**7. Conclusions**

258 Environmental Monitoring

governmental chief officers, in collaboration with environmental non-governmental

(a) (b)

A number of international and sub-regional organizations are involved in the conservation and rehabilitation planning. The major international programme is under the UNEP/DEWA, which is also involved in the assessment of the threats to critical montane forests in East Africa including Mt. Kenya, Aberdare range and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Other organizations which have shown interest, directly or indirectly, include the Africa Convention for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (2003), East Africa Community Treaty (1999), Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention, 1971), Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), International Tropical Timber Agreement (1983, revised 1994) United Nations Forum on Forests, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), Lake Victoria Protocol (2003), Protocol for Environment and Natural Resources, The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992), the World Heritage Convention (1972), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) (1994); the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES, 1973), The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) (1994), The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) amongst others. So far under the TF-MFC mandated with co-coordinating the rehabilitation planning of the Mau ecosystem, a number of strategic options have been proposed and realized, in part. The major key interventions were categorized into three phases. Phase 1 involves short term options achievable within the first three years. Phases 2 and 3 involve medium and long term interventions aimed at consolidating the management efforts for sustainability reasons. Among the key interventions, the first and second phases include:

Fig. 11. (a): Restoration of the Enderit Block of the Eastern Mau Forest Reserve (b): Tree planting to restore the forest covers (Photo taken by Kundu in 2010).

*Development of effective institutional framework and strategic Management Plan* 

Under this framework, a Mau Forests Complex Authority (MFCA) was to be established to coordinate and oversee the management of the complex. The authority was to be guided by board of directors comprising representatives of the main stakeholders, including the economic sectors directly dependent on the goods and services of the Mau Forests Complex such as water, energy, tourism and wildlife, agriculture and forestry. Ecological

organizations and international organizations.

The negative environmental impacts on the MFC, have reached crisis level. Presently, the riparian communities and the Kenya government through key economic sectors that directly depend on goods and services of the region are paying the price of over three decades of negligence and improper land use management. The ongoing restoration efforts, including educating the general public about the need for sustainable environmental conservation in such areas is highly essential and should be sustained. It is imperative that the restoration and rehabilitation efforts are fortified through integration with potential socio-economic activities that can support the survival of the riparian rural communities. Exploring the role of eco-tourism, in relation to natural forested ecosystem, followed by putting in place appropriate and sustainable management framework are hence important in this respect. In order to further support the rural communities it is crucial to initiate long-term agro-forestry based practices such as production of sustainable wood products, and non-timber products such as medicinal plants and honey for commercialization purposes.

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#### **8. Acknowledgements**

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the relevant authorities at the World Agro-forestry Centre, Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development, Regional Disaster Management Center of Excellence and IGAD – Climate Prediction and Application Centre. Our Sincere gratitude also goes to the editorial team at InTech Publishers for streamlining this work to publication standards.

#### **9. References**


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**8. Acknowledgements** 

**9. References** 


**16** 

J. Matthew Barnett

*United States of America* 

*Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,* 

**Concepts for Environmental** 

**Radioactive Air Sampling and Monitoring** 

Environmental radioactive air sampling and monitoring is becoming increasingly important as regulatory agencies promulgate requirements for the measurement and quantification of radioactive contaminants. While researchers add to the growing body of knowledge in this area (Byrnes, 2001; Till & Grogan, 2008), events such as earthquakes and tsunamis demonstrate how nuclear systems can be compromised. The result is the need for adequate environmental monitoring to assure the public of their safety and to assist emergency workers in their response. Two forms of radioactive air monitoring include direct effluent

Direct effluent radioactive air sampling is typically conducted at the exhaust point. The considerations for analysis should include particulates and gases in use; one cannot neglect short-lived radioisotopes or hard-to-detect (HTD) radionuclides. An emission point may be in the form of an actively exhausted stack or vent. Emissions may come from several industries, such as medical isotope production, hospital use, research institutes, and

Environmental surveillance is conducted when emissions emanate from a fugitive pathway such as a waste pile, abandoned building, or contaminated land mass or breather tank. Monitoring stations are often located at near the facility boundary or nearby public areas in the affected directions. Often, a combination of direct effluent (point source) sampling and post release environmental monitoring is employed to assure the public, demonstrate low

This chapter presents basic concepts for direct effluent sampling and environmental surveillance of radioactive air emissions, including information on establishing the basis for sampling and/or monitoring, criteria for sampling media and sample analysis, reporting

Releases of airborne radionuclides into the environment are typically managed so that they are minimized, utilizing the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) concept. These releases encourage the need to demonstrate that the environment is protected, which is usually accomplished through direct effluent sampling at the point of exhaust and/or through environmental surveillance at locations both on and off the site (Fig. 1). A

**1. Introduction** 

industrial processes.

measurements and environmental surveillance.

and compliance, and continual improvement.

**2. Basis for sampling and/or monitoring** 

emissions of radioactive material, and comply with regulations.

