Supervising Scientist for the Alligator Rivers Region Annual Report 1996-1997

One of the most significant developments during the year was the submission by Energy Resources of Australia Ltd of its Environmental Impact Statement for Jabiluka. The proposal is significantly different in technical detail from the Ranger and Nabarlek mines owing to the proposal to mine underground. Evaluation of the Environmental Performance of the uranium mines of the Alligator Rivers Region continued, with twice-yearly Environmental Performance Reviews (EPR) of Ranger and Nabarlek, and results reported to the Alligator Rivers Region Advisory Committee (ARRAC). Ongoing technical consultations took place through meetings of the Ranger Minesite Technical Committee. Issues relating to water disposal were addressed through the Ranger Water Management Working Group. Submissions were made regarding the Jabiluka Environmental Impact Assessment process and technical advice was provided to the Environmental Assessment Branch of Environment Australia during the assessment. The organisation's research program has reflected strategic directions set last year by the Alligator Rivers Region Technical Committee (ARRTC) concerning environmental impacts of mining. Key projects assess radiation exposure by members of the public as a result of uranium mining, the effectiveness of artificial wetlands in the treatment of mine waters, and the development of methods to assess the effectiveness of options for rehabilitation. Development of the research program into wetlands protection and management continued, including establishment of a coordinated monitoring program to measure and assess coastal change as a benchmark for monitoring effects of climate change in the Alligator Rivers Region (a key part of a national network). Other research activities included water quality research for the National River Health Program and revision of the National Water Quality Management Strategy, Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters and conclusion of research projects in the Mount Lyell Remediation Research and Demonstration Program. The Kakadu Region Social Impact Study (KRSIS) examined the social and cultural impacts on Aboriginal people of the Kakadu region of the various developments in the region over the last 20 years. The program of encouraging best practice environmental management in the mining industry continued through sponsorship of research and training on strategic environmental issues in mining, and the production of 'best practice' booklets and databases. The Supervising Scientist was given responsibility for a new government initiative to remedy degraded river systems in Tasmania - the Tasmanian Regional Environmental Remediation Program. Provision of environmental services in the Indian Ocean Territories continued under contract to the Territories Office