Environmental Impact Assessment
questions and answers
Definition Munn, 1979 - correct answer-'to identify and predict the impact on the environment
and on man's health and well-being of legislative proposals, policies, programmes, projects
and operational procedures, and to interpret and communicate information about the
impacts' - Munn 1979
UNECE 1991 definition - correct answer-'an assessment of the impact of a planned activity
on the environment'
What is it? - correct answer-It's a systematic process, with guidelines regarding how to carry
it out.
it is holistic and multidisciplinary - not just one person, engages a range of expertises.
In advance, prevention - not dealing with the consequences after.
Part of the EU - EIA Directive. Holds a policy background
Process of EIA - correct answer-Involves a linear flow, but can vary from this framework
depending upon institution, country and purpose.
Project screening - correct answer-Includes scoping, description of the project and
development action, description of the environmental baseline and identification of key
impacts.
if there is no or limited impacts - there is no need for screening.
In the UK - always a need for EIA for Schedule one because of size and potential impact (ie
over 0.5 hectares it is needed, and if the gas, steam, water installation exceeds one hectare
and new storage facilities exceeds 500 sq meters for fossil fuels. Hydro electric is slightly
different - depends on MW production.
For schedule two, it depends upon scale, sensitivity and impacts. Example of brownfield
land, maybe poorer state and less sensititve so don't need to. As wind farm is less
destructive than an oil refinery, may not need one.
Very much decided on a base by base, and how thresholds are picked depends on those
carrying out the assessment.
Prediction of impacts - correct answer-This involves public consultation and participation.
Involves the evaluation and assessment of the significance of impacts and identification of
mitigating measures
,Identify impacts based on their significance, insignificance and uncertainty.
Identify impacts, such as socio economic impacts (ie loss of land or grazing rights of
commoners), archaeology (should involve a test pit depending on the presence of peat),
geology and hydrogeology (such as if the site is identified on a aquifer of vulnerability, seek
advice from the EA), environmental impacts and biodiversity (involves a habitat survey and
compensation as necessary) alongside assessing the culumlative impacts and the potential
alternatives - all down to national parks.
This includes a range of different stakeholders - developers, LPA, relevant agencies sucha s
the EA and Natural England and the public - ideally need to question whether this is feasible.
Public helps to bring up lay concerns or impact on the local environment, may have
expertise where others do not. Community will value certain things etc.
What does the consideration of alternatives involve? - correct answer-Quite broad reaching,
alternative activities?
Different areas?
Different process
Demand
Scheduling of construction - ie solar parks over winter results in greater destruction to the
field due to wet ground and worse access.
Input
Routing - where to put road network
Site layout
Scale
Design - glass back versus Teflon - allowing more light to come in, affecting temperature and
impact underlying grassland
Description of project/development - correct answer-Purpose and rationale
Life cycle of activities
Location and physical presence
Processes - flow chart
Physical characteristics
Socio-economic characteristics
Associated policies
Planning policy context
Description of the environmental baseline - correct answer-Present and likely future states
Not exhaustive - significant impacts only
, Interactive effects - fauna affected by vegetation change
Use existing data but may need to survey/monitor over suitable time periods
Identification of the main impacts - correct answer-Project characteristics + enviro baseline =
impacts
Positive/negative
Big/small
Short/long term
Reversible/irreversible
Direct/secondary/indirect/cumulative
Social/economic/physical
Compare, unbiased, area's capacity, quantitative and qualitative
Use checklists, matrices, quantitative methods, networks and overlay maps
Prediction of impacts - correct answer-Magnitude and significance of change due to a project
UK guidance provided (p115)
Levels of emissions
Habitat loss or damage
....
Many methods
Models
Expert opinion
....
Causal maps
Evaluation phase - correct answer-Magnitude
Likelihood
Spatial & temporal extent
Degree of recovery
Value of the environment
Public concern
Political repercussions
All about the likelihood and severity. Whether it has a local, neglible, minor or moderate or
major impact.
Neglible - ie change in population or baseline employment in the local economy by +- 0.25%
Minor, up to 1%
Major, over 10% change in local industry.
Mitigation - correct answer-If you cant avoid then compensate
People £
Biodiversity off-setting
UK guidance also notes importance of enhancements
Public consultation and participation - correct answer-Determine scope
questions and answers
Definition Munn, 1979 - correct answer-'to identify and predict the impact on the environment
and on man's health and well-being of legislative proposals, policies, programmes, projects
and operational procedures, and to interpret and communicate information about the
impacts' - Munn 1979
UNECE 1991 definition - correct answer-'an assessment of the impact of a planned activity
on the environment'
What is it? - correct answer-It's a systematic process, with guidelines regarding how to carry
it out.
it is holistic and multidisciplinary - not just one person, engages a range of expertises.
In advance, prevention - not dealing with the consequences after.
Part of the EU - EIA Directive. Holds a policy background
Process of EIA - correct answer-Involves a linear flow, but can vary from this framework
depending upon institution, country and purpose.
Project screening - correct answer-Includes scoping, description of the project and
development action, description of the environmental baseline and identification of key
impacts.
if there is no or limited impacts - there is no need for screening.
In the UK - always a need for EIA for Schedule one because of size and potential impact (ie
over 0.5 hectares it is needed, and if the gas, steam, water installation exceeds one hectare
and new storage facilities exceeds 500 sq meters for fossil fuels. Hydro electric is slightly
different - depends on MW production.
For schedule two, it depends upon scale, sensitivity and impacts. Example of brownfield
land, maybe poorer state and less sensititve so don't need to. As wind farm is less
destructive than an oil refinery, may not need one.
Very much decided on a base by base, and how thresholds are picked depends on those
carrying out the assessment.
Prediction of impacts - correct answer-This involves public consultation and participation.
Involves the evaluation and assessment of the significance of impacts and identification of
mitigating measures
,Identify impacts based on their significance, insignificance and uncertainty.
Identify impacts, such as socio economic impacts (ie loss of land or grazing rights of
commoners), archaeology (should involve a test pit depending on the presence of peat),
geology and hydrogeology (such as if the site is identified on a aquifer of vulnerability, seek
advice from the EA), environmental impacts and biodiversity (involves a habitat survey and
compensation as necessary) alongside assessing the culumlative impacts and the potential
alternatives - all down to national parks.
This includes a range of different stakeholders - developers, LPA, relevant agencies sucha s
the EA and Natural England and the public - ideally need to question whether this is feasible.
Public helps to bring up lay concerns or impact on the local environment, may have
expertise where others do not. Community will value certain things etc.
What does the consideration of alternatives involve? - correct answer-Quite broad reaching,
alternative activities?
Different areas?
Different process
Demand
Scheduling of construction - ie solar parks over winter results in greater destruction to the
field due to wet ground and worse access.
Input
Routing - where to put road network
Site layout
Scale
Design - glass back versus Teflon - allowing more light to come in, affecting temperature and
impact underlying grassland
Description of project/development - correct answer-Purpose and rationale
Life cycle of activities
Location and physical presence
Processes - flow chart
Physical characteristics
Socio-economic characteristics
Associated policies
Planning policy context
Description of the environmental baseline - correct answer-Present and likely future states
Not exhaustive - significant impacts only
, Interactive effects - fauna affected by vegetation change
Use existing data but may need to survey/monitor over suitable time periods
Identification of the main impacts - correct answer-Project characteristics + enviro baseline =
impacts
Positive/negative
Big/small
Short/long term
Reversible/irreversible
Direct/secondary/indirect/cumulative
Social/economic/physical
Compare, unbiased, area's capacity, quantitative and qualitative
Use checklists, matrices, quantitative methods, networks and overlay maps
Prediction of impacts - correct answer-Magnitude and significance of change due to a project
UK guidance provided (p115)
Levels of emissions
Habitat loss or damage
....
Many methods
Models
Expert opinion
....
Causal maps
Evaluation phase - correct answer-Magnitude
Likelihood
Spatial & temporal extent
Degree of recovery
Value of the environment
Public concern
Political repercussions
All about the likelihood and severity. Whether it has a local, neglible, minor or moderate or
major impact.
Neglible - ie change in population or baseline employment in the local economy by +- 0.25%
Minor, up to 1%
Major, over 10% change in local industry.
Mitigation - correct answer-If you cant avoid then compensate
People £
Biodiversity off-setting
UK guidance also notes importance of enhancements
Public consultation and participation - correct answer-Determine scope
