The Groundwater and Soil Remediation Program initiated a number of projects and related activities in 2008 after completion of the EM-22 Roadmap and subsequent planning documents. Many of the project activities may require several years to complete, while others would be considered ‘Quick Wins.’ In both cases, there is a need to bring together the principal investigators, Technical Working Group members, Office of Science ERSP principal investigators working in related science areas, DOE site end users, as well as key university scientists, and staff from other federal agencies engaged in similar efforts to discuss progress, potential areas of collaboration, and plans for the future. The overall goal of the review was to enhance future program activities through sharing of information and collaboration with others working on similar problems, thus improving opportunities for program success.
As part of this review, an independent technical advisory panel reviewed the completed project activities as well as plans for the future and provided recommendations for improving or enhancing future activities. The advisory panel included scientists and engineers with significant experience in characterization, modeling, metals and radionuclide treatment, chlorinated solvent treatment, and other in-situ treatment. The advisory panel documented their review findings and recommendations in a report to DOE management. This written review includes recommendations for ways to enhance the overall program, as well as specific projects.
The meeting began on September 23, 2008 with a review of the program organization, perspectives on where the program is heading in the next couple of years and thoughts on where the program needs to go in the future. Subsequently, the EM-22 principal investigators presented their individual project accomplishments and plans for 2009. The afternoon of the second day consisted of several breakout sessions to develop the 2009 Technical Forums on Life-Cycle Monitoring, Metals and Radionuclides, and Modeling while the panel holds a closed working session. The morning of the third day was devoted to presentation of the results of the breakout sessions to the audience, a summary level feedback presentation from the advisory panel, and discussions from the directed funds programs on their accomplishments and planned efforts for the coming year. |
