Book excerpt: This technical note describes some major features of the most common methods for calculating sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1997). The note also describes features that limit the utility of SQGs in dredged material management. In light of these limitations, this technical note specifies circumstances in dredged material assessments where SQGs may be technically appropriate and helpful, and describes conditions in which SQGs are not technically appropriate, for dredged material management decisionmaking.