Dr Danielle Smith Email & Phone Number

Australia

Australia

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

I am looking at international best practices/tools, and providing guidance on the legal and policy frameworks for the development of the offshore wind energy industry within Australia. In particular leasing, environmental permitting, marine spatial planning, cumulative impacts, and stakeholder engagement.

Offshore and onshore environmental risk assessment for offshore wind energy projects

Queensland, Australia

My research analyzed the effectiveness of two legal regimes in establishing and implementing marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction (MPABNJs) in the Southern Ocean under the 1980 Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Resources (CAMLR Convention), and in the North-East Atlantic region under the 1992 Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR Convention). My research focussed on the process of establishing MPAs, from the planning, negotiation, and designation, to the implementation phase (management, monitoring, enforcement, and compliance), and proposes lessons learned and recommendations from the challenges faced and successes achieved by the regimes throughout the MPA process, which can be applied to other institutional cases seeking to protect and conserve ocean health and sustainably manage human resources use in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Western Australia, Australia

As a Marine Environmental Consultant I have compiled Environment Plans (EP) submitted under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (OPGGS) Regulations 2009 for seismic projects within offshore waters of Western Australia (WA), South Australia (SA) and the Northern Territory (NT). I have a strong knowledge of the NOPSEMA guidelines and OPGGS Regulations 2009. The main components of EPs were:• Stakeholder consultation, facilitating meetings, presentation, letters, etc;• Impact assessment;• Oils spill modelling (ADIOS 2);• Oil pollution emergency plans;• Acoustic modelling studies;• Public summaries; and• Environmental Commitments Register.I also have hands on experience in implementing the EP’s offshore as an MFO and undertaking vessel audit and inspections.

Brisbane, Australia

As the 2IC Project Manager I managed a project for the GBRMPA, ‘Improved Dredge Disposal Material Management for the Great Barrier Reef Region’ which demonstrated numerous managerial, technical and analytical skills. The 3 main project outcomes included:• Perform a literature review and cost analysis that synthesises the available literature on the environmental and financial costs associated with land-based re-use and land-based disposal options for dredge material at 6 locations (Port of Gladstone, Hay Point, Abbot Point, Townsville, Cairns and Rosslyn Bay State Boat Harbour) • Identify potential alternative dredge material placement areas within 50 km offshore of the 6 ports, based on environmental, socioeconomic, and operational considerations, as well as hydrodynamic modelling of bed shear-stress. Within these alternative areas, identify model case for each location for hydrodynamic modelling of sediment migration and turbidity plumes, and assessment of risks to environmental values. • Develop a generic water quality monitoring framework that can be applied to developing a water quality monitoring and management program for any dredge material disposal site.In addition to completing the project deliverables, other skills required were financial budget and time management; management of internal marine team and external sub-consultants (APASA); and facilitation of stakeholder engagement, including organising and running risk assessment workshops with each port. Previous projects include:• Coral reef health analysis (CPCe) for a major dredging project in Western Australia impacting on coral reef (Woodside)• Application for an EPBC Referral under the EPBC Act 1999 for a port development, including landside and offshore elements – ongoing (Confidential client)• Spoil Disposal Options Assessment Report (Confidential client)• Additional Infrastructure Assessment Report for a port development (Confidential client)

Gosport

Responsible for expanding the environmental sector within Marina Projects to provide environmental advice within the coastal and marine environment. The main duties include writing environmental options appraisal studies; feasibility studies; impact assessments; environmental management and monitoring plans; designing and managing survey such asbenthic, intertidal and dive surveys. Other duties include: stakeholder engagement, presenting information at conferences, project management of staff, sub-consultants and financial budgets to produce outputs to meet deadlines; and writing technical reports, public outreach material and proposals. The most recent projects include: Kingston Marine Park EIA, Isle of Wight for SEEDA; an environmental study into the impact of superyacht wash-down products in the marine environment in Montenegro; a number of Marine Licence application for capital and maintenance dredging projects including Water Framework Directive (WFD) Assessments. Plus providing advice on the WFD to the TYHA and BMF; and reviewing the Solent Forum's new Marine Consents Guide.

Uk

I worked on a variety of projects within the coastal and marine environment both internationally and locally. Projects ranged from the early development of large ports, offshore wind farms, LNG terminals, waste-to-energy plants, nuclear power stations through to smaller coastal defence schemes. Task included: Project managing; writing; editing; Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA’s); Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA’s); as well as coordinating inter-tidal and benthic monitoring surveys. Some of the projects I worked on include:-Thanet Offshore Wind Farm EIA-Study to identify potential sites for habitat compensation for a new nuclear build-Falkland Islands Port Development Environmental Options Appraisal-Dover Port Terminal 2 Development EIA-Decommissioning of the marine components for Bradwell nuclear power station EIA-Intertidal Foreshore Monitoring Protocol for a waste to energy plant, River Thames-Coral Reef Replacement Desk Study, Port Shahid Beheshti Reclamation, Iran-Medway LNG Terminal Environmental Scoping Report-Portsmouth Approach Channel Deepening EIA-Newhaven Port Development Environmental Options Appraisal

Isle Of Wight

I prepared Coastal Defence Strategies and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) for the Isle of Wight Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) 2. I compiled the Baseline Environmental Study for the Isle of Wight Environmental Mitigation Study, identifying habitat types and coastal defence options within each management unit, and predicted the potential effects of sea level rise and coastal squeeze. As part of the EU Life project RESPONSE (Responding for the Risks from Climate Change) I undertook a review of the legislation, policy and management of natural hazards (in particular coastal erosion, instability and flooding) on an international, national and local scale. Identifying examples of good practice in EU Member State coastal zones to assist long term planning and risk management. Other tasks included preparing information for the South Wight Maritime Special Area for Conservation website and Action Plan.

Nairobi

During a 6 month internship I presented an idea of a new Regional Seas Website to the 5th Global Conference of the Regional Seas (26-28 November 2003, Nairobi) for which I then gained a further 6 month contract as a consultant to complete the work. I designed the framework for a new RSP website linking together all 18 RS regions onto one site as a one stop information base. I wrote the regional profiles for each region which are also displayed on the website (http://www.unep.org/regionalseas). In addition I compiled and edited the published brochure ‘Regional Seas Partnerships for Sustainable Development’ in liaison with each RS Secretariat. I also provided sections to the Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 176, People and Reefs, Successes and Challenges in the Management of Coral reef Marine Protected Areas.

Uk

Gained project experience in the marine impact assessment work related to a number of major North Sea developments. The projects were of particular importance and high profile due to their large scale and the extreme sensitivity of the areas in which they were planned. Other responsibilities included: biological data identification, collection, analysis and interpretation; identification of key species in relation to the developments; writing the biological baselines of the Environmental Statements and PON 15’s (Petroleum Operators Notification). Acquired a detailed knowledge of environmental issues associated with the development operation and decommissioning of offshore oil and gas platforms and the release of chemicals into the marine environment.

Philippines

Conducting baseline and reef check surveys, these involved 50m sections of coral reef at two depths, 6m and 12m. On each dive survey the identification of coral, invertebrates and fish target species was necessary to calculate the biodiversity as well as fish size estimates for biomass. GPS, Salinity, temperature, visibility and anthropogenic environmental impacts were also measured. The aim of the data collection is to build up the foundation of a Community-based Coastal Management Plan for Mabini-Tingaloy Bay. This involved liaising with local community projects and other NGO’s.

Greece

Involved in research and monitoring the nesting sites of sea turtles, increasing public education and awareness via information kiosks, teaching and leaflets. In addition I devised and implemented sand dune erosion management strategies, these included 1m high biodegradable fences to increase sand catch and the nutrient quality, enabling dune plant species to be planted. Wooden walkways were constructed to limited public access to the dunes and reduce trampling. This was successful throughout the Evrotas Delta.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd

Bsc(Hon), Environmental Science

Activities and Societies: Major subjects: Modelling environmental processes; Hydrological process theory; Water supply; Physics.

Msc (Distinction), Coastal And Marine Resource Management

Activities and Societies: Major: Physical Processes in the marine environment; Resource Management; Institutional Frameworks; Valuation.