Ad Hoc Procedure

8/2/2019 Ad Hoc Procedure

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Impact assessment tool Ad hoc method

By:

Sangeeta Mukherjee

11EN21F

M.Tech 1st year, 2nd semester


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EIA is defined as

the systematic identification and evaluation of thepotential impacts of proposed projects, plans,programs, or legislative actions relative to thephysical-chemical, biological, cultural and socio-economic components of the total environment.

Changing needs of EIA:

Predictive method

Environmental risk assessment

Economic analysis & expert system


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INTERFACE Examples of analytical tool Examples of planningprocesses

A Traditional EIA National ConservationStrategies

Sectoral Natural ResourceStrategies

B Social Cost Benefit Analysis Traditional Development Plans

C Some Human Ecology &

Anthropology Studies

UNESCO Man and theBiosphere

Programme

D Sustainability Analysis

(modifiedEIA)

National Sustainable

DevelopmentPlans/Strategies


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EIA methodologies:

Ad hoc procedure

Overlay techniquesChecklistMatrices simple, complex

Network


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Ad hoc procedures involve assembling a team ofspecialists to identify impacts in their areas of

expertise , with minimal guidance beyond therequirements of the NEPA (NationalEnvironmental Protection Act)

What is Ad hoc procedure?


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Ad hoc procedures come into playwhen -

Time constraints&Lack of information

Require that the EIA must rely on expert opinion


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Ad hoc methods are not really methods as they do not

structure the problem

It is more amenable to systematic analysis

A good example is a team of experts assembled for a

short time to conduct an EIA

Each experts conclusions are based on a unique

combination of experience, training and intuition

These conclusions are assembled into a report

Sometimes this is the only required and possible

approach

Salient features


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Aim of the ad hocWorking Group -

The aim of the ad hocWorking Group is two-fold.Based on an analysis of the existing requirements it

should be considered whether there is need for:

New regulations; and/or

A guide for the practical application of the existingregulations, in order ensure clear procedures and aharmonized implementation in the region.


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Possible considerations by the adhocWorking Group -

Thead hoc

Working Group might want to Look into the existing regulations applicable to EIAprocedures

Assess examples of practice in implementing the EIA

procedure and see whether any gaps exist

Discuss how to overcome possible gaps


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Possible questions to consider -

When to carry out an EIA

The time schedule

The different stages of an EIA procedure

The final decision

The role of the experts in the process


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Alternatives

Items A B C

Number of reservoirs on river system 4 1 0

Combined surface area, ha 8500 300 -Total reservoir shoreline, km 190 65 -

New irrigation areas, ha 40000 12000 -

Reduced open space because of project and associated

population increases, ha 10000 2000 -

Inundated archaeological sites, nos. 11 3 -Reduced soil erosion, relative magnitude 4x 1x Nil

Enhanced fisheries, relative magnitude 4x 1x Nil

Provision of flood control measures Yes Yes No

New potential malarial areas, relative magnitude 4x 1x Nil

Additional employment potential, number of persons 1000 200 -

Results of using the ad hocmethod to comparealternative reservoir arrangements :


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This method is very easy to use but does have a fewdrawbacks :

It may not encompass all the relevant impacts

The criteria used to evaluate impacts are not comparable;thus the relative weights of various impacts cannot be

compared

It is inherently inefficient as it requires sizeable effort toidentify and assemble an appropriate panel of experts for eachassessment

It provides minimal guidance for impact analysis whilesuggesting broad areas of possible impacts

The process of assessment can never be replicated making it

difficult to review and critique the conclusions in the EIA


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Ad Hoc Procedure

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