DoD Policy Memo Points to ASETSDefense as Resource on Hexavalent Chromium Alternatives
The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics issued a memo on April 8, 2009, “Minimizing the Use of Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6+),” that requires DoD to reduce usage of Cr6+ processes and materials, while ensuring performance and cost-effectiveness continue to be met. To assist DoD organizations with meeting these requirements, the memo points to ASETSDefense as a resource for knowledge on research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) efforts and experience with alternatives. ASETSDefense – Advanced Surface Engineering Technologies for a Sustainable Defense – is a SERDP and ESTCP initiative that aims to facilitate the implementation of new, environmentally friendly technologies for surface engineering by providing ready access to information and data from RDT&E efforts supported by DoD organizations and the private sector. A central repository of data and information is now available through ASETSDefense for those responsible for qualifying and approving the use of new surface engineering technologies on weapons systems. An informational workshop “ASETSDefense '09: Sustainable Surface Engineering for Aerospace and Defense” is planned for September 1-3, 2009, in Denver, Colorado. ASETSDefense ‘09 will cover all environment, safety, and occupational health (ESOH) coating issues in new and legacy aircraft, vehicles, and ships although special emphasis will be given to hexavalent chromium in response to the recent memo. To access the surface engineering database and obtain more information on the ASETSDefense ’09 Workshop, visit www.asetsdefense.org.
Call for Poster Abstracts for the Partners in Environmental Technology Technical Symposium & Workshop Released!
All Abstracts Due by July 31, 2009  Mark your calendars now for the 2009 annual Partners in Environmental Technology Technical Symposium & Workshop to be held December 1-3, 2009 in Washington, D.C. Sponsored by SERDP and ESTCP, this event will provide attendees: (1) plenary session speakers offering key insights into environmental issues; (2) concurrent technical sessions and short courses covering the latest in environmental research results and technical innovations as well as unique training opportunities; (3) poster sessions featuring more than 400 technical posters; (4) exhibit booths offering information about funding opportunities in related research programs; (5) networking opportunities with more than 1,000 environmental professionals; and (6) a session providing a summary of SERDP and ESTCP funding opportunities to conduct research and demonstrations.
The Call for Poster Abstracts is now available, and submissions are due July 31, 2009. Symposium Registration will be available in July, 2009. If you have any questions, visit the Symposium web site at www.serdp-estcp.org/symposium, e-mail partners@hgl.com, or call (703) 736-4548.
ESTCP Answers the Most Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Chlorinated Solvent Sites To help state and federal regulators, consultants, DoD staff, and community members make site management decisions based on the best available science, an ESTCP team has compiled a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on chlorinated solvent site management that addresses 25 key questions, providing an overview of current knowledge regarding the management of subsurface chlorinated solvent releases. The document entitled Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Management of Chlorinated Solvents in Soils and Groundwater is intended to be a concise overview, while the more extensive companion document, Guide for Selecting Remedies for Subsurface Releases of Chlorinated Solvents, is planned for release in 2009. Both documents are expected to contribute to better use of resources, more effective remediation and risk management, and more productive cooperation between the parties involved in site cleanups. The ESTCP team members involved in this effort are Dr. Tom Sale (Colorado State University), Dr. Chuck Newell (GSI Environmental), Dr. Rob Hinchee (IST), Dr. Paul Johnson (Arizona State University), and Dr. Hans Stroo (HydroGeoLogic, Inc.). Through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Innovation Program, an online seminar on this topic was held on March 24, 2009. For those interested in viewing or downloading the files, visit www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/faqdnapl. Archived webinar files with audio will soon be available.
Classifying Munitions from Clutter Focus of ESTCP Pilot Program
New Animation Depicts Process and Presents Results to Date  Distinguishing intact munitions from nonhazardous metal and geology, a process referred to as classification, is critical to the Department of Defense's efforts to cost-effectively remediate munitions-impacted sites. Through an ESTCP Pilot Program, the detection and classification capabilities of commercially available and emerging sensors are being demonstrated at a number of field sites under operational conditions. Results from the former Camp Sibert in Alabama—a relatively simple site in terms of munitions, topography and vegetation, and geology—have shown that substantial classification is in fact possible. A second set of demonstrations is now under way at the former Camp San Luis Obispo in California, a more complex site. In cooperation with regulators and program managers, the Pilot Program also is investigating how classification technologies can be implemented as part of cleanup operations. The animation available here describes the classification process as well as the results from the first phase of the Pilot Program, a continuing effort that will span several years.
Monograph on In Situ Bioremediation of Perchlorate in Groundwater Now Available
 SERDP and ESTCP are pleased to announce the release of In Situ Bioremediation of Perchlorate in Groundwater, the first volume in an Environmental Restoration Monograph Series. While significant progress has been made in the development of innovative and more cost-effective environmental remediation technologies, efforts are needed to facilitate broader use of these technologies by government and industry. This monograph will serve as a reference tool for remediation professionals to effectively apply in situ bioremediation of perchlorate in groundwater by providing a critical review of the past decade of intensive research, development, and technology demonstrations. To obtain a copy, visit http://www.springer.com/environment/environmental+management/book/978-0-387-84920-1.
ESTCP Pilot Program Demonstrates the Success of Wide Area Assessment
Newly Released Report Highlights Technology Capabilities and Limitations Motivated by a recent Defense Science Board report and Congressional direction, ESTCP conducted a Wide Area Assessment (WAA) Pilot Program from 2005 through 2007. In a series of demonstrations in site conditions ranging from ideal to challenging, the Pilot Program accomplished its three primary objectives: Evaluate the effectiveness of individual technologies and a WAA process to identify areas of concentrated munitions use, Demonstrate that WAA data can support decisions on areas that show no evidence of concentrated munitions use, and Understand the site-specific factors that affect applicability and limitations of the technologies.
Results from the demonstrations clearly show that the technologies are effective and provide strong evidence that, when applied to suspected munitions sites, they have the potential to separate parcels with extensive munitions use from those that show no evidence of munitions activity. The report available here presents detailed results from the individual demonstrations along with general conclusions about the capabilities and limitations of the WAA technologies. To illustrate the various technologies used for land-based and underwater applications, two animations also have been developed and are available at http://www.estcp.org/links/WAA-Pilot-Video.cfm.
DoD Environmental Technology Requirements Report Focuses on Mission and Warfighter The Office of the Secretary of Defense recently released the DoD Environmental Technology Program Research and Development Requirements Review. The purpose of this report is to formally issue the Department of Defense's environmental technology requirements. The report provides the baseline of environmental technology requirements held across DoD, and the information is intended to assist DoD environment, safety, and occupational health (ESOH) executives in implementing broad environmental technology policy objectives. It establishes a new framework for managing environmental technology requirements that focuses on the mission and the warfighter while addressing environmental challenges.
Winter 2009 Information Bulletin Features Symposium & Workshop Highlights  The latest issue of the SERDP & ESTCP Information Bulletin is now online. It includes (1) the seven Project-of-the-Year Awards announced at the 2008 Partners Symposium; (2) the recently released ESTCP Wide Area Assessment Pilot Program Final Report, which summarizes the successful series of field demonstrations, describes technology capabilities and limitations, and provides cost estimates for deployment; (3) a SERDP SAB Member honored with the Ecological Society of America’s (ESA) Eminent Ecologist Award; (4) FY 2009 SERDP- and ESTCP-funded efforts in the Sustainable Infrastructure focus area; and (5) new documents now available in our online library. Past issues
ESTCP and the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AwwaRF) are conducting an online survey to ascertain the extent to which biological processes are being used for drinking water treatment. Examples of such processes include perchlorate and nitrate removal, reduction of tastes and odors, and improved distribution system water quality. Input will be used to identify baseline biological water treatment technology use and remaining technology, regulatory, and customer acceptance issues. To participate in this survey (approximately 30 minutes to complete), please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/drinkingwatersurvey. Once the results are compiled, a report will be prepared and made available to contributors. Note that survey results will not divulge data on specific utilities or installations, i.e., the identities of sites and people will remain anonymous. For technical questions regarding the intent of this survey and any issues encountered when completing the survey, please contact drinkingwatersurvey@cdm.com. Thank you in advance for your time and participation. | 
