CV-7505 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment, Overall EIA process; Preliminary Assessment, Scoping,
Identification of Impacts, Quantification of Impacts, Mitigation Measure, Presentation of EIA, Decision making,
EIA Guidelines for various developmental projects in different sectors. Case Studies.

EIA as a mandatory regulatory procedure originated in the early 1970s, with the
implementation of the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) 1969 in the US. A large
part of the initial development took place in a few high-income countries, like Canada,
Australia, and New Zealand (1973-74).
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) refers to the evaluation of
the environmental impacts likely to raise from any project significantly
affecting environmental quality.
Evaluation the making of a judgment about the amount, number, or value of something;
i.e. assessment.
Environmental impact is defined as any change to the environment, whether adverse
or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organization's activities, products, or
services.
"Environmental Quality" is a set of properties and characteristics of the environment,
either generalized or local, as they impinge on human beings and other organisms. It is
a measure of the condition of an environment relative to the requirements of one or
more species, any human need or purpose.
Environmental quality includes the natural environment as well as the built environment,
such as air, water purity or pollution, noise and the potential effects which such
characteristics may have on physical and mental health.

What is EIA Process?

The EIA document itself is a technical tool that identifies, predicts, and analyzes
impacts on the physical environment, as well as social, cultural, and health impacts. If
the EIA process is successful, it identifies alternatives and mitigation measures to
reduce the environmental impact of a proposed project.
Identification: It is through SCREENING which project needs EIA
Prediction: Forecasting of Effects and their likely Impacts
Analyzing: Quantification of Impacts (magnitude, duration, intensity, etc.)
 Screening
 Scoping
4-2 Screening procedure
Screening is the first key decision of the EIA process. Some type of screening procedure is necessary
because of the large number of projects and activities that are potentially subject to EIA. The purpose of
screening is to determine whether a proposal requires an EIA or not. It is intended to ensure that the form
or level of any EIA review is commensurate with the importance of the issues raised by a proposal.

The conduct of screening thus involves making a preliminary determination of the expected impact of a
proposal on the environment and of its relative significance. A certain level of basic information about the
proposal and its location is required for this purpose. The time taken to complete the screening process
will depend upon the type of proposal, the environmental setting and the degree of experience or
understanding of its potential effects. Most proposals can be screened very quickly (in an hour or less) but
some will take longer and a few will require an extended screening or initial assessment. Similarly, the
majority of proposals may have few or no impacts and will be screened out of the EIA process. A smaller
number of proposals will require further assessment. Only a limited number of proposals, usually major
projects, will warrant a full EIA because they are known or considered to have potentially significant
adverse impacts on the environment; for example, on human health and safety, rare or endangered
species, protected areas, fragile or valued ecosystems, biological diversity, air and water quality, or the
lifestyle and livelihood of local communities.

The screening process can have one of four outcomes:

 no further level of EIA is required;

 a full and comprehensive EIA is required;
 a more limited EIA is required (often called preliminary or initial assessment); or
 further study is necessary to determine the level of EIA required (often called an initial
environmental evaluation or examination [IEE]).

Screening establishes the basis for scoping, which identifies the key impacts to be studied and establishes
terms of reference for an EIA. Many EIA systems have formal screening and scoping procedures. In some
cases, however, these terms may be used differently or applied at the discretion of the proponent. Also, on
occasion, the screening and scoping stages may overlap, for example, when a further study (or IEE) is
undertaken to determine whether or not the potential impacts are significant enough to warrant a full
EIA.

The requirements for screening and the procedure to be followed are often defined in the applicable EIA
law or regulations. In many cases, the proposals to which EIA applies are listed in an annex. Usually, the
proponent is responsible for carrying out screening, although this is done by the competent authority in
some EIA systems. Whatever the requirements, screenng should occur as early as possible in the
development of the proposal so that the proponent and other participants are aware of the EIA
obligations. It should be applied systematically and consistently (so that the same decisions would be
reached if others conducted the screening process).

The screening procedures employed for this purpose can be classified into two broad, overlapping
approaches:

 prescriptive or standardised approach – proposals subject to or exempt from EIA are defined or
listed in legislation and regulations; and
 discretionary or customised approach – proposals are screened on an individual or case-by-case
base, using indicative guidance.

Specific methods used in screening include:

  legal (or policy) definition of proposals to which EIA does or does not apply;
 inclusion list of projects (with or without thresholds) for which an EIA is automatically required;
exclusion list of activities which do not require EIA because they are insignificant or are exempt
by law (e.g. national security or emergency activities); and
 criteria for case-by-case screening of proposals to identify those requiring an EIA because of their
potentially significant environmental effects.

Both prescriptive and discretionary approaches have a place and their specific procedures can be
combined into a comprehensive procedure (as shown in the figure below). Where inclusive project lists
are used, the disposition of most proposals will be immediately apparent. However, some proposals will
be on the borderline in relation to a listed threshold and for others, the environmental impacts may be
unclear or uncertain. In these situations, case-by-case screening should be undertaken, applying any
indicative guidelines and criteria established for this purpose. This process gives the proponent or
competent authority greater discretion than mandatory lists in determining the requirement for EIA.

In this context, screening is a flexible process and can be extended into preliminary forms of EIA study.
These ‘extended screening’ procedures include:

 initial environmental examination – carried out in cases where the environmental impacts of a
proposal are uncertain or unknown (e.g. new technologies or undeveloped areas);
 environmental overview – carried out as a rapid assessment of the environmental issues and
impacts of a proposal; and
 class screening – carried out for a family of small projects or repetitive activities, where the
environmental effects and means of mitigation are known but there is potential for cumulative
impacts (e.g. dredging, road realignment, bank stabilisation).
5-2 Purpose of scoping
Scoping is a critical, early step in the preparation of an EIA. The scoping process identifies the issues that
are likely to be of most importance during the EIA and eliminates those that are of little concern.
Typically, this process concludes with the establishment of Terms of Reference for the preparation of an
EIA. In this way, scoping ensures that EIA studies are focused on the significant effects and time and
money are not wasted on unnecessary investigations.

Scoping refers to the early, open and interactive process of determining the major issues and impacts that
will be important in decision-making on the proposal, and need to be addressed in an EIA. The
requirements and procedures established for this purpose differ from country to country. In many EIA
systems, the involvement of the public, as well as the competent authority and other responsible
government agencies, is an integral part of the scoping process. Public input helps to ensure that
important issues are not overlooked when preparing Terms of Reference and/or initiating the EIA study.

The purpose of scoping is to identify:

 the important issues to be considered in an EIA;

 the appropriate time and space boundaries of the EIA study;
 the information necessary for decision-making; and
 the significant effects and factors to be studied in detail.

In addition, the scoping process can be used to help define the feasible alternatives to a proposed action.
Not all EIA systems make provision for the generation or review of alternatives during scoping. These may
follow, instead, from the issues that are identified as important. However, consideration of alternatives
during scoping is becoming accepted internationally, as an EIA ‘good practice’.

Typically, scoping begins after the completion of the screening process. However, these stages may
overlap to some degree. Essentially, scoping takes forward the preliminary determination of significance
made in screening to the next stage of resolution – determining which issues and impacts are significant
and require further study. In doing so, the scoping process places limits on the information to be gathered
and analysed in an EIA and focuses the approach to be taken.

Scoping is completed when the detailed studies required in the EIA have been specified – often this
involves preparing Terms of Reference (ToR) or an equivalent document. This document sets out what the
EIA is to cover, the type of information to be submitted and the depth of analysis that is required. It
provides guidance to the proponent on how the study should be conducted and managed. Experience
shows that the ToR should be a flexible document. The terms may need alteration as further information
becomes available, and new issues emerge or others are reduced in importance.

Scoping provides the foundations for an effective and efficient EIA process. When systematically carried
out, scoping highlights the issues that matter and results in Terms of Reference for an EIA that provide
clear direction to the proponent on what is required. This increases the likelihood of an adequately
prepared EIA report. It helps to avoid the problem of unfocused, voluminous reports and the attendant
delay while their deficiencies are addressed and corrected. Scoping thereby helps to make sure that
resources are targeted on collecting the information necessary for decision-making and not wasted on
undertaking excessive analysis.

The scoping process itself can vary in scope, complexity and time taken. A comprehensive approach to
scoping may be needed for large-scale proposals, which have a range of impacts that are potentially
significant. In other cases, scoping will be a more limited and restricted exercise. Depending on the
circumstances, the scoping process can be tailored to include some or all of the aims listed below.
Key objectives of scoping are to:

 inform the public about the proposal;

 identify the main stakeholders and their concerns and values;
 define the reasonable and practical alternatives to the proposal;
 focus the important issues and significant impacts to be addressed by an EIA;
 define the boundaries for an EIA in time, space and subject matter;
 set requirements for the collection of baseline and other information; and
 establish the Terms of Reference for an EIA study.

Guiding principles for carrying out the scoping process include the following:

 recognise scoping is a process rather than a discrete activity or event;

 design the scoping process for each proposal, taking into account the environment and people
affected;
 start scoping as soon as you have sufficient information available;
 prepare an information package or circular explaining the proposal and the process;
 specify the role and contribution of the stakeholders and the public;
 take a systematic approach but implement flexibly;
 document the results to guide preparation of an EIA; and
 respond to new information and further issues raised by stakeholders.

The elements of scoping differ to some degree with the EIA requirements established by different
countries and international agencies. A comprehensive scoping process will include all or a combination
of the following functions:

 identify the range of community and scientific concerns about a proposed project or action;
 evaluate these concerns to identify the significant issues (and to eliminate those issues which are
not important); and
 organize and prioritise these issues to focus the information that is critical for decision making,
and that will be studied in detail in the next phase of EIA.

5-4 Scoping methods

Find it in this link:

[Link]

for all EIA process:

[Link]

EIA 7 steps including the scoping process.

[Link]