QA/QC Guidance for Sampling and Analysis of Sediments, Water, and Tissues for Dredged Material Evaluations: Chemical Evaluations

This document provides programmatic and technical guidance on quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) issues related to dredged material evaluations. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) share the Federal responsibility for regulating the discharge of dredged material under two major acts of Congress. The Clean Water Act (CWA) governs discharges of dredged material into waters of the United States, including all waters landward of the baseline of the territorial sea. The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) governs the transportation of dredged material seaward of the baseline (in ocean waters) for the purpose of disposal. EPA and USAGE technical guidance for evaluating the potential for contaminant-related impacts associated with the discharge of dredged material into inland and ocean waters, respectively, is found in the documents Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Discharge in Waters of the U.S.-Testing Manual (Draft) (the Inland Testing Manual) (U.S. EPA and USAGE 1994), and Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal-Testing Manual (the Ocean Testing Manual) (U.S. EPA and USAGE 1991 ). Results of tests conducted using the testing manuals are the basis of independent evaluations made by EPA and USAGE regarding the suitability of proposed dredged material for aquatic disposal.