Introduction To Environmnetal Mpact System Flashcards
Define an EA/EIA?
This is the systematic process used to identify ,predict, and suggest ways to manage/ mitigate the potential impacts of a proposed project or action on the environment . These impacts are identified and managed prior to major decisions/ commitments being made
What is the US National Environmental Policy Act about?
The is how EIA actually started . It called for decision making to involve environmental considerations .
And for a statement detailing :
Environmental impacts of proposals especially adverse unavoidable ones .
A statement to be made available to the public.
Alternatives to the proposed action
As the years went by it became trans boundary.
What are the components of an EIA ?
Screening
Alternatives
Scoping
Baseline study
Impact assessment ( identification and description of impacts)
Risk analysis /assessment
Risk-benefit evaluation
Mitigations and monitoring
Public consultation,communication and participation (should be included throughout the entire EIA process as early as the alternatives)
EIS
Review(usually done by authorities in the county if env impact is minor . If major should be forwarded to the court)
Decision
Monitoring post project analysis
What is an EIS?
It is an Environmental Impacts statement: which is a legal document derived from an EIA.
Hat are the components of an EIS?
Nontechnical summary of major findings
Design of proposed action
Alternatives (zero,location,design)
Overview of consultation with affected people
Purpose and needs of the project
Predicted impacts(magnitude and significance)
Mitigation measures of adverse effects.
What does an EIA attempt to identify and analyze?
The interconnected changes both negative and positive that a project /action is set to have on the environment . This informs decision making making mitigation plans for the negative and strategies to enhance the positive
Give an example of a Pressure , the impacts and the effects
Refer to notebook and slide .
What are the features of environmental impacts ?
Type of impacts( the kind of environmental change being dealt with ): air pollution, eutrophication, climate change )
What are the features of environmental impacts ?
Nature ( the specifics that helps us understand the impacts)
Magnitude ( how large or intense the impact is)
Timing ( when impact occurs : will it be immediate or years later )
Uncertainty: are we sure about the impacts , is it based on data or are there a lot of unknowns.
Extent : the geographic reach of the impact
Sensitivity /significance: how important is the affected components. Is the ecosystem a fragile or resilient one .
Duration ( how long will the impact last ( short term or long term)
Reversibility : can the ecosystem or components easily recover from the impacts (some impacts can cause temporary damage while others can cause permanent damage)
What are valued environmental components (VEC/VC)
These are the relevant components of human and biophysical environment predicted to be either directly or indirectly affect by a proposed project /action
What are the VECs to be considered in an EIA
Resource use
Social and cultural
Economic and fiscal
Biophysical
Health and safety
Landscape and visual
What does an EIA need to be effective and why ?
An EIA requires the right societal conditions to be effective.. these conditions ensure that an EIA is done correctly, findings are taken seriously and that it is actually contributing to protecting the environment.
What are some of the societal conditions.
Adequate funding (EIA must have relevant funding to see the process through).
Adequate technical knowledge , data and informations( EIA relies on scientific data for predicting and assessing environmental impacts and so have reliables technical expertise, data and information makes predictions and assessment credible.
Public involvement (ensure that there are diverse perspectives considered, and build trust e public during decision making ).
Political commitment ( having government leaders interested in protecting the environment and wiling to support EIA process are very crucial in decision making processes).
Common understand of aim , benefits and risks of proposed action,
/project among the public, project proponent and decision makers.
Institutional capacity : having the necessary institutions to carry out and EIA efficiently .
Functional legal regime : having regulations and laws that mandate EIA s for certain projects and how to conduct those EIAs.
Functional administration and flexible policy making: having competent authorities oversee EIAs and adjust laws following new findings in EIA processes and evolving of environmental knowledge.
What are some of the more recent developments in EIA.
An EIA requires m
Better distinction between major and minor environmental impacts to be able to allocate the necessary time and resources to projects that have major impacts on the environment.
Integration of indigenous perspectives and knowledge: they have a unique knowledge ogpf the environment around them and could be a valuable resource.
Emphasis on understanding impacts : there is a requirement to focus as much on the indirect impacts of a project as much as the direct.
Focus on restoration projects .
