OAR 340-122-0071: Site Evaluation

(1) When the Department receives information about a release or potential release of a hazardous substance, the Department shall evaluate the information and document its conclusions. The purpose of the site evaluation is to determine whether a release has or might have occurred and whether the release may pose a significant threat to public health, safety and welfare, or the environment. (2) The Department may request or gather additional information to complete the site evaluation. When evaluating the potential for human health and ecological impacts, the Department may consider, but is not limited to considering, the potential presence in the locality of the facility, of: (a) Human populations; (b) Any sensitive human subpopulations; (c) Threatened and endangered species or their critical habitat; (d) Ecological receptors, including any terrestrial or aquatic habitat(s); (e) Exposure pathways potentially connecting receptors with hazardous substances; and (f) Current and reasonably likely future land and water uses. (3) After a site evaluation is completed, the Department will determine whether a preliminary assessment, removal, remedial action, other action, or no further action is needed at the facility.