An Introduction to Managing Uncertainties in Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)
Thursday 11 March 2010
Location: Tonypandy, Wales
Tutor: Russell Cryer CEnv MIEEM and Graham Smith CEnv MIEEM
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Ecological systems are inherently uncertain. Drawing conclusions within EcIA can therefore be difficult, and lead to difficulties for project managers and regulators when deciding on progressing or consenting a proposal. Uncertainty also leaves projects and decisions by regulators open to challenge because decisions are often based on opaque professional opinion. This workshop helps participants begin to understand and manage uncertainty in a systematic manner that transparently supports decisions.
IEEM Members £80 (£70 if booked before 11 January 2010).
Non-members £160 (£140 if booked before 11 January 2010).
Further details about the workshop
The workshop uses an EcIA case study throughout to illustrate the types of uncertainty that exist and practical approaches to dealing with them. The morning session focuses on characterising uncertainties and the afternoon session on managing them. Characterising uncertainties will look at the different types of uncertainties, why they arise and the problems they cause to ecologists and project managers. Managing uncertainties will evaluate options available for overcoming uncertainties to allow conclusions and decisions that are defensible and auditable.
Participants should bring examples of their work where they have had difficulties in knowing how to deal with uncertainties. Using lessons learnt from the presented case study, participants will work in small groups to characterisethese uncertainties and decide how these could be dealt with in a systematic and transparent manner.
The workshop will be informal. The aim is to encourage as much discussion as possible whilst still giving participants a clear framework to characteriseand plan resolving their own EcIA uncertainty problems.
Who should attend this workshop?
Consultant ecologists and regulators with experience of EcIA that want to develop approaches to managing the inevitable uncertainties in ecological systems and the implications of them for project managers and decision makers.
Anything participants need to know/read before coming on the training event, or need to have with them?
Bring:
- A Packed lunch.
Participants should have read and refreshed their understanding of the IEEM Guidelines on EcIA prior to joining the workshop.
Participants should bring with them an example of uncertainty that has been difficult to manage within their work.
What will participants learn from the workshop (learning outcomes)?
- What types of uncertainty exist in EcIA and decision making.
- Why uncertainties arise.
- Why uncertainties are a problem for decision makers.
- What options are available to manage uncertainties.
- Why dealing with uncertainty is important.