Planning environmental monitoring programs within the environmental impact assessment process

Abstract

Monitoring of impacts resulting from proposed projects has been included as a component within the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process of numerous countries and entities since the mid‐1980s. Many studies have delineated both purposes and benefits of such monitoring. However, lesser attention has been given to technical guidance for planning and implementing monitoring programs as part of the EIA process. This paper summarizes several technical elements that should be included in monitoring programs; the elements were identified via published literature and the systematic review of described programs in nine environmental impact statements (EISs) prepared in the 1993–94 time frame. The EISs ranged from timber sales to developments in recreational areas to resource management planning. Based upon this review, 12 elements are recommended for inclusion, as appropriate, in planning and implementing monitoring programs.