EIA Methods and needed for Transportation project

EIA Methods and needed for Transportation projectData COLLECTED By: Kushal PatelThe 'impact analysis' or detailed study phase of EIA involvesidentifying the impacts more specifically predicting the characteristics of the main impacts evaluating the significance of the residual impact

2Impact identification methodsAdhoc methodChecklistsMatricesNetworksOverlays and geographical information systems (GIS)Expert systemsProfessional judgement3Choice of EIA method depends onThe type and size of the proposal The type of alternatives being considered The nature of the likely impacts; The availability of impact identification methods The experience of the EIA team with their useThe resources available - cost, information, time, personnel45 Functions of EIA Methods

Impact identification

Impact prediction

Impact interpretation

Communication of information

Devising monitoring schemes

61. Ad Hoc Method of EIA

No structure

Brainstorming

Basis for other methods?

More effective the wider the consultation

72. Checklist Methods of EIA s

Simple checklists

Descriptive checklists : Suggests prediction techniques

Scaling checklist : Forces interpretation by including thresholds of concern

Questionnaire checklist :Gives rough idea of impacts

8 3. Matrices

Leopold matrix

Simple matrix

Component interaction matrix

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UNEP Training Resource ManualTopic 6 Slide 910

Soucre: google search Image11

Soucre: google search Image12

Soucre: google search Image134. Networks

Need big sheet of paper

Excellent for indirect impacts

Excellent for interlinkageExample of a network14

(showing linkages leading to changes in quality of life, wildlife and tourism)(Bisset)15Overlays Method

McHarg overlays

Geographical Information Systems (GIS)The various EIA methods draw on a broad range of tools, including many general purpose data processing and analytical methods. The most important ones among them are: geographical information systems (GIS), for the capture, management, display, and analysis of geo-referenced data; basic methods include overlay and buffer analysis. statistical analysis, with basic tools such as time series analysis, histograms, regression, analysis of variance, cluster analysis, etc. 16

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Main advantages and disadvantages of impact identification methods19 MethodsADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGESChecklistseasy to understand and usegood for site selection and priority setting simple ranking and weightingdo not distinguish between direct and indirect impactsdo not link action and impactthe process of incorporating valuescan be controversialMatriceslink action to impact good method for displaying EIA resultsdifficult to distinguish direct and indirect impactshave potential for double-counting ofimpactsNetworkslink action to impact useful in simplified form for checkingfor second order impactshandles direct andindirect impactscan become very complex if used beyond simplified versionOverlayseasy to understand focus and display spatial impacts good siting toolcan be cumbersome poorly suited to address impact duration or probabilityGIS and computer expert systemsexcellent for impact identification and spatial analysis good for'experimenting'heavy reliance on knowledge and data often complex and expensiveMethods of impact predictionBest estimate professional judgement Quantitative mathematical models Experiments and physical models Case studies as analogues or references

20Types of uncertainty in impact prediction

scientific uncertainty limited understanding of the ecosystem or community affected

data uncertainty incomplete information or insufficient methodology

policy uncertainty unclear or disputed objectives or standards

21Types of social impact demographic changes to population numbers, distribution cultural changes to customs, traditions and values community changes to cohesion, relationships etc.socio-psychological changes to quality of life and well being

22Health impacts 23

Factors affecting economic impactsDuration of construction and operationWorkforce requirements for each periodSkill requirements (local availability)EarningRaw material and other input purchasesCapital investmentOutputsThe characteristics of the local economy24Factors affecting fiscal impactsSize of investment and workforce requirementsCapacity of existing service delivery and infrastructure systemsLocal/regional tax or other revenue raising processesDemographic changes arising from project requirements2526Impact Prediction

Impact prediction is a way of mapping the environmental consequences of the significant aspects of the project and its alternatives. Environmental impact can never be predicted with absolute certainty and this is all the more reason to consider all possible factors and take all possible precautions for reducing the degree of uncertainty.27Heres a example that we can consider for what we need to predict in regards to different criteria during a planning phase of transportation projectAir changes in ambient levels and ground level concentrations due to total emissions from point, line and area sourceseffects on soils, materials, vegetation, and human healthNoisechanges in ambient levels due to noise generated from equipment and movement of vehicleseffect on fauna and human health Wateravailability to competing userschanges in qualitysediment transportingress of saline water28LandChanges in land use and drainage patternChanges in land quality including effects of waste disposalChanges in shoreline/riverbank and their stabilityBiologicalDeforestation/tree-cutting and shrinkage of animal habitat.Impact on fauna and flora (including aquatic species if any) due to contaminants/pollutantsImpact on rare and endangered species, endemic species, and migratory path/route of animals.Impact on breeding and nesting grounds

Socio-economic Impact on the local community including demographic changes. Impact on economic statusImpact on human health.Impact of increased trafficMAIN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH RURAL ROADS PROJECTS.

Encroachment into precious ecological resources, including forests and swamps.

Encroachment into historical areas and cultural monuments.

Impairment of fisheries, aquatic ecology and other beneficial water uses, due to changes in surface hydrology.Erosion and silt runoff from exposed areas, which may also cause impairment of

Downstream water quality and damage to land values.

Dust nuisances caused by both the road usage and during construction.CONCLUSION

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS study is a time-consuming process because it has a large number of dependent and independent variables which have to be taken into account (e.g. land use, land price, population density, socio-economic level, road accessibility, railway accessibility, air quality, ground water quality, noise level, biological content, historical value, archeological and visual importance), which also have different consequences. Traditionally, environmental data was collected to test hypotheses and simulate environmental systems using in situ (field) methodologyExamples of health impacts by sector

Communicable diseaseNon communicable diseaseNutritionInjuryPsychosocial disorder and loss of well-being

Mining Tuberculosis Dust induced lung disease Crushing Labour migration

Agriculture Parasitic infections Pesticide poisoning Loss of subsistence

Industry Poisoning by pollutantsOccupational injury Disempowerment

ForestryLoss of food production Occupational injury

Dams and irrigation schemes Water borne diseases Poisoning by pollutants Increased food productionDrowning Involuntary displacement

Transportation HIV/Aids Heart disease Traffic injury Noise and induced stress

Energy Indoor air pollution Electromagnetic radiation Community displacement

Source: Birley, 2000