VZCZCXYZ0038
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAM #1140/01 1071455
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 161455Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2268
INFO RUEAEPA/HQ EPA WASHDC

UNCLAS AMMAN 001140 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR OES/STC-KANE, OES/ENV, OES/PCI, NEA/ELA, NEA/RA 
STATE PASS TO USAID 
EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV KSCA EAID TSPL TPHY OTRA JO
SUBJECT: EMBASSY AMMAN REQUEST FOR SCIENCE FELLOW 
 
REF: STATE 28712 
 
(U) SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.  NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary: Post requests an Embassy Science Fellow from the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assist the Jordanian 
Ministry of Environment (MOE) with environmental remediation at the 
Russeifah landfill.  The science fellow would build upon the work 
that former EPA science fellow Thabet Tolaymat undertook at the 
Russeifah landfill in 2006.  Post requests science fellow assistance 
for approximately three months to help the MOE in developing a 
detailed implementation plan for the remediation work, as well as 
developing a request for proposal (RFP).  USAID has dedicated 
$500,000 as a standalone fund for the rehabilitation of the site. 
Post, the Greater Amman Municipality, and the Ministry of 
Environment consider this rehabilitation work and the request for a 
science fellow to be a high priority.  This program would further 
enhance USG science diplomacy deliverables in the Muslim world.  End 
Summary. 
 
Russeifah Landfill Issues 
------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The city of Russeifah (population 350,000) lies 25 km 
northeast of Amman.  Russeifah is subject to high dust and radiation 
levels, and an old phosphate mine and a recently closed municipal 
landfill lie within a residential area in the city.  Key issues at 
the site include: 
-- Lack of enforcement action.  Environmental regulations are 
written but not enforced; 
-- High levels of contaminated and potentially carcinogenic airborne 
particulate matter and fugitive dust generated from the phosphate 
ore and reject piles present at the site; 
- Side slope stability of phosphate ore piles, which is a hazard to 
nearby traffic and residences.  A heavy rain storm or a small ditch 
near these piles could lead to a slide and fatalities; 
-- Landfill gas odor problems and associated exposure to aromatic 
hydrocarbons; 
-- Illegal dumping of industrial liquid and solid wastes; 
-- Uncontrolled site access; and, 
-- Inadequate groundwater monitoring at the site, and lack of 
knowledge of potential groundwater contamination. 
 
USAID Assistance:  Past and Future 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (U) USAID has previously assisted the MOE in Russeifah 
remediation through a June 2006 assessment by EPA science fellow 
Thabet Tolaymat from the National Risk Management Research 
Laboratory.  Dr. Tolaymat's assessment study resulted in a 
comprehensive remediation/rehabilitation plan for addressing several 
solid and liquid wastes disposal issues at Russeifah mining area. 
These plans were well received by the MOE. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) USAID is seeking to build upon prior efforts and has 
committed initial funding of $500,000 to kick-start remediation 
efforts in partnership with the MOE, the Ministry of Municipal 
Affairs, Greater Amman Municipality and the Phosphate Mining 
Company.  USAID will engage other potential donors/lending agencies 
working in Jordan to explore supporting the remediation efforts, 
including through a public private sector partnership (PPP). 
 
Scope of Work for Science Fellow 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (U) The EPA specialist will work with the MOE and the Greater 
Amman Municipality on site remediation and clean up plan 
implementation.  Specific action items would include: 
-- Further developing an action plan for site remediation and 
cleanup based on the 2006 site assessment report; 
-- Detailing and estimating the needed remediation activities in 
time and budget; 
-- Supporting the MOE in transitioning the recommendation of site 
assessment report into a Request for Proposal (RFP) for remediation 
work; 
-- Training staff at the Ministry of Environment and Amman 
municipality in site rehabilitation and clean up; 
-- Initiating the needed work and supervising the implementation 
progress (schedule permitting); and, 
-- Engaging the Greater Amman Municipality and the Phosphate Mines 
Company on the clean up actions. 
 
Deliverables from Science Fellow Support 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (U) Two key deliverables from the efforts of the Science Fellow 
would be: 
-- Developing an action plan and scope of work identifying 
timeframes, roles and responsibilities, costs and likely 
implementation schedule for the clean up of the site. 
-- Developing a request for proposal for the Russeifah mine/landfill 
site remediation to be issued by the MOE. 
 
Science Fellow Skill-Sets 
------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Post has identified the following skill-sets which would 
ensure the maximum likelihood of success for the chosen science 
fellow. (Post believes that Dr. Tolayamat, if available, would be 
very successful as a returning science fellow). 
-- Academic degree in chemistry/environmental science; 
-- Ten years of experience in environmental field/site assessment 
and clean up; having specific experience in such phosphate mining 
sites, combined with solid waste landfill management issues will be 
helpful. 
-- Experience in developing RFPs; 
-- Experience in dealing with donor/funding authorities and 
agencies; 
-- Experience in coordinating and conducting training and/or 
knowledge transfers. 
-- Strong communication skills (knowledge of Arabic language would 
be advantageous for site workers who often have limited English 
skills); 
-- Experience in developing Arab countries; 
-- Exposure to the Jordanian environmental and regulatory context. 
 
Logistics 
--------- 
 
¶8.  (U) Embassy Amman is planning to use Embassy housing if 
available for the science fellow during her/his stay in Jordan for 
three months.  In the event Embassy housing is not available, USAID 
will use alternate funding sources to support science fellow 
housing.  Post will provide office space, computer/e-mail/Internet 
access, and cover in-country work-related travel costs from post 
resources.  A security clearance is not required for the science 
fellow to support this request.  The POC at post is Manu Bhalla, 
ESTH Hub Officer who can be reached at Bhallam@state.gov or by phone 
at +962-6-590-6621. 
 
¶9.  (SBU) The USG has a strong history of partnering with Jordan in 
science diplomacy and associated programs.  Engaging the Jordanian 
government through the science fellow support requested in this 
cable will further support USG efforts to cultivate genuine 
partnerships with the scientific and environmental communities in 
the Arab and Muslim worlds. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) This request has been cleared by Embassy Amman front 
office, USAID, ESTH Hub, the Management Section, and the RSO. 
 
Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman 
 
 
HALE