Tri-Service Remedial Project Manager's Guide for Ecological Risk ...

$SSHQGL[$Rules of Thumb for ERA.RULE OF THUMB1.2 Rule of Thumb #1: Ecological Risk is NOT occurring if:PAGE2l The stressor is no longer present.l The stressor did not/will not contact a susceptible ecologicalcomponent.l Contact with the stressor did not/will not occur long enough orin sufficient intensity (e.g., concentration) to cause a negativeeffect. Indirect effects (e.g., altered wildlife habitats) as well asdirect effects should be considered.1.2 Rule of Thumb #2: When no adverse ecological risk exists, the ERAshould then stop, even if stressors (e.g., chemical compounds) arepresent. If land-use dictates that ecological components will not bepresent, the ERA should not proceed.1.3 Rule of Thumb #3: Criteria for determining “adequate protection” and“unacceptable risks” should be decided by all persons responsible forsite management and regulation before the ERA begins.2.2 Rule of Thumb #4: Effectively utilize SMDPs (scientific/managementdecision points) in the risk management process.4.2.6 Rule of Thumb #5: Bring all involved parties together early in the ERAprocess, to think through and come to agreement upon the AssessmentEndpoints.4.2.6 Rule of Thumb #6: Once the Assessment Endpoints are determined,they should remain unchanged throughout the ERA unless all partiesagree to a necessary change or addition.4.2.6 Rule of Thumb #7: For each Measurement Endpoint, RPMs should askthe risk assessor:l What Assessment Endpoint does this Measurement Endpointrepresent?l What questions will be answered by the results of this test?l What are the data criteria for judging whether the AssessmentEndpoint has been met?2312232324A-1