Environmental Assessment Process Research Articles

EA Expert Panel Report: A Preliminary Assessment of Canada's Proposed New Federal Assessment Process

The paper offers an overview and assessment of the key recommendations of the EA Expert Panel's report on the reform of the federal environmental assessment process in Canada. The paper covers the proposed application of the process, the process and institutions, the proposed approach to jurisdictional cooperation, the scope, the role of regional and strategic assessments, public participation, the role of indigenous peoples, and follow up and compliance. The paper concludes that the report offers a very useful blueprint for reform, but that many details have yet to be worked out.

Problems with the application of hydrogeological science to regulation of Australian mining projects: Carmichael Mine and Doongmabulla Springs

Understanding and managing impacts from mining on groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) and other groundwater users requires development of defensible science supported by adequate field data. This usually leads to the creation of predictive models and analysis of the likely impacts of mining and their accompanying uncertainties. The identification, monitoring and management of impacts on GDEs are often a key component of mine approvals, which need to consider and attempt to minimise the risks that negative impacts may arise. Here we examine a case study where approval for a large mining project in Australia (Carmichael Coal Mine) was challenged in court on the basis that it may result in more extensive impacts on a GDE (Doongmabulla Springs) of high ecological and cultural significance than predicted by the proponent. We show that throughout the environmental assessment and approval process, significant data gaps and scientific uncertainties remained unresolved. Evidence shows that the assumed conceptual hydrogeological model for the springs could be incorrect, and that at least one alternative conceptualisation (that the springs are dependent on a deep fault) is consistent with the available field data. Assumptions made about changes to spring flow as a consequence of mine-induced drawdown also appear problematic, with significant implications for the spring-fed wetlands. Despite the large scale of the project, it appears that critical scientific data required to resolve uncertainties and construct robust models of the springs’ relationship to the groundwater system were lacking at the time of approval, contributing to uncertainty and conflict. For this reason, we recommend changes to the approval process that would require a higher standard of scientific information to be collected and reviewed, particularly in relation to key environmental assets during the environmental impact assessment process in future projects.

Environmental Assessment Tools: Toward an Interlinked Sustainable Design of Cities and Buildings. The Cases of Vado Ligure and Altare Municipalities (Italy)

The present paper aims at highlighting the connections between the environmental assessment of urban planning and building design activities at different scales. Environmental assessment is a multi-scale and inter/trans disciplinary process, which considers the city through an ecological approach. Environmental assessment includes different tools depending on the planning and design phase, with links and overlaps but also with contradictions. Four different evaluation fields are discussed - land use, water management, local resources, energy - also concerning the case of two Environmental Reports for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) processes of municipal urban plans for two Italian municipalities, Vado Ligure and Altare. The analysis of case studies shows that SEA is not always an effective tool for strategic urban planning, as it includes similar assessment criteria to building scale ones, causing overlaps and contradictions.

If at first you don’t succeed: Evaluating stakeholder engagement in global environmental assessments

Engagement with numerous stakeholder groups is increasingly popular in global environmental assessment (GEA) processes. This paper explores to what extent stakeholder engagement has been successful in a few selected GEAs, focusing on major limitations and downsides of particular methods for stakeholder engagement. This addresses a gap in the literature regarding the empirical analysis of different direct and indirect practical implications of stakeholder engagement methods Exploring these implications is necessary to appropriately evaluate both the methods and the objectives for stakeholder engagement. Our cases are (1) the regional consultations for UNEP’s Fifth Global Environment Outlook, (2) its Summary for Policy Makers negotiations, and (3) the Summary for Policy Makers negotiations of the Working Group III contribution to the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report. The qualitative evaluation of these cases draws on 99 interviews with GEA authors, government representatives and other stakeholders to identify challenges to successful stakeholder engagement in GEAs. As an outlook, we highlight three promising options to improve engagement: (a) organization via a Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Body, (b) finding place for deliberation and negotiation in producing the Summary for Policy Makers, and (c) co-producing multiple summaries targeting specific target audiences jointly with these stakeholders. This article is part of a special issue on solution-oriented global environmental assessments.

Global environmental assessments: Impact mechanisms

Many impacts of Global Environmental Assessment (GEA) processes on policy processes, and the mechanisms underlying these impacts, remain underappreciated. In this research, we focus on the 5th Global Environment Outlook and the Working Group III contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Based on the perception of GEA process participants, we describe the mechanisms through which assessments create or alter interpersonal interactions which can affect the dissemination of ideas. In particular, we find that GEAs can contribute to framing international coordinative discourses in intergovernmental negotiations. This can be achieved by widening, improving and/or maintaining the active participation of policy actors in the discussions of global environmental risks and by creating the scientific foundations for intergovernmental negotiations. GEAs can also contribute to national coordinative discourses by facilitating reflexive learning amongst participants, empowering them to diffuse and translate global information, and by providing methodological guidance. They can contribute to national communicative discourses by reviving interest and awareness of the urgency to address environmental problems. In this way they provide powerful arguments for governmental societal actors to challenge or strengthen existing national coordinative discourses. Finally, GEAs can improve scientific discourses worldwide by enhancing the capacity of individual researchers to produce and communicate relevant research insights. This is achieved by participating in a learning exercise with an extended community of peers and policy actors. This article is part of a special issue on solution-oriented global environmental assessments.

Examining Environmental Impact Assessments and Participation: The Case of Mining Development in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga, South Africa

South African democracy witnessed considerable effort to redefine Environmental Impact Assessment regulations to improve participation of citizens towards sustainable development activities. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of participatory processes has generally been mixed and in many cases fallen below expectations, with lack of empirical evidence especially in South Africa to understand the underlying elements that may contribute to poor public participation in Environmental Impact Assessments. This paper attempts to investigate the participatory inefficiencies of Environmental Impact Assessments for mining development specifically in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga and presents viewpoints from key stakeholders. Results indicate that Environmental Impact Assessments especially for mining development are conducted as tokenistic tools to approve developments rather than to genuinely engage with the concerns of interested and affected groups. There is a need for environmental practitioners to be impartial during assessments, including the independence of government as regulator and enforcer of environmental assessment processes rather than spearheading mining development for economic development. The paper makes recommendations to improve participation of citizens during Environmental Impact Assessment processes.

Aquatic monitoring programs conducted during environmental impact assessments in Canada: preliminary assessment before and after weakened environmental regulation.

Aquatic monitoring programs are imperative for the functioning of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process and a cornerstone for industrial compliance in Canada. However, in 2012, several leading pieces of federal environmental legislation (e.g., Canadian Environmental Assessment Act c.19, s. 52, 2012) were drastically altered, effectively weakening levels of environmental protection for aquatic ecosystems during project developments. This paper assesses the impact of CEAA 2012 on aquatic monitoring programs (and subsequent monitoring data reporting) across Canada for ten projects (five completed pre-CEAA 2012 and five completed post-CEAA 2012). Projects included four energy and six mining projects and were selected based on the following criteria: (i) representative of Canada's resource economy; (ii) project information was publicly available; and (iii) strong public interest. Projects pre- and post-CEAA 2012 exhibited few apparent differences before and after environmental regulatory changes. However, wide discrepancies exist in numbers and types of parameters reported, along with a lack of consistency in reporting. Projects pre-CEAA 2012 provided more follow-up monitoring commitments. Although qualitative differences remain inconclusive, this paper highlights requirements for further assessment of aquatic monitoring and follow-up programs in Canada. Recommendations for the government to consider during reviews of the federal environmental assessment processes include (i) improved transparency on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency website ( https://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/ ); (ii) creation of a legally binding standardized aquatic monitoring program framework to ensure that all Canadian aquatic ecosystems are monitored with equal rigour; and (iii) commitments and justification related to frequency of aquatic monitoring of water quality.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Process for Sustainable Mining and Mineral Management Development

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process can be broadly defined as a study of the impacts of a proposed project, plan, project, policy or legislative action on the environment and sustainability. SEA process has been aimed to incorporate environmental and sustainability factors into mining and mineral (MM) project planning and decision making (MMPPDM) process. Sustainable MM development is a kind of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability and efficacy of future generations to meet their own MM needs. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process can be defined as the systematic study of the potential impacts (effects) of proposed MM projects, plans, programs, policies or legislative actions relative to the physical-chemical, biological, cultural, and socio-economic components of the total environmental product life cycle. The primary purpose of the EIA process is to encourage the consideration of the environment in MMPPDM process and to arrive at actions that are environmentally compatible. MMPP-DM process should include the integrated consideration of technical or engineering, economic, environmental, safety, and health, social and sustainability factors to achieve business excellence. The objective of the study is to conceptualize SEA process for the MM sector based on fifteen number of sustainable detailed project reports (DPRs) submitted by the extension learners of Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Business Management (DEBM)...

The Bilcon NAFTA Tribunal: A Clash of Investor Protection and Sustainability-Based Environmental Assessments

This article considers the implications of a March, 2015 ruling of a tribunal struck under the Chapter 11 investor protection provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The majority of the tribunal found that Canada violated Articles 1102 and 1105 of NAFTA when the federal and provincial governments refused to approve a basalt quarry in Digby County (Whites Point Quarry), Nova Scotia following an environmental assessment carried out by way of a joint panel review. The article starts with an overview of the environmental assessment process carried out for the Whites Point Quarry, followed by a summary of the findings of the NAFTA tribunal. The ruling and its implications are then assessed, followed by a review of the investor protection provisions of the recently concluded trade agreement between Canada and the EU (CETA) to consider whether CETA’s investor protection process is likely to encounter similar challenges, particularly when considering the fair treatment of foreign investors in sustainability focused environmental assessment processes.

Model procene strategijskog okruženja sistema odbrane

Strategic environmental assessment enables consideration of situation at some time in order to ensure the development of the defense system so that it can respond to the future security challenges, risks and threats. In order to enhance the level of objectivity of such process, a model of strategic environmental assessment of the defense system has been made by quantitative analysis of the contents of different literature in the sphere of management, security and defense. Since the process is complex, the model is based on the combination of scientific and managerial methods. Preconditions for the application of scenario development model are created by identification of the environmental factors that most affect the defense system, as well as by collection of data on values of such factors in the past and determination of trends of their development and effect on the defense system in the future. Potential effects of factors from the defense system environment are considered by scenario development of the future environment and objectivity and possibility to predict the future environment are increased. Despite increase in objectivity, it is impossible to completely remove the subjective effect on environmental assessment results. The solutions presented in this paper are a possible way to enhance strategic environmental assessment process not only of the defense system, but other organisational systems, as well.

Potential of an outranking multi-criteria approach to support the participatory assessment of land management actions

We evaluated the potential of an outranking Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis approach for assisting in the participatory assessment of dryland management actions implemented in the San Simon watershed, in southeastern Arizona, USA. We compared an outranking-facilitated assessment of actions with a simple and direct (baseline) ranking of the same actions by the participating stakeholders in terms of: 1) internal homogeneity of each assessment approach, (2) similarity of individual assessments between methods, and (3) effects of the use of implicit/explicit assessment criteria. The actions assessed combined various management approaches, including livestock management (rotation, resting), vegetation management (grass seeding, brush control), and hydraulic structures (dams, dykes). The outranking-facilitated assessment discriminated better between actions and reduced the variability of results between individual stakeholders as compared with the direct ranking of actions. In general, the two assessments significantly differed in the relative preference of the five management actions assessed, yet both assessments identified rotational grazing combined with vegetation management (grass seeding and brush control) as the most preferred management action in the study area. The comparative analysis revealed inconsistencies between the use of implicit and explicit assessment criteria. Our findings highlight the opportunities offered by outranking approaches to help capture, structure, and make explicit stakeholder perspectives in the framework of a participatory environmental assessment process, which may facilitate the understanding of the multiple preferences involved. The outranking integration process, which resembles a voting procedure, proved simple and transparent, with potential for contributing to stakeholder engagement and trust in participatory assessment.

The challenges and opportunities in cumulative effects assessment

The cumulative effects of increasing human use of the ocean and coastal zone have contributed to a rapid decline in ocean and coastal resources. As a result, scientists are investigating how multiple, overlapping stressors accumulate in the environment and impact ecosystems. These investigations are the foundation for the development of new tools that account for and predict cumulative effects in order to more adequately prevent or mitigate negative effects. Despite scientific advances, legal requirements, and management guidance, those who conduct assessments—including resource managers, agency staff, and consultants—continue to struggle to thoroughly evaluate cumulative effects, particularly as part of the environmental assessment process. Even though 45years have passed since the United States National Environmental Policy Act was enacted, which set a precedent for environmental assessment around the world, defining impacts, baseline, scale, and significance are still major challenges associated with assessing cumulative effects. In addition, we know little about how practitioners tackle these challenges or how assessment aligns with current scientific recommendations. To shed more light on these challenges and gaps, we undertook a comparative study on how cumulative effects assessment (CEA) is conducted by practitioners operating under some of the most well-developed environmental laws around the globe: California, USA; British Columbia, Canada; Queensland, Australia; and New Zealand. We found that practitioners used a broad and varied definition of impact for CEA, which led to differences in how baseline, scale, and significance were determined. We also found that practice and science are not closely aligned and, as such, we highlight opportunities for managers, policy makers, practitioners, and scientists to improve environmental assessment.

Правовое регулирование оценки воздействия на окружающую среду в России и за рубежом

The article compares the legal regulation and the law enforcement practice relating to the conduct of environmental assessment in the Russian Federation, procedures for environmental assessment, which is applicable abroad (USA, EU, China). Through the use of historical, comparative legal methods of research concludes that the national system of environmental assessment in the Russian Federation, including the assessment of impact of perspective economic and other activities on environment and ecological examination, is not an effective one and does not meet international standards of environmental assessment. The article analyzes the reasons for the ineffectiveness of environmental assessment in the Russian Federation, identifies the main differences of the Russian model of environmental assessment from their foreign counterparts. The main differences between Russian and foreign models are as follows: stages of the environmental assessment process (no stages of screening and scoping), conduct environmental assessment at the earliest stage of economic activity and at the stage of preparation of project documentation, the lack of methodology for the environmental assessment process, the lack of differentiation of environmental assessment on the individual direction of research, etc. These differences lead to the imperfection and ineffectiveness of environmental assessment in the Russian Federation and need to be addressed. The results can be used in legislative activities in the preparation of draft normative legal acts in the educational activity.

Integrating Climate Change into EA: Thoughts on Federal Law Reform

This paper explores how climate change can be more effectively integrated into environmental assessment processes. The paper's focus is on three key steps in environmental assessments, i. triggering and assessment, ii. the scope of information gathering and assessment, and iii. decision making. The paper concludes that climate policies in line with international commitments, strategic assessments of all key sectors that contribute to GHG emissions, and clear standards and criteria for assessments and decision making are critical for EA to become an effective policy tool for climate change.

Rare earth at Bearlodge: anthropocentric and biocentric perspectives of mining development in a multiple use landscape

Multiple use livelihoods and recreational activities provide important economic opportunities for communities throughout the American west, especially in rural areas where public lands are the primary income generator. Federal lands also provide incentives for mining development as the “highest and best use” of the land. This tension between civil society, the mining corporation, and the state as dual regulator/facilitator of natural resource development is most apparent during the public comment period of the environmental assessment process. Such is the case with the Bearlodge mine in the Black Hills National Forest of Wyoming, which has the potential to be the only domestic producer of critical rare earth elements. Therefore, I ask: How do perspectives about control of and access to common property resources and the role of humans as part or separate from an ecological system converge or diverge between community, state, and market stakeholders? To answer this, a Q method survey was carried out from groups representative of the different economic and environmental perspectives related to mining development: environmentalists, the mining/energy sector, state/federal regulators, foresters, local land holders, and recreationalists. Results show that stakeholders fall into two categories: anthropocentrists who desire economic development from the mine for human benefit, even given the potential for environmental harm and curtailed access to multiple use activities; and biocentrists who continue to push for a no development alternative where nature is preserved for nature’s sake and existing livelihoods that help to maintain an already altered environment are able to remain and sustain rural economies.

Aboriginal Participation in Canadian Environmental Assessment: Gap Analysis and Directions for Scholarly Research

There has emerged in recent years an increased industry and regulatory demand for the streamlining of environmental assessment (EA), and at the same time, persistent expectations by Aboriginal communities for more effective and meaningful engagement in development decisions. This paper examines the extent to which scholarly research has contributed to solutions for meaningful Aboriginal participation amidst demands for more efficient and shorter timelines for participation and decision-making. Three research priorities are identified from our assessment of peer-reviewed EA scholarly research: the need for empirical-based research assessing the impacts of streamlining on participation and the impacts of meaningful Aboriginal participation on EA efficiencies; the need for better defined scope of issues that should be addressed inside the EA process versus those that are best addressed external to EA; and the need to develop and test alternative mechanisms for Aboriginal participation at the regional and strategic levels, and their contributions to regulatory-based EA decisions.

The Environmental Assessment Process and Public Participation in Québec: Concrete Elements for Sustainable Development

In southern Québec, projects having major environmental impact are subjected to the environmental assessment process which provides a period of information and consultation. During this period, any citizens, groups or municipalities can ask the Minister of the Environment and Wildlife to conduct, through the BAPE, a public inquiry on the project. This environmental impact assessment process, in place since 1978, was a precursor of sustainable development. The present paper is a presentation of the practical working of the environmental process at the government level.

Perspectives from the Field: Opinion: The NEPA and Major Water Resource Planning for the Future. What's the problem? Analysis Paralysis

Federal water resources development planning and the associated environmental assessment processes have been very complex and expensive. Federal water resource agencies are reassessing approaches t...

Exploring the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process behaviour using sensitivity analysis

This paper reflects on the results from a study that set out to model the behaviour of the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process as it delivers environmental integration. It applied sensitivity analysis to the English SEA system, whilst viewing the SEA process as composed of a complex interaction of individual elements; through ‘inputs and outputs’ underpinned by negative and positive feedback loops that self-regulate the achievement of environmental integration. The study revealed at least five behavioural characteristics at the level of individual elements based on their relative dominance and consequent influence in process activities. At systemic process level, at least three key behavioural tendencies were identified. Overall, the process was poor in self-regulation, hampered by a lack of adequate feedback mechanisms. No single element or group of elements was critical in shaping process response and self-regulation towards delivering a consistent level of environmental integration.

Aquatic hazard, bioaccumulation and screening risk assessment for ammonium 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)-propanoate

The fluoropolymer manufacturing industry is moving to alternative polymerization processing aid technologies with more favorable toxicological and environmental profiles as part of a commitment to curtail the use of long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). To facilitate the environmental product stewardship assessment and premanufacture notification (PMN) process for a candidate replacement chemical, we conducted acute and chronic aquatic toxicity tests to evaluate the toxicity of ammonium 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)-propanoate (C6HF11O3.H3N) or the acid form of the substance to the cladoceran, Daphnia magna, the green alga, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, and a number of freshwater fish species including the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, In addition, testing with the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, was conducted to determine the bioconcentration potential of the acid form of the compound. Based on the relevant criteria in current regulatory frameworks, the results of the aquatic toxicity and bioconcentration studies indicate the substance is of low concern for aquatic hazard and bioconcentration in aquatic organisms. Evaluation of environmental monitoring data in conjunction with the predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) based on the available data suggest low risk to aquatic organisms.