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November 15, 2005 The Water Report Sediments Evaluation Defined Risk -Based Assessment Tiered Testing Purpose RSET Functions Issue Papers Evaluation Procedures & Rationale Evaluation procedures consist of the sampling requirements, tests and guidelines for test interpretation that are to be used in assessing the quality of sediment, including dredged material, and management options for contaminated sediment and dredged material. Evaluation procedures identify whether unacceptable adverse effects on biological resources or human health might result from in -place sediments or dredged material management. A regulatory decision on acceptability of material for remediation or disposal is determined from the test results. The SEF defines the minimum requirements for evaluation of contaminated sediments and dredged material for regulatory decision - making under National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), ESA, CWA, Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), and various state cleanup regulations. One of the underlying principles in the preparation of this SEF is the use of a risk -based sediment assessment framework to guide assessments and management decisions by various regulatory authorities. The results of the 2002 Society of Environmental Toxicity and Chemistry ( SETAC) Pellston Workshop on the "Use of Sediment Quality Guidelines and Related Tools for the Assessment of Contaminated Sediments" (Wenning and Ingersoll, 2002) were relied upon to generate the philosophical and technical underpinnings of the assessment framework that is presented in this manual. The Pellston Workshop was sponsored by the SETAC and held August 17 -22, 2002, in Fairmont, Montana. This workshop brought together 55 experts in the field of sediment assessment and management from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States for six days of discussion on the use of Sediment Quality Guidelines and other sediment assessment tools. One significant change from earlier guidance is the reduction in the number of testing tiers recommended in the guidance document. Previously, dredged material evaluations were conducted based on a four -tier testing framework as presented in historical Pacific Northwest regional manuals. For the SEF, the two level- testing framework, as presented in the Pellston Workshop Summary, is adopted for use (Wenning and Ingersoll, 2002). While the same amount of data will be collected under the new framework as under pre- existing Pacific Northwest regional manuals, the two -level system will be more consistent with national and international guidance. The SEF distills the accumulated knowledge and experience with sediments and dredged material management in the Pacific Northwest over the last 30 years. It describes stepwise procedures for sediment assessment and is intended for use by the regulatory and regulated community. Full consideration was made of all pertinent state and Federal laws, regulations and guidance, including other regional sediment management programs, and the SEF is generally consistent with the guidelines of the national -level sediment assessment manuals. RSET's Focus RSET's focus requires a high level of sophistication in laws and regulations that govern sediments and water quality, sediment chemistry, toxicology, engineering, and other related fields. At the same time, the science must inform a regulatory program involving numerous agencies and statutory frameworks. It was also determined early on in the RSET process that the SEF evaluation procedures comprise the complete process of sediment assessment and incorporate a range of scientific and administrative factors. Beyond the decision to base sediment and dredged material evaluations on avoiding unacceptable adverse biological effects, effective evaluation procedures should also have certain characteristics. RSET is designed to provide the highest - caliber scientific advice combined with practicable knowledge about the administrative use of that information to ensure science -based regulation. The structure and processes outlined below support RSET's functions: continuous improvement of methods for sediment sampling, testing, and analysis to support regulatory management decisions at a region -wide level, and maintenance of the sediment quality database. It is expected that RSET will provide a cooperative, interagency center of expertise on sediment assessment and management that can be accessed by different agencies and programs as the need arises. RSET Technical Subcommittees Much of RSET work has been performed by technical subcommittees. The technical subcommittees prepare recommendations in the form of issue papers (requesting policy guidance or other information). Issue papers underwent a peer review process to ensure the recommendations and supporting information was clear and that the necessary coordination had occurred with other subcommittees. The issue papers also provide a record of RSET's deliberations on technical issues. The current subcommittees that were used to develop the Draft SEF include: Policy; Sediment Quality Guidelines; Chemical Analyte; Biological Testing; and Bioaccumulation. Copyright© 2005 Envirotech Publications; Reproduction without permission strictly prohibited.