United States Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program Center Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 Research and Development EPA/620/SR-94/016 April1994 EPA Project Summary Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program Assessment Framework Kent W. Thornton, Gary E. Saul, and D. Eric Hyatt The assessment framework proposed in this report provides a common ap- proach for planning and conducting a wide variety of ecological assessments within the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP). The framework also demonstrates how EMAP complements EPA's assessment approach proposed in the Risk Assess- ment Forum's (RAF's) Framework for Ecological Risk Assessment (RAF 1992). EMAP assessments can contrib- ute directly to the problem formulation phase of the EPA-RAF Framework by identifying and quantifying factors that might contribute to the condition of ecological resources. EMAP assess- ments also will provide information needed to conduct ecological risk as- sessments that verify model predictions and the cumulative effectiveness of en- vironmental protection and manage- ment decisions. EMAP uses a retrospective or ef- fects-oriented approach to assess- ment. There are three phases in EMAP assessments: problem formulation, analysis, and interpretation and com- munication. These three phases em- phasize (1) formulating and refining assessment questions and issues with EMAP users, (2) identifying indicators of condition, (3) developing conceptual models, (4) analyzing data on ecologi- cal resources using weight of evidence and process of elimination approaches to infer factors contributing to observed trends in ecological effects, and (5) in- terpreting and effectively communicat- ing assessment results in a policy-relevant context for users. There are five basic assessment products: quality-assured data, annual statistical summaries, ecological resource assess- ments, assessment tools, and guidance. Because it will take a number of years before all resources in all regions of the country will be routinely monitored, the ability of the program to conduct ecological resource assessments will depend on implementing its research, monitoring, and assessment activities in planned phases. Initial assessments will focus on data to determine extent, geographic coverage, and condition for individual ecological resources. Single region, single resource assessments will be conducted before assessments encompass multiple regions or national levels. Assessments of multiple eco- logical resources in a single region will be conducted as other resources start monitoring in that region. This Project Summary was developed by EPA's En vironmental Monitoring and Assessment Program Center, Research Triangle Park, NC, to announce key find- ings of the research project that is fully documented in a separate report of the same title (see Project Report ordering information at back). Introduction Over the past several years, there has been an increased emphasis on compara- tive ecological risk assessment within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), other agencies, and the scientific community. Also, there have been ques- tions raised on the role of the Environ- Printedon Recycled Paper ------- mental Monitoring and Assessment Pro- gram (EMAP) in comparative ecological risk assessment and its relationship with EPA's Risk Assessment Forum (RAF). This report describes a framework, and its basic elements, for conducting assess- ments within EMAP as well as the relation of EMAP assessments to EPA's RAF. This document about EMAP's assessment framework is intended primarily for scien- tific administrators and managers who re- quire assessment information for making decisions related to environmental protec- tion and management. Discussion This document provides a scientific ex- planation, i.e., a "definition," of ecological assessment in the context of the EMAP program and should not be interpreted as a strategic planning document or any other form of planning or policy document. The assessment framework proposed in this report provides a common outline for plan- ning and conducting a wide variety of eco- logical assessments within EMAP. The framework also demonstrates how EMAP complements EPA's assessment approach proposed in RAF's Framework for Eco- logical Risk Assessment (RAF 1992). EMAP assessments can contribute directly to the problem formulation phase of the EPA-RAF Framework by identifying and quantifying factors that might contribute to the condition of ecological resources. EMAP assessments also will provide in- formation needed to conduct ecological risk assessments that verify model predic- tions and the cumulative effectiveness of environmental protection and management decisions. EMAP uses a retrospective or effects-oriented approach to assess- ment. There are three phases in EMAP assessments: problem formulation, analy- sis, and interpretation and communica- • tion. These three phases emphasize" (1) formulating and refining assessment ques- tions and issues with EMAP users, (2) identifying indicators of condition, (3) de- veloping conceptual models, (4) analyzing data on ecological resources using weight of evidence and process of elimination approaches to infer factors contributing to Kent W. Thornton is with FTN Associates, Ltd., Little Rock,AR 72211. Gary E. Saul is with FTN Associates, Ltd, Austin, TX 78735. The EPA author, D. Eric Hyatt (also the Technical Coordinator), is with the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program Center, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. The complete report, entitled "Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program: Assessment Framework," (Order No. PB94-158862; Cost: $19.50; subject to change) will be available only from National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161 Telephone: 703-487-4650 The EPA Technical Coordinator can be contacted at Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program Center U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 observed trends in ecological effects, and (5) interpreting and effectively communi- cating assessment results in a policy-relevant context for users. There are five basic assessment products: quality-assured data, annual statistical summaries, ecological resource assess- ments, assessment tools, and guidance. Because it will take a number of years before all resources in all regions of the country will be routinely monitored, the ability of the program to conduct ecologi- cal resource assessments will depend on implementing its research, monitoring, and assessment activities in planned phases. Initial assessments will focus on data to determine extent, geographic coverage, and condition for individual ecological re- sources. Single region, single resource assessments will-be conducted before as— sessments encompass multiple regions or national levels. Assessments of multiple ecological resources in a single region will be conducted as other resources start monitoring in that region. Key Words USEPA-EMAP ecology decision making risk assessment measurement environmental monitoring risk assessment environmental policy environmental risk assessment indicators (biology) landscape assessment risk assessment risk communication risk management statistics. •U.S. Government Printing Office: 1994— 550-067/80237 United States Environmental Protection Agency Center for Environmental Research Information Cincinnati, OH 45268 Official Business Penalty for Private Use $300 BULK RATE POSTAGE & FEES PAID EPA PERMIT No. G-35 EPA/620/SR-94/016 ------- |