The Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center site contained soils contaminated with organochlorine pesticides, organophosphorus pesticides, and other pesticides due to agriculture-related research activities conducted from 1966 until the mid-1980s. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers used a dynamic work plan guided by field analyses to seamlessly integrate the site characterization and cleanup portions of the project. Characterization, excavation, and segregation of contaminated soil was based on the results of immunoassay (IA) test kits for DDT and cyclodiene pesticides. An initial pilot test and then continuing evaluation of data comparability between the IA methods and fixed laboratory pesticide results allowed the USACE team to develop site-specific IA kit action levels that guided on-site decision-making. Characterization, cleanup, and closure was accomplished within a single 4-month field mobilization, and the entire project cost ($589K) was about half the cost ($1.2 million) estimated according to a more traditional site characterization and remediation scenario relying on multiple rounds of field mobilization, sampling, sample shipment, laboratory analysis, and data assessment.

• Innovations in Site Characterization Case Study: Site Cleanup of the Wenatchee Tree Fruit Test Plot Site Using a Dynamic Work Plan (PDF)(46 pp, 512 K, 2000, 542-R-00-009)