Streamlined Record of Decision ROD

1
Streamlined Record of Decision (ROD)

• NAVFAC Atlantic

NAVFAC Mid Atlantic
2
Keywords and Acronyms

• ARAR Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate
  Requirement
• AR Administrative Record
• CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response,
  Compensation, and Liability Act
• COC Chemical of Concern
• COPC Chemical of Potential Concern
• CSM Conceptual Site Model
• EPC Exposure Point Concentration
• ERA Ecological Risk Assessment
• FS Feasibility Study
• HHRA Human Health Risk Assessment

• LUC Land Use Control
• MNA Monitored Natural Attenuation
• NCP National Contingency Plan
• RAGS D Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund
• RD Remedial Design
• RI Remedial Investigation
• RAB Restoration Advisory Board
• RACR Remedial Action Completion Report
• RAO Remedial Action Objectives
• ROD Record of Decision

3
Presentation Overview

• Streamlined ROD Development
• Benefits of Streamlined ROD
• How to Write a Streamlined ROD
• Lessons Learned
• Path Forward for Streamlined RODs

4
DoD/EPA Dispute on Post-ROD Procedures

• Task Force to develop streamlined procedures from
  ROD to site completion
• DoD and EPA Joint Guidance Recommended
  Site Closeout and NPL
  Deletion Process for DoD Facilities (January
  2006)
• https//www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public/Library/Cle
  anup/CleanupOfc/ Documents/Signed_RACR_Guidance.pd
  f
• Guidance to Documenting Milestones throughout the
  Site Closeout Process (March 2006)
• https//portal.navfac.navy.mil/go/erb, search on
  UG-2072-ENV

Streamlined ROD Development
5
Challengecan we make a ROD

• More conciseeasier to read?
• Reference detailed/complex information?
• RI/FS, risk assessments, etc.
• Use modern information management technology
• More understandable to a wider audience?
• Cost effective?
• Must comply with CERCLA and the NCP

Streamlined ROD Development
6
Cherry Point OU6 Streamlined ROD

• Two Streamlined ROD prototypes in EPA Region 3
• NAB Little Creek and St. Juliens Creek Annex
• Air Force, Navy, Army, Marine Corps, EPA HQ, DoJ,
  State of VA
• Cherry Point ROD signed by EPA Region 4 and Navy
  - September 2006
• State concurred with selected remedy
• Complies with CERCLA and NCP
• Tells the Story
• Reference CD
• Instructions on how to use CD
• Printable version of ROD
• Acronyms
• Hyperlinks to referenced Administrative
  
  Record (AR) information

Streamlined ROD Development
7
The Story of Cherry Point OU6

• Site Operations fire training burn pits (1964
  1981)
• Jet fuel, waste oil, lubricants, and burnable
  solids
• Remedial Action required for
• Soil ethylbenzene, 2-methylnaphthalene,
  naphthalene
• Groundwater 2-methylnaphthalene, naphthalene,
  and arsenic
• Alternatives retained for comparative analysis
  with NCP criteria
• Soil no action, biostimulation and offsite
  disposal, excavation and off-site disposal
• Groundwater no action, monitored natural
  attenuation (MNA) and Land Use Controls (LUCs)

Streamlined ROD Development
8
Presentation Overview

• Streamlined ROD Development
• Benefits of Streamlined ROD
• How to Write a Streamlined ROD
• Lessons Learned
• Path Forward for Streamlined RODs

9
Benefit Significantly Reduced Document Size

• Typical ROD
• 300 pages
• Streamlined ROD
• 30 pages

Benefits of Streamlined ROD
10
Benefit Better Business/Management Practices

• Global time/cost savings
• Document preparation
• Reduction in review time
• If you re-write itthey will re-review it
• Quicker approval

Benefits of Streamlined ROD
11
Benefit Higher Quality

• Concise and easy to read summary
• Tables/Figures
• Summarizing requires author to think through
  logic for remedy selection decision
• Consistent with EPA ROD Guidance
• Declaration/Decision Summary/Responsiveness
  Summary
• Greater emphasis on exit strategy within the
  expected outcomes section

Benefits of Streamlined ROD
12
Benefit Higher Quality

• Reduction of errors
• Reference or hyperlink to AR information vs.
  transcribing from RI/FS to ROD
• Easy access to detailed supporting information in
  AR
• Already peer reviewed

Benefits of Streamlined ROD
13
Additional Benefits of Streamlined ROD

• Remedy decision less likely to be challenged if
  it is easily understood and scalable to all
  parties
• Review can be focused on remedy selection logic
  notre-review of AR
• ASN NAVFAC HQ recognize benefits and encourage
  implementation
• ASN policy/guidance in development
• Not mandatory, but dont wait for policy to
  implement

Benefits of Streamlined ROD
14
Presentation Overview

• Streamlined ROD Development
• Benefits of Streamlined ROD
• How to Write a Streamlined ROD
• Lessons Learned
• Path Forward for Streamlined RODs

15
Outline of the Streamlined ROD

• The outline follows EPAs ROD Guidance
• Declaration (Section 1)
• Decision Summary (Section 2)
• Responsiveness Summary (Section 3)
• Content significantly abbreviated
• Use of summary tables and figures
• Reference or hyperlink to the Administrative
  Record
• Navy Environmental Restoration Program (NERP)
  Manual
• https//portal.navfac.navy.mil/go/ERB
• search on NERP

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
16
Section 1 Declaration

• Consistent with EPA ROD Guidance serves as an
  executive summary
• State that the decision is based on the AR
• Streamlined Approach This decision is based on
  information contained in the Administrative
  Record for the site. Information not
  specifically summarized in this ROD or its
  references but contained in the Administrative
  Record has been considered and is relevant to the
  selection of the remedy at the site
• Selected Remedy (Section 1.1)
• Brief description using concise language
• Data Certification Checklist (Section 1.2)
• Identifies where key information is included in
  the ROD
• Authorizing Signatures (Section 1.3)

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
17
Section 2 Decision Summary

• Site Description and History (Section 2.1)
• Summarized in two paragraphs the installation
  mission, locations, acreage, operational history
• Facility map identifies site location, roads,
  buildings, surface water features
• Streamlined Approach Reference or hyperlink 3
  pgs of site description and operational history
  from RI

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
18
Section 2 Decision Summary (cont.)

• Site Characteristics (Section 2.2)
• Brief summary of the geography, topography,
  surface features, relevant aquifers, depth to
  groundwater, groundwater flow direction
• Site map identifies source of contamination, site
  features, site boundary, groundwater flow
• Streamlined Approach Reference or hyperlink 4
  pgs of hydrogeologic setting and groundwater flow
  characteristics from RI

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
19
Section 2 Decision Summary (cont.)

• Previous Investigations (Section 2.3)
• Brief summary of the nature and extent of
  contamination
• Summary table of investigations, dates,
  activities
• Nature and extent figure identifies chemical
  concentrations in media
• Streamlined Approach Reference or hyperlink
  description of field activities, sample summary
  tables, analytical data tables, concentration
  maps from RI

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
20
Section 2 Decision Summary (cont.)

• Current and Potential Future Land and Resource
  Uses (Section 2.4)
• Brief summary of current and reasonably
  anticipated future land and resource use

• Consistent with mission needs
• Anticipated timeframe for use
• Streamlined Approach Reference or hyperlink
  North Carolina regulations for groundwater
  classification

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
21
Section 2 Decision Summary (cont.)

• Summary of Site Risks (Section 2.5)
• Conceptual site model (CSM) figure identifies
  source of contamination, fate and transport
  mechanisms, and risk scenarios evaluated
• Streamlined Approach Reference or hyperlink CSMs
  and how risks were calculated from RI

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
22
Section 2 Decision Summary (cont.)

• Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) (Section
  2.5.1)
• Briefly identify all exposure scenarios with
  acceptable risks
• Summary table of unacceptable risks
• Streamlined Approach Reference or hyperlink 2
  pgs of risk characterization text and 13 pgs of
  tables from RI

• Risk management decisions and rationale
• Statement of assumptions and uncertainties
• Streamlined Approach Reference or hyperlink 3
  pgs discussing uncertainty from RI

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
23
Section 2 Decision Summary (cont.)

• Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) (Section 2.5.2)

• Brief summary similar to HHRA
• Streamlined Approach Reference or hyperlink 7
  pgs of risk characterization text and 43 pgs of
  tables from RI

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
24
Section 2 Decision Summary (cont.)

• Basis for Response Action (Section 2.5.3)
• Concisely explain why remedial action is
  necessary
• Summary table of maximum concentration of COCs
• Figure identifying areas requiring action
• Streamlined Approach Reference or hyperlink 2
  nature and extent figures from RI

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
25
Section 2 Decision Summary (cont.)

• Principal Threat Waste (Section 2.6)
• Identify whether principal threat wastes are
  present and basis for determination
• Remedial Action Objectives (Section 2.7)
• Rationale for RAOs consistent with current and
  potential future land use

• Summary table of clean up goals/ performance
  standards

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
26
Section 2 Decision Summary (cont.)

• Description and Evaluation of Remedial
  Alternatives (Section 2.8)
• Preliminary alternatives evaluated and screened
  from further analysis
• Streamlined Approach Reference or hyperlink 7
  pgs text and 7 tables from FS
• Description of Remedial Alternatives (Section
  2.8.1)
• Summary table describing alternatives retained
  for detailed comparative analysis
• Streamlined Approach Reference or hyperlink
  detailed cost tables from FS

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
27
Section 2 Decision Summary (cont.)

• Comparative Analysis of Alternatives (Section
  2.8.2)
• Summary table of how alternatives compare to one
  another with respect to NCP criteria
• Consumer report
• Short paragraph for each criteria
• Streamlined Approach Reference or hyperlink
  description of NCP criteria from FS

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
28
Section 2 Decision Summary (cont.)

• Selected Remedy (Section 2.9)
• Rationale for the Selected Remedy (Section 2.9.1)
• Simple concise logic for why the selected remedy
  was chosen
• Description of the Selected Remedy (Section
  2.9.2)
• What is physically going to be conducted
• Consistent with Navy Principals for LUCs
• Identify LUC objectives
• Detailed LUC implementation, maintenance, and
  reporting requirements in LUC Remedial Design
  (RD)
• Explicit statement that the Navy retains ultimate
  responsibility for ensuring protection of human
  health and the environment

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
29
Section 2 Decision Summary (cont.)

• Expected Outcomes of the Selected Remedy (Section
  2.9.3)
• Exit strategy
• Performance measures
• Anticipated timeframe to achieve RAOs
• Statutory Determinations (Section 2.9.4)
• Summarize how the remedy does or does not meet
  statutory requirements

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
30
Section 2 Decision Summary (cont.)

• Community Participation (Section 2.10)
• Identify how the public can participate in the
  process
• Community Relations/Involvement Plan
• Restoration Advisory Board (RAB)
• Public notices/meetings
• Streamlined Approach Reference or hyperlink
  Environmental Restoration Web site, AR, etc.

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
31
Section 3 Responsiveness Summary

• Summarize and respond to significant comments
  received during the public comment period or any
  relevant new information
• If public input or new information leads to
  significant changes in remedy selection, explain
  the rationale and seek further public comment
• Streamlined Approach Reference or hyperlink
  public meeting minutes/transcripts

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
32
ARARs Tables

• Includes those ARARs applicable or relevant and
  appropriate to the selected remedy
• Include To Be Considered criteria if
  appropriate as a remediation goal

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
33
References Table and Interactive CD

• Reference specific AR document
• Title, author, date
• Section, page number
• Figure number
• Table number
• Appendix
• Cross referenced phrase corresponds to hyperlink
  on interactive CD
• Interactive CD provides easy access to reference
  information

How to Write a Streamlined ROD
34
Presentation Overview

• Streamlined ROD Development
• Benefits of Streamlined ROD
• How to Write a Streamlined ROD
• Lessons Learned
• Path Forward for Streamlined RODs

35
Lessons Learned

• Streamlined ROD ? strong team effort
• No site is perfect
• Gaps in AR
• Opportunity to fill and/or fix prior to ROD
• Electronic AR is not necessary
• Learning curve for stakeholders
• Schedule

Lessons Learned
36
Lessons Learned

• How does RPM begin to write a Streamlined ROD?
• RPM to identify a potential site and discuss the
  intent/feasibility of producing a Streamlined ROD
  with the ER Manager
• Sell the concept to regulatory stake holders
• Identify a potential site that is approaching the
  ROD stage
• Navy leadership available to assist with
  regulatory concerns
• Use Cherry Point as a starting point/example
• Use available NAVFAC resources as appropriate
  (funding, technical support, and review)
• Expect higher level of review by stakeholders and
  HQ until ROD policy and templates are established

Lessons Learned
37
Presentation Overview

• Streamlined ROD Development
• Benefits of Streamlined ROD
• How to Write a Streamlined ROD
• Lessons Learned
• Path Forward for Streamlined RODs

38
Path Forward for Streamlined RODs

• Inter-agency leadership (DoD and EPA) Sell the
  Concept
• Develop partnership with State and identify
  Regional EPA contacts that will champion
  streamlining
• Implement use of Streamlined ROD
• Issue DON Implementation Strategy
• Training Seminars/Conferences/Symposiums
• Navy Remediation Innovative Technology Seminars
  (RITS), Air Force Symposium, etc
• EPA Web Seminars (TechDirect)
• Develop and distribute Streamlined ROD
  Implementation Guidance
• Continue improvements

39
Conclusions

• Streamlining the ROD is a better
  business/management practice
• Cost/time savings, accuracy, reduces
  transcription errors, reduces redundancy, relies
  on AR
• Find ways to improve streamlining
• Concept accepted by EPA Headquarters and DoD
• Important to continue to work with EPA regions
• Utilizing the format is encouraged, but not
  mandatory

40
References

• NERP Manual, August 2006
• https//portal.navfac.navy.mil/go /ERB/ search
  on NERP
• Guidance on Documenting Milestones Throughout the
  Site Closure Process, March 2006
• https//portal.navfac.navy.mil/go/ERB search on
  UG-2072-ENV
• Streamlined RACR Guidance, January 2006
• https//www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public/Library/Cle
  anup/CleanupOfc/Documents/Signed_RACR_Guidance.pdf
  
• The Presidents Management Agenda, FY 2002
• http//www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2002/mgmt.p
  df

41
References (cont.)

• EPA ROD Guidance, July 1999
• http//www.epa.gov/superfund/resources/remedy/rods
  /
• Federal Facilities Streamlined Oversight
  Directive, November 29, 1996
• http//www.epa.gov/fedfac/streamlining.htm
• Guidance on Accelerating CERCLA Environmental
  Restoration at Federal Facilities, August 22,1994
• http//www.epa.gov/fedfac/documents/factsht22.htm
• NCP Final Rule Preamble (55 Fed. Reg.8666, 8732),
  March 8, 1990
• Cherry Point Administrative Record
• http//public.lantops-ir.org/sites/public/cherrypo
  int/AdminRecord.aspx

42
Cherry Point Streamlined ROD Demonstration