Management options for large scale remediation of contaminated sediment projects can be challenging with regard to competing stakeholder interests. A main objective in the management of marine sediments lies in the goal to achieve contaminant levels in sediment and biota which are acceptable to the ecological and human health risk. This three year research project (2008-2010) has the aim to develop a collaborative approach that will incorporate local and scientific knowledge in order to achieve mutual gains in the management of contaminated marine sediments.
The methodological task is to assess and employ alternative approaches of stakeholder involvement - from informative, through consultative, to participative - in sediment remediation planning. The sediment remediation project in Oslo Harbour has shown the need for a methodology for engaging stakeholders early in the sediment management process. Bergen Harbour has been designated by the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority as one of four contaminated harbours particularly in need for sediment remediation efforts.
Background
In Norway, serious contamination of marine sediments has been found in more than 120 areas/locations and this has resulted in restrictions on the consumption of fish and fishery products in 24 fjords and harbours covering an area of 820 km2.
Thus a main objective in the management of marine sediments lies in the goal to achieve contaminant levels in sediment and biota which are acceptable to the ecological and human health risk.
However, management options for large scale contaminated sediment remediation projects can be challenging with regard to competing stakeholder interests. The reasons may include, high upfront remediation costs, often unequal distribution of these costs, scientific uncertainty about health and environmental risks, and differing stakeholder perceptions of the risks. The issues illustrate the limitations of technological solutions, but the participation of stakeholders throughout the process may help in addressing some of the limitations.
NGI, NIVA, Bioforsk and TNO from the Netherlands have therefore initiated a three year research project (2008-2010) funded by the Norwegian Research Council, with the aim to develop a collaborative approach that will incorporate local and scientific knowledge in order to achieve mutual gains in the management of contaminated marine sediments.
The core methodological task of the Sediment and Society research project is to assess and employ alternative approaches of stakeholder involvement - from informative, through consultative, to participative - in sediment remediation planning. In order to accomplish this task, the research team will focus on two Norwegian harbours: Oslo Harbour and Bergen Harbour.
The ongoing sediment remediation project in Oslo Harbour suggests the need for a methodology for engaging stakeholders early in the sediment management process. TNO is therefore responsible for assessing stakeholder perceptions and interests with regard to sediment issues in Oslo Harbour. The extent to which stakeholder involvement approaches influenced the outcomes in Oslo Harbour will be reviewed in the assessment of stakeholder perceptions, including: the institutional context, the culture of an organisation, as well as the background of different stakeholders.
Bergen Harbour has been designated by the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority as one of four contaminated harbours particularly in need for sediment remediation efforts. Therefore the project team aims to employ novel and innovative methods to identify relevant stakeholders, their perceptions, and interests. This information, as well as the lessons learned in evaluating existing methods for collaborative stakeholder approaches, will be utilised to develop a workshop series for Bergen Harbour which will be conducted to incorporate local and scientific knowledge in discussing the different stakeholder interests in Bergen.
