Background

In recognition of issues that have been brought to FFRRO, we are looking for opportunities to encourage a higher level of understanding of the Superfund Process at federal facilities. FFRRO is in the process of developing of a Federal Facilities Academy Training Program. The main objective of the Federal Facility Academy is to improve the skill set necessary for project managers from our various agencies to effectively manage federal facilities, strengthen relationships across agencies, and increase understanding of regulations and policies across agencies. The intended participants for the program are EPA federal facility RPMs and project managers from other federal agencies, State government, and Tribal groups. Participation is voluntary and highly recommended.

Training Program Development

Over calendar year 2018 through Spring 2019, FFRRO is working to develop course materials based on topics related to Federal Facility cleanup work. Recognizing challenges with travel funding, the majority of courses are being developed as webinars.  Webinars under this program include:

• Role of Superfund Performance Measures
• Community Involvement at Federal Facilities
• Determining Land Use and Onsite/Offsite Determinations
• Resolving Issues Before Formal Dispute
• RODs and More at Federal Facilities
• Coordinating with Tribes at Federal Facilities
• RCRA and CERCLA Integration at Federal Facilities
• Determining ARARS in RODs
• Groundwater Policy Overview
• Military Munitions Policy Overview

The in-person courses include the 3-day Federal Facility Course that is offered through www.trainex.org. This course is geared toward Federal Facility (FF) Remedial Project Managers (RPM) from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to facilitate an understanding of how the FF RPM role, responsibilities and authorities differ from a private or Fund-financed Superfund EPA RPM. It may also be taken by other EPA RPMs, DOD/DOE RPMs, EPA RCRA personnel, state personnel who manage Federal Facilities across the nation, tribal RPMs and managers.

Path Forward

FFRRO plans to roll out the Federal Facilities Academy by late summer/early fall 2019.  Webinar courses will be available through EPA’s clu-in page and a webpage with more information will be provided on the FFRRO website.