Integrating Multisource Information into Decision-Making by Strategic Environmental Assessment

Bankline decision is one of the most vital factors for port planning. There is complex multisource information of bankline determination because of its variety of impacts on environment, economy and society, which might be quantified or qualitative, interdisciplinary or contradictory. The controversial information brings uncertainties and then risks to its decision-making; therefore, it´s an urgent need to develop an effective approach to avoid decision-making risks. In this paper, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) framework provides a solution. Firstly, the environmental risks of different proposed banklines were quantitatively simulated and assessed based on a set of numerical hydrodynamic models. Secondly, cost-benefit analysis was applied to compare their economic impacts with environmental costs included. Thirdly, public opinions were collected by public participation. The three-dimension analysis results facilitate the final decision-making under the proposed SEA framework by considering all risks of port planning.