EIA practices & techniques

Outline

1. Techniques for identifying and displaying

predicted impacts
◦ Checklists, matrices, network diagrams,
overlays, effects table.
2. Determining impact significance
3. Choosing a preferred alternative
4. Review of EIA quality
Techniques used to investigate the
potential impacts of the proposed
development?
1. Techniques for identifying and
displaying predicted impacts
 Checklists

simple checklists – aspects of the

environment that may be affected by a
proposed development.

scaled checklists – scaling of impacts –

strongly positive to strongly negative
 Matrices

Simple matrix - aspects of the environment

vs. components of the development.

Leopold Matrix - as above, adding

magnitude and importance of the impact.
 Network Diagrams

Chain of impacts from each major project

action.
 Overlays

Overlaying impacts on transparency sheets

or GIS.
Density of colour or shading indicates
relative impact of a project on a particular
geographic area
2. Determining impact significance

Existing standards

Formal determination of significance

◦ heritage listing
◦ Endangered species listing
Significance = consequence x likelihood
 Assign ‘level of consequence’ to each environmental
impact

Consequence Category Ranking

Catastrophic 5
Major 4
Moderate 3
Minor 2
Negligible 1
None 0
Positive +
Then assign likelihood

Category Ranking Definition

Certain 5 The activity will occur under
normal operational
conditions.
Very Likely 4 Very likely to occur under
normal operating conditions
Likely 3 Likely to occur at some time
under normal operating
conditions
Unlikely 2 Unlikely to but may occur at
some time during normal
operating conditions
Very Unlikely 1 Very unlikely to occur under
normal operating conditions,
but may occur under
exceptional circumstances.
Significance

Consequence x Likelihood Significance

>16 Critical

9-16 High

6-8 Medium

2-5 Low

<2 Negligible
Lily Lake Environmental Impact Assessment

 Geographic Extent of Impact

 Impact Rating
 Confidence Rating
 Duration of Impact
 Range of Uncertainty in Impact Rating
 Impact Rating

 Major – Affecting current land use or entire population of a species.

Decline in use, abundance and/or distribution patterns. Return to
pre-development levels unlikely.

 Moderate – Affect an aspect of current land use or portion of

species population. Change in use, abundance or distribution
patterns, but no change in integrity of land use or a whole
population. Impact may be localized.
 Minor – affecting a specific group of individuals in a
population in a limited area and/or over short period of time
(one generation or less), but no change in current land uses or
integrity of the population.

 Negligible – No measurable effect on population or current

land use as a whole. Affects on current land use or population
or a specific group of individuals in a limited area and/or over
a short period of time – similar to small random changes in the
population due to fluctuations in the environment.
 Delphi Technique

Elicit responses anonymously.

Provides opportunity to reach consensus.

3. Choosing a Preferred Alternative
Comparison of alternatives by using effects
table.
◦ useful summary of impacts

◦ enables comparison and selection of preferred

alternative
o Objectives of EIA review

o Review steps

o Elements of EIA review

o Alberta terms of reference

o Exercise
 Objectives of EIA review

 Assess adequacy and quality of an EIA report.

 Take account of public comment

 Determine if information is sufficient for a final decision to be

made.

 Identify,as necessary, the deficiencies that must be addressed

before the report can be submitted.
 Formal EIA Review

Alberta:
◦ Director of Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation
reviews document and may request additional
information.

Canada:
◦ Responsible authority – screening.
◦ Environment minister – comprehensive study.
◦ Review panel – panel.
 EIA review steps

 Set the scale/depth of the review.

 Select reviewers.

 Use input from public involvement.

 Identify review criteria and aspects to be considered.

 Carry out the review.

 Determine how to remedy any deficiencies.

 Report the findings.

 Elements of EIA review
 Does the report address the terms of reference?
 Is the necessary information provided?
 Is the information correct and technically sound?
 Have the views and concerns of affected and interested
parties been taken into account?
 Is information clearly presented and understandable by
decision-makers and the public?
 Is the information relevant and sufficient for decision-
making and condition setting?
Exercise : Develop a set of criteria to
review an EIA report.
 Summary

 Formal and informal review to ensure quality of EIA

 Review criteria:
◦ Terms of reference
◦ Quality of information
◦ Public/stakeholder views
◦ Presentation of information
◦ Information relevant for decision-making and condition-
setting.