Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts (positive or negative) of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse. Environment assessment involves a study to determine any unique environmental attributes from endangered species to existing hazardous waste to historical significance. Environment Assessment procedure ensures consideration of environmental implications before making a final decision of assessing the environmental attribute. Project planning processes can integrate EA as essential step giving sensitivity to the social and economic as well as environmental impacts of projects. In this way, project managers can compensate for shortcomings in the project planning process.

Objectives of Environment Impact Assessment:

1. A project which failed to adequately consult the community at the outset can take advantage of the Environment Assessment to involve the community in a necessary exchange of ideas and views. EIA can be of great benefit, since it can provide a framework for considering location and design issues and environmental issues in parallel. It can be an aid to the formulation of developmental actions, indicating areas where the project can be modified to minimize or eliminate altogether the adverse impacts on the environment. The consideration of environmental impacts early in the planning life of a development can lead to environmentally sensitive development; to improved relations between the developer, the planning authority and the local communities.
2. It helps to establish and strengthen decision-making and communication mechanisms within a project. It paves the way for introducing innovations. For example for the local authority, it provides a systematic examination of the environmental implications of a proposed action, and sometimes alternatives, before a decision is taken.
3. It may reveal sound environmental, social or economic reasons for shifting a project’s direction. The key characteristics of sustainable development include maintaining the overall quality of life, maintaining continuing access to natural resources and avoiding lasting environmental damage. Governments have recognized the interaction of economic and social development and the ecosystems, and the reciprocal impact between human actions and the bio-geophysical world.
4. To use it as a project control mechanism.

Stages of Environment Impact Assessment :

1. Screening: In this stage the projects or developments which require a full or partial impact assessment study are determined. This entails the application of EIA to those projects that may have significant environmental impacts. The screening is done partly by the EIA regulations, operating in a country at the time of assessment.
2. Scoping: In this stage potential impacts of the project or development which are relevant to assess (based on legislative requirements, international conventions, expert knowledge and public involvement) are determined and finally the terms of reference for the impact assessment are finalized. This step seeks to identify, at an early stage, the key, significant environmental issues from among a host of possible impacts of a project and all the available alternatives.
3. Assessment and evaluation of impacts: This step aims to identify the likely magnitude of the change (i.e., impact) in the environment when the project is implemented in comparison with the situation when the project is not carried out.  If there is adverse impact on the environment due to project or development, then alternative solutions are worked out. If the effects are unavoidable, steps are taken to mitigate or compensate adverse impacts on biodiversity (including the option of not proceeding with the development, finding alternative designs or sites. Mitigation involves the introduction of measures to avoid, reduce, remedy or compensate for any significant adverse impacts.
4. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or EIA report: In this stage an environmental management plan (EMP), and a non-technical summary for the general audience is prepared. This is a vital step in the process. If done badly, much good work in the EIA may be negated.
5. Review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): In this stage, based on the terms of reference (scoping), public (including authority) participation is done. This involves a systematic appraisal of the quality of the EIS, as a contribution to the decision-making process.
6. Decision-making: At this stage, decisions are made by the relevant authority of the EIS (including consultation responses) together with other material considerations as to whether to accept, defer or reject the project and if approved, under what conditions it is approved are specified.
7. Monitoring, compliance, enforcement and environmental auditing: Monitoring of the project during the execution of project is done to check for violation of conditions. It involves comparing actual outcomes with predicted outcomes, and can be used to assess the quality of predictions and the effectiveness of mitigation. It provides a vital step in the EIA learning process. Due to monitoring unpredicted impacts or failed mitigation can be identified and addressed in a timely fashion.

Benefits of Environment Impact Assessment :

The Benefits to project:

1. Reduced cost and time of project implementation.
2. Cost-saving modifications in project design.
3. Increased project acceptance.
4. Avoided impacts and violations of laws and regulations.
5. Improved project performance.
6. Avoided treatment/cleanup costs.

The benefits to local communities:

1. A healthier local environment (forests, water sources, agricultural potential, recreational potential, aesthetic values, and clean living in urban areas).
2. Improved human health.
3. Maintenance of biodiversity.
4. Decreased resource use.
5. Fewer conflicts over natural resource use.
6. Increased community skills, knowledge and pride.

What does Environment Impact Assessment Covers?

• Social Impact Assessment
• Risk Assessment
• Life Cycle Analysis
• Energy Analysis
• Health Impact Assessment
• Regulatory Impact Assessment
• Species Impact Assessment
• Technology Assessment
• Economic Assessment
• Cumulative Impact Assessment
• Strategic Environmental Assessment
• Integrated Impact Assessment

Mandatory Environment Impact Assessment Clearance

By notification of 14th September 2006, Central Government has made Environment Impact Assessment clearance for 39 projects is mandatory. These projects and activities are listed in Schedule of the notification. Some of the projects and activities are as follows.

• Mining of minerals;
• River valley projects;
• Thermal power plants
• Nuclear power projects;
• Cement plants;
• Petroleum refining industry, etc.