7 - Significance Flashcards
_______________ is one of the most critical aspects in impact assessment, and one of the most contested.
Significance
Where does significance determination begin?
At the outset of the EA process when a decision is made as to whether the proposal requires a formal assessment.
Where is the term significance used in an IA?
In the section of determining significance in the IA
Define Residual Effects:
The effects that remain after the proposed mitigation measures are taken into consideration
What are the five understandings that characterize Significance Determination?
- Not solely a scientific exercise
- What is significant varies based on the values and perceptions of those assessing / considering it
- Varies with context
- Uncertainty is inherent
- No standard method
Define Impact Measurement:
The characteristics of the impact.
Define Impact Meaning:
The context within which those characteristics are viewed and interpreted.
What are the 7 Impact Measurement Characteristics?
- Frequency and Duration
- Impact Magnitude
- Likelihood
- Nature of Impact
- Order of Impact
- Reversibility
- Spatial Extent
What are the 7 Impact Meaning Characteristics?
- Benchmarks
- Culture
- Contributions to sustainability
- Political Context
- Regulatory designations
- Social values
- Vulnerability
What is the impact significance equation?
Characterization x Importance = Impact Significance
What are three things to note what assessing with your impact significance equation?
- Not all potential impacts can be considered;
- Not all impacts should be considered to the same level of detail; and
- Impacts vary in their decision-making importance
Define Effect Context:
Legal or regulatory designations / standards of limits, vulnerability, cultural context and recognized or expressed rights, contributions to sustainability, social values and acceptability, political context, and public interest.
What are the three Regulatory Limits?
- Exclusionary
- Mandatory
- Probable
What does a Exclusionary regulatory limit consider?
Least to automatic rejection of a proposal.
What does a Mandatory regulatory limit consider?
Leads to mandatory finding of significance.