Dredging Operations Technical Support Program: Considerations for Reducing the Cost of Testing Dredged Material
Abstract
The high cost of chemical analyses and bioassays of dredged material makes it necessary for decision makers to limit testing to that which will sufficiently characterize the sediment to evaluate a selected disposal alternative. This report offers guidance for limiting the amount of testing necessary and considers other factors that could potentially reduce the cost of testing dredged material. The importance of an initial site evaluation to reduce the extent of dredged material testing is stressed. Unless a reason to believe that contamination exists can be established through examination of historical data and other site characteristics, no testing is warranted. The need for testing can sometimes be eliminated by examination of regulatory criteria for categorical exclusions, i.e., circumstances under which no testing is required. Additional cost savings can sometimes be generated during the scoping process by amelioration of the concerns of interested parties prior to preparation of an environmental impact statement. Tiered testing as presented in the Federal Standard is recommended as a cost-reduction approach to material evaluation. The principal advantage of tiered testing is that it can be stopped when sufficient information has been acquired to make a decision regarding the suitability of a given disposal alternative. (kr)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA221779
Entities
People
- Bobby L. Folsom Jr.
- Dennis L. Brandon
- Judith C. Pennington
- Todd R. Higgins