ENVS402 – Environmental Impact Assessment - :: …ku.edu.np/aec/envs402/eia chapter 1.pdf · ·...

ENVS402 – Environmental Impact Assessment

Chapter 1: Introduction to EIA

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a. Definitionb. History of developmentc. Objectivesd T f EIAd. Types of EIAe. Difference between effect and impact

D A Y 1 T I M E 1 . 5 H R

9/16/2011ENVS402 EIA by Dr. Subodh Sharma

Introduction: Definition of EIA

Is it about doing the right thing

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Is it about doing the right thing and/or

doing things the right way ?

“ Impact assessment, simply defined, is the process of identifying the future consequences of a current or proposed action ”.

(International Association for Impact Assessment)( f p )


Introduction: Definition of EIA3

Munn (1979) defines EIA as a need “to identify and di h i h i d ’ predict the impact on the environment and on man’s

health and well being of legislative proposals, policies, programs, projects and operational procedures and to p g , p j p pinterpret and communicate information about the impact”

Wathern (1988) defines EIA as “a process having the Wathern (1988) defines EIA as a process having the ultimate objective of providing the decision-makers with an indication of the likely consequences of their actions”

Canter (1996) defines EIA as “the physical-chemical, biological, cultural and socio-economic components of the


g , ptotal environment”

Introduction: Definition of EIA4

“ Environmental impact assessment means an orderly and systematic process for evaluating a proposal including its alternatives and objectives and its effect on the environment alternatives and objectives and its effect on the environment including the mitigation and management of those effects.

Th t d f th i iti l t f th l The process extends from the initial concept of the proposal through implementation to commissioning and operation, and where appropriate, decommissioning. “

(Environmental Protection Authority 1993; Environmental Protection Act 1986; Western Australia)Protection Act 1986; Western Australia)


Introduction: EIA Defined?

“ l f d f

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“ Environmental impact assessment is a process of identifying,

predicting, evaluating, and mitigating the biophysical, social,

and other relevant effects of proposed projects and physicaland other relevant effects of proposed projects and physical

activities prior to major decisions and commitments being

made ”made .

(Sadler, B. 1996, International Study of the Effectiveness of(Sadler, B. 1996, International Study of the Effectiveness of

Environmental Assessment)


History of Development of EIA6

The use of EIA began in 1970 in the USA and spread rapidly throughout the world.

It was first introduced in the USA within the framework of the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) in 1969 which became a law on Jan 1 1971(NEPA) in 1969 which became a law on Jan 1, 1971


NEPA 1971: Key provisions7

1 Established environmental quality as a leading national priority by stating 1. Established environmental quality as a leading national priority by stating

a national policy for the environment.

2. Made environmental protection part of the mandate of all federal

agencies , establishing procedures for the incorporation of environmental

concerns into agency decision making.

l f d l l 3. In particular it requires federal agencies to prepare an environmental

impact assessment for major actions or projects that can affect the

environment.environment.

4. Established a council on environmental quality in the executive office of

the President to oversee and coordinate all federal environmental effort


NEPA 1971: Key provisions8

Impact statements must contain:

1. A description of the proposed action, its purpose, and the description of

the environment affected;

2. The relationships to land use plans, policies, and controls for the affected

areas;

3 Th b bl i t l i t iti d ti di t d 3. The probable environmental impacts, positive and negative , direct and

indirect, and possible international implications;

4 A discussion of alternatives;4. A discussion of alternatives;

5. The probable negative impacts that cannot be avoided or mitigated;


NEPA 1971: Key Provisions

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6. The relat ionship between loca l and short

term use and long term cons iderat ions;

7. An irrevers ib le commitment of resources;

8. A descr ipt ion of federal act ions to

mit igate and offset adverse effects, and

9. Comments from rev iewers.


European Implementation ofEuropean Implementation ofEnvironmental Impact Assessment

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Council of the European communities directive of 27th June 1985 on the

f h ff f i bli assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (85/337/EEC), ( 5/337/ ),

Official journal of the European i i /communities, no. L, 175/40


EIA (85/337/EEC): Key Provisions

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Applies to the assessment of the ppenvironmental effects of those public and private projects which are likely to have significant effects on the genvironment



Project means:

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Project means:• The execution of construction

works or of other installations or schemes

• Other interventions in the natural di d l d surroundings and landscape

including those involving the extraction of mineralse t act o o e a s



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Development consent means:the decision of the competent authorities which

i l h d l d i h h jentitles the developer to proceed with the project ………………….have significant effects on the environment by virtue inter alia of their:environment by virtue inter alia, of their:nature, size and location



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………direct and indirect effects of a project on the following factors;

• human beings, fauna and flora;• soil, water, air, climate and the landscape,soil, water, air, climate and the landscape, • the interactions between the factors • material assets and the cultural heritage.



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information to be provided by the developer;information to be provided by the developer;• a description of the project: site, design, size• a description of the measures to avoid, p ,

reduce, and if possible remedy significant adverse effects

• data required to identify and assess the main effects on the environment, anda non technical summary of this information


• a non technical summary of this information

History of EIA in Nepal16

• In the planning history of Nepal, the Sixth Plan p g y p ,(1980-'85), for the first time recognized the need for EIA integration for major infrastructure projects.

• The government of Nepal enunciated environment conservation related policies in theenvironment conservation related policies in the Seventh Plan (1985-90).

• Environmental Assessment Guideline 1993 wasEnvironmental Assessment Guideline 1993 was the first “lesson learnt” document in Nepal which has played facilitation role in the EIA process.


Bhatta & Khanal, 2009

EIA Legislation in Nepal17

• Environment Protection Act (EPA; 1996) and Environment Protection

g p

Rules (EPR; 1997; first amended in 1999): The EPA and EPR are the two main legal documents mandatory for environmental assessment of the infrastructure development projects.

(The section 4 of EPA states that no one shall implement a proposal without approving IEE and EIA from the concerned body (the ministry related to local infrastructures i.e. MLD).

• Local Self-Governance Act (LSGA) (1999) and Local Self-Governance Regulation (LSGR) (1999)

• The Forest Act (1993) and Forest Regulations (1995)• The National Parks and Wildlife and Conservation Act (1973; as amended 1993)• The Soil and Watershed Conservation Act (1982)• The Water Resources Act (1992) and Water Resources Regulations (1993)• The Explosive Material Act, (1973)


EIA – The Philosophy18

Impact assessment is designed as a preventive measurea preventive measure.It should give environmental

id ti l i ht ithconsiderations equal weight with technical and economic aspects.


EIA – The Philosophy

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• Environmental considerations should be introduced early on in the planningintroduced early on in the planning processes.

• Broad and public participation shouldBroad and public participation should ensure wide acceptance of projects implemented


implemented.

EIA – Objectives20

Principle 1 : Focus on the main issuePrinciple 1 : Focus on the main issue.

Principle 2: Involve the appropriate persons and groups.

Principle 3: Link information to decisions about the project Principle 3: Link information to decisions about the project.

Principle 4: Present clear options for the mitigation of impacts and

for sound environmental managementfor sound environmental management.

Principle 5: Provide information in a form useful to the decision

makers


makers.

(UNEP, 1988)

EIA TYPES

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1 IEE d EIA f h j1. IEE and EIA for the projects

2. REA (Regional Environmental Assessment ) for the proposals of regional scale

3. SeEA (Sectoral Environmental Assessment) for a sector level proposals3. SeEA (Sectoral Environmental Assessment) for a sector level proposals

4. CIA (Cumulative Impact Assessment) for the past, present and reasonably

forseeable future actions (proposals) in the given area

5. SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) for a policy, or plan or programme;

and

6 SIA (Social Impact Assessment) for in depth analysis of the social aspects of a


6. SIA (Social Impact Assessment) for in-depth analysis of the social aspects of a

proposal.

Introduction: Environmental Impacts or Effects !p22


Impacts or EffectsThe term impact is an outcome of two preceding events

Air pollution

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Air pollution

Leaves of crops Marshy Land

Slow Photosynthesischange Reduces Oxygen

Reduced Crop Yieldeffect

Farmers economic impact

Prevents respiration of mosquitoes

M it kill da e s eco o c

affectedimpact Mosquitoes are killed


Biosphere – a life support system24

• Atmosphere

• Hydrosphere

• LithosphereLithosphere

• Biosphere


Human depends on biosphere25

Atmosphere…air to breathe

Human depends on biosphere

p

Hydrosphere

Lithospherep

Biosphere


Human depends on biosphere26

Atmosphere…air to breathe


p

Hydrosphere …water to drink

Lithosphere p

Biosphere



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Atmosphere…air to breathep

Hydrosphere …water to drink

Lithosphere …food to eat

Days w/o water

p

Biosphere …food to eat

Minutes without air

Months w/o food


Levels of Organization

Biosphere

Ecosystem

P l

Community

Organism

Population

9/16/2011 ENVS402 EIA by Dr. Subodh Sharma 28

Levels of Organization

Best way to delimit modern ecology is to consider it in terms of the concepts of level of organization (Odum 1971)(Odum, 1971)

Diagram Showing Ecological Organization From Odum (1971)

Genes Cells Organs OrganismsPopula-tions

Commun-ities

BIOTICCOMPONENTS

Plus

ABIOTICCOMPONENTS

Matter EnergyCOMPONENTS

Equals

BIOSYSTEMS Genetic Cell Organ Organismic P l ti Ecosystems

9/16/2011 ENVS402 EIA by Dr. Subodh Sharma 29

BIOSYSTEMS Genetic Systems

CellSystems

OrganSystems

OrganismicSystems

PopulationSystems

Ecosystems

Photosynthesis - produces food for all life

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http://www.biologycorner.com/resources/photosynthesis.jpg

Food Chain - a closed cycle

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a. Herbivoresb. Carnivoresc Detrivoresc. Detrivores

h // bd i /i / h/f d h i j


https://www.cbd.int/images/youth/food‐chain.jpg

Ecosystem – a dynamic and self functioning system

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Biosphere contains many ecosystems such as forests, water grasslands marine etcwater, grasslands, marine etc.


http://www.fws.gov/invasives/volunteersTrainingModule/images/invasives/ecosystem.jpg

Environment – human in biosphere

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“the natural and social conditions that process around all the i hi h i l d ki d d f i ”organisms which include mankind and future generations”

1. Bio‐physical

2. Social and Economic

3. Cultural

http://www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/SiteCollectionImages/Environment%20Image.jpg


Environment – sink for all wastes

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•FoodF h

•Climatic l i

•Spritual and li i•Freshwater

•Fuelwood•Fiber

regulation•Diseases regulation

religious•Recreation and ecotourism

•Biochemicals•Genetic Resources

g•Water regulation•Pollination

•Aestheic•Aspirational•EducationalResources Pollination Educational•Sense of place•Cultural heritage

•Soil formation

•Nutrient cycling

•Primary productionhttp://www.sustainablescale.org/images/uploaded/Ecosystem%20Service%20Categories%20%20MA.gif


y g

Impact

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1. Adverse and Beneficial

2 Cumulative (spatial 2. Cumulative (spatial and Temporal)

3. Direct and Indirect4 Sh t M di d 4. Short, Medium and

Long Term5. Environment on

Project and Project on Environment


Introduction: An Environmental Impact Introduction: An Environmental Impact pp36

Initiation of project With project

Environmental impact

Without projectWithout project

time


Introduction: An Environmental Impact Introduction: An Environmental Impact

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Assessment38

• QuantificationP di ti• Prediction

• Evaluation• Monitoring• Auditing• Auditing


Conclusion39

1 Natural capital provides man made1. Natural capital provides man made capital and human capital

2 E i f t l it l h2. Excessive use of natural capital has affected global ecosystems

3. EIA is a useful instrument for reducing adverse impact on the g penvironment


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