environmental impact assessment (msm3208) lecture notes 6-eia practices & techniques

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.