Superfund Decision Analysis in Presence of Uncertainty

Abstract

Environmental decision making (EDM) analysis is developing into a recognized specialty of environmental engineering. One of the major challenges of EDM is to accommodate the high levels of uncertainty that exist in many environmental problems. EDM methods based on absolute or relative, probabilistic, multiattribute utility analysis are presented. Example EDM solutions are presented for the selection of remedial action alternatives for a Superfund site using the Environmental Protection Agency's decision criteria and New York's system for quantifying decision criteria. The advantages and limitations of both are discussed. Results illustrate that the major advantages of EDM analysis are in the need to formalize the decision criteria by which a decision is made and the value judgments that are applied to weigh multiple criteria. EDM analysis can also improve decision process documentation and can sharpen the quality of debate about controversial decisions.