A Systematic Approach for Evaluation of Capture Zones at Pump and Treat Systems presents a systematic approach for the evaluation of capture zones at pump and treat systems, and provides an overview of a recently published USEPA document on the topic (EPA 600/R-08/003, January 2008). The target audience for the course is project managers who review those analyses and/or make decisions based on these types of analyses. This course will highlight:

• The importance of capture zone analysis during ground water remediation, particularly for sites requiring containment
• Key concepts of capture, such as "target capture zones" and "converging lines of evidence"
• Typical errors made in capture zone analysis

• Step 1: Review site data, site conceptual model, and remedy objectives
• Step 2: Define site-specific Target Capture Zone(s)
• Step 3: Interpret water levels
  • Potentiometric surface maps (horizontal) and water level difference maps (vertical)
  • Water level pairs (gradient control points)
Step 4: Perform calculations (as appropriate based on site complexity)
• Estimated flow rate calculation
• Capture zone width calculation
• Modeling (analytical and/or numerical) to simulate water levels, in conjunction with particle tracking and/or transport modeling
• Step 5: Evaluate concentration trends
• Step 6: Interpret actual capture based on steps 1-5, compare to Target Capture Zone(s), and assess uncertainties and data gaps

This workshop is similar to one presented at the June 2008 Triad Conference. It will cover field analytical approaches, followed by LTM network design and implementation, then integration of sensors and logistics into the development of the CSM, and will finally wrap up with examples of automated monitoring (which includes contouring and model update). This workshop will cover best-of-class approaches for CSM development with an emphasis on direct-push technologies, then integrate new approaches to update this in the most time/cost-effective manner. While the models are conceptual, the workshop will discuss analytical components to the model to make quantification possible.

The EPA Region 8 Grant Writing Workshop is designed to assist local governments, tribes and nonprofit organizations to better understand the proposal criteria and selection process for EPA's Brownfields Assessment, Cleanup and Revolving Loan Fund grants. EPA Region 8 is comprised of communities in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and 27 tribal nations. Major workshop agenda topics will include:

• What are the different grant types EPA provides for brownfields?
• Who is eligible to apply?
• What is the grant application process?
• What are threshold and ranking criteria and how have they changed this year?
• What makes a good application?
• Grant writing tips

The EPA Region 9 Grant Writing Workshop is designed to assist local governments, tribes and nonprofit organizations to better understand the proposal criteria and selection process for EPA's Brownfields Assessment, Cleanup and Revolving Loan Fund grants. EPA Region 9 is comprised of communities in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands and over 140 Tribal Nations. Major workshop agenda topics will include:

• What are the different EPA brownfields grant types offered?
• Who is eligible to apply?
• What is the grant application process?
• What are the threshold and ranking criteria?
• What changes have been made since last year?
• What comprises a competitive application?
• Grant writing tips

This seminar provides state, tribal, and federal regulators with information about new methods of optimizing groundwater monitoring programs. Responsible parties, federal facility cleanup managers, and EPA have used LTMO methods at more than 100 sites nationwide and are likely to use them at more sites in the future. These methods support decision-making regarding optimal location and frequency of groundwater monitoring and support changes to existing monitoring networks. The seminar defines and describes long-term monitoring optimization and how it can be used to demonstrate progress toward remedial goals. In addition, speakers present information on the appropriate time for LTMO analysis, the types of data usually included in LTMO, qualitative and quantitative methods of long-term monitoring optimization, how to review long-term monitoring plans, and major obstacles to LTMO. Speakers will present a case study illustrating LTMO topics presented. This seminar is presented jointly by the U.S. EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Speakers will be Dr. Mindy Vanderford, GSI Environmental, Inc. and Dave Becker, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, both noted experts in long-term groundwater optimization. The seminar will be hosted and moderated by Kathy Yager, U.S. EPA/ OSRTI.

Analysis of the volatile organic compound content of tree cores is an inexpensive, rapid, simple approach to examining the distribution of subsurface volatile organic compound contaminants. The method has been shown to detect several volatile petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated aliphatic compounds associated with vapor intrusion and ground-water contamination. Tree cores are obtained by using an increment borer. The cores are placed in vials and sealed. After a period of equilibration, the cores can be analyzed by headspace analysis gas chromatography. Don Vroblesky of the United States Geological Survey will discuss the recently published "User's Guide to the Collection and Analysis of Tree Cores to Assess the Distribution of Subsurface Volatile Organic Compounds" that describes the method. The guide helps environmental professionals unfamiliar with the tools and methods of tree coring and contributes understanding to the relevant underlying tree physiology.

A Systematic Approach for Evaluation of Capture Zones at Pump and Treat Systems presents a systematic approach for the evaluation of capture zones at pump and treat systems, and provides an overview of a recently published USEPA document on the topic (EPA 600/R-08/003, January 2008). The target audience for the course is project managers who review those analyses and/or make decisions based on these types of analyses. This course will highlight:

• The importance of capture zone analysis during ground water remediation, particularly for sites requiring containment
• Key concepts of capture, such as "target capture zones" and "converging lines of evidence"
• Typical errors made in capture zone analysis

• Step 1: Review site data, site conceptual model, and remedy objectives
• Step 2: Define site-specific Target Capture Zone(s)
• Step 3: Interpret water levels
  • Potentiometric surface maps (horizontal) and water level difference maps (vertical)
  • Water level pairs (gradient control points)
Step 4: Perform calculations (as appropriate based on site complexity)
• Estimated flow rate calculation
• Capture zone width calculation
• Modeling (analytical and/or numerical) to simulate water levels, in conjunction with particle tracking and/or transport modeling
• Step 5: Evaluate concentration trends
• Step 6: Interpret actual capture based on steps 1-5, compare to Target Capture Zone(s), and assess uncertainties and data gaps

Treatment of dissolved-phase chlorinated ethenes in groundwater using in situ bioremediation (ISB) is an established technology; however, its use for DNAPL source zones is an emerging application. This training course supports the ITRC Technical and Regulatory Guidance document In Situ Bioremediation of Chlorinated Ethene: DNAPL Source Zones (BioDNAPL-3, 2008). This document provides the regulatory community, stakeholders, and practitioners with the general steps practitioners and regulators can use to objectively assess, design, monitor, and optimize ISB treatment of DNAPL source zones. The objective is to provide adequate technology background for the user to understand the general and key aspects of ISB for treatment of chlorinated ethene DNAPL source zones. It is not intended to be a step-by-step instruction manual for remedial design, but describes technology-specific considerations for application of ISB of DNAPL source zones.

For this training and guidance document, a DNAPL source zone includes the zone that encompasses the entire subsurface volume in which DNAPL is present either at residual saturation or as "pools" that accumulate above confining units. The DNAPL source zone includes regions that have come into contact with DNAPL and may be storing contaminant mass as a result of diffusion of DNAPL into the soil matrix. Even though DNAPLs may be present in both the unsaturated and saturated zones, the discussion of ISB of DNAPL source zones in this training and guidance document focuses on treatment of DNAPL source zones within the saturated zone.

Two goals of any DNAPL source treatment technology are to 1) reduce the mass of contaminants within the source area and 2) prevent migration of contaminants above unacceptable levels. The enhanced ISB technology reduces source mass and controls flux through the enhanced dissolution and desorption of DNAPL constituents into the aqueous phase, and subsequent microbially mediated degradation processes. Although enhanced ISB of DNAPL source zones has been demonstrated in the field at a few chlorinated solvent sites, expectations for rapid depletion of the source zone must be realistic. This training and guidance provide detailed requirements necessary to support the realistic determination of goals for ISB of a DNAPL source zone.

Many sites with chlorinated organic contamination in groundwater have gone through extensive remedial evaluations and actions. After years of operating high energy processes, their effectiveness has begun to diminish without remedial objectives being met. Other effective remedial alternatives can be applied; however, there are difficulties transitioning these sites from these high energy systems to other low energy remedial alternatives and eventually to Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA).

This training on the ITRC Technical and Regulatory Guidance for Enhanced Attenuation: Chlorinated Organics (EACO-1, 2008) describes the transition (the bridge) between aggressive remedial actions and MNA and vise versa. Enhanced attenuation (EA) is the application of technologies that minimize energy input and are sustainable in order to reduce contaminant loading and/or increase the attenuation capacity of a contaminated plume to progress sites towards established remedial objectives. Contaminant loading and attenuation capacity are fundamental to sound decisions for remediation of groundwater contamination. This training explains how a decision framework which, when followed, allows for a smooth transition between more aggressive remedial technologies to sustainable remedial alternatives and eventually to Monitored Natural Attenuation. This training will demonstrate how this decision framework allows regulators and practitioners to integrate Enhanced Attenuation into the remedial decision process.

As our experience and knowledge grows around the implementation of MNA, the EA process will be considered an important management tool for optimizing site remedies and moving sites to final completion. This approach is consistent with the current regulatory environment and can be accommodated within a broad range of regulatory programs such as CERCLA and State dry cleaner regulations. This new framework and decision process will accelerate the environmental clean-up progress on a national scale and reduce overall costs, while still providing protection to human health and the environment.

For reference during the training class, participants should download and print a copy of the decision flow chart, Figure 2-1 on page 10 of the ITRC Technical and Regulatory Guidance for Enhanced Attenuation: Chlorinated Organics (EACO-1, 2008) and available as a 1-page PDF at http://www.cluin.org/conf/itrc/eaco/ITRC-EACO-DecisionFlowchart.pdf.

Assessment of human health risks posed by exposure to hazardous substances is a vital component to the process of remediation of contaminated sites. Risk-based screening values are developed and used in both planning and conducting site remediation. This training course is designed for site managers and others involved in making remedial decisions to help them better understand the risk assessment / risk management process.

This training course describes the development and application of risk-based screening values. The first module provides a review of key risk assessment concepts related to risk management. It also introduces the Electronic Risk Resource Fact Sheet developed by the ITRC Risk Assessment Resources team. The second module focuses on the process by which risk-based levels are derived in different states. This module introduces the document,Examination of Risk-Based Screening Values and Approaches of Selected States (RISK-1, 2005), developed by the ITRC Risk Assessment Resources team. The third module examines the application of risk assessment to remediation operations in two case studies providing examples of how risk assessment has actually been implemented, based upon research and case studies conducted by the ITRC Risk Assessment Resources team. This training course describes a number of the reasons behind variations in risk-based screening values and their use in risk management. Overall, the training course enhances the transparency and understanding of risk assessment and its use in remediation.

This training introduces state regulators, environmental consultants, site owners, and community stakeholders to Survey of Munitions Response Technologies (UXO-4, 2006), created by the ITRC's Unexploded Ordnance Team in partnership with the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP). The document provides an overview of the current status of commercially-available technologies in common usage for munitions response actions, and, where possible, assess and quantify their performance capabilities. The document includes detailed findings from three separate surveys: (1) an assessment of technology implementation prevalence, (2) an evaluation of Geophysical Prove-Out (GPO) characteristics, and (3) an analysis of technology performance based on GPO and standardized test site results. The document also provides background information about technologies used in munitions response actions, as well as information about advanced technologies.

This training course is intended for an intermediate to advanced audience and assumes an understanding of technologies and phases of munitions response. Background information on some of the topics can be found in Munitions Response Historical Records Review (UXO-2, 2003) and Geophysical Prove-Outs for Munitions Response Projects (UXO-3, 2004), and their associated Internet-based training courses (available from http://www.itrcweb.org/ibt.asp#mr_uxo). This training course focuses on the major take-home conclusions of the Survey of Munitions Response Technologies (UXO-4, 2006) and provides an understanding of the performance capabilities of available technologies under real-world site conditions.

The design and construction of the ecological end-use as an integrated component of the remediation system will realize pronounced benefits. Ecological elements considered at the inception of planning for environmental remediation at Superfund, RCRA, and Brownfield sites can be a cost-effective and an efficient way to restore, create, and improve wildlife habitat or the ecological system of the site. Incorporation of ecological elements can benefit multiple stakeholders, such as regulatory agencies, the regulated community (industry), local communities, and the general public.

This training is based on the ITRC Technical and Regulatory Guideline: Planning and Promoting Ecological Land Reuse of Remediated Sites (ECO-2, 2006). The document presents a process to promote ecological land reuse activities considering natural or green technologies instead of more traditional remedies. The guidance demonstrates that natural or ecological end-uses are valuable alternatives to conventional property development or redevelopment. It contains the principal decision points in a flow diagram format and discusses the practicality of applying natural or green technologies to traditional remediation processes.

Natural and green technologies have the attributes to improve the ecology of the site as long as it is coincident with the intent of the lands use and does not jeopardize the elimination or reduction of the human or environmental risk. Ecological benefits and a process for calculating their value are included in the guidance and reviewed in this training.

Since 1988, more than 6,100 municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills have closed (see http://www.epa.gov/msw/pubs/mswchar05.pdf). Determining when the regulatory post-closure care (PCC) period can be ended for a permitted solid waste disposal facility is one of the greatest challenges facing the solid waste industry in recent times. Using a performance-based process, conducted on a site-specific basis, to determine if a closed landfill poses a threat to human health and the environment provides information necessary to defensibly conclude that the closed landfill does not pose a threat and allows termination of the regulatory post-closure care period.

This training, based on ITRC's Technical and Regulatory Guidance: Evaluating, Optimizing, or Ending Post-Closure Care at Municipal Solid Waste Landfills Based on Site-Specific Data Evaluations (ALT-4, 2006), describes a method to evaluate the performance of Post Closure Care at a landfill and determine when leachate recovery, landfill gas management, groundwater monitoring, and cap maintenance can be reduced or even ended based on threats (to human health and the environment) posed by the closed landfill. The training and document describe "custodial care" as those requirements the property owner must follow after post closure care has been ended. They include de minimus site management and care activities including meeting end-use obligations, maintaining institutional control, controlling access, satisfying local ordinances, and fulfilling other applicable regulations and are included as deed restrictions or other enforceable means which follow all land transfers. The training and document focus on Post Closure Care of municipal solid waste landfills. However, Post Closure Care is relevant to closed sites and facilities managed in accordance with a variety of regulatory programs including RCRA, CERCLA, Solid Waste, Brownfields, Voluntary Cleanup, mined land reclamation, and others. Solid waste professionals and other landfill decision makers (e.g. owners; operators; consultants; Federal, state and local government; and the public) should attend this training.

Perchlorate contamination exists in water and soil, and occurs widely throughout the United States. Public awareness and concern regarding perchlorate has increased in recent years. Perchlorate occurrence in drinking water and food supplies is a human health concern because it can interfere with iodide uptake by the thyroid gland and result in decreased thyroid hormone production. The ITRC Perchlorate Team was formed in 2004 to address technical issues associated with perchlorate. Many technologies are available to remediate perchlorate contamination, but only a few are commonly used.

This training introduces state regulators, environmental consultants, site owners, and community stakeholders to Remediation Technologies for Perchlorate Contamination in Water and Soil (PERC-2, 2008), created by ITRC's Perchlorate Team to assist reviewers in assessing the adequacy of perchlorate remediation projects. This course gives the student a background in the available remediation technologies to treat perchlorate contamination, discusses emerging technologies, and presents case studies of applications.

The first document produced by the ITRC Perchlorate Team, Perchlorate: Overview of Issues, Status, and Remedial Options (PERC-1, 2005) and associated Internet-based training provide regulators and other stakeholders a basic overview of a broad spectrum of information regarding perchlorate sources, sampling and analysis techniques, a discussion of risk issues, risk management strategies and regulatory status, and included a brief summary of remediation technologies. It is recommended that the registrant review the Perchlorate: Overview of Issues, Status, and Remedial Options (PERC-1, 2005) document and associated Internet-based training archive (available from http://www.itrcweb.org/ibt.asp#Perchlorate_CurrentInfo) for more information.

All groundwater samplers or sampling methodologies attempt to collect a well-water sample which is representative of the groundwater adjacent to the well. The ITRC Passive Sampler Team has defined a passive groundwater sampler as one that is able to acquire a sample from a discrete position in a well without active media transport induced by pumping or purge techniques. Passive sampling is synonymous with no-purge sampling and can be used as a substitute or replacement for any current groundwater sampling technology. Passive samplers have been used in every state in the U.S. and in many other countries. Passive samplers are relatively easy to use; eliminate purge-water production (therefore, there is little or no disposal cost); reduce field sampling variability resulting in highly reproducible data; decrease field labor and project management costs for long-term monitoring; allow rapid field sample collection; sample discrete intervals in a well; are practical for use where access is difficult or discretion is desirable; can be deployed in series to provide a vertical contaminant profile; and have virtually no depth limit.

This training supports the understanding and use of the ITRC Protocol for Use of Five Passive Samplers to Sample for a Variety of Contaminants in Groundwater (DSP-5, 2007). The five technologies included in this document include diffusion samplers (Regenerated Cellulose Dialysis Membrane Sampler and Rigid Porous Polyethylene Sampler), equilibrated grab samplers (Snap Sampler™ and HydraSleeve™ Sampler); and an accumulation sampler (GORE™ Module). The training starts with information common to all five samples then focuses on each sampler as instructors describe the sampler and explain how it works; discuss deployment and retrieval of the sampler; highlight advantages and limitations; and present results of data comparison studies.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) sites and some Superfund and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) sites are contaminated with radionuclides. Radioactive contamination is also an issue potentially faced by Homeland Security. Characterization of radionuclides is an expensive and time-consuming process. Using real-time technologies to complete initial screening and characterization of radionuclide contamination results in more timely and cost-effective characterizations. Real-time technologies can also direct excavation resulting in more timely and cost-effective cleanups. The result is earlier protection of human health and the environment.

This training introduces state regulators, environmental consultants, site owners, and community stakeholders to ITRC's Technology Overview document Real-Time Measurement of Radionuclides in Soil: Technology and Case Studies (RAD-4, 2006), created by ITRC's Radionuclides Team. This training provides information on the basics of real-time measurement systems (detector types and platforms, location control and mapping technologies, surface and subsurface applications and limitations), how the technologies and data are used (characterization, remediation and closure, decision support, sources and types of uncertainty), acceptance issues (QA/QC, decision framework, uncertainty), and case studies. The purpose is to provide a solid background understanding of the technology itself and the context within which it is used.