Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Lecture prepared for Project Management Course

EIA

EIA is a systematic process to identify, predict and evaluate the environmental effects of proposed actions and projects. A broad definition of environment is adopted. Whenever appropriate social, cultural and health effects are also considered as an integral part of EIA. Finally, particular attention is given in EIA for preventing, mitigating and offsetting the significant adverse effects of proposed undertakings

Definition
It is a planning and management tool for sustainable development that seeks to identify the type, magnitude and probability of environmental and social changes likely to occur as direct or indirect result of a project or policy and to design the possible mitigation procedure (Vanclay and Bronstein, 1995; Harvey, 1998; Momtaz et al., 1998; Thomas, 1998).

EIA is a tool that is applied

before major decisions are taken and when all alternatives are still open; to inform all stages of decision making, including final approval and the establishment of conditions for project implementation; with public participation and consultation; and to integrate environmental considerations and safeguards into all phases of project design, construction and operation

History

The National Environmental Policy Act 1969 of USA is the legislative basis for EIA. The policy was the result of wide spread recognition in the 1960s that some major environmental problems were created by the governments projects (power stations, dams and reservoirs, industrial complexes). The legislation made mandatory to assess the environmental consequences of all projects by federal agencies. In 1990s, many developed and some developing countries designed their EIA legislation. e.g. New Zealand (1991), Canada (1995), Australia (1999), Vietnam (1993), Uganda (1994), Ecuador (1997). Today, EIA is firmly established in planning process in many of these countries.

International Obligations
KEY Instruments/events EIA requirements and procedures applied by international financial and aid agencies Requirements/Outcome Providing loans and implementing projects in developing countries.

Amendment of EC Directive on EIA (1997)

Required all member states to be in compliance by 1999; also assisted in drafting the EIA laws of transitional economies who are in the process of accession to the European Union.
Entered into force in 1997 as the first EIAspecific international treaty.

UNECE - Convention on EIA in a Trans-boundary Context (1991)

Purposes/Aims and Objectives

The immediate aim of EIA is to inform the process of decision-making by identifying the potentially significant environmental effects and risks of development proposals.
Objectives related to this aim are to: improve the environmental design of the proposal; ensure that resources are used appropriately and efficiently; identify appropriate measures for mitigating the potential impacts of the proposal; and facilitate informed decision making, including setting the environmental terms and conditions for implementing the proposal.

Purposes/Aims and Objectives (cont.)

The ultimate (long term) aim of EIA is to promote sustainable development by ensuring that development proposals do not undermine critical resource and ecological functions or the well being, lifestyle and livelihood of the communities and peoples who depend on them.
Objectives related to this aim are to: protect human health and safety; avoid irreversible changes and serious damage to the environment; safeguard valued resources, natural areas and ecosystem components; and enhance the social aspects of the proposal.

Regions

Major Environmental Issues

Africa

The continent has the worlds poorest and most resource dependent population. It carries the highest health burden due to severe environmental problems. These include desertification and soil degradation, declining food security, and increasing water scarcity.
Rapid economic growth, urbanization and industrialization have helped in poverty alleviation but also increased pressure on land and water resources, widespread environmental degradation and high pollution levels. Mega- cities are a particular focus of environmental and health concerns.

Asia and Pacific

Eastern Despite progress with economic restructuring and environmental Europe and clean up, there is a legacy of industrial pollution and contaminated Central Asia land during communist era. In many areas, emissions of particulates, SO2, lead, heavy metals and toxic chemicals continue to expose the residents to health risks, and, in the Balkans, war and regional conflict have exacted a heavy environmental and social toll. Latin America and the Caribbean Approximately three-quarters of the population live in urban areas. Many cities are poor, overcrowded, polluted and lack basic infrastructure. The major environmental issue is the destruction of tropical forests and consequent loss of biodiversity, which is especially serious in the Amazon basin.

Steps in EIA

Proposal identificat ion Screening Initial environmental examination

EIA required

No EIA

Scoping

Impact analysis Mitigation and impact management *P ublic involvement Resubmit EIA report *P ublic involvement typically occurs at t hese point s. It may also occur at any ot her st age of t he EIA Process

Redesign

Review

Not approved

Decision-making

Approved Implementation and post -EIA monit oring

Information from t his process cont ributes to effective EIA in t he fut ure

Step 1: Screening

This step determines:

whether or not EIA is required for a particular project what level of EIA is required

Screening Outcomes:

Full or comprehensive EIA required Limited EIA required No EIA required

Tools for Screening

Project lists:
Inclusive listed projects must undergo EIA
Exclusive listed projects exempted from EIA

Case-by-case examinations:
determine whether projects may have significant environmental effects

if so, project should undergo EIA

Combination of above

Screening Process
Mandatory EIA Inclusive threshold

Case-by-case consideration of requirement for EIA

Indicative threshold

Exclusive threshold EIA ruled out

Step 2: Scoping

begins once screening is completed the most important step in EIA establishes the content and scope of an EIA report

Outcome:

identifies key issues and impacts to be considered lays the foundation of an effective process, saves time and money, and reduces conflict

Types of Scoping
Closed scoping:
wherein the content and scope of an EIA Report is pre-determined by law and modified through closed consultations between a developer and the competent authority

Open or Public scoping:

a transparent process based on public consultations

Actors
proponent, EIA consultant, supervisory authority for EIA, other responsible agencies, affected public and interested public

The scoping process

prepare a scope outline

develop the outline through informal consultation with environmental and health authorities
make the outline available

organise key issues into impact categories (study list) amend the outline accordingly develop Terms of reference (ToR) for impact analysis monitor progress against the ToR, revising as necessary

compile an extensive list of concerns

evaluate relevant concerns to establish key issues

SCOPING

EXAMPLE : SCOPING IMPACT OF A PROPOSED PAPER INDUSTRY

A PAPER INDUSTRY IS PROPOSED TO BE ESTABLISHED IN A LOCALITY AND THE EFFLUENT IS PROPOPED TO DISCHARGE IN ADJACENT RIVER ETP WILL BE INSTALLED TO BRIING DOWN TO PERMISSIBLE LIMIT THE DISCHARGE

THERE ARE FEW OTHER INDUSTRIES ALREADY ESTABLISHED DISCHARGING EFFLUENT TO THE RIVER AT ALLOWABLE LIMIT PEOPLE BATH IN RIVER WATER AND DRINK AFTER TREATMENT SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE DEPEND ON FISHING FOR OCCUPATION

MAJOR ISSUES (SCOPING)

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT
THE LEVEL OF INCREASE GASEOUS AIR POLLUTANTS POSSIBLE CHANGE IN NOISE LEVEL CHANGE IN DOWNSTREAM DO DUE TO DISCHARGE OF AQUEOUS EFFLUENT (ORGANIC MATTER)

BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT
EUTROPHICATION (EFFLUENT CONTAINING N ,P) PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT FISH KILLS

MAJOR ISSUES (SCOPING)

THE HUMAN (SOCIAL) ENVIRONMENT
AFFECT ON FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE AS A LIVLIHOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY URBANIZATION TREND AND RELATED PROBLEM SCOPE OF JOB CREATION

THE HUMAN (ECONOMIC) ENVIRONMENT

POSSIBILTY OF INCREASING DRINKING WATER TREATMENT COST

PRODUCTIVE HOUR LOSS DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

HEATH TREATMENT COST

Step 3: Impact Analysis

Type biophysical, social, health or economic Nature direct or indirect, cumulative, etc. Magnitude or high, moderate, low severity Extent local, regional, trans-boundary or global Timing immediate/long term Duration temporary/permanent

Uncertainty low likelihood/high probability

Reversibility reversible/irreversible

Significance* unimportant/important

Tools for Impact Analysis

checklists matrices networks overlays and geographical information systems (GIS) expert systems professional judgement

Step 4: Impact Mitigation

to avoid, minimise or remedy adverse impacts to ensure that residual impacts are within acceptable levels to enhance environmental and social benefits

Framework for Impact Mitigation

Common (desirable) Alternative sites or technology to eliminate habitat loss

Avoidance

Mitigation

Actions during design, construction and operation to minimise or eliminate habitat loss

Compensation
Rare (undesirable)

Used as a last resort to offset habitat loss

Step 5: Reporting
Different name of EIA reports

Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA Report)

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Environmental Statement (ES) Environmental Assessment Report (EA Report)

Environmental Effects Statement (EES)

Contents of the Report

a description of the project; an outline of the main alternatives studied by the developer, and an indication of the main reasons for this choice, a description of the aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the proposed project; a description of the likely significant environmental effects of the proposed project; measures to prevent, reduce and possibly offset adverse environmental effects;

a non-technical summary;
an indication of any difficulties (technical deficiencies or lack of know-how) encountered while compiling the required information.

Step 6: Review

Review the quality of the EIA report.

Take public comments into account.

Determine if the information is sufficient. Identify any deficiencies to be corrected.

Who Perform the review?

environmental agency Canada (comprehensive studies), standing commission Netherlands, interagency committee USA, planning authority UK independent panel Canada (public inquiries)

Public comment and input

Step 7: Decision Making

To provide key input to help determine if a proposal is acceptable

To help establish environmental terms and conditions for project implementation

Step 8: Monitoring

Ensure the implementation of conditions attached to a decision.

Verify that impacts are as predicted or permitted. Confirm that mitigation measures are working as expected.

Take action to manage any unforeseen changes.

Key components of Monitoring

Establish baseline conditions.

Measure impacts of a project as constructed. Verify conformity with established with conditions and acceptable limits. Establish links to environmental management plans.

Carry out periodic checks and third-party audits.

Public Involvement in the EIA Steps

Screen in g

To consult people likely to be affected by proposal. To ensure that significant issues are identified; project related information is gathered, alternatives are considered. To avoid biases/inaccuracies in analysis; identify local values/preferences; assist in consideration of mitigation measures; select best alternative.

Scoping

Impact an alysis

Mitigation an d imp act man agemen t

EIA report

Review

To consider and comment on EIA Report

Decision mak in g

Implemen tation an d monit oring

To monitor the implementation of EIA Reports recommendations and decisions conditions.

End of a Short Summary of EIA

What is EIA? State its aims and objectives. Draw the entire EIA process and describe the steps. How the concern of public is taken account in EIA?