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Analytical Methods
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United States Environmental Protection Agency | Department of Army U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | EPA 823-B-98-004 February 1998 |
Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Discharge in Waters of the U.S. - Testing Manual
Inland Testing Manual
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| Table of Contents |
The testing protocols set out in the Inland Testing Manual are intended solely as guidance for use in conducting testing of dredged material to assess the potential for contaminant-related impacts associated with dredged material disposal into open water. The Manual does not alter the statutory and regulatory framework for permitting decisions under section 404 of the CWA. Under that framework, testing is conducted in order to assist the permitting authority in making factual determinations regarding the effect of the discharge on the aquatic ecosystem, and in determining whether the discharge will comply with the 404(b)(1) Guidelines. See 40 C.F.R. 230.10 and 230.11. The current regulations provide for testing under certain circumstances, and this Manual provides suggested protocols to follow once it has been decided that testing is appropriate. The Guidelines provide flexibility to the permitting authority to decide, based upon the facts of a particular case, whether testing is warranted.
The Manual is intended solely as guidance. The Manual is not intended, nor can it be relied upon, to create any rights or obligations enforceable by any party. The Manual provides the best available technical guidance regarding how dredged material should be tested. While it is generally anticipated that the Agencies will follow the procedures in this Manual, Agency decision-makers retain the discretion to adopt approaches on a case-by-case basis that differ from the guidance in the Manual where determined to be appropriate. The document does not, and is not intended to, impose any legally-binding requirements on Federal agencies, States, or the regulated community.