ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

ASSESSMENT

Prepared byProf. B. Mohanty

Department of Civil Engineering

SALITER, Ahmedabad

Introduction…

Defined as the systematic identification and evaluation of potential impacts of proposed projects, plans or actions on physical, chemical, biological, cultural and socio-economic components of environment.

EIA planning tool, helps planner in predicting future impacts of different developments.

EIA must be conducted for projects like highways, airports, canals, dams, power plants etc. which disturb environment.

Applicable for developmental activities which involves plans, programmes and policies.

Need of EIA When a project undertaken it disturb

environmental equilibrium.

To maintain quality of environment it is essential to study impacts of project on environment.

This also suggest remedial measures for development of projects.

An ideal EIA system…

Apply to all projects that have a significant environmental effects.

Compare alternatives of proposed effect, management techniques, mitigation measures.

Preparation of EIS (Environmental Impact Statement).

Include broad public participation and administrative review procedure.

Be timed to provide information for decision making.

Be enforceable.

Include monitoring and feedback procedures.

Goals of EIA

Resources conservation Waste minimization Recovery of by product Efficient use of equipments Sustainable development

Methodology of EIA

Organizing the job

Performing the assessment

Writing the EIS

Review of EIS

Organizing the job Interdisciplinary team is constituted

to conduct analysis of impacts on environment.

Consists of a group of geologists, agronomists, chemists, ecologists, hydrologists, engineers, etc.

Decide whether project is required or not.

Performing the assessment

Site visit Identification and evaluation Discussion of alternatives Preparation of checklist Measurement of environmental

impact due to project

Preparation of EIS EIS is conclusion of EIA It is a written statement to ensure that

policies and goals of NEPA (National Environment Policy Act) included in ongoing project.

It contains following items:

1. Description of site2. Description of proposed project, purpose

of action, goals and objectives.3. Environmental impact of proposed

project

4. Alternatives of activity5. Relationship of proposed activity to

the existing land use plans6. Relationship between local short

term uses and long term productivity of resources involved

7. Indentifying measures that can be taken in order to minimize adverse effects

8. Incorporating the modifications in proposed project

Review of EIS

After completion of EIA report, public must be informed and consulted on proposed project.

Anyone likely to be affected by the project is entitled to have access to the executive summary of the EIA.

The affected person may include: Bonafide local residentsLocal associationsEnvironmental groups active in areaOther person located at project sites They have to give suggestion One month given for public

inspection After final review decision is taken

either approve or reject of proposed project.

EIA in India Formal legislation for EIA. It has

been enacted by making an amendment in the Environment Protection Act 1986.

Limited involvement of public and government agencies in the initial phases.

No provision in place to cover landscape and visual impacts in the Indian EIA regulations.

Earlier scoping was done by consultant or proponent with an inclination towards meeting pollution control requirements, rather than addressing the full range of potential environmental.

Most reports in English and not in the local language. In some case, executive summary is translated into local language.

Limitations of EIA1. Should undertaken at policy and

planning level rather than the project level.

2. Possible alternatives is often small3. There is no criteria to decide what

types of projects undergo EIA. Because many projects do not require in depth EIA.

4. Lack of comprehensive environmental information, base limitations of time, manpower, financial resources.

5. More research and development of improved methodologies required to overcome limitations relating in data.

6. EIA report too academic, bureaucratic and lengthy. Difficult to understand for common people.

7. In actual, EIA ends immediately after project clearance, no follow up taken.

Critical issues in EIA guidelines

Can local environment cope with additional waste and pollution that the project will produce?

Will project location conflict with nearby land use?

Can project operates safely without serious risk of accidents or long term health hazards?

Is there sufficient infrastructure to support the project?

How much resources will project consume and are adequate supplies of these resources available?

What kind of human resources will it require or replace and what will be its social impacts?

What damage will it cause to national/regional assets such as natural resources, tourist areas or historic or cultural sites etc?

ENVIRONMENTAL

AUDITS

Introduction

Main aim to quantify environmental performance and position of an industry/organization.

It is done for improving performance and position.

Act as tool for achieving sustainable development.

According to USEPA, EA is a systematic, documented, periodic and objective review by a regulated entity of facility operations and practices related to meeting environmental requirements.

Govt. of India march 13, 1992 made mandatory for all industries to provide annual environmental audit reports of their operations.

EA provide answers to the following questions:

What are we doing ? Are we compliance with govt. regulations, guidelines, code of practice, permit conditions ?

Can we do it better ? Are there non regulated areas where operations can be improved to minimize the impact on environment ?

Components of EAI. Assessment :

Provides expert judgment/opinion on hazards, associated risks and management and control measures.

It provides basis for recommendations to improve the organization’s management systems and environmental performance.

II. Verification :

It determines and document performance by evaluating the application of and adherence to policies and procedures.

It certifies validity of data and reports, evaluates the effectiveness of management systems.

Basic steps in audit process

Pre-audit activities

Audit process

Post audit activities

Types of EA

Compliance audit Environmental management audit Due diligence audit Supplier audits Programmes audit Single issues audits Risk definition or hazard

identification

Benefits of auditing

Ensuring compliance, not only with laws, regulations but also with company policies and requirements of environment.

Enabling environmental problems and risks to be anticipated and responses planned.

Demonstrate organization impact on environment.

Increase management and employee awareness of environmental issues.

More efficient resources use and financial savings.

Promotes “Good Practice”. Providing better private and public

image and security to top management.

ASSIGNMENT NO. - 3

1. Discuss various air pollution controlling equipments

with their advantages and disadvantages.

2. Enlist different air pollutants with their sources and

effects.

3. Explain the effects of air pollutants on human,

plants and materials.

4. What are the different effects of noise pollution on

human, animals and plants and to control the noise

pollution?

5. Write a note on EIA.

6. Briefly explain environmental audit?