environmental impact assessment (msm3208) lecture notes 6-eia practices & techniques
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (MSM3208) LECTURE NOTESUNIVERSITY MALAYSIA TERENGGANU 2010Disclaimer: I don't own this file. If you believe you do, and you don't want it to be published here, please let me know. I will remove it immediatelyTRANSCRIPT
EIA practices & techniquesEIA practices & techniques
OutlineOutline
1. Techniques for identifying and displaying predicted impacts◦ Checklists, matrices, network
diagrams, overlays, effects table.
2. Determining impact significance3. Choosing a preferred alternative4. Review of EIA quality
Techniques used to Techniques used to investigate the potential investigate the potential impacts of the proposed impacts of the proposed development?development?
1.1. Techniques for identifying Techniques for identifying and displaying predicted and displaying predicted impactsimpacts
Checklists Checklists
simple checklists – aspects of the environment that may be affected by a proposed development.
scaled checklists – scaling of impacts – strongly positive to strongly negative
MatricesMatrices
Simple matrix - aspects of the environment vs. components of the development.
Leopold Matrix - as above, adding magnitude and importance of the impact.
Network Network DiagramsDiagrams
Chain of impacts from each major project action.
OverlaysOverlays
Overlaying impacts on transparency sheets or GIS.
Density of colour or shading indicates relative impact of a project on a particular geographic area
2. 2. Determining impact Determining impact significancesignificance
Existing standards
Formal determination of significance ◦heritage listing◦Endangered species listing
Significance = consequence x Significance = consequence x likelihoodlikelihoodAssign ‘level of consequence’ to each
environmental impact
Consequence Category Ranking
Catastrophic 5
Major 4
Moderate 3
Minor 2
Negligible 1
None 0
Positive +
Then assign likelihoodThen assign likelihood
Category Ranking Definition
Certain 5 The activity will occur under normal operational conditions.
Very Likely 4 Very likely to occur under normal operating conditions
Likely 3 Likely to occur at some time under normal operating conditions
Unlikely 2 Unlikely to but may occur at some time during normal operating conditions
Very Unlikely 1 Very unlikely to occur under normal operating conditions, but may occur under exceptional circumstances.
SignificanceSignificance
Consequence x Likelihood Significance
>16 Critical
9-16 High
6-8 Medium
2-5 Low
<2 Negligible
Lily Lake Environmental Impact Lily Lake Environmental Impact Assessment Assessment
Geographic Extent of Impact Impact RatingConfidence RatingDuration of ImpactRange of Uncertainty in Impact Rating
Impact RatingImpact Rating
Major – Affecting current land use or entire population of a species. Decline in use, abundance and/or distribution patterns. Return to pre-development levels unlikely.
Moderate – Affect an aspect of current land use or portion of species population. Change in use, abundance or distribution patterns, but no change in integrity of land use or a whole population. Impact may be localized.
Minor – affecting a specific group of individuals in a population in a limited area and/or over short period of time (one generation or less), but no change in current land uses or integrity of the population.
Negligible – No measurable effect on population or current land use as a whole. Affects on current land use or population or a specific group of individuals in a limited area and/or over a short period of time – similar to small random changes in the population due to fluctuations in the environment.
Delphi TechniqueDelphi Technique
Elicit responses anonymously.
Provides opportunity to reach consensus.
3. 3. Choosing a Preferred Choosing a Preferred AlternativeAlternativeComparison of alternatives by using
effects table. ◦useful summary of impacts
◦enables comparison and selection of preferred alternative
o Objectives of EIA review
o Review steps
o Elements of EIA review
o Alberta terms of reference
o Exercise
Objectives of EIA Objectives of EIA reviewreview
Assess adequacy and quality of an EIA report.
Take account of public comment
Determine if information is sufficient for a final decision to be made.
Identify, as necessary, the deficiencies that must be addressed before the report can be submitted.
Formal EIA ReviewFormal EIA Review
Alberta: ◦Director of Environmental Monitoring and
Evaluation reviews document and may request additional information.
Canada:◦Responsible authority – screening.◦Environment minister – comprehensive study.◦Review panel – panel.
EIA review EIA review stepssteps
Set the scale/depth of the review.
Select reviewers.
Use input from public involvement.
Identify review criteria and aspects to be considered. Carry out the review.
Determine how to remedy any deficiencies.
Report the findings.
Elements of EIA Elements of EIA reviewreview
Does the report address the terms of reference? Is the necessary information provided? Is the information correct and technically sound? Have the views and concerns of affected and
interested parties been taken into account? Is information clearly presented and
understandable by decision-makers and the public?
Is the information relevant and sufficient for decision-making and condition setting?
Exercise : Develop a set of Exercise : Develop a set of criteria to review an EIA report.criteria to review an EIA report.
SummarySummary
Formal and informal review to ensure quality of EIA
Review criteria: ◦ Terms of reference◦ Quality of information◦ Public/stakeholder views◦ Presentation of information◦ Information relevant for decision-making and
condition-setting.