The dimensions to be considered for establishing environmental baseline in

the EIA process

Selecting appropriate baseline - baseline surveys and investigations should be carried out on the
issues that have significant environmental effects order to:

 Provide an understanding of existing conditions linked to a specific year e.g., base year or
period.
 Decide about a timeline that will allow for predictions of how the project may change the
key environmental component e.g., number of years of project operations.
 Allow for predictions of how adverse effects can be mitigated and beneficial effects
enhanced e.g., years needed until the mitigation responses are implemented and start
making impacts.
 Provide a sound basis for the design and evaluation of post-EIA studies e.g. early
monitoring.

The description of the existing environment may include various biophysical, social and
economic parameters such as air, water, geology, soils, biodiversity, land use, community
conditions (socioeconomic, health & cultural) with the potential to be affected by the project.
“Baseline data should provide a statistically valid measure of the parameter’s natural variability
during the pre-project period in order to be of value for impact prediction and environmental
monitoring” of the project’s impacts (Government of Saskatchewan, 2007, n.p.). Similarly,
methods for the collection of baseline and monitoring data on particular issues should be
consistent—thus it is important to review the baseline data when designing the monitoring plan
during the last stage of the EIA. Finally, the use of existing information is encouraged, although
there will often be a need to collect additional data for certain parameters such population,
vegetation details, human health data, and data on livelihood conditions in the local
communities. Information should be presented in a simple and understandable form so the
connection of the project impacts (both positive and negative) can be identified. This will be also
important in the next phases when the EIA is evaluated.

General procedure of EIA system of Bangladesh

As indicated above, the Environment Conservation Act, 1995 makes mandatory provisions for
environmental clearance of all industrial units and projects from the Department of Environment
(GOB, 1995b); likewise procedures for granting environmental clearance have been mentioned
in the Environment Conservation Rules, 1997 under Rule 7 (GOB, 1997). All industrial units and
projects are categorized into four groups (see Figure 1) on the basis of their level of pollution:
green; Orange-A; Orange -B; and red (GOB, 1997, page 3105). The EIA process (see Figure 2)
consists of three stages: screening; IEE; and detailed EIA. Projects categorized as green and
amber-A require no IEE or EIA for environmental clearance. However, the proponent has to
submit an application in a prescribed format along with specified documents. Projects
categorized as Orange -B require an IEE to be submitted to the DOE along with an application in
a prescribed format and other specified documents. Red category projects require both IEE and
EIA. An IEE is required for location clearance and an EIA is required for environmental
clearance. Environmental clearance has to be obtained in two steps: first location clearance (not
required for green projects) and thereafter environmental clearance. The Director General has
discretionary power to exempt the proponent from obtaining location clearance; this has a
maximum time limit of 30 working days for Orange-A, and 60 working days for Orange-B and
red projects. The limits for environmental clearance or rejection are 15 days for green and
Orange-A, 30 days for Orange-B and 60 days for red projects. Upon receiving location
clearance, the proponent can undertake land development and infrastructure development
programs, and can install machinery.
EIA Process
What is Urban Heat Island effect? Briefly describe the reasons behind this effect and
possible solutions to reduce this effect.

An urban heat island (UHI) is an urban or metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than its
surrounding rural areas due to human activities. The temperature difference is usually larger at
night than during the day, and is most apparent when winds are weak. UHI is most noticeable
during the summer and winter. The main cause of the UHI effect is from the modification of land
surfaces Waste heat generated by energy usage is a secondary contributor. As a population center
grows, it tends to expand its area and increase its average temperature. The term heat island is
also used; the term can be used to refer to any area that is relatively hotter than the surrounding,
but generally refers to human-disturbed areas.

Some of the factors that contribute to heat island formation include:

1. Paved and impermeable surfaces.

 Paved over surfaces, such as roads and parking lots, can absorb solar radiation as heat,”
explain Steuben and Schneider. “Additionally, these surfaces are typically impermeable,
which means that water runoff is redirected to the storm water system rather than being
absorbed by plants or water bodies that help cool the area through evapotranspiration and
evaporation.
2. Dark surfaces.
 Dark roofs absorb more energy into the building as heat, hence the boom in cool roof
adoption. But it’s not just roofs absorbing the heat—blacktop absorbs the sun just as well,
and neither surface reflects much solar radiation, so they get hotter than lighter-colored
surfaces.
3. Thermal mass.
 Buildings contain a lot of thermal mass, which means they store a lot of heat during the
day and are slow to release the heat overnight,” Steuben and Schneider say.
4. Lack of vegetation.
 “Plants and trees create shade and cool the air through evapotranspiration,” explain
Steuben and Schneider. But areas that are dominated by paved surfaces have little room
for green space.
 5. Waste heat.
 Mechanical air conditioning exhausts heat into the environment around the building,
directly adding to the problem.
6. Changing climate.
 Steuben and Schneider cite the more extreme heat waves in urban areas, especially ones
in northern regions, as a factor that contributes to urban heat island formation. Urban heat
islands also exacerbate the changes in the climate, so the problem feeds on itself.

To reduce the urban heat island effect:

 Build green infrastructure improvements into regular street upgrades and capital
improvement projects to ensure continued investment in heat-reducing practices
throughout your community.
 Plant trees and other vegetation—Space in urban areas might be limited, but you can
easily integrate small green infrastructure practices into grassy or barren areas, vacant
lots, and street rights-of-way.
 City officials in Louisville, Kentucky, recently awarded a $115,700 contract for a tree
canopy assessment to help the city use trees to address urban heat, stormwater
management, and other concerns. "Knowing where we lack canopy, down to the street
and address level, will help our efforts exponentially," remarked Mayor Greg Fischer.
 Make traditional water quality practices serve double duty by adding trees in or around
roadside planters and other green infiltration-based practices to boost roadside cooling
and shading.
 Transform your community one project at a time by planting native, drought-tolerant
shade trees and smaller plants such as shrubs, grasses, and groundcover wherever
possible.
 Build green roofs—Green roofs are an ideal heat island reduction strategy, providing
both direct and ambient cooling effects. In addition, green roofs improve air quality by
reducing the heat island effect and absorbing pollutants. Many communities offer tax
credits for installing green roofs. Check your local government's website for
opportunities