Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis in Support of Sediment Early Action

Client: A port authority

Summary: Cardno ENTRIX professionals have developed a multiple-criteria decision analysis to evaluate six strategies for site remediation and redevelopment for a port authority. The major goal of this project was to develop a strategy for the remediation of a major sediment site. This project is estimated to cost in excess of $20 million dollars. Cardno ENTRIX identified the need for a rigorous process for evaluating strategies that would achieve buy-in from senior port staff and commissioners as well as regulatory agencies. Criteria for evaluating alternative strategies was developed using feedback from involved stakeholders through focus groups of senior port staff. Finalized evaluation criteria included short term costs, long term costs, revenues, regulatory acceptance, community impacts, human health risks, and business disruption costs. For each strategy developed a probabilistic model was used to show potential cash flow, net present value and a multi-criteria score. The model results helped convince senior management, regulatory agencies and various project stakeholders that the best, most cost effective and protective strategy was selected. The strategy identified by the model has been accepted by the regulators for implementation.