ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (MSM3208) LECTURE NOTES 6-EIA Practices & Techniques

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.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (MSM3208) LECTURE NOTES 6-EIA Practices & Techniques

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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (MSM3208) LECTURE NOTES 6-EIA Practices & Techniques

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EIA practices & techniques

1. Techniques for identifying and displaying

simple checklists – aspects of the

scaled checklists – scaling of impacts –

Simple matrix - aspects of the environment

Leopold Matrix - as above, adding

Chain of impacts from each major project

Overlaying impacts on transparency sheets

Formal determination of significance

Consequence Category Ranking

Category Ranking Definition

Consequence x Likelihood Significance

 Geographic Extent of Impact

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

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

 Negligible – No measurable effect on population or current

Elicit responses anonymously.

Provides opportunity to reach consensus.

◦ enables comparison and selection of preferred

o Elements of EIA review

o Alberta terms of reference

 Assess adequacy and quality of an EIA report.

 Take account of public comment

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

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

 Set the scale/depth of the review.

 Use input from public involvement.

 Identify review criteria and aspects to be considered.

 Determine how to remedy any deficiencies.

 Report the findings.

 Formal and informal review to ensure quality of EIA

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