The Water Report Nov 2005

• Year: 2005
• Title: The Water Report
• Author: Envirotech Publications
• Description: Issue #21
• Publications - Doc Type: Other

10 Copyright© 2005 Envirotech Publications; Reproduction without permission strictly prohibited.
The Water Report
Issue #21
Incorporation of Applicable Laws and Regulations
or proprietary authority governing the management
Sediments
Several state and federal entities have regulatory
and dredged material. For the assessment and management of contaminated
of contaminated sediment
sediment, Federal agencies that have regulatory authority over investigations and cleanups are EPA, US
States exercise their regulatory
Federal
Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service.
Authorities
authority via their cleanup statutes.
At the federal level, the Corps and EPA share the responsibility for regulating the discharge of
of Ecology, Department of Natural
dredged material. In the state of Washington, Washington Department
Fish and Wildlife share regulation. In Oregon, this regulation is carried
State
Resources, and Department of
Department of Environmental Quality, Division of State Lands, and Department of Land
Authorities
out by Oregon
Conservation and Development. In Idaho, regulation is carried out by Idaho Department of
Environmental Quality.
�. The following laws and regulations that were considered when developing the Draft SEF:
Applicable
• Clean Water Act Section 404
Laws
. Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10
• Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972
• Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972
• Endangered Species Act of 1973
• Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972
and Management Act of 1996
• Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation
• National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
• State of Washington Regulations
• State of Oregon Regulations
• State of Idaho Regulations
Draft SEF: Significant Changes
While this SEF version remains a "work -in- progress" draft, several of the following significant
changes and additions to current sediment evaluation guidance should be noted.
Changes
Proposed
CHANGES INCLUDE:
• A consistent approach for characterizing in -place sediments as well as proposed dredged material
• Draft freshwater sediment screening levels
• Updated information on the chemical analyte lists that will need to be evaluated in different parts of
the Pacific Northwest
' Updated information on the appropriate analysis of PCBs in sediment and tissue
•
• A framework for addressing bioaccumulation, including a process for deriving scientifically
defensible bioaccumulation triggers (BTs) for tissues and sediments
to the historical four -tier assessment process, consistent with
• A two -tier (or level) process, as opposed
emerging National Guidance
• Additional editorial changes and clarifications
Risk -Based Framework
As discussed, the Draft SEF was developed based on a risk -based framework. A risked-
This
previously
based framework makes use of multiple lines of evidence to reach management decisions.
by providing structure, organization and flow for
Risk -Based
framework guides the assessment /management process
the actions to be taken in assessing risks and making management decisions.
Objectives
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE RISK -BASED FRAMEWORK ARE AS FOLLOWS:
clear, and consistent;
• Ensure that assessments are comprehensive,
• Ensure that any evaluation that follows the steps of the framework is complete in its consideration and
human and ecological risks at the site of
analysis of present and future exposures, effects, and
at the disposal site for dredging projects;
concern for cleanup projects or
• Consider the likelihood for all possible routes of exposure and effects to ensure that required or
important site - specific environmental factors are not omitted from the evaluation process;
management to facilitate meaningful
• Provide a measure of clarity to sediment investigation and
decision - making process by scientists, regulatory agencies, and
participation in the assessment and
representatives of affected communities;
• Involve active stakeholder involvement to ensure that the results of the assessment can be successfully
applied within the decision making process; and
and management process (where possible) for projects
• Ensure consistent application of the assessment
whether they are for sediment assessment or dredge material characterization.
10 Copyright© 2005 Envirotech Publications; Reproduction without permission strictly prohibited.