writing a preliminary assessment (the example of the environmental review report) [date][speakers...

Writing a Preliminary Assessment

(The example of the Environmental Review Report)

[DATE][SPEAKERS NAMES]

ENCAP EA-ESD Training Course: Writing the Preliminary Assessment (IEE). Visit www.encapafrica.org.

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Review:the Preliminary Assessment in the EIA process

Screen the activity

Based on the nature of the activity what

level of environmental

review is indicated?

Conduct a Preliminary Assessment

A rapid, simplified EIA study using simple tools

(e.g. the USAID IEE)

ACTIVITY IS OF MODERATEOR UNKNOWNRISK

SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACTS

POSSIBLE

SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACTS

VERY UNLIKELY

ACTIVITY IS LOW RISK (Of its nature, very unlikely to have significant adverse impacts)

ACTIVITY IS HIGH RISK (Of its nature, likely to have significant adverse impacts)

Phase IIPhase IUnderstand proposed activity

Why is the activity being proposed?

What is being proposed?

BEGIN FULL EIA

STUDY

STOP the EIA process


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Review: Purpose of a Preliminary Assessment

Provide documentation and analysis that:

• Allows the preparer to determine whether or not significant adverse impacts are likely

• Allows the reviewer to agree or disagree with the preparer’s determinations

• Sets out mitigation and monitoring for adverse impacts

The purpose of any preliminary assessment is to. . .

The ERR is USAID’s

preliminary assessment for

sub-project review


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The Environmental Review Report (ERR)

In this presentation, we use the ERR as an example of a preliminary assessment

ERR outline

1. Summary of proposal

2. Description of proposed activities

3. Environmental situation & host country environmental requirements

4. Evaluation of potential environmental impacts

5. Environmental mitigation, monitoring & evaluation

6. Attachments (photos, maps, individuals consulted)

Note: The ERR is very similar to USAID’s IEE and to other preliminary assessments required by donors and governments.

!

3-5 pages!


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Overview: Steps in Preparing an ERR

A. Get

ready

B. Conduct

Environmental Analysis

C. Write Mitigation and

Monitoring Plan, Make determinations

D. Finalize &

submit

Assemble informationReview screening results

Sections 1-4 of the ERR

Section 5 of the ERR

Attach supplemental informationComplete facesheet, sign & submit


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Step A:

GET READY!

A. Get

ready

B. Conduct


C. Write Mitigation and Monitoring

Plan, Make determinations

D. Finalize &

submit


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Screening result

(Step 3 of instructions)

Recommended Determinations

(Step 6 of instructions. Complete for all moderate/unknow n and

high-risk activities)

Proposed activities (continue on additional page if necessary)

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6.

Step A: GET READY!

Check screening results

First, review the screening results as recorded in the

summary table on the Environmental Review Form.

Note which activities the ERR must cover!

S c r e e n i n g r e s u l t

( S t e p 3 o f i n s t r u c t i o n s )

P r o p o s e d a c t i v i t i e s ( c o n t i n u e o n a d d i t i o n a l p a g e i f n e c e s s a r y )

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1 .

2 .

3 .

4 .

5 .

6 .


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Step A: GET READY! Review, research & gather information

Assemble keyinformation

Review screening results

Review Annotated ERR

Outline

May include biophysical, economic & social information, maps and photos. Figure out who you should talk to!

(Per previous slide)

(in the Env. Review Form instructions.) You may also wish to review Chapt. 4 of the EPTM, “Writing the IEE.”

Research likely impacts & mitigation

Consult the Small Scale Guidelines or other resources to understand the key impacts & mitigation measures typical for your activities.


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Step B:Conduct theEnvironmental Analysis

(Sections 1-4 of the ERR)

A. Get

ready

B. Conduct




D. Finalize &

submit


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ERR Section 2:Description of

Activities

ERR Section 3: Environmental

situation & host country

requirements

ERR Section 1: Summary of

Proposal

Summarize WHY the activity is proposed HOW it came about. WHAT outputs/ results are expected.

Reference to proposal, if appropriateVery short description of activity proposed

Step B: Conduct the Environmental Analysis Write Proposal Summary & Activity Description

Remember, the ERR ONLY addresses “high risk” and “moderate/unknown risk” activities!

!

Provide qualitative & quantitative information about the actions required for these activities

Use a table to present succinctlyInclude all phasesIndicate any rejected alternatives


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A. Describe environmental characteristics of the site(s) where the activities will take place

Relevant information only! Focus on issues of concern.

B. Describe applicable host country environmental regulations or policies

Step B: Conduct the Environmental Analysis Write Env. Situation & Country Requirements

Organize this section by location or activity, whichever is most convenient

!

ERR Section 2:Description of

Activities



requirements

ERR Section 1: Summary of

Proposal


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ERR Section 4: Evaluation of

potential environmental

impacts


mitigation & monitoring

Describe the potential impacts of EACH activity, including:

all applicable environmental components (e.g., air, water, soils, flora and fauna, cultural)

Direct, indirect & cumulative impacts

Adverse AND beneficial impacts

IF AN ACTIVITY HAS NO POTENTIAL IMPACT, NOTE THIS!

Step B: Conduct the Environmental Analysis Evaluate potential environmental impacts

Use tools such as checklists, matrices, networks or overlays to assist in evaluating impacts.

!ERR Section 3: Environmental


requirements


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Step C:Write Mitigation & Monitoring Plan

(Section 5 of the ERR)

A. Get

ready

B. Conduct




D. Finalize &

submit


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Step C: Write Mitigation and Monitoring Plan, Make Determinations

Note: Judging the significance of impacts

The ERR requires youto judge the SIGNIFICANCE of impacts.

Significance depends largely on 2 factors: Context of the impact

(environmental context AND policies, laws & local values)

Intensity of the impact

In part, this is often a VALUE JUDGMENT

What do we mean by context &

intensity?

?


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Evinces public concern or controversy.

May set a precedent for how similar situations are addressed in future.

Affects protected habitats, land or ecosystems.

Affects habitats, land or ecosystems which may not be protected, but which are particularly valued for aesthetics, recreation, cultural reasons.

Affects resource availability critical to subsistence & livelihood.

Disrupts local customs.

Is subject to law, policy or regulation that treat the impact as a matter of particular concern.

Has a high or unknown potential impact public health and safety.

Contextual factors that tend to

increase the significance of

adverse impacts include:

When the impact. . .


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A shallow well serving a primary school is located 10m away.

The planned site contains a sacred stone, tree or shrine.

National law requires that any potential impacts on groundwater is considered significant and requires district approval.

How can CONTEXT affect the significance of impacts?An improved pit

latrine is planned at a new market site.

The most significant potential impact of latrines is usually the potential for groundwater contamination.

Construction impacts are typically minimal.

Example: Context & Intensity

What about INTENSITY?

A 10-seat latrine is planned to serve 1000 persons/day


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BEFORE YOU WRITE. . .

What are the impacts

of constructing my market

access road?

DON’T WRITE YET!Step back and consider: Based on your analysis. . .what

recommendation seems likely for EACH activity WITHOUT mitigation and monitoring not already part of the activity design?

What may change once mitigation and monitoring is added?

OK. . .NOW proceed to write the mitigation and monitoring plan


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Mitigation measures should be clearly matched to impacts.

Monitoring must verify the implementation & effectiveness of mitigation measures.

Remember, mitigation & monitoring plans should specify what, who, how much, when and why!


Write the mitigation & monitoring plan

ERR Section 4: Evaluation of

potential environmental

impacts


mitigation & monitoring

ERR Section 6 Attachments

Once mitigation and monitoring is specified, you are ready to make your

recommended determinations.

REMEMBER, each activity receives one of 3 determinations. . .


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Recommendation Implications(if ERR is approved)

No significant adverse impact

Activity passes environmental review

With specified mitigation no significant adverse impacts

The activity passes environmental review on the condition that the specified mitigation and monitoring is implemented

Significant adverse impacts are possible

Do full EAor redesign activity

Based on your evaluation of environmental impacts & your mitigation and monitoring specifications, make a recommended finding (determination) for each activity:


Recommended Determinations in the ERR

Remember, low risk activities are not covered by the ERR and receive no determination.

!


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Enter the recommended determinations in the summary table


Finish your summary table

Screening result

(Step 3 of instructions)




Proposed activities (continue on additional page if necessary)

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Step D:Finalize & submit the ERR

A. Get

ready

B. Conduct




D. Finalize &

submit


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Step D: Finalize & submit the ERR

Submit

Attach maps, photos, site descriptions & any other information that will help the reviewer make a decision.

Sign Certifications

Remember, the certifications are a binding commitment!

ERR Section 6 Attachments

Remember to attach the ERR to the Environmental Review Form


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Some final advice

In reality, ERR preparation is

often an ITERATIVE

process

Talk to more people.Revise & continue!

Know your activities as well as possible before you begin: Do desk research, visit the field, talk with colleagues.

Start to draft the ERR. Identify missing information.

A. Get

ready

B. Conduct




D. Finalize &

submit

writing a preliminary assessment (the example of the environmental review report) [date][speakers...

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