Transactions on Ecology and the Environment vol 18, 1998 WIT Press, www.witpress.

com, ISSN 1743-3541

A New EIA Method Applied on Coastal

Reclamation Projects
Kurt Jensen, Hanne K. Bach & Christopher M.R. Pastakia
VKI Institute for the Water Environment, 11 Agern A lie, DK-
2970 Horsholm, Denmark
e-mail: kje@vki.dk, hkb@vki.dk & cmp@vki.dk

Abstract

A system called Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) has been developed
to organise Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). RIAM brings together the
individual multi-disciplinary parts of an EIA in a transparent and semi-
quantitative manner. RIAM allows a holistic and coherent anticipation of
problems, and can assist in the repeated assessment of alternatives and project
details during the planning phase.
In coastal regions, numerical models are also important tools in the impact
assessment process. Some advantages are provided by the combined use of the
RIAM and the MIKE21 model system. RIAM defines the important assessment
criteria and environmental components as well as a means by which values for
each of these criteria can be collated to provide an accurate and independent
score for each condition. The MIKE21 model supplies the scientific base for the
assessment, evaluating the physical, chemical and ecological impacts of project
activities.
RIAM, and MIKE models for hydrography, water quality and ecology, have
been used in a dredging and reclamation project in Sabah, Malaysia. The result
of the RIAM analysis in combination with MIKE modelling gave a direct
quantification of the benefits and disadvantages of different designs of the
reclamation options. This combination strongly facilitated the minimisation of
environmental impact and the future decision making.
 Transactions on Ecology and the Environment vol 18, 1998 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541

34 Environmental Coastal Regions

1 Introduction

The completion of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a

generally accepted precondition for the acceptance and initiation of
projects, internationally and nationally*'*'*. The term EIA refers to a
variety of analyses embracing pure technical and scientific problems as
well as social, economic or cultural issues.
EIAs can only be an integral part of the environmental management if
they are included in the planning process, and used to chose between
different project options to minimise the negative effects (a process
which is called environmental optimisation),
EIAs are often accused of being pure approvals of any disturbance of
the environment, based as they are on a number of subjective, qualitative
judgements. The number of options that can be analysed, and the
accuracy of the EIA analyses increase significantly if predictive
mathematical models can be used. The RIAM concept* offers a good tool
to include and compare results from numerical modelling as well as pure
subjective judgements.

Figure 1: The study project, a tourist island reclamation project along

the west coast of Sabah, Malaysia. Left: original design;
right: final design.

The paper summarises the RIAM concept, and shows how the RIAM
analysis and the EIA process benefit from the predictive data from the
 Transactions on Ecology and the Environment vol 18, 1998 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541

Environmental Coastal Regions 35

mathematical models. Details of the rationale behind the design options

or of the choice of components (scoping) are not discussed in this paper.
The study project considers the plans for a land reclamation project
along the north-western shores of Sabah, Borneo.
Seaward construction projects of this type that include dredging and
reclamation strongly influence the marine environment. In the
construction phase sediment spill and discharges may negatively
influence the adjacent biotopes. The final construction may change
currents and waves, the dilution pattern of present discharges, and may
add new sources of discharge. The initial project and the final project
emerging from the planning and EIA processes are outlined in figure 1.

2 Methods

2.1 Numerical Models

Numerical models are powerful tools for analysing and forecasting the
environmental effects of construction works. In the study of the Sabah
reclamation project the numerical hydrodynamic model system MIKE21
has been applied for the advection/dispersion, the water quality and the
eutrophication modules^.

2.2 RIAM

EIA faces the problem of having to compare and present results of

analyses ranging from wholly subjective judgements of cultural
properties with objective scientific analyses. A conceptual and
mathematically simple, sem-qualitative system called the Rapid Impact
Assessment Matrix (RIAM)* has been developed to organise EIA. The
RIAM method brings together the individual multi-disciplinary parts of
an EIA. It keeps transparent control of the components in a distinct semi-
quantitative manner allowing direct comparison of different problems,
and above all it allows a holistic and coherent anticipation of problems.

2.3 Components

The process of defining the issues, or components, which are of

importance in evaluating the possible changes due development, is called
scoping. In the RIAM these components are considered in a holistic
manner and fall into four groups. These groups represent the issues
relating to the Physical/Chemical environment (P/C); those relating to
 Transactions on Ecology and the Environment vol 18, 1998 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541

36 Environmental Coastal Regions

Biological/Ecological (B/E) concerns; human issues defined as

Social/Cultural (S/C); and issues dealing with the Economic/Operational
(E/O) aspects of development.

2.4 Criteria

In the RIAM analyses, all problems are analysed according to five

characteristic criteria. Two criteria relate to properties that are of singular
importance to the condition, and three criteria to properties that are of
value to the situation.
The first type of criteria is: the importance of the condition, which is
assessed against the spatial boundaries or human interests it will affect;
and the magnitude, which is defined as a measure of the scale of
benefit/dis-benefit of an impact of a condition.
For the importance of condition (I) the scale is defined as:

4= important to national/international interests

3= important to regional/national interests
2= important to areas immediately outside the local condition
1 = important only to the local condition
0= no importance

For the magnitude of a change or effect (M) the scale is defined as:

+3 = major positive benefit

4-2 = significant improvement in status quo
4-1 = improvement in status quo
0= no change/status quo
-1 = negative change to status quo
-2 = significant negative dis-benefit or change
-3 = major dis-benefit or change

Criteria that are of value to the situation are defined as permanence,

reversibility and cumulative properties.
Permanence defines whether a condition is temporary or permanent,
e.g. an embankment is a permanent condition even if it may one day be
breached or abandoned, whilst a coffer dam is a temporary condition, as
it will be removed.
Reversibility defines whether the condition can be changed and is a
measure of the control over the effect of the condition. For example an
accidental oil spill in the sea has irreversible effects such as death of birds
while oil discharge from a refinery is a reversible condition because
 Transactions on Ecology and the Environment vol 18, 1998 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541

Environmental Coastal Regions 37

effect of its effluent can be changed (through effluent control), even

though the refinery itself is permanent condition.
Cumulative property is a measure of whether the effect will have a
single direct impact or whether there will be an accumulated effect over
time, or a synergistic effect with other conditions. For example, the
change of certain snails from females to males due to some anti-fouling
substances is cumulative in addition to being permanent and irreversible,
since it hampers the reproduction of the species and affects future
generations of snails.

Table 1: The scale used for the criteria that are of value to the
situation
Score Permanent (P) Reversible (R) Cumulative (C)
1 no change/not applicable
2 temporary reversible non-cumulative/single
3 permanent irreversible cumulative/synergistic

Table 2: Range Bands usedfor RIAM

RIAM Range Range
Environ- Value Value Description of Range Band
mental (RS) (RS)
Score (ES) (Alpha- (Nu-
betic) meric)

108 to 72 E 5 Major positive change/impact

71 to 36 D 4 Significant positive
change/impact
35 to 19 C 3 Moderate positive change/impact
10 to 18 B 2 Positive change/impact
1 to 9 A 1 Slight positive change/impact
0 N 0 No change/Status quo/Not
applicable
-1 to -9 -A -1 Slight negative change/impact
-10to-18 -B -2 Negative change/impact
-19 to -35 -C -3 Moderate negative change/impact
-36 to -71 -D -4 Significant negative
change/impact
-72 to -108 -E -5 Major negative change/impact
 Transactions on Ecology and the Environment vol 18, 1998 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541

38 Environmental Coastal Regions

2.5 Score and range system

The assessment of the different problems that have been selected for
evaluation by the scoping process gives a value ascribed (by the assessor)
to each of these criteria. By the use of a simple formula a score (the
environmental score) for the individual components can be calculated:

ES = I*M*(P+R+C).

To use the evaluation system described, a matrix of cells showing the

criteria used, set against each defined component, is produced for each
project option. See the example for the final chosen option in table 3.
Within each cell the individual criterion score is set down. From the
formulae given above each ES number is calculated and recorded. To
provide a more certain system of assessment, the individual ES scores are
banded together into ranges where they can be compared. The ranges
cover impacts from a major positive change/impact (+5/E) to similarly
negative effect (-5/-E). Conditions that have neither importance nor
magnitude will score a zero and be banded together (0/N); and any
condition in this band is either of no importance or represents the status
quo, or a non-applicable situation.
For the arguments for the score system and its transcription into range
bands, see Pastakia/

3 Results

Model calculations of water quality are shown in figures 2, 3 and 4.

Primary production is chosen to illustrate model results. Figure 2 shows
the situation prior to any development plan for the Sabah coast. There is a
pattern of primary production that is mainly determined by the supply of
nutrients by the adjacent river Tuaran, and the penetration of light that is
impeded by suspended matter from the river. Figure 3 shows the
prediction after the construction of the reclamation, where the pattern of
primary production is changed due to the reclamation and the predicted
future loads from the river. Figure 4 illustrates the difference in primary
production between the predicted future load and the present baseline
situation. Based on those three model runs the extent of the impact of the
proposed construction on primary production can be assessed.
Though model runs may use days of computer time it is comparatively
easy recalculate different scenarios in the process of minimising the
environmental effects by change of design etc.
 Transactions on Ecology and the Environment vol 18, 1998 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541

Environmental Coastal Regions 39

The results of the model calculations together with many other types
of information form the basis for the RIAM matrix of the same
development project. It should be emphasised that the zero effect, which
forms the comparative baseline for the assessment is the "do nothing"
situation. The RAIM matrix is shown in table 3, and the result of the
RIAM analysis is summarised in a histogram (Figure 5).

prim. prod. gC/m2/d

130-
615 620 625 6JO 6J5 MO 645 650 655 660

Figure 2: Primary production, modelling of present situation during

south-west monsoon in a 333 metre grid (g C/nfVd).

Discussion

For an EIA to be of optimal value, the assessment should be undertaken

early in the planning stages on relevant aspects of the project. This
suggests that the EIA should influence the final design and the
implementation process of the project. In order to be able to do so,
reassessments must be possible at short intervals and use relatively few
resources.
 Transactions on Ecology and the Environment vol 18, 1998 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541

40 Environmental Coastal Regions

(Gridspocmg .33.3.3 m)

prim. prod. gC/m2/d

|I xw.
0.4 --0.6
I| 0.2
01-02 0406
| Btow 01
620 625 6JO 635 WO 645 650 655 660

Figure 3: Primary production, modelling of future situation during

south-west monsoon in a 125 metre grid (g C/nf/d).

(Gridspocing 125 m)

- 80

prim. prod. gC/m2/d

Kbov* 0606
04 -- 04
02
0.1 -
Beto 0.102
150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250

Figure 4: Primary production, modelling of the change between

present and future situations caused by discharges outside
the reclamation during south-west monsoon in a 333
metre grid (g C/nf/d).
 Transactions on Ecology and the Environment vol 18, 1998 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541

Environmental Coastal Regions 41

The RIAMmatrix.
ES RS I M P R C
PCI C'oastal morplilology -28 -C 2 -2 3 3 1
PC2 Flydrau lie con ditions -7 -A 1 -1 3 3 1
PCS VVater c uality -7 -A 1 -1 3 2 2
PC4 Ebctrem<3 events (natu ral dis asters) 0 N 1 0 3 3 1
PC5 Borrow mater al -20 -C 2 -2 2 2 1
PC6 Persiste nt subs>tances -14 -B 2 -1 3 2 2
BE1 Cloral re efs -27 -C 3 -1 3 3 3
BE2 Nlangroves 0 N 3 0 2 2 2
BE3 Seagras s beds 0 N 2 0 2 2 2
BE4 Endang ered sp>ecies -24 -C 3 -1 3 2 3
BE5 Eutroph icatiori 0 N 2 0 3 2 2
BE6 Terrestr ial eco systeiris -27 -C 3 -1 3 3 3
BE7 Soft hottomm acrozo obenth OS -9 -A 1 -1 3 3 3
SCI Aicsthet ic and cultura 1 value> -18 -B 1 -2 3 3 3
SC2 liicome 14 B 2 1 2 2 3
SC3 Fishery and ac uaculture -8 -A 1 -1 2 3 3
SC4 FlousingI and squatter devel opmen t -14 -B 1 -2 2 2 3
SC5 C ost of living -36 -D 2 -2 3 3 3
SC6 R.ecreat lonal v alue 64 D 4 2 3 2 3
SC7 Employ ment 28 C 2 2 2 2 3
SC8 Public lilealth zind safety 0 N 3 0 1 1
EO1 Itifrastnicture 36 D 2 2 3 3 3
EO2 Nlainten ance -14 -B 2 -1 3 3 1
EOS IUtilities 16 B 2 1 3 2 3
E04 ISfavigat ion 7 A 1 1 3 3 1
EOS Custom er base 21 C 3 1 2 2 3
EO6 R egionail econ omy 63 D 3 S 2 2 3
EOT Qtuarrie. 21 C 3 1 2 2 3
EOS Itivestm entCo mpetit ion -36 -D 3 -2 2 2 2
Class -E -D -C -B -A N A B C D E
PC 0 0 2 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0
BE 0 0 3 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0
SC 0 1 0 2 1 1 0 1 1 1 0
EO 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 2 2 0
Total 0 2 5 4 4 5 1 2 3 3 0
 Transactions on Ecology and the Environment vol 18, 1998 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541

42 Environmental Coastal Regions

-D -C -B -A

PC BE
3

lib
- E - D - C - B -A N A B C D E - E - D - C - B -A N A B C D E

SC EO
3I

- E - D - C - B -A N A B C D E -E -D -^ -B -A" N A B C D E

Figure 5; Histogram showing the result of a RIAM analysis. Letters

refer to numeric range value (table 2), Y-axes show number of com-
ponents. PC-physical/chemical, BE^biological/ecological,
SC= sociological/cultural, and EO=economic/operational components.
 Transactions on Ecology and the Environment vol 18, 1998 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541

Environmental Coastal Regions 43

The direct use of EIAs in the planning process of dredging and

reclamation projects has been reported^'^, but these assessments only
relate to impacts of exclusive parts of the development. A force of RI AM
is that assessments of alternatives and project details can easily be
accomplished and repeated during the planning phase allowing an
iterative planning process to continue (Jensen^, Jensen et al^). The same
applies to the numerical models such as the MIKE21 system. This model
system has been used in numerous assessments of the impact of marine
construction work^.
The combined use of numerical MIKE21 models and the RIAM
system provides some advantages. RIAM defines the important
assessment criteria and environmental components within the project
area, as well as a means by which values for each of these criteria can be
collated to provide an accurate and independent score for each condition.
MIKE modelling supplies the scientific base for parts of the assessment,
so that the impacts of project activities can be evaluated against the
environmental components, on a without/with project basis, as well as
allowing for comparison between different project options.
The assessors are faced with the problem of having to relate very
different problems. How does one compare an assessment of substantial
impact on employment with significant impact on coral reefs? One
cannot do so directly. However, RIAM provides a set of inborn
characteristics that relates to most types of impacts or changes. Applying
those allows a transparent, visual comparison of the results of the
assessment, which more easily aggregate the various negative or positive
impacts in one illustration. The human brain is able to keep a
tremendously high number of complicated pictures in mind. Similarly
RIAM histograms function as a means to contain much information in
one file (picture) helping to compare and chose between different
solutions.

Acknowledgements
The authors wish to express their thanks to project participants C. Heang
Knudsen, Tom M. Foster, Karsten Mangor, Dan B. Hasl0v and Sidsel M.
Dyekjer for their contribution to provide information needed for this paper, and
to Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Sabah, for financing the project.

References

[l]Pastakia, C.M.R., The Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) - A

New Tool for Environmental Impact Assessment. Environmental
Impact Assessment Using the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix
 Transactions on Ecology and the Environment vol 18, 1998 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541

44 Environmental Coastal Regions

(RIAM), ed. K. Jensen, Olsen & Olsen, Fredensborg, Denmark, pp. 8-

19,1998.

[2] Warren, I.R. & Bach, H.K., MIKLE21: a modelling system for
estuaries, coastal waters and seas. Environmental Software, 7, pp. 229-
240,1992.

[3]CEU (Council of the European Union), Council Directive on the

assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment. Official Journal of the European Communities, Dir.
97/1 I/EC, 1997.

[4] World Bank, Environmental Screening, Environmental Assessment

Sourcebook Update No. 2, Environmental Department, World Bank,
Washington D.C., 1993.

[5] Jensen, A., Environmental Impact Assessment of Halong City

Sanitation Project, Vietnam. Environmental Impact Assessment Using
the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM), ed. K. Jensen, Olsen &
Olsen, Fredensborg, Denmark, pp. 8-19, 1998.

[6] Jensen, K., Bach, H.K., Knudsen, C.H., Foster, T.M., Mangor, K. &
Hasl0v, D.B., Initial Impact Evaluation of a Tourist Development
Project in Malaysia. Environmental Impact Assessment Using the
Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM), ed. K. Jensen, Olsen &
Olsen, Fredensborg, Denmark, pp. 8-19, 1998.

[7]Jensen, K., M011er, J. & Randl0v, A., An environmental impact

assessment of the construction of bridges and tunnels across the
0resund. Proc. 12th. BMBSymp. Int. Symp. Ser., pp. 87-90, 1992.

[8] Department of the Environment, A Handbook of El A Guidelines.

Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia. 1995

[9]Ursic, A., Environmental impact assessment: an easy task or a

demanding challenge. Proc. 3rd EIA Conf. Praha, pp. 64-69, 1996.

[10] Poulsen, K.M., Environmental Optimization of the Great Belt and

0resund Links. 1ABSE Journal, 5, pp. 87-90, 1995.