Perform Ecological Risk Assessment. ( Figure (5)). Using the information obtained from the database and modeling efforts, this project will perform an ecological risk assessment on Xxxxxxxx Inlet. An ecological risk assessment is: “The process of evaluating the likelihood that adverse ecological effects may occur or are occurring as a result of exposure to one or more stressors” – USEPA 1998 The goal is to assess ecosystem health by determining the relative contributions and effects of the prioritized aquatic pollution sources, including point source discharges, non-point source discharges, and land and sediment contamination from past industrial practices. The TWG will determine pollutant parameters, test species, and a reference water body to be used in the assessment and assessment endpoints. (Figure (5)) This process will be designed, in partnership with technical experts from EPA, WDOE, and the Navy, to answer the following question: Is there unacceptable risk to ecological resources in Xxxxxxxx Inlet? If so: _ Which ecological resources are the most threatened? _ Which stressors are most likely to be causing risk? _ What are the potential sources of stress? What are the options for reducing risk? Criteria for the determination of acceptable risk will be developed by the technical working group and presented to the Community Advisory Committee for comment as early as possible in this process.
