What Regulators Want: Quality Site Assessments & Investigations Using the Conceptual Site Model Approach

At Eastern Connecticut State University (Library Building) in Willimantic, CT

This in-person workshop focused on the basics of conducting a Site Assessment and a Site Investigation, including developing and revising the conceptual site model (CSM). Experienced practitioners can benefit from a refocus on fundamentals and lessons learned. The workshop is also a great learning opportunity for new and junior staff. It was also a great networking opportunity with state regulatory staff and consultants.

Agenda (or scroll down)

Agenda:

9:00     Registration & Coffee/Pastries

9:30     Welcome & Logistics

9:45     What is a Quality Site Assessment? [PDF]
Presenters: Kristi Gagnon & Nicholas Granata, Tighe & Bond

• ASTM & EPA standards
• Sources of information
  • What is important to include and what isn’t
  • Developing the initial CSM
    • Contaminants
    • Fate & Transport
    • Exposure

10:45     Networking Break

11:00     Site Investigation: Testing the CSM [PDF]
Presenters: Kristi Gagnon & Nicholas Granata, Tighe & Bond

• Developing the Site Investigation Workplan
• Exposure routes
• Data needs
  • Soil
  • Groundwater
  • Surface water/sediment
  • Air/vapor intrusion
  • Other considerations
  • Data quality objectives

12:00     Lunch (provided)

1:00      Understanding the Collected Data  [PDF]
Presenter: Rick Carlone, GZA Environmental

• Boring logs
  • Fundamentals
  • What to look out for – red flags
  • Laboratory data
    • Fundamentals
    • What to look out for – red flags

2:00      Networking Break

2:15      Data Usability & Presentation [PDF]
Presenters: Elizabeth Denly and Mark Winbourne, TRC Companies

• Determining which data is usable
• Presenting data in the report

3:00      Evolving the CSM, Making Decisions, & Preparing a Good Report [PDF]
Presenters: Alex Howe, WSP & Rachel Simpson, RI DEM

• Updating the CSM and deciding when the picture is complete enough – or not
  • Types of decisions
  • Additional data needs
  • When is enough enough?
  • Common report problems

4:00        Adjourn

Please contact Jennifer Griffith at NEWMOA with any questions: jgriffith@newmoa.org