European Federation of Geologists

The role of geologyThe role of geology

InIn

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)

European Federation of Geologists

1985 – EIAs required

Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eia/full-legal-text/85337.htm

1997

Directive 97/11/EC amending Directive 85/337/EEC.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eia/full-legal-text/9711.htm

EU EIA Legal FrameworkEU EIA Legal Framework

European Federation of Geologists

In an EIA what are the benchmarks In an EIA what are the benchmarks of acceptability ?of acceptability ?

Member States’ laws and regulations including those transposed from EU Directives

International conventions

Regional conventions

European Federation of Geologists

The EIA Process – The EIA Process – main stages in bluemain stages in blue

Notification

Screening

Scoping

Studies

EIA report

Review of report

Consultation

Consent

Monitoring & audit

EC guidance on EIA process - http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eia/eia-support.htm

Authority informed

Is an EIA required ?

What should the EIA cover ?

Detailed study of impacts

Submission of study findings

Is the report adequate ?

Statutory authorities & others

Project go-ahead

Verification of impact predictions

European Federation of Geologists

What is a “geological perspective” and What is a “geological perspective” and how can it help in studies of how can it help in studies of

environmental impact?environmental impact?

The structure and distribution of rocks and soils

The hydrosphere

The biosphere

It is a viewpoint based on understanding the present and past state of the earth and the

processes which produce changes in :-

European Federation of Geologists

Geological Processes

Physical Environment

Habitat - Ecosystem

eg mountain building, erosion & deposition

eg hillslopes, floodplains, rivers, estuaries, sea

eg forests, grasslands, wetlands, beaches, seabed, coral reefs

Geological perspective on the Geological perspective on the environmentenvironment

European Federation of Geologists

How do we develop a geological How do we develop a geological perspective on the environment ?perspective on the environment ?

Studies of the geological past

Help understand today’s processes

Help understand today’s environmental changes

Help predict environmental changes in the future

Data collection

Systematic longterm monitoring

Isolated project specific monitoring

Research

Basic study of systems and processes

Focussed applied study of specific issues

European Federation of Geologists

Examples of geological information used in EIAs Examples of geological information used in EIAs

Geological maps

Report on site inspection

Records of any local mining and quarrying

Records of any local groundwater extraction

Existing borehole records

Aerial photos

Seismic records

Local sites of special geological importance

European Federation of Geologists

Examples of important geological factors in EIAsExamples of important geological factors in EIAs

Human beings and their property might be affected by

Landslides, earthquakes, radon from bedrock, undermining, eroding coasts

Soils, important economically and in conservation, include

Peat/Fens, beaches, cultivated topsoils

Water, a vital resource, is found in many varied geological settings

Aquifers, karst areas, rivers, lakes, estuaries, seas

Landscape features, include areas where geological processes are active

Mountains ranges, gorges / valleys, waterfalls, seashores & cliffs, caves

Natural material assets are limited and require careful management

Rock & minerals above and below ground, marine sand & gravel

Cultural heritage areas frequently comprise geological features

Sites of special scientific interest, archaeological sites including mining