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Synopsis• EIA• Purpose of EIA• Origin• Key Elements• NGO Participation• Content Analysis

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Environmental Impact

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EIAa PROCESS for decision-making,

NOT a formula for preparing a document.

• An important procedure for ensuring that the likely effects of new development on the environment are fully understood and taken into account

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Purpose of EIA “To LOOK before you LEAP!”

• Influence on the environment

• Man and environment• Strategic Development• Allowance of government• Alternative processes

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Origin of EIA

• First formal system of EIA established in the US following the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969

• EIA is now a required process in more than 100 nations.

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Key elements

• EIA must be undertaken early• EIA must be an objective, impartial analytical

process• EIA must analyze all reasonably foreseeable• The process of EIA must be open• EIA must encourage public participation

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Screening (does the project require EIA?)

Screening (does the project require EIA?)

Scoping (what issues and impacts should the EIA address?)

Scoping (what issues and impacts should the EIA address?)

Baseline studies (establish the environmental baseline)

Baseline studies (establish the environmental baseline)

Alternatives (consider the different approaches)

Alternatives (consider the different approaches)

Mitigation (what can be done to alleviate negative impacts?)

Mitigation (what can be done to alleviate negative impacts?)

EIS preparation/review (document the EIA findings)

EIS preparation/review (document the EIA findings)

Public consultation (consult general public and NGOs)

Public consultation (consult general public and NGOs)

Monitoring (monitor impacts of project)

Monitoring (monitor impacts of project)

Impact prediction (forecast the environmental impacts)

Impact prediction (forecast the environmental impacts)

Impact assessment (interpreting the impacts)

Impact assessment (interpreting the impacts)

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Participation of NGOs

• Start with a cooperative attitude• Learn as much as possible about the proposal before forming

your opinions• Identify the responsible persons and agencies• Ask them for all available information so that you are well-

informed.• Identify yourself and your organization• Provide officials with specific comments and

recommendations from your NGO in writing

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Content Analysis

Physical components:

• Land• Air• Water• Energy

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Geology and Soils

• Assessment of geological value• Soil characterisation• Site protection

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Traffic Impact Assessment

• Traffic flow on roads• Cars, taxis, trucks, buses• Pedestrian journeys• Public/private transport • Traffic management• Mitigation measures

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Construction Impacts

• Light pollution• Noise• Vibration of piling plant• Materials stockpiles• Construction sites

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Forestry and Agriculture

• Classification of land • Isolating buildings from fields etc• Opportunities for landscaping on isolated

pieces of land

Air Quality

• Looking for – Oxides of nitrogen (NOx)– Oxides of sulphur (SOx)– Ozone O3

– Particulates (dust)– Odour

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Water Analysis

• Aquifer protection zones• River designations• Ecology impacts• Hazard assessment from spills etc

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Bio-Cultural components:

• Nature• Culture• People• Access

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References

• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_assessment

(retrieved on 11.05.11)• www.unep.ch/etu/publications/EIA_ovrhds/top02.pdf

(retrieved on 11.05.11)• www.elaw.org/files/mining-eia-guidebook/Chapter2.pdf

(retrieved on 11.05.11)• www.environment.gov.pk/.../Environmental%20Impact

%20Assessment.pdf

  (retrieved on 12.05.11)

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