introductiontoenvironmentalimpactassessment-220404221035.pptx

introductiontoenvironmentalimpactassessment-220404221035.pptx

1. Environmental Impact Assessment Course Code: WSEE – 5193 Credit Hour:2-0-2 P repared by: Yetnayet A. ( Msc .) 9/8/2024 1

2. Course Learning Objectives At the end of this course students should be able to: B ecome familiar with the concept and principles of EIA Define and state the purpose of EIA Specify the benefit of EIA U nderstand the need for environmental assessment K now mitigation measure for environmental impacts Prepare an impact assessment of a given project proposal 9/8/2024 2

3. Introduction Water Resources Projects are modern temples of the country and the sign posts of development. Even in the ancient days the prosperity of any kingdom was measured in terms of its wealth of water resources structures . By providing assured water supply for irrigation, municipal and industrial requirements, production of hydroelectric power and many more purposes, the water resources projects contributed significantly towards the improvement in the standard of living and quality of life for millions of the country . 9/8/2024 3

4. Cont…. Water resources projects bring in an immense benefits with an adverse impacts on environment . Environmental problems can vary from the direct effects of the pollution of waterways and the air, through to indirect effects such as health problems caused by changes. 9/8/2024 4

5. Cont…. Some environmental problems may appear to be insignificant when considered within an individual proposal but might have adverse consequences if the effects of all such proposals are added together (cumulative effects ). Many of these impacts are manageable if proper measures are taken at the planning and implementing stage. 9/8/2024 5

6. Introduction In order to manage such large scale environmental problems and to provide an opportunity to mitigate against negative impacts and enhance positive impacts, the environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure was developed. 9/8/2024 6

7. Introduction Definitions: EIA may be defined as: A formal process to predict the environmental consequences of human development activities and to plan appropriate measures to eliminate or reduce adverse effects and to augment positive effects. (FAO definition) A process used to identify and predict the impact on the environment and on man's health and well­being of legislative proposals, policies, programs, projects and operational procedures, and to interpret and communicate information about the impacts. (Munn,1979) 9/8/2024 7

8. Cont… A technique and a process by which information about the environmental effects of a project is collected, both by the developer and from other sources, and taken into account by the planning authority in forming their judgments on whether the development should go ahead. (UK DoE,1989) Based on the above definitions, one can observe that EIA has three basic functions: • To predict problems, • To find ways to avoid them , and • To enhance positive effects . 9/8/2024 8

9. Cont…. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): is a tool used to identify the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project prior to decision making . It aims to:- P redict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design, F ind ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, S hape projects to suit the local environment , and P resent the predictions and options to decision makers. 9/8/2024 9

10. Cont… In an updated view, EIA is understood as an integrated part of the planning process devoted to the identification, quantification and qualification of environmental impacts due to the development of a plan or a project as well as the definition of policies and strategies required to monitor and control such impacts. As a planning tool, EIA serves largely to inform interested parties of the likely environmental impacts of a project and its proposed alternatives. 9/8/2024 10

11. Cont… EIA= SCIENCE+ART AS A SCIENCE has to do with the methodologies and techniques for identifying, predicting and evaluating the environmental impacts associated with particular development actions . AS AN ART has to do with those mechanisms for ensuring an environmental analysis of such actions and influencing the decision making process . 9/8/2024 11

12. Environmental parameters time Project initiated ENVIRONMENTAL impact Without project With project 9/8/2024 12

13. Introduction Evolution of EIA: Initial Belief: Initially EIA was seen by some project promoters as a constraint to development but this view is gradually disappearing. Present day understanding: E nvironment and development are complementary and interdependent and EIA is a technique for ensuring that the two are mutually reinforcing. Origin: T he contemporary usage of “environmental impact assessment” has its origins in the US National Policy act of 1969 (NEPA) Cause of Law Enforcement: T he wide spread recognition that some environmental problems in the US resulted from actions by the US government itself. 9/8/2024 13

14. Introduction The most widely known of the law enforcement provisions: “ All agencies of the federal government shall include in every recommendation and report on proposals for legislations and other major federal actions significantly affecting the quality of human environment, a detailed statement by the responsible official.” This detailed statement comes to be called as an ‘Environmental impact statement (EIS) Power of an EIA recommendation: Redesigning some project components Suggest change affecting project viability/practicality Causing delay in project implementation 9/8/2024 14

15. Purpose and objectives of EIA From World Bank Guidelines the main purposes of EIA are as follows: Identify and forecast the possible positive and negative impacts to the environment resulting from a proposed project. Provide for a plan, which up on implementation will reduce the negative impacts of the project resulting in acceptable environmental changes. Assure the level of plan implementation and the degree of effectiveness of the above environmental protection provisions. 9/8/2024 15

16. Significance of EIA: It is an aid to decision-making . For the decision-maker, it provides a systematic examination of the environmental implications of a proposed action, and sometimes alternatives, before a decision is taken. It can be an aid to the formulation of development actions , indicating areas where the project can be modified to minimize or eliminate altogether the adverse impacts on the environment . Underlying such purposes is of course the central role of EIA as one of the in­struments to be used to achieve sustainable development . 9/8/2024 16

17. Significance of EIA: Sustainable development: is development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs . EIA as a means to: P rotect and improve the environmental quality of life to discover and evaluate the effects of activities of humans on the environment- natural and social. It should be treated as, an integral part of project planning EIA does not make decisions , but its findings should be considered in policy and decision making and should be reflected in final choices. 9/8/2024 17

18. Projects, Environment and Impact EIA is relevant to a broad spectrum of development actions, including policies, plans, programs and projects. Characteristics of major projects Substantial capital investment Cover large areas; employ large numbers ( construction and operation) Complex array of organizational links Wide-ranging impacts (geographical and by type) Significant environmental impacts Require special procedures 9/8/2024 18

19. Projects, Environment and Impact The following are ranges of positive influences of EIA on projects: Withdrawal of unsound projects Legitimation of sound projects Selection of improved project locations Reformulation of plans Redefinitions of goals and responsibilities of project proponents. 9/8/2024 19

20. Projects, Environment and Impact The most common positive outcomes of EIA are suggestions for measures needed to mitigate the adverse effects of a proposed plan. ‘ To mitigate’ is to avoid having the damage take place. It is more common to say that mitigation involves one or more of the following: Minimizing adverse effects by scaling down or redesigning projects. ( e.g. adding fish ladder to allow fish to reach spawning ground upstream of a proposed dam). 9/8/2024 20

21. Projects, Environment and Impact Repairing , rehabilitating, or restoring those parts of the environment that are adversely affected by a project. ( e.g replanting native vegetation in area cleared for pipeline installation). Creating or acquiring environments similar to those adversely affected by an action. (e.g. donation of wetlands to a public land trust to compensate for wet lands destroyed by a project) 9/8/2024 21

22. Definitions of Terminology Environment The physical, biological, social, economic, cultural, historical and political factors that surround human beings. It includes both the natural and built environments. It also includes human health and welfare. Impact Any change to the environment or its component that may affect human health or safety, biophysical conditions, or cultural heritage, other physical structure with positive or negative consequences. 9/8/2024 22

23. Definitions of Terminology Cumulative Impact An impact that may in itself not be significant but the combination of one or more impacts that can have a greater effect than the sum of the individual impacts. Environmental Assessment The methodology of identifying and evaluating in advance, any impact positive or negative, which results from the implementation of a proposed action. 9/8/2024 23

24. Group discussion 9/8/2024 24

25. Benefits of conducting EIA Facilitates informed decision making by providing clear, well structured dispassionate analysis of the effect and consequences of proposed projects. Pre-emption or early withdrawal of unsound proposals. Assists in the selection of alternatives, including the selection of the best practicable and most environmentally friendly option. Results in best practice prediction and mitigation of adverse effects of projects. 25

26. Cont’d… Influences both project selection and design by screening out environmentally unsound projects, as well as modifying feasible projects - Mitigation of negative environmental and social impacts. Guides formal approval, including the establishment of terms and conditions of project implementation and follow-up. Mitigation of negative environmental and social impacts. Serves as an adaptive, organizational learning process, in which the lessons of experience are feedback into policy, institutional and project design - Enhancement of positive aspects 26

27. Conclusion Environment Impact Assessment is a very beneficial step to check, whether the project is environment friendly or not. Since economic development is result of interaction between natural resources and technology supported by designed for people, so all human activity should be economic, social and environment friendly. 27

28. 28 THANK YOU