Jefferson Method; Standardized Documentation for Environmental Data Systems, 2000 Environmental Conference Proceedings

- V. C. Holton, J. R. Stewart, H. P. Rumph -- The development and implementation of Environmental Data Systems (EDS) is becoming important to Pulp and Paper mills as they continue to implement the requirements for the Cluster Rule, Title V permits, Continuous Assurance Monitoring, and other regulatory initiatives from the 1990 CAAA. One of the most important aspects of implementing a successful EDS is understanding the scope of the requirements for data collection, continuous monitoring, data storage, reporting, and record keeping in terms of implementing electronic data management. Through the efforts of implementing an EDS at PCA's Valdosta mill, a systematic approach to defining the scope of effort and effective communication of that effort has been developed. This systematic approach has been termed the "Jefferson Method" because of Thomas Jefferson's systematic approach to defining an issue and his interest in the environmental issues during his life. "The Jefferson Method" provides a specific approach to defining the requirements of an EDS in much the same way that a P&ID provides documentation for understanding a process and associated control system. This method establishes tried and tested criteria and methodology for documenting each EDS requirement in the areas of field instrumentation, manual data entry, calibration efforts, data validation, source validation, calculations, compliance determination, alarming, reporting, and record keeping. With a systematic approach defined, mills can now express the scope of effort and set boundaries on developing and implementing an EDS. This approach will help mills define and manage the cost of an EDS and help prevent inadequate system design, cost escalation, or miscommunication of system expectations.