Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) - 2024 - Final

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)_2024.
pdf
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) one.pdf
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) two.pdf
Lecture 1. Screening.ppt
Lecture 2. Scoping.ppt
Lecture 3. Impact analysis.ppt
Lecture 4. Mitigation and Impact Mgt.ppt
Lecture 5. Reporting.ppt
Lecture 6. Review of EIA Quality.ppt
Lecture 7. Decision making.ppt
Lecture 8. Implementation and follow up.ppt
THE EIA PROCESS
Screening
Screening Slide 1
The purpose of screening
Screening procedure is necessary because of the large

number of projects and activities that are potentially subject
to EIA.
The purpose of screening is to determine:-
o whether or not a proposal requires an EIA?
o what level of EIA is required?
Screening Slide 2
Screening and scoping compared
 Screening establishes the basis for scoping,
 Screening
o determines the requirement for EIA
o establishes the level of review necessary
 Scoping
o identifies the key issues and impacts to be studied
o establishes the terms of reference
 on occasion, they may overlap, for example, when a further
study is undertaken to determine whether or not the potential
impacts are significant enough to warrant a full EIA.
Screening Slide 3
Screening procedures
 Systematic and consistent process (so that the same decisions would be
reached if others conducted the screening process).
 Usually, the proponent is responsible for carrying out screening,

although this is done by the competent authority in Ethiopia.
 The screening procedures :

– prescriptive or standardized approach: proposals subject
to or exempt from EIA are defined or listed in legislation and
regulations; and
– Discretionary or customized approach: proposals are
screened on an individual or case-by-case base, using indicative
guidance.
Screening Slide 4
Screening methods
 Legal (or policy) definition of proposals to which EIA does or

does not apply:
 Inclusion list of projects (with or without thresholds) for which
an EIA is automatically required;
 Exclusion list of activities which do not require EIA because
they are insignificant or are exempt by law (e.g. national
security or emergency activities); and
 criteria for case-by-case screening of proposals to identify
those requiring an EIA because of their potential significant
environmental effects.
Screening Slide 5
A framework for screening
Both prescriptive and discretionary approaches have a place and their
specific procedures can be combined into a comprehensive procedure
Mandatory EIA
‘Inclusive’ threshold
EIA more likely to be required; screen border line
proposals for significant environmental effects
Case by case
consideration of ‘Indicative ’ threshold
requirement for EIA EIA less likely to be required but still screen for significance where
the location is sensitive or if there is a potential for cumulative effects
‘Exclusive’ threshold
EIA ruled out
Screening Slide 6
A framework for screening
Mandatory
List
Is the project on a
Yes EIA
mandatory list of required
projects for which EIA
is always required?
No
Exclusion List
Is the project on an
exclusion list of
projects for which EIA EIA not
Yes required
is not required?
No
Case-by-Case EIA
is the project likely required
Yes
to have significant
effects on the No EIA not
environment? required
Typical proposals requiring a full EIA
 dams and reservoirs
 (re)settlement and urban development
 infrastructure (e.g. transport and sanitation)
 industrial facilities (e.g. manufacturing plants)
 energy and minerals extraction (e.g. oil & gas, coal)
 waste management and disposal of hazardous and toxic

materials
 energy development (power stations, transmission lines,

pipelines)
Screening Slide 8
Location and environmental criteria for case-by-case
screening
The following are important in determining significant effects:
 assimilative capacity of the natural environment

 environmental sensitivity, e.g. wetlands, coastal and mountain
zones
 environmental standards and objectives
 adjacent areas (protected or designated areas)
 within landscapes of special heritage value
 existing land use(s) and commitments
 abundance and quality of natural resources
Screening Slide 9
Information required by decision-makers
 description of the proposal;
 conditions and characteristics of the environment;
 applicable policy, planning and regulatory objectives;
 identification of potential impacts;
 degree of public concern and interest
Screening Slide 10
Outcomes
1) Full or comprehensive EIA required

2) More limited EIA required
3) Further study needed to determine EIA requirement
4) No further requirement for EIA
Screening Slide 11
Scoping in the EIA process
Scoping Slide 1
Relevance
 Identifies the issues that are likely to be of most importance during the
EIA and eliminates those that are of little concern.
 This process concludes with the establishment of Terms of Reference for

the preparation of an EIA.
 EIA studies are focused on the significant effects so that time and money
are not wasted on unnecessary investigations.
Scoping Slide 2
Scoping
 Early step – begins once screening completed

 Open, interactive process – involves the public
 Lays the foundation of an EIA – by identifying
- boundaries of the EIA study
- the information necessary for decision-making
- key issues and significant impacts to be considered
Scoping Slide 3
Key objectives
• Inform the public about the proposal;
• Identify the main stakeholders and their concerns and values;
• Define the reasonable and practical alternatives to the proposal;
• Focus the important issues and significant impacts to be addressed;
• Define the boundaries for an EIA in time, space and subject matter;
• Set requirements for the collection of baseline and other information;

and
• Establish the Terms of Reference for an EIA study.
Scoping Slide 4
The conduct of scoping
 Identify the range of community and scientific concerns about a proposed

project or action;
 Evaluate these concerns to identify the significant issues (and to eliminate
those issues which are not important); and
 Organize and prioritize these issues to focus the information that is
critical for decision making, and that will be studied in detail in the next
phase of EIA.
Scoping Slide 5
Steps
 Step 1: Compile a long list of concerns from the information available &
the inputs of stakeholders.
 Step 2: Derive a short list of key issues & problem areas based on their
potential significance and likely importance for decision-making.
– This phase involves evaluating the issues against selected criteria;
 Step 3: Classify and order the key issues into impact categories by
reference to policy objectives and scientific concepts, (Ecological,
economical, social, health).
– Such a synthesis or aggregation provides a coherent framework for drafting the
Terms of Reference for the EIA study
Scoping Slide 6
Cont`d…
 In many cases, some form of guidance will be given on the conduct of

scoping, the procedures to be followed and the methods that can be used to
undertake the consultative and technical components of this activity.
 There is a need for designing a scoping process for each proposal and its
likely consequences.
Scoping Slide 7
Cont`d…
 A custom-tailored scoping process will include:

– an overview or profile of the proposal,
– the environment and community that is likely to be affected,
– the possible alternatives,
– the range of potential impacts, and
– the ways these may be mitigated or managed.
– In addition, the following should be addressed:
• geographical area(s) and the time-frame(s) for impact analysis;

• the policy and institutional frameworks under which the EIA will be conducted;
• existing information sources, gaps and constraints on methodology;
• the scheduling of the EIA study, and the allocation of resources and
responsibilities; and
• the relationship to the decision-making process- including modification of design
and selection of alternatives - as well as final approval of the proposal.
Scoping Slide 8
Cont`d…
 The use of impact models or cause-effect frameworks may be helpful during

scoping of large-scale proposals, which have a wide range of potentially
complex effects on the environment;
– E.G. waste discharged into the air or waterways can extend a long way beyond
the boundaries of a project, and heavy metals can bio-accumulate in species and
food chains.
– the impact of toxic effluent on aquatic species and human health, for example
– The identification of such potential impacts can be assisted by a systematic
consideration of the various phases of the project life cycle, from construction
through operation to decommissioning.
Scoping Slide 9
Public involvement
 Public involvement methods are used in the conduct of scoping:

– notification/invitation for public comment and written submissions;
– consultation with the various stakeholders;
– public and community meetings; and
– workshops and facilitated discussion.
 NB. need to take into account local values, traditions and culture
Scoping Slide 10
Who should be involved in scoping?
 The proponent
 know most about the proposal, and have a strongly developed view about the
factors that will influence the site selection and other aspects of decision-making
 have responsibility for scoping
 helps them to recognize the perspective of others, to consider alternatives and
concerns of those affected, and to make changes to the proposal,
 The EIA administering body / the competent authority

 issue Terms of Reference review and
 approve the EIA report submitted by the proponent, checking it against the agreed
scope
 EIA practitioners and experts

 May act directly or as consultant
 providing specialist knowledge
Scoping Slide 11
Who should be involved in scoping?
 key stakeholders (e.g. Those directly affected by the proposal)

 have a major role in identifying concerns and issues and providing local
knowledge and information
 choosing between alternatives, in deciding on the importance of issues, and
in identifying mitigating measures, compensation provisions and
management plans
 the wider community

 This grouping includes those indirectly affected by the proposal, and local,
national and sometimes international NGOs and interest groups.
Scoping Slide 12
Consideration of alternatives
 The heart of the EIA process and methodology
 Help to determine the best method of achieving project

objectives while minimizing environmental and social impacts
(most environmentally and socially friendly or best practicable
environmental and social option).
Scoping Slide 13
Consideration of alternatives
 Often, the consideration of alternatives is a superficial rather than a meaningful exercise.
–Requirement for private vs public???

• private sector proposals, where the requirement
to analyze alternatives is less than for
comparable public sector proposals
 Proposals that are submitted to EIA when planning is nearly complete
and the components and location are fixed already.
 Most useful when undertaken early in the project cycle.
Scoping Slide 14
Issues for alternatives
 Demand alternatives (e.g. using water more efficiently rather than

building more water resource);
 Input or supply alternatives (e.g. where a mix of energy sources permits);
 Activity alternatives (e.g. providing public transport rather than increasing

road capacity);
 Location alternatives, either for the entire proposal or for components

(e.g. the location of a dam and/or irrigation channels);
 Process alternatives (e.g. use of waste-minimizing or energy-efficient

technology); and
 Scheduling alternatives (e.g. for airport and transport operations, reservoir

draw-down).
Scoping Slide 15
Outline of ESIA Terms of Reference (ToR)
 Objectives and background to the proposal

 Study area and boundaries
 Alternatives to be examined
 Opportunities for public involvement
 Impacts and issues to be studied
 The approach to be taken
 Requirements for mitigation and monitoring
 Information and data to be included in the EIA report
 Timetable and requirements for completion of the EIA
process
Scoping Slide 16
Assignment
1. What is the difference between screening and scoping?
Scoping Slide 17
Impact Analysis
Impact analysis Slide 1

Introduction
 The screening phase of the EIA determines whether or not an EIA is required
for a particular proposal.
 The scoping phase identifies the important issues that should be investigated
in detail (making sure that time and money is not wasted investigating issues
that are not of concern).
 The next stage of the EIA process is when a detailed assessment is

undertaken to forecast the characteristics of the main potential impacts.

An environmental impact
• An impact or effect: the change in an environmental parameter, which

results from a particular activity or intervention.
• The change: is the difference between the environmental parameter with
the project compared to that without the project
(Wathern, 1988)

Three overlapping phases:
1. Identification: to specify the impacts associated with
each phase of the project and the activities undertaken;
2. Prediction: to forecast the nature, magnitude, extent and
duration of the main impacts; and
3. Evaluation: to determine the significance of residual
impacts i.e. after taking into account how mitigation will
reduce a predicted impact.

Impact Analysis…
 Impact identification and prediction are undertaken against an

environmental baseline, often delineated by selected indices
and indicators (e.g. air/water, noise, ecological sensitivity,
biodiversity).
 The collection of baseline information and the relevant

biophysical and socio-economic conditions begins during
screening and continues in scoping.
 Additional baseline data will need to be collected to establish

reference points for impact identification and prediction. These
requirements should be identified in the Terms of Reference.

Impact identification methods
Checklists
Matrices
Networks
Overlays and Geographical Information Systems
(GIS)
Expert systems
Professional judgement

Checklists
 Provide a systematized means of identifying impacts.
 They also have been developed for application to particular types of

projects and categories of impacts (such as dams or road building).
 Sectoral checklists often are useful when proponents specialize in one

particular area of development.
 However, checklists are not as effective in identifying higher order

impacts or the inter-relationships between impacts, and therefore,
when using them, consider whether impacts other than those listed
may be important.

Example of a checklist
(For rural and urban water supply and sanitation projects)
As pe ct s of EIA Checklis t Ques tions Ye s No Additional
Will the project: Data nee ds
Source s of Impacts 1. Require the acquisition or conversion of significant areas

of land for reservoir/treatment w orks etc. (e.g. > 50 ha
rural, > 5 ha urban)?
2. Result in significant quantities of eroded material, ef fluent
or solid w astes?
3. Require significant accommodation or service amenities to

support the workforce during construction (eg > 100
manual w orkers)?
Re ceptors of Im pacts 4. Flood or other wise af fect areas w hich support

conservation w orthy terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems,
flor a or fauna (eg protected areas, w ilderness areas,
forest reser ves, critical habitats, endanger ed species); or
that contain sites of historical or cultural importance?
5. Flood or other wise af fect areas w hich w ill affect the
livelihoods of local people (eg require population
resettlement; affect local industr y, agr iculture, livestock
or fish stocks; r educe the availability of natural resource
goods and services)?
6. Involve siting sanitation treatment facilities close to
human settlements (particularly w here locations are
susceptible to flooding)?
7. Aff ect sources of water extr action?
Environm ental Impacts 8. Cause a noticeable permanent or seasonal reduction in

the volume of ground or surface w ater supply?
9. Present a significant pollution risk through liquid or solid

w astes to humans, sour ces of w ater extraction,
conservation w orthy aquatic ecosystems and species, or
commercial fish stocks?
10. Change the local hydrology of surface water-bodies (eg
streams, river s, lakes) such that conservation-w orthy or
commercially significant fish stocks ar e aff ected?
11. Increase the r isk of diseases in areas of high population
density (eg onchocerciasis, f ilar iasis, malaria, hepatitis,
gastr ointestinal diseases)?
12. Induce secondar y development, eg along access roads,
or in the form of entrepreneurial services for construction
and operational activities?
Mitigation Measures 13. Be likely to r equire mitigation measur es that may result in
the project being financially or socially unacceptable?
Comm e nts
I recom m end t hat the programm e be ass igne d to

Cate gory
Signature: Delegation.........................................Desk...................................

Matrices
 A grid-like table that is used to identify the interaction between project

activities, which are displayed along one axis, and environmental
characteristics, which are displayed along the other axis.
 Environment-activity interactions can be noted in the appropriate cells or

intersecting points in the grid.
 „Entries‟ are made in the cells to highlight impact severity or other

features related to the nature of the impact, for instance:-
– Ticks or symbols can identify impact type (such as direct, indirect,
cumulative) pictorially;
– Numbers or a range of dot sizes can indicate scale; or
– Descriptive comments can be made.

Leopold interaction matrix
 Leopold matrix is a qualitative measurement of

environmental/social impacts of a development project.
 This matrix consists of a list of 100 project activities on the

horizontal axis, and about 88 environmental/social aspects on the
vertical axis.
 The environmental aspects listed on the vertical axis are those that
are likely to be affected by any of the project activities.
 This was designed by Leopold in 1971. Leopold matrix is among

the two major forms of matrices used in EIAs.

Leopold interaction matrix
 The cells of the matrix are divided by a diagonal line. The top
division is used to describe the magnitude of the impact that
activity will have on the environmental aspect, and the bottom
division is used to describe the significance of that impact.
Project activity
Magnitude (1-10)
Environmental aspect
Significance (1-10)
 Both, the magnitude and the significance, are rated on a scale of 1 to

10. This is subjective to the surveyor and is based on the baseline
data collected. If a cell has no division, it means that the activity has
no impact on the environmental aspect.

Example of a Leopold matrix

Networks
 illustrate the cause-effect relationship of project activities

and environmental characteristics
 particularly useful in identifying and depicting secondary

impacts (indirect, cumulative, etc).
 Simplified networks, used in conjunction with other

methods, help to ensure that important second-order
impacts are not omitted from the investigation.
 More detailed networks are visually complicated, time-

consuming and difficult to produce unless a computer
program is used for the task.

Example of a network
(showing linkages leading to changes in quality of life, wildlife and tourism)
CHAN GING QUAL ITY CHAN GING QUAL ITY

OF LIFE FOR WILD LIFE OF TOUR ISM
Loss o f Hab it at Increa sed Inc id ent s

be twe en Loss o f Nat ural
Wil dl ife & Peop le Wil de rne ss Val ue
Deforesta ti on & Erosio n o f Ri ver Bank Ove rg ra zi ng Cha ng es i n

Loss o f Bio di versi t y Gorge Erosio n Aroun d
Ani mal B eha vi our
Acc ess Pa th s Wat er Ho le s
Too smal l an a rea

for an ima l numb ers
Ri pari an Con st rict i on Harrassmen t

Se le ct ive C utt i ng of w il dl ife
of t rees for Wat er Wave Veg et at io n of w il dl ife
Po ll ut io n Effe ct s Red uc ed mov emen ts
Curi o Wo od
More Fen ce s/ Vi su al Di st urban ce Increa si ng
Oi ly d ischa rg es Ri ver Bank & Isla nd Enc lo su re s Imp ac ts of w il dl ife no ise le vel s
from bo at s et c. Dev el opme nt
New Ro ad
Dema nd for Exp an si on of More Aircraft More & B ri dge a t Ol d
More More
Curi os Raft in g Jett i es & Hot el s/Ca mps Fl yi ng Ov er Mot or Drift/ Zamb ezi
Increa sed & T ourist Faci li ti es Fa ll s & T own Veh ic le s Nat i ona l Pa rk
Li cen ces Boa t Li cen ces
Increa sed V isit or Nu mbers
Dema nd for More Direc t Imp ro ved B ord er Imp ro ved R oad Li nk s
Low -spen di ng Inte rn at io nal Fa ci li ti es - Li vi ngst on/ Lusak a
Tou ri sm Increa ses Fl ig ht s - Za mbia /B otswan a/ Nami bi a
Increa sed c usto ms co-op erati on
Ai rp ort Upg rad in g be twe en Zi mbab we/ Zamb ia

Choice of EIA method depends on:
 the type and size of the proposal

 the type of alternatives being considered
 the nature of the likely impacts;
 the availability of impact identification methods
 the experience of the EIA team with their use
 the resources available - cost, information, time,
personnel

Main advantages and disadvantages of impact
identification methods
AD VANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Ch eckl ists • s imp le to un ders tan d • do not dis ting uis h
–simple an d us e be twee n di re ct and
–ran king • good for s ite se lection ind irect impacts
an d an d priority s ettin g • do not link action a nd
weigh ti ng impa ct
• the proce ss of
incorp oratin g valu es
can be controvers ial
Matrices • lin k a ction to impact • difficul t to di stin gui sh
• good method for dire ct a nd indire ct
dis pl aying EIA r e su lts impa cts
• s ign ificant p ote ntial
for d oub le-counting of
impa cts
Networ ks • lin k a ction to impact • can become ve ry
• us efu l in simpli fi ed comple x i f us ed b eyon d
form for che cking for s imp lifie d versi on
s econ d ord er impacts
• ha ndle s direct a nd
ind irect impacts
Overl ays • ea s y to und ers tand • ad dres s on ly d ire ct
• good dis pla y me thod impa cts
• good s iting tool • do not ad dres s imp act
du ra tion or probab ility
GIS an d • ex celle nt for imp act • he avy r e lian ce on
computer ide ntifica ti on a nd kn owle dg e a nd data
expert an alys is • ofte n compl ex and
systems
• good for ‘ex perimen ti ng’ ex pe ns ive

A word of caution
 No single impact identification methodology is suited to use

on all occasions; nor is it necessary to use only one method at
a time. Combining the useful aspects of two different
techniques may be the best approach to take.
 EIA checklists, matrices and networks can have added value
when applied by experts in an interactive process.
 When using impact identification methods (such as checklists
or matrices) developed by others, care should be taken to
ensure that these are suitable for your purpose.

Impact analysis/prediction
 Once all the important impacts have been identified, their
potential size and characteristics can be predicted.
 Impact prediction or forecasting is a technical exercise.
 predictive studies often require expert knowledge.
 It utilizes physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural

data to estimate the likely characteristics and parameters of
impacts (e.g. magnitude, spatial occurrence etc.).

Contd.
 impacts should be predicted quantitatively

 If quantification is difficult, then it is important to use
methods that allow the impacts to be estimated and compared
systematically, e.g.. Rating techniques (scenic quality, sense
of place or other landscape characteristics)
 In most cases, a multi-disciplinary team will conduct the
EIA study
 Impact predictions are made against a „baseline’ established
by the existing environment (or by its future state).
– The collection of data on relevant biophysical, social and
economic aspects
Information required to establish baseline
conditions
1. current environmental conditions

2. current and expected trends
3. effects of proposals already being implemented
4. effects of other proposals yet to be implemented
NB: the baseline chapter or section could be limited to not

more than ten per cent of the total number of pages in
the report

Impact characteristics
 nature (positive/negative, direct/indirect)
 E.g.. loss of wetlands caused by agricultural drainage; destruction of
habitat caused by forest clearance; relocation of households caused by
reservoir impoundment; increased air particulate emissions caused by
operation of a new power station, etc
 Indirect or secondary impacts are changes that are usually less obvious,
occurring later in time or further away from the impact source.
 E.g. the spread of malaria as a result of drainage schemes that increase standing water
and thereby create new vector habitat; bio-accumulation and bio-magnification of
contaminants in the food chain through take up of agricultural pesticides; and anxiety,
stress and community disruption associated with increased traffic volumes and noise
caused by road development.

 extent/location (area/volume covered, distribution)
 magnitude (severe, moderate, low)

 Severity, as opposed to size, also takes account of other aspects of impact
magnitude, notably whether or not an impact is reversible and the likely rate of
recovery.
 timing (during construction, operation etc, immediate, delayed)
 duration (short term/long term, intermittent/continuous)
 reversibility/irreversibility
 likelihood (probability, uncertainty)
 significance (local, regional, global)

Impact characteristic summary table
IMPACT TYPE
IMPACT Ecology Etc.
Social Health Economy
CHARACTERISTIC
nature
magnitude
extent/location
timing
duration
reversibility
likelihood (risk)
significance

Methods of impact prediction
 ‘best estimate‟ professional judgement

 quantitative mathematical models
 experiments and physical models
 case studies as analogues or references
NB: reference should be made to the confidence limits in impact data, in
probabilistic terms for quantitative judgments (e.g. 95 per cent) or in
relative terms for qualitative judgments (reasonably high, best estimate,
etc.).

Types of uncertainty in impact prediction
uncertainty – limited understanding of the

 scientific
ecosystem or community affected
uncertainty – incomplete information or insufficient
 data
methodology
 policy uncertainty – unclear or disputed objectives or
standards or guidelines for managing potential hazards and
effects.

Social impact
 demographic impacts: changes in population numbers and
characteristics (such as sex ratio, age structure, in-and-out migration
rates and resultant demand for social services, hospital beds, school
places, housing etc);
 cultural impacts: including changes to shared customs, traditions

and value systems (e.g. language, dress, religious beliefs and rituals);
 community impacts: including changes in social structures,

organizations and relationships and their accompanying effect on
cohesion, stability, identity and provision of services; and
 socio-psychological impacts: including changes to individual

quality of life and well being, sense of security or belonging and
perceptions of amenity or hazard.
Questions
 Are local people the beneficiaries of proposed
development?
 simply they bear the burden of the adverse impacts?
 NB: These effects are especially acute when projects
displace people whose security and subsistence depends on
the land and resources that will be affected.
 particular attention to the impact on indigenous peoples and
other vulnerable ethnic and cultural groups whose lifestyle,
value and tenure systems may be disrupted or lost.

Health Impact
 beneficial;
– water infrastructure projects eradicate or drastically
reduce the occurrence of cholera, diarrhea and other
gastro-intestinal diseases.
 Adverse:
– as a result of development projects, either directly from
changes to the biophysical environment (such as
exposure to pollutants) or indirectly as a secondary
result of other changes;
– the creation of habitat conditions favorable to the spread
or intensification of disease vectors, such as mosquitoes
(malaria) or water snails (schistosomiasis).

Economic and fiscal impacts
 The economic feasibility of a major proposal will be subject

to cost-benefit analysis (CBA).
 Predict project-related changes in
• employment (e.g. new job requirements in relation to the
local labor market),
• per capita income (e.g. locally retained versus exported
remittances) and
• levels of business activity (e.g. positive and negative effects
of the project on local enterprises).

 Economic impacts cause social impacts, for example, if there is a large
influx of temporary workers into a local community during the project
construction phase of project development. Such “boomtown” conditions
may threaten community cohesion and health and strain services and access
to them by local residents.
 Fiscal impacts accrue from changes in the costs and revenues of the
various government sectors. These changes typically occur as the result of
a proposal causing relatively large increases in population and the
requirement for additional capital expenditures on local infrastructure and
facilities provided by government (e.g. health services, roads, sewerage etc.).

Factors affecting economic impacts
• duration of construction and operation
• workforce requirements for each period
• skill requirements (local availability)
• earning
• raw material and other input purchases
• capital investment
• outputs
• the characteristics of the local economy

Factors affecting fiscal impacts
 size of investment and workforce requirements
 capacity of existing service delivery and infrastructure

systems
 local/regional tax or other revenue raising processes
 demographic changes arising from project

requirements

Key elements for assessing impact significance
• environmental standards
• level of public concern
• scientific and professional evidence concerning:
- resource loss/ecological damage
- negative social impacts
- foreclosure of land and resource use options

Guiding principles for determining impact
significance:
1. use established procedure or guidance

2. adapt relevant criteria or comparable cases
3. assign significance rationally and defensibly
4. be consistent in the comparison of alternatives
5. document the reasons for judgements

Test for significance by asking three
questions
 Are there residual environmental impacts?

 If yes, are these likely to be significant or not?
 If yes, are these significant effects likely to
occur?

Impact significance criteria
• environmental loss and deterioration

• social impacts resulting from environmental
change
• non-conformity with environmental standards
• probability and acceptability of risk

Ecological significance criteria
reduction in species diversity

habitat depletion or fragmentation
threatened, rare and endangered species
impairment of ecological functions e.g.
disruption of food chains;
decline in species population;
alterations in predator-prey relationships.

Social significance criteria
human health and safety

decline in important resource
loss of valued area
displacement of people
disruption of communities
demands on services and infrastructure

Environmental standards
 limits on effluent discharge concentrations

 clean air standards, water quality standards
 policy objectives and targets
 plans or policies that protect or limit use of natural
resources

Alternative approaches to determine
significance
 applytechnical criteria when changes are

predictable
 use negotiation when significance is disputable

Practical guidance
Impacts are likely to be significant if they:
 are extensive over space or time

 are intensive in concentration or in relation to assimilative
capacity
 exceed environmental standards or thresholds
 do not comply with environmental policies/ land use plans
 affect ecological sensitive areas and heritage resources
 affect community lifestyle, traditional land uses and values

Mitigation and impact management
Mitigation Slide 1
Introduction
 Mitigation: a process to identify measures that safeguard the
environment and the community affected by the proposal.
– Mitigation is both a creative and practical phase of the EIA process.
– It finds the best ways and means of avoiding, minimizing and remedying
impacts.
 Impact management: the process of translating mitigation measures

into action in the correct way and at the right time.
– takes place during project implementation.
– A written plan should be prepared for this purpose, and includes a schedule
of agreed actions.
 EIA good practice in mitigation requires a relevant technical

understanding of the issues and the measures that work in the
circumstances.
Mitigation Slide 2
The purpose of mitigation
– find better alternatives and ways of doing

things;
– enhance the environmental and social benefits
of a proposal;
– avoid, minimize or remedy adverse impacts;
and
– ensure that residual adverse impacts are kept
within acceptable levels
Mitigation Slide 3
The purpose of impact management is to:
– ensure that mitigation measures are implemented;

– establish systems and procedures for this purpose;
– monitor the effectiveness of mitigation measures; and
– take any necessary action when unforeseen impacts
occur.
Mitigation Slide 4
Proponents Responsibility:
 The adverse impacts and consequences of a proposal can occur far

beyond the site boundaries of a project.
 Many of the real costs of development proposals are not accounted for
in economic analysis of project feasibility (in the operational and
decommissioning phase)
 These costs were borne by the community affected or the public at large
rather than by the proponent.
Mitigation Slide 5
Requirements imposed on proponents
 mitigate impacts through good project design and

environmental management;
 provide benefits to the community affected by the proposal;
 prepare plans for managing impacts so these are kept
within acceptable levels; and
 make good any residual environmental damage.
 * ‘internalise’ the full environmental costs of development proposals is

now widely accepted.
Mitigation Slide 6
Mitigation Slide 7
ESIA stage for considering mitigation measures
 Step One: Avoid adverse impacts as far as possible.

– most effective when applied at an early stage of project planning.
• not undertaking certain projects or elements that could result in adverse impacts;
• avoiding areas that are environmentally sensitive; and
• putting in place preventative measures to stop adverse impacts from occurring,
 Step Two: Minimize or reduce adverse impacts.

– usually taken during impact identification and prediction to limit or reduce the degree, extent, magnitude,
or duration of adverse impacts.
• scaling down or relocating the proposal;
• redesigning elements of the project; and
• taking supplementary measures to manage the impacts.
 Step Three: Remedy or compensate for adverse impacts.

– usually applied to remedy unavoidable residual adverse impacts.
• rehabilitation of the affected site or environment;
• restoration of the affected site or environment to its previous state or better; and
• replacement of the same resource values at another location.
Mitigation Slide 8
Approaches to Mitigation
 developing environmentally better alternatives to the

proposal;
 making changes to project planning and design;
 carrying out impact monitoring and management; and
 compensating for impacts by

– monetary payment
– in kind measures
– site remediation bonds
– a resettlement plan.
Mitigation Slide 9
Principles of mitigation
give preference to avoidance and preventative measures
consider feasible alternatives to the proposal
identify customised measures to minimise each major

impact
ensure they are appropriate and cost-effective
use compensation as a last resort
Mitigation Slide 10
Impact avoidance can be achieved by:
 not undertaking certain projects or elements;
 avoiding environmentally sensitive areas;
 use of measures to prevent impacts from occurring
Mitigation Slide 11
Impact minimisation can be achieved by:
scaling down or relocating the proposal
redesigning elements of the project
measures to manage the impacts
Mitigation Slide 12
 The management of social impacts associated with
the influx of a temporary workforce and additional
population
– improved transport, water and sewage infrastructure;

– expanded social and health care services, including
measures to target specific impacts;
– better support and counseling services to cope with
socio-economic changes; and
– additional recreational areas and facilities, including full
replacement of any areas lost to development.
Mitigation Slide 13
Impact compensation can be achieved by:
 rehabilitation of resource or environmental components
 restoration of the site to its previous state
 replacement of the environmental values lost at another

location
Mitigation Slide 14
Assessment and mitigation summary table
Impact Type Impact Magnitude Impact Significance Mitigation Option
Ecology
Water
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.
Mitigation Slide 15
Mitigation options
 develop alternatives that are better environmentally (site

or design)
 make changes in planning and design
 carry out impact monitoring and management (EMS

based on ISO 14000)
 compensate for impacts
- monetary payment
- site remediation bonds (for clean up during
decommissioning)
- resettlement plans (no one is worse off than before)
- in kind measures and offsets (offsetting CO2)
Mitigation Slide 16
Environmental management plans should include:
 summary of impacts
 Description of recommended mitigation measures
 Description of monitoring program (statement of
compliance with standards)
 Institutional arrangements (allocation of resources and
responsibilities)
 Implementation schedule
 Cost estimates and sources of fund
 contingency measures for greater than expected impacts
Mitigation Slide 17
Impact management plan –sample task schedule
No Task Responsible Budget Start 2002

person/unit date
description
Finish
date
Mitigation Slide 18
Reporting in the EIA process
Reporting Slide 1
Introduction
 The purpose of the EIA report is to provide a coherent statement

of the potential impacts of a proposal and the measures that can
be taken to reduce and remedy them.
 The information contained in the report should meet the terms of
reference established at the scoping stage of the EIA process
 It organizes the information obtained and synthesizes the results of the
studies and consultations undertaken.
– the likely environmental impacts of a proposal,
– the recommended measures for mitigating and managing them and
– the significance of any residual effects.
 EIA report needs to be well organized and clearly written.
Reporting Slide 2
Different names for the same document
 Environmental Impact Assessment report (EIA report)
 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
 Environmental Statement (ES)
 Environmental Assessment Report (EA report)
 Environmental Effects Statement (EES)
Reporting Slide 3
The EIA report is a statement that assists:
 The proponent to implement the proposal in an

environmentally and socially responsible way;
 The responsible authority to make an informed decision

on the proposal, including the terms and conditions that
must be attached to an approval or authorization; and
 The public to understand the proposal and its likely

impacts on people and the environment.
Reporting Slide 4
A successful EIA report should be:
 ‘Actionable’ a document that can be applied by the

proponent to achieve environmentally sound planning and
design;
 ‘Decision-relevant’ a document that organizes and presents
the information necessary for project authorization and, if
applicable, permitting and licensing; and
 ‘User-friendly’ a document that communicates the technical
issues to all parties in a clear and comprehensible way.
Reporting Slide 5
Main elements of EIA – as specified in the guideline
 Executive Summary.
 Introduction.
 Approach to the study.
 Assumptions and/or uncertainties.
 Administrative, Legal and Policy requirements.
 Description of the proposed action
 Description of socio-economic and biophysical baseline conditions
 Potential impacts identification and analysis
Reporting Slide 6
Contd.
 Alternative analysis
 Public participation
 Mitigation and enhancement measures
 Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
 Monitoring/ Auditing
 Conclusions and Recommendations.
 Annexes
Reporting Slide 7
Main elements of an EIA report
 executive summary
 need for and aims of the proposal
 description of proposal and alternatives
 description of affected environment and community
 public consultation and views
 main impacts and their mitigation
 evaluation of significant residual impacts
 environmental management plan
Reporting Slide 8
Preparing an executive summary
 target to audience
 keep it short
 make it clear and consistent
 avoid jargon
 summarise key findings
Reporting Slide 9
An executive summary should outline:
 the proposal and its setting
 terms of reference of the EIA
 results of public consultation
 alternatives considered
 major impacts and their significance
 mitigation and management measures
 any other critical matters.
Reporting Slide 10
EIA Report — description of the proposal includes:
 indicates the elements and main activities that will take place during project
construction, operation and decommissioning.
 major differences between the alternatives, including the no-action alternative
 It can also include information on:
 the project setting and the major on-site and off-site features (e.g. access roads,
power and water supply, etc.);
 resource use, raw material inputs and emission and waste discharges;
 operational characteristics, processes and products;
 the relationship of the technical, economic, social and environmental features of th

proposal; and
 comparison of alternatives and options (such as size, location, technology, layout,

energy sources, source of raw materials) within the above context.
Reporting Slide 11
description of the affected environment includes:
 spatial and temporal boundaries
 baseline conditions – biophysical, land use, socio-

economic
 key trends and anticipated conditions
 relationship to other policies, plans and proposals.
Reporting Slide 12
Results of public consultation includes:
 identification of interested and affected

stakeholders
 method(s) used to inform and involve them
 analysis of views and concerns expressed
 how these were taken into account
 issues remaining to be resolved
Reporting Slide 13
Evaluating impacts for each alternative
 prediction of each major impact, its characteristics and likely

consequences; (positives and negatives);
 consideration of their compliance with environmental standards and

policy objectives;
 recommended measures for avoiding, minimizing and remedying the

impact;
 evaluation of significance of the residual impacts (stating the standar

or criteria used); and
 limitations associated with impact prediction and evaluation, as

indicated by the assumptions made, gaps in knowledge and
uncertainties encountered. Reporting Slide 14
Comparative evaluation of alternatives
 adverse and beneficial impacts
 effectiveness of mitigation measure
 distribution of benefits and costs
 opportunities for enhancement
 reasons for preferred alternative
Reporting Slide 15
An Environmental Management Plan contains:
 proposed mitigation measures
 schedule for implementation
 surveillance and monitoring programmes
 impact management strategy
 reporting, audit and review procedure
 any institution and capacity building requirements
Reporting Slide 16
Some common shortcomings of EIA reports
 objective of proposal described too narrowly
 description does not cover complete activity
 alternatives do not account for the environment
 key problems not described
 sensitive elements in environment overlooked
 relevant standards and legislation not described
Reporting Slide 17
Some common shortcomings of EIA reports
(continued):
 best alternative not described (or insufficiently

described)
 serious impacts not mentioned or not correctly

described
 outdated or ineffective prediction models used
 impacts not compared with standards or targets
 appropriate mitigation measures not considered
 incorrect conclusions drawn
Reporting Slide 18
Review of EIA Quality
Review of EIA Quality Slide 1

Purpose
 ‘checks and balances’ built into the EIA process.
 ensure the information submitted is credible;
 establish if the information in an EIA report is sufficient for

decision-making.

Key objectives
- review the quality of the EIA report
- take account of public comment
- determine if the information is sufficient
- identify any deficiencies to be corrected

EIA review – aspects for consideration
 compliance with terms of reference
 information is correct and technically sound
 account taken of public comments
 complete and satisfactory statement of key findings
 information is clear and understandable
 information is sufficient for decision-making

EIA review – types of procedure
 Internal review:
- low operating costs
- can lack rigour and transparency
- often no documentation of result.
 External review
- independent, expert check on EIA quality
- more rigorous and transparent
- report on sufficiency or deficiency

EIA review procedures
 Environment, Forest and Climate change Commission (Ethiopia)
 environmental agency (Australia)
 independent panel (or moderator) (Canada, only for major proposals )
 standing commission of independent experts (Netherlands)
 Standing commission of experts within the government (Italy, Poland)
 inter-agency committee (USA)
 planning authority using government guidelines (UK, New Zealand)

EIA review – steps to good practice
 set the scale of the review

 The nature of the proposal determine the speed and intensity of
the review.
 More controversial projects, or those with more significant

effects, typically require more detailed review.
 The choice ranges from a quick overview by one person to an in-

depth review by a team of experts

EIA review – steps to good practice
Contd.
• select reviewer(s)
• The environmental issues and the technical aspects
• use public input
• identify review criteria
• carry out the review
• determine remedial options
• publish the review report

EIA review criteria
The following can be used (in order of priority):
• Terms of Reference
• EIA reports of comparable proposals
• other guidance including:
- EIA requirements, guidelines and criteria
- principles of EIA good practice
- knowledge of the project and typical impacts

Carrying out the EIA review
 A four-step approach can be followed:
Step 1: identify the deficiencies
Step 2: focus on critical shortcomings
Step 3: recommend remedial measures
Step 4: advise on implications for decision-making
(The last step does not apply in all systems)

EIA review methods
• general checklists
• project specific checklists
• review packages
• expert and accredited reviewers
• public hearings
• extended review frameworks

A rating scale for EIA review
Rating Explanation
A generally w ell perf ormed, no important tasks left incomplete
B generally satis factory and complete, only minor omissions and
inadequacies
C just satisfactory despite omissions and/or inadequacies
D parts w ell attempted but must, on the w hole be considered just
unsatisf actory because of omis sions and/or inadequacies
E unsatisf actory, significant omissions or inadequacies
F very unsatis factory, important task(s) poorly done or not attempted
N/A not applic able, the review topic is not applicable in the context of the
project

Quality of EIA report
 Complete: informed decision can be made?
 Suitable: right type of information included?
 Understandable: easily apprehended by decision maker?
 Reliable: meets established professional and disciplinary

standards?
 Defensible: risks and impact are qualified as to proposal

uncertainties?
 Actionable: provides clear basis for choice and condition

setting?

Summary of EIA report
– Executive Summary.
– Introduction.
– Terms of Reference.
– Approach to the study.
– Assumptions and/or Gap of knowledge.
– Administrative, Legal and Policy requirements.
– Assessment.
• Baseline Information on the project proposal
• Baseline Information – Biophysical Environment
• Synthesis and Analysis of information to the environmental
impacts of a project
– Mitigation measures.
– Conclusions and Recommendations.
– Appendices.
– List of Members of the study team.
– References and personal communications

Decision-making
in the EIA Process
Decision Making Slide 1

Issues
 Is the approval of EIA a pre-requisite to gaining other
necessary authorizations, such as licenses and permits,
which are issued by regulatory agencies?
 Do decision-makers at all levels well understand

environmental responsibilities?
– At a general level, these responsibilities are outlined in the Rio
Declaration on Environment and Development; and Agenda 21,
– EIA is identified as a key instrument to integrate environmental
and social considerations into development decision-making.
– However, too many decision makers still regard EIA negatively,
as an imposition or even an impediment.

EIA is a process to:
• gather information necessary for decision-making
• inform approval and condition setting
• help determine if a proposal is acceptable

Decision-making is a process of:
 choosing between alternative courses of action
 political choice between alternative directions
 weighing the benefits and costs
 the views of interested parties are represented directly

and decisions are made through an incremental
process of negotiation, bargaining and compromise.
 making trade-offs among a range of considerations
 balancing economic, social and environmental factors

Decision-makers need to understand:
 EIA aims and concepts
 EIA legislation, procedure and guidelines
 the effectiveness of EIA practice
 the limitations on EIA information
 how EIA process and practice measure up

internationally
 issues of public consultation and third party challenges

Decision-makers should be encouraged to:
 implement sustainability mandates and commitments
 broaden their perspectives on the environment
 critically review information and advice
 better communicate information and decisions
 apply the precautionary principle
 improve the process of making trade-offs
 adopt more open and participatory approaches
 use strategic tools including SEA and environmental accounting

Decision-making is a continuing process,
comprising:
 interim decisions made at each stage of EIA
 final approval of a proposal
 enforcement of conditions attached to approvals

EIA as part of the decision-
making process
TECHN ICAL ANAL YSIS

physi cal Facts
ecological
socio-economi c
ot her
Information
EIA
PUBLI C DECISI ON-MAKIN G

INVOLVE MENT prioritisi ng probl ems
Values prioritisi ng actions
ensuri ng eff ective
impl ementation
OTHER I NPUT
eg benefit-cost analysis
pol iti cal priorities

Information for decision-makers should include:
 background of the proposal
 policy context
 alternatives considered
 public inputs and balance of opinion
 significant impacts
 proposed mitigation and monitoring
 extent that the proposal conform to sustainability

principles

EIA responsibilities imposed on decision makers
 meet no further requirements
 take account of information in the EIA report
 provide reasons for the decision
 act in accordance with recommendations of a review

body

Outcomes from EIA decision-making
 proposal approved
 proposal approved with conditions
 proposal on hold pending further study
 proposal returned for revision and resubmission
 proposal rejected

Checks and balances on decision-making
 no decision taken until EIA report considered
 findings help determine approval and condition setting
 public comment taken into account
 approvals can be refused or withheld
 conditions can be imposed/ modifications demanded
 written reasons for the decision
 right of appeal against the decision

Means of implementing the decision include:
 establishing performance conditions
 incorporating them into legal contracts
 requiring preparation of Environmental Management

Plans
 incorporating ISO 14001 standards
 overseeing and monitoring compliance with conditions

Implementation and follow up
Environmental Monitoring and

Auditing
Implementation Slide 1
Key objectives
• confirm that the conditions of project approval
are implemented satisfactorily;
• verify that impacts are within predicted or
permitted limits;
• take action to manage unanticipated impacts or
other unforeseen changes;
• ensure that environmental benefits are
maximized through good practice; and
• learn from experience in order to improve EIA
process and practice.
Monitoring
Monitoring refers to the collection of data through a series of repetitive
measurements of environmental parameters (or, more generally,
to a process of systematic observation).
The main types of EIA monitoring activities are:
• Baseline monitoring – the measurement of environmental parameters
during a pre-project period for the purpose of determining the range of
variation of the system and establishing reference points against which
changes can be measured.
• Effects monitoring – the measurement of environmental parameters
during project construction and implementation to detect changes which
are attributable to the project.
• Compliance monitoring – the periodic sampling or continuous
measurement of environmental parameters to ensure that regulatory
requirements and standards are being met.
Monitoring
• establish baseline trends and conditions;

• measure the impacts that occur during project
construction and operation;
• check their compliance with agreed conditions
and standards;
• facilitate impact management, e.g. by warning of
unanticipated impacts; and
• determine the accuracy of impact predictions
and the effectiveness of mitigation measures.
Points required to be agreed as part of the
EMP and conditions of project approval:
• major impacts to be monitored;

• objectives of monitoring and data requirements;
• arrangements for the conduct of monitoring;
• use of the information to be collected;
• response to unanticipated or greater than
predicted impacts; and
• measures for public reporting and involvement
Monitoring requirements should focus on the
significant impacts predicted in the EIA report,
taking account of:
• the environmental values to be safeguarded;

• the magnitude of each potential impact;
• the risk or probability of each impact occurring;
• the pathways and boundaries of each impact;
and
• the confidence in the prediction of each impact.
Monitoring programmes result in time series
data, which can be analysed by:
• assembling the data in tabular or graphic
format;
• testing for variations that are statistically
valid;
• determining rates and directions of
change; and
• checking whether these are within
expected levels and comply with
standards (e.g. water quality).
Environmental Auditing
• Environmental auditing is a review process
similar to that carried out in financial
accounting.
• Both result in a statement of facts, which
certifies that practice is (or is not) in
accordance with standard procedure.
• In the case of environmental auditing,
there is an added level of interpretation,
focusing on the factors of performance.
Main techniques for conducting an
environmental audit
• examination of records and documentation
relating to impacts, actions taken to manage
them and aspects of performance;
• interviews with management and line staff to
corroborate factual information and probe areas
of concern; and
• site inspection to check that environmental
measures and controls are operating as
described and intended.
EIA audits are used to
• identify the impacts of project implementation;
• verify whether or not the conditions of approval have
been implemented;
• test the accuracy of impact predictions;
• check the effectiveness of mitigation measures; and
• improve compliance and performance of EIA practice.
• Guidance on the conduct of EIA audits emphasizes that
a well-designed monitoring programme is an integral
element of good practice.
• The ‘before and after’ data collected by baseline and
effects monitoring lays down an audit ‘trail’, which allows
key impacts to be tracked and statistically verified.
Auditing
Auditing is a term borrowed from accounting to describe a systematic
process of examining, documenting and verifying that EIA
procedures and outcomes correspond to objectives and
requirements.
• This process can be undertaken during and/or after project
construction, and draws upon surveillance reports and monitoring
data.
The main types of EIA related audits are:
• Implementation audits – to verify that EIA implementation met the
conditions of project approval.
• Impact audits – to determine the impact of the project and the
accuracy of EIA predictions.
• Compliance audits – to verify that project impacts complied with
environmental standards and regulatory requirements.
• Effectiveness or policy audits – to check the feasibility of mitigation
measures and the consistency of EIA practice.
Difficulties commonly experienced
in EIA audits
 limited baseline information
 qualitative and non-auditable predictions
 changes to project design and mitigation
 long lead times for some types of impact
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
BY TEWODROS M.
Outline
o Introduction
• Concepts and Principles of EIA
o Public Involvement and Consultation
o Key Elements of the EIA Processes
• Screening
• Scoping
• Impact analysis
• Mitigation and Impact Management
• EIA Report
• Review of the EIA report
• Decision making
• Implementation and follow-up
o The EIA System in Ethiopia
1/2/2023 2
Introduction: What is Environment?
BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT
Biotic environment to the biosphere or Eco- SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
sphere (also called living environment)
It consists The social environment refers to
 Plants, the individuals lives in certain
 Animals (including human beings) and area.
micro-organisms BIOLOGICAL
ENVIRONMENT SOCIAL
ENVIRONMENT
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENT Defined as the sum total of water, air
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT and land and the inter-relationships
Abiotic environment refers to the earth/ that exist among them and with the
atmosphere system and it consists of
ENVIRONMENT human beings, other living
physical factors organisms and materials.
 Land (minerals, toxic elements,
nutrients),
 Sky (sink of various things, noise) and
 Air (useful and other gases),
1/2/2023 3
Introduction: What is Environment?
Global environment comprises the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and
lithosphere in which life sustaining resources of the earth are contained
All three of these can be divided into ‘micro’ and ‘macro’ level
environments
All three environments are interlinked and are affected heavily by

economic activities.
Environmental problems often occur because society fails to appreciate the

interrelationships between the three environments
1/2/2023 4
Introduction: Disadvantages
o There are different Environmental and social damages that are caused by
infrastructure development and operations.
1/2/2023 5
o Development projects could disfigure topography and landscape, damage
soils, disrupt drainage systems, contaminate water bodies and deteriorate air
quality.
1/2/2023 6
Road development is a major source of damage
to the natural living environment, including
ecological destabilization, habitat distraction, and
damage to flora and fauna.
Roads fragment animal habitat
1/2/2023 7
Roads also have contributed to poor health caused by air pollution as well as the
spread of dust, debris and waste.
1/2/2023 8
Poorly planned projects and bad practices in construction, maintenance and
rehabilitation have far-reaching and negative effects.
1/2/2023 9
The resulting damages, in many cases, are permanent.
The negative effects continue for a long time and have lasting consequences.
1/2/2023 10
Environmental and Social Damages
The extent of the environmental and social damages caused by a project is
categorized:
I. Natural non-living environment
II. Natural living environment
III. Human and social environment
In such cases, the adverse impacts are so severe that they offset their benefits
of facilitated linkages, enhanced mobility and improved accessibility.
1/2/2023 11
Environmental and Social Damages: Natural Non-living
Environment
Destruction of topography/physical features
Damage to landscape
Erosion and loss of productive soils
Soils contamination
Slope failures and mass movements
Disruption to surface water run-off system
Disruption of groundwater system
Contamination of water bodies
Spread of dust, debris and waste in air, water and land
1/2/2023 12
Environmental and Social Damages: Natural Living
Environment
Forest destruction
Habitat intrusion
Ecological destabilization
Contamination of flora and fauna
Transmission of diseases
1/2/2023 13
Environmental and Social Damages: Human and Social
Environment
Disturbance to agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture
Disturbance to economic activities
Disturbance to human settlements
Disturbance to residences and workplaces
Adverse effects on human health
Adverse effects on safety
Impairment of aesthetics
1/2/2023 14
Recommendations for Environmental Management
• Proper provision must be made for the management and disposal of waste and
sewage from temporary worker settlement
• A clean-up programme must be instituted in the project area after the

construction phase is complete
• Vulnerability of project area to erosion must be considered in the siting of

transport infrastructure
• Excavation should not be undertaken during high erosion risk periods
1/2/2023 15
• Location for excavations for sand, gravel, and stone for construction should be
located away from erosion risk areas
• Systems should be implemented to minimize erosion during construction
• Design of drains and pipes must prevent erosion by water flowing off it
onto the road
• Significant sites or relics must be identified and preserved
1/2/2023 16
• Decrease visual impact by improving the design of transport facilities
• Vulnerability of natural features such as riverbanks and coastlines to barriers

should be considered
• Attempts must be made to protect valuable ecosystems
• An accident response system should be put into place to support transport

infrastructure
1/2/2023 17
• Adequate compensation should be provided for people who are resettled
• Good traffic control systems must be developed
• Quarry and borrow sites should be rehabilitated after the use
1/2/2023 18
Environmental Inventory
• Environmental Inventory (EI) is the backbone of ESIA and development of EI
represents an initial step in the ESIA process
• EI is a coordinated package of info on individual environmental features.
• It is a complete description of the environment as it exists in an area where a

particular proposed action is being considered.
• The inventory is made-up of maps, data series, regular (e.g. annual) reports,
and special studies.
1/2/2023 19
Environmental Inventory
• EI - serves as a basis for evaluating the potential impacts on the environment
(both biotic and abiotic) of a proposed action
• Included in EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) in the section referred to as
“description of affected environment” or
“description of environmental setting without the project”
1/2/2023 20
What is an Impact?
The impact of an activity is
a deviation (a change) The baseline situation
from the baseline situation is the existing
environmental situation
that is caused by the or condition in the
activity. absence of the activity.
The baseline situation

is a key concept in
EIA.
! To measure an impact, you
must know what the baseline
situation is.
21
Impact
Impact
o The effect of an activity on the environment whether desirable or undesirable.
o Impacts may be the direct consequence of an organization’s activities or may be

indirectly caused by them.
Primary Impacts
o Normally attributed directly to the proposed action
Example:
If the action is a construction of a road, causes Env’tal impact related to

construction and operation, land use changes at the site.
1/2/2023 22
Impact
Secondary Impacts
o Indirect or induced changes in the
• Environment,
• Population,
• Economic growth,
• Land use and
• Other environmental effects resulting from these changes in land use,
population, and economic growth.
o The potential effects of additional changes that is likely to occur later in time or
at a different place as a result of the implementation of a particular action.
1/2/2023 23
Impact
Irreversible impact:
• When the character, diversity or reproductive capacity of an environment is

permanently lost.
Significant impact:
• An impact that, by its magnitude, duration or intensity alters an important

aspect of the environment.
1/2/2023 24
Impact
Positive impact
• A change that improves the quality of the environment (for example, by
increasing species diversity and the reproductive capacity of the ecosystem, by
removing nuisances, or by improving amenities).
Negative impact
• A change that reduces the quality of the environment (for example, by reducing
species diversity and the reproductive capacity of the ecosystem, by damaging
health, and property, or by causing a nuisance).
1/2/2023 25
Impact: Environmental Impact
Environmental impact
• Described as the change in an environmental parameter, w/c results from a

particular activity or intervention.
• The change is the difference between the environmental parameters with the
project compared to that without the project.
Parameters
1/2/2023 26
Environmental Impact
o Any alteration of environmental conditions, adverse or beneficial, caused or induced

by an action or set of actions.
o Deviation from a baseline situation.

The ‘alteration’ may be caused in
• Physical Env’t - Temp, humidity, noise level, dust emission, etc.
• Chemical Env’t - the acidity of H2 O, the composition of air, geotechnical properties

of soil, etc.
1/2/2023 27
• Biological Env’t - depletion in the bird population, damage to plants, shift in
species composition, etc.
• Social Env’t - the creation of sense of well-being or social tensions
• Economic Env’t - change in per capita income or loss of jobs, etc.
• Political Env’t - change in voter preference due to impacts of a project
1/2/2023 28
Environmental impacts can vary in:
1. Nature - direct or indirect, cumulative, etc.
2. Magnitude or severity - high, moderate, low
3. Extent - local, regional, transboundary or global
4. Timing - immediate or long term
5. Duration - temporary or permanent
1/2/2023 29
6. Uncertainty - low likelihood or high probability
7. Reversibility - reversible or irreversible
8. Significance*- unimportant or important

* Impact significance is not necessarily related to the impact magnitude. WHY?
o Sometimes very small impacts, such as the disturbance of the nest of a pair of
endangered birds, may be significant.
1/2/2023 30
EIA and SIA: ESIA
Assessment
o The process of collecting, organising, analysing, interpreting and communicating

data that are relevant to some decision.
EIA
o The systematic identification and evaluation of the likely Environmental Impacts

of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-
economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.
1/2/2023 31
EIA
EIA is not a law by itself. But it is a scientific management tool.
 It is cyclical
 It predicts the impacts before the project
 It promote environmentally sound and sustainable development through the

identification of appropriate enhancement and mitigation measures.
1/2/2023 32
EIA
⁎ Sustainability is the ability to exist and develop without depleting natural
resources for the future.
⁎ It assumes that resources are finite, and so should be used conservatively and
carefully to ensure that there is enough for future generations, without
decreasing the present quality of life.
Why sustainability?
1/2/2023 33
Why EIA?
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is in essence the methodology for
identifying and evaluating in advance any effect, be it positive or negative, that
results from the implementation of a proposed project or public instrument.
• Because of the complex relationship between the natural and human
environments, it is very important to try to predict the environmental and social
impacts of programs, projects and planned developments that may alter the
quality of the environment and well-being.
1/2/2023 34
Why EIA?
o The primary purpose of the ESIA is
• to identify sensitive and valued environmental components that are

likely to be significantly affected by the project, and
• to ensure that all adverse environmental effects of proposed project are

adequately and appropriately considered in the design, construction
and operation activities,
o So that the project is deemed environmentally and socially acceptable.
1/2/2023 35
Why EIA?
• ESIA/EIA can predict development’s negative effects and reveal strategies to
avoid and mitigate them,
• ESIA/EIA can also point to possibilities to enhance the positive effects of

development activities.
• ESIA/EIA is a formal study process and is used to predict the environmental
consequences of a proposed major development project.
1/2/2023 36
Why EIA?
• EIA is a method of identifying and analysing the potential impacts of a project
on the environment, with the view of ensuring environmentally sustainable
development.
• In this regard, sustainable development can be achieved only through taking

into consideration social, economic and environmental situations.
1/2/2023 37
Why EIA?
o Projects which are undertaken without EIA
• Lack ownership by the community
• Show incompatibility between the project and land use pattern, and
• Will fail to tap local knowledge in project design
o Thus, there is a need to undertake ESIA in order to prevent the resulting

negative effects.
1/2/2023 38
Why EIA?
o Generally, there are some negative assumptions about EIA. Some of these
misconceptions are that:
• EIA is considered as anti-development and that it is created by developed countries

to keep the underdeveloped countries as they are.
• EIA is also considered as highly procedural.
• EIA is thought to be expensive.
• EIA is considered as a paper tiger. This means that ESIA may remain on the paper,
unutilized and ineffective. For example, recommendations presented in the ESIA may
not be practiced and there is little follow up.
1/2/2023 39
Social Impact Assessment/SIA
 For certain projects, impacts on people can be by far the most important
consideration.
 Adverse social impacts can reduce the intended benefits of a proposal, and
can threaten its viability if they are severe enough.
 In such cases, SIA is carried out as part of the EIA process, or sometimes as
a parallel or separate review.
1/2/2023 40
Social Impact Assessment/SIA
This approach is used:
 To analyse the impacts of a proposal on individuals and communities
 To mitigate the adverse effects and enhance the positive effects.
 It also provides a framework to manage social change.
1/2/2023 41
What are social impacts?
• Social impacts include changes that affect individuals, groups, communities
and population as well as the interactions b/n them.
• They are alterations in the way people

 live, work, play, relate to each other and organize their communities and
institutions to meet their needs and guide their collective actions, as well as
• Changes in their characteristic, values, beliefs, norms, traditions and

perceptions of quality of life and well being.
1/2/2023 42
Types of SIA
Social impacts can be divided into four main types:
1. Demographic impacts - such as changes in population numbers and characteristics
(such as sex ratio, age structure, in-and-out migration rates and resultant demand
for social services, hospital beds, school places, housing etc.);
2. Cultural impacts - including changes to shared customs, traditions and value

systems (e.g. language, dress, religious beliefs and rituals, archaeological,
historical, and cultural artifacts, and to structures and env’tal features with
religious or ritual significance).
1/2/2023 43
Types of SIA
3. Community impacts including changes in social structures, organizations and
r/n ships and their accompanying effect on cohesion, stability, identity and
provision of services
4. Socio-psychological impacts including changes to individual quality of life

and well being, sense of security or belonging and perceptions of comfort or
hazard
1/2/2023 44
Components, Concepts, and Aspects of an EIA
Now that we have the definition, background, and process of an EIA, let’s take a deeper look at several
components, concepts, and aspects that make up an EIA.
How can impacts be

avoided and reduced What is an
in magnitude? impact?
Mitigation What counts as

What kinds of Impact
an impact?
impacts are
there? Nature of Scope
Impacts
EIA
Impact
Alternatives Significance
How significant
How else can Dimension, is an impact?
this project be Scale, Time
done?
What is
How are
affected by
impacts
an impact?
categorized?
Objectives of EIA/ESIA
 To ensure that environmental considerations are explicitly addressed and incorporated
into the decision-making process.
 To anticipate and avoid, minimize or offset the adverse significant biophysical, social
and other effects of development proposals.
 To protect the productivity and capacity of natural systems and the ecological
processes which maintain them.
 To promote development that is sustainable and optimizes resource use and

management opportunities.
1/2/2023 46
Core values of EIA/ESIA
EIA/ESIA process should meet internationally accepted
Integrity
requirements and standards of practice
Utility EIA/ESIA process should provide the information which is

sufficient and relevant for decision making; and
Sustainability EIA/ESIA process should result in the implementation of

environmental safeguards which are sufficient to mitigate
serious adverse effects and avoid irreversible loss of resource
and ecosystem functions
1/2/2023 47
How Should EIAs be Applied?
Keep these five concepts in mind when applying an EIA
Thoroughly
Correctly
Openly
Regularly
Early
Early
As early as possible in decision making and throughout the life cycle of the proposed activity.
Regularly
To all development proposals that may cause potentially significant effects.
Openly
To provide for the involvement and input of communities and industries affected by a proposal, as well as the interested public.
Correctly
In accordance with internationally agreed measures and activities.
Thoroughly
To biophysical impacts and relevant socio-economic factors, including health, culture, gender, lifestyle, age, and cumulative
effects consistent with the concept and principles of sustainable development.
1/2/2023 48
Basic Guiding Principles of ESIA good practice
Principles Practical application
ESIA should meet its aims of informing decision making and ensuring an appropriate level of
Purposive
environmental protection and human health.
ESIA should concentrate on significant environmental effects, taking into account the issues
Focused
that matter.
ESIA should be adjusted to the realities, issues and circumstances of the proposals under
Adaptive
review.
ESIA should provide appropriate opportunities to inform and involve the interested and
Participative
affected publics, and their inputs and concerns should be addressed explicitly.
ESIA should be a clear, easily understood and open process, with early notification procedure,
Transparent access to documentation, and a public record of decisions taken and reasons for them.
ESIA should apply the best practicable methodologies to address the impacts and issues being
Rigorous
investigated.
Practical ESIA should identify measures for impact mitigation that work and can be implemented.
ESIA should be carried out with professionalism, rigor, fairness, objectivity, impartiality and
Credible
balance.
ESIA should impose the minimum cost burden on proponents consistent with meeting
Efficient
process requirements and objectives
1/2/2023 49
Role players in an EIA/ESIA
Interested and
Consultant
affected parties
Competent
Proponent
Agency
Potential role
players
1/2/2023 50
Cost and Benefit of EIA/ESIA
Resources needed for EIA/ESIA:
• Qualified multi-disciplinary staff/experts
• Technical guidelines
• Institutional arrangements
• Review, monitoring and enforcement powers
• Information about the environment
• Money and time

1/2/2023 51
• Although there are costs associated with undertaking EIA/ESIA, experience has
shown that the potential savings over the life of a project can repay the
investment many times over.
• Generally, the earlier EIA/ESIA process is introduced in the project cycle, the
greater the potential returns.
• When EIA/ESIA is integrated into the project preparation phase, environmental
design considerations can be introduced in the first place rather than the
proposal having to be modified later.
1/2/2023 52
In general the benefits of ESIA include:
1. Better environmental planning and design of a proposal
 Carrying out an ESIA entails an analysis of alternatives in the design and

location of projects.
 This can result in the selection of an improved technology, which lowers

waste outputs or an environmentally optimum location for a project.
1/2/2023 53
2. Ensuring compliance with environmental standards
 Compliance with environmental standards reduces damage to the
environment and disruption to communities
 It also avoids the likelihood of penalties, fines and loss of trust

and credibility
1/2/2023 54
3. Savings in capital and operating costs
 EIA/ESIA can avoid the undue costs of unanticipated impacts
 Generally, changes which must be made late in the project cycle are the
most expensive
1/2/2023 55
4. Reduced time and costs of approvals of development applications
 If all environmental concerns have been taken into account properly before
submission for project approval, then it is unlikely that delays will occur as
a result of decision-makers asking for additional information or alterations
to mitigation measures.
 Increased project acceptance by the public.
1/2/2023 56
 It can be difficult to determine the exact costs of an EIA/ESIA because major
projects typically require a large number of investigations and reports, often for
closely related purposes.
 The World Bank notes that the cost of preparing an EIA rarely exceeds 1% of the
project costs.
 Although many proponents complain that ESIA causes excessive delays in

projects, many of these are caused by poor administration of the process rather
than by the process itself.
1/2/2023 57
Excessive delays occur when:
o The ESIA is commenced too late in the project cycle
o The terms of reference are poorly drafted
o The EIA/ESIA is not managed to a schedule
o The technical and consultative components of ESIA are inadequate; and
o The ESIA report is incomplete or deficient as a basis for decision making.
ESIA processes must be transparent, accessible and accountable to the public
1/2/2023 58
EIA/ESIA application processes
1/2/2023 59
By Tewodros M.
1/26/2023 1
The EIA General Process
Screening
Public participation and institutional First, determine whether your project requires an EIA.
consultation should be ongoing
Scoping
Next, scope the project. What are the key environmental issues?
throughout the process.
Public Participation
EIS Preparation
Third, prepare your environmental impact statement. This will include impact
assessments, mitigation measures, monitoring, baseline studies, and environmental
management.
Quality Review
Check again. Were impact and mitigation measures well identified, and was a monitoring
program defined?
Decision
Approval or rejection? The decision on whether to progress with your project and under
what conditions, can now be made.
Post-evaluation
The assessment continues with ongoing monitoring, evaluation, communication, and
management. Do the predicted impacts occur as defined in your plan?
EIA/ESIA Application Processes
1/26/2023 3
Public Involvement
• Public involvement is a fundamental principle of EIA.
• The inclusion of the views of the affected and interested public helps to ensure the
decision-making process is equitable and fair and leads to more informed choices
and better environmental outcomes.
• In many EIA systems, public involvement centers on the scoping and review stages
1/26/2023 4
Public Involvement
• Ideally, public involvement should commence during the preparatory stage of project dev’t
and continue throughout the EIA process. This is particularly important for major projects
that affect people’s livelihood and culture.
• Five main steps in which public involvement can occur in the EIA process:
1. Screening
2. Scoping
3. Impact analysis and mitigation
4. Review of EIA quality
5. Implementation and follow up

1/26/2023 5
Public Involvement: Why?
• To inform the public about the proposal and to gain input from those directly
affected by or interested in the proposal.
• Specifically, public involvement is a valuable source of information on key impacts,

potential mitigation measures, and the identification and selection of alternatives.
• It also ensures the EIA process is open, transparent, robust, and characterized by
defensible analysis.
1/26/2023 6
Public Involvement: Types
• Feedforward is the process whereby info is communicated from public officials to

citizens concerning public policy.
• Feedback is the communication of information from citizens to public officials

regarding public policy.
1/26/2023 7
Public Involvement
Key objectives of public involvement are to:
• Obtain local and traditional knowledge that may be useful for decision-making
• Facilitate consideration of alternatives, mitigation measures, and tradeoffs
• Ensure that important impacts are not overlooked and benefits are maximized
• Reduce conflict through the early identification of argumentative issues
1/26/2023 8
Public Involvement
• Provide an opportunity for the public to influence project design in a positive

manner thereby, creating a sense of ownership of the proposal
• Improve transparency and accountability of decision-making and
• Increase public confidence in the EIA/SEA process.
1/26/2023 9
Public Involvement: Levels and Forms
• Informing – one-way flow of info from the proponent to the public;
• Consulting – two-way flow of info b/n the proponent and the public with
opportunities for the public to express views on the proposal;
• Participating - interactive exchange between the proponent and the public

encompassing shared analysis and agenda setting and the dev’t of understood and
agreed positions on the proposal and its impacts; and
• Negotiating – face-to-face discussion b/n the proponent and key stakeholders to

build consensus and reach a mutually acceptable resolution of issues.
1/26/2023 10
Public Involvement: Who should be involved in the EIA process?
The range of stakeholders involved in an EIA typically includes:
• The people - individuals, groups, and communities who are affected by the proposal
• The proponent and other project beneficiaries
• Government agencies
• NGOs and interest groups
• Others, such as donors, the private sector, academics, etc.
* First and foremost are the individuals and groups who are likely to be directly and
adversely affected.
1/26/2023 11
Public Involvement
Principles of public involvement: The process should be

• Inclusive - covers all stakeholders
• Open and transparent - steps and activities are understood
• Relevant - focused on the issues that matter
• Fair - conducted impartially and without bias toward any stakeholder
• Responsive - to stakeholder requirements and inputs
• Credible - builds confidence and trust
1/26/2023 12
Public Involvement: Limiting Factors
The underlying factors that may constrain public involvement

• Poverty - involvement means time spent away from income-producing tasks, and
favors the wealthy.
• Remote and rural settings - increased or dispersed settlement distances make
communication more difficult and expensive.
• Illiteracy - involvement will not occur if print media is used.
• Local values/culture - behavioral norms or cultural traditions can act as a barrier to
public involvement or exclude those who do not want to disagree publicly with
dominant groups.
1/26/2023 13
Public Involvement: Limiting Factors
• Languages - in some countries a number of different languages or dialects may be

spoken, making communication difficult.
• Legal systems - may be in conflict with traditional systems and cause confusion
about rights and responsibilities over resource use and access.
• Interest groups - bring conflicting and divergent views and vested interests.
• Confidentiality - may be important for the proponent, and may weigh against early
involvement and consideration of alternatives.
1/26/2023 14
Public Involvement: Principles for Success
When using public involvement techniques, the following principles can help to
achieve a successful outcome:
• Provide sufficient, relevant information in a form that is easily understood by
non-experts
• Allow enough time for stakeholders to review, consider and respond to the
information and its implications
• Provide appropriate means and opportunities for them to express their views
1/26/2023 15
Public Involvement: Principles for Success
• Select venues and time events to encourage maximum attendance and a free
exchange of views by all stakeholders (including those that may feel less confident
about expressing their views) and
• Respond to all questions, issues raised or comments made by stakeholders. This

fosters public confidence and trust in the EIA process.
1/26/2023 16
Public Involvement: Minimizing Conflict
Principles for minimizing conflict

• Involve all stakeholders
• Establish communication channels
• Describe the proposal and its objectives
• Listen to the concerns and interests of affected people
• Treat people fairly and impartially
• Be empathetic and flexible
• Mitigate impacts and compensate for loss and damage
• Acknowledge concerns and provide feed-back
1/26/2023 17
1/26/2023 18
Elements of EIA: Screening
• Determines whether the environmental and social impacts of a proposed

development project would be significant enough to develop an EIA.
1/26/2023 19
• It establishes the basis for scoping

• The time taken to complete the screening process will depend upon
 The type of proposal
 The environmental setting and
 The degree of experience or understanding of its potential effects.
1/26/2023 20
Screening classifies The screening process can

the activity into a have one of four
RISK CATEGORY: OUTCOMES (Level):
Very Low Risk No further level of EIA is required

Screen each activity
Based on the nature of Very High Risk Full and comprehensive EIA is required
the activity, what level
More limited EIA is required (often
of environmental Moderate Risk
analysis is indicated?
called preliminary or initial assessment)
Unknown Risk Further study is necessary to determine

the level of EIA required
The outcome of the screening

process determines the next step
in the EIA process
The screening approaches
i. Prescriptive or standardized approach - proposals subject to or exempt from EIA

are defined or listed in legislation and regulations; and
ii. Discretionary or customized approach - proposals are screened on an individual or
case-by-case base, using indicative guidance.
1/26/2023 22
Screening methods/framework
• Legal or policy definition of proposals to which EIA does or does not apply;
• Inclusion list of projects (with or without thresholds) for which an EIA is

automatically required;
• Exclusion list of activities which do not require EIA because they are insignificant or
are exempt by law (e.g. national security or emergency activities); and
• Criteria for case-by-case screening of proposals to identify those requiring an EIA

because of their potentially significant environmental effects.
1/26/2023 23
Framework for screening
1/26/2023 24
• Category A: for projects likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts

that are serious (i.e., irreversible, affect vulnerable ethnic minorities, involve
involuntary resettlement, or affect cultural heritage sites), diverse, or unprecedented,
or that affect an area broader than the sites of facilities subject to physical works.
* A full EIA is required
1/26/2023 25
Category A projects/components:
• Dams and reservoirs
• Forestry and production projects
• Industrial plants (large scale)
• Irrigation, drainage, and flood control (large scale)
• Land clearance and levelling (large scale)
• Mineral development (including oil and gas)
• Port and harbor development
• Reclamation and new land development
• Resettlement and new land development
• River basin development
• Thermal and hydropower development
• Manufacture, transportation, and use of pesticides
• Other hazardous and/or toxic materials
1/26/2023 26
• Category B: for projects likely to have adverse environmental impacts & that are
less significant than those of Category A projects.
* Limited EIA will be undertaken
1/26/2023 27
Category B projects/components
• Agro-industries
• Electrical transmission
• Aquaculture and drainage (small-scale)
• Irrigation and drainage (small-scale)
• Renewable energy
• Rural electrification
• Tourism
• Rural water supply and sanitation
• Watershed projects (management or rehabilitation)
• Rehabilitation, maintenance, and upgrading projects (small- scale)
1/26/2023 28
Category C: for projects that are likely to have minimal or no adverse

environmental impacts.
* No EIA is required.
• Category C projects/components:
Social infrastructure and services:
• Educational facilities (small scale)
• Audio visual production
• Teaching facilities and equipment, Training
• Medical centre (small scale), supplies and equipment
• Nutrition, and Family planning
1/26/2023 29
Category C projects/components:
• Economic infrastructure and services:
 Telecommunication
 Research, small scale
• Production Sector
 Irrigation
 Surface/ground water fed irrigation projects covering less than 50 hectares
 All small scale agricultural activities
 Forestry
 Protected forest reserves (small scale)
 Productive forest reserves (small scale)
1/26/2023 30
1/26/2023 31
Elements of EIA: Scoping
• Establish the boundaries of the EIA, set the basis of the analyses that will be
conducted at each stage, describe the project alternatives and consult the
affected public.
• It establishes what the EIA will include and how to put the EIA together in
accordance with the terms of reference (TOR).
1/26/2023 32
• Is the early, open and interactive process of determining the major issues and
impacts that will be important in decision-making on the proposal.
Why?
• To identify the keyissues and impacts that are likely to require further
investigation, and
• To prepare the terms of reference (ToR) for the EIA study.
1/26/2023 33
The purpose of scoping: To identify

 Important issues to be considered in an EIA
 Appropriate time and space boundaries of the EIA study
 Information necessary for decision-making
 Significant effects and factors to be studied in detail.
1/26/2023 34
Key objectives of scoping:

• Inform the public about the proposal
• Identify the main stakeholders and their concerns and values
• Define the reasonable and practical alternatives to the proposal
• Focus the important issues and significant impacts to be addressed by an EIA
• Define the boundaries for an EIA in time, space and subject matter
• Set requirements for the collection of baseline & other info
• Establish the ToR for an EIA study
1/26/2023 35
Guiding principles for carrying out the scoping

• Recognize scoping is a process not a discrete activity or event;
• Design the scoping process for each proposal,
• Start scoping as soon as you have sufficient information
• Specify the role and contribution of the stakeholders and the public;
• Take a systematic approach but implement flexibly;
• Document the results to guide preparation of an EIA; and
• Respond to new information and issues as necessary.
1/26/2023 36
• A comprehensive scoping process will include all or a combination of the

following functions:
1. Identification: Identify the range of community and scientific concerns about a

proposed project or action:
 Compile a ‘long list’ of concerns from the information available and the inputs
of stakeholders.
 No attempt should be made at this stage to exclude or pre-judge concerns.
1/26/2023 37
2. Evaluation: Evaluate these concerns to identify the significant issues and to

eliminate those issues which are not important:
 Derive a ‘short list’ of key issues and problem areas based on their potential
significance and likely importance for decision-making on the proposal.
1/26/2023 38
3. Organization & Prioritization: organize and prioritize these issues to focus on the
info that is critical for decision-making & establish a strategy for addressing them.
• Classify and order the key issues into ‘impact categories’ by reference to policy
objectives and scientific concepts.
1/26/2023 39
Identification & consideration of Alternatives:

• During the scoping process, alternatives to a proposal can be generated or refined,
either directly or by reference to the key issues identified.
• A comparison of alternatives will help to determine the best method of achieving

project objectives while minimizing env’tal impacts or, more creatively, indicate the
most env’tal friendly or best practicable env’tal option.
1/26/2023 40
Terms of reference (ToR)

• Scoping is completed when ToR or an equivalent document is prepared.
• It sets out
o What the EIA is to cover
o The type of information to be submitted
o The depth of analysis that is required.
• It provides guidance to the proponent on how the study should be conducted and
managed.
1/26/2023 41
• Terms of reference describe the purpose and structure of project, committee,

meeting, negotiation, or any similar collection of people who have agreed to work
together to accomplish a shared goal.
• The ToR of a project are often referred to as the project charter.
1/26/2023 42
• Creating detailed ToR is critical, as they define the:
 Vision, objectives, scope and deliverables

 Stakeholders, roles and responsibilities
 Resource, financial and quality plans
 Work breakdown structure and schedule
1/26/2023 43
ToR should be a flexible document
Why?
1. Terms may need alteration as further information becomes available, and
2. New issues emerge or others are reduced in importance.
1/26/2023 44
1/26/2023 45
Elements of EIA: Impact Analysis
• Impact analysis refers to the detailed evaluation of the environmental and

social impacts of the planned project and identified alternatives, compared to
the baseline conditions.
1/26/2023 46
• Impact analysis is the technical heart of the EIA process.
 A large kit of tools and methods is used to aid the systematic identification,
prediction, and evaluation of impacts.
Why?
• Those involved in EIA need an understanding of ‘how’ and ‘when’ different

methods can be appropriately used.
• To identify and predict the likely environmental and social effects of the
proposal and evaluate their significance
1/26/2023 47
Three overlapping phases of IA
• Identification - to specify the impacts associated with each phase of the project and
the activities undertaken
• Prediction - to forecast the nature, magnitude, extent and duration of the main
impacts
• Evaluation - to determine the significance of residual impacts
i.e. After taking into account how mitigation will reduce a predicted impact
1/26/2023 48
Impact identification
• A logical and systematic approach needs to be taken to impact identification.
Why?
 The aim is to take account of all of the important envtal/project impacts and
interactions, making sure that indirect and cumulative effects, which may be
potentially significant, are not inadvertently omitted.
1/26/2023 49
Impact prediction
• Once all the important impacts have been identified, their potential size and
characteristics can be predicted.
• It utilizes physical, biological, socio-economic, and cultural data to estimate the

likely characteristics and parameters of impacts
• In many cases, this work will need to be carried out by specialists in the disciplines
involved or in the application of models and techniques.
1/26/2023 50
Impact prediction
• The sophistication of prediction methods used should be in proportion to the scope

of the EIA and relevant to the importance of the particular impact.
• Where possible, impacts should be predicted quantitatively.
• This makes comparison among alternatives and with baseline conditions easier and
facilitates impact monitoring and auditing later in the EIA process.
1/26/2023 51
Baseline studies and data collection
• Impact predictions are made against a baseline established by the existing

environment or by its future state.
• Baseline studies, the collection of data on relevant biophysical, social, and

economic aspects provides a reference point against w/c the characteristics and
parameters of impact-related changes are analyzed and evaluated.
1/26/2023 52
When establishing a baseline, information is gathered on:
 Current environmental conditions
 Current and expected trends
 Effects of proposals already being implemented &
 Effects of other foreseeable proposals.
1/26/2023 53
The baseline situation
In characterizing the Climatic factors, Landscape
baseline situation, many including climate change
Environmental Water resources, freshwater Land use planning and
Components MAY be of streams, groundwater spatial occupation
interest Soil and geology Social factors
Air quality Cultural factors

The components of interest
are those that are likely to Noise Economic factors
be affected by your activity
or upon which your activity Ecology and biodiversity Fiscal factors
depends for its success.
Flora and Fauna Governance factors
Sources of uncertainty in impact prediction include:
Limited understanding of an ecosystem 1
or community and the processes that Scientific uncertainty

govern change.
Restrictions introduced by incomplete or 2
non-comparable information, or by Data uncertainty
insufficient measurement techniques.

Unclear or disputed objectives, standards 3
or guidelines for managing potential Policy uncertainty
hazards and effects.

1/26/2023 55
Approaches that can be used to address uncertainty in impact prediction, including:

i. Best and worst case prediction to illustrate the spread of uncertainty
ii. Attaching confidence limits to impact predictions; and
iii. Sensitivity analysis to determine the effect of small changes in impact

magnitude.
1/26/2023 56
Impact Evaluation
• Next to impact identification and prediction, impact evaluation is the formal stage at
w/c a test of significance is made.
• Evaluation of significance should take place against a framework of criteria and

measures established for the purpose.
1/26/2023 57
• In practice, impacts are likely to be significant if they:
 Are extensive over space or time
 Are intensive in concentration or in relation to assimilative capacity
 Exceed or approximate to environmental standards or thresholds
 Do not comply with environmental policies, land use plans, sustainability strategy
 Affect ecological sensitive areas and heritage resources; and
 Affect community lifestyle, traditional land uses and values.
1/26/2023 58
1/26/2023 59
Elements of EIA: Mitigation & Impact Management
• Mitigation refers to avoiding, minimizing or remedying the described

impacts.
• Overall, mitigation measures are a response to the findings of impact

assessment; they need to cover all the areas identified.
• Prepare the plans required for addressing mitigation measures and other
project risks, such as technological failures and natural disasters.
1/26/2023 60
• These measures are implemented as part of the process of impact

management, together with any necessary adjustments to respond to
unforeseen impacts.
• Both elements are integral to ensuring that the EIA process leads to
practical action to offset the adverse environmental impacts of proposed
developments.
1/26/2023 61
• It is both a creative and practical phase of the EIA process.
Why?
• It aims to prevent adverse impacts from happening and to keep those that do
occur within an acceptable level.
• It seeks to find the best ways and means of avoiding, minimizing and remedying
impacts.
1/26/2023 62
The objectives of mitigation
• To find better alternatives and ways of doing things
• To enhance the environmental and social benefits of a proposal
• To avoid, minimize or remedy adverse impacts
• To ensure that residual adverse impacts are kept within acceptable levels
• To monitor the effectiveness of mitigation measures; and
• To take any necessary action when unforeseen impacts occur.

1/26/2023 63
Key principles of mitigation
1. Give preference to avoiding and preventive measures
2. Consider feasible alternatives to the proposal and identify the best practicable
environmental option
3. Identify customized measures to minimize each of the main impacts predicted
4. Ensure they are appropriate, environmentally sound and cost-effective; and
5. Use compensation or remedial measures as a last resort.

1/26/2023 64
• Three-step process of mitigation/elements of mitigation
1/26/2023 65
Impact management plan (IMP)

• It translates recommended mitigation and monitoring measures into specific
actions that will be carried out by the proponent.
• The IMP will need to be adjusted to the terms and conditions specified in any
project approval.
 It will then form the basis for impact management during project construction
and operation.
1/26/2023 66
The plan should contain:

• Recommended mitigation measures
• Assignment of responsibilities for plan
• Schedule of the actions to be taken
• Implementation
• Programs for surveillance and monitoring against agreed targets
• An impact mgt strategy to correct larger than predicted changes
• Contingency and emergency response plans, where necessary
• Reporting, audit and review procedures
1/26/2023 67
1/26/2023 68
Elements of EIA: EIA Report
• Pull together all the research and work done during the previous steps into a
comprehensive, structured document, ensuring that the EIA report contains all the
key components.
• The EIA Report is a compilation of several important project components, including

the project description, the assessment of its environmental and social impacts,
mitigation measures, and related management and monitoring plans.
• It is important that the EIA report is clearly and concisely documented, so that key
issues can quickly and efficiently be identified by decision makers.
1/26/2023 69
Purpose of the EIA report
• To provide a coherent statement of the potential impacts of a proposal and the measures
that can be taken to reduce and remedy them.
• It contains essential information for:

 Proponent to implement the proposal in an environmentally and socially responsible
way
 Responsible authority to make an informed decision on the proposal, including the

terms and conditions that must be attached to an approval or authorization
 Public to understand the proposal and its likely impacts on people and the environment.
1/26/2023 70
• Because of its importance as a communications tool, the EIA report needs to be well
organized and clearly written.
• An effective report will be written both in plain language for non-experts but also to
appropriate technical standards.
• The information contained in the report should meet the ToR established at the
scoping stage of the EIA process.
1/26/2023 71
Successful EIA report:

1. Actionable - a document that can be applied by the proponent to achieve
environmentally sound planning and design
2. Decision relevant - a document that organizes and presents the information

necessary for project authorization, permitting, and licensing
3. User-friendly - a document that communicates the technical issues to all parties

in a clear and comprehensible way
1/26/2023 72
Typical elements of an EIA report

• An EIA report typically includes many or all of the following headings and
items:
1. Executive summary
• This summary has to be concise and present and highlight the main issues
pertinent to decision-making on the project.
• The summary should be developed in non-technical terms such that it may be
readily understood by decision-makers and other stakeholders
1/26/2023 73
Executive or non-technicalsummary:
• Gives a concise description of the main findings and recommendations.
• It is not meant to summarize all of the contents of the EIA report.
• Should be kept short, no more than seven pages, and preferably less.
• Is the only part of the report that decision-makers and most people will read.
• It can be written for distribution to the public as an information brochure.
1/26/2023 74
An executive summary should describe:

• Proposal and its setting
• ToR for the EIA
• Results of public consultation
• Alternatives considered
• Major impacts and their significance
• Proposed mitigation measures
• Environmental mgt plan; and
• Any other critical matters that bear on the decision.
1/26/2023 75
2. List of consultants: Names and qualification of members of the study team.

3. A description of the development project covering:-
 Need
 Objectives
 Technical details
 Size, location, input and other relevant requirements
4. An outline of the main development alternatives.
5. A description of the baseline environmental, socio-economic and health conditions
such as fauna, flora, habitats, soil, water, air, cultural artefacts, and socio-cultural,
and health considerations.
 Affected environment
1/26/2023 76
• Key aspects of the affected environment that need to be included for this purpose
include:
 Spatial and temporal boundaries
 Biophysical, land use, and socio-economic conditions
 Major trends and anticipated future conditions
 Env’tally sensitive areas and valued resources that may need special protection.
• Baseline info should include any changes anticipated before the project begins.
1/26/2023 77
6. A description of residual impacts which can not be mitigated or can only be

mitigated partially.
• Mitigation measures should be clearly spelt out in the EIS.
1/26/2023 78
7. Description of proposed monitoring schemes.
8. Discussion of potential uses of the env't which will be prevented or rendered less
productive due to adverse impacts.
9. Description of relevant national and/or international legal reports, and guidelines

used.
1/26/2023 79
10. In the absence of Ethiopian standards the EIA should include a description of
the standards and an overview as to why a specific standard was used.
• Statement on the extent of involvement.
• Identification of information gaps and uncertainties.
11. The budgetary implications and financial measures are to be taken to ensure that
mitigation measures can be adequately carried out.
12. Appendices containing supporting technical info, and description of methods
used to collect and analyze data
1/26/2023 80
General guidelines that will help to ensure the effective preparation and production of the
report
• Forming an interdisciplinary team and managing its work (An EIA Project Manager or
team leader has responsibility)
• The EIA report should be both
 Rigorous and
 Easily understood.
• It must effectively communicate the findings to
 Public at large,
 Local people affected by the proposal and
 Interest groups, as well as decision-makers who are the primary users.
1/26/2023 81
1/26/2023 82
Elements of EIA: Review
• On completion, the EIS should be submitted to the Competent Agency, the IAPs,
and a specialist for review.
• The purpose of the review is to ensure that the document is an adequate reflection
of the environmental impacts that may result from the development and that the
document provides sufficient information on which decisions may be taken.
• The EIS shall be submitted in five copies to the Competent Agency.
1/26/2023 83
• Designated authorities review the EIA report to determine if the planned project
will get a license or if it requires amendments.
• The review is carried out to confirm the quality of the information and methods
used in the EIA, and to verify that the EIA report addresses all the relevant
mitigation measures as well as all the critical and cumulative impacts.
• Examine the adequacy of the EIA report to see if it meets the terms of reference
(ToR) and provides the information necessary for decision-making.
1/26/2023 84
• The proponent is responsible for coordinating the IAP reviews, either through
distributing the document to all of the IAPs or by making the document available
in strategic places (e.g. public libraries, schools, clinics, etc.).
• Review of EIS’s of proposed projects will be made based on the EIA guidelines and
appropriate environmental quality standards and relevant legislation.
• The authority review should be completed within four weeks of submission of the
final EIS.
1/26/2023 85
• A review of EIA quality helps to ensure the info submitted is credible and sufficient
for decision-making purposes.
• Often, the quality of EIA reports can be significantly improved by review, resulting
in more informed approvals and better env’tal outcomes.
1/26/2023 86
Key objectives of EIA review

• To assess the adequacy and quality of an EIA report
• To take account of public comment
• To determine if the info is sufficient for a final decision to be made; and
• To identify, as necessary, the deficiencies that must be addressed before the report
can be submitted.
1/26/2023 87
A comprehensive review of the adequacy and quality of an EIA report would address
many or all of the following issues:
• Does the report address the Terms of Reference?
• Is the necessary info provided for each major component of the EIA report?
• Is the info correct and technically sound?
1/26/2023 88
• Have the views and concerns of affected and interested parties been taken into
account?
• Is the statement of the key findings complete and satisfactory?
• Is the info clearly presented and understandable by decision-makers and the public?
• Is the info relevant and sufficient for the purpose of decision-making and condition
setting?
1/26/2023 89
Specific procedures for EIA review
• In general, these can be divided into two main types:
i. Internal review - undertaken by the responsible authority or other government

agency, with or without formal guidelines and procedure; and
ii. External review - undertaken by an independent body, separate from and/or outside
government agencies, with an open and transparent procedure for public comment.
1/26/2023 90
In many cases, an internal review is informal and characterized by:
• Relatively low operating costs;
• Discretionary guidance on the conduct of the review;
• Lack of transparency on process and factors considered; and
• Absence of documentation on outcomes and results, e.g. advice tendered to

decision-makers.
1/26/2023 91
• External review procedures are more formal and characterized by:
 Higher levels of quality assurance;
 Independence from the responsible authority;
 Transparent and rigorous process;
 Use of guidelines and/or review criteria and methodology;
 Documented outcome or statement on the sufficiency or deficiency of an EIA report;

and
 Separate commission, panel, inter-agency, expert committee, or other review body.

1/26/2023 92
• If new issues were raised and addressed during the EIA process, these must be
added as an addendum to the initial scoping report submitted.
• When the review has been completed, the Competent Agency should decide
whether to accept the application as it stands, reject the application, or request
that the document be amended.
1/26/2023 93
1/26/2023 94
Elements of EIA: Decision-making
• Is an ongoing process extending from project inception to implementation.
• Is the process of choosing b/n alternative courses of action.

• This process is essentially political in nature.
• It involves weighing the benefits and costs and making trade-offs among a range of
considerations.
1/26/2023 95
• When the term decision-making is used in EIA, it is usually taken to mean the final
approval of a proposal
• Normally, all proposals that are subject to EIA will have conditions attached to their
implementation as part of the final approval.
1/26/2023 96
Why?
• To approve or reject the proposal and set the terms and conditions under which it
can proceed.
• The decision-maker also has the option to defer approval (e.g. until certain
conditions are met or to require a proponent to redesign the project so that the
env’tal effects are minimized).
1/26/2023 97
• An application may be accepted or refused by the Competent Agency after the

screening, scoping, or EIA phases of the EIA (as per Flowchart).
• The Competent Agency must provide a record of the decision report which should
be provided to the proponent and be made available to any interested and affected
party on request.
1/26/2023 98
The Record of Decision report should contain the following details:
• Brief description of the proposed activity, the extent or quantities and the surface
areas involved, the infrastructure requirements, and the implementation program
for which the authorization is issued;
• Specific place where the activity is to be undertaken;
• Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant as well as any consultant
involved;
1/26/2023 99
• Date of, and persons present at, site visits, if any;
• The decision of the relevant authority;
• Conditions of the authorization (if any), including measures to mitigate, control or

manage environmental impacts or to rehabilitate the environment;
• Key factors that led to the decision;
• Date of expiry of the duration of the authorization;
1/26/2023 100
• Name of the person to whom an appeal may be directed;
• Signature of a person who represents the relevant authority; and
• Date of the decision.

o The Record of Decision Report may form the basis of an Environmental Clearance
Certificate if the project is approved and may contain the details of the Conditions of
Approval.
1/26/2023 101
• A proponent or other interested party who is dissatisfied may object to actions,

opinions, or decisions made not later than 30 days after receipt of such a
decision.
• Appeal should be submitted in writing, clearly specifying the grounds for the appeal
to the General Manager of the EPA depending on the Competent Agency for the
EIA.
• The Head of the Competent Agency should make his decision within 30 (thirty)
days following the receipt of the appeal.
1/26/2023 102
• Please note that the Competent Agency is responsible for the decision and is,
therefore, solely responsible for dealing with the review, though he/she may choose
to involve a specialist for aspects where competency is insufficient to provide an
adequate review.
1/26/2023 103
1/26/2023 104
Elements of EIA: Implementation and Follow-up
• After project approval, implementation and follow up complete the EIA process.
• EIA follow-up studies provide information and feedback necessary to improve
future applications of EIA practice, procedure and methods.
• Monitoring, auditing and other tools are used to close the loop of impact prediction
and condition setting, building continuity into the EIA process
1/26/2023 105
Why?
 To identify the impacts that occur;
 To check that these are within the levels predicted and required by legislation;
 To determine that mitigation measures are properly implemented and work
effectively;
 To ensure the env’tal benefits expected are being achieved;
 To provide feedback to improve future applications of the EIA process.
1/26/2023 106
 To check on the implementation of the terms and conditions of approval during the
construction and operation phases;
 To undertake audit and evaluation to strengthen future EIA application
1/26/2023 107
• The authority, in approving a proposal may wish to make implementation of

mitigation measures on condition of approval.
• The condition of approval is a legally binding relationship between the authority

and the developer.
• The purpose of the contract is to provide the authority with an additional means of
ensuring that the environmental management plan (EMP), and any other
environmental requirements are implemented to their satisfaction.
1/26/2023 108
Auditing
• It is the responsibility of the proponent to conduct regular internal audits of the

environmental performance of the operation.
• The audits should be a systematic evaluation of the activities of the operation in

relation to the specified criteria of the condition of approval.
• The report should be submitted to the Competent Agency but may further be
submitted to the IAPs for their comment and review.
1/26/2023 109
• The auditing and monitoring results may be prepared in the form of an

Environmental Performance Report which should describe the extent to which the
organisation has complied to its environmental requirements.
• The aim of the report should be to provide honest information about environmental
performance.
1/26/2023 110
• Without appropriate implementation and follow up to decision-making, ESIA

becomes a paper exercise to secure an approval, rather than a practical exercise to
achieve environmental benefits.
1/26/2023 111
1/26/2023 112
Law, Policy and Institutional Arrangements
FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA

GUIDELINE DOCUMENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
ADDIS ABABA
May 2000
MULTISTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT

ASSESSMENT OF ROAD PROJECTS
GUIDELINES FOR A COMPREHENSIVE PROCESS UNITED NATIONS
New York, 2001
11
1/26/2023 113
3
• The Constitution (adopted on the 21st of August 1995) requires current and future
legislation and the conduct of government to conform to a Bill of Rights.
• The concept of sustainable development and environmental rights are entrenched

in the Rights of Peoples in Ethiopia through Articles 43 and 44 which state the
following:
11
1/26/2023 114
4
Article 43:- The Right to Development

1. The Peoples of Ethiopia as a whole, and each Nation, Nationality and People in
Ethiopia in particular have the right to improved living standards and to
sustainable development.
2. Nationals have the right to participate in national development and, in particular, to

be consulted with respect to policies and projects affecting their community.
11
1/26/2023 115
5
Article 43:- The Right to Development

3. All international agreements and relations concluded, established or conducted by
the State shall protect and ensure Ethiopia’s right to sustainable development.
4. The basic aim of development activities shall be to enhance the capacity of citizens
for development and to meet their basis needs.
11
1/26/2023 116
6
Article 44:- Environment Rights

1. All persons have the right to live in a clean and healthy environment.
2. All persons who have been displaced or whose livelihoods have been adversely
affected as a result of State programmes have the right to commensurate monetary
or alternative means of compensation, including relocation with adequate State
assistance.
11
1/26/2023 117
7
• The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) was established in

response to the requirements of the Constitution (Proclamation No 9/1995).
• The objective of the EPA is to:
“...ensure that all matters pertaining to the country’s social and economic
development activities are carried out in a manner that will protect the welfare of
human beings as well as sustainably protect, develop and utilise the resource bases
on which they depend for survival” (Federal Negarit Gazeta of the Federal
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia - Proclamation No 9/1995)
11
1/26/2023 118
8
• In most countries ESIA legislation has been adopted from:
 US National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 1969)
 New Zealand Resource Management Act (RMA, 1991)
 Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA, 1993; proclaimed in

1995)
 European Commission (EC) Directive on EIA (1985, amended 1997)

11
1/26/2023 119
9
• The Ethiopian law has defined ESIA to include both project-level as well as
strategic assessments (EIA Proclamation, 2002).
1/26/2023 120

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) - 2024 - Final

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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)_2024.

Screening procedure is necessary because of the large

The purpose of screening is to determine:-

o whether or not a proposal requires an EIA?

o what level of EIA is required?

 Screening establishes the basis for scoping,

 Usually, the proponent is responsible for carrying out screening,

 The screening procedures :

 Legal (or policy) definition of proposals to which EIA does or

EIA ruled out

 dams and reservoirs

 (re)settlement and urban development

 infrastructure (e.g. transport and sanitation)

 industrial facilities (e.g. manufacturing plants)

 energy and minerals extraction (e.g. oil & gas, coal)

 waste management and disposal of hazardous and toxic

 energy development (power stations, transmission lines,

 assimilative capacity of the natural environment

 abundance and quality of natural resources

 description of the proposal;

 conditions and characteristics of the environment;

 applicable policy, planning and regulatory objectives;

 identification of potential impacts;

 degree of public concern and interest

1) Full or comprehensive EIA required

3) Further study needed to determine EIA requirement

4) No further requirement for EIA

 This process concludes with the establishment of Terms of Reference for

 Early step – begins once screening completed

- the information necessary for decision-making

- key issues and significant impacts to be considered

• Identify the main stakeholders and their concerns and values;

• Define the reasonable and practical alternatives to the proposal;

• Focus the important issues and significant impacts to be addressed;

• Set requirements for the collection of baseline and other information;

• Establish the Terms of Reference for an EIA study.

 Identify the range of community and scientific concerns about a proposed

 In many cases, some form of guidance will be given on the conduct of

 A custom-tailored scoping process will include:

• geographical area(s) and the time-frame(s) for impact analysis;

 The use of impact models or cause-effect frameworks may be helpful during

 Public involvement methods are used in the conduct of scoping:

 The EIA administering body / the competent authority

 EIA practitioners and experts

 key stakeholders (e.g. Those directly affected by the proposal)

 the wider community

 The heart of the EIA process and methodology

 Help to determine the best method of achieving project

 Often, the consideration of alternatives is a superficial rather than a meaningful exercise.

–Requirement for private vs public???

 Most useful when undertaken early in the project cycle.

 Demand alternatives (e.g. using water more efficiently rather than

 Input or supply alternatives (e.g. where a mix of energy sources permits);

 Activity alternatives (e.g. providing public transport rather than increasing

 Location alternatives, either for the entire proposal or for components

 Process alternatives (e.g. use of waste-minimizing or energy-efficient

 Scheduling alternatives (e.g. for airport and transport operations, reservoir

 Objectives and background to the proposal

1. What is the difference between screening and scoping?

Impact analysis Slide 1

 The next stage of the EIA process is when a detailed assessment is

Impact analysis Slide 2

• An impact or effect: the change in an environmental parameter, which