0% found this document useful (0 votes)
50 views101 pages

Understanding Environmental Impact Assessments

Lecture notes on Environmental Impact Assessment

Uploaded by

manumbu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
50 views101 pages

Understanding Environmental Impact Assessments

Lecture notes on Environmental Impact Assessment

Uploaded by

manumbu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA)
1

BY MS KIHARA

EIA 01/21/25
EIA Introduction
2
Economic, social and environmental change
is inherent to development.
 Whilst development aims to bring about
positive change it can lead to conflicts.
In the past, the promotion of economic
growth as the motor for increased well-
being was the main development thrust
with little sensitivity to adverse social or
environmental impacts

EIA 01/21/25
Intro……cont
3

The need to avoid adverse impacts and to


ensure long term benefits led to the concept
of sustainability.
This has become accepted as an essential
feature of development
 if the aim of increased well-being and
greater equity in fulfilling basic needs is to
be met for this and future generations.

EIA 01/21/25
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

“Sustainable development is to
meet the needs of the present
without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet
their own needs.”

EIA 01/21/25
Intro……cont
5

Agenda 21, the global action plan


for sustainable development,
emphasises the importance of
integrated environment and
development decision-making and
promotes the use of EIA

EIA 01/21/25
EIA
6
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
EIA undertakings 01/21/25
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 7 01/21/25
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

EIA 8 01/21/25
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
EIA
implementing the proposal.
9 01/21/25
Basic Principles of EIA best
practice
10

EIA 01/21/25
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.
EIA 11 01/21/25
three core values on which the EIA
process
12
integrity– the EIA process should meet
internationally accepted requirements and
standards of practice;
 utility– the EIA process should provide the
information which is sufficient and relevant
for decision-making; and
sustainability– the EIA process should
result in the implementation of
environmental safeguards which are
sufficient to mitigate serious adverse effects
and avoid irreversible loss of resource and
ecosystem functions.
EIA 01/21/25
Advantage of applying EIA
13
 Systematic approach  Avoid retrofit
 Information to the public  Provides systematic
 Information to the methods of impact
decision maker  assessment
 Consistency of approach
 Estimates the
 Improved design·
cost/benefit trade-off of
 Achieve a balance alternative actions
between the impact of  Provides an effective
developmental and
mechanism for
environmental concern
 coordination,
 feed back
environmental
 Early discussion
integration and
 · Long term outlook
negotiation
 · Avoid surprises
EIA 01/21/25
Disadvantage of applying EIA:

· Adds to complexity 14

· Adds to delay
· Costly
· Requires multidisciplinary team
· Requires understanding of environmental
systems and processes
· Forecasting of cost/schedule
· Limited proponent options

EIA 01/21/25
EIA in the world today
Introduction and early development (1970-
15
1975) – mandate and foundations of EIA
established in the USA; then adopted by a
few other countries (e.g. Australia, Canada,
New Zealand); basic concept, procedure and
methodology still apply.
Increasing scope and sophistication (mid ’70s
to early ’80s) – more advanced techniques
(e.g. risk assessment); guidance on process
implementation (e.g. screening and scoping);
social impacts considered; public inquiries
and reviews drive innovations in leading
countries; take up of EIA still limited but
includes
EIA
developing countries (e.g. China,
01/21/25
16
Process strengthening and integration (early
‘80’s to early ’90s) – review of EIA practice and
experience; scientific and institutional
frameworks of EIA updated; coordination of EIA
with other processes, (e.g. project appraisal, land
use planning); ecosystem-level changes and
cumulative effects begin to be addressed;
attention given to monitoring and other follow-up
mechanisms. Many more countries adopt EIA;
the European Community and the World Bank
respectively establish supra-national and
international lending requirements.
EIA 01/21/25
17

Strategic and sustainability orientation (early


’90s to date) EIA aspects enshrined in
international agreements marked increase in
international training, capacity building and
networking activities; development of strategic
environmental assessment (SEA) of policies and
plans; inclusion of sustainability concepts and
criteria in EIA and SEA practice; EIA applied in
all OECD countries and large number of
developing and transitional countries.

EIA 01/21/25
International Obligations
KEY Requirements/Outcome
Instruments/events
EIA requirements and Providing loans and implementing
procedures applied by projects in developing countries.
international financial
and aid agencies
Amendment of EC Required all member states to be in
Directive on EIA (1997) compliance by 1999; also assisted in
drafting the EIA laws of transitional
economies who are in the process of
accession to the European Union.
UNECE - Convention Entered into force in 1997 as the
on EIA in a Trans- first EIA-specific international
boundary Context treaty.
(1991)
EIA 18 01/21/25
Dimensions of Environment in EIA:
19

EIA 01/21/25
EIA in Tanzania

20
In 1980 the first EIA process undertaken in
Tanzania,
Where more than 200 EIA processes have so
far been undertaken in Tanzania up 2010
 Environmental Management Act No. 20 of
2004 (EMA),were reviewed and adopted
Which gives NEMC mandates to undertake
enforcement, compliance , review and
monitoring of environmental impact
assessments, research, raise environmental
awareness and collect and disseminate
environmental information.
EIA 01/21/25
EIA PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
IN TANZANIA
21

People’s perception of EIA - Although EIA is


sometimes perceived as impeding
development, there is a widespread desire
among Tanzanians to adapt EIA to the
national context.
 Lateness of the EIA process - Generally, EIA
processes are initiated too late in the project
cycle to influence project design. In almost all
cases, EIAs are undertaken as ‘stand alone’
processes. There is almost no integration
between EIA and project design.
EIA 01/21/25
Cont……
22

Lack of stakeholder involvement - Generally,


little attention is given to involving all
stakeholder groups, especially the local
people.
The quality of EIS for decision-making - In
general, EISs are descriptively strong, but
analytically weak. Key components of many
EIAs are weak or missing; and do not
consider

EIA 01/21/25
Cont…..
23

cumulative impacts; and few assess project


alternatives. Compliance issues are often
unclear
in the EISs and to a large degree, the quality
of EIAs is not of good standard. The quality of
EIAs appear to be constrained by resources,
time limitations, and lack of political
commitment.

EIA 01/21/25
24

EIA PROCESS

EIA 01/21/25
Introduction to the EIA Process

The EIA process25 makes sure that


environmental issues are raised when a
project or plan is first discussed
and that all concerns are addressed as a
project gains momentum through to
implementation.
The way in which an EIA is carried out is
not rigid: it is a process comprising a series
of steps.
These steps are outlined below.

EIA 01/21/25
The main steps in the EIA process are:

26
screening
 Scoping
 prediction and mitigation
 management and monitoring
audit

EIA 01/21/25
Proposal
identification

EIA required Screening No EIA


27
Initial
Scoping environmental
examination

Impact analysis

Mitigation
and impact
management
*Public involvement
Resubmit EIA report
*Public involvement typically
occurs at these points.
It may also occur at any
Redesign Review other stage of the EIA Process

Not approved Decision-making

Approved
Information from this process
contributes to effective EIAin the future
Implementation
EIA and post-EIA 01/21/25
monitoring
Step 1: Screening
28

 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

EIA 01/21/25
Tools for Screening
29

 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

EIA 01/21/25
Example
30

the repair of a recently destroyed diversion


structure is unlikely to require an EIA whilst
a major new headwork structure may.
Guidelines for whether or not an EIA is
required will be country specific depending
on the laws or norms in operation.
 Legislation often specifies the criteria for
screening and full EIA.

EIA 01/21/25
31

The output from the screening process is


often a document called an Initial
Environmental Examination or
Evaluation (IEE).
The main conclusion will be a
classification of the project according
to its likely environmental sensitivity.
This will determine whether an EIA is
needed and if so to what detail

EIA 01/21/25
The Project screening process
32

EIA 01/21/25
Stakeholder involvement
33

Stakeholders may be defined as all those


people and institutions who have an interest
in the successful design, implementation and
sustainability of the project. This includes
those positively and negatively affected by
the project (Howlett and Nagu, 1997).

EIA 01/21/25
Stakeholder involvement cont…
34
Stakeholder involvement (including
participation) involves processes whereby all
those with a stake in the outcome of a project
actively participate in decisions on planning
and management.
They share information and knowledge, and
may contribute to the project, so as to enhance
the success of the project and hence ultimately
their own interests.
One of the key features of stakeholding is that
it aims to be ‘inclusive’ rather than ‘exclusive’.
EIA 01/21/25
Examples of EIA stakeholder
35 groups
Central government authorities
Regional authorities
District authorities
Village leaders and householders
Bilateral and multilateral Dvt partners
(NORAD, CIDA, World Bank, UNDP)
NGOs
Project proponents

EIA 01/21/25
Examples of EIA stakeholder groups
cont..
36

Formal institutions e.g. coordination,


advisory, regulatory, implementation, funding
and conservation
Public and community stakeholder groups
e.g. political, cultural, business and
environment

EIA 01/21/25
Typology of participation
37
S/No Typology Characteristics of each type
1 Passive People participate by being told what is
participation going to happen or has already happened
2 Participation in People participate by answering questions
information posed by researchers using questionnaire
giving surveys
3 Participation in People participate by being consulted by
consultation external people. External professionals
define problems and solutions and may
modify these
4 Participation People participate by providing resources
for material like labor, food or cash
incentives
5 Functional People participate by forming groups to
participation meet predetermined objectives related to
the project
6 Interactive People participate in joint analysis, which
EIA 01/21/25
participation leads to action plans and formation of new
Importance of stakeholder
38 involvement
It provide information about the development
and its likely impacts
It identify issues that concerns local
stakeholders and other interest groups
It improves project design e.g. social
acceptability

EIA 01/21/25
Importance of stakeholder
involvement cont…
39

help to harness traditional knowledge which


conventional approaches may overlook;
help improve information flows between
proponents and stakeholder groups,
improving
the understanding and ‘ownership’ of a
project
Improve the acceptability and quality of
mitigation and monitoring processes

EIA 01/21/25
Potential costs of insufficient public
involvement
40

Emergency of conflicts btn different levels of


gvt, or btn different gvt agencies
Risk of marginalising potentially valuable
contributors
Failure to tailor projects to local needs and
priorities
Lack of accountability
Communication problems

EIA 01/21/25
Potential costs of insufficient public
involvement cont..
41

reliance on interventions by outside experts,


limiting the learning of new possibilities by
local stakeholders; and,
inability to prevent the concentration of
project benefits accruing to a small number of
influential beneficiaries.
may lead to important, and often locally-
specific, social, environmental and health
impacts being overlooked or ignored in project
design;

EIA 01/21/25
Stakeholder analysis
42

Stakeholder analysis is a process that allows


planners to widen the involvement of people
and institutions in project planning
It is an important means of identifying which
stakeholders should be included within the
EIA process

EIA 01/21/25
Stages in stakeholder analysis
43

1. Identify and listing all potential


stakeholders
2. Identify their interests in relation to project
objectives and activities
3. Assessing the likely impacts of the project
on each of these interests
4. Assessing the relative importance of each
stakeholder to the success of the project
5. Drawing-up a participation matrix

EIA 01/21/25
Classification of stakeholders
44

1. According to function;
Category Description
Contributors Funding and sponsoring organisations
Implementers The people or organisations
Beneficiaries People or organisations

2. According to degree and type of stake;


Category Description
Primary Those who gain material benefits and make
direct contributions of resources
Secondary Intermediaries who may make gains or losses
Key Those who have significant power of influence
to determine the direction
Negative Those who may suffer material losses or loss of
influence
EIA 01/21/25
Timing of stakeholder involvement
45

Should start as early as possible


It should occur in various stages of the
process:
i. Screening stage (before a decision in made)
ii. Scoping stage (in identification of issues)
iii. Impact identification and evaluation
iv. Review stage
v. During impact mitigation, monitoring and auditing

EIA 01/21/25
Public involvement approaches
46

Public notices, hearings and meeting e.g. Rufiji


Newspapers and newsletters (Note on
language)
TV and Radio stations
Village meetings
Networks (forums- formal and informal)

NOTE: There are risks of large public meetings


PRA and RRA are useful in EIA

EIA 01/21/25
Step 2: Scoping
47

 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,
EIA
saves time and money, and reduces conflict 01/21/25
Types of Scoping
Closed scoping: 48
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

EIA 01/21/25
The scoping process
49

 prepare a scope
outline
 organise key issues
into impact
 develop the outline
categories (study list)
through informal
consultation with  amend the outline
environmental and accordingly
health authorities
 develop ‘Terms of
 make the outline
reference’ (ToR) for
available impact analysis
 compile an extensive
list of concerns
 monitor progress
against the ToR,
 evaluate relevant revising as necessary
EIA 01/21/25
concerns to establish
Definitions
50

Impact identification - listing of all potential


positive and negative impacts of a project.
Impact prediction - determining the
magnitude and effect of a particular impact
or set of impacts.
Impact evaluation - determining the
significance or importance of a predicted
impact.

EIA 01/21/25
OBJECTIVES IMPACT
IDENTIFICATION
51

To introduce impact identification


techniques and outline their strengths
and weaknesses as tools for identifying
different impacts.

EIA 01/21/25
Impact identification.

52
A number of tools are available to assist in
impact identification
i. Simple checklists: provide lists of potential
impacts
[Link] checklists: provide guidance
on how to assess impacts
[Link] checklists: these are based
on a set of questions, some of which might
explore indirect impacts and possible
mitigation measures

EIA 01/21/25
Impact identification…2
53

iv. Matrices: are another tool for impact


identification. The show environmental
components (e.g. species diversity, water
quality) on one axis and development
actions (e.g. clearing land, construction
and operation) on the other.
simple matrix:
Activity Impacts
Land clearance, Visual intrusion, acceleration of run-off, dust, noise,
bulldozing diesel fumes, soil erosion
Stone crushing Dust, noise, soil erosion, silt and stones to rivers, lethal
hazard to workers
EIA 01/21/25
Impact identification…
54

v. Network diagrams: they describe the


linkages btn pairs of environmental factors
i.e. impact trees, impact chains, cause-effect
diagrams
vi. Map overlays: they provide an effective
visual aid. Are useful for describing the
existing physical, social and economic
conditions and displaying potential changes
resulting from a proposed development
vii. GIS

EIA 01/21/25
Checklists methods

55

Simple checklists

 Descriptive checklists

 Threshold of concern checklists

 Weighting-ranking checklists

Questionnaire checklists

EIA 01/21/25
Simple checklists

56

Itemized list of potential impacts. Helps you


not to overlook some of the impacts.
Examples:

 Effects on human beings, buildings and


man-made features

 Change in population arising from the


development, and consequential
environmental effect.

Visual effects of the development on the


surrounding area and landscape.
EIA 01/21/25
Examples of simple checklists..2
57

Levels and effects of emissions from the


development during normal operations.

Levels and effects of noise from the


development;

Effects of the development on


buildings, historic heritage,
archaeological features, and other
human artifacts.

EIA 01/21/25
58

 Effects on flora, fauna and geology.


 Loss of, and damage to, habitats and
plant and animal species.

 Loss of, and damage to geological,


palaeontological and physiographic
features.

Other ecological consequences.

EIA 01/21/25
59

Effects on land.
 Physical effects of the development.

Effects of chemical emissions and


deposits on soil of site and surrounding
land.

EIA 01/21/25
Descriptive checklist
Data Required Information Sources &
Predictive Techniques

Nuisance Expected industrial


processes and traffic
Change in occurrence of volumes, citizen surveys.
odour, smoke, etc., and number of people
affected.

Water quality Current water quality,


current and expected
For each body of water, changes in water effluent.
use, and
number of people affected.
Noise Current noise levels, change
Change in noise levels, in traffic or other noise
frequency of occurrence, sources, changes in noise
and number of people mitigation measures, noise
bothered.
EIA 60 propagation model, citizen surveys. 01/21/25
Checklist for the Pangani Falls
Redevelopment Project

Activity Impacts
Land clearance, Visual intrusion, acceleration of run-off,
bulldozing dust, noise, diesel fumes, soil erosion, soil
compaction, exposure of sub-soil, silt to
river, destruction of vegetation.
Stone crushing Dust, noise, soil erosion, lethal hazard to
workers.

Traffic Oily waste run-off, noise, hazard to


pedestrians and animals, dust to roadside.

Impoundment loss of wetland


of the vegetation, loss of habitat for wildlife
headpoint especially passerine birds; desiccation of
the riverbed between the headrace and
tailrace, alteration of the aquatic and
riparian ecology, scoring of riverbed
EIA downstream 61 - changing the environment for 01/21/25
aquatic life.
Checklist for the Pangani Falls
Redevelopment Project..2
Activity Impacts

Road making, Noise, visual intrusion, dust, fumes, hard surfacing


trenching causing alteration of drainage, acceleration of run-off
and reduced infiltration, soil erosion, soil compaction,
exposure of sub-soil, silt to river, contamination of
groundwater.

EIA 62 01/21/25
Questionnaire checklist
(You Ask Questions)
63

Disease vectors
 Are there known disease problems in the
project area transmitted through vector
species such as mosquitoes, flies, snails, etc.?
(yes, no, or not known);

Are these vector species associated with:


aquatic habitat? (yes, no, not known)
forest habitats? (yes, no, not known)
agricultural habitats? (yes, no, not known)

EIA 01/21/25
64

Will the project provide opportunities for


vector control through improved
standards of living? (yes, no, not known).

EIA 01/21/25
Matrices

65

Relate development actions on one axis and


and the possible impact on the other (Box 4.4)
Simple matrices indicate that an impact is
expected to occur, without reference to
magnitude or significance.
Complex matrices provide quantitative
estimates of impact magnitude and
significance, and can be combined with a
weighting scheme leading to a total "impact
score" (used for significance as well)

EIA 01/21/25
Network diagrams

66

Usually describe the linkages between


isolated pairs of environmental factors,
providing some indication of how an
ecosystem functions.

Show that a series of second and third-


order impacts may be triggered by a
single project action.

EIA 01/21/25
Network diagrams..2
67

The relative dependence of one factor


on the condition of another may be
indicated by various arrow widths or
weights.

Negative and positive feedback loops


can also be identified if the nature of
the interrelationship ([Link] or
inversely proportional) is indicated.

EIA 01/21/25
Advantages and Disadvantages of Impact
Identification Methods

Method Advantage Disadvantage


Simple Simple to understand Do not distinguish
checklist and use between direct and
indirect impacts
Ranking & Good for site selection Do not link action and
weighting and priority setting impact
checklists Process of incorporating
values can be
controversial
Matrices . Link action to impact Difficult to distinguish
Good for displaying between direct and
EIA results indirect impacts

Networks . Link action to impact Can become very


Useful for checking for complex
second order impacts if used beyond simplified
EIA 68 01/21/25
version
Advantages and Disadvantages of Impact

Identification Methods

Method Advantage Disadvantage

Overlays . Easy to understand . Address only direct


Good display method; impacts
. Good sitting tool Do not address
impact duration or
probability
GIS & Excellent for impact Heavy reliance on
computer identification & knowledge and data
expert analysis Often complex
systems Good for and
experimenting expensive
EIA 69 01/21/25
BASELINE SURVEY
70

 Objectives

 Definitions

 Variability of baseline data

 Data collection

 Application of baseline monitoring

EIA 01/21/25
Baseline surveys…2
71

Objectives
 To introduce the concept of baseline
information and surveys required for impact
prediction and evaluation.

Definitions
 Baseline information data is the starting point
or level of a particular social, biophysical and
economic variable against which subsequent
changes can be detected and/or predicted
through monitoring".

EIA 01/21/25
Baseline surveys…2:
72
Definitions
 Baseline survey refers to the collection of
background information on the
environmental and socio-economic setting
for a proposed development project.

Baseline monitoring is the measurement


of environmental parameters during a
representative pre-project period in an
attempt to determine the nature and
ranges of natural variation and where
possible to establish the process of
change.
NB Baseline survey/monitoring will often
continue into project operation as part of
environmental monitoring.
EIA 01/21/25
Variability of baseline data

73
Variable, constant, declining,
increasing
Data collection
Methods:
Formal (scientific, surveys, measurement).
Informal (local knowledge, traditional etc.)
Type:
Primary (new, direct).
Secondary (old, indirect, reference data,
reports).
Remote (e.g. air photos, satellite images.

EIA 01/21/25
74

Data collection

Issues:
 Costs of surveys.
 Time required.
 Reliability of information.

EIA 01/21/25
Application of baseline monitoring

75

Is important when:
• potential interactions between project and
environment are not well understood;
• project implementation methods have not been
clearly defined, or are experimental, or are
subject to change;
• the potential impacts on the natural or social
environment are controversial;
• project scheduling is subject to change so that
impacts could be more serious than originally
predicted.

EIA 01/21/25
Impact prediction and
evaluation
76

objectives
Prediction techniques
Prediction criteria
Prediction activities
What is significance?
Determination of significance
Significance ratings
Example of matrix for Dakawa
Irrigation Project

EIA 01/21/25
Impact prediction and evaluation.

77

Objectives
To introduce techniques for predicting and
evaluating impacts and their
significance.
i.e. To determine the magnitude, extent and
duration of the impacts in comparison with
the situation without that project/action.

EIA 01/21/25
Prediction techniques

78

Simple Techniques
 Analogs (case studies of similar actions);

 Inventory of resources in study area (could


use GIS);

 Checklists (simple, questionnaire,


descriptive);

Matrices (simple, stepped) or networks


(impact trees, cause/effect or consequence
diagrams)
EIA 01/21/25
IMPACT PREDICTION & EVALUATION
Prediction techniques..2
79

Indices and Experimental Methods


 Environmental media indices (air, surface
and/or ground water quality or vulnerability,
land or soil quality, noise);
 NOTE: Read Environmental standards and indicators document
of URT
 Habitat indices or biological diversity indices;

 Other indices (visual, quality of life);


 Read environ standards and indicators and poverty monitoring
indicators
Experimental (laboratory/field, physical
models)

EIA 01/21/25
IMPACT PREDICTION & EVALUATION
Prediction techniques..3
80

Mathematical Models
Air quality dispersion
Hydrological processes
Surface and ground water quality and quantity
Expert systems
Noise propagation
Biological impact (population, nutrients,
chemical cycling, energy system diagrams)
Archaeological (predictive)
Visual impact
Socio-economic

EIA 01/21/25
Prediction criteria

81

 Magnitude and likelihood of the impact and


its spatial and temporal extent.

 Likely degree of recovery of the affected


environment;

 Value of the affected environment;

 Level of public concern; and

 Political repercussions

EIA 01/21/25
Prediction activities

82

Determining the initial reference or


baseline state.

Forecasting the future state/conditions


with and without the project.

Comparing with environmental


standards and guidelines where
appropriate.

EIA 01/21/25
What is significant impact?

→ Type biophysical,
83 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

EIA 01/21/25
Determination of significance

84

Issues:
Quantitative and qualitative
Objective and subjective

EIA 01/21/25
85

Questions to ask:
How adverse are the predicted effects?
 How do these vary in scope and intensity (e.g.
in their effect on ecological and resource
values)?

How significant or serious are the impacts


(e.g. irreversible inconsequential)?
How probable is that they will occur (e.g. high
risk low risk)?

EIA 01/21/25
IMPACT PREDICTION & EVALUATION
Determination of significance 2
86

Impacts are likely to be significant if


they:
 are extensive over space and time;
 are intensive in concentration or proportion to
assimilative capacity;

 exceed environmental standards or thresholds;

 do not comply with environmental policies,


land use plans, sustainability strategy;

EIA 01/21/25
IMPACT PREDICTION & EVALUATION
Determination of significance 3
87

adversely and seriously affect


ecologically sensitive areas; and/or,

adversely and seriously affect heritage


resources, other land uses,
communities and/or indigenous peoples
traditions and values.

EIA 01/21/25
IMPACT PREDICTION & EVALUATION
Significance ratings Rating Description
+5 Highly significant positive change
+4 Major positive change
+3 Significant positive change
+2 Moderate positive change
+1 Slight positive change
0 No change
-1 Slight negative change
-2 Moderate negative change
-3 Significant negative change
-4 Major negative change
-5 Severe irreversible change

EIA +/- Simultaneous


88 +ve and -ve change 01/21/25
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 THE DISCHARGE


DOWN TO PERMISSIBLE LIMIT

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
EIA 89 01/21/25
MAJOR ISSUES
(SCOPING)
90

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL


ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT
THE LEVEL OF INCREASE EUTROPHICATION (EFFLUENT
GASEOUS AIR POLLUTANTS CONTAINING N ,P)

POSSIBLE CHANGE IN NOISE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT


LEVEL
FISH KILLS
CHANGE IN DOWNSTREAM DO
DUE TO DISCHARGE OF
AQUEOUS EFFLUENT (ORGANIC
MATTER)

EIA 01/21/25
MAJOR ISSUES
(SCOPING)
91

THE HUMAN (SOCIAL) THE HUMAN (ECONOMIC)


ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT
AFFECT ON FISHERIES AND POSSIBILTY OF INCREASING
AQUACULTURE AS A LIVLIHOOD DRINKING WATER TREATMENT
FOR THE COMMUNITY COST

URBANIZATION TREND AND PRODUCTIVE HOUR LOSS DUE TO


RELATED PROBLEM ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

SCOPE OF JOB CREATION HEATH TREATMENT COST

EIA 01/21/25
Step 4: Impact Mitigation
92

 to avoid, minimise or remedy adverse


impacts
 to ensure that residual impacts are
within acceptable levels
 to enhance environmental and social
benefits

EIA 01/21/25
Framework for Impact
Mitigation
93

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

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

Used as a last resort


Compensation to offset habitat loss
Rare (undesirable)

EIA 01/21/25
Step 5: Reporting
94

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)

EIA 01/21/25
Contents of the Report
 a description of the project; 95

• 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.
EIA 01/21/25
Step 6: Review
96

 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, inter-agency committee —
USA, planning authority — UK
 independent panel — Canada (public inquiries)

 Public comment and input

EIA 01/21/25
Step 7: Decision Making
97

 To provide key input to help determine if a proposal


is acceptable

 To help establish environmental terms and


conditions for project implementation

EIA 01/21/25
Step 8: Monitoring
98

 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.

EIA 01/21/25
Key components of Monitoring
99

 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.

EIA 01/21/25
Public Involvement in the EIA
Steps Screening
To consult people
100 likely to be affected by
proposal.
Scoping To ensure that significant issues are identified;
project related information is gathered, alternatives
are considered.
Impact analysis To avoid biases/inaccuracies in analysis; identify local
values/preferences; assist in consideration of
Mitigation
mitigation measures; select best alternative.
and impact
management

EIA report

Review
To consider and comment on EIA Report

Decision making

Implementation
To monitor the implementation of EIA Report’s
EIA 01/21/25
and monitoring recommendations and decision’s conditions.
End of a Short Summary of
EIA
101

• 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?

EIA 01/21/25

You might also like