Integrating Adaptive Environmental Management into Dredging Projects

1. Integrating Adaptive Environmental Management into Dredging Projects Ifeanyi Enebeli 23-08-17

2. Outline • What is Adaptive Management • How does Adaptive Management work? • Adaptive Management Cycle • Success factors for Adaptive Management • Integrating Adaptive Management in a Dredging Process • Environmental Monitoring • Dredging and Monitoring • Possible Scenarios • Conclusion

3. What is AM??? Iterative decision framework that allows decision making to be more flexible and refined towards future uncertainties as monitoring data and the effects of actions become better understood Useful especially for dredging projects where the potential environmental impacts are inherently uncertain or where the predicted effects cannot be trusted. It is a systematic, rigorous approach for learning from our actions, improving management and accommodating change Aims to reduce uncertainty over time via system monitoring Simply put…….. it is learning from management actions and using that learning to improve the next stage of management

4. How does an AM Framework work??? According to CEDA, Adaptive Management requires a few essential elements A temporary more intensive monitoring, evaluation and adjustment commitment from a dredging project; A higher budget and resource requirements for monitoring evaluation and adjustment; A mechanism to deal with a lower or higher effort due to newly identified requirements; A mechanism to deal with differing total costs from the initial calculation; Strong cross-sectoral project management skills and flexibility for a differing implementation timeframe

5. AM Cycle Goal Knowledge Technology Inventory • Basic Steps of Adaptive Management • Plan – Goals and Objectives are stated • Design – Flexible management action is designed to address project challenges • Implement – Follow the plan. Chosen management action is implemented • Monitor– Results of management action is monitored for effectiveness • Evaluate– Compare Actual outcome to predicted outcomes • Adapt– Various integrated actions can be adapted to achieve goals and objectives. Confirm or adjust management actions/strategies Revised Goals New Knowledge New Technology Inventory

6. Success Factors for AM 1. Development of an Adaptive Management Plan Defines Types of actions Defines Procedures Defines Permit Requirements Defines Compliance measures to be implemented during project execution

7. Success Factors for AM 2. Baseline Data Information from an EIA is critical Baseline information from control sites and sites that could potentially be affected by the dredging project

8. Success Factors for AM 3. Understanding Sensitivity and Setting Management Trigger level Specific point or a range of values where monitoring data indicate that the project may be developing along an unexpected or unfavourable trajectory

9. Success Factors for AM 4. Project Specific Monitoring Methodology Clearly defined methodology for monitoring within AMP Monitoring Frequency should be determined Monitoring and Analysis methodology should be able to be easily reviewed and compared against triggers Transparency in data collection and analysis Determine natural events

10. Success Factors for AM 5. Potential Management Actions No management action / Additional or Modified Monitoring required for decision making Remedial action required based on monitoring results Consideration of monitoring results (over long term) indicate that original goal was unrealistic and goal may be modified

11. Success Factors for AM 6. Well Defined Roles and Responsibilities All roles and responsibilities should be defined and agreed in advance within the AMP

12. Success Factors for AM 7. Effective Review Process Slow monitoring to be followed by quick decisions Evaluation of system functionality

13. Integrating AM in a Dredging Project (Simplified Process) Source CEDA 2015

14. EIA and Dredging EIA Process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed dredging project, taking into account related socio-economic, cultural and health impacts (Beneficial and Adverse) Conducted to assess the consequences of dredging activities Usually conducted prior to decision-making; Predicts environmental impacts at an early stage and proposes ways to reduces adverse impacts and improve beneficial ones Help to ensure Sustainable developments in relation to dredging projects

15. Environmental Monitoring Monitoring is conducted; To document the state of the environment and the seasonal, as well as geographical variations before operations start (Baseline) To document the short and long term impacts caused by dredging/disposal; To detect and quantify changes in the environment caused by the dredging (positive or negative) To ensure that the operations are carried out according to environmental requirements established by authorities (compliance) To document the recovery of the environment from the temporary impacts caused by the operations To document the Environmental Impacts predicted in the (EIA)

16. Dredging and Monitoring Pre-Dredging Baseline Monitoring Initial Environmental Conditions Reference Point Usually carried out as part of an EIA Identification and Assessment of sensitive receptors.

17. Dredging and Monitoring 2. Dredging Surveillance Monitoring – baseline data vs measurements during dredging to determine whether environmental changes are occurring and acceptable - Adaptive Monitoring – forecasting a few fast-reacting and predictable environmental variables by modelling and then monitoring continuously during dredging operations Compliance Monitoring (during project) – Monitoring to ensure regulatory/legal requirements are met Real Time Monitoring – Real Time measurements of parameters

18. Dredging and Monitoring 3. Post Dredging Compliance Monitoring (After project) – Monitoring to ensure regulatory/legal requirements are met

19. Possible Scenarios Sediment re-suspension causes damage to the local ecosystem and increased spread of contaminants –Real time turbidity monitoring by telemetry and the dredging process can be adapted to mitigate adverse environmental effects Trigger levels set up for Noise to ensure no disturbance to people and animals –Continuous noise level monitoring using fixed noise level monitors to identify levels higher than trigger levels Dredging activities having an impact on air quality around project area –Continuous monitoring of P.M and TSP levels

20. Conclusion • AM involves a sequence of more intense and targeted monitoring, impact assessment and management actions being implemented on a continuous or regular basis for the duration and after a project in order to keep project expectations and implementation requirements more manageable • AM addresses uncertainties in projects by incorporating flexibility and robustness into project design • With AM, levels of uncertainty about dredging related impacts on the environment decrease over the course of the project as more accurate information is collected especially through monitoring

21. More Information…….. VISIT US @ our BOOTH Ifeanyi Enebeli EnvironmentalConsultant Ifeanyi.enebeli@cares-group.com

22. Thank you