'Integrated Monitoring': Buzz Word or Basic Concept for Environmental
36 ‘Integrated Monitoring’: Buzz Word or Basic Concept for Environmental Monitoring Programs? Sheila Duchek, SNC-Lavalin Incorporating integrated monitoring practices within environmental monitoring programs is well-intended and believed to provide better protection for our environment. Integrated monitoring is especially relevant for Alberta’s industry environmental monitoring, as regulatory driven monitoring programs, such as EPEA Approval requirements, include a variety of technical disciplines (such as air, groundwater, soil, wetlands, and wildlife).
monitoring is understanding the interface between disciplines. It is a comprehensive assessment of the site, its physical properties, geometry and understanding each site’s issues and potential concerns. Integrated monitoring is an understanding of how impacts identified by one or more disciplines has an effect on other discipline results and more importantly, understanding the significance and relevance of any identified impacts.
Increasingly, the application of integrated monitoring techniques has been touted as modern and innovative, but perhaps, the paradigm shift, from isolated, discipline-specific monitoring to an integrated approach, is a natural progression. The environmental consulting industry in western Canada is evolving from a rapidly expanding industry (i.e., adolescence) to a mature industry akin to well established markets (i.e., the United Kingdom and the United States). In well established markets, successful consulting firms must be truly multidisciplinary to operate. Following the economic downturn in Alberta over the last two years, optimization for many industries within Canada, including energy producers (such as oil, gas and coal) is expected. Current best practices in environmental monitoring include the US EPA Triad Approach (Triad Resource Website, 2004), which was developed to expedite site characterization and maximize project efficiencies. Integrated monitoring, in principal, aligns with the US EPA Triad Approach to optimize monitoring efforts. Both the triad approach and integrated monitoring are conducted using dynamic work strategies, where monitoring teams work together to obtain relevant data that supports specific and pertinent monitoring objectives.
This presentation will provide some insight to the practical application of integrated environmental monitoring. The talk will specifically address how a project manager or environmental coordinator can shift the focus of their monitoring team to think holistically and understand the importance of relevancy in data collection while executing the monitoring effort. This talk will share successfully applied approaches to engaging disciplines leads and technical specialists in the practical application of integrated environmental monitoring programs. Therefore, the content will be focused toward intermediate level practitioners.
When tasked with a multi-disciplinary approach to environmental monitoring, the actual integration between the specialists, and their specialized fields, is where integration challenges become evident. Specialists tend to be focused within their areas of expertise. With each discipline, there are specialized data collection techniques, using specific equipment, protocols and standards for each discipline. Integrated monitoring is much more comprehensive than just cross-training field staff and combining monitoring event schedules. True integrated
Sheila Duchek, MSc, PGeo Ms. Sheila Duchek is a senior hydrogeologist with 15 years of experience. Ms. Duchek’s current focus is managing and providing senior technical support for environmental assessment, monitoring, and operational compliance programs. As a lead technical advisor in hydrogeology, Ms. Duchek has reviewed, analyzed and provided recommendations to various clients, with varied groundwater assessment needs. However, as a senior project manager for environmental assessment programs and portfolios, Ms. Duchek has an in-depth appreciation for the challenges of technical disciplines operating as silos. As an experienced project leader for multi-disciplinary assessments, Ms. Duchek understands the importance of clear communication skills, good negotiating skills and being team player. Ms. Duchek has spearheaded key technical field support teams, provides senior technical support of environmental site assessments for site characterization and liability estimates. Ms. Duchek also prepares and advises clients with respect to regulatory filing and applications.
monitoring is understanding the interface between disciplines. It is a comprehensive assessment of the site, its physical properties, geometry and understanding each site’s issues and potential concerns. Integrated monitoring is an understanding of how impacts identified by one or more disciplines has an effect on other discipline results and more importantly, understanding the significance and relevance of any identified impacts.
Increasingly, the application of integrated monitoring techniques has been touted as modern and innovative, but perhaps, the paradigm shift, from isolated, discipline-specific monitoring to an integrated approach, is a natural progression. The environmental consulting industry in western Canada is evolving from a rapidly expanding industry (i.e., adolescence) to a mature industry akin to well established markets (i.e., the United Kingdom and the United States). In well established markets, successful consulting firms must be truly multidisciplinary to operate. Following the economic downturn in Alberta over the last two years, optimization for many industries within Canada, including energy producers (such as oil, gas and coal) is expected. Current best practices in environmental monitoring include the US EPA Triad Approach (Triad Resource Website, 2004), which was developed to expedite site characterization and maximize project efficiencies. Integrated monitoring, in principal, aligns with the US EPA Triad Approach to optimize monitoring efforts. Both the triad approach and integrated monitoring are conducted using dynamic work strategies, where monitoring teams work together to obtain relevant data that supports specific and pertinent monitoring objectives.
This presentation will provide some insight to the practical application of integrated environmental monitoring. The talk will specifically address how a project manager or environmental coordinator can shift the focus of their monitoring team to think holistically and understand the importance of relevancy in data collection while executing the monitoring effort. This talk will share successfully applied approaches to engaging disciplines leads and technical specialists in the practical application of integrated environmental monitoring programs. Therefore, the content will be focused toward intermediate level practitioners.
When tasked with a multi-disciplinary approach to environmental monitoring, the actual integration between the specialists, and their specialized fields, is where integration challenges become evident. Specialists tend to be focused within their areas of expertise. With each discipline, there are specialized data collection techniques, using specific equipment, protocols and standards for each discipline. Integrated monitoring is much more comprehensive than just cross-training field staff and combining monitoring event schedules. True integrated
Sheila Duchek, MSc, PGeo Ms. Sheila Duchek is a senior hydrogeologist with 15 years of experience. Ms. Duchek’s current focus is managing and providing senior technical support for environmental assessment, monitoring, and operational compliance programs. As a lead technical advisor in hydrogeology, Ms. Duchek has reviewed, analyzed and provided recommendations to various clients, with varied groundwater assessment needs. However, as a senior project manager for environmental assessment programs and portfolios, Ms. Duchek has an in-depth appreciation for the challenges of technical disciplines operating as silos. As an experienced project leader for multi-disciplinary assessments, Ms. Duchek understands the importance of clear communication skills, good negotiating skills and being team player. Ms. Duchek has spearheaded key technical field support teams, provides senior technical support of environmental site assessments for site characterization and liability estimates. Ms. Duchek also prepares and advises clients with respect to regulatory filing and applications.
