Evaluation of Remedial Alternatives
Environmental contamination at most cleanup sites can be addressed using a number of remedial alternatives, each of which presents advantages and disadvantages. Before proposing an environmental cleanup approach, Cox Colvin & Associates typically analyzes a range of alternatives and evaluates the advantages and disadvantages relative to site-specific conditions and agency mandated screening and selection criteria. This evaluation can be relatively simple or complex as in the case of a RCRA Corrective Measures Study (CMS) or CERCLA Feasibility Study (FS).
Abraham Maslow
American psychologist
Cox-Colvin & Associates focuses the remedial alternatives evaluation to realistic remedies and tailors the scope and substance of the studies to the extent, nature, and complexity of releases and contamination. In many cases, if the end goal is considered from the beginning, the preferred remedial approach becomes apparent during the site characterization, allowing Cox-Colvin & Associates to keep the environmental evaluation highly focused. In cases where EPA has identified the presumptive remedy, the purpose of the alternatives evaluation is to confirm or, in some cases, disprove that the presumptive remedy is appropriate. EPA has developed certain expectations for environmental remedies which favor treatment and remediation over exposure control. Although the preferred remedy may or may not be in accordance with EPA's expectations, the expectations are considered and openly discussed with our clients.
Cox-Colvin & Associates has conducted evaluation of environmental remedial alternatives of every size and under most regulatory programs. In every case, costs to the facility, both short- and long-term, are a primary factor in the evaluation of alternatives.