The obsolescence of the view that environmental quality must be sacrificed on the altar of rapid economic growth is made clear. Many modern projects demonstrate that dredging is an important factor in achieving or regaining a positive synergy between ecology and economy. Within the category of capital dredging further sub-categories are identified such as dredging for navigation, reclamation, large infrastructures and mining. Within remedial dredging, distinction is made between sanitation and conservation dredging. The following chapter covers effects in general terms including physical effects and effects over time as well as the complex interactions between various types of effect.
Excellent diagrams complement the discourse.
Chapters four through six examine each of the three main project categories the typical effects of each. Extensive checklists pinpoint possible effects and provide assessments to be made in relation to them. In chapter seven various techniques for the assessment and prediction of environmental impacts are described. The role these play as decision support tools for navigating the dredging project toward a successful outcome is also discussed. The chapter ends with a brief overview of the future trends in evaluation and information tools.