Applying a Watershed-Level, Risk-Based Approach to Addressing Legacy Mercury Contamination in the South River, Virginia: Planning and Problem Formulation

Abstract

ABSTRACT In 2001, the DuPont Company and various Virginia regulatory agencies (Virginia) established the South River Science Team (SRST) as a multi-stakeholder and collaborative program to address legacy Hg contamination of the South River, Virginia. Specifically, the SRST began to apply a watershed-level risk-based assessment process to evaluate the potential impact of a former DuPont facility adjacent to the South River. Mercury had been found in facility soils in 1976 spawning numerous chemical and biological studies. However, prior to 1999, with the exception of a structured, long-term fish monitoring plan developed by Virginia, these studies were conducted by diverse, independent organizations resulting in limited scientific oversight and implementation, or interaction with the public. This article focuses on some key findings (e.g., defining/refining the issues, setting up the team, the role of the different stakeholders in making the process work) from the problem formulation and planning phase of this multi-stakeholder effort. The SRST effort draws heavily on the concepts of problem formulation (PF) and planning (as described by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) to guide the overall risk-based approach. PF is one of the most important steps in the process and, if done correctly can lead to a well-conceived and implemented assessment.