1 of 35 The EPA 7-Step DQO Process Step 2 – Identify the Decision Presenter: Sebastian Tindall 15 minutes (75 minute Lunch break) DQO Training Course Day 2 Module 10

2 of 35 Step Objective: Develop decision statements that require environmental data to address the objective of the problem statement Step 2: Identify Decisions Step 4: Specify Boundaries Step 2: Identify Decisions Step 3: Identify Inputs Step 1: State the Problem Step 5: Define Decision Rules Step 6 : Specify Error Tolerances Step 7 : Optimize Sample Design

3 of 35 Information INActions Information OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Decision Statements Concise Statement of the Problem Identify Principal Study Questions Define Alternative Actions Step 2- Identify Decisions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

4 of 35 Background Principal Study Question: PSQ Alternative Action: AAs The PSQ identifies key unknown conditions or unresolved issues that reveal the solution to the Problem.

5 of 35 Background Principal Study Question: PSQ Alternative Actions: AAs All the possible actions that might be taken once a PSQ has been resolved.

6 of 35 What types of Decisions Require the DQO Process? n Only decisions whose PSQs require data (environmental measurements) to resolve n Three general types of decisions: d: Red shovel/green shovel decisions D: Decisions requiring environmental data D: Large programmatic decisions

7 of 35 What types of Decisions Require the DQO Process? n Only decisions whose PSQs require data (environmental measurements) to resolve n Three general types of decisions: d: Red shovel/green shovel decisions D: Decisions requiring environmental data D: Large programmatic decisions TEST: Does the PSQ require data via environmental measurements (old or new) to be resolved?

8 of 35 What types of Decisions Require the DQO Process? n Only decisions whose PSQs require data (environmental measurements) to resolve n 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 of 35 Information INActions Information OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Decision Statements Concise Statement of the Problem Identify Principal Study Questions Define Alternative Actions Step 2- Identify Decisions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences 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. Addressing the question will resolve the problem.

10 of 35 Example PSQs n Is the Smith property radiologically contaminated? n Does the waste exceed toxicity characteristic (TC) criteria? n Is the waste ignitable?

11 of 35 Examples of PSQs: Soil Remediation

12 of 35 Examples of PSQs: Decontamination & Decommissioning

13 of 35 Examples of PSQs: Decontamination & Decommissioning (cont)

14 of 35 Examples of PSQs: RI/FS

15 of 35 Examples of PSQs: Waste Designation

16 of 35 Examples of PSQs: New Waste Designation

17 of 35 Examples of PSQs: River Protection Project

18 of 35 Information INActions Information OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Decision Statements Concise Statement of the Problem Identify Principal Study Questions Define Alternative Actions Step 2- Identify Decisions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences 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.” 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.

19 of 35 Creating a Decision Statement PSQ+AAs Decision Statement

20 of 35 Example Relationship Between PSQs and AAs

21 of 35 Information INActions Information OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Decision Statements Concise Statement of the Problem Identify Principal Study Questions Define Alternative Actions Step 2- Identify Decisions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences Identify qualitative descriptions of the potential errors that could occur

22 of 35 Information INActions Information OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Decision Statements Concise Statement of the Problem Identify Principal Study Questions Define Alternative Actions Step 2- Identify Decisions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences List the consequences of each qualitative error listed for each PSQ and AAs.

23 of 35 Information INActions Information OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Decision Statements Concise Statement of the Problem Identify Principal Study Questions Define Alternative Actions Step 2- Identify Decisions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences Perform a qualitative and relative assessment of the consequences of taking each AAs. Express in terms of: Low Moderate Severe

24 of 35 Information INActions Information OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Decision Statements Concise Statement of the Problem Identify Principal Study Questions Define Alternative Actions Step 2- Identify Decisions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences When assessing consequences, take the following aspects into consideration: Human health Environment (flora/fauna) Political Economic Legal

25 of 35 Errors, Consequences and Severity

26 of 35 Information INActions Information OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Decision Statements Concise Statement of the Problem Identify Principal Study Questions Define Alternative Actions Step 2- Identify Decisions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences Decision statements link alternative actions with PSQs. Step 5 will provide criteria to select between alternatives.

27 of 35 Information INActions Information OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Decision Statements Concise Statement of the Problem Identify Principal Study Questions Define Alternative Actions Step 2- Identify Decisions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences Decision statements express a choice between AAs.

28 of 35 Decision Statements n General Format: Determine whether [Principal Study Question #1] requires [Alternative Action A] or [Alternative Action B].

29 of 35 n 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 Decision Statements

30 of 35 ‘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.

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

32 of 35 Decision Statement Example EXAMPLE: Determine whether [lead is contributing to the decrease in duck populations] and requires [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].

33 of 35 Step 2 Summary n Decisions that are regulatory or professional judgement are not part of the Step 2 decisions n For the decision to be valid, there must be two or more alternative actions n Data are needed to choose between the alternative actions

34 of 35 Information INActions Information OUT From Previous Step To Next Step Decision Statements Concise Statement of the Problem Identify Principal Study Questions Define Alternative Actions Step 2- Identify Decisions Define Error if AAs Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

35 of 35 End of Module 10 Thank you Questions? We will now take a 75 minute lunch break. Please be back in 1 hour and 15 minutes.