(16) Attainment of environmental outcome(16) Attainment of environmental outcome

(16) Attainment of environmental outcome

In general, to achieve the desired environmental outcome, the process of the assessment of site contamination should be placed within the context of the broader site assessment and management process. In particular, in assessing the contamination, the site assessor and others should take into account the preferred hierarchy of options for site clean-up and/or management which is outlined as follows: • on-site treatment of the contamination so that it is destroyed or the associated risk is reduced to an acceptable level; and • off-site treatment of excavated soil, so that the contamination is destroyed or the associated risk is reduced to an acceptable level, after which soil is returned to the site; or, if the above are not practicable, • consolidation and isolation of the soil on site by containment with a properly designed barrier; and • removal of contaminated material to an approved site or facility, followed, where necessary, by replacement with appropriate material; or, • where the assessment indicates remediation would have no net environmental benefit or would have a net adverse environmental effect, implementation of an appropriate management strategy. When deciding which option to choose, the sustainability (environmental, economic and social) of each option should be considered, in terms of achieving an appropriate balance between the benefits and effects of undertaking the option. In cases where no readily available or economically feasible method is available for remediation, it may be possible to adopt appropriate regulatory controls or develop other forms of remediation. It should be emphasised that the appropriateness of any particular option will vary depending on a range of local factors. Acceptance of any specific option or mix of options in any particular set of circumstances is therefore a matter for the responsible participating jurisdiction.