been damaged or undervalued by environmental
contamination. The purpose of these efforts is to create better jobs,
increase the local tax base, improve neighborhood environments,
and enhance the overall quality of life.
Audience
This brownfield site is
located adjacent to a
railroad yard and an old
textile mill near downtown
Atlanta.
The aim of the TAB program is to facilitate stakeholder involvement in community brownfields
redevelopment efforts, so the main audiences for TAB assistance are community groups, municipal
officials, developers, and leaders with lending institutions constituting a secondary audience.
Program Management
TAB activities will be managed by the five regional Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRC)
programs. The HSRCs draw upon the technical expertise of faculty at 29 universities throughout the
United States. The HSRC program has developed a wide range of new approaches for understanding and
cleaning up hazardous waste sites. Many of these new methods offer users significant savings in time
and money.
Activities
• Leadership training. The TAB program will provide leadership training to select brownfields
pilot community leaders, focusing on the following topics: community dynamics , the technical
side of clean-up activities, interaction with government agencies, neighborhood planning,
sustainable economic and land use planning, environmental regulations, clean-up technologies,
and risk assessment. .,
• Risk assessment. Each center will provide local government planners, developers and community
members with one risk assessment training session that builds knowledge of the basic mechanisms
and protocols of risk assessment. Topics will include site inventory, characterization, end use, and
environmental quality requirements as part of the measurement of risk.
• Brownfields processes. Workshops will be provided in each region that walks a variety of
stakeholders through the entire brownfield redevelopment process, tailoring subject matter to local
requirements and interests .
• Site assessment. Workshops will be conducted in each region to help community leaders and
local government environmental professionals develop a better understanding of site assessment
principles. These sessions will focus on integration of the assessment with land use decisions and
a provide information about the acceptable tools for data collection.
• Cleanup alternatives. Local government officials, developers, and environmental/plannil)g
professionals will be traught to use appropriate technology for sustainable land use.
5/21/99 9:21 AM
,Technic..al Outreach Services for Communities http://www.hsrc.org/hsrc/html/tosc/sswtosc/tab.html
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Program Scope
Current funding for the fiscal year 1998 allows four communities to receive TAB assistance in each of
the HSRC five regions.
South & Southwest Program Contact
Bob Schmitter
Environmental Management Branch
Electro-Optics, Environment, and Materials Laboratory
Georgia Tech Research Institute
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA 30332-0837
Telephone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
National Program Contact
Nigel Fields, Program Assistant
U.S. EPA (8703)
401 M Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20460
Telephone: [phone] .
Electronic mail: [e-mail]
Copyright© Georgia Tech Research Corporation, 1999.
All Rights Reserved.
Make comments to: [e-mail]
Last modified on: February 17, 1999.
URL: http://www.tosc.org/
5/21/99 9:22 AM
• Tf;chni.;al Outreach Services for Communities http://www.hsrc.org/hsrc/htrnl/tosc/ sites.html
Alaska Locations for TOSC 'Interventions
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Hawaii
Cilek on dote tor m0n1 Information
about sites of TOSC aaaiatanc:e
• Previous SHaa
• Curnint SHaa
@l,TABSltea
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Tech
March 23, 1999
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/\l NC DENR Division of Waste Management
Attn: Mike Kelly, Deputy Director G,
401 Oberlin Road
Suite 150
Raleigh, NC 27605
Dear Mr. Kelly:
Based upon your recent conversation with John Pierson, The Georgia Tech Research Institute
(GTRI) would like to provide you information regarding programs that could help your agency
and the communities in state such as Warren County, NC. The Hazardous Substance Research
Center and the two programs it funds, Technical Outreach Services to Communities and
Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities, are efforts by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency to provide technical assistance to communities with environmental issues.
After reading this letter, we hope you will spread the word about the program to others in your
agency or to potential communities that could benefit from the program.
Overview of HSRC
The Hazardous Substance Research Center (HSRC) program was established in October 1991
under Section 31 l(d) of CERCLA. According to the regulation, the objective of the HSRC
program is to conduct research and technology transfer designed to promote risk-based
management and control of hazardous substances for the nation. The centers provide:
• Short-and long-term research on the manufacture, disposal, clean-up, and
management of hazardous substances;
• Dissemination of research information and findings; and
• Training, technology transfer, and technical outreach and support to benefit
organizations, communities, and individuals involved with hazardous substances.
The HSRC program is divided into five regional centers each with its own director, technology
transfer and training director and advisory committee, researchers, university affiliates, and
science advisory committee. Each of the five HSRC centers serves the states within two adjoining
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regions. In addition, each center has a specialty
that the research focuses around.
Complex environmental problems that face the nation are not easily addressed by conventional
single-investigator, single-institution research efforts. The HSRC program encourages structured
collaboration between departments, as well as between universities to address complex issues.
This is the key to the HSRC program. More information on the HSRC program can be found at
http://www.hsrc.org.
Safety, Health, & Environmental Technology Division
Electro-Optics, Environment, and Materials Laboratory
Georgia Tech Research Institute
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0837 U.S.A.
PHONE 404•894•3806 • FAX 404•894•2184
A Unit of the University System of Georgia An Eq11nl Education n11d E111ploy111ent Opportunity /11stit11tio11
The South & Southwest (S&SW) HSRC is led by Louisiana State University in partnership with
the Georgia Institute of Technology and Rice University. The S&SW HSRC serves:
• EPA Region 4: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina, and Tennessee; and
• EPA Region 6: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Through its training and technology transfer activities, the center disseminates information about
research advances to the public and private sectors. Some of the technology transfer activities
include one-day regulatory update conferences, technical briefs, workshops, and annual reports.
Overview of TOSC and TAB
In addition to these typical technology transfer activities, the HSRC program must complete
technical outreach and support to organizations, communities, and individuals involved with
hazardous waste. The HSRC has two programs for technical outreach, Technical Outreach
Services for Communities (TOSC) and Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities
(TAB).
Since 1994 the TOSC program has guided communities through the environmental cleanup and
site reuse process. TOSC is a no-cost, non-advocate technical assistance program. The premise of
TOSC is to use the resources of researchers and professionals in environmental science and
engineering from the university consortium to provide communities with the independent
technical information they need to actively participate in environmental decision making that
affects them. Assistance to communities include but is not limited to: providing independent and
credible technical assistance; reviewing and interpreting technical documents and other materials;
sponsoring workshops or short courses to explain basic environmental science and policy
concepts; informing communities about existing technical assistance materials such as videos,
publications, and web sites; and creating technical assistance materials tailored for the
communities specific needs.
The TAB program was established in 1998 to help communities clean and redevelop properties
that have been damaged or undervalued by environmental contamination. The purpose of these
efforts is to create better jobs, increase the local tax base, improve neighborhood environments,
and enhance the overall quality of life. TAB activities include training in the following areas:
community involvement and education; risk assessment; brownfields process; site assessment;
and cleanup alternatives.
Examples of TOSC and TAB Communities
SoGreen Fertilizer Site -Tifton, Georgia
At the SoGreen Site in Tifton, Georgia, TOSC has been working with various community
members and groups to provide technical assistance and report evaluation in order to help the
community play a greater role in the clean up process and more fully understand their options
regarding remediation of the contamination and future plans for the community. Currently, the
efforts of the community, EPD, the steel companies, and TOSC focus on identifying the extent of
KO61 contamination in a cemetery adjacent to the SoGreen site. A sampling plan was developed
and designed to delineate vertical and horizontal dimensions of the contaminants. Contamination
was found in several areas and a removal plan has been proposed to the community. The
community has accepted the plan and work is scheduled to begin in early March 1999, such that
the contaminated waste is removed by truck and disposed of in a hazardous waste landfill.
2
Stauffer Chemical Site -Tarpon Springs, FL
The community was the site of an ammunition manufacturing facility that extracted elemental
phosphorus from phosphate ores using an electric oven. However, a phosphoric slag containing
heavy metals and radioactive Radium 226 was also produced. This slag was combined with other
aggregates to create building materials used in home and road construction. Based upon
discussions with the community members, a literature review was conducted to identify the
documented, scientific work completed regarding radon in drinking water. The purpose of the
review was to assist concerned citizens by providing a general list of applicable references that
discussed related human health, environmental, and technical studies. Additionally, the TOSC
staff reviewed, summarized and interpreted this literature in terms of the Tarpon Springs
community.
Oilfield Waste Site Communities -Louisiana
Representatives of the Louisiana Branch of the Sierra Club and the Louisiana Citizens for a Clean
Environment contacted the TOSC offices at Louisiana State University for assistance on specific
concerns in Grand Bois, Louisiana and other Louisiana oil and gas exploration and production
(E&P) waste disposal facilities. Grand Bois is adjacent to the site of an E&P waste disposal
facility. In 1994, the facility accepted a shipment of E&P waste that may have been combined
with other chemical and hazardous wastes. The community felt that they had been exposed to
toxic oilfield waste and suffered from past and present exposure to this waste. In response to
public concern over this situation, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) promulgated an
Emergency Rule which outlines comprehensive and systematic testing of oilfield waste disposed
of in commercial facilities throughout the state. Once contacted, TOSC began assisting the
environmental community groups as well as communities in Louisiana, which have oilfield waste
sites nearby. TOSC staff is providing technical support to environmental community groups to
aid in the citizens' input to the framework of the Emergency Rule as well as any permanent rules
that may be promulgated by the State of Louisiana. HSRC staff is participating with the Agency
for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry to assess the environmental impact of the E&P waste
facility in the community of Grand Bois.
TOSC Contacts
Eliesh O'Neil Lane
South & Southwest TOSC Coordinator
Research Scientist
Georgia Institute of Technology
404-894-8044
[e-mail]
Robert Schrnitter
TAB Communities Coordinator
Senior Research Scientist
Georgia Institute of Technology
404-894-8064
[e-mail]
3
John Pierson
TOSC/f AB Contact
Research Engineer II
Georgia Institute of Technology
404-894-8059
[e-mail]
Denise Rousseau Ford
Region 6 TOSC/f AB Contact
Louisiana State University
3221 CEBA Building
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
225-388-6497
[e-mail]
Spread the Word
We are marketing the programs to state agencies in an effort to identify potential TOSC or TAB
communities. Our programs are designed to facilitate the site clean up process by enhancing the
community's level of technical understanding. To be successful, we must keep communication
channels open between our staff and state and regional environmental regulatory agencies. The
community will benefit by receiving individual personalized attention from a collaboration of
top-notched researchers. Enclosed is a brochure that you can provide to communities you believe
may benefit from TOSC activities. Now that you know what the TOSC and TAB programs can
do for your agency and your state's communities, please pass this information along to anyone
else you feel could benefit from the programs. Please contact us if you have a potential
community already in mind or for additional information. We look forward to working with you
to create a better environment for the communities in your state.
~~~tf~
Eliesh O'Neil Lane Bob Schmitter
South & Southwest TOSC Coordinator South & Southwest TAB Coordinator
Enclosure
4
SoUTH/SournwF.ST HSRC The South/Southwest HSRC is a research, technology transfer and training consortium consisting of Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), the Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, Georgia) and Rice University (Houston, Texas) and serving EPA Regions 4 and 6. EPA Region 4 includes the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. EPA Region 6 includes the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. TOSC is a non-advocate technical assistance program supported by the Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRCs) and provided at no cost to communities. The HSRCs conduct basic and applied research, technology transfer, and training focused on various upects or hazardous substance managemenL DoF.S YOUR COMMUNITY QUALIFY? Communities with the following characteristics are most likely to qualify for technical assistance through the TOSC program: • Environmental contamination issues • Human health protection issues • High community interest in the issue • Good community organization • Multiple requests for TOSC assistance HOW CAN YOUR COMMUNITY GET ASSISTANCE? If you live in any of the states located in EPA Region 4 or 6, contact the S&SW TOSC Coordinator, toll free at: 1-888-683-5963 or Eliesh O'Neil Lane S&SW TOSC Program Coordinator Region 4 Primary Contact [e-mail] 404-894-8044 Denise Rousseau Ford Region 6 Primary Contact [e-mail] 255-388-6497 Bob Schmitter TAB Coordinator [e-mail] 404-894-8064 You can learn more about the 10SC program on the Internet at: http://www.toscprogram.org "Assisting and empowering communities with environmental issues" hcHNicAL Ou1REACH SERVICES for CMMUNITIES
IS YOUR COMMUNITY FACING A HAZARDOUS WASTE PROBLEM? The process of cleaning up a polluted site is a complex and challenging task for any community to face. Since 1994, the Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) program has guided communities through the environmental cleanup and site reuse process. TOSC uses the resources of researchers and professionals in the environmental science and engineering field from more than thirty major research universities to provide communities with the independent technical information needed to actively participate in solving environmental problems. Residual waste from a former fertilizer manufacturer remains after an on-site fire. The site also served as a repository for lead-and cadmium-laden flue dust that is still being removed. WHAT CAN TOSC Do? • TOSC can help community members become active participants in cleanup and environmental development activities. • TOSC can provide independent and credible technical assistance to communities affected by hazardous waste problems. Raw sewage and other waste found in a culvert leading to Combined Sewer Overflow. These culverts are easily accessible by nearby residents. • TOSC can provide training to community leaders in facilitation and conflict resolution among stakeholders. • TOSC creates technical assistance materials tailored to the identified needs of your community. For no-cost assistance or to learn more, call Toll-Free Number 1-888-683-5963 TOSC OFFERS AV ARIETY OF SERVICES • TOSC staff review and interpret technical documents and other materials (using the resources of university faculty and staff). • TOSC offers workshops, short courses, and other learning experiences to explain basic science and environmental policy. TOSC also informs community members about existing technical assistance materials, such as publications, videos, and web sites. BROWNFIELDS AsSISTANCE Technical assistance is also available to communities that have brownfields ( abandoned or underutilized land that is, or is perceived to be, environmentally contaminated). The Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (TAB) program is designed for municipal leaders, developers, and community groups and leaders. An abandoned drycleaners may be a suspected brownfield in a community.
The TOSC program is a non-advocate technical assistance program supported by the Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRC) -an EPA sponsored program focused on basic and applied research, technology transfer, and outreach in the areas of hazardous substance management. The activities of the TOSC program are provided at no cost to communities. If you are interested in receiving TOSC assistance, or finding out more about the TOSC program, contact: Blase Leven Great Plains/Rocky Mountain HSRC 1.800. 798. 7796 Bill Librizzi Northeast HSRC 973.596.5846 Bob Schmitter South & Southwest HSRC 1.888.683.5963 Kirk Riley Great Lakes/Mid-Atlantic HSRC 517.355.7493 Ken Williamson Western Region HSRC 1.800.653.6110 You can call any of these coordinators for locating the region which should assist you, or check out the TOSC website at: http://www.toscprogram.org "'Assessin3 and emyowerinB communities with environmenta[ issues." Communities today face a variety of challenges: from promoting economic development to ensuring healthy living to providing a safe and friendly environment. Assessing and cleaning up environmental problems from polluted sites is one of these significant and complex challenges. Help is available in the form of a program of nationally recognized universities that can provide no-cost assistance to communities looking for answers and searching for an understanding of technical issues associated with cleaning up their environmental hazards. Since 1994, the Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) program has guided over 120 communities through the environmental investigation, cleanup, and site reuse process.
TOSC helps community members become active participants in the cleanup and . um4'·· •• ·•· f~1t~t~,eljfdi)'1lu41 Dm~ 1M eit e~MJ!Js Vlfoiig iJ, ~JliJIIL, on env1rc:t1mental issues, TOSC can provide training to community leaders in facilitation and conflict resolution, so that community residents can work more effectively with all participants in the cleanup process. For example, TOSC is currently working with tl\e Comite Pro-Costal Ventana citizen's group, a local environmental organization, and a local university in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico to empower the Barrio Boca community to address environmental issues in their neighborhood. The community has been negatively impacted by pesticide spraying operations on a nearby farm. TOSC has provided technical review and comment on sampling protocols used in the community. TOSC develops and delivers a variety of workshops, documents, short courses, and other learning experiences tailored to community needs, t•o·· hw:l•.• ·.·.at.com·"·mun·~.~ ~."".a;i .. ~:. ~et.t .. er un1ersrJ:fjk lf1:r:enrJ agti~'f.JY~tal policy affe¾ g~?e1f'281t~~CJlt:Hl' algo~nform the community members about existing learning material, such as publications, videos, and web sites, which may provide even more information useful to that situation. TOSC presented a workshop to residents of Davie, Florida who are concerned about the environmental and health impacts of a former petroleum-reprocessing site. The workshop synthesized the remedial investigation reports and workplans for addressing contamination at the site as well as off-site areas affected by groundwater and soil contamination. In Michigan, the TOSC program has provided educational sessions and document review for the citizens living near the abandoned Lake Shore Engine Works site. TOSC representatives have met with the community three times over the past year, and have presented sessions de-signed to inform and educate the public about the brownfields redevelopment process. The members of a T..QSC team provid indepen<ient and crfdible teclrt11ic commu problems. l_,allmg ,rpon,.h~~. ert un~vetl§§j§y ~~ urnversmes, tney can review ancf interpret technical documents relevant to the community's site, whether the problems are related to environmental contamination or human health protection. On the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota representatives from the TOSC and Technical Outreach Services for Native American Communities Programs have attended multiple Restoration Advisory Board meetings and provided reviews of contamination investigation reports. TOSC and TOSNAC also held a workshop on science, math, and chemistry for the Technical Review Committee of the Oglala Lakota, and provided information about the health and environmental risks of certain chemicals. In Salem, Oregon TOSC has agreed to provide the Oregon State Penitentiary community group with assistance regarding an imminent interim removal action measure and information on health concerns of contaminants at the penitentiary. These are just a few examples of how the TOSC program is helping community residents address environmental problems in their neighborhoods. a u ~ ~#• a ~ '::s \...) '~ ~
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5204G)
9200.5-222FS
EPA 540-K-95-004
PR1024
November 1996
oEPA Technical Assistance Grants (TAG):
How to Find, Choose and Hire a
Technical Advisor
Office of Emergency and Remedial Response
Community Involvement and Outreach Center
Quick Reference Fact Sheet
The Superfund Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program was created to provide grants to
eligible groups of citizens living near Superfund sites for the purpose of hiring independent
technical advisors. The technical advisor can interpret site-related information that citizens'
groups can share with the entire community. TAG recipients help communities become more
active participants in the Superfund process. This fact sheet provides an outline of some of the
questions often asked by TAG recipients about finding and choosing a technical advisor.
What can a technical advisor do for my
TAG group?
Your group determines the role of the techni-
cal advisor based on your community's needs
and concerns. Possible activities include:
• Reviewing and interpreting site-related
documents and data.
• Meeting with your group to explain
technical information about the site.
• Participating in public meetings to help
clarify site information.
• Assisting your group in
communicating your concerns
and preferences to EPA, state
agencies and polluting
parties.
• Participating in
site visits to gain a
better under-
standing of cleanup
activities.
• Attending meetings
and hearings directly
related to site
conditions.
• Participating in health and
safety training.
Grant funds may not be used to
finance litigation or underwrite
legal actions, such as paying attorneys or
technical advisors to participate in any legal
action or proceeding regarding or affecting
the site.
Who are potential technical advisors?
Your group should choose a technical
advisor who will provide you with an
unbiased, independent review of site-
related information. Potential advisors
may be experts in chemistry, engineer-
ing, toxicology, epidemiology,
hydrology, soil science,
limnology or meteorology.
Your group selects the
technical advisor whose
expertise best suits
the needs of your
community.
Advisors should be
qualified in
disciplines related to
the type of
contamination at your
site. For example, at a
site with water contam-
ination, a technical advisor
with experience in
hydrology or limnology
would be appropriate.
What qualifications should I look for in a
technical advisor?
The technical advisor should have the fol-
lowing qualifications:
• A demonstrated knowledge of
hazardous or toxic waste issues.
• Academic training in a field relevant to
your group's interests.
• The ability to translate technical
information into plain English.
• A satisfactory performance record.
• A state license in his or her field.
• Not debarred or suspended as a federal
contractor.
• Adequate accounting or auditing
procedures to control funds.
• A willingness to comply with civil rights
and equal opportunity law.
What is the process for hiring a technical
advisor?
You must use the competitive selection
method unless there is only one qualified
candidate. If only one qualified candidate
can be located, you can use the non-com-
petitive procurement method. Also, the
competitive selection procedures vary de-
pending on the dollar value of your pur-
chase or contract. The basic differences in
the requirements of the two methods are
outlined in the table below and discussed in
more detail on the following pages. Your
TAG Coordinator can provide you with the
booklet entitled Superfund Technical Assis-
tance Grant (TAG) Handbook: Procurement-
Using TAG Funds, which explains the pro-
cess further.
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TWO PROCUREMENT METHODS
THE COMPETITIVE SELECTION METHOD
(Used when two or more qualified candidates exist) .:a 'iij ...
• For purchases or contracts over $25,000 but less than $50,000: Cl)
'C
solicit written proposals from three or more qualified sources. ... 0 ....
I")
• For purchases or contracts over $1,000 and up to $25,000: Cl) Cl
solicit oral quotes from two or more qualified sources. 11) C.
Cl)
• For purchases or contracts of $1,000 or less: Cl) II)
simply discuss your needs with a qualified candidate; no oral or written
quotes are necessary.
.la
THE NON-COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT METHOD 'iv t
(Used when only one qualified candidate exists) 'C ... .g
• Obtain written authority from the EPA award official. ..,.
Cl)
• For purchases or contracts less than $50,000: Cl 11)
C.
ask the candidate for an oral or written quote. Cl)
Cl) II)
2
THE COMPETITIVE SELECTION METHOD
Use this method when there are two or more qualified candidates from which to choose.
The competitive selection method varies depending on the dollar value of your
group's purchase or contract as described in the three boxes on this page.
For purchases or contracts over $25,000 but less than
$50,000
Example: You need the services of a technical
advisor or environmental consulting firm with
expertise in hydrogeology, engineering,
chemistry, the health sciences, and toxicology
to review technical documents generated by
the cleanup process at your site; attend
meetings; prepare summary memos and
reports; review your group's written
comm en ts to be submitted during the public
comment period; and make presentations to
group members and others.
1. Identify your needs.
2. Solicit written proposals from three or
more qualified sources.
3. Evaluate all proposals.
4. Check with your Regional TAG
Coordinator to be sure the candidates
are not on the master list of suspended
or debarred contractors.
5. Prepare the contract.
6. Provide EPA an opportunity to review
your selection process and the contract.
7. Have the technical advisor complete a
Certification Regarding Debarment,
Suspension, and Other Responsibility
Matters (EPA Form 5700-49).
8. Sign the contract.
For purchases or contracts over $1,000 but
less than $25,000
Example: The environmental consulting firm you
hired has the hydrogeologists, engineers, and
chemists you need at your site. However, the firm
does not offer expertise in the health sciences or
toxicology, and you now need to have the risk
assessment from the site reviewed. You want to hire
a toxicologist for the sole task of reviewing the risk
assessment.
1. Identify your needs.
2. Solicit oral quotes from two or more
qualified sources.
3. Evaluate all quotes.
4. Check with your Regional TAG Coordinator
to be sure the candidates are not on the
master list of suspended or debarred
contractors.
5. Prepare the contract.
6. Provide EPA an opportunity to review your
selection process and the contract.
7. Sign the contract.
For purchases or contracts of $1,000 or less
Example: Your group has prepared a newsletter and needs to hire a print shop to design and
reproduce copies.
1. Identify your needs.
2. Identify potential technical advisors.
3. Discuss your needs with candidates.
4. Discuss with the candidates any potential conflicts of interest.
5. Check with your Regional TAG Coordinator to be sure candidates are not on the
master list of suspended or debarred contractors.
6. Determine that the proposed costs are reasonable.
7. Negotiate with the candidates, if you wish, and select the best one.
8. Document, in 200 words or less, your reasons for selecting one candidate over the
rest.
3
THE NON-COMPETITIVE SELECTION METHOD
Use this method when only one qualified candidate exists.
The requirements are described below.
For purchases or contracts of $50,000 or less
Example: You needed to hire a technical advisor, so you began by locating possible sources of technical
advisors with the skills you need. You checked universities, professional societies, and small, minority-
owned, and women-owned businesses but were able to locate only one qualified candidate.
l. Identify your needs.
2. Contact your Regional TAG Coordinator to discuss the possibility of using this
method.
3. Obtain written authority from the award official.
4. Discuss with the potential contractor the kinds of services you need and EPA's
requirements.
5. Ask the candidate to give you an oral or written quote for performing the services.
6. Discuss with the candidate any potential conflicts of interest.
7. Check with your Regional TAG Coordinator to be sure the candidate is not on the
master list of suspended or debarred contractors.
8. Negotiate with the candidate as necessary.
9. Document for the files why the proposed costs are acceptable.
10. Prepare the contract.
11. Provide EPA an opportunity to review your selection process and the contract.
12. Have the technical advisor complete a Certification Regarding Debarment,
Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters (EPA Form 5700-49) if the contract or
purchase is for $25,000 or more.
13. Sign the contract.
Helpful Tips on Hiring a Technical Advisor
• Start the process of locating a technical advisor early-it may take some time.
• Make positive efforts to seek out small, female, and minority-owned businesses.
• Maintain records of your group's selection activities.
• Contact your Regional TAG Coordinator if you have any questions.
The RCRA, Superfund, and Underground Storage Tank Hotline
This toll-free hotline is a source of further information on the TAG Program
• If calling from outside the Washington, DC area: 800-424-9346
• If calling from within the Washington, DC area: 703-412-9810
• For the hearing impaired: TDD 800-553-7672
4
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Technical Assistance Grant?
A Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) provides money for activities that
help your community participate in decision making at eligible Superfund
sites. An initial grant up to $50,000 is available for any Superfund site that
is on the EPA's National Priorities List (NPL), proposed for listing on the
NPL and a response action has begun. EPA's NPL is a list of the most
hazardous waste sites nationwide.
Who is Eligible?
Q. Is my group eligible for a TAG?
A. You are eligible if(l) you live near one of the 1,200 sites on the
National Priorities List (NPL); (2) you may be affected by a release or
threatened release at any facility listed on the NPL, or proposed for listing
on the NPL; (3) the response action at the site is underway; and (4) your
group demonstrates you have or will have reliable procedures for record
keeping and financial accountability relating to managing your TAG.
Q. What types of groups aren't eligible?
A. You are not eligible if (1) your group is a potentially responsible party
(PRP) or receives money or services from a PRP or represents a PRP;
(2) your group is not incorporated for the specific purpose of
representing affected people; (3) your group is an academic institution;
and ( 4) your group is a political subdivision ( example: township or
municipality).
How Many TA Gs are Awarded at a Site?
Only one TAG may be awarded for any site. However, when the grant
recipient changes ( for example, EPA terminates the original TAG for
non-performance, fraud or conflict of interest or the recipient terminates
the original TAG), the process for applying for a TAG starts over with
interested applicants writing a Letter of Intent to the Agency expressing
interest in a TAG.
What Can T AGs Pay For?
Q. How can we spend TAG money?
A. The bulk of the TAG funds are used to hire an independent technical
advisor (TA) to help you interpret and comment on site-related decisions.
Examples of how a technical advisor can help your group include (1)
reviewing preliminary site assessment/site investigation data; (2)
participating in public meetings to help clarify information about site
conditions; and (3) visiting the site vicinity periodically during cleanup to
observe progress and provide technical updates to your group.
The group can also use a TAG to hire a grant administrator to help you
manage and administer the grant TAG funds can also be used to
purchase or rent office supplies and to print newsletters or fact sheets to
disseminate information about your site. The goals of these and other
eligible TAG activities is to help improve your community's understanding
of environmental conditions and cleanup activities at Superfund sites.
Q. Are there things we cannot spend TAG money for?
A Your TAG funds cannot be used for: (1) lawsuits or other legal actions
such as paying for attorney fees for advice tied to any kind oflegal action;
(2) political activity and lobbying; (3) activities such as amusement, social
activities, ceremonials and costs associated with these activities such as
meals, lodging, rentals, transportation and tips; ( 4) group members' tuition
and travel; (5) generation ofnew primary data such as well drilling and
testing, and sampling; ( 5) reopening final EPA decisions such as the
record of Decision; ( 6) resolving disputes with EPA; (7) epidemiological
or health studies, such as urine or blood testing.
How Do We Get the Money?
Q. Do we get a lump sum up front?
A EPA pays your group by reimbursing you for costs that are grant
related or identified in your budget as needed to meet the overall
objectives of your project You will be reimbursed up to the amount of
the TAG.
Q. Can we incur any costs prior to the award of our grant?
A Your group may incur costs associated with incorporation prior to
your grant's award. However, if the Agency does not award your group
with a grant, your group will not be reimbursed for the costs of
incorporation.
How To Apply for a TAG
Q. What is the first step for getting a TAG?
A The first step for getting a TAG is to let EPA know of your group's
interest in getting a TAG. Your group should first submit a Letter of Intent
(LOI) to the EPA Regional Office within your area. The Letter of Intent
should clearly state your group intends to apply for a TAG, and should
identify the name of your group, the Superfund site for which your group
would like to apply and provide the name of a contact person in the
group and his/her phone number.
Q. What does EPA do once it receives our Letter of Intent?
A If your site is on the NPL, proposed for the NPL and a response
action is underway, EPA will post a public notice notifying other
interested parties that a TAG for the site may soon be awarded. An ad in
a local newspaper announcing that EPA has received a LOI is usually
how the Agency makes public notice of grant availability.
Q. What if more than one group wants to apply for a TAG?
A If your group is the first to send EPA a LOI, other interested groups
will have 30 days to contact your group to form a coalition. If the groups
cannot form a coalition, EPA will accept separate grant applications from
all interested groups for an additional 30 day period.
Q. What do we do next?
A The next step is to determine whether your state requires review of
your grant application so that your Governor can stay informed about he
kinds of grants awarded within the state. The EPA Regional Office can
provide the group with the contact for your state's intergovernmental
revtew process.
Q. What has to be submitted?
A. The last step is to prepare your TAG application (Application for
Federal Assistance) which includes: (1) a budget, which must clearly
show how you will spend the money; and (2) a scope of work, which
must clearly explain how your group will organize, will share information
with affected community, will explain your project's milestone and and a
schedule for meeting those milestones, and how the Board of Directors,
technical advisor( s) and project manager will interact with each other.
Managing Your TAG
Q. What types of reports are required?
There are several types of reports the group will need to complete during
the life of the grant: (a) Minority Owned Business Enterprise/Women
Owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) utilization, (b) progress
reports, ( c) financial status reports and ( d) a final report.
Reimbursement checks will be made out to the group; therefore, the
group should open a bank account in the name of the group.
(a) Quarterly, even ifno contracts have been assigned, groups will need
to provide information on WBE/MBE utilization. If contracts were made,
the value of the contract and the percentage of project dollars on
MBE/WBE will need to be reported.
(b) Progress reports are required to provide a description of the progress
your group made in relation to the approved schedule, the TAG project
milestones and special problems your group may have encountered.
(c) Financial Status reports are required to provide a status of project
funds through identification of project transactions.
( d) Final report will include a description of project goals and objectives,
activities undertaken to achieve goals and objectives, difficulties
encountered, technical advisor's work products and funds spent.
Q. Are there other fmancial or record-keeping requirements?
In additional to the report requirements, you must keep TAG records for
ten years from the date of the final Financial Status report. After ten
years, you may dispose of your TAG records if you get written approval
from EPA. You must send EPA a copy of each final written product your
technical advisor prepares for you as part of your TAG.
Procuring a Technical Advisor
Q. What should we look for in a technical advisor?
The group must provide an opportunity for all qualified contractors to
compete for the work. Before considering any technical advisor (TA), the
group must make sure the advisor is not on the "list of parties excluded
from Federal procurement". The EPA Regional Office can help the group
make this determination.
Procure a TA that has ( 1) knowledge of hazardous or toxic waste issues,
(2) academic training in a relevant field (e.g., biochemistry, toxicology,
environmental sciences, engineering), (3) ability to translate technical
information into terms the group and community can understand and ( 4)
experience working on hazardous or toxic waste programs and
communicating those problems to the public.
GLEN COVE CREEK
RECLAMATION COMMITTEE
PROCUREMENT PLAN
1/26/96
The Committee does not plan to procure the services of a Grants Administrator
at this time. The Committee members will accomplish this function.
The Committee will procure the services of a Technical Advisor in accordance
with the following plan. The maximum funds to be committed to this effort will be
$39,600. The period of service for the Technical Advisor will be from Contract
Award to October 1998. The target date for award of a Technical Advisor
Contract is September 5, 1996.
STEPS TO BET AKEN TO PROCURE THE SERVICES OF A
TECHNICAL ADVISOR
1. APPROVE PROCUREMENT PLAN (1/4/96)
The Committee approved Procurement Plan will be submitted to the EPA Grants
Administrator for final approval.
2. IDENTIFY SPECIFIC NEEDS -(Technical Subcommittee -1/4/96 -
2/1/96)
Prepare a written description of the areas of expertise that the successful
candidate would have.
3. IDENTIFY POTENTIAL TECHNICAL ADVISORS -(TAG
Subcommittee -1/4/96 - 2/1/96)
Research Library, Technical Societies, directories, etc. Prepare a list including
disadvantaged business enterprises.
4. PREP ARE A SOLICITATION (REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL) -
Technical Subcommittee - 2/1/96 -3/7/96)
The Solicitation will include:
Complete description of services required -including purpose, objectives
and scope of work.
A schedule for performing tasks that are time critical.
A proposal evaluation criteria including the relative importance of each
criteria.
Total projected hours for the project.
Deadline and location for submitting proposals.
Qualifications required, including as a minimum;
A demonstrated knowledge of hazardous or toxic waste issues.
Academic training in a relevant field.
The ability to translate technical information into terms
understandable by the public.
The technical qualifications, financial resources, and experience to
successfully carry out the required tasks.
A satisfactory performance record for completing work.
Adequate accounting or auditing procedures to control funds
properly.
A demonstrated compliance or willingness to comply with civil rights
and equal opportunity laws, and other related statutory requirements
outlined in 30 CFR Part 30.
References from previous TAG experience.
5. PUBLICIZE THE NEED FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE -(TAG
Subcommittee - 2/8/96 -3/7/96)
Publish a notice in local newspapers.
Call potential candidates including small, minority, and women owned
businesses.
6. SEND OUT SOLICITATION -(3/7/96)
Include the following forms:
Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other
Responsibility Matters".
"Proposed Costs for Technical Assistance".
7. OBTAIN QUOTES FOR THE COST OF SERVICES REQUIRED -
(4/4/96)
Obtain at least three written quotes.
8. EV ALU ATE THE PROPOSALS -(4/4/96 -5/2/96)
Use criteria stated in solicitation.
Conduct a cost analysis.
9. NEGOTIATE WITH APPLICANTS -(5/2/96 - 6/6/96)
10. SELECT TECHNICAL ADVISOR-(6/6/96 - 7/11/96)
Contact EPA Grant Administrator to confirm that prospective advisor is
not included in the current "List of Parties Excluded from Federal
Procurement or Nonprocurement Programs".
Notify all unsuccessful candidates in writing.
11 . DOCUMENT THE SELECTION CRITERIA -( 6/6/96 - 7 /11/96)
12. PREPARE THE CONTRACT-(6/6/96-7/11/96)
Include the required clauses contained in the EPA model contract.
Provide contract and selection process to EPA Grant Administrator for
review.
13. AW ARD THE CONTRACT -(9/5/96)