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
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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
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