Scoping An activity within the Environmental Impact Study which aims to identify those components of the biophysical and social environment which may be impacted by the project and for which there is public concern. Scoping results forms the foundation of the rest of EIA process

Major points Scoping needs to be started soon after project proposal has been clearly defined Describing the project & its environment in adequate details At what time in what form the public needs to be consulted

 Want to focus on key risks and issues  Resource distribution – don’t waste effort on minor issues  Don’t want to impose unreasonable costs or time delays on proponent  But must make sure that adequate baseline and impact assessment studies are undertaken

What to do in scoping Describe the project in sufficient detail Describe the project environment Set clear limits on what is to be included or excluded in the assessment List and assign priority issues and potential impacts related to the proposed project

Project Description Focus on those elements which are of greatest concern to the public Focus on those elements which are of greatest concern to the public Key elements: Key elements: - Rationale of the project (goals, objectives, benefits) - Rationale of the project (goals, objectives, benefits) - Description of the planning, designing, construction, operating, decommissioning phases - Description of the planning, designing, construction, operating, decommissioning phases

Spatial area which will be affected by project activities - Spatial area which will be affected by project activities -Time scale involved in each activity -Time scale involved in each activity - Nature and type of human resources required - Nature and type of human resources required - Types and amounts of material which will go into the project, from where, how? - Types and amounts of material which will go into the project, from where, how? - All outputs (products and waste material) - All outputs (products and waste material) - Expected requirements for local facilities and services (electricity, water, sewage, health services, housing, transportation, etc) - Expected requirements for local facilities and services (electricity, water, sewage, health services, housing, transportation, etc) - Itemization of benefits and drawbacks associated with the project - Itemization of benefits and drawbacks associated with the project

Perspectives/Perceptions on the project Consultations with the general public Consultations with the general public Consultations with professionals Consultations with professionals Consultations with governments Consultations with governments Discussions with NGOs, native people, etc Discussions with NGOs, native people, etc

Description of the Environment Not just creating an inventory of the biophysical and social environment Not just creating an inventory of the biophysical and social environment Include all needed environmental factors Include all needed environmental factors Exclude aspects that have little or no relevance to the environmental impacts of the proposed action Exclude aspects that have little or no relevance to the environmental impacts of the proposed action (The preparation of an airport EIA)

Questions to be applied Will the proposed action have an impact(+/-) on the environmental factor? Will the proposed action have an impact(+/-) on the environmental factor? Will the environmental factor exert an influence on project construction and scheduling, or subsequent operation? Will the environmental factor exert an influence on project construction and scheduling, or subsequent operation?

Environmental elements 1. Site location, topography and geology 2. Hydrology 3. Ecology 4. List of Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs) 5. Atmosphere 6. Land use 7. Demography

8. Existing social services and their capacity to absorb change 9. Historic, scenic, cultural and natural landmarks (registries, archaeological surveys) 10. Elements and features considered unique to the area/inhabitants 11. Legislative and institutional systems

Valued Ecosystem Components Description of ecosystem (Functional relationships e,g, common food chains and webs Description of ecosystem (Functional relationships e,g, common food chains and webs The carrying capacity of the environment The carrying capacity of the environment The resilience of the environment The resilience of the environment The sensitivity of the environment to stress The sensitivity of the environment to stress The level of biodiversity in the ecosystem The level of biodiversity in the ecosystem

How to describe and document the existing environmental set up? From Existing reliable documents and records From Existing reliable documents and records From Meeting relevant official personnel, knowledgeable local people From Meeting relevant official personnel, knowledgeable local people Via questionnaires Via questionnaires Via field work Via field work

in Impact Assessment Considerations Selected Terrestrial and Aquatic Projects ProjectProject ActivitiesPotential impacts to be assessed Construction of dams and reservoirs Preparing dam site and clearing for reservoir Impoundment of water in reservoir Changes in impoundment water level Downstream water discharge Marine terminal for crude oil transport Preparation and construction of terminal Loading of tankers Construction of new airport Construction phase Operation phase Construction of new highway Construction phase Operation phase Construction of nuclear power plant Construction phase Operation phase

Techniques for describing the environment Geology Soil Vegetation Fauna Hydrology Climate Demography Cultural heritage legislation