Planning system for hazardous waste site characterization

This dissertation presents a planning or advisory system for hazardous waste site characterization studies. The system provides assistance in structuring and managing the major technical activities involved in the site characterization process from site discovery through the Feasibility Study. The advisory system is oriented toward consulting engineering firms rather than toward the regulatory agencies. The system provides advice that can be used for structuring hazardous waste site characterization studies conducted under any of the various regulatory programs. The advice is for technical activities only. No legal issues or detailed regulatory issues are addressed.

The planning system addresses the basic areas of access to relevant literature, task definition, site evaluation and rating, selection of appropriate tasks, cost estimating, and scheduling. A Subject Index is presented for classifying technical literature in the hazardous waste site assessment and remediation areas. Bibliographies for the National Technical Information Service and Dissertation Abstracts International databases are developed for subjects in the hazardous waste site assessment area. A Master Task List of engineering, field, and laboratory activities is developed to define the scope of the activities and to provide a framework for the remainder of the system. A site evaluation and rating form is developed for scoping the site investigation and rating the site complexity. Criteria are developed for selecting or rejecting the various tasks listed in the Master Task List. Advice for conceptual level cost estimating is provided for each of the tasks. Advice is also provided for scheduling the various activities.