17 - Conceptual Site Model for the AUES

Abstract

This chapter presents a superb example of the new mandate from the EPA for a “Conceptual Site Model.” The District of Columbia has been involved in the cleanup of American University Experiment Station (AUES) since its first report in 1996. Lack of precise information on burial sites, contaminants, areas of likely contamination, impact areas, and the fate and transport of contaminants has created a pall of uncertainty for the community and those charged with cleaning up this site. It is in an effort to minimize future duplication of effort and data gaps that the District of Columbia has tackled the enormity of a comprehensive planning document with a conceptual site model. The EPA has set forth an approach for environmental remediation called the “Triad System.” A key step in this is the development of a Conceptual Site Model. This generic approach should be modified due to the unique nature of each site. The EPA has also experimented with conceptual site models for UXO. This model considers historical records, aerial photographs, toxicity and exposure data, site contaminant data, geologic data, hydrogeologic information, residents, other environmental receptors, site development infrastructure information, and professional conjecture. The format recommended by the EPA must be altered slightly due to the uniqueness of the site.