]]
Publications
To place an order with us, please see our ordering instructions.
Supervising Scientist produces a range of publications - please see the publications page for listings.
This report is available as a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view PDF files. Please note these are large files. We recommend you save the PDFs on to your computer/network before attempting to open or print them.
If you are unable to access the report, please email us or phone 61 (0)8 8920 1110 to organise a suitable alternative format.
Supervising Scientist Report 166
Rovis-Hermann J, Evans KG, Webb AL and Pidgeon RWJ (eds)
Supervising Scientist, 2002
ISSN 1325-1554
ISBN 0 642 24372 7
Separate SSR166 chapters:
Environmental impacts of mining
Wetland ecology and conservation
The following abstract, executive summary or foreword/preface is reproduced here from the full report. The full report is available online in PDF or can be ordered in hard copy or CD from Publications, Supervising Scientist Division. See our publication ordering page for further instructions.
This report contains a summary of major research projects undertaken by staff from the Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (eriss) over the 5 year period 1995–2000. It does not cover all research activities. These have been reported in various forms over this period, including external paper and reports (see 1995–2000 list in appendix 2), annual reports (appendix 3 contains all publications published by SSD), conferences and workshops, informal and local meetings, training courses and study tours for visiting scientists and environmental managers, and formal documentation submitted to the statutory Alligator Rivers Region Technical Committee.
The Research Institute is part of the Supervising Scientist Division (SSD) of Environment Australia. It was established to carry out independent research, on behalf of the Australian community, to establish the best methods available for the protection of people and ecosystems in the Alligator Rivers Region (ARR) both during and following mining in the region. Following the decision by the Australian Federal Government in 1993 to enact recommendations from the external review of the institute (Barrow 1994), we commenced a program of research on the ecology and conservation of wetlands. This recognised the skills available within the institute and the absence of a research unit principally addressing wetlands. This program has developed and is integrated within our research structure and is carried out largely with partners in the National Centre for Tropical Wetland Research which was formally established in November 1999. The Centre is a formal alliance between eriss, James Cook University, Northern Territory University and the University of Western Australia.
In response to community concerns about environmental protection in the ARR we made consultation and communication tasks an integral component of our research activities. We also recognise that our research programs need to be developed in cooperation with stakeholders which include the communities potentially affected by mining activities in the ARR as well as the regulators, mining companies and wetland managers. This has seen consultation and communication tasks being formally included within our project planning and assessment. In particular we have taken steps to ensure that Aboriginal people in the region are included in these processes and where possible able to participate in research projects.
To fulfill the expectations from our research we undertook the following programs:
Research activities were divided into two branches - Environmental Impact of Mining and Wetland Ecology and Conservation. These were supported by a communications program and corporate services. We also spend considerable time attending to formal governmental processes that both assist the implementation of our research programs and contribute to program, structural and personnel development within Environment Australia. Such activities include compliance with and promotion of occupational health and safety procedures, personal training and development, and staff assessment and performance. We also respond to requests for departmental briefs and information needs. The latter includes providing scientific guidance within various technical forums and national and international environmental agreements. In this respect we are not only keeping abreast with international practices but also providing leadership in environmental inventory, assessment and monitoring.
Workplans for the research program are reviewed each year and priorities assessed within general objectives. For the period 1995–2000 the research objectives were:
Environmental Impact of Mining - provide advice, based on research and monitoring, to the Supervising Scientist and other stakeholders on standards, practices and procedures to protect the environment from the effects of uranium mining in the Alligator Rivers Region.
Wetland Ecology and Conservation - provide advice, based on research abd monitoring, to key stakeholders on the ecology and conservation of tropical wetlands.
Based on these objectives and analyses of the required research effort the research programs were further divided into smaller teams to undertake specific projects and deliver the results to stakeholders. The Environmental Impact of Mining program comprised three units - environmental radioactivity; ecosystem protection; and erosion and hydrology. The Wetland Ecology and Conservation program comprised two units - wetland ecology and inventory; and wetland risk identification and assessment. Major projects undertaken by these units are described in this report. A listing of reports arising from these projects is also attached (see appendix 3).
