Contaminated Sediments Technical Advisory Group
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Introduction
The Contaminated Sediments Technical Advisory Group (CSTAG) consults and advises on large, complex, or controversial contaminated sediments sites. CSTAG:
- Assists in the management and implementation of nationally consistent sediment characterization and remedial actions across OLEM’s remedial programs.
- Helps remedial project managers and on-scene coordinators appropriately investigate and manage sites in accordance with risk management principles.
- Promotes national consistency in the characterization and management of sediment sites by providing a forum for exchanging technical and policy information.
- Promotes the use of state-of-the-science tools and methods to characterize sites and help ensure the selection of cost-effective remedies that achieve long-term protection while minimizing short-term impacts.
The CSTAG was created in 2002 and the charter was revised in 2020. The updated process provides feedback to Regions earlier in the decision-making process, includes a review of whether recommendations were adopted, and permits CSTAG to add topic experts as needed. For more information on changes made to the CSTAG process, see:
Contaminated Sediment Site Consultations at large contaminated sediment sites can be challenging, so EPA established a two-tiered designation to ensure that Superfund site managers appropriately consider sediment management principles in risk management decisions. These designations determine which sites are subject to review by CSTAG.
Contaminated Sediment Site Consultations
Remedial actions at large contaminated sediment sites can be challenging, so EPA established a two-tiered designation to ensure that Superfund site managers appropriately consider sediment management principles in risk management decisions. These designations determine which sites are subject to review by the CSTAG.
Tier 1 includes all sites or areas where the proposed or selected sediment action will address more than 10,000 cubic yards or five acres of contaminated sediment. At these sites, the EPA regional office describes for EPA headquarters how it considered the 11 sediment management principles in its decisions.
The Tier 1 review process and questions for Remedial Project Managers to consider when submitting a Tier 1 consultation memo are described in the Tier 1 guidelines.
Tier 2 status is limited to a small number of Tier 1 sites that are large, complex or controversial. CSTAG provides a formal review and advisory function for Tier 2 sites.
EPA typically identifies sites as Tier 2 during the National Priorities List listing process or later as additional information becomes available. The sites are then subject to CSTAG reviews until the record of decisionA public document that explains the cleanup method that will be used at a Superfund site, based on EPA studies, public comments, and community concerns. or equivalent is signed. Afterwards, CSTAG may review site progress during informal updates.
CSTAG Operating Procedures
The CSTAG Charter outlines the Group’s policy and procedures.
- Contaminated Sediments Technical Advisory Group Policy and Procedures, January 2022 (PDF) (9 pp, 317 K)
For reference, previous operating procedures can be found below:
- EPA established CSTAG under OSWER Directive 9285.6-08, Principles for Managing Contaminated Sediment Risks at Hazardous Waste Sites (Feb. 12, 2002) (PDF)(11 pp, 72 K).
- Contaminated Sediments Technical Advisory Group Operating Procedures (2017) (PDF)(24 pp, 5.8 MB)
Membership
CSTAG is comprised of EPA scientists, engineers and site managers with expertise in sediment site management and evaluation. CSTAG members are from EPA Regions, EPA’s Office of Research and Development, EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)Engineer Research and Development Center also participates.
CSTAG members provide unbiased technical advice and objectively evaluate site-specific information from a scientific and technical perspective.
If warranted by site circumstances or topics, ad hoc experts may participate in site meetings, as appropriate.
Members participate in monthly conference calls and two to four meetings per year.
| Office | Contact Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| OSRTI |
Karl Gustavson (Chair) (gustavson.karl@epa.gov) Marc Greenberg (greenberg.marc@epa.gov) Matt Lambert (lambert.matthew@epa.gov) Christine Poore (poore.christine@epa.gov) James Grundy (grundy.james@epa.gov) |
202-566-0972 732-452-6413 202-566-1385 202-566-0999 732-321-6781 |
| Region 1 | Chris Smith (smith.christopher@epa.gov) | 617-918-1339 |
| Region 2 | Doug Tomchuk (tomchuk.doug@epa.gov) | 212-637-3956 |
| Region 3 | Eric Newman (newman.eric@epa.gov) | 215-814-3237 |
| Region 4 | Craig Zeller (zeller.craig@epa.gov) | 404-562-8827 |
| Region 5 | Jim Saric (saric.james@epa.gov) | 312-886-0992 |
| Region 6 | Laura Hunt (hunt.laura@epa.gov) | 214-665-9729 |
| Region 7 | None currently assigned | |
| Region 8 | None currently assigned | |
| Region 9 | Wayne Praskins (praskins.wayne@epa.gov) | 415-972-3181 |
| Region 10 | Madi Novak (novak.elisabeth@epa.gov) | 503-326-3277 |
| ORD |
Marc Mills (mills.marc@epa.gov) Ryan Lepak (lepak.ryan@epa.gov) Kim Prestbo (prestbo.kim@epa.gov) |
513-569-7322 218-529-5048 206-553-0293 |
| USACE ERDC | Earl Hayter (earl.j.hayter@erdc.dren.mil) | 864-656-5942 |