The department is taking a leadership role in developing science-based management strategies, such as ecological and hydrological modelling and environmental impact assessment to deal with the ecological crisis in the Lower Lakes.

CSIRO and the University of Western Australia are collaborating with the department to trial a bioremediation technique to offset the impacts of acid sulfate soils that threaten the lakes.

The Acid Sulfate Soils Research Program was undertaken to fill critical knowledge gaps related to the risks posed by exposure of acid sulfate soils in the Lower Lakes.