Shortcomings and Deficiencies of EIA reports and Reporting

Question 1

The need for a project cannot
be justified

Answer 1

An EIA report substantiates the need for offshore exploratory drilling in a remote and sensitive Arctic
Sound primarily in terms of energy security and economic development. The broader opportunity
costs of opening the area to development are overlooked.

Question 2

The objective and alternatives
are too narrowly stated

Answer 2

An EIA report on a proposed by-pass road identifies the objective as relieving traffic congestion,
failing to consider broader transport issues and alternatives

Question 3

The description of the proposal
does not cover the key features

Answer 3

An EIA report describes the proposed construction of an industrial plant but omits information about
construction of a pipeline and other facilities to transport and handle raw materials and finished
products to and from the plant

Question 4

Selection of alternatives does
not take into account
environmental aspects

Answer 4

The EIA report on a car racing circuit in a coastal dune landscape only considers alternatives meeting
motor sport requirements, visitor ‘needs’ and public safety regulations. It overlooks environmental
considerations, such as noise abatement, protection of land surface and dune ecology

Question 5

Key problems affected by the
proposal are not described

Answer 5

An EIA report describes the proposed construction of a coal-fired power plant using surface water as cooling
medium. It does not divulge that the surface water body is already used by other industrial activities for this
purpose to the limit of its cooling capacity

Question 6

Sensitive elements in the
affected environment are
overlooked

Answer 6

An EIA report for a pipeline project does not indicate that the proposed alignment will dissect certain areas of
ecological value.