Why spend so much effort on finding Best Management Practices?
In an ideal world, all environmental risks associated with dredging would be quantifiable. In fact, even with all the information at hand, an element of uncertainty always exists and selecting a BMP is the best way to manage this risk. BMPs are state-of-the-art measures applied on a site-specific basis to reduce, prevent, mitigate or avoid adverse environmental or social impacts. BMPs can only be decided upon after complete impact assessments, evaluation of alternative practices and appropriate stakeholder participation. They are then determined to be the most effective, practical and sustainable means of achieving a good environmental outcome during dredging and maritime construction projects. What is the relation between Best MPs and the “precautionary principle”? When preliminary impact assessments and monitoring determine that environmental risks exist, the first impulse of some parties may be to suspend the dredging project under the motto of the “precautionary principle”. The p
