Chapter 1: Introduction to EIA

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1 ENVS402 Environmental Impact Assessment Chapter 1: Introduction to EIA 1 a. Definition b. History of development c. Objectives d. Types of EIA e. Difference between effect and impact DAY 1 TIME 1.5 HR

2 Introduction: Definition of EIA 2 Is it about doing the right thing and/or doing things the right way? Impact assessment, simply defined, is the process of identifying the future consequences of a current or proposed action. (International Association for Impact Assessment)

3 Introduction: Definition of EIA 3 Munn (1979) defines EIA as a need to identify and predict the impact on the environment and on man s health and well being of legislative proposals, policies, programs, projects and operational procedures and to interpret and communicate information about the impact Wathern (1988) defines EIA as a process having the ultimate objective of providing the decision-makers with an indication of the likely consequences of their actions Canter (1996) defines EIA as the physical-chemical, biological, cultural and socio-economic components of the total environment

4 Introduction: Definition of EIA 4 Environmental impact assessment means an orderly and systematic process for evaluating a proposal including its alternatives and objectives and its effect on the environment including the mitigation and management of those effects. The process extends from the initial iti concept of the proposal through implementation to commissioning and operation, and where appropriate, decommissioning. (Environmental Protection Authority 1993; Environmental Protection Act 1986; Western Australia)

5 Introduction: EIA Defined? 5 Environmental impact assessment is a process of identifying, predicting, evaluating, and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of proposed projects and physical activities prior to major decisions and commitments being made. (Sadler, B. 1996, International Study of the Effectiveness of Environmental Assessment)

6 History of Development of EIA 6 The use of EIA began in 1970 in the USA and spread rapidly throughout the world. It was first introduced in the USA within the framework of the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) in 1969 which became a law on Jan 1, 1971

7 NEPA 1971: Key provisions 7 1. Established environmental quality as a leading national priority by stating a national policy for the environment. 2. Made environmental protection part of the mandate of all federal agencies, establishing procedures for the incorporation of environmental concerns into agency decision making. 3. In particular it requires federal agencies to prepare an environmental impact assessment for major actions or projects that can affect the environment. 4. Established a council on environmental quality in the executive office of the President to oversee and coordinate all federal environmental effort

8 NEPA 1971: Key provisions Impact statements must contain: 1. A description of the proposed action, its purpose, and the description of the environment affected; 2. The relationships to land use plans, policies, and controls for the affected areas; 3. The probable bl environmental impacts, positive and negative, direct and indirect, and possible international implications; 4. A discussion of alternatives; 5. The probable negative impacts that cannot be avoided or mitigated; 8

9 NEPA 1971: Key Provisions 9 6. The relationship between local and short term use and long term considerations; 7. An irreversible commitment of resources; 8. A description of federal actions to mitigate and offset adverse effects, and 9. Comments from reviewers.

10 European Implementation of Environmental Impact Assessment 10 Council of the European communities directive of 27 th June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (85/337/EEC), Official journal of the European communities, i no. L, 175/40

11 EIA (85/337/EEC): Key Provisions 11 Applies to the assessment of the environmental effects of those public and private projects which are likely to have significant effects on the environment

12 EIA (85/337/EEC): Key Provisions Project means: 12 The execution of construction works or of other installations or schemes Other interventions in the natural surroundings and landscape including those involving the extraction of minerals

13 EIA (85/337/EEC): Key Provisions 13 Development consent means: the decision of the competent authorities which entitles il the developer to proceed with ihthe project.have significant effects on the environment by virtue inter alia, of their: nature, size and location

14 EIA (85/337/EEC): Key Provisions direct and indirect effects of a project on the following factors; human beings, fauna and flora; soil, water, air, climate and the landscape, the interactions between the factors material assets and the cultural heritage. 14

15 EIA (85/337/EEC): Key Provisions 15 information to be provided by the developer; a description of the project: site, design, size a description of the measures to avoid, reduce, and if possible remedy significant adverse effects data required to identify and assess the main effects on the environment, and a non technical summary of this information

16 History of EIA in Nepal 16 In the planning history of Nepal, the Sixth Plan (1980-'85), for the first time recognized the need for EIA integration for major infrastructure projects. The government of Nepal enunciated environment conservation related policies in the Seventh Plan ( ). Environmental Assessment Guideline 1993 was the first lesson learnt document in Nepal which has played facilitation role in the EIA process. Bhatta & Khanal, 2009

17 EIA Legislation in Nepal 17 Environment Protection Act (EPA; 1996) and Environment Protection Rules (EPR; 1997; first amended in 1999): The EPA and EPR are the two main legal documents mandatory for environmental assessment of the infrastructure development projects. (The section 4 of EPA states that no one shall implement a proposal without approving IEE and EIA from the concerned body (the ministry related to local infrastructures i.e. MLD). Local Self-Governance Act (LSGA) (1999) and Local Self-Governance Regulation (LSGR) (1999) The Forest Act (1993) and Forest Regulations (1995) The National Parks and Wildlife and Conservation Act (1973; as amended 1993) The Soil and Watershed Conservation Act (1982) The Water Resources Act (1992) and Water Resources Regulations (1993) The Explosive Material Act, (1973)

18 EIA The Philosophy 18 Impact assessment is designed as a preventive measure. It should give environmental considerations equal weight with technical and economic aspects.

19 EIA The Philosophy 19 Environmental considerations should be introduced early on in the planning processes. Broad and public participation should ensure wide acceptance of projects implemented.

20 EIA Objectives 20 Principle 1 : Focus on the main issue. Principle 2: Involve the appropriate persons and groups. Principle 3: Link information to decisions about the project. Principle 4: Present clear options for the mitigation of impacts and for sound environmental management. Principle 5: Provide information in a form useful to the decision makers. (UNEP, 1988)

21 EIA TYPES IEE and EIA for the projects 2. REA (Regional Environmental Assessment ) for the proposals of regional scale 3. SeEA (Sectoral Environmental Assessment) for a sector level proposals 4. CIA (Cumulative Impact Assessment) for the past, present and reasonably forseeable future actions (proposals) in the given area 5. SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) for a policy, or plan or programme; and 6. SIA (Social Impact Assessment) for in-depth analysis of the social aspects of a proposal.

22 Introduction: Environmental Impacts or Effects! 22

23 Impacts or Effects The term impact is an outcome of two preceding events Air pollution 23 Leaves of crops Marshy Land change Slow Photosynthesis effect Reduced Crop Yield Prevents respiration of mosquitoes Farmers a e s economic eco o c affected M Mosquitoes it are kill killed d impact Reduces Oxygen

24 Biosphere a life support system 24 Atmosphere Hydrosphere Lithosphere Biosphere

25 Human depends on biosphere 25 Atmosphere air to breathe Hydrosphere Lithosphere Biosphere

26 Human depends on biosphere 26 Atmosphere air to breathe Hydrosphere water to drink Lithosphere Biosphere

27 Human depends on biosphere 27 Atmosphere air to breathe Hydrosphere water to drink Lithosphere food to eat Biosphere food to eat Days w/o water Minutes without air Months w/o food

28 Levels of Organization Biosphere Ecosystem Community Population Organism 28

29 Levels of Organization Best way to delimit modern ecology is to consider it in terms of the concepts of level of organization (Odum, 1971) Diagram Showing Ecological Organization From Odum (1971) BIOTIC COMPONENTS Genes Cells Organs Organisms Populations Communities Plus ABIOTIC Matter Energy COMPONENTS Equals BIOSYSTEMS Genetic Cell Organ Organismic Population Ecosystems Systems Systems Systems Systems Systems 29

30 Photosynthesis - produces food for all life 30

31 Food Chain - a closed cycle 31 a. Herbivores b. Carnivores c. Detrivores chain.jpg bdi /i / h/f d hi

32 Ecosystem a dynamic and self functioning system 32 Biosphere contains many ecosystems such as forests, water, grasslands, marine etc.

generations 33 1. Bio physical 2. Social and Economic 3.

33 Environment human in biosphere the natural and social conditions that process around all the organisms which h include mankind and future generations Bio physical 2. Social and Economic 3. Cultural

34 Environment sink for all wastes Food FreshwaterF h Climatic regulation Spritual and religious i Fuelwood Fiber Diseases regulation Recreation and ecotourism Biochemicals Genetic Resources Water regulation Pollination Aestheic Aspirational Educational Sense of place Cultural heritage Soil formation Nutrient cycling 34 Primary production

35 Impact Adverse and Beneficial 2. Cumulative (spatial and Temporal) 3. Direct and Indirect 4. Short, Medium and Long Term 5. Environment on Project and Project on Environment

36 Introduction: An Environmental Impact 36 Initiation of project With project Environmental impact Without project time

37 Introduction: An Environmental Impact 37

38 Assessment 38 Quantification Prediction Evaluation Monitoring Auditing

39 Conclusion 1. Natural capital provides man made capital and human capital 2. Excessive use of natural capital has affected global ecosystems 3. EIA is a useful instrument for 39 reducing adverse impact on the environment

EIA: A framework for ESDM

EIA: A framework for ESDM Defining EIA Environmentally Impact Assessment is A formal process for identifying: likely effects of activities or projects on the environment, and on human health and welfare.