Integrating Adaptive Environmental Management into Dredging Projects

27-28 October 2016, Lisbon, Portugal

This presentation, prepared on behalf of the Central Dredging Association (CEDA) Environment Commission, outlines concepts of integrating adaptive management (AM) for the enhancement of the environment into dredging activities (inclusive of placement / disposal / reclamation). Dredging projects are often permitted with license conditions or regulations based on an assessment of the potential environmental effects. For those dredging projects where the environmental outcome can, with less certainty, be assessed, a sequence of more intense and targeted monitoring, impact assessment and management actions might be implemented. This sequence of activities is understood as ‘adaptive management’, although various ways of implementation may exist.

AM can be an efficient and cost-effective management process in dredging projects, it helps to achieve goals by addressing uncertainty and by incorporating adaptivity in decision-making as the project develops. AM in dredging projects represents a “modern” approach and has the potential to become good practice in the future, although is not likely to become good practice for all kinds of dredging projects. The need for integrating AM in dredging projects is already becoming recognised, but will probably increase in future.

Last update: 19 October 2016