Ecological Risk Management Framework for the Irrigation Industry

ack process for making changes if needed. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This document outlines an ecological risk assessment framework for the Australian irrigation industry. The objective of the framework is to provide a robust process that will assist the irrigation industry to incorporate a transparent, scientific, precautionary and ecologically sustainable approach to its management of environmental risks. The framework is catchment-based and focuses on the difficult task of assessing the risks to multiple ecological assets from multiple hazards. This catchment-wide approach is needed since irrigation enterprises are normally only one of a number of human activities in the catchment (e.g. dryland grazing, forestry, urban, tourism) that can contribute to the degradation of environmental assets. The framework synthesises the methods required to achieve successful adaptive management of natural resources. The framework was developed by a team using experiences from case studies undertaken in three irrigation districts, the Goulburn-Broken (Victoria), Fitzroy (Queensland) and Ord (Western Australia). Although the focus of this framework is primarily on the risks to aquatic ecosystems (e.g. rivers, wetlands, estuaries), it should be robust enough to also be used to assess the ecological risks to other natural resource assets in catchments (e.g. land, soil, vegetation, biodiversity). The ecological risk assessment framework involves a number of key steps, including: Defining the problem – this involves careful scoping of the problem, agreement on how it is to be assessed, and how the acceptability of actions will be judged. Deciding on the important ecological values and hazards and threats to these values – hazards are evaluated and priorities set by evaluating effects on valued elements of ecosystems and ecosystem services. Analysing the risks to the ecological values – the analysis process used needs to be appropriate for the situation in order to provide adequate information for decision-making. Guidance is provided on both qualitative and quantitative methods. Characterise the risks-the technical details of risk analyses needs to be made accessible to decision-makers and broader stakeholders. In particular, the uncertainties and assumptions associated with analyses require careful and transparent documentation. Making decisions – selection of the best management option or strategy will be the one that results in the effective minimisation of the ecological risks, while also being cost-effective and acceptable to the stakeholders. Guidance is provided on a number of multi-criteria methods for assisting this process. Managing the risks – a risk management plan provides recommendations on managing or mitigating all high or unacceptable …

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