The EPA 7-Step DQO Process

1. DQO Training Course Day 2Module 12 The EPA 7-Step DQO Process Step 2 - Identify the Decisions Presenter: Sebastian Tindall (30 minutes)

2. Step 2: Identify Decisions Step 1: State the Problem Step Objective: Develop decision statements that require environmental data to address the objective of the problem statement Step 2: Identify Decisions Step 3: Identify Inputs Step 4: Specify Boundaries Step 5: Define Decision Rules Step 6: Specify Error Tolerances Step 7: Optimize Sample Design

3. Step 2- Identify Decisions Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Identify Principal Study Questions Concise Statement of the Problem Decision Statements Define Alternative Actions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

4. Background • Principal Study Question: PSQ The PSQ identifies key unknown conditions or unresolved issues that reveal the solution to the Problem. Alternative Action: AAs

5. Background • Principal Study Question: PSQ Alternative Actions: AAs All the possible actions that might be taken once a PSQ has been resolved.

6. What types of Decisions Require the DQO Process? • Only decisions whose PSQs require data (environmental measurements) to resolve • Three general types of decisions: d:Red shovel/green shovel decisions D: Decisions requiring environmental data D: Large programmatic decisions

7. What types of Decisions Require the DQO Process? TEST: Does the PSQ require data via environmental measurements (old or new) to be resolved? • Only decisions whose PSQs require data (environmental measurements) to resolve • Three general types of decisions: d:Red shovel/green shovel decisions D: Decisions requiring environmental data D: Large programmatic decisions

8. What types of Decisions Require the DQO Process? • Only decisions whose PSQs require data (environmental measurements) to resolve • Three general types of decisions: d:Red shovel/green shovel decisions D: Decisions requiring environmental data D: Large programmatic decisions Do we need to collect data via environmental measurements to decide whether or not the decrease in duck population is due to the lead pellets in the wetlands?

9. Step 2- Identify Decisions Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Identify Principal Study Questions Concise Statement of the Problem Decision Statements Define Alternative Actions Addressing the question will resolve the problem. Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken Identify the questions that must be addressed in order to resolve the problem statement. Note that it is useful to divide these by either the matrix to be studied, the type waste, etc. List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

10. Example PSQs • Is the Smith property radiologically contaminated? • Does the waste exceed toxicity characteristic (TC) criteria? • Is the waste ignitable?

11. Examples of PSQs:Soil Remediation

12. Examples of PSQs:Decontamination & Decommissioning

13. Examples of PSQs:Decontamination & Decommissioning (cont)

14. Examples of PSQs:RI/FS

15. Examples of PSQs:Waste Designation

16. Examples of PSQs:New Waste Designation

17. Examples of PSQs:River Protection Project

18. CS PSQs 1. Are the site surface soils contaminated? 2. Are the underlying soils contaminated? 18 of 40

19. Step 2- Identify Decisions Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Identify Principal Study Questions Concise Statement of the Problem Decision Statements Define Alternative Actions Decision rules (DRs) will be written in Step 5 to provide the criteria to select between the AAs. After data collection, DRs are used to select the appropriate AAs. For each question, list the actions that may be taken as a result of answering the question. These actions use verbs such as “remove, dispose, delist.” Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

20. CS AAs 1. Conduct remedial action (TBD). 2. No further action required. 20 of 40

21. Creating a Decision Statement PSQ + AAs Decision Statement

22. Example RelationshipBetween PSQs and AAs

23. CS Relationship BetweenPSQs and AAs 23 of 40

24. Step 2- Identify Decisions Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Identify qualitative descriptions of the potential errors that could occur Identify Principal Study Questions Concise Statement of the Problem Decision Statements Define Alternative Actions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

25. Step 2- Identify Decisions Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Identify Principal Study Questions List the consequences of each qualitative error listed for each PSQ and AAs. Concise Statement of the Problem Decision Statements Define Alternative Actions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

26. Step 2- Identify Decisions Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Identify Principal Study Questions • Perform a qualitative • and relative assessment • of the consequences • of taking each AAs. • Express in terms of: • Low • Moderate • Severe Concise Statement of the Problem Decision Statements Define Alternative Actions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

27. Step 2- Identify Decisions Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Identify Principal Study Questions • When assessing consequences, take the following aspects into consideration: • Human health • Environment (flora/fauna) • Political • Economic • Legal Concise Statement of the Problem Decision Statements Define Alternative Actions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

28. Errors, Consequences and Severity

29. CS Errors, Consequences and Severity 29 of 40

30. Step 2- Identify Decisions Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Identify Principal Study Questions Concise Statement of the Problem Decision Statements Step 5 will provide criteria to select between alternatives. Define Alternative Actions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken Decision statements link alternative actions with PSQs. List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

31. Step 2- Identify Decisions Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Identify Principal Study Questions Concise Statement of the Problem Decision Statements Define Alternative Actions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken Decision statements express a choice between AAs. List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

32. Decision Statements • General Format: Determine whether [Principal Study Question #1]requires [Alternative Action A] or [Alternative Action B].

33. Decision Statements • General Format: Determine whether [Principal Study Question #1]requires [Alternative Action A] or [Alternative Action B]. • Using a standardized format is important • because it helps: • Eliminate red/green shovel PSQs • Improve the consistency between DQO documents • Make it easier for the reviewer to understand the decisions to be made

34. ‘Typical’ Decision Statement Examples EXAMPLE: The question is whether a cap is needed and what COPCs are needed to assess the effectiveness of the cap. EXAMPLE: Lard oil that contained carbon tetrachloride was used; however it is unclear as to whether the oil and carbon tetrachloride are listed wastes.

35. Decision Statement Example EXAMPLE: Determine whether [the surface soil of the Smith property is radiologicallycontaminated]and requires [disposal in a radiological landfill]; if not [requires no action].

36. Decision Statement Example EXAMPLE: Determine whether [lead is contributing to the decrease in duck populations] andrequires [remediation by removal of the lead from the bottom of the ponds]; if not [regulation on the types of pellets that future hunters may use]; if not [requires no action].

37. CS Decision Statements 1. Determine whether the surface soils are contaminated andrequire remedial action; if not require no further action. 2. Determine whether the site underlying soils are contaminated andrequire remedial action; if not require no further action. 37 of 40

38. Step 2 Summary • Decisions that are regulatory or professional judgement are not part of the Step 2 decisions • For the decision to be valid, there must be two or more alternative actions • Data are needed to choose between the alternative actions

39. Step 2- Identify Decisions Information INActionsInformation OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Identify Principal Study Questions Concise Statement of the Problem Decision Statements Define Alternative Actions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

40. End of Module 12 Thank you Questions?