ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
The beginnings of Environmental Impact Assessment are rooted in the
environmental crisis that affected all industrialized economies in the
1950s/60s/70s. For example:
o 1952 “Killer fog” kills 4,000 in London (Great smog air pollution of coal
dust)
o 1963 “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson documents the effects of DDT
(pesticide)
o 1966 Cuyahoga River burns for the 3rd time in Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Looking back from today, the causes were obvious:
o Population Growth
o Natural Resource Pressures
o Urbanization
o Industrialization
All of these factors combined to create unprecedented environmental
damage with consequent effects on human health and welfare.
It is a tool used to determine the social, economic,
and environmental impact of major developments,
and proposes measures to mitigate impacts.
It is project and site specific
In the context of IEA, it is a policy response
IEA demands for public participation
KEY TERMS
1. ENVIRONMENT: The sum total of all surroundings of a living organism,
including natural forces and other living things, which provide conditions for
development and growth as well as of danger and damage.
2. IMPACT:
A. Measure of the tangible and intangible effects (consequences) of one
thing's or entity's action or influence upon another.
B. Possible adverse effects caused by a development, industrial, or
infrastructural project or by the release of a substance in the environment.
3. ASSESSMENT:
1. Procedure used by government assessors to determine the value of a
property, or the income of a person or entity, in order to charge taxes or to levy
on the orders of a court.
2. The evaluation of a situation or person.
WHAT ARE IMPACTS?
The impact of an activity is the change from the baseline situation
caused by the activity.
The baseline situation is the existing
environmental situation or condition in To measure an impact, you
the absence of the activity. must know what the baseline
situation is. What the situation
The baseline situation is a key concept originally was.
in environmental impact assessment.
EIA’s emerged internationally after the 1972 Stockholm Conference and is
now recognised internationally in the Rio Principles and the 1991 Espoo
Convention
5
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the
likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into
account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both
beneficial and adverse.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the process of assessing the likely
environmental impacts of a proposal and identifying options to minimise
environmental damage.
So, EIA is just an information gathering exercise carried out by the developer and
other bodies which enables a Local Planning Authority to understand the
environmental affects of a development before deciding whether or not it should go
ahead. E.g. Crude oil refinery, Thermal or Nuclear power plant, Port, Airport,
Railways, Chemical ind. Municipal waste treatment plant, Power plant etc.
The main purpose of EIA is to inform decision makers of the likely impacts of a proposal
before a decision is made.
What is environmental impact assessment?
In a nut shell EIA is just an information gathering exercise carried out by
the developer and other bodies which enables a Local Planning Authority to
understand the environmental affects of a development before deciding whether
or not it should go ahead.
The really important thing about environmental assessments is the emphasis
on using the best available sources, objective information and in carrying out a
systematic and holistic process which should be bias free and allow the local
authority and the whole community to properly understand the impact of the
proposed development.
Environmental assessment should lead to better standards of development
and in some cases development not happening at all. Environmental impact
assessment is meant to be a systematic process which leads to a final product, the
Environmental Statement (ES).
Minimize the damage to the ecosystem and Maximize the benefit.
Important jargon you will need to know
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a term used
to describe the total process of assessing the
environmental effects of a development project.
An Environmental Statement (ES) is used to describe
the written material submitted to the local planning
authority in fulfilment of the EIA regulations.
The term Environmental Assessment (EA) is no longer
used so as to avoid confusion with the Environment
Agency.
Environmental Parameters
components of environment.
Can be grouped into major
components.
ECOLOGY
Make assessment of these
before we start anything. PHYSICO-
CHEMICAL
HUMAN
INTEREST
According to a United Nations Environment Program Training
Resource Manual
EIA is a structured approach for obtaining and evaluating
environmental information prior to its use in decision-making
in the development process.
This information consists, basically, of predictions of how the
environment is expected to change if certain alternative
actions are implemented and advice on how best to manage
environmental changes if one alternative is selected and
implemented.
Until relatively recently EIA focused on proposed physical developments such as
highways, power stations, water resource projects and large-scale industrial facilities.
Slowly, but increasingly, its scope of application is expanding to include policies, plans
and other actions which also form part of the development process.
Today, the Decision-makers are provided, by EIA, with information and
recommendations on the anticipated consequences of their choices.
Therefore, EIA is a management tool with technical input.
The USA introduced EIA in 1970 and today it has spread rapidly to all parts of the
world.
EIA is still relatively 'young' and the number of countries which use it, as a legal
/administrative requirement, is still increasing.
The use of EIA has been formalized by the introduction of national laws and regulations.
EIA provides an opportunity to identify key issues and stakeholders early in the life of a
proposal so that potentially adverse impacts can be addressed before final approval
decisions are made.
EIA Collects information objectively and it is a Systematic and holistic process of
collecting information. The Ministry Of Environment and Forest has brought the
following under EIA.
Principle 17 of the Rio Convention 1992 states:
Environmental impact assessment, as
a national instrument, shall be
undertaken for proposed activities that
are likely to have a significant adverse
impact on the environment and are
subject to a decision of a competent
national authority.
Principle of EIA
It is important to recognise that there is a general principle of assessment
that applies to EIA, and to other assessment processes. The following are
well recognised processes:
Social Impact Assessment
Risk Assessment
Life Cycle Analysis
Energy Analysis
Health Impact Assessment
Regulatory Impact Assessment
Species Impact Assessment
Technology Assessment
Economic Assessment
Cumulative Impact Assessment
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Integrated Impact Assessment
• Baseline characterization is a description of environmental conditions in the absence of the
proposed activities. The baseline characterization cannot be exhaustive. The environmental
components most important when determining the baseline characterization are those
components most likely to be affected by your activity and upon which your activity depends on
for its success.
• Provide an overview of topics for examining the environmental baseline, such as:
oWater: Quantity, quality, reliability, accessibility
oSoils: Erosion, crop productivity, fallow periods, salinity, nutrient concentrations
oClimate Change: unpredictable weather patterns, agriculture, and food production
oFauna: Populations, habitat
oEnvironmental Health: Disease vectors, pathogens
oPublic Health: Conflict over resources, vulnerable populations, access to resources
oFlora: Composition and density of natural vegetation, productivity, key species
oKey species, ecosystems
• Determine the baseline situation by obtaining information from 3 sources:
oYour organization: Talk to staff who know the project, and know the sites. Obtain project
documents and information
o Direct observation: Go to the site(s). Look up publicly available satellite imagery before you go.
oUtilize other local talent and knowledge: communities, government, counterparts, literature
THE STEPS INVOLVED IN ENVIRONMNETAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
1. Screening: This determines whether EIA is required at all for a particular project. If required then to what
extent. Full and Comprehensive or Limited EIA.
a. Tools for Screening: Case by case examination. Determine whether projects may have significant
environmental effects and if so, project should undergo EIA.
2. Scoping: This is the most important part and it begins once screening is completed. It identifies key issues and
impacts to be considered. It lays the foundation of an effective process, saves time and money, and reduces
conflict
a. Types of Scoping:
1) Closed Scoping: Predetermined by law whether the project is required.
2) Open Scoping: Transparent and involves public consultation and all the stakeholders namely,
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. Compile an extensive list of concerns
Evaluate relevant concerns to establish key issues
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
SCOPING INVOLVES
EXAMPLE : Imagine there is a proposal to set up a Huge Paper Industry in Gamharia. There are already some
similar small and large industries operating. Now, the ETP (Effluent Treatment Plant) is established. Other
industries also discharge all the effluents into the nearby river. People use the river water for agriculture,
bathing, drinking…..animals too use. Some people also fish in the river and the fish come to Gamharia Market.
Do the Environmental Impact Assessment. Start with -> SCOPING
1. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT:
a. THE LEVEL OF INCREASE GASEOUS AIR POLLUTANTS
b. POSSIBLE CHANGE IN NOISE LEVEL
c. CHANGE IN DOWNSTREAM DO DUE TO DISCHARGE OF AQUEOUS EFFLUENT (ORGANIC MATTER)
2. BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT:
a. EUTROPHICATION (EFFLUENT CONTAINING N,P)
b. PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT
c. FISH KILLS
3. THE HUMAN (SOCIAL) ENVIRONMENT:
a. AFFECT ON FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE AS A LIVLIHOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY
b. URBANIZATION TREND AND RELATED PROBLEM
c. SCOPE OF JOB CREATION
4. THE HUMAN (ECONOMIC) ENVIRONMENT:
a. POSSIBILTY OF INCREASING DRINKING WATER TREATMENT COST
b. PRODUCTIVE HOUR LOSS DUE TOENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
c. HEATH TREATMENT COST
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
Public Involvement in the EIA Steps
1. Screening To consult people likely to be affected by proposal
2. Scoping To ensure that significant issues are identified; project
related information is gathered, alternatives are
considered.
3. Impact analysis To avoid biases/inaccuracies in analysis; identify local
values/ preferences; assist in consideration of mitigation
measures; select best alternative
4. Mitigation and impact
management
5. EIA report
6. Review To consider and comment on EIA Report
7. Decision making
8. Implementation and monitoring To monitor the implementation of EIA Report’s
recommendations and decision’s conditions.
Major benefits of the EA process for project sponsors :
Reduced cost and time of project
implementation.
Cost-saving modifications in project design.
Increased project acceptance.
Avoided impacts and violations of laws and
regulations.
Improved project performance.
Avoided treatment/clean up costs.
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
SYSTEM (EIS)
Established in 1982 by GOI as a plan
programme to provide
environmental information to
decision makers, policy planners,
scientists and engineers, research
workers, etc. all over the country.
Participating networks
• 30 govt deptts, 36 institutions & 15 NGOs with a
Focal Point in the Ministry of Environment.
• The areas covered are:
• Pollution control, toxic chemicals, central and
offshore ecology, environmentally sound and
appropriate technology, biodiversity,bio-
degradation of wastes and environment
management, etc.
Responsibilities of the EIS
Establishment of linkages with all information sources,
and creation of data bank on selected parameters in the
subject area assigned.
Identification of information gaps.
Publish newsletters and Bulletins.
Develop library facility and provide support to the focal
point on the subject area.
Most importantly serve as interface for the users on the
assigned subject.
An EMS is simply a collection of activities undertaken to
ensure that environmental issues are managed....An EMS is
important for:
Consistently complying with environmental laws
Improving overall environmental performance
Addressing environmental liability from current or past
practices
Maximizing investment in environmental affairs
Integration of environmental objectives into overall
mission and business objectives
Providing an environmentally safe workplace
EMS
“The part of the overall management
system that includes organizational
structure, planning activities,
responsibilities, practices, procedures,
processes and resources for developing,
implementing, achieving and reviewing
the environmental policy.”
An environmental management system brings together
the people, policies, plans, review mechanisms, and
procedures used to manage environmental issues at a
facility or in an organization.
True environmental management must include all
aspects of the organization, such as personnel training,
purchasing, management organization, communication,
risk management, and emergency planning.
WHAT EMS DOES
Facilitates environmental compliance
Addresses environmental impacts
Broadens environmental responsibilities to all
whose work can have a significant impact on the
environment
Environmental office has technical expertise to
contribute
Main steps in EMS
Plan what you’re going to do;
Do what you planned to do;
Check to ensure that you did what you
planned; and
Act to make improvements.
Is an EMS Important?
• Yes....
Identifies causes of environmental problems and is
used to eliminate them
Improves communication and assigns responsibility
Saves money and makes good business sense
Important to satisfy grant or other business terms
Role of information technology in
environment
The computer is one of the most remarkable developments in the
history of mankind. Technological development in the information
technology (IT) has connected people in different parts of the world
into a single network. Informational technology has tremendous
potential in every walk of life such as business, economics, politics,
medicine, environment and culture.
Development of different internet facilities, World Wide Web
(WWW), Geographical information system (GIS), Global positioning
system (GPS), Environmental Information System (ENVIS) and
information through satellites has generated a wealth of information
on various aspects of day to day life
IT provides us with information regarding the following:
probable dangers related to indiscriminate use of natural resources
hazardous results due to the use of various pesticides and germicides
animal products (hide, bone, milk, etc.) and plant resources in an area
effective control of population growth
soil erosion and conservation
education and public awareness
changes in the health care delivery system
community health information networks
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