Feasibility of a Potential Stakeholder Process for Detection and Quantitation Procedures

Fact Sheet; September 2004

EPA is exploring, via a situation assessment, the feasibility of a process through which stakeholders could provide their suggestions, ideas and recommendations on procedures for the development and use of detection and quantitation limits in Clean Water Act (CWA) programs.

• What is a situation assessment?
• What is a neutral third party?
• What is the result of a situation assessment?
  
• What types of assistance does a neutral third party provide?
  
• EPA recently assessed this topic and received extensive public comment. Why repeat this process?
• How can I keep current with this stakeholder initiative?
• Further Information
  

What is a situation assessment?

It is a process conducted by a neutral third party through interviews and background reading to determine the feasibility and design of a stakeholder process.

What is a neutral third party?

A neutral has no official, financial, or personal conflict of interest with respect to the issues in controversy, unless such interest is fully disclosed in writing to all parties and the parties agree that a neutral may serve.

What is the result of a situation assessment?

Key themes, issues, and interests elicited from the interviews and background research are identified and analyzed. The analysis assesses the willingness and commitment of interviewees to engage in discussions. It also includes the neutral's recommendation on how to best move forward in the process. The final report and recommendation whether to proceed is a joint, voluntary decision among the possible participants.

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What types of assistance does a neutral third party provide?

A neutral assists the parties in reaching a mutually satisfying settlement of controversial issues. The neutral helps parties communicate clearly, consider creative ways to reach resolution, have constructive discussions, set ground rules, and stay focused.

EPA recently assessed this topic and received extensive public comment. Why repeat this process?
In 2003, we took comment on an extensive assessment of this topic. The comments, mainly from the laboratory community and industries regulated under the CWA, suggested many different views about detection and quantitation procedures. To better understand these different views, EPA has decided to explore the feasibility of a process to obtain additional stakeholder input on this topic.

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How can I keep current with this stakeholder initiative?

We expect to receive the situation assessment report by November 2004 and will post it at www.epa.gov/waterscience/methods/det/.

Further Information

You can get more information about this action by contacting Ms. Marion Kelly at (202) 566-1045 at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Engineering and Analysis Division (4303T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. You can also send her an e-mail to kelly.marion@epa.gov. Finally, you can view the complete Federal Register notice.

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