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Preliminary Assessment and Site Inspection Training
Hosted by U.S. EPA
Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation

Preliminary Assessment and Site Inspection (PA/SI) provides an introduction to the Superfund site assessment process and describes the preliminary assessment and site inspection phases of this process. By taking the course, participants will be better able to:

  • Explain when, where, why and how site assessments are performed under the authorities of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The course provides an overview of key provisions of CERCLA and the response process established by the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The purpose, scope and requirements for performing a remedial preliminary assessment (PA) and remedial site inspection (SI) at sites regulated by CERCLA are explained as well as recognizing if threats exist that could warrant a removal action.
  • Prepare for, conduct and report the results of a remedial PA. The course identifies and explains procedures for performing a remedial PA, including determining whether a PA is appropriate, planning for and conducting the remedial PA, preparing a preliminary Hazard Ranking System (HRS) score for the site, using checklists and documenting results so that a decision can be made about the site.
  • Determine the need for, conduct and report the results of a remedial SI. The course identifies the step-by-step activities for conducting a remedial SI, including discussion of health and safety considerations for field activities, establishing data quality objectives and developing sampling strategies to obtain data for HRS scoring, validating data and preparing a final report to document the decision-making process.
  • Identify and use guidance, software and other tools to successfully meet the requirements for conducting a remedial PA and SI. The course will identify guidance and policies issued by the EPA applicable to conducting a remedial PA and SI, explain the basic structure and scoring factors of the HRS and introduce site investigators on how to use EPA's Quickscore.

PA/SI is a 3-day training course designed for personnel who are required to compile, draft and review PA, SI and HRS documentation records and packages submitted for sites proposed for the National Priorities List (NPL). This course is open to EPA, federal, state, and tribal personnel who support site investigation programs. The course is also open to current U.S. EPA contractors that perform site investigation work. U.S. EPA contractors will need to provide approval from their EPA TOCOR to Barbara Charris, EPA CEC Program Manager (charris.barbara@epa.gov) to attend the training. THIS COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO ACADEMIA, NON-EPA CONSULTANTS, NON-EPA CONTRACTORS OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES.

It is recommended that you take the Hazard Ranking System training course prior to the Preliminary Assessment and Site Inspection training course.

Important Notice: Due to the content presented during a CEC course and the restrictions in place for non-citizens to enter federal buildings, international attendees are not permitted to attend CEC courses.

For general information contact Elizabeth Kline (ICF) by telephone at 914-261-5535 or via e-mail at elizabeth.kline@icf.com

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