1. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Overview
Session Objectives:
Explain what EIA is about
Discuss the EIA process

2. Agenda EIA & its evolution EIA principles EIA process Benefits of EIA
Discussions

3. What is EIA? US EPA National Environmental Policy Act
(proclaimed in 1970) called for:
public statement of environmentally significant consequences of all federal actions
public input into project formulation
informed decision-making
This process became known as EIA

4. Purposes of EIA modify and improve design
ensure efficient resource use
enhance social aspects
identify measures for monitoring & managing impacts
inform decision-making
provide justification for a proposal

5. Various Aspects of Environmental Impacts
type and nature
magnitude
extent
timing
duration
uncertainty
reversibility
significance

6. Integration within EIA
The process of EIA has moved towards the consideration of all effects arising from a proposal. These can include:
biophysical
social
health
economic
risk and uncertainty

7. Evolution of EIA Early 1970s - initial development
1970s to 1980s - trend to integration
Mid to late 1980s - cumulative effects and policy integration
Mid 1990s - towards sustainability (SEA- strategic environmental assessment, biodiversity)

8. EIA Developments in the 1990s:
Major reforms to well established systems
Implementation of EC Directive (1985)
World Bank and other agencies introduce policies
Convention on EIA in a Transboundary Context (1991)
Conventions on Climate Change and Biological Diversity

9. EIA-Three Core Values
Sustainability - the EIA process will result in environmental safeguards
Integrity - the EIA process will conform to agreed standards
Utility - the EIA process will provide balanced, credible information for decision-making
Sadler, 1996

10. EIA - Eight Guiding Principles
Participation
Transparency
Certainty
Accountability
Sadler, 1996
Credibility
Cost-effectiveness
Flexibility
Practicality

11. EIA Operating Principles I EIA should be applied:
to all development project activities likely to cause potentially significant adverse impacts or add to actual or potentially foreseeable cumulative effects
as a primary instrument for environmental management to ensure that impacts of development are minimized, avoided or rehabilitated
Sadler, 1996
so that the scope of review is consistent with the nature of the
project or activity & commensurate with the likely issues & impacts
on the basis of well defined roles, rules and responsibilities for key actors

12. EIA Operating Principles II EIA should be undertaken:
throughout project cycle, beginning as early as possible in the concept design phase
with clear reference to the requirements for project authorization & follow-up, including impact management
Sadler, 1996
consistent with the application of 'best practicable' science & mitigation technology in accordance with established procedures & project-specific terms of reference, including agreed timelines
to provide meaningful public consultation with communities, groups & parties directly affected by, or with an interest in, the project and/or its environmental impacts

13. EIA Operating Principles III EIA should address, wherever necessary or appropriate:
All related & relevant factors, including social and health risks & impacts
Cumulative and long-term, large-scale effects
Design, locational and technological alternatives to the proposal being assessed
Sustainability considerations including resource productivity, assimilative capacity and biological diversity
Sadler, 1996

14. EIA Operating Principles IV EIA should result in:
Accurate & appropriate info as to the nature, likely magnitude & significance of potential effects, risks & consequences of a proposed undertaking & its alternatives
Preparation of an impact statement or report that presents this info in a clear, understandable & relevant form for decision-making, including reference to qualifications, & confidence limits in the predictions made
Ongoing problem solving and conflict resolution to the extent possible during the application of the process
Sadler, 1996

15. EIA Operating Principles V EIA should provide the basis for:
Environmentally sound decision-making in which terms & conditions are clearly specified and enforced
Design, planning and construction of acceptable development projects that meet environmental standards and resource management objectives
An appropriate follow-up process with requirements for monitoring, management, audit & evaluation that are based on the significance of potential effects, the uncertainty associated with prediction & mitigation, & the opportunity for making future improvements in project design or process application
Sadler, 1996

16. The EIA Process Screening Scoping Assessing Mitigating Reporting
Reviewing
Decision-making
Monitoring & managing
Public involvement

18. EIA Costs for Multipurpose Projects
in Thailand

19. Delays are caused during EIA when:
EIA is commenced too late in the project cycle
TORs are poorly drafted
EIA is not managed to a schedule
EIA report is inadequate and needs to be upgraded
Lack of technical data

20. Benefits of EIA include:
more environmentally sustainable design
better compliance with standards
savings in capital and operating costs
reduced time and costs for approvals
avoids later plant adaptations
reduced health costs
increased project acceptance

21. Ensuring Fairness in the EIA Process
register consultants' names and terms of reference
name consultants and their expertise in the EIA report
publish the terms of reference in the EIA report
make EIA reports available to the public
publish lists of screening and final decisions along with conditions for approval