3.2 Identification of Relevant Pathways

There is not sufficient reason to believe that contaminants in the dredged

material may be of concern for the project. Therefore, detailed evaluation

is not necessary, and there is no need for further evaluation using this

manual.

There is sufficient reason to believe that contaminants in the dredged

material may be of concern for the project to warrant a more detailed

evaluation of potential COC effects outside the CDF. Because these

effects can only be evaluated in the context of pathways, it is necessary to

determine which pathway(s) may be of concern for the CDF being

evaluated.

3.2 Identification of Relevant Pathways

If there is potential for the presence of COC in the dredged material, and an

evaluation of pathways is deemed appropriate, the next step in the scoping process

is to identify the relevant pathways of concern. This requires that a comprehen-

sive, although at this stage not detailed, description of the project be developed,

including:

The environmental setting and general characteristics of the site (Section

3.2.1).

The engineering design and management characteristics of the CDF

(Section 3.2.2).

The general environmental characteristics of the dredged material

(Section 3.2.3).

The source of the information used for the project description is the

compilation of existing information discussed in detail in Section 3.3.

3.2.1 Environmental Setting and General Characteristics

The general setting of the site or setting for the CDF should be described from

the perspective of factors that might influence the migration of COC (if present)

from the CDF, and the types of resources that might be exposed to any COC

present. Such factors may include, for example:

Aquatic, wetland, or terrestrial environment.

Size of receiving water body that releases from the site might enter.

Salinity of receiving water body and groundwater underlying the site.

Circulation in receiving water body.

History of site use.

Surrounding land use.

Characteristics of groundwater aquifers beneath and surrounding the

site.

3-2

Chapter 3

Initial Evaluations