Appendix 21-B

Ecological Risk Assessment Scoping Checklist

ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT SCOPING CHECKLIST

The purpose of this Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) Scoping Checklist is to determine whether the target site requires an ERA based on known or suspected release of chemicals in sensitive coastal/marine habitat. The Checklist is intended to guide the preparer to assemble available data on conditions at the site and identify complete and potentially significant ecological exposure pathways. It is important that the Checklist be completed early in the investigation process to ensure coordination with the HEER Office on the need for additional data collection to support an ERA. This Checklist cross-references the HEER Office Technical Guidance Manual (TGM) for specific information on sampling design and other general topics, as needed.

Instructions for Completing the ERA Scoping Checklist:

When completing the ERA Scoping Checklist, all available relevant information/analytical data on known or suspected chemical releases to soil, groundwater, surface water, or sediment should be considered. Refer to the HEER Office TGM, particularly Section 21.0 (ERA Guidance), for information on sediment quality guidelines (SQG) and other screening levels, bioaccumulative chemicals, conceptual site models (CSM), typical habitats, and other components of this Checklist. Submit the completed ERA Scoping Checklist to the HEER Office for review. Note that the preparer is responsible for providing complete information to support the Checklist, including associated data tables, and must advise the HEER Office of any new data or information that becomes available during the review process that could alter the findings or conclusions of the ERA Scoping Checklist.

Ecological Risk Assessment Scoping Checklist
(Coastal and Marine Sites)

1. Site Name:

 

2. Location (County, City or Lat/Long):

 

3. Describe site history: List past uses, any known or suspected releases, visible signs of contamination, or other evidence that the site may be contaminated. Include any onshore area considered a source to the coastal/ marine site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Attach applicable site maps and photographs; a topographical map; a diagram of any adjacent on-shore facilities (if applicable) showing site boundaries and structures. Include a CSM identifying potential ecological receptors, release mechanisms, and exposure pathways. (See TGM Subsection 21.3.3.5 [Step 1B, Task 5] for example CSMs.)

4. List previous studies/investigations conducted at the site and summarize their findings (add rows as needed):

Study/Investigation (Date) Findings

 

5. Indicate the approximate size of the potentially affected area:

Acres:

 

Linear feet of shoreline:

 

Distance seaward from the shoreline:

 

6. Indicate whether the potentially affected area is in an erosional or depositional zone. Provide literature or site-specific data to support the designation. Data on coastal erosion and accretion (of shorelines) is available at https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1051/ (Fletcher et al. 2012)

7. Indicate analytical data available at site:

Sediment: (No) (Yes) (Number of samples: _____)
Surface water: (No) (Yes) (Number of samples: _____)
Soil (source area): (No) (Yes) (Number of samples: _____)
Groundwater: (No) (Yes) (Number of samples: _____)
Sediment Pore Water: (No) (Yes) (Number of samples: _____)
Organisms/Tissue: (No) (Yes) (Number of samples: _____)

Briefly describe the available data for any “Yes” answer above. For example, include description of whether any sediment sample data represent MIS or discrete samples. Complete Table 21-B-1 (attached; add rows as needed) and attach figures showing sample locations.

 

 

 

 

 

8. Complete Table 21B-2 (attached). In the notes section below the table, indicate the relative abundance of various habitat types, if known. Describe any potential offsite migration pathways.

9. Have the following site media been impacted or potentially impacted by site-related contamination?

Sediment: No Yes If Yes, complete Table 21B-3.
Surface water: No Yes If Yes, complete Table 21B-4.
Groundwater: No Yes If Yes, complete Table 21B-4.
Sediment Pore Water: No Yes If Yes, complete Table 21B-4.
Soil (source area): No Yes Explain in notes below.
Tissue/Organisms: No Yes Explain in notes below.

 

Provide notes below to identify any soil or tissue contamination:

 

 

 

 

10. Is any threatened, endangered or special status species known or suspected to occur at the site? (No) (Yes) (If yes, list below):

Scientific Name Common Name Hawaiian Name Federal/State Status Habitat

 

11. Check all of the statements below that are true at the site:

  1. A known release of chemicals occurred at the site.
  2. Signs of adverse effects are obvious at the site (diseased, deformed, dying, or dead organisms).
  3. Bioaccumulating chemicals are present at the site.
  4. Chemical concentrations at the site exceed screening levels and/or background concentrations.
  5. Sensitive habitat (e.g. threatened or endangered species, spawning or nursery areas) occurs within or immediately adjacent to the site.

If any one of #1 through #4 are true, AND #5 is true, then the site is recommended for the ERA Program.

12. Recommendation

Is an ERA recommended for the site? No Yes

Please list any additional factors supporting this recommendation:

 

 

 

 

13. Preparer

Name:

 

Organization / Position or Role:

 

Address:

 

Email:

 

Phone:

 


 

Table 21B-1 – Potentially Site-Related Contaminants
Chemical Name CAS No. Bioaccumulative1 Potentially Affected Offshore Media
Yes No Sediment Surface Water Organisms
1 See Table 21-7 and Appendix 21-E


 

TABLE 21B-2 – Potential Contaminants in Marine Habitats
Habitat Habitat Present at Site Presence of Site-Related Contamination Source of Potential Contamination
No Yes Documented Suspected Not Expected Unknown Direct Release Migration from Soil Migration from Groundwater Other
Young Volcanic Substrate; Little Sediment
Deep Channels
Mixed Sediment Bays and Harbors
Soft Sediment Bays
Sandy Beach
Anchialine Pools
Stream-fed Estuarine Wetlands
Coastal Fishponds
Lagoon/Coastal Wetland
Seagrass Beds
Mangroves (Introduced)
Mudflats
Rocky Intertidal / Tidepools
Subtidal Hardbottom
Coral Reef
Other:
Other:
Notes:


 

Table 21B-3 – Initial Sediment Screening
Chemical Frequency of Detection Minimum Detected Concentration Maximum Detected Concentration Location of Maximum Detection1 Mean Concentration Sediment Quality Guideline1 Maximum Hazard Quotient2 Is Chemical Bioaccumulative4
Value Source Yes/No/ Basis4
1 Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG) for selected chemicals are in Table 21-7. For chemicals not listed in Table 21-7, the preparer may recommend SQG from the literature and provide a source document.
2 Hazard Quotient (HQ) = Maximum detected concentration / SQG
3 List of common bioaccumulative chemicals are in Table 21-7.
4 Cite Table 21-7 or other basis (e.g. log Kow, tissue concentrations, other)


 

Table 21B-4 – Initial Surface Water, Groundwater, or Pore Water Screening
Chemical Frequency of Detection Minimum Detected Concentration Maximum Detected Concentration Location of Maximum Detection1 Mean Concentration Water Quality Criterion2 Maximum Hazard Quotient3 Is Chemical Bioaccumulative4
Value Source Yes/No/ Basis5
1 For groundwater results, provide depth of well, if known.
2 USEPA Water Quality Criteria (WQC) are available on-line at https://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criteria/current/index.cfm#altable
3 Hazard Quotient (HQ) = Maximum detected concentration / WQC
4 List of common bioaccumulative chemicals are in Table 21-6.
5 Cite Table 21-7 or other basis (e.g. log Kow, tissue concentrations, other)