Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288:reg:1850:p6
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 1850 (pt 6/117)
Character Range: 361774–364755

Department of Environmental Quality, Portland, USA.
    * SA EPA 2009, Site contamination: guidelines for the assessment and remediation of groundwater contamination, Environment Protection Authority, Adelaide, South Australia.

    5                   Systematic planning for collection of environmental data

5.1              Introduction
It is recommended that a systematic planning process is used for defining the objectives of a site assessment and to develop a sampling plan for the collection and evaluation of representative data to achieve those objectives. Without systematic planning, the site assessment may be ambiguous or inconclusive, which may lead to additional sampling requirements, resulting in increased costs and project delays.

In its simplest form, the planning process should consider:
    * the overall objective of the site assessment
    * the decision(s) to be made on the basis of the site assessment findings
    * the constraints on the assessment (financial, time and logistical) and
    * the degree of flexibility to conduct follow-up investigations.
This project level information can then be used to identify the specific site information needed to address the assessment objectives. The next step is to develop a sampling and analysis quality plan (SAQP) to obtain the necessary representative data for the study area.

5.2              Data quality objective process
The US EPA seven-step Data Quality Objective (DQO) process is one example of a suitable systematic planning approach (US EPA 2000a, 2000b and 2006a). The DQO process is recommended when site contamination data is being relied on to make a risk-based decision as part of a detailed site investigation, though a simplified planning process may be appropriate for straightforward screening assessments.

The DQO process is applicable at both the project level (for example, is the site suitable for development?) and at the investigation level. Further information can be found in US EPA (2006a).

At the investigation level, DQOs are qualitative and quantitative statements, developed in the first six steps of the DQO process that define the purpose of the site assessment to be undertaken and the type, quantity and quality of data needed to inform decisions relating to the assessment of site contamination. In the seventh step of the DQO process, the SAQP is developed to generate data to meet the DQOs. The SAQP should document the criteria that a sample design should satisfy, including when, where and how to collect samples or measurements, acceptance (performance) criteria and the samples or measurements that should be collected.

The process includes development of the following:
    * a statement of the DQOs
    * the SAQP to achieve the DQOs
    * procedures to follow if the data does not meet the specified DQOs.
The development of the DQOs should be guided by identification of critical data gaps in the CSM. The objectives for sampling may include:
    *