A Holistic Approach

State resource managers are presented with a myriad of environmental concerns and issues. These issues are complex, and we strive to take courses of action that will have a positive impact on the public and the natural resources we are entrusted to protect. However, the complexity of these issues means that, sometimes, we can’t fully predict the consequences of our decisions. Integrated Assessment (IA), a relatively new approach to problem solving in the Great Lakes, may hold the promise of more accurate forecasts of the effects of our policies.

The IA process can result in a more holistic way of examining complex issues. An IA is a scientific analysis of a specific management or policy question in terms of its effect on the environment, economy and society. Though relatively unexplored in Michigan, the IA process has been successfully used to approach multi-faceted environmental challenges such as the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico.

A unique aspect of an IA is that each investigation involves both a quantitative analysis and periodic public consultation. This combination ensures a balanced view of environmental, societal, and economic perspectives. When complete, IAs undergo a peer-review process to ensure their scientific rigor. The result is a scientifically defensible investigation that takes into account public viewpoints.

We are all familiar with decisions that have been made without fully considering the cumulative and secondary impacts to the environment or certain members of society. The IA process provides a solid analysis of potential options so we can craft the most socially equitable, economic and environmentally sound solutions.

Catherine Cunningham Ballard, Chief
Michigan Coastal Management Program
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

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