Development of a Standardized Approach for Assessing Potential Risks to Amphibians Exposed to Sediment and Hydric Soils

Abstract : The guidance manual presents a standardized two-tiered risk assessment protocol for evaluating potential risks to amphibians. The Tier I Amphibian ERA Protocol comprises a screening level ERA. This approach uses readily available information to identify potential amphibian exposure pathways at a site and determine which exposure pathways are potentially complete. The Tier I protocol includes effects-based and background screemng steps to determine whether or not potentially complete exposure pathways have the potential to pose a significant environmental risk. Ultimately. the results of the Tier I protocol are used to determine whether or not additional amphibian ERA is warranted.