http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/publications/assay Just got...

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/publications/assay

Just got emailed the Latest ASSAY newsletter. Check this out!

NatCASS (National Committee for Acid Sulfate Soils): Melbourne ‐ May 2017
Steve Appleyard
The National Committee for Acid Sulfate Soils (NatCASS) met in Melbourne on the 3rd and 4th of May
2017 to finalise preparation of a package of new acid sulfate soil guidance. The new guidance material
aims to equip regulators, developers, consultants, land users and managers with the knowledge and
resources to avoid, minimise, mitigate and remediate the negative impacts of acid sulfate soils on water
quality, aquatic environments, infrastructure and primary production.
The new guidance includes: methods manuals for the sampling, identification and chemical analysis of
potential and actual acid sulfate soils; guidance for groundwater dewatering in areas underlain by acid
sulfate soils; guidance for dredging of sulfidic sediments and the management of dredge spoils; and
guidance for managing monosulfidic black ooze (MBO) in drains, waterways and wetlands.
The new and existing national guidance will be brought together under an Australian overview of
national acid sulfate soils and a decision support tool to assist users identify what guidance is needed for
their specific circumstance. The new guidance documents should be available later in 2017.
NatCASS also discussed ongoing and emerging challenges posed by climate change, urban development
and agricultural land use practices on the disturbance of acid sulfate soils. NatCASS is preparing a​

discussion paper on these issues and on their management, which should be available later in 2017.

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Ooooh baby, this could be good for NAG if Dredge spoil is no longer allowed to be dumped willy nilly in the ocean.
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Also

Seeking new ASSAY articles
Scott Nichols
ASSAY is our collective national acid sulfate soils newsletter. It provides a valuable service by distributing
information between the various stakeholders that have a keen interest in the ASS issue and emerging
developments. By continually seeking to improve
ASSAY, we collectively enhance communication and
further develop knowledge‐sharing opportunities within
the national ASS arena.
At ASSAY we are always looking for interesting stories to
include in forthcoming issues. While these can follow
the established format of 1—2 page articles, we are also
looking to include other types of updates that may be
shorter in length.
As long as they are relevant for the field of ASS, you
might think of sending through some anecdotes,
thoughts or musings etc. Perhaps you have an
unusual/interesting photograph to share? How about
some experiences in the field or back in the lab?
Alternatively, maybe you have a bigger story that could
be split into parts and run over two or more issues.
As ASSAY is distributed electronically, we can include
hyperlinks to key websites, detailed documents and
reports. If you are keen to publish some new
information, the use of images, graphs and photographs is strongly encouraged to add a user‐friendly
dimension to plain text. Some ideas for photos that work well include aerial overviews of landscapes;
fine detail with macro close‐ups; images of ‘people doing things’; or time sequences such as ‘before and
after’ remediation works etc.
The opportunity is there to inform the rest of the acid sulfate soil ‘family’ of some of the perspectives
that YOU have about ASS. If you have an idea for a contribution for a future issue, then just send me an​

email ([email protected]) or pick up the phone (02 6626 1396) and we’ll make it happen.


MIKE!!!! email Scott Nichols get NAG into the next issue of ASSAY this is excellent expose to the entire Acid Sulphate Community.

Also MIKE!!!! make sure someone from NAG attended the The National Committee for Acid Sulfate Soils (NatCASS) met in Melbourne on the 3rd and 4th of May