2025 RITS Materials 

Handbook:

2025 RITS Handbook 
Includes Agenda, Acronyms, Glossary and Presentations; also is navigable by bookmarks; and speaker bios available upon request.

Presentations:

Strategies to Address PFAS in Private Drinking Water Wells near Naval Installations
As the Navy continues PFAS investigations and identifies installations where PFAS may have migrated toward private drinking water wells, mitigation of exposure to PFAS in private drinking water continues to be a priority. This presentation will describe the history of the Navy’s private drinking water well sampling of PFAS to mitigate exposure, steps to address PFAS in private drinking water wells, and technology alternatives for enduring solutions in accordance with DoD policy. DoD and Navy policies and guidance will also be reviewed. A case study will be presented to illustrate interim actions and approaches to address PFAS in private drinking water wells near Naval installations.

Contextualizing PFAS Detections: Background and Forensics 
Current research indicates background sources of PFAS can sometimes exceed regulatory standards, meaning that it may not be feasible to find or delineate a plume boundary, where a remedial action would be implemented, when the entire site (due to background) is above regulatory standards. Therefore, when conducting PFAS investigations it is critical to appropriately assess PFAS background concentrations. Forensic methods based on the understanding of how environmental conditions affect PFAS patterns along routes of migration can be used to identify source areas and assess site-specific background levels. This presentation will highlight how to: 1) identify key factors for assessing PFAS background, 2) select appropriate background reference areas, 3) use forensics methods to contextualize PFAS detections from source areas versus background levels, and 4) summarize key knowledge to support development of more robust PFAS conceptual site models to support decision-making

Remediation of PFAS-Impacted Solids
Addressing PFAS-impacted solids has become a pressing challenge in the overall management of impacted sites throughout the Navy. This presentation will provide an overview of remedial technologies for PFAS-impacted solids, specifically ex situ and in situ treatment technologies for PFAS-impacted soils as currently available and under development. Initial results will be discussed from the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program - Defense Innovation Unit (ESTCP-DIU) comparative technology demonstration project hosted at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.

Optimization Tools and Strategies Implemented at Sites with Long-Term Remediation Systems
Challenges can arise over the course of operating long-term remediation systems, including, but not limited to, pump-andtreat, soil vapor extraction, and multi-phase extraction systems, which can incur significant expenses during operation, maintenance, and monitoring activities. This presentation will discuss the basis and timing for considering a range of tools and strategies to support system optimization throughout the cleanup process. The presentation will then feature case studies from four Navy sites to highlight when optimization efforts were implemented to support a transition from the long-term remediation system to alternative active remedies, natural attenuation, or other stakeholder-agreed strategies to reduce remedial timeframes and/or life cycle costs, while remaining protective.

Managing Lead-Impacted Sites under CERCLA
In January 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated the long-awaited soil lead guidance for CERCLA sites and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action facilities. This update affects several sites in the DON Environmental Restoration Program (ERP). This presentation will discuss the update to the EPA lead soil Regional Screening Level (RSL) and how lead should be assessed during the human health risk assessment process. The integral role of blood lead levels in assessing risk and the use of the Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic (IEUBK) model for developing preliminary remediation goals will also be presented. Case studies will be discussed to highlight the updated EPA lead soil RSL.

PA/SI Process for Sites with G-RAM
A framework has been recently developed which provides a standardized approach in conducting a PA/SI for sites with a known presence or potential presence of G-RAM. This presentation will provide an overview of this framework for G-RAM-impacted sites and highlight key differences from other impacted sites addressed under CERCLA. The approach is consistent with the requirements of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), EPA, DON, and other appropriate state and local regulations, while focusing on the DON’s ERP goals. The framework is also consistent with the Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual (MARSSIM) and the Radiological Site Management Toolkit for Navy Installations for surveying and sampling at radiological sites.

Topics

Title and Description

2024

ERAs at PFAS sites

Considerations for Conducting Ecological Risk Assessments (ERAs) at Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Sites (2024)
Navy sites are transitioning from Preliminary Assessments/Site Inspections (PA/SIs) to Remedial Investigations (RIs)
at sites with confirmed PFAS environmental releases. This presentation will discuss development of the conceptual
site model; current data gaps and applicable recommendations; important potential ecological exposure pathways;
selection of assessment and measurement ecological endpoints; potential uncertainties; ambient anthropogenic
background considerations; and the nuances of sample collection and analysis to support the ERA and appropriate risk
management decisions for a site.

HHRAs at PFAS sites

Considerations for Human Health Risk Assessments During Remedial Investigations at Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Sites (2024)
Navy sites are transitioning from PA/SIs to RIs at sites with confirmed PFAS environmental releases. This presentation
will discuss current recommended approaches for completing the HHRA; development of the conceptual site model;
default and site-specific exposure scenarios; assessing cumulative risk considerations for historical sites, where
PFAS are now being evaluated; ambient anthropogenic background considerations; and the nuances of sample collection
and analysis to support the HHRA and appropriate risk management decisions for a site.

Data Analysis Solutions

Next-Generation Data Analysis and Visualization Solutions for Environmental Remediation (2024)
Innovative, robust, and defensible data tools and solutions are available and capable of reducing project costs;
automating reports; improving communications between internal and external stakeholders; and enhancing informed
decision-making at Navy sites. This presentation will discuss and provide examples through case studies on how several
geospatial or visualization tools and solutions are available to RPMs for use at any time in the project lifecycle.

Hydrogeologic Heterogeneity/
Groundwater Flux

Innovative Approaches for Delineating Hydrogeologic Heterogeneity and Groundwater Flux (2024)
There are newly developed, innovative approaches for delineating hydrogeologic heterogeneity and measuring groundwater
flow, which are available to RPMs, to improve site management decisions and remedial actions. This presentation will provide
an overview, including case studies, of new analytical tools or novel measurement approaches, including hydraulic and
geophysical tomography; tracer monitoring; real-time terrestrial, surface water, and airborne sensing tools; and thermal imaging

Multivariate Analysis

Applications of Multivariate Analysis (MVA) for Environmental Restoration Sites (2024)
The Navy is increasingly looking for innovative ways to evaluate complex site data in a manner that is robust and defensible.
MVA methods can be used to evaluate patterns or relationships in data that cannot be readily discerned using univariate
analysis methods. This presentation will provide an overview, including case studies, of how MVA methods can be used
as part of a “multiple lines of evidence” approach to inform risk management decisions at Navy sites.

2023

Vapor Intrusion

Comparison of Vapor Intrusion Screening and Mitigation Technologies  (2023)
This presentation will discuss results of a detailed, in-depth review of the performance of various real-time 
indoor air gas analyzers for pre-screening volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and efficacy of multiple vapor 
intrusion (VI) mitigation technologies, when VI risks are identified. Project includes review of various real-time gas
analyzers compared to HAPSITE®, results from evaluation of different heating, ventilation, and air 
conditioning (HVAC) filters to address VI emergency response, and an assessment of commercially available 
tools to address VI from sewer utilities. This lecture will provide lessons learned from these studies and how 
they can be applied to the greater Navy ERN/BRAC program.

Munitions Response

Innovations in Munitions Response Investigations (2023)
This presentation will focus on innovations to address Munitions Response (MR) and Advanced Geophysical 
Classification (AGC) project challenges and solutions. One specific case study will cover the use of 
Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) position technology, a high accuracy positioning system 
for use with MR technologies in GPS-denied areas, where MR investigation and remediation are limited to 
lower quality and less efficient methods. Other content will cover quality requirements for MR services, 
one-pass AGC methods, and underwater MR strategies and technologies. 

Risk Management, Metals

Best Practices and Risk Management Options for Metal-Impacted Sites (2023)
Metal-impacted sites are associated with industrial processes, former small arms firing ranges (SAFRs), 
waste disposal, and pesticide applications. They are commonly co-occurring with other contaminants 
such as petroleum hydrocarbons or chlorinated solvents, which are the primary drivers for risk (NAVFAC 
2022). Metals may also be detected at concentrations that exceed risk-based screening criteria in 
soil and groundwater. This presentation will provide an overview of metals chemistry and mobility in 
environmental media for Remedial Project Managers (RPMs) to draw upon during site investigations, risk 
assessments, and/or the scoping process for remedial actions that target metals in soil and groundwater.
This presentation will also provide best practices for developing and refining an optimized conceptual site 
model, important considerations for metals in background, information on how transport of metals can be 
influenced by biological, chemical, and physical processes, and considerations for improving risk to receptor 
estimations. An overview on challenges and solutions for SAFR and groundwater sites that includes case 
studies will be presented to provide best practices during site investigations.

PFAS

Best Practices for PFAS Sampling and Data Interpretation (2023)
This presentation will provide the most appropriate procedures that should be followed when sampling for 
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in different matrices. The matrices will include drinking water, 
groundwater, soil, sediment, surface water and tissue. The topic will include information on collecting control 
samples and which materials to use to ensure PFAS sampling integrity. Additional considerations for proper 
data analysis during the development of Site Investigation and Remedial Investigation reports will also be 
presented. This topic will also cover PFAS guidance updates from DOD and ASN. 

Sediments

Using Surface-Area Weighted Average Concentrations (SWACs) to Optimize Sediment and Soil Remedies (2023)
Planning and monitoring remedies for contaminated sediment and soil sites typically requires comparing 
contaminant data collected over different temporal and spatial scales to remediation goals. SWACs can be used
to estimate mean contaminant concentrations over a specified area. This presentation will highlight how SWACs
can be developed and used to estimate exposure point concentrations, develop remediation target areas, and provide
data for long-term monitoring. It will also review SWAC guidance and present several case studies. 

Directional Drilling, Complex Sites

Horizontal Directional Drilling and Horizontal Wells to Enhance Remediation at Complex Sites (2023)
Recent advancements in design and emplacement technologies have reduced the up-front cost and time 
to install horizontal wells, resulting in a viable option for more cleanup sites. With that, implementation of 
horizontal wells has increased in recent years due to the ongoing challenges of difficult cleanups, such as 
under-building treatment or subsurface amendment distribution. The Navy has installed horizontal wells at 
several ER and BRAC sites to remediate petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, metals, and other 
contaminants of concern (COCs) in conjunction with various treatment technologies, such as in situ chemical 
oxidation (ISCO), soil vapor extraction (SVE), and multi-phase extraction (MPE); to mitigate vapor intrusion 
beneath buildings. This presentation will provide an overview of best practices for installing and operating 
horizontal wells; highlight recent advances in design and emplacement methods; and provide case studies 
employing horizontal wells that highlight success stories and lessons learned.