A methodology was developed to characterize risks at hazardous waste sites to expedite evaluation of remedial alternatives in various types of environmental media. This methodology is composed of standard operating procedures that define the data collection and evaluation process and is assisted by a computerized system designed to maximize the analysis of large quantities of environmental data. The procedural process incorporates regulatory guidance and study plan design. The computerized data management system incorporates data qualification, data reduction, and risk analysis. Together, the process and the supporting system provide a framework used to rapidly process and analyze environmental data through risk characterization. The results from risk characterization are then directly used to formulate and evaluate remedial alternatives. This approach significantly streamlines the work necessary to establish remediation goals in compliance with environmental regulation.