3.5 Consideration of Prior Evaluations and Testing

These considerations have to be evaluated for all dredged material. Even so, it is

desirable that local guidance be developed, based on technical evaluations, which

describes the emphasis on factors deemed appropriate in each area.

The results of the COC identification should be documented. This should

identify all contaminants considered and briefly summarize the justification for

identifying or not identifying each as a COC for the specific dredged material,

CDF, and pathway being evaluated. These are the COC that will be evaluated in

higher tiers as appropriate.

3.5 Consideration of Prior Evaluations and

Testing

An important aspect of a Tier I evaluation is the consideration of any

previously conducted pathway evaluations for the project, especially those which

included pathway testing. In some cases, COC may be present in the dredged

material, but earlier detailed evaluation of the pathway indicated no management

actions were required. Prior evaluations should be appropriately documented and

used in the developing the Tier I decisions for each pathway.

3.6 Tier I Decisions

After consideration of all available information in Tier I, one of the following

conclusions is reached for each pathway. The conclusions are described here in

generic terms and are described in terms specific to each pathway in the Tier I

discussions of Chapters 4 through 9:

1. Existing information provides a sufficient basis for a decision about the

need for management actions associated with the pathway being

evaluated.

2. Existing information does not provide a sufficient basis for a decision

about the need for management actions associated with the pathway being

evaluated. In this case the evaluation must proceed to higher tiers.

It should be noted that the selection of a management action at this or any

other tier may require reevaluation of the specific pathway, as well as other

pathways as management actions may materially change the nature of the

material, the CDF, or the pathways. Also, even though a decision that

management actions are needed may be made at Tier I, more detailed information

for the pathway may be needed for design of specific actions.

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Chapter 3

Initial Evaluations