Identify site: step 1 of federal contaminated sites decision-making framework

• Previous page
• Table of contents
• Next page

Step 1: identify suspect site

Step 1 is the identification of a potentially contaminated site, called a “suspected site,” based on past or current activities that have occurred on or near the site. This step involves compiling and reviewing past and current land uses, activities, and information about a site in order to determine whether there is a potential risk to human health and/or the environment that requires further investigation.

At this step, and throughout the 10-step process, custodians need to consider the interests of stakeholders--in other words, those interested in and affected by the site. Health Canada (HC) guidance documents for public involvement need to be reviewed at this step.

Key decision(s):

• determine whether no further action is required or if the site should be identified as suspected and proceed to Step 2 (Historical Review)
• if a site is suspected, consider seeking FCSAP site assessment funding
• identify stakeholders and public involvement needs

Consider seeking Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) assessment funding

At this step, custodians can apply for FCSAP site assessment funding (the site assessment takes place from Step 1 to 6) if the site is on federal lands, or on non-federal lands for which the federal government has accepted full responsibility. Custodians are required to submit assessment proposals to the FCSAP Secretariat but must demonstrate the priority of the site receiving FCSAP site assessment funding in a risk-based manner.

How Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) expert support can assist

• identify
  • fish and fish habitat concerns on or near the site
  • aquatic species listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) (2002)
  • additional information requirements
• provide information on past DFO involvement at the site (studies, Fisheries Act authorizations, letters of advice, etc.)
• provide advice on DFO regulatory responsibilities and processes
• provide assistance in applying the Framework for Addressing and Managing Aquatic Contaminated Sites under the FCSAP (FCSAP, 2011)

How Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) expert support can assist

• provide advice on known risks to the environment in the site area and impacts that may have occurred from past operations conducted at the site
• provide advice on ECCC regulatory responsibilities and processes

How Health Canada (HC) expert support can assist

• provide advice on identifying human health concerns on the site, or off-site issues related to contamination at the site based on historical activity, including the identification of additional information required to delineate contamination and adequately assess human health risks
• provide training and/or guidance on public involvement and advice on the implementation of an effective public involvement strategy

How Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) expert support can assist

• provide advice on determining if site requires further investigation and what scope of further investigation may include, such as cost and time frame estimates

How the FCSAP secretariat can assist

• provide advice on the FCSAP process and eligibility for funding

Supporting documents and tools specific to Step 1

Please also refer to the list of supporting documents and tools useful throughout the 10-step process at the beginning of this page.

Legislation

• Canada Wildlife Act (1985)
• Fisheries Act (1985)
• Migratory Birds Convention Act (1994)
• Species at Risk Act (SARA) (2002)

General guidance

• Addressing Psychosocial Factors through Capacity Building: A Guide for Managers of Contaminated Sites (HC, 2005)
• Improving Stakeholder Relationships: Public Involvement and the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP): A Guide for Site Managers (HC, 2006)
• A Guide to Involving Aboriginal Peoples in Contaminated Site Management (HC, 2010)
• Supplemental Guidance on Developing a Contract Statement of Work for Human Health Preliminary Quantitative Risk Assessment (PQRA) and Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessment (DQRA) (HC, 2010)
• For Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA): Federal Contaminated Site Risk Assessment in Canada (available on request from cs-sc@hc-sc.gc.ca):
  • Part I: Guidance on Human Health Preliminary Quantitative Risk Assessment (PQRA), Version 2.0 (HC, 2012)
  • Part II: Health Canada Toxicological Reference Values (TRVs) and Chemical-Specific Factors, Version 2.0 (HC, 2010)
  • Part III: Guidance on Peer Review of Human Health Risk Assessments for Federal Contaminated Sites in Canada, Version 2.0 (HC, 2010)
  • Part V Guidance on Human Health Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessment for Chemicals (DQRACHEM) (HC, 2010)
  • Part VI: Guidance on Human Health Detailed Quantitative Radiological Risk Assessment (DQRARAD) (HC, 2010)
  • Part VII: Guidance for Soil Vapour Intrusion Assessment at Contaminated Sites (HC, 2010)
• FCSAP Statements of Work for Ecological Risk Assessments at Federal Sites (FCSAP, 2011)
• Framework for Addressing and Managing Aquatic Contaminated Sites under the FCSAP (FCSAP, 2011)

Other

• Species at Risk Public Registry

Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) Guidance

• Eligible Costs Guidance, 5.0 (FCSAP, update in progress)
• FCSAP Operational Guidelines (FCSAP, 2016; internal document)