- identify and evaluate environmental problems that pose risks to human health, the ecosystem and the quality of life in Maryland
- Evaluate the relative risks posed by the identified problems, after taking into account the effectiveness of current environmental programs
- review current and potential future management strategies for the highest risk problems
- recommend ways that the Maryland Department of the Environment can improve management of the highest risk problems

Phase 1 - Comparative risk analysis
Phase 2 - Risk management

The ranking took place during Phase 1. In the beginning of this phase, the three Technical Subcommittees (Human Health, Ecology, and Quality of Life) constructed three separate rankings. In the final part of this phase, the Steering Committee consolidated the Technical Subcommittee rankings to form the Comparative Risk Analysis Results.

All of the above stakeholder groups had representatives on at least one of the Technical Committees or the Steering Committee. Though not directly involved in the ranking process, the General Public were to be involved in second risk management phase.