The Engineering Forum (EF), established in the late 1980s, is a group of engineers and scientists that supports the Superfund and RCRA programs in each of the ten EPA Regional Offices. As one of the EPA Technical Support Project’s (TSP) three technical forums, the EF is a medium for exchanging technical information regarding innovative site cleanup and characterization technologies. Monthly technical talks focus on site-specific engineering problems encountered, alternatives and solutions, and lessons learned. After each presentation, information regarding upcoming events and training are discussed and time for an Open Mic discussion is provided. If you are a Superfund, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Brownfields, state or federal environmental professional who is interested in solving technical issues, register for any technical talks listed below that interest you and join the discussion!

Presentations are specifically designed for EPA staff including RPMs, OSCs, Corrective Action Managers, Superfund and Technology Liaisons, Chemists, Biologists, Physical Scientists, and Engineers from within EPA regions, program offices, laboratory system, and headquarters personnel as well as environmental professionals from state agencies, tribes, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Dept. of Energy, and other federal agencies of all experience levels. THIS TRAINING IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, CONTRACTORS, CONSULTANTS OR OTHER PRIVATE ENTITIES.

We will try to meet any special accommodations necessary for our participants as possible if given a minimum of two weeks notice. You will be prompted to indicate if you need any special accommodations upon registering for these events.

For general information, check out the EPA Engineering Forum Sharepoint site or contact Luci Dunnington via e-mail at dunnington.lucila@epa.gov.

*This training is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend. One CLP will be issued for each session attended when you register and log on with the registration link provided to enable your attendance to be confirmed.*
 

The concept of passive mine water treatment was first introduced by the former US Bureau of Mines about 40 years ago to address mining influenced water (MIW) from coal mines.  But since then, the breadth of passive treatment has expanded to embrace precious and base metal mines, uranium mines, and even gravel pits.  This introduction to passive MIW treatment will include some general biogeochemistry, passive treatment processes (Engineer’s toolbox) in the context of a “periodic table of passive treatment”, a phased design process, three case studies, and a cost discussion. 

James J. Gusek, P.E. (Mining Engineer) will present. Jim is based in Lakewood, Colorado. He graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in 1973 with a B.Sc. in Mining Engineering.  During his 50-plus year career, he specialized in the design of passive treatment systems for mining influenced water. Since 1987, his work with passive water treatment systems and acid rock drainage prevention included over 100 projects throughout the U.S. and internationally; much of his early work involved EPA Mining Superfund Sites.  He retired from active consulting as of September 30, 2025. Many of his technical papers and presentations are available to download for free from the ResearchGate website: James Gusek ResearchGate. Included there is a database of mine remediation papers from conferences (authors, titles, keywords, etc.) in Excel format.

He is a founding member and former president of the Denver Professional Chapter of Engineers Without Borders.