WG Sediment Quantity

Scope

The SedNet Working Group Sediment Quantity focusses at the scale of the entire, interconnected river-sea systems – taking a ‘from the mountains to the sea’ perspective – including lower spatial and temporal scales. The WG takes a holistic approach, with a keen eye on stakeholder and grassroots involvement and striving towards exchange of best management practices. Thus, respecting the SedNet perspective on sustainable sediment management, which is to find implementable sediment management solutions:

  • In the context of whole river-sea systems;
  • Carefully balancing social, economic and environmental values;
  • In interaction with stakeholders and grassroots interests;
  • Embracing the whole soil-sediment-water system (integrated solutions);
  • Respecting natural processes and functions;
  • Taking into account effects from climate change dynamics;
  • Not resulting in unwanted impacts elsewhere in the river-sea system (up- or downstream), not now, nor in the future;
  • Recommending early suggestions to policy/decision makers as well as educating the public on the necessity of understanding this delicate river-sea balance and how and where the recommendations of the SedNet Quantity WG can be implemented.

 

Strategic objectives

The WG Quantity has the following strategic objectives:

  • To increase the general awareness for Sediment Quantity Management by:
    • the need to justify and incorporate Sediment Quantity Management on a river-sea system scale, i.e. the scale of a river basin and related coasts (and lower spatial and inherent temporal scales);
    • understanding the challenges related to Sediment Quantity Management and of the solutions to these challenges and;
    • demonstrating potential or opportunities of Sediment Quantity Management in the short, medium and long-term horizons;
  • To promote the sharing of experiences and best management practices among all stakeholders of Sediment Quantity Management, including those already realizing their stake, and those who do not yet (grassroots organizations, industry and the public) recognize/realize their stake, at international, regional/local and national levels;
  • To develop or facilitate the preparation of technical “good practice guidance” and open-source, public, web-based information;
  • To promote industry based solutions where the beneficial use of sediments can be utilized to mitigate physical and/or geotechnical – hydrodynamic challenges within the mountains to sea continuum;
  • Setting or developing a strategic research and innovation agenda (SRIA) related to basin integrated Sediment Quantity Management, not only focussing on research, but also on sound solutions (measures), their effectiveness and realistic implementability;
  • Promoting the developed research and innovation agenda (SRIA), e.g. within (get it, or parts of it adopted by) EC FP9 , JPI Water , JPI Oceans as well as within DANUBIUS-RI . But possibly also to beyond European R&I funding opportunities, such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations (UNESCO, UNEP, USAID, ERC, …), foundations, industry etc.

 

Operational objectives

The SedNet Quantity WG has the following operational objectives:

  • To produce clear, understandable and actionable (i.e. providing operational perspective) messages for the various (identifiable) stakeholders/grassroots involved, to improve stakeholder understanding and awareness for the need to incorporate Sediment Quantity Management on the scale of a river-sea systems scale (including lower spatial and inherent temporal scales); of the challenges related to it; and of potential or opportunities (both societal and economic). It is advised to learn from EU communication;
  • To produce public outreach/ communications means (e.g. a video or a serious – fun and thought-provoking game). The notion that Sediment Quantity Management should address the whole sediment continuum: from the mountains to the sea should be used as the central theme with defaults of how the system is changed by “actions”. Communication activities to make use of actuality of the moment (exploiting the ‘windows-of-opportunity’ that arise). Communication specialists should be involved from an early stage onwards;
  • Build a network of pro-active WG members who work together and support each other enable the WG work to function collegially and produce work products, while encouraging other out-side expertise to be integrated where applicable;
  • To set up means to promote the sharing of experiences and sustainable practices between all stakeholders at international, regional and national levels (Website with examples, experiences and information?);
  • To develop an expertise WG “public” speaker’s bureau, where communication and presentations of the WG at all levels is encouraged especially targeting the “youth” and schools. This is our future. Possibly developing a curriculum module on Mountains to the Sea for middle and high school students as well as undergraduate college students;
  • Develop a technical “good” practice guide and web-based resources, taking into account both permanent and ephemeral rivers, in order to cover a diversity of river types. Therefore, the WG will focus on sustainability, resilience and climate change adaptation measures and build on the insights gained in the European Water Framework Directive and the Flood Directive implementation process. Thus, it was recommended to also establish a link with Directorate General Environment of the European Commission; Analogs of international experiences, programs, case studies etc. should be acknowledged including lessons learned that will enhance the European “experience”;
  • Develop a strategic research and innovation agenda (SRIA). To that end, the already established close ties with DANUBIUS-RI will be used and the WG might be a sounding board for DANUBIUS-RI itself regarding Sediment Quantity Management related issues;
  • Outreach to promote the SRIA: FP9, JPI-Water, JPI-Oceans, DANUBIUS-RI. But possibly also beyond European R&I funding opportunities, such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations (UNESCO, UNEP, USAID, ERC…), foundations, industry, USEPA, US Army Corps of Engineers etc.;
  • Develop “Panel” sessions on Mountains to the Sea at conferences such as the Battelle Contaminated Sediment Management Conferences and other conference venues.

 

WG membership

SedNet is an open network. Any individual who is professionally occupied with sediment can participate in the SedNet activities, including the activities of the SedNet Working Group Sediment Quantity. Participation is a personal responsibility and encompasses that you share and (co)operate according to the SedNet vision on sediment and its management (see: www.sednet.org). Interested in getting involved in and contribute to this WG? Then please contact the SedNet Secretariat.

 

Chairs SedNet WG Sediment Quantity:

Prof. Dr. Helmut Habersack
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria

Dr. Ad van der Spek
Deltares, the Netherlands