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EIA-MOD3 - MOD 3 NOTES

Environmental Impact Assessment (College of Engineering, Trivandrum)

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EIA METHODOLOGIES

Key Considerations for Selecting a Methodology:

1. Use: Decision-making documents require more comprehensive analysis than
information documents.
2. Alternatives: Fundamentally different alternatives need different analysis than
incrementally different ones.
3. Public Involvement: More complex techniques are suitable for a less involved
public, while direct public values can be incorporated for deeper engagement.
4. Resources: Quantitative analysis demands more resources in terms of time,
expertise, money, data, and computing facilities.
5. Familiarity: Familiarity with the action and site improves the validity of subjective
impact analysis.
6. Issue Significance: Controversial and broad issues require explicitness,
quantification, and identification of key issues, favoring less reliance on pre-set
weights or formulas.
7. Administrative Constraints: Agency policies and guidelines may limit choices by
specifying impacts, trade-offs, or timeframes.

Types of Methodologies for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):

Ad Hoc Methods:
● Description: Ad Hoc methods offer a preliminary approach to impact
identification by listing composite environmental parameters potentially
affected by a project. Specialists assemble to analyze impacts within their
expertise, considering factors individually, such as flora, fauna, or impacts
on lakes and forests.
● Process:
● A team of specialists is formed to evaluate impacts in their
respective areas of expertise.
● Parameters are considered separately, taking into account the
nature and duration of impacts.
● Output:
● Provides a rough assessment of total impact, outlining broad areas
and the general nature of possible impacts.
● Advantages:
● Simplicity and applicability without specific training.
● Preliminary assessment aids in the identification of critical areas
such as wildlife, social characteristics, and economic values.
● Drawbacks:

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● Lack of assurance regarding a comprehensive study of all relevant

impacts.
● Inconsistency in evaluation due to different criteria being selectively
assessed by different groups.
● Inefficiency due to the effort required to assemble a panel for each
assessment.

Overlay Methods:
● Description: Overlay methods utilize maps of environmental
characteristics to visually depict physical, social, ecological, and aesthetic
aspects. The technique involves mapping critical environmental features
at the project's site, aiding in site selection.
● Technique:
● Environmental features are historically mapped on transparent
plastic or, in modern applications, using Geographic Information
Systems (GIS).
● Advantages:
● Easy to understand and use.
● Effective for site selection.
● Disadvantages:
● Limited in addressing impact duration or probability.
● Primarily focuses on direct impacts.

Checklists:
● Description: Checklists structure environmental factors in a format that
includes importance weightings and scaling techniques for impacts. They
may be simple, descriptive, scaling, or weighting types.
● Content:
● Entries cover a range of factors such as Earth, Water, Atmosphere,
Flora, Fauna, Land Use, and Recreation.
● Advantages:
● Simplicity in understanding and application.
● Useful for site selection and priority setting.
● Disadvantages:
● Lacks differentiation between direct and indirect impacts.
● Fails to establish a clear link between action and impact.
● May become cumbersome in certain cases.

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Matrix Method:
● Description: The Matrix Method provides a structured framework detailing
the interaction between project activities and potential environmental
impacts. It involves creating a matrix with project actions listed on one axis
and environmental impacts on the other.
● Structure:
● Utilizes a simple matrix or a more complex Leopold Matrix.
● Advantages:
● Establishes a clear link between actions and impacts.
● Effective for displaying EIA results.
● Disadvantages:
● Difficulty distinguishing between direct and indirect impacts.
● Potential for double-counting impacts.
● Qualitative in nature and lacks quantification.

Network Method:
● Description: The Network Method extends the matrix approach, including
both primary and secondary impacts, visualized through an impact tree or
reference diagram.
● Process:
● Identifies direct and indirect impacts, as well as short and long-term
effects.
● Uses an impact tree to showcase cause-effect linkages.
● Advantages:
● Provides a visual representation of complex linkages.
● Disadvantages:
● Difficulty distinguishing between direct and indirect impacts.
● Potential for double-counting.
● Remains qualitative and lacks quantification.

IMPACT PREDICTION

Data Collection:
● Gather physical, biological, socio-economic, and cultural data relevant to
the proposed project.
● Collect information on the nature of the environment in the project area.

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Impact Characteristics:
● Identify and categorize impacts based on their nature (positive, negative,
direct, indirect, cumulative), magnitude, extent/location, timing, duration,
reversibility/irreversibility, likelihood, and significance.
Direct vs. Indirect Impacts:
● Distinguish between direct impacts (immediately related to the proposal)
and indirect impacts (less obvious, occurring later or further away).
Cumulative Effects:
● Assess the cumulative effects resulting from the incremental impact of an
action, considering spatial concentration and frequency over time.
Magnitude, Extent, and Location:
● Evaluate the severity (magnitude) of impacts, the spatial extent or zone of
influence, and the variation in impact locations.
Timing and Duration:
● Consider the timing of impacts during construction, operation, and
decommissioning.
● Assess whether impacts are immediate or delayed and if they are
short-term or long-term.
Significance:
● Evaluate the significance of impacts based on existing standards, criteria,
or policies.
● Assess whether impacts are local, regional, or global in importance.
Prediction Techniques:
● Utilize various techniques for impact prediction, such as professional
judgment, experiments/tests, past experiences, numerical calculations,
mathematical models, physical/visual analysis, geographical information
systems, risk assessment, and economic evaluation.

IMPACT EVALUATION

Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA):

● Definition: Traditional method for identifying the significance of impacts.

● Approach: Summarizes costs and benefits in monetary terms.
● Use: Helps evaluate whether a project is a cost or benefit to the company
and compare alternative projects.
● Stages: Defining the project, identifying physical impacts, valuing impacts,
discounting costs and benefits, applying the net present value test, and
applying sensitivity analysis.

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Scoring Weighting and Multi-Criteria Method:

● Approach: Similar to scaling weighting checklist method of impact

identification.
● Process: Assigns weightage to specific criteria based on importance.
● Use: Provides a structured approach for considering multiple criteria and
their relative importance.

Ranking of Alternatives Method:

● Approach: Involves ranking alternatives using alphabets or numbers.

● Use: Simplifies the comparison of alternatives based on their rankings.

Delphi Method:

● Approach: Utilizes individual weights, from which group weights are

derived.
● Use: Involves a structured communication process among experts to
arrive at a consensus on complex issues.

Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Method:

● Nature: A variant of multi-criteria analysis.

● Applicability: Suitable for cases where a single-criterion approach is
inappropriate.
● Advantages: Allows integration of environmental, social, and economic
values and preferences of stakeholders.

IMPACT MITIGATION

Mitigation:
Mitigation, as defined in Directive 2014/52 EU, refers to measures intended to avoid,
prevent, reduce, or offset any identified significant adverse effects on the environment.
Additionally, it involves the establishment of monitoring arrangements when deemed
appropriate. The goal of mitigation is to address and minimize the negative impacts of a
project on the environment.

Mitigation Hierarchy:

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The mitigation hierarchy outlines the preferred sequence of actions to address

environmental impacts. It generally includes the following steps, in order of priority:

Avoidance: Preventing impacts by altering project design or location.

Minimization: Reducing the magnitude or extent of impacts through design
modifications or best practices.
Restoration/Rehabilitation: Repairing or restoring affected ecosystems or
resources.
Compensation/Offsetting: Compensating for residual impacts through measures
like habitat restoration or the creation of equivalent ecological value elsewhere.

PREDICTION AND ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT ON WATER

PREDICTION AND ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT ON AIR

Step 1: Evaluation and Identification of Sources, Types, and Quantities of Pollutants:

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● Identify and assess sources of pollutants generated by different project phases.

● Categorize pollutants in terms of types and quantities to understand the potential
impact on air quality.

Step 2: Detailed Evaluation of Existing Ambient Air Quality:

● Examine the current state of ambient air quality in the project area.
● Consider meteorological conditions and natural air quality to establish a baseline
for future comparisons.

Step 3: Examination of Appropriate Air Quality Regulations and Standards:

● Review relevant air quality emission regulations, laws, and standards at the local,
state, and central government levels.
● Ensure compliance with applicable standards and regulations.

Step 4: Carrying out Impact Assessment using Mass Balance Mathematics Modeling
and Single Qualitative Approach:

● Utilize mass balance mathematics modeling to assess the dispersion and

concentration of pollutants.
● Consider a single qualitative approach for a holistic understanding of potential
impacts on air quality.

Step 5: Assessment of Impact Significance:

● Evaluate the significance of predicted impacts on air quality.

● Consider the nature, magnitude, and extent of the predicted impacts.

Step 6: Development of Appropriate Mitigation or Remediation Plans:

● Devise mitigation or remediation plans based on the assessment of adverse

impacts.
● Implement measures to reduce or offset the identified environmental effects.

PREDICTION AND ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT ON NOISE

Step 1: Identification of Noise Impacts

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● Identify potential noise impacts associated with the project.

● Recognize sources of noise that may have adverse effects on the environment or
human well-being.

Step 2: Description of Existing Noise-Environment Conditions

● Describe the study area associated with noise emission, including land use and
human population distribution.
● Compile data on existing noise levels, considering the magnitude, frequency, and
duration of noise emissions.
● Create a noise inventory detailing information about all noise sources.

Step 3: Procurement of Relevant Noise Standards and/or Guidelines

● Obtain information on noise standards, criteria, and policies from local, state, and
central agencies.
● Refer to global sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
● Use standards to establish baselines and assess the significance of noise
impacts.

Step 4: Impact Prediction

● Predict the propagation of noise from sources and determine the affected
land-use types.
● Utilize sound-level-weighted population (LWP) as a single number representation
of noise environment significance.
● Make assumptions about the intensity of human response and the impact of
noise levels on different populations.

Step 5: Assessment of Significance of Impacts

● Evaluate the significance of predicted noise impacts through public meetings and
professional judgment.
● Consider the input from affected communities and experts to determine the
significance of noise-related effects.

Step 6: Identification of Mitigation Measures

● Identify mitigation measures to address and reduce noise impacts.

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● Consider altering the noise source, changing the path of noise, or modifying the
receiver of noise.
● Implement measures such as reducing the number of vibrating sources,
enclosing noise sources, or using absorbing barriers.

PREDICTION AND ASSESSMENT OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT

Step 1: Study Area Delineation and Categorization of Present Activities

● Understand the characteristics of the proposed project.

● Utilize census tract data to define population characteristics.
● Identify the Region of Influence (ROI) of the project.

Step 2: Identification of Socio-Economic Impacts

● Use matrices, networks, simple checklists, and case studies to identify potential
impacts.
● Consider both direct and indirect (induced effects) socio-economic impacts.

Step 3: Description of Existing Socio-Economic Condition of the Study Area

● Examine existing socio-economic conditions and physical parameters of the ROI.

● Understand the baseline conditions before the implementation of the project.

Step 4: Procurement of Relevant Standards/Criteria/Guidelines

● Acquire relevant standards or criteria published by professional organizations or

public guidelines related to social activities.

Step 5: Impact Prediction with and without Project Prediction in Physical Changes

● Predict physical changes resulting from the project, such as land clearing,
construction, and alterations to the visual structure of the area.
● Predict changes in population demographics, considering induced population
growth, immigration, and changes in the ratio of professionals to
non-professionals.
● Assess the impacts on special population groups and their access to
neighborhood services.

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Step 6: Assessment of Significance of Socio-Economic Impacts

● Evaluate the significance of expected socio-economic impacts based on

predefined screening criteria.
● Consider factors such as probability, spatial extent, duration, magnitude, and the
sensitivity of receptors.

Step 7: Incorporation of Mitigation Measures in the Project

● Integrate site-specific mitigation measures into the project design.

● Examples include providing new or revised access to communities, redesigning
features to avoid relocations, constructing noise control walls, security fencing,
and adding parking areas.

Overall Socioeconomic Analysis:

● Involve a qualified social impact specialist with a background in social sciences.

● Incorporate participatory development processes involving local communities.
● Engage local experts and leverage local knowledge along with scientific data.
● Use realistic assumptions for development practices.
● Consider construction practices rather than ideal or worst-case scenarios.

PREDICTION AND ASSESSMENT OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT

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Step 1: Identification of Potential Biological Impacts:

● Identify potential impacts on plant and animal species, including habitat changes
and disruptions to ecological succession.
● Sources of impacts include land conversion for various uses, timbering practices,
grazing, mining, water management, and other human activities.

Step 2: Description of the Environmental Setting:

● Focus on community types (habitat types) and their geographical distribution.

● Utilize methods such as species lists with qualitative descriptions, structured data
presentations, habitat-based methods, or energy system diagrams.

Step 3: Procurement of Relevant Legislation and Regulations:

● Obtain information from environmental and natural resource agencies at central

and state levels.
● Qualitative requirements from legislation and regulations serve as a basis for
determining impact significance.
● Exercise professional judgment in applying qualitative requirements for the
biological environment.

Step 4: Impact Prediction:

● Focus on predicting land-use or habitat changes.

● Approaches include qualitative descriptions, habitat methods or ecosystem
models, and physical models or simulations.

Step 5: Assessment of Significance of Impacts:

● Evaluate significance through public meetings and professional judgment.

● Consider factors such as probability, spatial extent, duration, magnitude, and the
sensitivity of biological receptors.

Step 6: Incorporation of Mitigation Measures:

● Mitigation measures include avoidance, minimization, rectification, preservation,

and compensation.

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● Mitigation measures are associated with project location, alignment, design,

construction, and operating procedures.
● The location of a project can significantly influence its impact on biological
resources.

Socio-Economi Ecological

Air Impact Water Impact Noise Impact c Impact Impact

Steps Assessment Assessment Assessment Assessment Assessment

Emphasizes Highlights Addresses

Focuses on air Centers on the
water bodies, noise sources, societal and
quality, assessment of
Introduction quality, and levels, and economic
emissions, and plants, animals,
hydrological potential aspects of the
pollutants. and habitats.
systems. disturbances. project.

Identifies
Identifies Identifies noise Identifies
Identifies potential
Step 1: potential water sources and potential
pollutants and impacts on
Identification pollution potential socio-economi
their potential species,
of Impacts sources and impacts on c changes and
sources. habitats, and
alterations. receptors. impacts.
communities.

Describes Describes
Describes current Describes
existing water Describes current
Step 2: air quality, existing
quality, aquatic current noise biological
Description emission socio-economi
ecosystems, levels, sources, conditions,
of Existing sources, and c conditions,
and and ambient including
Conditions meteorological demographics,
hydrological conditions. species and
factors. and land use.
conditions. habitats.

Step 3: Refers to water Refers to

Refers to air Refers to noise Refers to
Relevant quality ecological
quality standards standards and socio-economi
Standards standards and conservation
and emission permissible c regulations
and discharge and protection
limits. levels. and policies.
Regulations limits. regulations.

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Socio-Economi Ecological

Air Impact Water Impact Noise Impact c Impact Impact

Steps Assessment Assessment Assessment Assessment Assessment

Predicts Predicts Predicts

Predicts noise
Predicts changes in socio-economi changes in
Step 4: propagation,
dispersion and water quality, c changes, biological
Impact intensity, and
concentration of flow, and employment, communities,
Prediction potential
pollutants. aquatic and community habitats, and
disturbance.
habitats. dynamics. species.

Assesses
Assesses Assesses Evaluates
significance
Assesses significance significance significance
based on
Step 5: significance based on water based on through public
ecological
Significance based on quality exceedance of input,
criteria, rarity
Assessment exceedance of air standards and noise levels economic
of species, and
quality standards. ecological and community indicators, and
habitat
criteria. impact. social criteria.
disruption.

Implements Implements Implements

Implements
Implements measures like measures like measures like
measures like
Step 6: measures like water community habitat
noise barriers,
Mitigation emission treatment, development, restoration,
changes in
Measures controls, green erosion control, job creation, conservation,
operational
infrastructure. and habitat and and
practices.
restoration. compensation. reforestation.

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