Lecture Marine environmental studies Topic Environmental impact assessment

Lecture Marine environmental studies Topic: Environmental impact assessment. In this chapter, the following content will be discussed: EIA, what is EIA? Data used in EIA, secondary data analysis, the steps in an EIA, which projects require EIA?...

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

ASSESSMENT

 The growing awareness, over the years, on

environmental protection and sustainable

development has further given emphasis on sound environmental management practices through preparation of Environmental

Management Plan (EMPs) for minimizing the impacts from developmental activities.

EIA cont’d

 It has been recognized that preventive, rather than “react and cure” approaches are more efficient and effective means

of managing environmental problems

 EIA is the measurement of the likely environmental impacts of a development and how to mitigate these

Data used in EIA

 Primary data

 Secondary data

Secondary Data Analysis

 They attempt to organize and simplify

available information and the potential

effects on the environment of the proposed project.

 They usually involve expert opinion and

value judgments rather than factual

information and analysis of data.

 Almost all simple EIA methodologies focus

on direct environmental impacts They are not suitable for assessing indirect impacts.

Secondary Data Analysis –

THE STEPS IN AN EIA

 Preliminary activities – understand what is being

proposed and why.

 Impact identification (scoping) - time and spatial

boundaries, conceptual boundary…

 Baseline study – what is the current situation to be

measured against impacts?

 Impact evaluation (qualification)

 Mitigation measures – measures to reduce or

compensate for impacts

 Assessment (comparison of alternatives) – alternatives

Which projects require EIA?

 Two categories

 Schedule 1-EA mandatory

 Schedule 2- EA may be necessary (some discretion)

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Schedule 1 Projects

 23 categories

 Examples

 Crude oil refinery

 Nuclear power stations

 Long distance railway

 Airport runway >2100m

 Motoway, road 4 lanes and more

 Incineration plant>100 tonnes/day

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Schedule 2 Projects

 13 categories

 Examples

 Certain agricultural operations (eg

intensive fish farming)

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Screening criteria for

schedule 2 projects

 Size of development

 Accumulation with other development

 Use of natural resources

 Production of waste

 Pollution and nuisance

 Risk of accident

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Content of an

Environmental Statements (ES)

 A description of the site and adjacent areas

 A description of development proposed

 The data necessary to identify and assess the main effects which the development is likely

to have

 A description of significant effects, direct and indirect

 A description of the measures envisaged in

order to avoid, reduce or remedy the effects

 A summary in non-technical language

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Information to be provided

 Physical characteristics of the whole development

 Production processes

 Types and quantities of residues and emissions

 Description of aspects of the environment likely to

be significantly affected

 Description of the likely effects on them

 Description of the forecasting methods

 Information of the options considered

 Mitigating measures

 Technical problems/lack of knowledge

 Non-technical summary.

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What is meant by the

environment? Effects on:

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Separate and supporting documents to the ES

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Mitigation hierarchy

 Avoidance

 Timing scrub clearance to avoid impacts on breeding birds

 Reducing Impact at source

 Acoustic enclosures to attenuate noise sources

 Reduce impact at receptor

 Noise barriers and screening planting along boundary

fences

 Repair temporary damage

 Earliest opportunity eg early planting for visual amenity screening

 Compensate in kind

 New habitat creation to compensate for loss

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Who is responsible for

mitigation

 Consultants and developers try to ensure mitigation measures in ES’s are specific, etc

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Public Consultation……….

 When EIA is completed the developer must publish a notice in the local

newspaper and post notices on the site

 20 day period for the public to comment

 Only after this time has expired can the developer submit the planning

application

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Importance to developers

 Major cost implications for developers

because it is the developer who has to pay for the EIA

 Major time implications for the developer because the submission of an EIA with

an application for planning permission, extents the time taken to prepare the application, and also the determination

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EIA Generates

uncertainty……

 For developers, for funders and for

occupants

 Adds huge complexity to the system

 Requires specialist consultants to lead the process in most cases

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