Writing a Preliminary Assessment (The example of the Environmental Review Report)

1
Writing a Preliminary Assessment(The example of
the Environmental Review Report)
DATE
SPEAKERS NAMES
2
Reviewthe Preliminary Assessment in the EIA
process
Phase I
Phase II
Understand proposed activity Why is the activity
being proposed? What is being proposed?
Screen the activity Based on the nature of the
activity what level of environmental review is
indicated?
Conduct a Preliminary Assessment A rapid,
simplified EIA study using simple tools(e.g. the
USAID IEE)
BEGIN FULL EIA STUDY
SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACTS POSSIBLE
ACTIVITY IS OF MODERATEOR UNKNOWNRISK
SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACTS VERY UNLIKELY
STOP the EIA process
ACTIVITY IS LOW RISK (Of its nature, very
unlikely to have significant adverse impacts)
ACTIVITY IS HIGH RISK (Of its nature, likely to
have significant adverse impacts)
3
Review Purpose of a Preliminary Assessment
The purpose of any preliminary assessment is to.
. .

• Provide documentation and analysis that
• Allows the preparer to determine whether or not
  significant adverse impacts are likely
• Allows the reviewer to agree or disagree with the
  preparers determinations
• Sets out mitigation and monitoring for adverse
  impacts

The ERR is USAIDs preliminary assessment for
sub-project review
4
The Environmental Review Report (ERR)

• ERR outline
• Summary of proposal
• 2. Description of proposed activities
• 3. Environmental situation host country
  environmental requirements
• 4. Evaluation of potential environmental impacts
• 5. Environmental mitigation, monitoring
  evaluation
• 6. Attachments (photos, maps, individuals
  consulted)

• In this presentation, we use the ERR as an
  example of a preliminary assessment

Note The ERR is very similar to USAIDs IEE and
to other preliminary assessments required by
donors and governments.
!
?
3-5 pages!
5
Overview Steps in Preparing an ERR
A. Get ready
B. Conduct Environmental Analysis
C. Write Mitigation and Monitoring Plan, Make
determinations
D. Finalize submit
Sections 1-4 of the ERR
Section 5 of the ERR
Assemble informationReview screening results
Attach supplemental informationComplete
facesheet, sign submit
6
Step A
?
GET READY!
7
Step A GET READY!Check screening results

• First, review the screening results as recorded
  in the summary table on the Environmental Review
  Form.

Note which activities the ERR must cover!
8
Step A GET READY! Review, research gather
information
Review screening results
(Per previous slide)
(in the Env. Review Form instructions.) You may
also wish to review Chapt. 4 of the EPTM,
Writing the IEE.
Review Annotated ERR Outline
Research likely impacts mitigation
Consult the Small Scale Guidelines or other
resources to understand the key impacts
mitigation measures typical for your activities.
Assemble keyinformation
May include biophysical, economic social
information, maps and photos. Figure out who you
should talk to!
9
Step B
?
Conduct theEnvironmental Analysis
(Sections 1-4 of the ERR)
10
Step B Conduct the Environmental Analysis Write
Proposal Summary Activity Description
Summarize WHY the activity is proposed HOW it
came about. WHAT outputs/ results are expected.
Reference to proposal, if appropriate Very short
description of activity proposed
ERR Section 1 Summary of Proposal
Provide qualitative quantitative information
about the actions required for these
activities Use a table to present
succinctly Include all phases Indicate any
rejected alternatives
ERR Section 2 Description of Activities
ERR Section 3 Environmental situation host
country requirements
!
Remember, the ERR ONLY addresses high risk and
moderate/unknown risk activities!
11
Step B Conduct the Environmental Analysis Write
Env. Situation Country Requirements
!
Organize this section by location or activity,
whichever is most convenient
ERR Section 1 Summary of Proposal
ERR Section 2 Description of Activities

• Describe environmental characteristics of the
  site(s) where the activities will take place
• Relevant information only! Focus on issues of
  concern.
• Describe applicable host country environmental
  regulations or policies

ERR Section 3 Environmental situation host
country requirements
12
Step B Conduct the Environmental Analysis
Evaluate potential environmental impacts
ERR Section 3 Environmental situation host
country requirements
!
Use tools such as checklists, matrices, networks
or overlays to assist in evaluating impacts.
ERR Section 4 Evaluation of potential
environmental impacts

• Describe the potential impacts of EACH activity,
  including
• all applicable environmental components (e.g.,
  air, water, soils, flora and fauna, cultural)
• Direct, indirect cumulative impacts
• Adverse AND beneficial impacts
• IF AN ACTIVITY HAS NO POTENTIAL IMPACT, NOTE THIS!

ERR Section 5 Environmental mitigation
monitoring
13
Step C
?
Write Mitigation Monitoring Plan
(Section 5 of the ERR)
14
Step C Write Mitigation and Monitoring Plan,
Make DeterminationsNote Judging the
significance of impacts

• The ERR requires youto judge the SIGNIFICANCE of
  impacts.
• Significance depends largely on 2 factors
• Context of the impact(environmental context AND
  policies, laws local values)
• Intensity of the impact
• In part, this is often a VALUE JUDGMENT

?
What do we mean by context intensity?
15
Step C Write Mitigation and Monitoring Plan,
Make DeterminationsNote Judging the
significance of impacts
When the impact. . .
Contextual factors that tend to increase the
significance of adverse impacts include
Evinces public concern or controversy. May set a
precedent for how similar situations are
addressed in future. Affects protected habitats,
land or ecosystems. Affects habitats, land or
ecosystems which may not be protected, but which
are particularly valued for aesthetics,
recreation, cultural reasons. Affects resource
availability critical to subsistence
livelihood. Disrupts local customs. Is subject to
law, policy or regulation that treat the impact
as a matter of particular concern. Has a high or
unknown potential impact public health and safety.
16
Step C Write Mitigation and Monitoring Plan,
Make DeterminationsNote Judging the
significance of impacts
How can CONTEXT affect the significance of
impacts?
Example Context Intensity
An improved pit latrine is planned at a new
market site. The most significant potential
impact of latrines is usually the potential for
groundwater contamination. Construction impacts
are typically minimal.
A shallow well serving a primary school is
located 10m away. The planned site contains a
sacred stone, tree or shrine. National law
requires that any potential impacts on
groundwater is considered significant and
requires district approval.
What about INTENSITY?
A 10-seat latrine is planned to serve 1000
persons/day
17
Step C Write Mitigation and Monitoring Plan,
Make DeterminationsBEFORE YOU WRITE. . .
?

• DONT WRITE YET!Step back and consider
• Based on your analysis. . .what recommendation
  seems likely for EACH activity WITHOUT mitigation
  and monitoring not already part of the activity
  design?
• What may change once mitigation and monitoring is
  added?
• OK. . .NOW proceed to write the mitigation and
  monitoring plan

What are the impacts of constructing my market
access road?
?
18
Step C Write Mitigation and Monitoring Plan,
Make DeterminationsWrite the mitigation
monitoring plan
ERR Section 4 Evaluation of potential
environmental impacts
Mitigation measures should be clearly matched to
impacts. Monitoring must verify the
implementation effectiveness of mitigation
measures. Remember, mitigation monitoring plans
should specify what, who, how much, when and why!
ERR Section 5 Environmental mitigation
monitoring
Once mitigation and monitoring is specified, you
are ready to make your recommended
determinations. REMEMBER, each activity
receives one of 3 determinations. . .
ERR Section 6 Attachments
19
Step C Write Mitigation and Monitoring Plan,
Make DeterminationsRecommended Determinations in
the ERR

• Based on your evaluation of environmental impacts
  your mitigation and monitoring specifications,
  make a recommended finding (determination) for
  each activity

Recommendation Implications(if ERR is approved)
No significant adverse impact Activity passes environmental review
With specified mitigation no significant adverse impacts The activity passes environmental review on the condition that the specified mitigation and monitoring is implemented
Significant adverse impacts are possible Do full EAor redesign activity
Remember, low risk activities are not covered by
the ERR and receive no determination.
!
20
Step C Write Mitigation and Monitoring Plan,
Make Determinations Finish your summary table

• Enter the recommended determinations in the
  summary table

21
Step D
?
Finalize submit the ERR
22
Step D Finalize submit the ERR
ERR Section 6 Attachments
Attach maps, photos, site descriptions any
other information that will help the reviewer
make a decision.
Sign Certifications
Remember, the certifications are a binding
commitment!
Submit
Remember to attach the ERR to the Environmental
Review Form
23
Some final advice

• In reality, ERR preparation is often an
  ITERATIVE process

Know your activities as well as possible before
you begin Do desk research, visit the field,
talk with colleagues.
Start to draft the ERR. Identify missing
information.
Talk to more people.Revise continue!