Environmental Science 3rd Lecture

FEU

Makati

Environmental / Ecological Impact Assessment

- Refers to a wide range of predictive tasks within environmental planning.

- Focuses on the prediction and evaluation of the effects of human activities on the structure and functions of normal ecosystem components.

- Required for selected actions that one expects to have significant effects on human environment.

Main rationale:

1. To have an opportunity to identify costly and undesirable effects.

2. To modify projects in the design stage.

Definition of Terms:

1. Ecological – refers to ecosystem components (structures) and their interactions ( functions).

2. Impact – refers to both human-induced action,or activity and to its effects on ecosystems, or to

the effect on and its significance to human society. 3 distinct concepts: Action, effect and significance

- effect of human-induced action on the ecosystem.

3. Assessment – refers to analyzing and evaluating impacts on ecosystems.

Analysis – is the objective task of identifying actions, and of taking measurements of baseline conditions that are likely to occur as a result of the actions.

Evaluation – is a subjective or normative task which depends on the application of human values.

Phases of EIA

Phase I: Defining Study Goals2.What information is needed and how precise

must it be?a. the proponent to minimize environment impactb. the government agency to reach a decision on approving the projectc. concerned groups to know how they will be affected

2. What resources are needed for the study? What resources are available?

a. Expertise needed/available

b. Time needed for baseline and experimental studies/ Time remains before the project is supposed to begin

c. Money needed to conduct the proposed studies.

Phase II: Identifying Potential Impacts

• What are the boundaries of potential impacts?

a. area affected

b. Organisms or ecological function affected

c. Duration of the project

d. Interval before effects occur

e. Duration of effects with and without mitigation

2. What is the range of potential impacts?

b.Major direct actions

c. Major ecological components (air, water, land, biota, structures affected)

d.Major ecological processes affected

e. Indirect effects triggered at a future time or different place

f. Causes of cumulative effects

3.Which potential impacts are most significant?

a. violate existing laws, plans or policies

b. cause major adverse effects on species population numbers

c. cause major disruption to ecosystem processes, or species

d. cause health risks, economic loses or significant social disruption to people

Phase III: Measuring Baseline Conditions and Predicting Significant Impacts

1. Baseline Conditions: Significant features of the ecosystem at present

A. Current pattern of fluctuation in population sizes for important species

B. Dominant species / critical role in the ecosystem

C. Condition of the Physical resources (quality, quantity, dynamics)

D. Major pathways of interaction between ecological components

E. Sources of stress ( natural /human induced) ex. Fire, air pollution, grazing

2. Predictions: Major effects of the proposed action

b.Case Studies – effects from similar instances

c. Modeling – quantitative models of similar interaction

d.Bioassay and Microcosm Studies – Experiments

3. Estimation of Likelihood

b.Probability of occurrence of the predicted events

c. Precise – magnitude and likelihood of impacts

4. Summarizing and Analyzing Findings

e.Findings – tables, graphs or indexes

f. Ecological interpretation of the findings

Phase IV: Evaluating Significance of Findings

1. Distribution of the effects among affected groups

b.Nature and magnitude of the impact

2. Goals achieved by the proposal

d.Proponent’s goal

e.Governmental goal and policies

f. Goals of affected group

3. Overall social significance of the predicted ecological effects.

b.Effects as compared with other social goods, services and values

c. Monetary values on normally unpriced goods and services

Phase V: Considering Alternatives to the Proposed actions

a. Effect of not proceeding with the project

b. Achieving ultimate goals by an entirely different means( Maintaining electr. services instead of creating a new power plant

c. Alternative designs to achieve project goals

2. Mitigations of adverse environmental effects of the proposed project

a. Modification of the design to reduce effects

b. Monitoring and provisions made for future mitigation of project effects

c. Replacement of affected components

Phase VI: Communication of Findings and Recommendation

b.Communicate the findings of the proposed project

c. Decision for probable action for recommendation of project for approval

Phase VII: Monitoring Effects of Action

a. Monitor the effects of the implemented Actions

b. Ensure public participation and comments in the project monitoring of the effects of action.

Legal Framework of EIA

Philippine Environmental Policy

2.National Environmental Policy a. create, develop, maintain and improve conditions so man and nature will have productive harmony.

b. fulfill social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations

c. ensure environmental quality that is conducive to dignified life and well-being.

2. National Environmental Goalb. recognize, discharge and fulfill the responsibilities of

each generation

c. Assure the people of a healthy environment

d. Encourage the use of the environment w/o degrading it

e. Preserve important historic and cultural aspects of heritage.

f. Attain balance between population and resources

g. Improve the utilization of renewable and non-renewable resources.

3. Right to a Healthy Environment

- Recognize the duty and responsibility of every individual to preserve and enhance the environment

4. Environmental Impact Statement

- refers to the comprehensive process of assessing the significance of the effects of a project or undertaking on the quality of the physical, biological and socio-economic environment.

Environmental Compliance Certificate

- Document issued by the DENR Secretary or his authorized rep. ( EMB Central Office Director or EMB regional director

Thank you for your attention.