| Following the success with conducting independent optimization evaluations at Superfund-financed pump and treat (P&T) sites, the U.S. EPA Office of Solid Waste (OSW) and the U.S. EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI) sponsored independent optimization evaluations in 2003 and 2004 at five facilities with pump and treat (P&T) systems regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The Remediation System Evaluation (RSE) process developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was used. Based on the positive results of these RSEs and the consideration that many sites would receive a similar benefit from a streamlined RSE with a lower cost, OSRTI and OSW commissioned a new pilot study to develop and pilot a streamlined RSE process (or 'RSE-lite') that reduces the evaluation cost relative to a full-scale RSE. Four sites were selected by the EPA OSRTI and OSW to receive RSE-lites based on nominations provided by EPA project managers. Upon completion of the draft RSE-lite reports, one of the four sites was selected to receive a site visit and additional analysis to convert the RSE-lite into a full-scale RSE. |