Starter: Look at the photograph. This is the site for a proposed coal mine, providing essential fuel for the community. In pairs: Discuss whether you think the mine should go ahead. Give reasons to support your answer.

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)

Learning outcomes You should all be able to: Identify the different aspects of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Most of you should be able to: Describe the use of an EIA Some of you might be able to: Evaluate the use of an EIA

The purpose of an EIA is to establish the impact of a project on the environment. Predicts possible impacts on habitats, species and ecosystems. Helps decision makers decide if the development should go ahead. Addresses the mitigation of potential environmental impacts associated with the development. The report should provide a non-technical summary for the public and the media.

History In 1969 the US Federal Government passed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This made it a priority for Federal agencies to consider the natural environment for any land use planning. Over the next 20 years other countries included EIAs in their planning policies: Canada, 1973 Columbia, 1974 Netherlands, 1981 UK, 1988 Mexico, 1988

What are EIAs used for? Often part of a national planning process for large scale developments. Developments that need an EIA differ from country to country. The Three Gorges Dam in China - needed an EIA.

Examples Major new road networks, e.g. Durango – Mazatlan highway Airport and port developments, e.g. Maasvlate Port development Rotterdam, Netherlands Building power stations, e.g. Severn Power Station, UK Building dams and reservoirs, e.g. Three Gorges Dam, China Quarrying Large scale housing projects Severn Power Station, UK Durango – Mazatlan highway, Mexico

Group Activity: Sort out the statements B. Predicting the scale of potential impacts. A. Limiting the effects of impacts to acceptable limits (MITIGATION). D. Deciding if an EIA is needed and which impacts need to be considered (SCREENING). C. Identifying impacts (SCOPING).

Stages of an EIA Deciding if an EIA is needed and which impacts need to be considered (SCREENING). Identifying impacts (SCOPING). Predicting the scale of potential impacts. Limiting the effects of impacts to acceptable limits (MITIGATION).

Baseline Study Carried out because we need to know what the physical and biological environment is like, before the project starts. Variables measured as part of a baseline study include: Habitat type and abundance (total area of each habitat) Species list (number of species, flora and fauna) Species diversity (estimate abundance and calculate diversity) List of endangered species Land use (land use type and coverage) Hydrology (volume, discharge, flows and water quality) Human population (present population) Soil (quality, fertility, pH) Group Thought: What variables do you think would be measured?

Measuring Impact Consider all potential environmental impacts whether good or bad. Detail the potentially significant impacts on:

Evaluation When evaluating the environmental impact of different projects the following criteria are used: Magnitude: Extent: Duration: In pairs discuss what you thing they mean… What scale will the impact have? How big an area does the impact affect? Site only, local or regional. How long will the impact be for? Short, Medium or Long term.