1 - Introduction Flashcards
What are some acronyms of Environmental Impact Assessment?
- EIA
- EA
- IA
What are the five main characteristics of an Environmental Impact Assessment?
- Process
- Methodology
- Arts and Science
- Not a formula for preparing a document
- “Look before you leap”
What are the origins of the EIA?
From the National Environmental Policy Act (1969) USA
How many nations require an EIA?
More than 100+
What does the IAIA stand for?
International Association for Impact Assessment
What is the IAIA?
The leading global network on best practice in the use of impact assessment for informed decision making regarding policies, programs, plans, and projects.
What do members of the IAIA believe?
That impact assessment is a practical tool for helping meet todays needs without compromising the opportunities of future generations.
Provide a definition of an EIA:
An activity designed to identify and predict the impact on human health and well-being of legislative proposals, policies, programs, and operational procedures and to interpret and communicate information about the impacts.
What are the categories of EIA?
- Environment
- Social Issues
- Other
What are the subcategories of an Environment EIA?
- Air
- Biodiversity
- Land use and Soil
- Sewage Release and Groundwater
What are the subcategories of Social EIA?
- Population Characteristics
- Present Land Use and Zoning Land-use Plans
- Community Impacts
- Visual Resources
What are the subcategories of Other EIA?
- Disaster Management
- Adaption and Increasing Vulnerability to Climate Change
What kind of different assessments and modelling can be included in an EIA?
- Predictive Modelling
- Life-cycle Assessment
- Social Impact Assessment
- Cultural Impact Assessment
- Human Health Risk Assessment
Define Sustainable Development:
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What is Impact Assessment from a Federal perspective?
- Planning
- Impact Statement
- Impact Assessment
- Decision-making
- Post Decision
What happens after you submit an EIS? (8)
- Notice of Determination
- Assessment Process Initiated
- Information requests (IR)
- Public Review
- Hearing Process
- Decision Making
- Decision Statement Issued
- Follow-up & Monitoring
True or False: Some jurisdictions have legislated timelines for submitting an EIS.
True
True or False: There is a strict grouping of people involved in the Decision Making step of an EIS submission.
False.
What is the purpose of IA?
“Over years IA has been recognized as a forward-looking instrument that is able to proactively advise decision-makers on what might happen if a proposed action is implemented. “
Define an Impact, in terms of an IA:
- Impacts are changes that are judged to have environmental, political, economic or social significance to society.
- Impacts may be positive or negative and may affect the environment, communities, human health and well-being, desired sustainability objectives, or a combination of these.”
What is the immediate result of an EA?
A development proposal that is well thought-out environmental, social, economic, and technical design, accompanied by a management plan to deal with potential risk and unanticipated outcomes
What are the four main purposes of an IA?
- Identifying and evaluating potential impacts
- Support decision making
- Promoting sustainable development
- Ensuring that development is in the public interest