2-D Peer Review of Scientific Investigations Conducted for Phases I, Ii, and Iii of the Marine Outfall Siting Study
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2-D PEER REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED FOR PHASES I, II, AND III OF THE MARINE OUTFALL SITING STUDY FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Brightwater Regional Wastewater Treatment System APPENDICES Final Appendix 2-D Peer Review of Scientific Investigations Conducted for Phases I, II, and III of the Marine Outfall Siting Study August 2003 For more information: Brightwater Project 201 South Jackson Street, Suite 503 Seattle, WA 98104-3855 206-684-6799 or toll free 1-888-707-8571 Alternative formats available upon request by calling 206-684-1280 or 711 (TTY) Contents Peer Review Evaluation of technical documents from the Marine Outfall Siting Study, July 2003. Prepared by Puget Sound Action Team, Office of the Governor, State of Washington. Response to Peer Review Evaluation Report, August 2003. Prepared for King County by Parametrix, Inc., Kirkland, WA. PEER REVIEW EVALUATION Of technical documents from the MARINE OUTFALL SITING STUDY July 2003 Prepared for: King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Water and Lands Resources Division 201 South Jackson Street, Suite 503 Seattle, WA 98104-3855 Prepared by: Puget Sound Action Team Office of the Governor State of Washington P.O. Box 40900 Olympia, WA 98504-0900 Peer Review Evaluation Marine Outfall Siting Study Interagency agreement between the King County Department of Natural Resources, Water and Land Resources Division and the Puget Sound Action Team, Office of the Governor, State of Washington. Intergovernmental Contract – IAC 200101 To obtain this publication in an alternative format, please contact the Action Team’s ADA coordinator at (360) 407-7300. The Action Team’s TDD number is (800) 833-6388. Peer Review Evaluation Marine Outfall Siting Study EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 1999 the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (KCDNRP) initiated a Marine Outfall Siting Study (MOSS) for a new secondary treated wastewater facility named Brightwater. Numerous scientific field studies were undertaken in central Puget Sound in areas specific to the candidate outfall zones and pipe corridors. As a result, a large number of technical documents were produced in 2001 and 2002. In 2002 King County identified the need for a formal scientific peer review of 28 technical documents produced during MOSS Phases I, II and III. The Puget Sound Action Team was contracted to coordinate this peer review process. Independent and external scientific peer review is an essential component of the scientific process, and lends credibility to such investigations. The principal scientific disciplines required for this peer review were geology, physical oceanography, biology, modeling, chemistry, and risk assessment. Prospective candidates for a peer review were selected during the fall of 2002 and the six-member panel of marine experts was finalized in December 2002. The technical expertise of the peer review panel was broad-based, and several members served on previous scientific panels concerning marine outfalls. The objective of the peer review was to make certain the MOSS scientific examinations were adequate to answer specific siting questions regarding location and design of a marine outfall. Specifically, the expert peer review members were asked to “review and comment on the MOSS scientific investigations to ensure that the information/data are sufficient to answer criteria questions, and provide policy-makers and regional decision- makers with an objective evaluation regarding the adequacy of the scientific studies that will be used to inform the final decision on placement and design of a new outfall to Puget Sound” (from the MOSS Peer Review Scope of Work). This Peer Review Evaluation documents the proceedings of the May 1, 2003 meeting and is based on the complete peer review process between October 2002 and May 2003. A set of comprehensive findings and recommendations for each scientific discipline is presented, as well as a project background and details of the peer review process. PEER REVIEW PROCESS A kick-off meeting and a final evaluation meeting were scheduled during the peer review process. The kick-off meeting was held on January 9, 2003 at the West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle. The purpose of the meeting was to acquaint the peer reviewers with the MOSS Team (i.e., KCDNRP and other consultant teams), learn about the project, and clarify the reviewer roles and responsibilities. The final evaluation meeting was held at the same location on May 1, 2003 and was a platform for the review panel to present their findings and recommendations, and provide an evaluation of the overall quality of the MOSS scientific studies. i Peer Review Evaluation Marine Outfall Siting Study The 28 MOSS technical documents and all supporting materials were distributed to the review panel in early January 2003. The panel members were instructed to review the technical documents and comment specifically on the scientific investigations within each. Several questions were provided to assist the panel during the review of each technical document. For example, reviewers were asked to consider these questions when reading the documents and composing written comments: Were the studies designed appropriately, with sufficient data to satisfy the objectives? Is the science sufficient behind the conclusions? Was sampling sufficient in all cases? Were the correct parameters included? Were the relevant data considered and used appropriately? Was something completely missed? The reviewers were asked to spend about six to eight days of effort over a six-week period to complete their technical reviews. Each panelist worked independently and provided written, technical comments for every assigned document. The format for a completed review included general comments, detailed comments addressing specific sections in the technical document, a conclusion, and references (if necessary). The length of a review ranged between one and twelve pages depending on the size of the technical document being reviewed. All reviewers completed the written, technical comments by mid-March 2003 and submitted each review to the peer review coordinator from the Puget Sound Action Team. The review coordinator completed a technical review report (i.e., summary) for each set of written comments. These short summaries encapsulated the reviewer’s comments and were written primarily for a technical audience. The peer review process concluded with the final evaluation meeting on May 1, 2003. Each panelist presented their findings and recommendations for their respective scientific discipline. The material contained in each presentation was a verbal account of the more comprehensive written comments. Panelists were asked to frame their presentations around the five questions listed below. Information derived from these questions serves as the foundation for what is presented in the findings and recommendations. 1. Was the study design scientifically sound (met data quality objectives (DQO) or study purpose)? For example, were parameters clearly defined, goals clearly stated? 2. Were study methodologies acceptable and appropriate? For example, were standard scientific methods and variables used? 3. Were data sufficient to meet the DQO’s or study purpose? For example, were enough data, or the appropriate data, collected to meet the study purpose? 4. Did the report adequately present study results? For example, did the reports present sufficient data analysis? Was anything missed? What more is needed? 5. Were appropriate resources/information reviewed and/or presented? This question is specific to literature reviews, and is applicable only to the oceanography and biology disciplines. ii Peer Review Evaluation Marine Outfall Siting Study PANEL FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Overall conclusions The six-member independent scientific peer review panel concluded that all 28 technical documents were acceptable. The panel judged that the MOSS scientific studies were adequate to address the siting and design questions concerning the proposed outfall. Extensive and appropriate scientific data were collected for the scientific investigations reported in each technical document. Study designs were scientifically sound and the methods were generally appropriate. The review panel identified no serious flaws in the MOSS studies that would jeopardize the studies’ ability to inform outfall siting and design decisions. However, the panel did recommend improvements that could be made in some areas, including some extensive improvements in a few areas. The recommended modifications could be accomplished by preparing errata sheets, revising existing reports, or writing additional reports. Examples of specific recommendations are offered below under each scientific discipline heading. The peer review panel commented extensively on the scientific investigations in each technical document and offered numerous recommendations in the written reviews. The panel offered over-arching recommendations that they thought would strengthen the existing technical documents and also provided general guidance based on the panel’s technical experience with outfall processes. These include: · Provide a context for the outfall within Puget Sound: For example, a) Outfall design and general observations: put proposed outfall into context with existing outfalls in Puget Sound, as well as other outfalls in the United States, and overseas. How would it compare? b) Water quality: put proposed outfall discharge in context with other loads entering Puget Sound (i.e.,