Methods of Impact Identification, Prediction and

Significance of Impacts
Matrices for Impact Identification
There are several types of matrices used in Impact Identification in EIA. The simple
matrix refers to a display of project actions or activities along one axis, with appropriate
environmental factors listed along the other axis of the matrix. When a given action or
activity is anticipated to cause a change in an environmental factor, this is noted at the
intersection point in the matrix and can be further described in terms of magnitude and
important considerations. Many variations of the interaction matrix have been utilized in
EIA. The following table is the illustration of simple matrix.

Interaction matrix used in IEE Process

Operation

Socio-economic

Biological

Physical

Climate
Hydrology
Water Quality/Water Source
Geology/Soil
Topography
Air and Noise
Forest
Wildlife
Aquatic Life
Biodiversity

Education
Economy
Gardener Issues
Institutions
Culture
Population
Health
Land use

Water Sharing

Canal

Culverts

Access road

Intake

Pump House

Disilting Basin

Embankment

Excavation

River Training

Water Source

Workforce Camp

Site Clearance

Survey

Delineation

Land acquisition

Resources

Remarks

Maintenance

Construction

Water users Group

Pre-construction
Project Activity

a) Leopold Matrix (LM)

This method was developed by Leopold et al. (1971), and it has been used for the
identification of impacts. It involves the use of a matrix with 100 specified actions and 88
environmental items. In constructing the matrix, each action and its potentiality for
creating an impact on each environmental item must be considered. Where an impact is
anticipated, the matrix is marked with a diagonal line in the interaction box. The second
step in using the Leopold Matrix is to describe the interaction in terms of its magnitude
(M) in the upper section and importance (I) in the lower section of each box.
The magnitude of an interaction or impact is represented by numerical scale; it is
described by the assignment of a numerical value from one to ten. The value, ten
represents the largest magnitude and the value, one represents the lowest magnitude,
whereas values near five represent impacts of intermediate magnitude. Assignment of a
numerical value for the magnitude of an interaction is related to the extent of any change
(for example, if noise levels in a village were expected to increase by 20 dB(A), this is a
large increase at night and may score 8 or even 9). The scale of importance also ranges
from one to ten. The higher the value, the higher the importance; the lower the value, the
lower the importance. Assignment of a numerical value for importance is based on the
subjective judgement of the multi-disciplinary team working on the EIA. Plus (+) or
minus (-) can be used to show whether an impact is beneficial or adverse.
b) Modified Graded Matrix (MGM)
Lohani and Thanh (1980) used another grading system in which relative weights are
assigned to each development activity. If the relative priority of development activity is
determined, the total value of a particular activity is the sum of the vertical column
represented by that in the matrix, multiplied by the priority value. Finally, the total value
of all the interactions is the sum of all horizontal values in the matrix. This method is
particularly helpful in identifying major activities and in defining areas where attention is
mostly needed in the process of analysis.
c) Impact Summary Matrix (ISM)
An impact summary matrix can clearly identify the potential impact areas, predict the
impact severity, specify the corresponding mitigation measures, and help in identification
of agencies responsible for implementing mitigation measures. This kind of matrix is
simple, covers all the aspects, and provides a complete overview of EIA in summary form.
Additionally, it provides an easy guide for decision-makers.

An Example of a Matrix, showing Magnitude and Significance of Predicted Impacts on a Scale of 1 to 10

(Leopold methods and Methods from Lohani and Thanh)

I
Priority
Value

Propose
Action

Immigration
Resources

10

Health

Dam
Construction

Reservoir
Filling

Heavy
Metal
Discharge

Growth of
Aquatic
Weeds

of Labour
5

4
8

Transmission line

Biodiversity

Archaological Artifacts

8
3

7
3
6

Tourism

Downstream Water Pollution

1680

5
7

14
5

14
6

2
8

16
4
8

Fishery

4
5

Navigation

Aquatic Plants

6
9

20
14

Lohani & Thanh

64

7
24

103

42
47
286

30
6

11

6
42

30
5

6
Leopold Method

180
10

5
2

24
2

5
1

224
7

2
9

565
19

Social and Economic Aspects

Forestry

504
12

7
3

616
14

608
22

12

7
4

24

8
6

Lohani &
Thanh

35

8
6

Total
Leopold
Method

4
7

Relocation
of Inhabitants

11
23

67

8
11

61

7
56

Environmental Impact Summary Matrix of Arun III Hydropower Project Part of

Impact Summary Matrix

Resources/Project Activity

Impact

Impact Prediction

Mitigation

Magnitude

Extent

Duration

Responsibility

Microclimate
1. Reservoir operation

Changes in temperature
humidity

None required (see text),

2. Vegetation/forest
removal

Change in temperature
humidity

Protection of vegetation on southfacing slope

HMG

Avoid or minimise to absolutely

necessary extent dump sites in
forested area;

JV/Contractor

Replace adit road with shorter

roads;

DOR/SWK;
JV/Contractor

Combine adit and powerhouse

construction camps;

DOR/SWK

Evaluate alternatives to dam sites

access road;

JV/Contractor

Implement ground cover/erosion

protection/ revegetation measures.
Air Quality
1. Vehicle emissions

Increase of air pollution;

possible health hazard

Reduce travel distances by placing

construction camps close to work
areas;

JV/Contractor

replace adit road with shorter areas;

Eliminate spoil dumps and
associated travel to the extent
possible;

2. Road dust

3. Indirect Impacts

Increase of airborne dust

during dry season

DOR/SWK
JV/Contractor

Engines to comply with

international standards for exhaust
gases;

Contractor

Maintenance of engines and

exhaust gas check;

Contractor

Dust control with water in dry

season,

Contractor

Reduce distances between camps

and work areas:

JV/Contractor

Black top heavily used area:

Contractor

Breathing protection;

Contractor

Finflux of 2-3000 job

seekers and small
entrepreneurs; uncontrolled
settlement

Regulation of settlement on public

and private land.

HMG

Loss of arable land

Intensity production on remaining

land;

HMG/Project

Reclaim arable land after

construction;

JV/Contractor

Control deforestation:

HMG

Forest conservation and

development programme.

HMG/Project

Socio-Economic and
Cultural
1. Project Construction

Loss of forest resources

Displacement of approx.
144 families; interruption of
normal farming activities

Minimise project and requirements;

JV/Contractor

Compensation and rehabilitation

programme;

Requirement of additional
food for local people,
workforce and immigrants

Requirement of additional
fuel supplies

Disruption of traditional
social and cultural patterns
by large-scale immigration

Intensify production on remaining

land;

HMG/Project

Provide skill training for

employment on construction.

Contractor

Encourage production of crops and

livestock products for sale to
workforce and other outlets;

HMG/Project

Contractor to provide logistics for

his workforce.

JV/Contractor

Contractor to provide kerosene and

electricity to workforce, limit use of
local fuelwood.

Contractor

Prohibit unauthorised felling of

trees and use of open fire;

JV/Contractor

Forestry development programme

HMG/Project

Training and strengthening of the

capacity of VDCs

HMG/Project

Limited work contracts for nonindigenous labour.

JV/Contractor

Key
Magnitude

Extent

H = High
M = Moderate
L = Low

L = Local
R = Regional
N = National

Duration
L = Long-term (over 20 years)
M = Medium-term(Over 10 years)
S = Short-term (Below 10 years)

I = International NEA = Nepal Electricity Authority

JV = Joint Venture Arun III

DOR = Department of Road
SWK = Scot Wilson Kirkpatrick (Road
Consultant)
HMG = His Majestys Government of Nepal