Robin Gregory, a co-author and frequent collaborator with Compass published an op ed piece in the Vancouver Sun today. ‘A better way for megaproject assessment decisions’ critiques the methodology for environmental impact assessments in the context of oilsands pipelines. Robin proposes that transparent and inclusive multi stakeholder assessments of large infrastructure projects are key methods to “inform(ing) decision makers on the tough energy transportation choices they signed on to make as our elected leaders.”

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/2035/better+megaproject+assessment+decisions/6640983/story.html

Structured Decision Making: A Practical Guide to Environmental Management Choices is a book about the creative and messy process of making environmental management decisions. The approach we describe is called Structured Decision Making, a distinctly pragmatic label given to ways for helping individuals and groups think through tough multidimensional choices characterized by uncertain science, diverse stakeholders, and difficult tradeoffs.

Compass's Graham Long and Dan Ohlson recently delivered a webinar presentation for the US National Conservation Training Center, based in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The webinar 'Multi-Stakeholder Planning Using a Structured Decision Making Approach' provides an overview of our approach to SDM and discusses a case study example. The webinar is one in a series of Structured Decision Making webinars hosted by the US NCTC to advance the practice of SDM among US Fish and Wildlife Service staff and collaborators.

http://training.fws.gov/CSP/Resources/climate_change/structured_decision_making/sdm_webinars.html

Myrtle rust doesn't sound very intimidating, but it's a serious biosecurity threat in Australia. First detected in New South Wales in August 2010, establishment of the rust could have a devastating effect on Australia's native Eucalyptus-dominated ecosystems, as well as on its forestry, agriculture, horticulture and tourism industries.

“If you take care of the caribou, the rest of the North will be protected”. That’s the idea behind woodland caribou recovery planning in Canada. But caribou numbers have diminished to the point where fairly drastic measures may be required.

Building on the successful facilitation of a water management planning process for the Lower Athabasca River, Compass has again been engaged by the Cumulative Environmental Management Association to tackle another controversial planning problem in the oil sands region of Alberta. This time, Compass is facilitating a multi-stakeholder committee to develop recommendations for a linear disturbance management plan for a 300,000 hectare area.

Faced with the challenging task of seeking agreement on the best balance of in-situ oil sands development, caribou habitat protection and recreation and aboriginal land use, the committee is currently working on defining clear objectives and developing creative management alternatives.

The City of Seattle has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to find a utility provider to help develop and operate a new district energy partnership for the First Hill area of Seattle, which is one of the most energy dense and fastest growing neighbourhoods of Seattle.

On February 14, 2012, Peter Kent (Canada`s federal Minister of the Environment) and Terry Lake ( BC`s Minister of the Environment), announced the signing of a Joint Agreement for the cooperative environmental assessment, including a review by a joint panel, of the Site C Clean Energy Project on the Peace River in northern BC

Compass is currently looking for a Part-time Office Manager for a 1yr Maternity Leave as well as a permanent Part-time Project Administrator.

If you are interested in applying for both roles as one Full-time position we encourage you to do so.

Compass has been working with Parklane Homes since 2007 to develop a district energy utility for the company's River District development in southeast Vancouver. River District will include over 700,000 m2 of new floor space consisting mostly of residential buildings, with some smaller amounts of retail, office and community space. The energy utility, known as River District Energy, will provide full thermal energy service within River District (all heating and hot water).

Structured Decision Making: A Practical Guide to Environmental Management Choices is a book about the creative and messy process of making environmental management decisions. The approach we describe is called Structured Decision Making, a distinctly pragmatic label given to ways for helping individuals and groups think through tough multidimensional choices characterized by uncertain science, diverse stakeholders, and difficult tradeoffs.