Chapter 5

Question 1

Environmental Assessment

Answer 1

The systematic process of determining and managing the potential (and real) impacts of proposed (or existing) human actions and their alternatives on the environment.

Question 2

Best practice for EA

Answer 2

1. a strong legislative foundation that estab- lishes EA as mandatory and enforceable
2. a broad definition of the environment and a process that sets out requirements that ensure that EA is applied to all environ- mentally significant undertakings
3. a process aimed at identifying the best option rather than merely acceptable proposals, requiring critical examination of purposes, comparative evaluation of alternatives to the proposal, and alternative means of undertaking the proposal;
4. a process that limits ministerial discretion;
5. an open and fair process that provides a significant role for the public, and contains provisions related to public notice, com- ment, access to information, and partici- pant funding;
6. a process with enforceable terms and conditions for the approval of an activity;
7. a process that specifically addresses monitoring and other post-approval follow-up activities to ensure terms and conditions have been met.
8. a process with provisions for linking assessment work into a larger context, including the setting of overall biophysical and socio-economic impacts
9. a strong support network of NGOs and professional EA associations.

Question 3

EA process

Answer 3

1. Screening
2. Scoping
3. Alternatives Analysis
4. Baseline Analysis
5. Impact analysis
6. Report Preparation and submission
7. Review and final decision
8. Follow-up and monitoring