When should the ecological risk assessor start the process of trying to establish whether or not endangered species may be present at a site?
Letters to the cognizant natural resource agencies requesting the identification of endangered and threatened species should be prepared and submitted at key phases of a remedial project. These include the initiation of the ecological risk assessment, during the work plan development phase, prior to the submission of the risk assessment reports (SLERA and BERA), and during the preparation of the proposed plan. The resultant responses from the natural resource agencies should be included as appendix to SERA and / or BERA. In the event that the potential occurrence of an endangered or threatened species has been identified, both the BTAG and the RPM should be notified immediately.
