Licensed Remediation Specialist Program West Virginia Voluntary Remediation and Redevelopment Act (Brownfields Law) |
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The next LRS examination is March 20, 2008, in the Geary Student Union on the University of Charleston campus. The application deadline is February 29, 2008 Program Description The West Virginia Voluntary Remediation and Redevelopment Act (VRRA) requires a developer to employ a Licensed Remediation Specialist (LRS) to supervise activities during cleanup projects pursuant to the Act. In order to become licensed, a candidate must meet certain minimum requirements as set out in VRRA. Minimum Education Requirements All candidates for licensure must have minimum education requirements. Candidates may meet the requirements through a standard education track or an alternate track for experienced persons without a college degree in an appropriate area of study. a) Standard Track Bachelor's degree from accredited institution in one of the following fields: biology, chemistry, earth sciences, environmental sciences, geology, hydrogeology, microbiology, soil sciences, toxicology, hazardous waste management, engineering, or in a curriculum determined to be equivalent by the director. b) Alternate Track High school diploma. Experience Requirements
In addition to the educational requirements, candidates for licensure must document experience in remediation. The LRS is expected to be a competent professional and show a minimum level of experience. Additional education beyond the minimum requirements can substitute for some of the experience requirements. a) Standard Track Six years of relevant professional experience, one year supervisory or project manager b) Alternate Track Ten years of relevant professional experience, one year supervisory or project manager Credit For Additional Education Credit for additional relevant education may be given as follows: a) Standard Track One year credit for each master's degree 2 years credit for a doctorate -- maximum credit is two years b) Alternate Track One-half year credit for each associate's degree - maximum credit is one year The candidate must also demonstrate relevant professional experience and practical knowledge in the following areas: Remediation activities Procedures necessary to remediate a site; Management of contaminants at a site, including, but not limited to: Site investigation; Health and safety protocol; and Quality assurance. Feasibility studies; and Remedial design. This practical knowledge will be demonstrated by passing an examination given by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Only those individuals who have met the education and experience requirements shall be allowed to take the LRS examination. General Content Of The Examination LRS examinations focus on two basic subject areas: 1) The individual's overall regulatory understanding. Overall regulatory understanding means an understanding of the relevant West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection regulations, and related written policies and Federal environmental regulation; and 2) Overall technical understanding. Overall technical understanding means demonstrating an understanding of basic concepts and methods in those scientific and technical fields related to assessment, containment, and remediation actions. Examination Frequency The director shall administer a licensing examination at least every six months to all individuals who have met the requirements for licensure. Examinations shall be held at the time(s) and location(s) set by the director. The director shall provide public notice at least fifteen days prior to the application due date for the next scheduled examination. No remediation workplan shall be implemented unless and until the Remediation Specialist has passed the examination. Application Procedure The Office of Environmental Remediation has developed an on-line application for the Licensed Remediation Specialist program. To apply for candidacy as a Licensed Remediation Specialist, contact the Office of Environmental Remediation, WV Department of Environmental Protection, 601 57th St., Charleston, WV 25304 (phone: 304-926-0499 x1264). You will be asked to provide your name, address, email and phone number . A user name and password will be assigned to access the on-line application. You will be mailed the user name and password on an invoice for the application fee of $300. The on-line application can be found by going to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection website. Click on Offices and the Division of Land Restoration. From there you can access the Licensed Remediation Specialist webpages. For the on-line procedure to work correctly, you must access the DEP website directly, not through a link from another website. The on-line application can be filled out all at one time or over a period of time. Until you officially submit your application, you may edit, add or delete information. When you complete all sections of the application, click on SUBMIT. You will no longer be able to edit your application. Once the application fee has been received by the DEP, the application will be evaluated. Upon verification of qualifications, candidates will receive notice that they are eligible to take the LRS examination with a $250 invoice for the testing fee. The testing date, time and location will be sent to you. A picture ID must be presented at the time of testing. Exam Details The Licensed Remediation Specialist examination consists of 100 questions, each worth 1 point. Two hours are allowed to complete the examination. Scores are determined by the number of questions answered correctly. No points will be deducted for incorrect answers. It is advantageous to try to answer every question. Calculators are permitted. No other materials may be present in the examination room. All questions are multiple choice and have four alternative answers. An answer sheet will be provided for recording the answer. Answers must be recorded with a No. 2 pencil. Do not use a pen. Marks must be dark and completely fill the bubble. Topics that may be covered in the LRS examinations include: Basic environmental sciences Sampling methodology & statistics Risk assessment Remediation technologies Project management VRRA requirements (Title 60, Series 3, WV Code) Other applicable regulations, e.g. RCRA (WV regulations are available from the Secretary of State, Administrative Law Division 304-558-6000) Sample Questions: (Answers are at the end of this section) 1. Which of the following sampling techniques is most appropriate for sampling an abandoned industrial site where production and storage locations are known? a. Random sampling b. Stratified random sampling c. Random sampling within production areas only. d. Sampling of likely hot spots and stratified random sampling outside of likely contaminated areas. 2. Risk-based cleanup of carcinogen-contaminated groundwater must not exceed a residual risk level of: a. 1x10-6 for an industrial use. b. 1x10-6 for a residential use. c. 1x10-3 for an industrial use. d. 1x10-3 for an residential use. 3. A Licensed Remediation Specialist is responsible for: a. The release of any contaminants from the site. b. The release of contaminants from activities personally supervised by the LRS. c. Any site activity including those not covered by the Voluntary Remediation Agreement. d. Only the landowner/redeveloper is responsible for site activities. 4. A reversible chemical reaction is one that: a. Yields products that can react among themselves to yield the original reactants b. Yields several products, any of which will be soluble in water c. Requires a catalyst to complete the reaction d. Will remain in equilibrium, regardless of changes in heat, pressure, or concentration of the reactants without affecting the amount of the products formed. Answers 1. D 2. B 3. A 4. A |