Lecture(9) Instructor : Dr. Abed Al-Majed Nassar

Environmental impact assessment Definition An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an assessment of the possible impact—positive or negative—that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects.

Purpose of EIA The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that decision makers consider the ensuing environmental impacts to decide whether to proceed with the project. The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) defines an environmental impact assessment as "the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made. International Association for Impact Assessment biophysical The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that decision makers consider the ensuing environmental impacts to decide whether to proceed with the project. The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) defines an environmental impact assessment as "the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made. International Association for Impact Assessment biophysical

Social Impact assessment (SIA) Social impact assessment includes the processes of analyzing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions.

SIA Purpose Its primary purpose is to bring about a more sustainable and equitable biophysical and human environment.

Action have a significant Effect on the Environment 1 Change in air quality, ground and surface water quality, traffic and noise level 2 Increasing of solid waste production, leaching, flooding and erosion 3 A major change in the use of either the quantity or type of energy 4 The creation of hazardous to human health 5 The encouraging or attracting of a large number of people to place to place for more than a few days. Compared with the same number of people who would come to such a place absent the action 6 Changes in two or more elements of the environment, no one of which has a significant effect on the environment, but when considered together result in an adverse effect on the environment.

Nature of an environment With project Environmental Impact Without project Time Project initiated

Factor for determining whether an impact is significant Quantitative or qualitative of the likihood that the impact will occur; most estimates are given qualitatively using phrases such as “highly likely” or “ possible but not likely” Probability of occurrence Quantitative or qualitative estimate of size extent of the impact Magnitude The period of time the impact, if it occurs, can be expected to last (e.g., decades or more, years, months, days Duration Whether the impact can be reversed through human action or naturally Reversibility The existence of local or national laws or international treaties that specifically promote or disallow type of impact Relevance to legal mandate Whether this impact (adverse or beneficial) contributes to (or mitigates against) the equitable of the environmental risks and benefits Social distribution of risks and benefits

Stakeholders in the ESIA 1 The project proponent and/or developer 2 Teams of specialists (possibly including independent consultants) 3 Relevant local public authorities, government departments and government agencies 4 External reviewers 5 Financial institutions 6 Local residents and communities 7 NGOs and community interest groups 8 Other institutional bodies, such as regional development forums and resource management organizations.

Specialist Related to Environmental Assessment Natural ResourcesSpecialist Air Air quality/pollution analyst Air pollution control engineer Noise expert land Soil engineer Engineering geologist Water Hydrologist Civil/sanitary engineer Chemist Human Social planner Economist Transportation planner Urban planner

Environmental categories for Bureau Projects

Relationship between land and water quality

Comparison of project alternatives involving environmental and social impact

Environmental criteria relevant to irrigation projects

Factors in selection of method for comparing Environmental Impacts of alternatives Is the analysis primarily a decision, an information, or a regulatory compliance documents Application Are alternatives fundamentally or incrementally different Alternatives Does the role of the public in the analysis involve substantial preparation of studies, especially those destined for public review Public Involvement

How much effort, skill, money, and data and what computer skills are available Resources Is there an announced project schedule ? Have the officials in charge already announces a starting date ? A completion date ? Are there remotely realistic ? Have they allocated at least the minimum preparation and processing times (generally prescribed) Time Is the preparer familiar with both the type of action contemplated and physical site Familiarity

How the big of the issue being dealt with? Issue significance Are the activities known to be controversial Controversy Are choic es limit ed by agen cy proc edur al or form at requi reme nts Administrative constraints