Data Collection, Monitoring and Research

Data collection, monitoring and research are vital if understanding of maintenance dredging and its possible environmental implications is to continue to improve, and if decisions on maintenance dredging are to be well-informed. As demonstrated by the wide range of data which forms the information exchange system, relevant data might be collected from various sources. Data might be collected by organisations as a result of routine monitoring of background or baseline parameters (eg. water quality information collected by the Environment Agency). Targeted monitoring of specific initiatives may be required by the PLA as part of the consenting process for dredging (eg. to determine whether mitigation or compensation measures are performing as required). Relevant data may also be produced as an output of research projects.

The PLA is actively involved in the TEP’s Thames Estuary Research Forum and it is anticipated that dredging associated research will be identified both through the DLG and the Thames Estuary Research Forum. In addition, the PLA is undertaking specific research that is considered necessary to inform its maintenance dredging decisions.

Research and monitoring reports relevant to maintenance dredging are available in the Research Reports section.