Integrated Assessment Research Projects Gain Momentum

More than 30 people gathered in Detroit, Michigan in November to discuss the status and trends of fish contaminant levels and advisories affecting the Detroit River. The stakeholder workshop is the first of four to be conducted as part of an integrated assessment project funded by Michigan Sea Grant.

The goal of the research is to review the causes, consequences, and correctives for contamination on the Detroit River. The stakeholder workshops are designed to evaluate the goals and desired outcomes from the information provided by the scientific assessment.

“The workshop attracted a good mix of scientists, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and natural resource managers from both Canada and the U.S.,” said Michigan Sea Grant extension educator Mary Bohling. “It was a good forum to begin the discussions that will effectively address the issue.”

The Detroit River project is one of three integrated assessments funded in 2007 by Michigan Sea Grant. Two additional projects address the issue of alternative stormwater management in Spring Lake Township and Village, led by Alan Steinman of Grand Valley State University; and coastal brownfield redevelopment, led by William Welsh of Eastern Michigan University.

The projects reflect Michigan Sea Grant’s new research emphasis on integrated assessment (IA). IA is a formal approach to synthesizing and delivering relevant, independent scientific input to decision making. The process brings together natural and social scientific information in the context of a single policy or management question.

Each project requires a comprehensive analysis of existing, relevant information, which subsequently undergoes peer-review. Information is periodically shared with stakeholders throughout the IA process. Results of each project are expected to provide a range of potential policy options that could be undertaken to address each challenge.

Scientists leading the three projects met with Michigan Sea Grant extension educators and communicators in September to strengthen the outreach component of their projects, which involves regular communication with stakeholders.

“Community members, policy-makers, scientists, and others with a strong interest in these most pressing issues are vital to the success of each project,” said Michigan Sea Grant director Don Scavia.

Michigan Sea Grant will issue a request for proposals in 2008 for new integrated assessment projects.

To read more about the IA process or read descriptions of current research, see: Website

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