A state’s perspective: Application of ecological risk assessment in California Department of Fish and Game

Department of Fish and Game (DFG), through the Resources Agency, was designated as a CERCLA co-trustee in 1993. This provided a direct mechanism for DFG to provide fish and wildlife input through the CERCLA process. DFG Office of Spill Prevention and Response’s (OSPR) Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program was established in the fall of 1995 because many species of fish and wildlife are at risk at or near contaminated sites on military bases, as well as plants and other habitat elements. We apply ecological risk assessment (ERA) based on US Environmental Protection Agency and state Department of Toxic Substances Control guidance to determine whether ecological risk exists from the presence of contaminants, and making recommendations that are beneficial to fish and wildlife for any required cleanup action.

In this presentation, we focus on ERA for special-status species being used DFG. We will show the role of toxicity reference values (TRVs) and site use factors (SUFs) in risk assessments. Development of risk-based cleanup numbers incorporated into the remedial decision-making process is also discussed.