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Environmental ImpactAssessment (EIA)

Lecture prepared forProject Management Course



EIA

EIA is a systematic process to identify, predict andevaluate the environmental effects of proposedactions and projects.

A broad definition of environment is adopted. Whenever appropriate social, cultural and healtheffects are also considered as an integral part of EIA.

Finally, particular attention is given in EIA for

preventing, mitigating and offsetting the significantadverse effects of proposed undertakings



Definition

It is a planning and management tool forsustainable development that seeks to identify thetype, magnitude and probability of environmentaland social changes likely to occur as direct orindirect result of a project or policy and to designthe 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 alternativesare still open;

to inform all stages of decision making, including finalapproval and the establishment of conditions for projectimplementation;

with public participation and consultation; and

to integrate environmental considerations and safeguardsinto all phases of project design, construction and operation



HistoryThe National Environmental Policy Act 1969 of USA is the

legislative basis for EIA. The policy was the result of widespread recognition in the 1960s that some majorenvironmental problems were created by the government’sprojects (power stations, dams and reservoirs, industrialcomplexes).The legislation made mandatory to assess theenvironmental consequences of all projects by federalagencies.In 1990s, many developed and some developing countriesdesigned 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 inmany of these countries.



International Obligations

KEY Instruments/events Requirements/Outcome

EIA requirements andprocedures applied byinternational financial andaid agencies

Providing loans and implementingprojects in developing countries.

Amendment of ECDirective on EIA (1997)

Required all member states to be incompliance by 1999; also assisted indrafting the EIA laws of transitionaleconomies who are in the process of

accession to the European Union.UNECE - Convention onEIA in a Trans-boundaryContext (1991)

Entered into force in 1997 as the first EIA-specific international treaty.



Purposes/Aims and ObjectivesThe immediate aim of EIA is to inform the process of

decision-making by identifying the potentiallysignificant environmental effects and risks ofdevelopment proposals.

Objectives related to this aim are to:improve the environmental design of the proposal;ensure that resources are used appropriately andefficiently;identify appropriate measures for mitigating thepotential impacts of the proposal; andfacilitate informed decision making, including settingthe environmental terms and conditions forimplementing the proposal.



Purposes/Aims and Objectives (cont.)The ultimate (long term) aim of EIA is to promote

sustainable development by ensuring thatdevelopment proposals do not undermine criticalresource 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 theenvironment;safeguard valued resources, natural areas andecosystem components; andenhance the social aspects of the proposal.



Regions Major Environmental Issues

Africa The continent has the world’s poorest and most resource dependentpopulation. It carries the highest health burden due to severeenvironmental problems. These include desertification and soil

degradation, declining food security, and increasing water scarcity. Asia andPacific

Rapid economic growth, urbanization and industrialization havehelped in poverty alleviation but also increased pressure on land and water resources, widespread environmental degradation and highpollution levels. Mega- cities are a particular focus of environmental

and health concerns.EasternEurope andCentral Asia

Despite progress with economic restructuring and environmentalclean up, there is a legacy of industrial pollution and contaminatedland during communist era. In many areas, emissions of particulates,SO2, lead, heavy metals and toxic chemicals continue to expose theresidents to health risks, and, in the Balkans, war and regionalconflict have exacted a heavy environmental and social toll.

Latin Americaand theCaribbean

Approximately three-quarters of the population live in urban areas.Many cities are poor, overcrowded, polluted and lack basicinfrastructure. The major environmental issue is the destruction oftropical forests and consequent loss of biodiversity, which isespecially serious in the Amazon basin.



Steps in EIA



*Public involvement typicallyoccurs at these points.It may also occur at anyother stage of the EIA Process

Information from this processcont ributes to effective EIA in the future

No EIA

Initialenvironmentalexamination

EIA required

Approved

Not approved

Redesign

Resubmit

Proposalidentification

*Public involvement

Screening

Scoping

Impact analysis

Mitigationand impact

management

EIA report

Review

Decision-making

Implementationand post-EIAmonitoring



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



Mandatory EIA

Case-by-caseconsiderationof requirement

for EIA

EIA ruled out

Inclusive threshold

Indicative threshold

Exclusive threshold

Screening Process



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 consideredlays the foundation of an effective process, saves timeand money, and reduces conflict



Types of Scoping

Closed scoping: wherein the content and scope of an EIA Report ispre-determined by law and modified through closedconsultations between a developer and thecompetent authority

Open or Public scoping:a transparent process based on public consultations

Actors

proponent, EIA consultant, supervisory authorityfor EIA, other responsible agencies, affected publicand interested public



The scoping process

prepare a scope outline

develop the outlinethrough informalconsultation withenvironmental andhealth authorities

make the outlineavailable

compile an extensive listof concerns

evaluate relevant

concerns to establishke issues

organise key issues intoimpact categories (studylist)

amend the outlineaccordingly

develop ‘Terms of

reference’ (ToR) forimpact analysis

monitor progressagainst the ToR, revising

as necessary



SCOPING



EXAMPLE : SCOPINGIMPACT OF A PROPOSED PAPER INDUSTRY

A PAPER INDUSTRY IS PROPOSED TO BE ESTABLISHED IN ALOCALITY AND THE EFFLUENT IS PROPOPED TO DISCHARGEIN ADJACENT RIVER

ETP WILL BE INSTALLED TO BRIING THE DISCHARGEDOWN TO PERMISSIBLE LIMIT

THERE ARE FEW OTHER INDUSTRIES ALREADY ESTABLISHEDDISCHARGING EFFLUENT TO THE RIVER AT ALLOWABLELIMIT

PEOPLE BATH IN RIVER WATER AND DRINK AFTERTREATMENT

SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE DEPEND ON FISHING FOROCCUPATION



PHYSICAL AND CHEMICALENVIRONMENT

THE LEVEL OF INCREASE

GASEOUS AIR POLLUTANTS

POSSIBLE CHANGE IN NOISELEVEL

CHANGE IN DOWNSTREAM DODUE TO DISCHARGE OF

AQUEOUS EFFLUENT (ORGANIC MATTER)

BIOLOGICALENVIRONMENT

EUTROPHICATION (EFFLUENT

CONTAINING N ,P)

PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT

FISH KILLS

MAJOR ISSUES

(SCOPING)



THE HUMAN (SOCIAL)ENVIRONMENT

THE HUMAN (ECONOMIC)ENVIRONMENT

POSSIBILTY OF INCREASING

DRINKING WATER TREATMENTCOST

PRODUCTIVE HOUR LOSS DUE TOENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

HEATH TREATMENT COST

AFFECT ON FISHERIES AND

AQUACULTURE AS A LIVLIHOODFOR THE COMMUNITY

URBANIZATION TREND ANDRELATED PROBLEM

SCOPE OF JOB CREATION

MAJOR ISSUES

(SCOPING)



Step 3: Impact Analysis→ Type biophysical, social, health or economic

→ Nature direct or indirect, cumulative, etc.→ Magnitude or

severity

high, moderate, low

→ 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

networksoverlays and geographical information systems(GIS)

expert systems

professional judgement



Step 4: Impact Mitigation

to avoid, minimise or remedy adverseimpacts

to ensure that residual impacts are withinacceptable levels

to enhance environmental and social benefits



Framework for Impact Mitigation

Common (desirable)

Rare (undesirable)

Alternative sites ortechnology to

eliminate habitat loss

Actions duringdesign, construction and

operation to minimiseor eliminate habitat

loss

Used as a last resortto offset habitat loss

Avoidance

Mitigation

Compensation



Step 5: Reporting

Different name of EIA reports

Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAReport)

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

Environmental Statement (ES)

Environmental Assessment Report (EA Report)

Environmental Effects Statement (EES)



Contents of the Reporta 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 besignificantly affected by the proposed project;

• a description of the likely significant environmental effectsof 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 therequired 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 (comprehensivestudies), standing commission — Netherlands, inter-agency 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



Key components of Monitoring

Establish baseline conditions.

Measure impacts of a project as constructed.

Verify conformity with established with conditionsand acceptable limits.

Establish links to environmental management plans.Carry out periodic checks and third-party audits.



To ensure that significant issues are identified; projectrelated information is gathered, alternatives are considered.

To avoid biases/inaccuracies in analysis; identify localvalues/preferences; assist in consideration of mitigation

measures; select best alternative.

To consider and comment on EIA Report

To monitor the implementation of EIA Report’srecommendations and decision’s conditions.

To consult people likely to be affected by proposal.

Public Involvement in the EIA StepsScreening

Scoping

Impact analysis

Mitigationand impact

management

EIA report

Review

Decision making

Implementationan d monit oring



End of a ShortSummary 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?

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