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emphasized field verified second generation tests and procedures. 

 This work was done jointly with EPA to enhance the 

 identification, assessment and management of contaminated 

 materials. Existing regulations and implementing manuals were 

 revised to reflect this knowledge. Related research for others 

 was conducted during this period and continues today. Research 

 efforts in the 1990' s focuses on highly contaminated materials, 

 emphasizing chronic/sublethal effects and genotoxicity 

 evaluations. It continues efforts to enhance capability for 

 cleanup and remediation of hot spots, risk analysis, endangerment 

 assessments, treatment technology, revision of guidance documents 

 and manuals, and training. Research in this decade is being 

 actively conducted in partnership with EPA, NOAA and DOD to 

 combine technical expertise and to leverage R&D funding, to 

 ensure that critical areas of concern are addressed to the best 

 advantage. 



CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS 



Even though only a small percentage of sediments dredged 

 each year from our federal channels is currently classified as 

 contaminated such that they require special handling or 

 treatment, as noted by Mr. Rees, the actual volume is still quite 

 large. Contaminated sediments are defined in relation to our 

 navigation program as those that demonstrate an unacceptable 

 adverse impact on human health or the environment. 



Effects Based Testing. The determination that a sediment is 

 contaminated and unsuitable for unrestricted aquatic disposal is 

 made by application of effects-based testing and a preponderance 

 of evidence leading to a determination of actions to be taken. 

 The effects-based approach is implemented through regulatory and 

 testing manuals, such as the Green Book, developed by the Corps 

 and EPA over the past 2 decades. Effects-based testing is a 

 holistic approach which uses a combination of biological, 

 geochemical, and physical analyses in conjunction with water 

 quality standards and other appropriate criteria. The effects- 

 based approach is tiered; that is, lower tiers use existing 

 information and screening techniques to reach a decision on 

 disposal management or to determine that additional testing is 

 needed at higher tiers in order to reach a decision on the 

 appropriate form of disposal. This determination will impact the 

 need and methods necessary for cleanup and remediation. This 

 approach, jointly developed by the Corps and EPA, has been 

 refined over the years to represent the state-of-the-science for 

 testing and evaluation of dredged material proposed for aquatic, 

 nearshore, and upland disposal. We believe that our definition 

 and this process for identifying contaminated sediments is fully 

 consistent with the spirit and intent of the Clean Water Act and 

 the Ocean Dumping Act. 



