ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT & ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

Environmental Impact Assessment is a means of drawing together in a systematic way an assessment of likely environmental effects of a proposed development. This helps to ensure that the importance of the predicted effects and the scope for reducing them are properly understood by the public, statutory consultees and the local authority before the planning application is determined.

 

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.".

 

The findings of the EIA are reported in an Environmental Statement (ES). The ES needs to address seven key areas:

1. Description of the project

This provides a detailed description of the project and the site it is proposed to be located on.  In this section the project needs to be broken down into its key components, i.e.: construction, operations, decommissioning.  For each component the potential source of environmental disturbance has to be listed e.g.: air pollution, noise, hydrology, ecology, etc.

2. Alternatives that have been considered

In an EIA alternatives have to be considered.  For example, in a biomass power station, will the fuel be sourced locally or nationally? Are there alternative less sensitive sites available for the development?

3. Description of the environment

This section lists all aspects of the environment that may be effected by the development e.g.: populations, fauna, flora, air, soil, water, humans, landscape, cultural heritage.  This assessment is usually assisted through consultation with and input from local experts, e.g.: RSPB, Natural Heritage Agency, Environment Regulator, etc.

4. Description of the significant effects on the environment

The word significant is crucial here as the definition can vary.  'Significant' needs to be defined.


The most frequent method used here is use of the Leopold matrix.  The matrix is a tool used in the systematic examination of potential interactions e.g.: in a wind farm development a significant impact may be collisions with birds.

5. Mitigation

This is where the Environmental Impact Assessment is most useful.  Once section 4 has been completed it will be obvious where the impacts will be greatest.  Using this information ways to avoid negative impacts should be developed.  It is often best to work with the developer on this section as they know the project best.  Using the wind farm example again construction could be timed so that it is outwith bird nesting seasons.

6. Non-technical summary

The ES will be in the public domain and be used in the decision making process.  It is important that the information is available to the public.  This section is a summary that does not include jargon or complicated diagrams and should be understood by the informed lay-person.

7. Lack of know-how/technical difficulties

This section is to advise any areas of weakness in knowledge.  It can be used to focus areas of future research. 

 

For more information on our environmental impact assessment consultancy services please call the office on 01631 720699, or if you would like to request a fee quote for your project contact us by email at info@transtechlimited.com with the details of the project.

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