Day 2 DQO Training Course Module 2 The EPA 7-Step DQO Process Step 2 - Identify the Decisions Presenter: Sebastian Tindall (15 minutes)

Step 2: Identify Decisions Step Objective: Develop decision statements that require environmental data to address the objective of the problem statement Step 1: State the Problem 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

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

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

Background Principal Study Question: PSQ Alternative Action: AA All the possible actions that might be taken once a PSQ has been resolved.

Creating a Decision Statement PSQ + AA Decision Statement

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

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

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?

Step 2- Identify Decisions Information IN Actions Information 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 AA 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

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

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

Step 2- Identify Decisions Information IN Actions Information 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 AA. 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 AA Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

Example Relationship Between PSQs and AAs

Relationship Between PSQs and AAs CS Relationship Between PSQs and AAs

Step 2- Identify Decisions Information IN Actions Information 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 AA Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

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

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

Step 2- Identify Decisions Information IN Actions Information 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 AA Incorrectly Taken List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

Errors, Consequences and Severity

Errors, Consequences and Severity CS Errors, Consequences and Severity

Step 2- Identify Decisions Information IN Actions Information 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 AA Incorrectly Taken Decision statements link alternative actions with PSQs. List Consequences of Errors Rate Severity of Consequences

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

Decision Statements General Format: Determine whether [Principal Study Question #1] requires [Alternative Action A] or [Alternative Action B]. Added Clarification: Determine whether [unknown environmental condition/issue/criterion from the Problem Statement] requires [choosing between two or more Alternative Actions].

Decision Statements General Format: Determine whether [Principal Study Question #1] requires [Alternative Action A] or [Alternative Action B]. Added Clarification: Determine whether [unknown environmental condition/issue/criterion from the Problem Statement] requires [choosing between two or more Alternative Actions]. 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 Statement Example Determine whether [the waste is ignitable] and requires [disposal in a RCRA landfill] or [requires only consideration of the remaining RCRA characteristics].

‘Typical’ Decision Statement Examples 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.

CS Decision Statements 1. Determine whether the surface soils are contaminated and require remedial action or require no further action. 2. Determine whether the site underlying soils are contaminated and require remedial action or require no further action.

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

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

End of Module 2 Thank you