SUMMARY OF THE REMEDIATION TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPMENT FORUM
SEDIMENTS REMEDIATION ACTION TEAM
ASSESSMENT SUBGROUP CONFERENCE CALL

June 2, 2000
11:30 a.m-12:30 p.m.

On Friday, June 2, 2000, the following members of the Remediation Technologies Development Forum's (RTDF's) Sediments Remediation Action Team, Assessment Subgroup, met in a conference call:

Ralph Stahl, DuPont Corporate Remediation (Subgroup Co-chair)
Kenneth Finkelstein, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Joseph Jersak, Hull & Associates, Inc.
David Moore, MEC Analytical Systems, Inc.

Sarah Dun of Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG), was also present.

SUBGROUP WHITE PAPERS

During the Subgroup's January 2000 meeting, Subgroup members agreed to write white papers about sediments assessment issues. These papers were critiqued by Subgroup members during the May 9, 2000, meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ralph Stahl said that, although he was unable to attend this meeting, he read the meeting minutes to review the status of the white papers. He would like to have the white papers finalized during summer 2000. Kenneth Finkelstein said that Subgroup members gave oral comments to the white paper authors during the meeting. Subgroup members were asked to send written comments to the authors via e-mail. Finkelstein said he has received comments and revised his white paper (Ecological Assessment Tools) accordingly. Joseph Jersak and David Moore said that they have not yet revised their white papers. Jersak suggested that ERG compile all the white papers in electronic format and send them to Subgroup members to review, add comments to, and return to the authors; he felt this would be the easiest way for him to comment on others' white papers and receive comments on his own white paper. Stahl said he had most, but not all, of the white papers in electronic format. ERG agreed to coordinate with Stahl to compile all the white papers and send electronic copies to Subgroup members. ERG will ensure that the most recent draft of each white paper is sent to Subgroup members for review.

Jersak asked if Subgroup members had discussed the target end use for the white papers during the May 2000 Subgroup meeting. He thought EPA was concerned that publishing the white papers through RTDF would indicate EPA endorsement, which would be inappropriate. Finkelstein and Moore responded that EPA was indeed concerned about how the white papers would be used and interpreted. EPA representatives at the meeting warned the Subgroup to avoid writing white papers that could be interpreted as guidance documents. Much of the meeting was devoted to this topic. Some suggestions presented at the meeting were adding a disclaimer to the papers or using author names to credit work. Jersak pointed out that the Sediment Management Work Group includes a disclaimer with their technical papers. Stahl stated that he would like the white papers finalized for use at the November 2000 Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) meeting. He will continue discussions with EPA to identify and address EPA concerns about releasing the white papers.

Subgroup members agreed that the authors should continue to revise the white papers. Call participants developed a schedule for white paper review and revision. During the week of June 5, 2000, ERG will coordinate with Stahl and send all the white papers (in electronic format) to Subgroup members for review and comment. On or before July 12, Subgroup members will submit comments to white paper authors. On or before August 29, 2000, authors will submit revised white papers to ERG. ERG will send the revised white paper in electronic format to Subgroup members on September 6 for review before the September 2000 meeting.

NEXT SUBGROUP MEETING

The subgroup is scheduled to hold a meeting in Wilmington, Delaware, in September 2000. Stahl presented four agenda topics:

• Finalize the white papers.

• Determine how the white papers will be used, specifically during the November 2000 SETAC meeting.

• To the extent that the Subgroup has identified a pilot site, discuss pilot site activities.

• Review the sediments assessment game.

Stahl suggested that the meeting start at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Monday, September 11, 2000, and end at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 12, 2000. A group dinner would be held on Tuesday evening. Stahl suggested holding the meeting at the Doubletree Hotel on Route 202. Stahl asked ERG to contact the hotel and begin organizing this meeting.

Jersak asked if there were any nearby sediment remediation sites that the Subgroup could tour during the meeting. He felt touring a remediation site would vary the meeting format and give Subgroup members a good perspective. Stahl responded that this was a good idea; however, the site where he is involved has already been remediated. He is not aware of any active sediment remediation sites. Finkelstein said he would try to identify sediment remediation sites near Wilmington, Delaware, that Assessment Subgroup members could tour during their September 2000 meeting.

MISCELLANEOUS

Jersak attended the Battelle-sponsored International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds held in Monterey, California, in May 2000. He stated that several keynote speakers at this conference referred to RTDF and RTDF's activities in their presentations. Jersak said it was encouraging that RTDF's effort were being recognized by environmental professionals.

ACTION ITEMS

• During the week of June 5, 2000, ERG will coordinate with Stahl to send electronic copies of each white paper to the Assessment Subgroup members for review. As part of this effort, ERG will work with Stahl to identify what papers are and are not available in electronic format. ERG will contact authors to obtain missing white papers. Once a complete set of white papers in electronic format is obtained, ERG will send these papers to Subgroup members. ERG will ensure that the most recent draft of each white paper is sent.

• Stahl will continue discussions with EPA to identify and address EPA concerns about releasing the white papers at the November SETAC meeting.

• ERG agreed to start making arrangements for the Assessment Subgroup's September 2000 meeting, which will be held in Wilmington, Delaware.

• Finkelstein will try to identify sediment remediation sites near Wilmington, Delaware, that Subgroup members could tour during their September 2000 meeting.