Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) Decision-Making Framework, Version 4.1

Executive summary

The Decision-Making Framework (DMF) outlines the 10 steps in the lifecycle of a federal contaminated site. Step 1 of the lifecycle is identifying potentially contaminated sites (in other words, a suspected site). The lifecycle ends when the contamination of an identified site is no longer a concern.

The DMF highlights the key decisions that must be made at each step.

Not all sites will go through all 10 steps and many sites may not require clean-up or use of risk reducing activities (Steps 7 to 10). The steps to assess a site (Steps 1 to 6) may be enough to determine that the level of contamination (if any) is not a risk to human health or the environment. The DMF helps make clear when a site should proceed to the next step or when it can be closed because it is no longer a concern.

This guidance document is written for federal employees and consultants working on federal contaminated sites. It can also be helpful for students learning about the contaminated sites field.

If you like the full version of the FCSAP Decision-Making Framework, Version 4.1, please contact the FCSAP Secretariat at FCSAP.PASCF@ec.gc.ca.