Environmental Environmental Impact AssessmentImpact Assessment

Environmental Environmental Impact AssessmentImpact Assessment

Prof. Sandeep HegdeProf. Sandeep Hegde

Environmental Impact AssessmentEnvironmental Impact AssessmentEnvironmental Impact AssessmentEnvironmental Impact Assessment

• Environment Impact Assessment or EIA can be defined as the study to predict the effect of a proposed activity/project on the environment.

• A decision making tool, EIA compares various alternatives for a project and seeks to identify the one which represents the best combination of economic and environmental costs and benefits.

Environmental Impact AssessmentEnvironmental Impact AssessmentEnvironmental Impact AssessmentEnvironmental Impact Assessment

is intended as an instrument of is intended as an instrument of preventivepreventive environmental environmental management. It provides a management. It provides a framework and an information framework and an information basis for basis for decision makingdecision making on on activities affecting the activities affecting the environment.environment.

is intended as an instrument of is intended as an instrument of preventivepreventive environmental environmental management. It provides a management. It provides a framework and an information framework and an information basis for basis for decision makingdecision making on on activities affecting the activities affecting the environment.environment.

EIA – Three core valuesEIA – Three core values

1. Integrity: The EIA process should be fair, objective, unbiased and balanced

2. Utility: The EIA process should provide balanced, credible information for decision making

3. Sustainability: The EIA process should result in environmental safeguards

““To say that infrastructure development has impact is to To say that infrastructure development has impact is to state the obvious. No industrial country has advanced state the obvious. No industrial country has advanced to such status without developing solid infrastructure to such status without developing solid infrastructure facilities. And no low-income country has managed to facilities. And no low-income country has managed to escape poverty in the absence of infrastructure.escape poverty in the absence of infrastructure.

In addition to economic growth, infrastructure In addition to economic growth, infrastructure development has a very tangible impact on people's development has a very tangible impact on people's daily lives, and especially on the lives of poor peopledaily lives, and especially on the lives of poor people ” ”

- - Liqun JinLiqun JinVice President, ADBVice President, ADB

EIAEIAEIAEIA

applies to the assessment of the applies to the assessment of the environmental effects of those public environmental effects of those public and private and private projectsprojects which are likely to which are likely to have significant effects on the have significant effects on the environment.environment.

applies to the assessment of the applies to the assessment of the environmental effects of those public environmental effects of those public and private and private projectsprojects which are likely to which are likely to have significant effects on the have significant effects on the environment.environment.

EIAEIAEIAEIA

ProjectProject means: means:

• the execution of construction works or the execution of construction works or of other installations or schemesof other installations or schemes

• other interventions in the natural other interventions in the natural surroundings and landscape including surroundings and landscape including those involving the extraction of those involving the extraction of minerals.minerals.

ProjectProject means: means:

• the execution of construction works or the execution of construction works or of other installations or schemesof other installations or schemes

• other interventions in the natural other interventions in the natural surroundings and landscape including surroundings and landscape including those involving the extraction of those involving the extraction of minerals.minerals.

EIAEIAEIAEIA

Development consent Development consent means:means:

• the the decisiondecision of the competent of the competent authorities which entitles the developer authorities which entitles the developer to proceed with the project.to proceed with the project.

Development consent Development consent means:means:

• the the decisiondecision of the competent of the competent authorities which entitles the developer authorities which entitles the developer to proceed with the project.to proceed with the project.

EIAEIAEIAEIA

…….. have significant effects on the .. have significant effects on the environment by virtue environment by virtue inter alia,inter alia,

of their:of their:

nature, size, nature, size, locationlocation..

…….. have significant effects on the .. have significant effects on the environment by virtue environment by virtue inter alia,inter alia,

of their:of their:

nature, size, nature, size, locationlocation..

EIAEIAEIAEIA

… … direct and indirect effects of a project direct and indirect effects of a project on the following factors:on the following factors:

• human beings, fauna and florahuman beings, fauna and flora

• soil, water, air, climate and the landscapesoil, water, air, climate and the landscape

• the inter-action between the factors the inter-action between the factors mentioned in the first and second indentsmentioned in the first and second indents

• material assets and the culturalmaterial assets and the cultural heritage.heritage.

… … direct and indirect effects of a project direct and indirect effects of a project on the following factors:on the following factors:

• human beings, fauna and florahuman beings, fauna and flora

• soil, water, air, climate and the landscapesoil, water, air, climate and the landscape

• the inter-action between the factors the inter-action between the factors mentioned in the first and second indentsmentioned in the first and second indents

• material assets and the culturalmaterial assets and the cultural heritage.heritage.

Environmental Impact Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)Assessment (EIA)

Environmental Impact Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)Assessment (EIA)

There are two types of EIA models- the statutory

model which makes the assessment of impact

compulsory under an enacted law, or a delegated

legislation, and the administrative model under

which an administration exercises its discretion to

find out whether an impact study is necessary. Till

1992, India was following the administrative model

of EIA.

• On 27th January, 1994 a notification was issued

dealing with mandatory EIA. The notification

requires project proponent to submit an EIA

report, and environment management plan, details

of the public hearing and a project report to the

impact assessment agency for clearance, further

review by a committee of experts in certain cases.

• By the amendment in the year 1997, public hearing

was made compulsory before impact assessment

was finalized.

EIA – Statutory ModelEIA – Statutory ModelEIA – Statutory ModelEIA – Statutory Model

Environmental Clearance Process

Information requirementsInformation requirementsInformation requirementsInformation requirements

Description of the project:Description of the project:• physical characteristics, land-use physical characteristics, land-use

requirements during construction and requirements during construction and operationoperation

• production processes, materials usedproduction processes, materials used• estimate of expected residues and estimate of expected residues and

emissions (emissions (water, air, soil pollution, noise, water, air, soil pollution, noise, vibrations, light, heat, radiation, etc.)vibrations, light, heat, radiation, etc.)

Description of the project:Description of the project:• physical characteristics, land-use physical characteristics, land-use

requirements during construction and requirements during construction and operationoperation

• production processes, materials usedproduction processes, materials used• estimate of expected residues and estimate of expected residues and

emissions (emissions (water, air, soil pollution, noise, water, air, soil pollution, noise, vibrations, light, heat, radiation, etc.)vibrations, light, heat, radiation, etc.)

Information requirementsInformation requirementsInformation requirementsInformation requirements

Alternatives:Alternatives:

• outline of the main alternativesoutline of the main alternatives

• main reasons for main reasons for choicechoice, including , including

environmental effectsenvironmental effects

Alternatives:Alternatives:

• outline of the main alternativesoutline of the main alternatives

• main reasons for main reasons for choicechoice, including , including

environmental effectsenvironmental effects

Information requirementsInformation requirementsInformation requirementsInformation requirements

Impacts on:Impacts on:

• population, fauna, flora, soils, water, air, population, fauna, flora, soils, water, air,

climatic factors, material assets incl. climatic factors, material assets incl.

architectural and archeological heritage, architectural and archeological heritage,

landscapelandscape

• interrelationship between these factorsinterrelationship between these factors

Impacts on:Impacts on:

• population, fauna, flora, soils, water, air, population, fauna, flora, soils, water, air,

climatic factors, material assets incl. climatic factors, material assets incl.

architectural and archeological heritage, architectural and archeological heritage,

landscapelandscape

• interrelationship between these factorsinterrelationship between these factors

Information requirementsInformation requirementsInformation requirementsInformation requirements

Likely significant effects from:Likely significant effects from:

• existence of the projectexistence of the project

• use of natural resourcesuse of natural resources

• emission of pollutants, creation of emission of pollutants, creation of nuisances, elimination of wastenuisances, elimination of waste

and the description of the methods and the description of the methods used to assess the effects.used to assess the effects.

Likely significant effects from:Likely significant effects from:

• existence of the projectexistence of the project

• use of natural resourcesuse of natural resources

• emission of pollutants, creation of emission of pollutants, creation of nuisances, elimination of wastenuisances, elimination of waste

and the description of the methods and the description of the methods used to assess the effects.used to assess the effects.

Information requirementsInformation requirementsInformation requirementsInformation requirements

Description of measures:Description of measures:

• to prevent, reduce, and where to prevent, reduce, and where

possible to offset any significant possible to offset any significant

adverse effects on the adverse effects on the

environment.environment.

Description of measures:Description of measures:

• to prevent, reduce, and where to prevent, reduce, and where

possible to offset any significant possible to offset any significant

adverse effects on the adverse effects on the

environment.environment.

Environmental Impact AssessmentEnvironmental Impact AssessmentEnvironmental Impact AssessmentEnvironmental Impact Assessment

procedural steps:procedural steps:• description of the projectdescription of the project• description of the environmentdescription of the environment• identification of environmental impactsidentification of environmental impacts• evaluation of environmental impactsevaluation of environmental impacts• management and control of impactsmanagement and control of impacts• presentation of the studypresentation of the study• public participationpublic participation• judgment by authoritiesjudgment by authorities

procedural steps:procedural steps:• description of the projectdescription of the project• description of the environmentdescription of the environment• identification of environmental impactsidentification of environmental impacts• evaluation of environmental impactsevaluation of environmental impacts• management and control of impactsmanagement and control of impacts• presentation of the studypresentation of the study• public participationpublic participation• judgment by authoritiesjudgment by authorities

EIA Process

Environmental Impact AssessmentEnvironmental Impact AssessmentEnvironmental Impact AssessmentEnvironmental Impact Assessment

procedure:procedure:• deciding whether an EIA is required (Screening)deciding whether an EIA is required (Screening)• determining the scope of EIA (Scoping)determining the scope of EIA (Scoping)• preparing of the impact statement (EIS)preparing of the impact statement (EIS)• consultations, public participationconsultations, public participation• evaluating EIA results and consultationsevaluating EIA results and consultations• reaching a decisionreaching a decision• monitoring impacts after project implementationmonitoring impacts after project implementation

procedure:procedure:• deciding whether an EIA is required (Screening)deciding whether an EIA is required (Screening)• determining the scope of EIA (Scoping)determining the scope of EIA (Scoping)• preparing of the impact statement (EIS)preparing of the impact statement (EIS)• consultations, public participationconsultations, public participation• evaluating EIA results and consultationsevaluating EIA results and consultations• reaching a decisionreaching a decision• monitoring impacts after project implementationmonitoring impacts after project implementation

Project Life

Cycle

Phase A

Phase B

Phase C

Phase D

Phase E

A. Project A. Project Concept/IdentificationConcept/IdentificationA. Project A. Project Concept/IdentificationConcept/Identification

• Initial stage of the project planningInitial stage of the project planning

– Basic nature of the project is known Basic nature of the project is known including the site(s) where the project is including the site(s) where the project is being proposed to be implementedbeing proposed to be implemented

– ““Screen” project to determine if project Screen” project to determine if project requires a full EIArequires a full EIA

ScreeningScreeningScreeningScreening

ProjectProject

EnvironmentalEnvironmentalimpactimpact

EconomicEconomicimpactimpact

SocialSocialimpactimpact

Screening• Identify environmental issues of concern• Determine whether EIA is needed• Establish need for project

Not requireEIA

RequireEIA

Impactsunclear

Threshold criteria Impact criteria

• Size • Location • Output • Cost/Finances• Environmental

effects • etc.

• Significant but easily identifiable impacts

• Significant impacts • Sensitive area

Methods for Scoping

B. Pre-feasibility StageB. Pre-feasibility StageB. Pre-feasibility StageB. Pre-feasibility Stage

Making a plan for public involvement

Identifying major issues of public concern

Establishing priorities for environmental assessment

Developing a strategy for addressing priorities

Evaluating the significance of issues

Distribution of information to interested parties

““Scope” the project to identify issues/impacts for investigationScope” the project to identify issues/impacts for investigation

Initial Assessment of Initial Assessment of ImpactsImpactsInitial Assessment of Initial Assessment of ImpactsImpacts

Existing or baseline data:Existing or baseline data:

• provide a description of the status and trends provide a description of the status and trends of environmental factors (e.g., air pollutant of environmental factors (e.g., air pollutant concentrations) against which predicted concentrations) against which predicted changes can be compared and evaluated in changes can be compared and evaluated in terms of importanceterms of importance

• provide a means of detecting actual change by provide a means of detecting actual change by monitoring once a project has been initiated monitoring once a project has been initiated

C. Feasibility StageC. Feasibility Stage C. Feasibility StageC. Feasibility Stage Conduct the EIA and determine if the project Conduct the EIA and determine if the project is viableis viable

• Magnitude of impact Magnitude of impact - - indicate whether the impact is indicate whether the impact is irreversible or, reversible and estimated potential rate of irreversible or, reversible and estimated potential rate of recoveryrecovery

• Extent of impact Extent of impact - - spatial extent of impacts should be spatial extent of impacts should be determineddetermined

• Duration of Impact Duration of Impact - - arising at different phases of the arising at different phases of the project cycle and the length of the impact [e.g. short term project cycle and the length of the impact [e.g. short term (during construction-9 yrs), medium term (10-20 yrs), (during construction-9 yrs), medium term (10-20 yrs), long term (20+ yrs)]long term (20+ yrs)]

D. Implement & Audit the D. Implement & Audit the ProjectProject D. Implement & Audit the D. Implement & Audit the ProjectProject

The EIA is a "reference" guide during implementation

• Outlines mitigation strategies and monitoring schemesPreventative measures - reduce potential adverse impacts before occurrence

Compensatory measures - compensate for unavoidable adverse impacts

Corrective measures - reduces the adverse impact to an acceptable level

• Audit project after completion to identify lessons learned

E. Environmental MonitoringE. Environmental MonitoringE. Environmental MonitoringE. Environmental Monitoring

• Environmental monitoring provides feedback about the actual environmental impacts of a project

• Helps judge the success of mitigation measures in protecting the environment

• Ensure compliance with environmental standards

• Facilitate any needed project design or operational changes

Strategic environment assessmentStrategic environment assessment• Strategic environment assessment (SEA) refers to

systematic analysis of the environmental effects of development policies, plans, programmes and other proposed strategic actions. This process extends the aims and principles of EIA upstream in the decision-making process, beyond the project level and when major alternatives are still open. SEA represents a proactive approach to integrating environmental considerations into the higher levels of decision-making.

• Despite its wide use and acceptance, EIA has certain shortcomings as a tool for minimizing environmental effects of development proposals. It takes place relatively late at the downstream end of the decision making process, after major alternatives and directions have been chosen

Activists are calling the project illegal. “The land of adivasis here is ceiling land. During the land reforms movement, excess land that was acquired by the government was given to adivasis for tilling in 1972. Land deed, locally called 7/12, was also issued in their names. Such ceiling land can neither be transferred nor sold. But the Maharashtra government has issued special resolutions to ensure that the ceiling land can be acquired for developing Lavasa,” says Rifat Mumtaz of Pune-based ngo National Centre for Advocacy Studies (ncas). Mumtaz adds that Lavasa has flouted rules because the project has not taken any environmental impact assessment (eia) clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

“The corporation has already constructed one private dam and there is no water downstream of this dam. Farmers have neither drinking water nor water for irrigation. The farmers downsteam recently attacked mkvdc and it was forced to release water. Imagine what will happen after all the four dams are constructed,” says Shedge of Mugaon village. A petition in the Bombay High Court challenged allocation of mkvdc’s land in 2006. The petition also said that mkvdc was not meant for commercial use and Lavasa was a purely commercial venture. The case is pending.

The company says it is building 12 mini dams in the area that will “add to the current capacity of the Warasgaon lake”. “These dams will be built at higher levels increasing the existing catchment capacity. We will create an additional water catchment of 0.9 thousand million cubic metres (tmc) of which 0.4 tmc will be used by Lavasa and 0.5 tmc will be released into the lake,” the spokesperson said.

But experts warn that water scarcity will not remain limited to downstream villages; it will also hit Pune city, as its water supply goes from this valley, called the Mose valley. “On the one hand, the government is destroying the present water source for Pune and on the other, it is seeking funds from the Centre for additional water supply,” says Pune corporator Bhapkar. Meanwhile, protests against the project have gathered steam. Villagers are demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation enquiry.

EIA’s therefore cannot….EIA’s therefore cannot….EIA’s therefore cannot….EIA’s therefore cannot….• Decide which alternative to choseDecide which alternative to chose

• Prevent environmental impacts from happeningPrevent environmental impacts from happening

• Guarantee decisions you like Guarantee decisions you like

• Prohibit any actionsProhibit any actions

• Cumulative effects of multiple projectsCumulative effects of multiple projects