Environmental Impact Assessment Introduction.pptx

EIA Introduction

1. Environmental Impact Assessment – Introduction Dr. K. Pavan Kumar Associate Professor SCALE, VIT University

2. Worst Man Made Disasters of All Time London’s Killer Fog With the advent of industry, London’s population was accustomed to seeing foggy, pollution laden air. In 1952 however, this pollution took a tragic turn. This winter, the weather was cold and residents burned more coal in their fireplaces to alleviate the chill. The smoke laced with sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and soot, and left London encased in a black cloud of near total darkness and killed over 12,000 people.

3. The Al- Mishraq Fire Another of the 10 worst man-made disasters of all time was the Al- Mishraq fire on June 24, 2003. This fire at an Iraqi sulfur plant burned for about a month releasing sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. Sulfur dioxide can kill people by causing respiratory problems and also creates acid rain which destroys crops.

4. Nuclear Power Plant Explosion In Chernobyl Russia On April 26th 1986, the Chernobyl Plant in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic had a major meltdown which resulted in the atmospheric release of radioactive material four hundred times more radioactive than Hiroshima. Since the accident there have been countless children with birth defects, a sickening increase of cancer sufferers and many other health issues as well. It is estimated that the disaster could result in nearly 100,000 fatal cancers, and the area won’t be safe for any activity, including farming for up to 200 years.

5. The Kuwait Oil Fires The Gulf War oil spill is the largest oil spill in history making it one of the 10 worst man-made disasters of all time. In 1991, following the invasion of Kuwait, Hussein sent men in to blow up the Kuwait oil wells. They managed to set over 600 ablaze and these burned for over seven months. The oil spill that resulted from the fires caused considerable environmental damage.

6. The Destruction of Aral Sea The Aral Sea was one of the four largest lakes at one point in time. However, in the 1960’s, the Soviet Union diverted the waters from the rivers that fed the lake to irrigation projects. The sea has now shrunk by 90 percent and the salt and sandstorms that the devastation created kill plant life and have negative consequences for hundreds of miles around.

7. The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill On March 24, 1989, the American oil tanker the Exxon Valdez collided with the Bligh Reef. This created an oil spill with far reaching consequences in the Prince William Sound in Alaska. Over 11 million gallons of oil spilled over nearly 500 miles polluting the coastline. Over a quarter million birds were killed and countless other wildlife. Over 11,000 people aided in the clean up process.

8. The Love Canal In the 1940’s a strange smell enveloped the area around the Love Canal near Niagara Falls. Residents also began to notice an odd seepage leaking into their yards and people began to fall ill. In addition, many women began to have miscarriages and give birth to babies with birth defects. Upon inspection, it was discovered that there was over 21,000 tons of toxic industrial waste buried below the surface of the town by a local company.

9. The Union Carbon Gas Leak, Bhopal, India On the night of December 2, 1984, the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India began to leak methyl isocyanate gas and other poisonous toxins into the atmosphere. Over 500,000 were exposed and there were up to 15,000 deaths at that time. In addition, more than 20,000 people have died since the accident from gas-related diseases.

10. The Three Mile Island Nuclear Explosion In Harrisburg, PA on March 28, 1979, the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor experienced a partial core meltdown. While little radiation was released from the accident thanks to a working containment system, this accident became the rallying call for fears about the nuclear power industry. Livestock deaths, premature deaths and birth defects have been attributed to the nuclear melt-down.

11. Minamata Disease Disaster, Japan In 1956, Chisso Corporation’s industrial wastewater containing methyl mercury was released into Minamata Bay and the Shiranui Sea. The outcome was one of the most damaging pollution diseases – Minamata , in the history of Japan. The disease was caused by severe mercury poisoning that attacks the nervous system. About 2,250 people succumbed as a direct outcome of the pollution event.

12. Necessity of EIA To examine and select the best from the project options available To identify and incorporate into the project plan appropriate abatement and mitigating measures To predict significant reticular environmental impact To determine the significant residual environmental impact predicted To identity the environmental costs and benefits of the project to the community

13. Evolution of EIA EIA as a mandatory regulatory procedure originated in the early 1970s, with the implementation of the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) 1969 in the US A large part of the initial development took place in a few high-income countries, like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (1973-74 ) However, there were some developing countries as well, which introduced EIA relatively early - Columbia (1974), Philippines (1978 )   The EIA process really took off after the mid-1980s. In 1989, the World Bank adopted EIA for major development projects, in which a borrower country had to undertake an EIA under the Bank's supervision

14. Evolution and History of EIA Phase Development of EIA  Pre-1970  Project review based on the technical/engineering and economic analysis . Limited consideration given to environmental consequences . Early/mid – 1970s  EIA introduced by NEPA in 1970 in US.Basic principle: Guidelines, procedures including public participation requirement instituted. Standard methodologies for impact analysis developed (e.g. matrix, checklist and network). Canada, Australia and New Zealand became the first countries to follow NEPA in 1973-1974. Unlike Australia, which legislated EIA, Canada and New Zealand established administrative procedures. Major public inquires help shape the process's development .

15. Phase Development of EIA Late 1970 and early 1980s  More formalised guidance.Other industrial and developing countries introduced formal EIA requirements (France, 1976; Philippines, 1977), began to use the process informally or experimentally ( Netherlands, 1978) or adopted elements, such as impact statements or reports, as part of development applications for planning permission (German states [lander], Ireland). Use of EA by developing countries (Brazil, Philippines, China, Indonesia) Strategic Environment Assessment  (SEA), risk analysis included in EA processes. Greater emphasis on ecological modelling, prediction and evaluation methods. Provision for public involvement. Coordination of EA with land use planning processes .   Mid 1980s to end of decade  In Europe, EC Directive on EIA establishes basic principle and procedural requirements for all member states . Increasing efforts to address cumulative effects. World Bank and other leading international aid agencies establish EA requirements. Spread of EIA process in Asia.

16. 1990s  Requirement to consider trans-boundary effects under Espoo convention. Increased use of GIS and other information technologies. Sustainability principal and global issues receive increased attention. India also adopted the EIA formally.   Formulation of EA legislation by many developing countries. Rapid growth in EA training.   Source: International Study of the Effectiveness of Environmental Assessment, final report, Environmental assessment in a changing world, Prepared by Barry Sadler, June 1996.   [1]Definition of SEA: Policy tool to assess the environmental consequences of development policies, plans and programmes [ 2]Definition of risk assessment: An instrument for estimating the probability of harm occurring from the presence of dangerous conditions or materials at a project site. Risk represents the likelihood and significance of a potential hazard being realized

17. History of EIA In India The Indian experience with Environmental Impact Assessment began over 20 years back. It started in 1976-77 when the Planning Commission asked the Department of Science and Technology to examine the river-valley projects from an environmental angle. This was subsequently extended to cover those projects, which required the approval of the Public Investment Board. Till 1994, environmental clearance from the Central Government was an administrative decision and lacked legislative support .

18. On 27 January 1994, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MEF), Government of India, under the Environmental (Protection) Act 1986, promulgated an EIA notification making Environmental Clearance (EC) mandatory for expansion or modernisation of any activity or for setting up new projects listed in Schedule 1 of the notification. Since then there have been 12 amendments made in the EIA notification of 1994.  The MoEF recently notified new EIA  legislation in September 2006. The notification makes it mandatory for various projects such as mining, thermal power plants, river valley, infrastructure (road, highway, ports, harbours and airports) and industries including very small electroplating or foundry units to get environment clearance.

19. However, unlike the EIA Notification of 1994, the new legislation has put the onus of clearing projects on the state government depending on the size/capacity of the project . Certain activities permissible under the Coastal Regulation Zone Act, 1991 also require similar clearance. Additionally , donor agencies operating in India like the World Bank and the ADB have a different set of requirements for giving environmental clearance to projects that are funded by them.

20. EIA Process in India