Environmental Impact Assessment: What, When, How?

Abstract

Environmental Impact assessment (EIA) is a term that has become widely known in both developed and developing countries. It is well-recognized that EIA talks about the process by which the environmental impacts of a project can be systematically collected, analyzed and well- presented to inform and assure a proper decision making process [1]. The measures would include air quality, water quality, soil contamination, restoration, noise pollution, and others. The activities undertaken during decision taking stages to monitor, evaluate, manage and communicate the environmental outcomes, were EIA methods, tools and techniques ranging from simple to complex, requiring different kinds of data, different data formats, and different levels of expertise for their interpretation [2]. The EIA practitioner is faced with a vast quantity of raw, and usually disorganized, information that must be collected and analyzed in preparation for an EIA report. This EIA report that accompanies the Planning Application is usually called the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), This report shows that the significant effects of a development, both positive and negative are objectively analyzed. Upon receiving this information it is determined whether the development should go ahead or not; it also helps to predict the effects and scope for reduction [3]. EIA is not only a tool for decision makers, it is also a tool for the designers and developers to ensure that they best minimize local adverse impacts and derive maximum benefits from a development with environmental enhancement [4]. This project will review the environmental Impact Assessment process, indicating how this fits in to the planning process but equally how it can be used as design guide for a factory planning and construction. The study project will address the following questions: What is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)? When is it required? What is the process of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)? What are the environmental, social and economic issues associated with construction developments? How do you assess them and mitigate for them? Are there any local policies and laws under town planning regulations that regulate the EIA? How does the regulatory body decide whether to grant permission? How does the regulatory body enforce any mitigation requirements following construction?. Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.