Workshop on Research and Development Needs for Long-Term Management of Contaminated Sediments
July 25-26, 2012, Seattle, Washington

Environmental restoration and closure of contaminated sediment sites is a top priority for the Department of Defense. Over the next five to ten years, identifying methods to establish long-term remedy success, reducing long-term management costs, and achieving site closure will be of primary concern. New investigation work will largely be associated with identifying recontamination sources within the local and regional watersheds and with emerging contaminants. SERDP and ESTCP convened a workshop to address this shift in site management priorities. The focus of the workshop was on examining the current state of the science and technology for the long-term management of contaminated sediment sites, reviewing the current and projected future status of DoD long-term management activities, identifying data gaps that, if addressed, could aid in the long-term management of contaminated sediments, and prioritizing research and demonstration opportunities to help facilitate regulatory and public acceptance of long-term management strategies for contaminated sediment sites. A review of the research, demonstration, and technology transfer needs identified is presented in the Workshop Report.
 

Workshop on Investment Strategies to Optimize Research and Demonstration Impacts in Support of DoD Restoration Goals
June 16, 2011, Salt Lake City, Utah

DoD’s Installation Restoration Program has set goals to achieve Response Complete (RC) at 90 percent of sites at active installations and Formerly Used Defense Site properties by the end of FY 2018 and to achieve RC at 95 percent of these sites by the end of FY 2021. Despite substantial progress made in the past 20 years, significant challenges remain for remediation of chlorinated solvent-contaminated groundwater at some sites. Cleanup to unrestricted use is often desired, but technically difficult to achieve, and sustainable remediation has become an increasingly important goal. To address these challenges, SERDP and ESTCP hosted a workshop to review the current cleanup goals and management processes used by the different services, evaluate existing and potential future issues associated with site closure, and identify research and demonstration strategies that, if incorporated into cleanup strategies, could improve remediation approaches, reduce risk, and ultimately reduce the cost to complete. A review of the science, remediation technology, characterization and monitoring technology, and technology transfer needs identified is presented in the Workshop Summary Report.
 

Technical Exchange Meeting on Vapor Intrusion
August 16-17, 2010, Salt Lake City, Utah

Chlorinated solvents are prevalent contaminants in groundwater and soils at DoD sites. Of concern in recent years has been the migration of vapors from chlorinated solvent groundwater plumes into surface and sub-surface structures. The 2010 Technical Exchange Meeting on Vapor Intrusion brought together researchers, practitioners, and remedial project managers (RPM) dealing with vapor intrusion issues to provide a forum for interaction and exchange of knowledge on the current state of the science. The meeting highlighted the innovative studies being conducted under SERDP- and ESTCP-funded projects and encouraged discussion of pertinent issues faced by RPMs. The meeting also provided an opportunity for participants to visit a field laboratory, based in a residential building with a history of vapor intrusion impacts, where ESTCP technologies were being demonstrated.
 

Expert Panel Workshop on Research and Development Needs for Understanding and Assessing the Bioavailability of Contaminants in Soils and Sediments
August 20-21, 2008, Annapolis, Maryland

SERDP and ESTCP sponsored an expert panel workshop to (1) examine the current state of the science and technology for understanding and assessing bioavailability processes in soils and sediments that may impact risk-based remedial action decisions, (2) evaluate current and potential future applications of bioavailability concepts and assess barriers to their implementation, and (3) identify and prioritize research and demonstration opportunities that, if addressed, can facilitate regulatory acceptance and field implementation of bioavailability concepts to support risk assessments at DoD sites.  Two breakout sessions facilitated discussions of the current state of the science and identification of data gaps that could be addressed through additional RDT&E activities.  Specific research paths and demonstrations are described in the Workshop Report.
 

Technical Exchange Meeting on DoD Operational Range Assessment and Management Approaches
August 7-8, 2007, Annapolis, Maryland

The sustainability of the DoD’s operational ranges is crucial to maintaining the readiness of the military forces and developing and testing improved weapon systems. SERDP and ESTCP convened a technical exchange meeting to (1) inform representatives from the range management and assessment communities of applicable technologies developed by SERDP, ESTCP, and the Army Environmental Quality Technology Program and (2) identify technology needs of the range management and assessment community that could be addressed through additional research and development efforts.  Two breakout sessions facilitated discussions of the current state of the science and identification of data gaps that could be addressed through additional RDT&E activities.  Specific research paths and demonstrations are described in the Final Report.
 

Expert Panel Workshop on Reducing the Uncertainty of DNAPL Source Zone Remediation
March 7-8, 2006, Baltimore, Maryland

SERDP and ESTCP co-sponsored a workshop to define a path forward to further reduce the uncertainty surrounding dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) sites by providing (1) a critical review of the progress to date, including a consensus perspective on the implications of the funded research for practical remediation; (2) an overview of the current state of the science; and (3) a summary and prioritization of the remaining data gaps.  More than 40 experts participated in the workshop, which defined key issues and critical and high-priority needs for both research and demonstration projects.  Results are described in the Workshop Final Report, which will guide the SERDP and ESTCP strategic plan for investments toward DNAPL source zones over the next 5 to 10 years.
 

Expert Panel Workshop on Research and Development Needs for the Environmental Remediation Application of Molecular Biological Tools
August 9-10, 2005, Charlottesville, Virginia

SERDP and ESTCP co-sponsored a workshop to (1) examine the current state of the science and technology of molecular biological tools that are applicable to the cleanup of hazardous waste in the field, (2) assess the current operational usage of such tools and identify technical and other barriers to their use, (3) identify promising areas of research and development that have the potential to lead to improved cost-effective tools to support remedial design and decisions, and (4) identify the most promising areas that are ready for and could benefit from rigorous field-scale demonstrations. Research, demonstration, and technology transfer needs identified by participants are described in the Workshop Report, which served as a strategic plan to guide future investments in molecular biological tools that can ultimately improve the design, implementation, monitoring, and/or performance assessment of remedial technologies.
 

Expert Panel Workshop on Research and Development Needs for the In Situ Management of Contaminated Sediments
August 10-11, 2004, Charlottesville, Virginia

SERDP and ESTCP co-sponsored a workshop to (1) examine the current state of the science and engineering, (2) identify the gaps in knowledge and technology, and (3) prioritize those gaps where investments in research and development or field demonstrations could have the greatest impact on DoD's aquatic sediments remediation program. Nearly 80 research needs identified and prioritized at the workshop are described in the Workshop Report.
 

Expert Panel Workshop on Research and Development Needs for Cleanup of Chlorinated Solvent Sites
August 6-7, 2001, Leesburg, Virginia

SERDP and ESTCP co-sponsored a workshop to identify the specific technical issues that must be addressed to meet regulatory and other stakeholder concerns, the major gaps in scientific understanding of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon contamination and cleanup, and the most important basic and applied research needs. Priority research and science and technology needs identified by participants are described in the Workshop Report.