ENVIRONMENT IMPACT

ASSESSMENT (EIA)
DEFINITION OF EIA:
Environmental Impact Assessment is defined as an activity designed to identify the impact on the
biogeophysical environment, on man and well-being of legislative proposals, projects, policies, operational
procedures and to interpret and communicate information.
EIA is a systematic process of identifying future consequences of a current or proposed action.
The process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant
effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made in EIA.
OBJECTIVES OF EIA:
The main objective of EIA is
(i) to identify, predict and evaluate the economic, environmental and social impact of development activities
(ii) to provide information on the environmental consequences for decision making and
(iii) to promote environmentally sound and sustainable development through the identification of appropriate
alternatives and mitigation measures.
EIA is widely accepted as a tool to ensure sustained development with minimum environmental degradation.
EIAs began to be used in the 1960s as part of a rational decision making process.
It involved a technical evaluation that would lead to objective decision making. EIA was made legislation in
the US in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 1969.
The first comprehensive environmental legislation (Section 102) in United States came into force on 1st
January 1970 in the form of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The main steps in EIAs process:-
 Screening
 Scoping
 Prediction and Mitigation
 Management and Monitoring
 Audit
Screening often results in a categorization of the project and from this a decision is made on whether or not a
full EIA is to be carried out.
Scoping is the process of determining which are the most critical issues to study and will involve community
participation to some degree. It is at this early stage that EIA can most strongly influence the outline proposal.
Detailed Prediction and Mitigation studies follow scoping and are carried out in parallel with feasibility
studies.
The main output report is called an Environmental Impact Statement, and contains a detailed plan for
Managing and Monitoring environmental impacts both during and after implementation.
Finally, an Audit of the EIA process is carried out some time after implementation. The audit serves a useful
feedback and learning function.
EIS CONTENTS:
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) should contain the following information’s/data:
1. Description of proposed action (construction, operation and shut down phase) and selection of alternatives to
the proposed action.
2. Nature and magnitude of the likely environmental effects.
3. Possibility of earthquakes and cyclones.
4. Possible effects on surface and ground water quality, soil and air quality.
5. Effects on vegetation, wild life and endangered species.
6. Economic and demographic factors.
7. Identification of relevant human concerns.
8. Noise pollution. Efficient use of inputs.
9. Recycling and reduction of waste.
10. Risk analysis and disaster management.
SIGNIFICANCE OF EIA
EIA is intended to prevent or minimize potentially adverse environmental impacts and enhance the overall
quality of a project. The main benefits and advantages of EIA are:
Lower project costs in the long-term
Increased project acceptance
Improved project design

EIA DIRECTIVE
The EIA Directive requires projects likely to have significant effects on the Environment by virtue of their nature, size or
location to undergo an environmental assessment before the competent authority in question grants consent.
The EIA Directive defines a project as the execution of construction works or of other installations or schemes, other
interventions in the natural surroundings and landscape including those involving the extraction of mineral resources.
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 Environment Impact Assessment
EIA Clearance required
Total EIA clearance is required for 32 categories of developmental works broadly
categorized into following industrial sectors:
Mining
Thermal power plant
River valley
Infrastructure (Road, highway, ports, harbour, airports,
Industries including very small electroplating or foundry units)

Certain activities permissible under Coastal Regulation Zone Act 1991, also require similar
clearance
FLOW CHART REPRESENTING THE PROCESS OF EIA

Initial Environmental IEE

Screening Examination (IEE) Review

EIA
Scoping/
Required EIA Not
Terms of
Reference Required

Full-Scale
EIA
EIA
Approved
EIA Decision EIA Audit and
Making Monitoring
Review Evaluation
EIA Not
Approved
Evaluate

Options
SCREENING

• It would be time consuming and a waste of resources for all

proposed projects and activities to undergo EIA.
• Not all development projects require an EIA, as some projects may not
pose an environmental threat.
• Screening is the process used to determine whether a proposed project or
activity requires an EIA and if so, what level of environmental review is
necessary.

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SCREENING FLOW CHART
Project type on project
screening checklist?

Project scale above the

screening threshold?
Project located in a critical
area?

IAA funding, or any other

Will the project be funded special circumstances?
by an IAA? NO

Get specific IAA (Impact

Assessment Act) requirements

No initial
Prepare the work plan for the initial environmental
environmental examination (IEE) examination
required (IEE)
 IEE in the Overall EIA
Process
Initial Environmental Examination
1. Identifies potential significant
Project
Screening
environmental issues associated with
Identifies projects that a project
typically contain potential
significant issues 2. Grades effects and identifies actual
Significant Environmental Issues
(SEIs)
3. Resolves simple SEIs
4. Recommends further action for
resolving outstanding SEIs

Full-Scale EIA or Other

Additional Study
Resolves any remaining
significant environmental
issues
SCOPING
A process of interaction between government agencies and project
proponents
Identifies:
– Spatial and temporal boundaries for the EIA
– Important issues and concern
– Information necessary for decision making
– Significant effects and factors to be considered
– Establishes terms for reference of full scale EIA
SCOPING

IEE Review: Project

All potential Proceeds
IEE
according to
SEIs resolved
terms of
IEE

Terms of Reference
1. Background
2. Impact Issues
Significant Issues Full-Scale
Relevant Resources EIA
Report Formatting
3. Work Plan
When/Who/How of
Task Completion
FULL-SCALE EIA OVERVIEW
Input = Outstanding SEIs from IEE(initial
environment examination).

Assessment phase:
– Qualitative/quantitative analysis of SEI (Socio-economic
Impact)
– SEI significance
Mitigation Development Phase:
– Select appropriate mitigation measures
– Residual impact significance
 EIA
overview
 Checklists
 Matrices
 Risk Assessment
 Network
 Overlays/GIS
 Expert Systems
 Risk assessment

Qualitative Quantitative
DECISION MAKING

The challenge of making the final decision on implementing a

project is observed.

Decision are taken at all stages during the EIA process and the
outcome will be based on these decisions.

If a large scale project falls under the jurisdiction of countries with

comparable national EIA procedures, it should be feasible to be
more ambitious in organising EIA transboundary.
MONITORIN
G
In legislation there is a often demand for environmental
reporting when treating permits to activities with large EIA.

This stage involves improvement and mitigational measures

to put forward EIA.

It also involves elements of assessing risks and hazard

management.
 AUDIT AND EVALUATION
• This is the final stage of EIA.

•Audit consists opinions and corrections of the report which are

submitted in front of decision making committee.

•It also reveals that whether EIA is necessary or not for the report
submitted,if necessary what are the measures taken in order to
overcome the drawbacks and hazards.
 Uses of
EIA
Systematic evaluation of a eco friendly project.
 Risk and hazard assessment.
 Impact identification.
 Monitoring of impact and advice.
 Development control
 Project development
 SEA (strategic environmental assessment)
and permit.
FLOW DIAGRAM OF THE EIA PROCESS AND PARALLEL STUDIES
EXTERNALITIES OF EIA
 Positive Externalities consequence of an industrial or commercial activity
which affects other parties without this being reflected in market prices, such as the
:
pollination of surrounding crops by bees kept for honey.

1. New jobs generated, economic growth stimulated.

2. Growth of local business enterprises supported.
3. Development of supporting and
complementary industries.
4. Influx of capital and disposable income.
 Negative Externalities:
• Social impacts:
1. Impacts on health of local population.
2. Increase in crime and deviant behaviour.
3. Additional pressure on the existing physical
infrastructure (sewage, water supply etc.).
4. Decline in community cohesion.
5. Changed cultural values.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:
1. Depletion of Natural resources.

2. Destruction of Habitats.
3. Change in pH, Oxygen level, toxicity of water.
4. Increase in toxicity of air.

5. Global Warming.

6. Ozone Depletion.
BENEFITS OF CONDUCTING EIA
• Facilitates informed decision making by providing clear, well
structured dispassionate analysis of the effect and consequences
of proposed projects.
• Pre-emption or early withdrawal of unsound proposals.

• Assists in the selection of alternatives, including the selection of the

best practicable and most environmentally friendly option.
• Results in best practice prediction and mitigation of adverse effects
of projects.
• Influences both project selection and design by screening out
environmentally unsound projects, as well as modifying feasible projects -
Mitigation of negative environmental and social impacts.
• Guides formal approval, including the establishment of terms and
conditions of project implementation and follow up.
• Mitigation of negative environmental and social impacts.

• Serves as an adaptive, organizational learning process, in which the

lessons of experience are feedback into policy, institutional and project
design - Enhancement of positive aspects
CONCLUSIONS
• Environment Impact Assessment is a very beneficial step to check,
whether the project is environment friendly or not.
• EIA is an important tool in assuring that projects and plans will not give
adverse impact on the environment.
• The use of EIA has developed throughout the world and may different
applications exists.
• EIA process thus could not only prevent costs due to environmental
aspects but also prevent possible public opinions and protest against a
project.
• Since economic development is result of interaction between natural
resources and technology supported by designed for people, so all
human activity should be economic, social and environment friendly.