Appendix A Glossary (Cont.)

Elutriate A sample generated by washing contaminants from a sediment

sample using water, usually by mixing water with the sediment, allowing the

sediment to settle, and extracting the sample from the overlying water. In this

document, the effluent elutriate test is designed to simulate the release of

contaminants from CDFs in effluent discharged during filling operations.

Environmental assessment (EA) A document presenting an environmental

impact analysis prepared in response to NEPA.

Environmental impact statement (EIS) A document prepared in response to

NEPA presenting a more rigorous environmental impact analysis than that

required by an EA.

Exposure The degree of accessibility of a contaminate to an organism.

Habitat The specific area or environment in which a particular type of plant or

animal lives. An organism's habitat provides all of the basic requirements for the

maintenance of life. Typical coastal habitats include beaches, marshes, rocky

shores, bottom sediments, mudflats, and the water itself. The UTM considers

terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic habitats.

Leachate Water or any other liquid that may contain dissolved materials such

as organic or mineral salts leached from a solid material, and leaves a CDF by

seepage through the dikes or foundation. For example, precipitation that perco-

lates through a CDF, picks up dissolved contaminants and leaves the site is

considered leachate.

Major Federal action Includes actions with effects that may be major and that

are potentially subject to Federal control and responsibility. Major refers to the

context (meaning that the action must be analyzed in several contexts, such as

the effects on the environment, society, regions, interests, and locality) and

intensity (meaning the severity of the impact). It can include (a) new and

continuing activities, projects, and programs entirely or partly financed, assisted,

conducted, regulated, or approved by Federal agencies; (b) new or revised

agency rules, regulations, plans, policies, or procedures; and (c) legislative

proposals. Action does not include funding assistance solely in the form of

general revenue-sharing funds where there is no Federal agency control over the

subsequent use of such funds. Action does not include judicial or administrative

civil or criminal enforcement action.

Management action Activities that may be considered necessary to control or

reduce the potential physical, chemical, or biological effects of dredged material

disposal outside a CDF. These management actions may include: operational

controls, such as limiting the inflow rate or increasing the depth or retention time

of water ponded in the CDF; physical control measures for containment of

contaminants, such as surface cover layers, liners or low-permeability dike cores;

treatment for discharges such as effluent, runoff, or collected leachate; and

biological measures such as management of plants and animals.

Appendix A Glossary