Remediation Activities in a Missouri Subdivision Adapted from Information by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers The St. Louis District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is conducting sampling activities in a subdivision located in Florissant, Missouri, which includes portions of Cades Cove Drive and common grounds near Coldwater Creek (CWC). While building up this subdivision, an old creek was filled in, causing contamination to be buried deep within a small portion of the area nearest to CWC. To guarantee the safety of the surrounding areas, USACE performs regular sampling and analysis of sediment and soil within CWC and its ten year floodplain, covering recreational, residential, commercial, and industrial areas. To determine the current and historical status of the creek and surrounding properties, the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) team reviews topographic maps, historical aerial photos, channel improvements, and historical sampling data. Next, the team locates and photographs the sections’ tributaries, drainages, depositional areas, low-lying areas, fill areas, structures, utilities, sewers, and erosion control features. The FUSRAP team and two USACE real estate experts request the owners’ permission to enter private property in writing several months in advance, to collect soil and sediment samples on private property, and scan for radioactive contamination. The field team meets every morning to discuss safety, lessons learned, and daily plans. After communicating with property owners, a sampling work plan is developed by subject matter experts, identifying areas of potential hazards and assessing safety requirements. Field staff are required to undergo medical exams, vaccines, and yearly safety training to ensure their well-being and ability to perform their duties effectively. Vehicles are loaded with sampling equipment, supplies, and personal protective equipment, to collect samples and record the data. Soil sampling crews use hand augers to collect surface samples down to six inches and subsurface samples to reach native soil. Sediment and soil sample teams place samples in cans, label them, and seal them before they are transferred to the laboratory. The team geologist documents information such as soil type, color, sample depth, moisture, and radiological readings, while decontamination crews clean decontaminate, and survey sampling equipment before its next use. The transfer of samples from sampling teams to the FUSRAP laboratory is tracked by a Chain-of-Custody form which is required to support sample validity. The program uses alpha and gamma spectroscopy to analyze all samples and the data management group of scientists validate the accuracy of sample data provided by the laboratory and enter it into the FUSRAP database. The group ensures the data is reviewed by a standard process to confirm analyses meet technical requirements as well as project and federal guidelines. The scientific team summarizes sampling activities and evaluates the collected data in documents. USACE will review the data and may conclude if a property does or does not require remediation. If remediation is necessary, they begin developing the remedial design, or may conclude additional information is necessary to make this determination. USACE remains committed to the Florissant community, underscoring its mission to protect public health and the environment. “We are deeply invested in ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents,” stated Phil Moser, St. Louis district program manager for FUSRAP. “Every step we take is grounded in rigorous research, precise data, and evidence-based remediation decisions.” ENV 40 AUGUST 2024 WorldWide Drilling Resource®
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