Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA)

Environmental Management

Group 7:

WHAT IS EIA???

Definition "Process for identifying

the likely consequences for the biophysical environment & for man's health & welfare of implementing particular activities & for conveying information at every stage where it can materially affect the decision , to those for sanctioning the proposals". [Wathern, 1992]

So, what is EIA exactly?

It is the process of examining the impacts of a development on the environment

But it is also used to mean the document that is the result of the examination

Purpose of EIA

The purpose of EIA is to:Help the decision making process

by providing information about the consequences of development

Promote sustainable development by identifying environmentally sound practice & mitigation measures for developments

Some History…In 1969 the US federal govt.

passed the National Environmental Policy Act[NEPA]

Federal agencies had to consider the natural environment in any land use planning.

This gave the environment the same status as economic priorities

Some History…

Within 20 years, other countries had also

included EIA's as part of their planning policy;

like: Canada (1973) Columbia (1974) Netherlands (1981) UK (1988)

What are EIA’s used for?

Often part of a National planning process for large scale developments

Developments that need an EIA differ from country to country

Which Developments???Major new road

networksAirport & port

developmentsBuilding power

stationsBuilding dams &

reservoirsQuarryingLarge scale

housing projects

How does an EIA work???

The EIA needs to be structured with a set of clear aims.

It has to occur during the planning, design & authorisation stage of any development.

It needs to be comprehensive, addressing all potential impacts.

How does an EIA work???

There needs to be focus on he potentially significant issues.

There needs to be consultation & public participation throughout the EIA process.

The findings of the EIA should be part of the final decision process.

While it is often mainly concerned with the natural environment the effect on man should be considered

Stages of an EIAIs an EIA needed & which impacts

need to be considered[SCREENING]

Identifying impacts[SCOPING]Predicts the scale of potential

impactsLimiting the effects of impacts to

acceptable limits[MITIGATION]

What do you need to know???What are the conditions like nowWhat effects do different phases

of a project causeWho or what is likely to be

affected

Phases of an EIA[this can be thought of as a project description]

What are the conditions nowWhat does the project plan to doDescription of projectPhysical characteristics - land use

both during construction & operationProduction processWaste productsAlternatives What different approaches exist

Phases of an EIA

Why to choose this oneImpact identification[scoping &

screening]Consider all potential environmental

impacts whether good or badDetail those impacts that are

potentially significantComprehensive but focusedImpact on ecosystems, people,

resources & their interactions

Evaluation TechniqueEvaluation technique

compares various possible scenarios & analyse the consequences

Magnitude: what scale will the impact have?

Extent: how big an area does the impact affect: site only, local or regional

Duration: how long will the impact be for: short, medium or long term

Using magnitude, extent & duration together it is possible to analyse the impacts

Impact Assessment TechniqueSystematic & comprehensive but

also flexible enough to respond to changing conditions

Be able to arrange large amounts of data often from different sources in a meaningful way

Based on quantitative evaluation that is both accurate & objective

Impact Assessment Technique

Checklist of impacts:General set of criteriaOften designed for certain types of

projectCan be very thorough if designed wellCost benefit analysis:This outline the value both positive &

negative of each impactCan be very difficult to add a "cost"

value to ecosystems

Impact Assessment Technique

Impact matrices:Combine a checklist of environmental conditions & a list activities that may have an effectCause & effect between the environmental features & the activity can be individually identified

Characteristics of an EIA

It is a systematic evaluation of all significant environmental consequences & action is likely to happen upon the environment

It is a structural, systematic & comprehensive approach

It is a process which forces developers to reconsider proposals

Characteristics of an EIA

It is a systematic evaluation of all significant environmental consequences & action is likely to happen upon the environment

It is a structural, systematic & comprehensive approach

It is a process which forces developers to reconsider proposals

THANK YOU!