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Unit 3: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
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Lecture 3
Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA)
STRUCTURE
Overview Learning Objectives 3.1 Introduction to EIA 3.1.1 Purposes of EIA 3.1.2 Steps in EIA process 3.1.3 Hierarchy in EIA 3.1.4 Environmental impact statement (EIS) 3.1.5 Impact indicators 3.2 Evolution of EIA 3.2.1 Evolution of EIA worldwide 3.2.2 Evolution of EIA in India 3.3 Forecasting Environmental Changes 3.4 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) 3.4.1 Rationale and scope 3.4.2 Overview of SEA process 3.4.3 Benefits and constraints 3.5 Environmental Clearance Procedure in India Summary Suggested Readings Model Answers to Learning Activities
OVERVIEW
In Unit 1, we introduced you to some of the environmental management tools. One such tool we mentioned in that context was environmental impact assessment (EIA). In the present Unit, i.e., Unit 3, we will discuss EIA in detail. We will begin the Unit by explaining what EIA entails. We will then give you an account of EIA evolution in the world over. We will also discuss how EIA can be used to predict environmental changes and introduce strategic environmental assessment (SEA). We will close the Unit by listing
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some of the environmental clearance procedures in practice in India.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing this Unit, you should be able to:
discuss environmental impact assessment (EIA) as an environmental management tool; trace the evolution of EIA; discuss what forecasting of environmental changes entails; explain strategic environmental assessment (SEA); list and comply with the environmental clearance procedures in India; plan and carry out an environmental impact assessment study.
3.1 INTRODUCTION TO EIA
Environment assessment involves a study to determine any unique environmental attributes from endangered species to existing hazardous waste to historical significance. Environment Assessment procedure ensures consideration of environmental implications before making a final decision of assessing the environmental attribute. Process of assessment analyses the effects on environment and is useful for reporting those effects undertaking a public consultation exercise and lastly it reveals decision to public after reviewing the comment of the report. One of the main strengths of environmental assessment (EA) is its flexibility. Project planning processes can integrate EA as
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The skills of the EA team.
The EA techniques employed. In principle, environmental assessment can be undertaken for Individual projects such as a dam, motorway, airport or factory and call it as 'Environmental Impact Assessment' (EIA). Plans, programs and policies and call it as 'Strategic Environmental Assessment'(SEA).
These two sections are discussed in detail in the further sections
In recent years, there has been a remarkable growth of interest in environmental issues, sustainability and the better management of development in harmony with the environment. Associated with this growth of interest has been the introduction of new legislation, emanating from national and international agencies (e.g., the European Commission) that seek to influence the relationship between development and environment. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an important example. It is defined as an activity designed to identify and predict the impact of legislative proposals, policies, programmes, projects and operational procedures on the bio-geophysical environment and on the health and well being of human beings and to interpret and communicate information about the impact.
That is to say, EIA focuses on problems, conflicts or natural resource constraints that could affect the viability of a project. It also examines implications of a project that might harm people, their homeland or their livelihoods, or other nearby developments. After predicting the problems, a EIA identifies measures to minimise the problems and outlines ways to improve the project’s suitability for its proposed environment. In the last three decades,
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EIA has been recognised as the most valuable, inter-disciplinary and objective decision-making tool with respect to alternate routes for development, process technologies and project sites. It is considered an ideal anticipatory mechanism allowing measures that ensure environmental compatibility in our quest for socio- economic development.
EIA is generally wider in scope and less quantitative than other techniques, such as cost-benefit analysis. EIA has the potential to be a basis for negotiation among the developers, public interest groups and planning regulators.
The Benefits of Environmental Assessment
Most governments and donor agencies acknowledge the
contribution of EA to improved project design. The weakness
of EA in the past has been largely due to poor techniques
and the failure to pay attention to findings at the
implementation stage (ESSA Technologies 1994). A review
of current environmental practices found the major benefits
of the EA process for project sponsors to be (ESSA
Technologies 1994: 16):
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.
The benefits to local communities from taking part in
environmental assessments include:
A healthier local environment (forests, water sources, agricultural potential, recreational potential, aesthetic values, and clean living in urban areas).
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review of the impacts on ecosystems, air quality and the like.
Similarly, if the definition of environmental is taken broadly
for an EIA, then the EIA may cover the issues of the other
assessment processes; for example:
Social aspects (such as impacts on employment, community interaction); Risks (such as threats to native animals, water supplies); Life cycle (such as the impacts at each stage of the project design through to operation and closure); and Energy (such as use of non-renewable energy sources, Greenhouse gas emissions), etc
So there is the potential for a lot of connections between the
different forms of assessment. The essential difference
between them is how the terms, or scope of assessment, are
defined narrowly, or broadly. Otherwise they all follow the
same general principle.
With all the assessment approaches noted above, they are
designed to identify potential impacts of a development,
action or project. To do this the assessor needs to use
personal experience and the experiences of others
(including available knowledge) to think broadly about the
changes that are possible, and whether those impacts will be
positive or negative.
Particular approaches emphasis specific types of impacts
(i.e. on health, on social groups). All have basically the same
approach, although each may have its own individual
language and detailed techniques.
Most of the assessment processes also include a second step. After identifying the impacts, they also consider what may be needed to avoid or reduce adverse impacts.
3.1.1 Purposes of EIA
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EIA is a process with several important purposes, which can be categorised as follows:
To facilitate decision-making: For the decision-maker, for example the local authority, it provides a systematic examination of the environmental implications of a proposed action, and sometimes alternatives, before a decision is taken. The decision-maker along with other documentation relating to the planned activity can consider the environment impact statement (EIS). To aid in the formation of development: Many developers see EIA as another set of hurdles for them to cross in order to proceed with their various activities. They may also see the process involved in obtaining the permission from various authorities as costly and time-consuming. In reality, however, EIA can be of great benefit to them, since it can provide a framework for considering location and design issues and environmental issues in parallel. It can be an aid to the formulation of developmental actions, indicating areas where the project can be modified to minimise or eliminate altogether the adverse impacts on the environment. The consideration of environmental impacts early in the planning life of a development can lead to environmentally sensitive development; to improved relations between the developer, the planning authority and the local communities; to a smoother planning permission process and sometimes to a worthwhile financial return on the expenditure incurred. To be an instrument for sustainable development: The key characteristics of sustainable development include maintaining the overall quality of life, maintaining continuing access to natural resources and avoiding lasting environmental damage. Institutional responses to sustainable development are,
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3.1.2 Steps in EIA process
EIA represents a systematic process that examines the environmental consequences of the development actions, in advance. The emphasis of a EIA is on prevention and, therefore, is more proactive than reactive in nature. The EIA process involves a number of steps, some of which are listed below:
Project screening: This entails the application of EIA to those projects that may have significant environmental impacts. It is quite likely, however, that screening is done partly by the EIA regulations, operating in a country at the time of assessment. Scoping: This step seeks to identify, at an early stage, the key, significant environmental issues from among a host of possible impacts of a project and all the available alternatives.
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Consideration of alternatives: This seeks to ensure that the proponent has considered other feasible approaches, including alternative project locations, scales, processes, layouts, operating condition and the no-action option.
Description of the project/development action: This step seeks to clarify the purpose and rationale of the project and understand its various characteristics, including the stages of development, location and processes.
Description of the environmental baseline: This includes the establishment of both the present and future state of the environment, in the absence of the project, taking into account the changes resulting from natural events and from other human activities.
Identification of key impacts: This brings together the previous steps with a view to ensuring that all potentially significant environmental impacts (adverse and beneficial) are identified and taken into account in the process.
The prediction of impacts: This step aims to identify the likely magnitude of the change (i.e., impact) in the environment when the project is implemented in comparison with the situation when the project is not carried out.
Evaluation and assessment of significance: This seeks to assess the relative significance of the predicted impacts to allow a focus on key adverse impacts. Formal definition of significance is the product of consequence and likelihood as Significance =consequence X Likelihood
Mitigation: This involves the introduction of measures to avoid, reduce, remedy or compensate for any significant adverse impacts.
Public consultation and participation: This aims to assure the quality, comprehensiveness and effectiveness of the EIA,
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Figure 3. Steps in a EIA Process
Note that the actual EIA process is not so linear and sequential as Figure 3.2 seems to suggest. In other words, it is a cyclical process involving feedback and interaction among the various steps and the sequence of the steps may also vary. Note also that we will discuss the steps involved in detail in Unit 4.
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3.1.3 Hierarchy in EIA
The EIA studies are broadly categorised as:
(i) Site selection studies: These studies involve an evaluation of the alternative sites with respect to environmental and project attributes such as proximity to raw materials, infrastructure facilities, markets, etc. These studies aim at ranking site alternatives for objective decision-making.
(ii) Rapid or comprehensive studies: Rapid studies refer to the assessment based on a one-season monitoring (i.e., 3- month period), whereas comprehensive studies relate to the assessment based on a three-seasons monitoring (i.e., 9- month period) of baseline data. Rapid EIA facilitates
LEARNING ACTIVITY 3.
Define the EIA process. Note : a) Write your answer in the space given below. b) Check your answer with the one given at the end of this Unit.
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Figure 3. EIA Cycle
A EIA exercise culminates in an environmental impact statement (EIS), which we will study, next.
3.1.4 Environmental impact statement (EIS)
The environmental impact statement (EIS) provides documentation of the information and estimates derived from the various steps in the EIA process. The information contained in a
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EIS provides the decision-makers/regulators with valuable information that could ultimately contribute to either the abandonment or substantial modification of a proposed development action. A typical EIS contains the following three parts:
Part 1 – Methods and key issues: This part deals with the statement of methods used and a summary of key issues. Part 2 – Background to the proposed development: This part deals with preliminary studies (i.e., need, planning, alternatives, site selection, etc.), site description/baseline conditions, description of proposed development and construction activities and programmes. Part 3 – Environmental impact assessments on topic areas: This part deals with land use, landscape and visual quality, geology, topography and soils, hydrology and water quality, air quality and climate, terrestrial and aquatic ecology, noise, transport, socio-economic and interrelationships between effects.
LEARNING ACTIVITY 3.
Write 3 ways in which EIA will help in Business Management. Note : a) Write your answer in the space given below. b) Check your answer with the one given at the end of this Unit.
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also equally important. A EIA that ignores these other components is incomplete and sometimes misleading (Munn, 1979).
3.2 EVOLUTION OF EIA
To understand the use of EIA as a tool for environmental management, let us discuss how EIA has evolved over the years.
3.2.1 Evolution of EIA worldwide
United States of America was the first country to assign mandatory status to EIA through its National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) of 1969. A host of industrialised countries have since implemented EIA procedures. Canada, Australia, the Netherlands and Japan adopted EIA legislation in 1973, 1974, 1981 and 1984, respectively. In July 1985, the European Community (EC) issued a directive making environmental assessments mandatory for certain categories of projects (Wood, 1994).
Among the developing countries, Columbia was the first Latin American country to institute a system of EIA in 1974. In Asia and the Pacific region, Thailand and the Philippines have long established procedures for EIA. EIA was made mandatory in Sri Lanka in 1984. The EIA process in Africa is sketchy, although a number of nations including Rwanda, Botswana and Sudan have some experience of EIA (Wathern, 1988).
Bilateral and multilateral agencies have also recognised the value of EIA as a decision-making tool. The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) issued recommendations on EIA to its constituent States in 1974 and 1979, and for
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development aid projects in 1986. OECD issued guidelines for good practices in EIA in 1992 (OECD, 1992). United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1980 provided guidance on EIA of the development proposals (UNEP, 1980) and supported research on EIA in developing countries (Ahmad and Swamy, 1985). UNEP, in 1987, set out goals and principles of EIA for the member countries and provided guidance on basic procedures for EIA in 1988.
The World Conservation Strategy pinpointed the need to integrate environmental considerations with development in 1980 (IUCN, 1980). EIA became an integral part of World Bank policy in 1987 which states that environmental issues must be addressed as part of overall economic policy. In 1989, the World Bank issued the Operational Directive on Environmental Assessment (O.D. 4.00), which was revised and updated in October 1991 (O.D. 4.01). Asian Development Bank in 1990 published guidelines for EIA (ADB, 1990). Importance of EIA was echoed in the Brundtland Report (WCED, 1987), and at United Nations Earth Summit on environment and development held at Rio de Janeiro in 1992 (UNCED, 1992). As foreseen by Garner and O'Riodan (1982) development of EIA, as a tool for decision-making world-over, has emerged through the following stages:
No formal accounting, decisions made on interest group lobbying and engineering feasibility; primary emphasis on economic development. Conventional cost-benefit analysis; emphasis on efficiency criterion and engineering feasibility; major concern still on economic development. Innovative cost-benefit analysis, use of multiple objectives and discount rates, imaginative proxy pricing mechanisms; economic development as one of the objectives.
