CSM 2274 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

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CSM 2274ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENTEnvironmental
Impact Assessment (EIA)
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Role of EIA in the Planning Process

• An EIA is a formal procedure carried out as part
  of the planning process prior to any development.
  
• Its purpose is to assess the future impact of the
  proposed development on both the natural and
  human environment.
• For large projects with potentially significant
  environmental impacts, the EIA might be
  compulsory. For smaller projects, the EIA might
  be optional but might be produced in support of a
  planning application to demonstrate that the
  environmental impacts have been considered.
• The EIA will take into account any plans within
  the proposed development to address environmental
  impacts.
• It is the responsibility of the developer to
  carry out the EIA.

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Legislative Framework

• In Europe, Council Directive 85/337/EEC on the
  assessment of the effects of certain public and
  private projects on the environment provides the
  framework for EIA
• Amended as Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March
  1997 amending Directive 85/337/EEC on the
  assessment of the effects of certain public and
  private projects on the environment
• The Directive is incorporated into UK legislation
  as the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of
  Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999 (subject
  to amendment)

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The Scope of an EIA

• The scope of an EIA is necessarily very broad and
  will vary from project to project.
• It will include impacts on both the natural
  environment (in terms of physical, chemical or
  biological impacts, for example) and human
  environment (in terms of employment, health,
  educational opportunities etc.)
• An EIA will address the impacts of both the
  construction and operational phases of the
  proposed development (right).
• The EIA will result in the production of An
  Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which will
  be submitted to the planning authority for
  consideration.

Consider the environmental impact of the
construction (above, Heathrow Terminal 5) and
operational phases of an airport. Clearly, the
impacts are different and will each have to be
considered equally.
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The EIA Process

• Stage 1. Project Preparation
• Stage 2. Screening
• Stage 3. Scoping
• Stage 4. Environmental Studies
• Stage 5. Submission of Environmental
  Information to
• Competent Authority
• Stage 6. Review of Adequacy of the
  Environmental
• Information
• Stage 7. Consultation with Statutory
  Environmental
• Authorities, Other Interested Parties
  and the Public
• Stage 8. Consideration of the Environmental
  Information by
• the Competent Authority before making
• Development Consent Decision
• Stage 9. Announcement of Decision 
• Stage 10. Post-Decision Monitoring if Project is
  Granted
• Consent

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Screening, Scoping and Information Requirements

• Procedures provided under the EIA Directive and
  supporting documents
• Screening (is an EIA needed? Directive Annexes
  I, II and III)
• Scoping (what are the key issues for the EIA?
  Guidance on Scoping)
• Information requirements (what goes into an EIA
  and how is it structured? Directive Annex IV)
• Example checklists (Guidance on Scoping)
• Understanding interconnections (Guidelines on
  indirect and cumulative impacts, inc. interaction
  matrices)
• Further information at
• http//www.people.ex.ac.uk/mjheath/2274e

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Case Study Alqueva Dam

• Following the scoping exercise, a Terms of
  Reference (ToR) may be drawn up that forms the
  basis for the EIA itself. The ToR may accompany
  an invitation to tender for an EIA contract.
• An example is the ToR for the Alqueva Dam EIA at
  http//www.people.ex.ac.uk/mjheath/Alqueva.html
  (for which the University bid unsuccessfully in
  1990!).
• The project (below) was controversial, as was
  reported by Rivernet. 

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Case Study Malanjkhand Copper Project

• Look at the photos and consider what would be
  included in an EIA for such a project
• See also the overview of regional socioeconomic
  impacts
• For another, ongoing mineral planning controversy
  in India, see http//www.ex.ac.uk/people/mjheath/R
  ajhara.html
• Further Video background
• Chhattisgarh
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?v4kgkTVWPcm4
• Mining in India (tribal people, Niyamgiri)
  http//www.youtube.com/watch?vZWGCC9v3WsA
• Niyamgiri update (08/08/08) http//news.bbc.co.uk
  /2/hi/south_asia/7548953.stm
• http//www.actionaid.org/india/index.aspx?PageID
  3660

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Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

• The purpose of SEA is to ensure that the
  environmental consequences of certain plans and
  programmes (rather than individual projects) are
  identified and assessed during their preparation
  and before their adoption.
• SEA is intended to contribute to more transparent
  planning by involving the public and by
  integrating environmental considerations. This
  will help to achieve the goal of sustainable
  development.
• In the EU, a framework for SEA is provided by
  Council Directive 2001/42/EC of 27 June 2001on
  the assessment of the effects of certain plans
  and programmes on the environment . Guidance on
  implementation of the Directive is also
  available.
• Information on SEA in the UK can be accessed at
  http//www.communities.gov.uk/publications/plannin
  gandbuilding/practicalguidesea