Remediation Risk Management Team Leaders Sriram Madabhushi 803-896-4085 madabhs@dhec.sc.gov Tom O'Neill 609-292-2150 tom.o'neill@dep.state.nj.us

Remediation risk management (RRM) process for managing uncontrollable project activities or circumstances that may result in negative consequences to remediation system performance. The project team evaluates the remediation risk and develops plans to facilitate risk mitigation. Managing remedy performance risk should be an integral part of a remediation program’s overall management. Today, RRM is recognized as a vital integrated program management tool that cuts across the entire program, addressing and interrelating cost, schedule, and performance/operational risks. The goal is to make everyone involved in the program aware that performance risk should be a consideration in the planning, design and execution of remediation activities.

RRM is a critical component of performance-based environmental management process but often considered separately as a system engineering function, cost-estimating technique, or possibly as an independent function distinct from other program functions. There is a need to holistically address remediation risks associated with technology, costs, schedules, performance and operations that impact achieving site closure.

RRM will advance innovative approaches to remediation decision making by educating regulators on the many uncertainties/risks associated with remediation and closure of contaminated sites. This project will emphasize new tools and processes for state regulators to implement or understand during site remediation.

The team will develop document(s) for recognizing the risks inherent in remediation projects and setting realistic performance goals and expectations, and will propose mitigation plans for managing all those risks. These documents will include evaluation of all risks associated with remediation at a site - from the completion of site investigations and contaminant plume assessments and starting of remedy selection process all the way up to conclusion of all remediation activities and closure of the release. In the process the team proposes to develop decision strategies to help reduce uncertainties in decisions related to remedy selection, execution and completion of cleanup activities.