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UNITED STATES PROPOSAL
FOR NATO/CCMS
PILOT STUDY
(PHASE III)
PHASE III - Continuation of NATO/CCMS Pilot Study: Evaluation of Demonstrated and Emerging Technologies for the Treatment of Contaminated Land and Groundwater
1) Background To Proposed Study
The problems of contamination resulting from inappropriate handling of wastes, including accidental releases, are faced to some extent by all countries. The need for cost-effective technologies to apply to these problems has resulted in the application of new/innovative technologies and/or new applications of existing technologies. In many countries, there is increasingly a need to justify specific projects and explain their broad benefits given the priorities for limited environmental budgets. Thus, the environmental merit and associated cost-effectiveness of the proposed solution will be important in the technology selection decision.
Building a knowledge base so that innovative and emerging technologies are identified is the impetus for the NATO/CCMS Pilot Study on "Evaluation of Demonstrated and Emerging Technologies for the Treatment of Contaminated Land and Ground Water." Under this current study, new technologies being developed, demonstrated, and evaluated in the field are discussed. This allows each of the participating countries to have access to an inventory of applications of individual technologies which allows each country to target scarce internal resources at unmet needs for technology development. The technologies include biological, chemical, physical, containment, solidification/stabilization, and thermal technologies for both soil and groundwater. This current pilot study draws from an extremely broad representation and the follow up would work to expand this.
The current study has examined over fifty environmental projects. There were nine fellowships awarded to the study. A team of pilot study country representatives and fellows is currently preparing an extensive report of the pilot study activities. Numerous presentations and publications reported about the pilot study activities over the five year period. In addition to participation from NATO countries; NACC, other European, and Asian-Pacific countries participated. This diverse group promoted an excellent atmosphere for technology exchange. An extension of the pilot study will provide a platform for continued discussions in this environmentally challenging arena.
2) Purpose and Objectives
The United States proposes a follow-up (Phase III) study to the existing NATO/CCMS study titled "Evaluation of Demonstrated and Emerging Technologies for the Treatment of Contaminated Land and Groundwater." The focus of Phase III would be the technical approaches for addressing the treatment of contaminated land and groundwater. This phase would draw on the information presented under the prior studies and the expertise of the participants from all countries. The output would be summary documents addressing cleanup problems and the array of currently available and newly emerging technical solutions. The Phase III study would be technologically orientated and would continue to address technologies. Issues of sustainability, environmental merit, and cost-effectiveness would be enthusiastically addressed. Principles of sustainability address the use of our natural resources. Site remediation addresses the management of our land and water resources. Sustainable development addresses the re-use of contaminated land instead of the utilization of new land. This appeals to a wide range of interests because it combines economic development and environmental protection into a single system. The objectives of the study are to critically evaluate technologies, promote the appropriate use of technologies, use information technology systems to disseminate the products, and to foster innovative thinking in the area of contaminated land. International technology verification is another issue that will enable technology users to be assured of minimal technology performance. This is another important issue concerning use of innovative technologies. This Phase III study would have the following goals:
1) In-depth discussions about specific types of contaminated land problems (successes and failures) and the suggested technical solutions from each country=s perspective,
2) Examination of selection criteria for treatment and cleanup technologies for individual projects,
3) Expand mechanisms and channels for technology information transfer, such as the NATO/CCMS Environmental Clearinghouse System,
4) Examination/identification of innovative technologies,
5) Examining the sustainable use of remedial technologies - looking at the broad environmental significance of the project, thus the environmental merit and appropriateness of the individual project.
3) Estimated Duration
November 1997 to November 2002 for meetings.
Completion of final report - June 2003.
>4) Scope of Work
First, the Phase III study would enable participating countries to continue to present and exchange technical information on demonstrated technologies for the cleanup of contaminated land and groundwater. During the Phase II study, these technical information exchanges have benefitted both the countries themselves and technology developers from various countries. This technology information exchange and assistance to technology developers would therefore continue. Emphasis would be on making the pilot study information available. Use of existing environmental data systems such as the NATO/CCMS Environmental Clearinghouse System will be pursued. The study would also pursue the development of linkages to other international initiatives on contaminated land remediation.
As in the Phase II study, projects would be presented for consideration and, if accepted by other countries, they would be discussed at the meetings and later documented. Currently, various countries support development of hazardous waste treatment/cleanup technologies by governmental assistance and private funds. This part of the study would report on and exchange information of ongoing work in the development of new technologies in this area. As with the current study, projects would be presented for consideration and if accepted, fully discussed at the meetings. Individual countries can bring experts to report on projects that they are conducting. A final report would be prepared on each project or category of projects (such as thermal, biological, containment, etc.) and compiled as the final study report.
Third, the Phase III study would identify specific contaminated land problems and examine these problems in depth. The pilot study members would put forth specific problems which would be addressed in depth by the pilot study members at the meetings. Thus, a country could present a specific problem such as contamination at a electronics manufacturing facility, agricultural production, organic chemical facility, manufactured gas plant, etc. Solutions and technology selection criteria to address these problems would be developed based on the collaboration of international experts. These discussions would be extremely beneficial for the newly industrializing countries facing cleanup issues related to privatization as well as developing countries. Discussions should also focus on the implementation of incorrect solutions for specific projects. The documentation of these failures and the technical understanding of why the project failed will be beneficial for those with similar problems. Sustainability, environmental merit, and cost-benefit aspects would equally be addressed.
Finally, specific area themes for each meeting could be developed. These topics could be addressed in one-day workshops as part of the CCMS meeting. These topic areas would be selected and developed by the pilot study participants prior to the meetings. These areas would be excellent venues for expert speakers and would encourage excellent interchange of ideas.
5) Non-NATO Participation
It is proposed that non-NATO countries be invited to participate or be observers at this NATO/CCMS Pilot Study. Proposed countries may be Brazil, Japan, and those from Central and Eastern Europe. It is proposed the non-NATO countries (Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia, Hungary, Solvenia, Russian Federation, etc.) participating in Phase II be extended for participation in Phase III of the pilot study. Continued involvement of Cooperation Partner countries will be pursued.
6) Request for Pilot Study Establishment
It is requested of the Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society that they approve the establishment of the Phase III Continuation of the Pilot Study on the Demonstration of Remedial Action Technologies for Contaminated Land and Groundwater.
- Pilot Country:
- United States
- Lead Organization:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- US Directors:
- Stephen C. James
US Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research & Development
Assistant to the Director
26 W. M.L. King Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
513-569-7877
513-569-7680 (Fax)
E-mail: AJames.steve@epamail.epa.gov
- Walter W. Kovalick, Jr., Ph.D.
US Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Solid Waste & Emergency Response
Director
Technology Innovation Office (5102G)
401 M Street, S. W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
703-603-9910
703-603-9135 (Fax)
E-mail: AKovalick.Walter@epamail.epa.gov
- Co-partner Countries:
- To be determined.
- Proposed Schedule:
- First Meeting:
Fall of 1997 or Spring of 1998. Location to be determined.
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