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.

*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 Superfund Essentials webinar series presents essential information for environmental staff with little Superfund experience. The webinar introduces the Superfund program and gives an overview of the statutory and regulatory requirements. The removal and remedial process modules describe the assessment and response process followed by OSCs and RPMs as they address their sites. The webinar closes out by explaining the community involvement program and its role in Superfund and a discussion on enforcement and liability. 

Objectives: After taking the webinar series, the participants will be able to (1) explain the provisions and requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), (2) follow the assessment and response process for conducting removal and remedial actions, (3) describe the community involvement program and their part in cleanup actions, and (4) explain the importance of several special topics to the Superfund program.

Superfund 101 consists of two introductory-level courses: Fundamentals of Superfund and Enforcement Process Overview. The target audience for each course is On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) and Remedial Project Managers (RPM).

Fundamentals of Superfund, a 3-day introductory training course, provides an overview of the purpose, legal framework and implementation of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) for newly hired OSCs and RPMs. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Understand the evolution of the Superfund program. The course explores the origin, accomplishments and future of the Superfund program.
• Understand the statutory and regulatory basis for the authorities of OSCs and RPMs. The course provides an overview of the roles of the OSC and RPM as they are defined in laws, regulations, policy and guidance, including a comparison of authorities and liabilities.
• Learn about the three types of response activities defined under CERCLA. The course discusses the components of the removal, remedial and enforcement programs and the major responsibilities of OSCs and RPMs in their work on Superfund responses, site cleanups and enforcement activities.

Enforcement Process Overview, a 2-day course, provides an overview of the EPA’s Superfund enforcement process for OSCs and RPMs. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Learn about the goals, priorities, and actions of the Superfund enforcement program. The course provides an introduction to response actions and enforcement authorities under Superfund; illustrates the relationship between major enforcement actions and remedial and removal actions; defines Superfund enforcement goals and principles; identifies objectives of Superfund enforcement reforms; and highlights current enforcement priorities of the EPA.
• Understand the EPA’s fundamental principles and policies related to enforcement, the four types of potentially responsible parties (PRP), common defenses against liability and other enforcement policies. The course examines the four classes of PRPs, identifies PRP’s defenses and exemptions to liabilities, and identifies major enforcement discretionary policies.
• Understand the Superfund enforcement process and the roles of states, tribes, Federal agencies and communities in the enforcement process. The course examines and applies EPA’s cost recovery strategy and discretionary enforcement policies, as well as the roles of administrative and judicial law in the enforcement process.
• Develop their ability to use the tools available to encourage settlements. Participants will learn about the various types of enforcement tools, such as alternative dispute resolution, that are used in the settlement process.

Superfund 101 is recommended for new OSCs and RPMs as well as other programmatic and field support staff (i.e., enforcement personnel, HQ regional coordinators, Special Team members) as well as other federal agency, state and tribal environmental professionals involved in cleanups at Superfund sites. THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES. In addition, the Superfund 101 course is a prerequisite for EPA employees who would like to attend the Removal and Remedial Process courses. 

Please note, non-EPA registrants may be asked to cancel their registration if the course reaches capacity, as priority to attend this course is given to EPA Superfund RPMs and OSCs.

Please note: For OSCs/RPMs to receive your certificate for this training, you will need to attend class until 3:00 p.m. local time on Friday. Please plan your travel accordingly.

*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*