Making business integration work: A survival strategy for EHS managers

Realizing the benefits of environment, health, and safety (EHS) management systems requires more than just rewriting policies and procedures, EHS tasks and activities must be pushed out into all aspects of the organization. The success of this process necessitates an evolving role for EHS managers. For EHS managers, business integration involves the challenge of integrating environment, health, and safety awareness, responsibility, and action into multiple jobs and business processes, leveraging scarce resources to maximize value and minimize costs. Drawing on recent work in the fields of sociology and political science, this article presents conceptual tools for assisting EHS managers to plan and strategize the changing role of the EHS function. By assessing political opportunities, mobilizing structures, and framing processes, EHS managers can maximize the success of EHS programs, while adding value to companies' core operations.     

The value of “EHS auditing” in the United States: Making sense out of the current chaos

Conventional wisdom has advocated environmental auditing as a prudent part of an internal control program and one of the key tools in driving proactive efforts. As a part of risk management activities, it is often employed to protect an organization, its employees, and officers from liability. Conscientious use of such audits has undoubtedly protected human health and the environment. Ironically, those who make the most consistent efforts to audit compliance and management systems, according to advocates of audit protection, may be the most vulnerable to enforcement actions and lawsuits. This article places the escalating calls for audit protection in a proper context.     

The Forest‐Streamflow Relationship in China: A 40‐Year Retrospect1

Abstract: The relationship between forests and streamflows has long been an important research interest in China. The purpose of this paper is to summarize progress and lessons learned from the forest‐streamflow studies over the past four decades in China. To better measure the research gaps between China and other parts of the world, a brief global review on the findings from paired watershed studies over the past 100 years was also provided. In China, forest management shifted in the later 1990s from timber harvesting to forest restoration. Forest‐streamflow research was accordingly changed from assessing harvesting impacts to evaluating both harvesting and forestation effects. Over the past four decades, Chinese forest hydrology research has grown substantially. Significant progress has been made on measuring individual processes, but little solid, long‐term data were available to assess the relationship between forest changes and streamflows because of an absence of standard paired watersheds. In addition, misuse of statistical analyses was often found in the literature. A unique opportunity exists in China to study the forestation effects on streamflow as several large‐scale forestation programs are being implemented. Such an opportunity should include a robust paired watershed design under an integrated watershed ecosystem framework to avoid repeating the lessons already learned. Recommendations on future forest‐streamflow research directions in China are provided.     

Stage‐Discharge Relationships for U‐, A‐, and W‐Weirs in Un‐submerged Flow Conditions1

Thornton, Christopher I., Anthony M. Meneghetti, Kent Collins, Steven R. Abt, and S. Michael Scurlock, 2011. Stage‐Discharge Relationships for U‐, A‐, and W‐Weirs in Un‐submerged Flow Conditions. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(1):169‐178. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2010.00501.x Abstract: Instream rock weirs are routinely placed into stream systems to provide grade control, reduce streambank erosion, provide energy dissipation, and allow fish passage. However, design and performance criteria for site specific applications are often anecdotal or qualitative in nature, and based upon the experience of the design team. A study was conducted to develop generic state‐discharge relationships for U‐, A‐, and W‐weirs. A laboratory testing program was performed in which scaled, near‐prototype U‐, A‐, and W‐rock weir structures were constructed in 11 configurations. Each configuration encompassed a unique weir shape, bed material, and/or bed slope. Thirty‐one tests were conducted in which each structure was subjected to a sequence of predetermined discharges that minimally included the equivalent of 1/3 bankfull, 2/3 bankfull, and bankfull conditions. All tests were performed in subcritical, un‐submerged flow conditions. Stage‐discharge relationships were developed using multivariant, power regression techniques for each of the U‐, A‐, and W‐rock weirs as a function of the effective weir length, flow depth, mean weir height, rock size, and discharge coefficient. Unique coefficient expressions were developed for each weir shape, and a single discharge coefficient was proposed applicable to the weirs for determining the channel stage‐discharge rating.     

E‐environment: Hype and promise

The Internet and electron‐based technologies offer the promise of abundant environmental improvements. But how will the “information revolution” play out in the real world? © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.