CEDA Releases Paper on Adaptive Management

Prepared by its working group on Adaptive Management (AM), the Central Dredging Association (CEDA) has published a new paper which aims to further the debate on AM, as an important tool, in managing dredging and reclamation projects in an environmentally friendly manner.

Entitled ‘Integrating Adaptive Environmental Management into Dredging Projects’ the paper covers objectives for applying AM. It looks in detail at the circumstances that define opportunities for AM; the conditions which various stakeholders need to fulfill; and considers how AM should be governed during project implementation. Finally, it presents lessons learned using case histories based on successful applications, for a range of dredging projects, in different parts of the World.

According to the paper, Adaptive Management can be an efficient, and cost-effective, management process in dredging projects where the objectives are clear, but the potential for local environmental effects are uncertain. It states that in this situation, management actions can be implemented in a methodical way to address those uncertainties as the project progresses.

Chairman of the working group, Gerard van Raalte, said “We encourage all stakeholders in this field to carefully look at the opportunities presented by adaptive management, as an alternative to applying the precautionary principle which may lead to inefficient use of resources without delivering environmental gain.”

“The position paper is the product of an experienced group of individuals, representing a broad cross section of the industry, from agencies, project owners, and environmental consultants, to contractors. Together, with our vast pool of experience and expertise, we were able to bring together and present the latest knowledge in the application of Adaptive Management.”

“Even within the working group we experienced that working with people from various disciplines, in an open dialogue, is a very fruitful way of achieving a common goal. This is a prerequisite for successfully applying Adaptive Management in dredging and reclamation projects. It was an honor for me to have been invited to lead this Working Group, and I thank my dear colleagues, friends for their excellent contribution,” Gerard van Raalte said.

‘Integrating Adaptive Environmental Management into Dredging Projects’ has been prepared in conjunction with the soon to be published CEDA information paper ‘Environmental Monitoring Procedures’.  The activities of the two working groups have been closely harmonized because of the clear interaction and connections between the two subjects. AM is heavily dependent on good monitoring while environmental monitoring itself can be done in an adaptive manner.

‘Integrating Adaptive Environmental Management into Dredging Projects’ can be downloaded free of charge from the Resources section of the CEDA website.