Risk based management approach in contaminated land management practices

The present Dutch approach is often addressed in Europe as an example of practical, innovative and cost effective soil management. During the last 25 years of finding the best practices the Dutch soil clean-up policy evolved from a sectoral soil remediation program, managed and financed mainly by the central government and provinces, towards an integrated contaminated sites management approach, managed by local and regional bodies, financed by tax money and private investments. The contamination perception evolved from very strict demands on ＂full remediation＂ to the more pragmatic and practical concept of reducing or eliminating risks associated with contamination to the acceptable levels for humans and ecosystem, the so-called ＂Risk based management＂. The environmental regulatory system is presently undergoing trough considerable modifications towards integrated risk based management to satisfy the changing needs of the Dutch society and to correspond with the new European legislation as Water Framework Directive, Waster Directive and EU Soil Strategy. Dutch Policy Development, Netherlands has a long history of contaminated land management. In the year of 1979 the major obstructions for finding successful solutions for soil contamination problems were： Absence of knowledge about contamination behaviour and fate in the natural environment and as a consequence incapability to make priorities and sound decisions. Absence of experience in treating soil contamination. Not enough financial resources to clean everything according to the standards set in the legislation. During the last 25 years of finding the best practices the Dutch went through a complex process of developing realistic, affordable and practical approaches towards soil contamination. Dutch soil clean-up policy evolved from a sectoral soil remediation program,

Risk based management approach in contaminated land management practices