The Alligator Rivers Region has been the scene of one of Australia's most
intensive environmental monitoring efforts since the current generation of
uranium mining was mooted in the 1970s. Prior to mining, the local
environment and the nature of potential impacts were not well known.
The initial monitoring programs therefore included large baseline
characterisation and research components. After some 15 years, water,
soil and sediment monitoring programs have been reduced to a fraction of
their early size, as the mining and natural systems became better known
and characterised, and the actual nature of the environmental impacts
were established. Modem techniques allow much more rapid and thorough identification
of chemical species and elements of concern, allowing much more
focused monitoring programs to be designed. In the 1980s data collection
was emphasised at the expense of interpretation, and monitoring
programs were maintained at much higher levels than were in fact
required. It is now clear that investigations are important and should be
distinguished from monitoring programs, and that the timely
interpretation of investigations and implementation of recommendations
can greatly reduce the effort and expense that can be involved in a
monitoring program. Monitoring programs based on a sound
understanding of potential environmental impact may then be efficient
and cost-effective, yet provide sufficient information to assess the
environmental impact of mining, guide further environmental protection
measures when problems are detected, and demonstrate compliance with
regulatory requirements.