Hatfield Consultants - Current News

Hatfield Gives Green Bag Seminar at the Asian Development Bank, Manila, Philippines

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Hatfield Consultant’s green-bag seminar at the Asia Development Bank (ADB) last January 23, 2012, conducted by Mr. Grant Bruce, President and Partner of Hatfield Consultants, presented innovative approaches and technologies used by Hatfield to support development activities in the natural resources sector around the world.

Mr. Bruce touched on 4 major topics:

Innovative approaches towards supporting Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) that have been adopted by several River Basin Authorities (RBOs). Two highlighted approaches were:
1. Interactive web and CD based tools designed to promote sustainable management of water resources within trans-boundary river basins by supporting access to information and increasing transparency amongst stakeholder groups. These multi-media education and awareness raising tools provide training material for regional, national and local stakeholders in different aspects of environmental and water management. These products have been branded as River Awareness Kits (RAKs) and developed in partnership with different River Basin Organizations (www.riverawarenesskits.com); and
2. Web-based Environmental Information Management Systems which Hatfield has developed to integrate a diversity of environmental data, to facilitate analysis and reporting.
Hatfield`s environmental permit, license and authorization tracking system that provides tools to effectively manage environmental commitments on behalf of the funder, owner or contractor for large infrastructure projects. Where appropriate the system presents data via a map-based interface, that tracks the status of permits and authorizations associated with environmental commitments as per the EIA or concession agreement. These systems can also support initiatives related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Hatfield`s experience within the Climate Change sector, specifically in developing regional/wide area flood mapping services that deliver data (flood inundation maps) to disaster management and other relief organizations in near real-time using RadarSAT technology. A description of Hatfields Carbon Stock Assessment verification service was also provided.
Hatfield`s environmental due diligence services for infrastructure loan projects. This service analyses the environmental risks and proposed mitigation strategies in relation to the prevailing regulatory framework and assists lenders in evaluating potential risks associated with the proposed development.

The green bag session was facilitated by Mr. Daniele Ponzi, ADB’s Lead Environment Specialist, Environment and Safeguards Division, Regional and Sustainable Development Department. The session was attended by close to 20 ADB project officers and staff.

About Hatfield:

Established in 1974 and headquartered in Vancouver (Canada), Hatfield Consultants has built a worldwide reputation in environmental services with over 1,800 successful projects in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. We have established offices in Canada (British Columbia and Alberta), Indonesia, Laos, and Botswana and business partners in Chile and Thailand.

We help you apply best environmental practices, meet regulatory requirements, and contribute to a sustainable future.

For more information please contact:

Mr. Grant Bruce, President and Partner
HATFIELD CONSULTANTS PARTNERSHIP
#200 - 850 Harbourside Drive -
North Vancouver, BC, CANADA V7P 0A3
Tel: +1 604-926-3261
Toll-Free: 1-866-926-3261
Fax: +1 604-926-5389
E-mail: hcp@hatfieldgroup.com

Canadian Trade & Investment Mission to Lao PDR and Official Hatfield Consultants Mekong Office Opening in Vientiane, Lao PDR

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The Canadian Trade & Investment Mission to Lao PDR was successfully held from January 15-17, 2012 and attended by representatives from 14 Canadian companies from different sectors such as agri-food, financial, engineering, information communication and technology, mining and environmental services. The mission involved a mix of high level government meetings, expert briefings and networking opportunities with potential business partners. The delegates were given an opportunity to explore Lao PDR and see first-hand the various opportunities and areas of growth.

Mr Thomas Boivin and his son Nolan, Mr. Grant Bruce (centre) and Ms. Ping Kitnikone officially cut the ribbon to open the new Hatfield office in Vientiane.

Mr. Grant Bruce (second from right), Mr Thomas Boivin (far left) and Hatfield staff pose for a photo after cutting the ribbon.

Together with the trade delegation was the official opening ceremony of Hatfield Consultants Mekong which took place on Monday, January 16, 2012. The ribbon cutting was conducted by HCM Managing Director Mr. Thomas Boivin, President of Hatfield Consultants Canada Mr. Grant Bruce, and Charge´ d’Affaires of the Canadian Embassy to Lao PDR, Ms. Ping Kitnikone.

“HCM is very much looking forward to working with the government of Lao PDR, as well as with the mining and hydropower sectors and international development organisations operating in Lao PDR. We are very pleased to be providing international quality environmental services in Lao PDR, as well as creating jobs for Lao nationals” said Thomas Boivin.

Hatfield draws on twenty years of experience working in in Lao PDR, Thailand, Cambodia, Viet Nam, and China. Hatfield has implemented a diverse portfolio of projects in the Mekong Region related to environmental assessment, management and monitoring of the hydropower and mining sectors, integrated water resource management (IWRM), flood disaster management, remote sensing and GIS applications, Environmental Information System (EIS) development, and assessments of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs, including dioxins and furans) and other toxic contamination in the environment.

In addition to our complement of local staff, Hatfield Consultants Mekong provides access to a team of multi-disciplinary specialists from the Hatfield Group of companies in Canada, Indonesia and Botswana.

Hatfield Mekong provides employment opportunities in the Environmental Sector for qualified Lao and international candidates. Please send your CV with salary expectations to hcm@hatfieldgroup.com.

Information Sheets

(pdf, 234KB) (pdf, 3.4MB)

About Hatfield:

We help you apply best environmental practices, meet regulatory requirements, and contribute to a sustainable future.

For more information please contact:

Mr. Thomas Boivin, Managing Director
HATFIELD CONSULTANTS MEKONG
HSE 059, Unit 5, #7 Street, Thadeua Road
Watsop Village, Sysatanak District
Vientiane, Lao PDR
Tel: +856 20 23229998
Email: hcm@hatfieldgroup.com

Hatfield Supports Forest Carbon Modeling and Monitoring in Sumatra Island, Indonesia

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Hatfield is supporting the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to conduct wall-to-wall mapping and monitoring of forest biomass in Riau Province, Sumatra as part of its effort to contribute to the global REDD+ (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation + conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks) initiative.

The project is being implemented under the umbrella of JAXA’s Kyoto & Carbon (K & C) Initiative, which aims to define, develop and validate thematic products derived primarily from ALOS-PALSAR (Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar on-board the Advanced Land Observing Satellite) satellite data that can be used to meet information requirements relating to carbon and climate change. In Indonesia, the K & C Initiative has been implemented in collaboration with the Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN).

To support JAXA in developing a wall-to-wall carbon stock model using ALOS-PALSAR data with Sumatra as a pilot site, Hatfield is conducting field measurement of biomass in over 100 sample sites located throughout the Riau Province. The field survey is being implemented in collaboration with the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB). Hatfield will also be coordinating the acquisition and analysis of LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) remote sensing data to provide additional land cover validation data and support carbon stock modelling.

Hatfield’s primary responsibilities on the project include:

Coordination and implementation of fieldwork to collect field biomass measurements of various land cover types
Analysis of field biomass data to obtain carbon stock estimates; and
Acquisition and processing of LiDAR data to derive canopy heights.

In recent years, Hatfield has supported a number of projects related to forestry and land use carbon. These include feasibility assessments and carbon stock analysis for proposed REDD projects in Vanuatu and Indonesia, forest cover mapping in Indonesia to identify potential REDD project sites, and modelling of the benefits of ecosystem services in the Heart of Borneo including carbon and climate change regulation. Hatfield staff has also served as a Lead Auditor for several carbon project validation assessments under the VCS and CCBS.

Hatfield’s extensive experience and expertise in remote sensing, forestry, biodiversity, ecosystem services valuation and socio-economic assessments, as well as our excellent working relationships a range of institutions in Indonesia, allows us to provide cost-effective and high-quality services in the climate change sector.

For more information please contact:

Mr. Kenichi Shono
Technical and Operations Director
PT Hatfield Indonesia
E-mail: hatfindo@hatfieldgroup.com
Telephone: +62-251 8324 487

About Hatfield:

Established in 1974 and based in Vancouver, Canada, Hatfield Consultants has built a worldwide reputation in environmental services with over 1,800 successful projects in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. We help you apply best environmental practices, meet regulatory requirements, and contribute to a sustainable future.

Hatfield Indonesia, located in Bogor, West Java, is a pioneer in the field of providing environmental consulting services in Indonesia. Hatfield Indonesia was established over 20 years ago and has delivered over 1,000 successful projects for private and public sector clients throughout Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Hatfield Indonesia also provides forestry and biodiversity assessments, including terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity surveys; is an approved reseller of satellite data, and can provide sophisticated GIS and Remote Sensing support to projects throughout the region.

We help you apply best environmental practices, meet regulatory requirements, and contribute to a sustainable future.

Hatfield Provides Environmental Services for Highway 3 Corridor - Saturday and Sunday Creeks

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

For more than three decades, Hatfield has provided environmental services, including environmental assessment and reporting, permitting and approvals, environmental monitoring, preparation of mitigation and compensation plans, preparation of environmental management plans and environmental protection plans, environmental auditing and project closeout for numerous construction projects ranging in size and complexity from localized smaller-scale developments to large, complex, multi-year, projects in British Columbia.

As part of a design team led by ISL Engineering Ltd., Hatfield was recently awarded contracts to provide such services to the Saturday & Sunday Creek highway upgrade projects in the Highway 3 Corridor. Hatfield’s roll is to assess general environmental issues and risks associated with the projects as they relate to potential impacts to existing environmental values..

Field verification of environmental values, particularly of plant communities and species at risk, will be conducted by Hatfield to confirm presence/absence prior to construction. Hatfield will review existing baseline information and conduct additional environmental studies as required to further identify environmental issues related to the above values as well as noise, any socio-community concerns and any other identified values of potential concern.

Hatfield will provide assistance in the development of a project design that avoids and/or minimizes environmental impacts while meeting the design requirements of relevant environmental agencies (e.g., Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada, Ministry of Environment). Further, Hatfield will investigate and report on the need for mitigation and compensation for habitat loss.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Garth Taylor
Senior Environment Specialist and Partner
E-mail: hcp@hatfieldgroup.com
Phone: +1-604-926-3261
Toll-Free: 1-866-926-3261

About Hatfield:

We help you apply best environmental practices, meet regulatory requirements, and contribute to a sustainable future.

Hatfield to Continue Providing Services to the Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region for 2012

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Hatfield will be implementing Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program (RAMP) for 2012.

RAMP is an industry-funded, multi-stakeholder environmental monitoring program initiated in 1997. RAMP integrates aquatic monitoring activities across different components of the aquatic environment, different geographical locations, and oil sands and other developments in the Athabasca oil sands region. Long-term trends, regional issues and potential cumulative effects related to oil sands and other development are therefore identified and addressed. The program is supported by a diverse group of stakeholders including local and aboriginal communities, government agencies (municipal, provincial and federal), oil sands and other industries, and other independent stakeholders.

Since 2003, Hatfield has been responsible for overseeing all facets of the technical program, including one of the largest non-governmental hydrometric monitoring networks in North America. Other program components include water and sediment quality, benthic invertebrate communities, fish populations, and acid-sensitive lakes. Program communications, GIS and remote sensing inputs, and the collection of monitoring data are summarized in an annual technical report that describes spatial and temporal trends in aquatic ecosystems.

Hatfield collects data annually through field sampling and laboratory analysis and conducts an analysis to better understand the characteristics of the natural aquatic environment and to assess any potential changes in the environment that have occurred. Hatfield monitors the following environmental components:

Fish Populations
Climate
Water Quality
Benthic Invertebrate Communities and Sediment Quality
RAMP Database: a publicly accessible web-based environmental data management system used to store and access over 2 million records related to RAMP
Remote Sensing and GIS Services

2012 is the 16th year that RAMP has been operating and the 10th year that Hatfield has been overseeing the technical component of RAMP.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Wade Gibbons
Senior Environment Specialist and Partner
E-mail: hcp@hatfieldgroup.com
Phone: +1-604-926-3261
Toll-Free: 1-866-926-3261

Ms. Heather Keith
Senior Environment Specialist
E-mail: hcp@hatfieldgroup.com
Phone: +1-604-926-3261
Toll-Free: 1-866-926-3261

About Hatfield:

We help you apply best environmental practices, meet regulatory requirements, and contribute to a sustainable future.