Eia and its process

Environmental Impact Assessment

1. Prepared by: Manoj Sharma Msc.Ag ( Agri - Economics) Agriculture and Forestry Univesity EIA and IT’S PROCESS 1 AFU

2. What is EIA ? A study of the effects of a proposed project, plan or program on the environment Sadler, B. 1996. “ Environmental impact assessment is a process of identifying, predicting, evaluating, and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of proposed projects and physical activities prior to major decisions and commitments being made ” 2 AFU

3. History of EIA USA: first nation to start EIA ( National Environmental Policy Act , 1970) Formalization and extension through UN conference on the Environment in Stockholm , 1972 3 AFU

4. EIA in Nepal Sixth Five Year Plan (1980-1985) - first mentioned the need for EIA for major infrastructure projects Eighth Five Year Plan (1991-1995) – need of EIA at the stage of feasibility study National EIA Guideline, September 1992 and gazette in July 1993 4 AFU

5. EIA process Scoping Impact analysis Reporting Review Decision making Monitoring A brief statement of environmental issues Determine: Whether environmental effects are significant OR, M itigation measures can be adopted Phase I Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Phase II Environmental Impact Studies (EIS) or simply EIA If it provides definite solution NO EIA If needed Screening 5 AFU

6. Screening Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) EIA Not Required EIA Required Monitoring EIA Audit and Evaluation IEE Review Scoping/ Terms of Reference Full-Scale EIA Evaluate Options EIA Not Approved EIA Review Decision Making EIA Approved A flowchart of EIA Process 6 AFU

7. Screening No all development projects require an EIA, as some projects may not pose an environmental threat Screening is the process used to determine Whether an proposed project or activity requires an EIA and, If so, what level of environmental review is necessary Phase I 7 AFU

8. IEE The output of the screening process - Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Actually, a low-cost environmental evaluation that makes use of information already available Possible IEE outcomes: full or comprehensive EIA required, Limited EIA required, and no EIA required Phase I 8 AFU

9. IEE Flow chart……. 1. Identify Potential Significant Environmental Issues 2. Obtain Information 3. Effects Classification/ Identification of Significant Environmental Issues (SEIs) 4. Resolve SEIs Where Possible (Review Alternatives/Develop Environmental Management Plans and Protection Measures) The IEE makes recommendations for further study: Full-Scale EIA IEE is the final EIA Report 5. Are all SEIs resolved? YES NO 9 AFU

10. Screening Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) EIA Not Required EIA Required Monitoring EIA Audit and Evaluation IEE Review Scoping/ Terms of Reference Full-Scale EIA Evaluate Options EIA Not Approved EIA Review Decision Making EIA Approved 10 AFU

11. Scoping A process of interaction between government agencies and project proponents A stage for members of the public or NGOs to learn about a proposed project and to voice their opinions Identifies the key issues and impacts to be considered Lays the foundation of an effective process, saves time and money, and reduces conflict Establish terms of reference (TOR) for EIA study Phase II 11 AFU

12. Terms of Reference contents: Project Description (i.e., type, magnitude, location, alternatives and constraints) Environmental Setting (i.e., delineation of study area, listing of environmental resources and sensitive or special value areas) Background Reports (e.g., aspects of the environmental setting, previous projects with relevant impacts or resources) 12 AFU

13. . Screening Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) EIA Not Required EIA Required Monitoring EIA Audit and Evaluation IEE Review Scoping/ Terms of Reference Full-Scale EIA Evaluate Options EIA Not Approved EIA Review Decision Making EIA Approved 13 AFU

14. Impact analysis and Prediction Criteria for impact Possibilities Type biophysical, social, health or economic Nature direct or indirect, cumulative, etc. Magnitude or severity high, moderate, low Extent local, regional, trans-boundary or global Timing immediate/long term Duration temporary/permanent Uncertainty low likelihood/high probability Reversibility reversible/irreversible Significance unimportant/important Phase II 14 AFU

15. Cont… Tools used for impact analysis Checklists Matrices Networks Overlays and geographical information systems (GIS) Expert systems Professional judgment 15 AFU

16. Mitigation and impact management To avoid, minimize or offset predicted adverse impacts Different approaches for Impact management: Avoid Replace Reduce Restore Compensate Phase II 16 AFU

17. Reporting Different Names for Report: Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA Report, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Environmental Statement (ES) Phase II 17 AFU

18. The content of report: A description of the project, Alternatives of mitigation management, A description of the aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the proposed project, Measures to prevent, reduce and possibly offset adverse environmental effects, An indication of any difficulties (technical deficiencies or lack of know-how) encountered while compiling the required information 18 AFU

19. Screening Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) EIA Not Required EIA Required Monitoring EIA Audit and Evaluation IEE Review Scoping/ Terms of Reference Full-Scale EIA Evaluate Options EIA Not Approved EIA Review Decision Making EIA Approved 19 AFU

20. Review To establish if the information in an EIA report is sufficient for decision-making EIA review methods involves general checklists, project specific checklists, review packages , expert and accredited reviewers, public hearings, extended review frameworks etc. Phase II 20 AFU

21. Decision making A decision to approve or reject a proposed project Possible decision outcome; Approval Approval with conditions Approval subject to ongoing investigation Further investigation required Request for a supplementary, or new, EIA report Rejection Ministry of Forest and Environment: Report approval of EIA and environmental auditing 21 AFU

22. Screening Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) EIA Not Required EIA Required Monitoring EIA Audit and Evaluation IEE Review Scoping/ Terms of Reference Full-Scale EIA Evaluate Options EIA Not Approved EIA Review Decision Making EIA Approved 22 AFU

23. Monitoring An important part of project implementation Monitoring serves mainly three purposes: Ensuring that required mitigation measures are being implemented, Evaluating whether mitigation measures are working effectively, Validating the accuracy of models or projections that were used during the impact assessment process Phase II 23 AFU

24. Screening Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) EIA Not Required EIA Required Monitoring EIA Audit and Evaluation IEE Review Scoping/ Terms of Reference Full-Scale EIA Evaluate Options EIA Not Approved EIA Review Decision Making EIA Approved 24 AFU

25. EIA Audit Determine impacts Check that conditions arising from EIA are being met Test accuracy of EIA predictions Identify areas where EIA could have been improved Compile lessons learned for future EIAs Phase II 25 AFU

26. CONCLUDING THOUGHTS The integration of environment into development planning is the most important tool in achieving sustainable development. Thinks to be remember: The EIA process should be adaptive. The EIA process needs to be inclusive and transparent. The process should not be seen as an administrative task. 26 AFU

27. Thank You 27 AFU