Weight of Evidence for Environmental Assessment

Laws and regulations in the U.S. and some other nations require weight of evidence, as do any assessments that involve multiple pieces of evidence. However, environmental assessors are frequently unaware of the need for defensible practices. This book provides the first clear framework for weight of evidence (WoE) for environmental protection based on U.S. EPA guidelines as well as comparison with alternative methods. Real-world case studies illustrate the implementation and application of weight of evidence for making diverse inferences and decisions that influence our environment and our lives. Features Written by experts who developed guidance on environmental assessment and weight of evidence for the United States government. Explains how weight of evidence is applied to different types of environmental and health decisions. Includes alternative frameworks and practices from other organizations that may be appropriate in particular cases. Uses an engaging style and draws on the authors’ decades of practical experiences. Expands on the U.S. EPA guidelines that have been a basis for weight of evidence guidance in Europe, Australia, and elsewhere. This book is for senior and graduate students in environmental sciences and management and for assessment practitioners who want to understand the use of weight of evidence to achieve the purposes of environmental assessments.