This Sediment Evaluation Framework for the Pacific Northwest (SEF) provides a framework for assessing and characterizing sediment to determine the suitability of dredged material for unconfined, aquatic disposal; determine the suitability of post-dredge surfaces; and predict effects on water quality during dredging. The SEF describes procedures for evaluating potential contaminant-related environmental impacts of dredging and the aquatic placement of dredged material in inland waters and the disposal of dredged material in ocean waters. The framework is designed for use in the Pacific Northwest, defined here as the States of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. It will be periodically revised and updated as warranted by advances in regulatory practice and technical understanding. This 2016 SEF was prepared by the Northwestern Regional Sediment Evaluation Team (RSET) agencies Includes the US Army Corps of Engineers (Northwestern Division: Seattle, Portland, and Walla Walla Districts), Environmental Protection Agency-Region 10, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. and it replaces the 2009 SEF (Corps et al. 2009). It also replaces the freshwater benthic toxicity screening levels (SLs) published in the 2006 interim final SEF (Corps et al. 2006).
The public notice for the draft SEF was released in December 2015 and presented at the annual RSET meeting held Nov. 18, 2015.
The primary topic of the meeting was the first major revision of the Sediment Evaluation Framework. The public comment period ended Feb. 1, 2016. On March 31, 2016, the Northwest Regional Sediment Evaluation team prepared compiled responses to the public comments.