EPA Performance Standards
The following standards are currently being used to measure the progress of the dredging and its effect on the river ecosystem:
Engineering Performance Standards
What are the Engineering Performance Standards for the Hudson River PCBs Site?The engineering performance standards are technical requirements that ensure the Hudson River cleanup is done safely and stays on schedule.
There are three Engineering Performance Standards:
- Resuspension - Designed to protect river water intakes and limit transport of PCBs. A water quality monitoring program is being carried out to show that the objectives of the resuspension standard are being met during dredging.
- Residuals - Designed to detect and manage small amounts of PCBs in sediments that may remain on the river bottom after dredging.
- Productivity - Designed to keep the dredging work on schedule to meet the goal of completing the project in the six-year timeframe.
Quality of Life Performance Standards
What are the Quality of Life Performance Standards for the Hudson River PCB Site?the quality of life performance standards are intended to reduce the effects of the dredging and dewatering operations on:
- People
- Businesses
- Recreation
- Community Activities
Quality of life performance standards have been developed for air quality, noise, lighting, odor and navigation. Compliance with the standards will be achieved by meeting the following requirements during the cleanup:
- Monitoring the source of potential emissions
- Complaint evaluation and resolution. The complaint evaluation and resolution process is described in the Phase 1 Remedial Action Community Health and Safety Plan.
- Mitigation and contingencies to prevent or minimize potential effects.
- Reporting and notification.
