Superfund

Pre-closure CERCLA Site Condition Verification

U.S. EPA Office of Inspector General

Pennsylvania, Missouri, Louisiana, New York, Wisconsin

dse provided the USEPA with ongoing verification sampling of nine CERCLA Superfund sites. Sampling and laboratory analyses of soils, groundwater and surface water are being performed to verify that the current conditions meet the required cleanup goals for the site. These efforts are highly sensitive as the results determine whether or not the site is eligible for removal from the National Priority List. Chemicals of concern at these sites include metals, hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, hydrocarbons, pesticides and herbicides. Sites range in size from single households to over 100 acres. For each site, dse mobilizes a field team to obtain samples, followed by preparation of two major reports. The reports support EPA decision-making and subsequent reporting to Congress. One report is due 10 days after completing the initial sampling events, and a final report 35 days after receipt of extensive laboratory analyses packages. These reports have typically exceeded 3,000 pages, and must be technically accurate, concise and with clear identification of deviations from past data protocols.