EIA Midterm Preparation

?What are types of assessments

Social Impact Assessment • Species Impact Assessment •

Technology Assessment • Risk Assessment •

Economic Assessment • Life Cycle Analysis •

Cumulative Impact Assessment • Energy Analysis •

Strategic Environmental Assessment • Health Impact Assessment •

Integrated Impact Assessment • Regulatory Impact Assessment •

?When EIA may cover the issues of the other assessment processes
If the definition of ‘environment’ is taken broadly, then the EIA may cover the issues of the
:other assessment processes

;social aspects (impacts on employment, community interaction) •

;risks (threats to native animals, water supplies) •

life cycle (impacts at each stage of the project – design through to operation and closure); •
.• energy (use of non-renewable energy sources, Greenhouse gas emissions), etc

:What is EIA? Define EIA in the light of the following as

Procedure, Tool, Process Preventive environmental protection measure, Exposure forecast,
.A tool for implementing the concept of sustainable development, EIA in Lithuania

:EIA as Procedures-1

Determining (during )which the potential impact of the proposed project or activity on the
environment and human health is assessed and data on possible physical, chemical,
biological and socio-economic changes that would occur after the implementation of the
.proposed project or activity are provided in a form suitable for decision-making

EIA as a tool: facilitating decision-making and helping to identify and assess the potential -2
environmental impact of a proposed project or activity and enabling project implementation
.to be directed towards reducing or avoiding the impact

EIA as process: determine (during) which information is collected, analyzed and presented -3
to enable environmental requirements to be taken into account at all stages of project
.preparation and implementation

EIA - as an effective preventive measure : whose main purpose is not to deal with already -4
existing objects/activities which have an adverse effect on the environment but to prevent
the emergence of such ones, i.e. to achieve that newly designed and constructed objects or
.activities do not exceed the permissible limits of environmental impact
EIA - as impact forecast: Environmental impact assessment procedures include the -5
.expected effects of future facilities or activities on the environment and human health

As even the assessment of the impact of existing facilities often presents serious
methodological and procedural difficulties, it is clearly much more difficult and complex to
.predict the impact of future facilities or activities on the environment

EIA - tool for implementing the concept of sustainable development -6

contributes to the main goal of the concept of sustainable development - to reconcile the
.economic, social and environmental interests of different groups in society

EIA in Lithuania-7

Environmental impact assessment of the proposed economic activity shall mean the process
of identification, description of and provision of conclusions on the potential environmental
.impact of the proposed economic activity

....Explain the following EIA is not

.Scientific research •

.Gathering as much information as possible •

.Decision making •

.Instrument of evidence of the permissibility or non-permissibility of an activity •

EIA –not a scientific research

Usually environmental impact assessment procedures do not include scientific research on

the impact of the proposed economic activity on different components of the environment
.or human health but are limited to the information already available in various institutions

EIA - is not the accumulation of as much information as possible

The environmental impact assessment requires comprehensive information on the potential

impacts of the activity on the environment and human health, but there is no need to try to
gather as much information as possible, it is necessary to limit the information to the one
.important for the final decision

EIA is not a decision-making

The result of the environmental impact assessment is well-analyzed and summarized and
clearly and comprehensibly presented information on the potential environmental impact of
the considered project implementation alternatives, but the final decision alternative and
.permissibility is made not by the experts preparing the EIA report, but responsible authority
The EIA is not an instrument for proving the permissibility or non-permissibility of an activity

The environmental impact assessment procedures must not answer the question of whether
or not to authorize the proposed activity, but the question of which activity alternative to
choose and what environmental mitigation measures must be applied so that the
.environmental impact of this activity does not exceed the permissible limits
If the planned activity contradicts laws or official normative documents, EIA procedures may
.not be initiated for such activity

EIA (IAIA)

Formal and systematic process that includes identifying, predicting, evaluating, and "
mitigating the – biophysical, – social, and other relevant effects of development proposals
prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made" (IAIA, Principles of
.Environmental Impact Assessment, 1999)

:What are factors of effectiveness of EIA

The effectiveness of the EIA depends to a large extent on the values and principles that are
.followed in the EIA itself as a system and as a policy process
?What are core values of EIA

Integrity Sustainability Utility

?What are requirements of proper EIA

Strong legislative basis•

Suitable procedures •

Public involvement •

Orientation towards problem solving and decision making •

Monitoring and feedback capability •

?What are EIA Principles, Explain your answer

;Leadership; • Participation; • Responsibility; • Efficiency •

.Focus; • Precaution; • Reliability •

Leadership
The expert group that carries out the environmental impact assessment of a specific project
or activity and prepares the EIA documents must have a clear leader (manager), who must
be not only an experienced specialist, but also a good organizer and communicative person,
.able to create a favorable working atmosphere

Participation/partnership
As the environmental impact assessment process in addition to the proponent and expert
group involves representatives of various institutions and the public, it is very important to
create a favorable partnership atmosphere for the project implementation and to avoid
.unnecessary conflicts

One of the most difficult and important tasks for the successful implementation of the
principle of participation (partnership) is constructive cooperation with the representatives
of the society, whose interests usually do not coincide the most with the interests of the
.proponent
 Responsibility
All participants in the EIA process must feel responsible not only for their personal or
institutional interests, but also to assess the possible consequences of the planned economic
activity in a broader context and to follow the provisions of the concept of sustainable
.development

.The responsible authority established by the EIA law is responsible for the final decision

In many countries, the principle of shared responsibility is enshrined, with several

.institutions being responsible for the final decision

Efficiency
EIA procedures must have a significant impact on the characteristics of the proposed project
.and the decision of the responsible authority

:The EIA of a specific project is considered effective if it succeeded

to reduce the potential negative effects of the project under assessment on the •
;environment and human health

to find more cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives for project •

;implementation

the participants in the environmental impact process found a compromise solution that •
.satisfies all the stakeholders involved in the EIA process

Focus
EIA procedures must focus on those environmental components and impacts that can have a
:significant impact on the final decision in selecting

,the most suitable project location –

technologies used –

.alternatives to mitigation measures –

Precautionary
Decisions on the proposed economic activity must be made very carefully so that the
implemented project causes the least possible damage to the environment and human
.health

It is necessary to anticipate and assess the risk of emergencies and potential accidents and
.the measures to prevent them and reduce their consequences

In the final decision, priority must be given to those project alternatives whose
.implementation involves a lower risk of emergencies and accidents
 Reliability
.EIA procedures must be carried out impartially, professionally and transparently

As the EIA involves the interests of different groups of society and EIA procedures are
subjective in nature and decisions have to be made in the context of insufficient information,
ensuring the objectivity of the EIA process and reports and the reliability of assessment
.results is one of the most important tasks
?What are aims and objectives of EIA
EIA aims
To harmonize the environmental, economic and social interests of different groups of the
society and to orient/direct the project preparation and implementation so that the chosen
alternatives and mitigation measures would allow minimizing the impact of the PEA on the
.environment and human health to the permissible limits

Facilitate the integration of environmental concerns into the planning and decision/making
.process and the adoption of more environmentally friendly decisions

EIA objectives
To identify and assess the potential impact of the PEA on various components of the .1
.environment and human health

:Environmental components like

fauna and flora, - landscape and biodiversity, - air, water, soil, - material natural and man-
made assets, immovable cultural properties. - impact on the interaction of these
.components

To reduce the impact of the PEA and its possible alternatives on the environment and .2
.human health to the permissible impact limits established by environmental standards

The EIA must competently examine and compare different project implementation
alternatives, provide measures to reduce potential negative impacts, and find a compromise
.- project implementation option acceptable to all stakeholders

Provide decision-makers and individuals with professionally structured, as reliable and .3

easy-to understand information as possible on the potential impacts of the project
.alternatives considered on the environment and human health

Inform the public about the potential impact of the project under assessment on the .4
environment and reduce unreasonable public opposition to the implementation of the
.proposed project

From the very beginning of the EIA process, the public must be provided with objective
information about the progress of the PEA and EIA process and alternatives must be
.provided for constructive participation in this process

It is important to correctly understand and react to the negative public attitudes towards the
.planned economic activities, that is, the so-called "not in my back yard" (NIMBY) syndrome

Determine whether the PEA, after assessing its nature and impact on the environment, is .5
.possible at the selected location (meets the requirements of legal acts)

.Promote inter-agency and inter-institutional cooperation .6

As EIA procedures, by their very nature require the involvement of various agencies and
institutions, including non-governmental organizations, the EIA process, when properly
organized, is a very good opportunity and necessity for closer constructive cooperation
between agencies and institutions and organizations and a good school for common
.compromises

.Improve technological solutions for future similar projects .7

Experience gained from carrying out EIAs for specific projects can be very useful in assessing
the environmental impact of similar projects and can significantly facilitate EIA procedures
.and reduce the time and money required

:Immediate, short term objectives

Ensure that environmental aspects explicitly are taken into account in decision-making –
processes

To improve the design of the planned activities –

Anticipate, prevent, minimize and offset the negative impacts of the proposed activity on –
humans and the environment

.Facilitate informed decision making –

:Long-term objectives

Protecting the productivity and capacity of human and natural systems and the ecological –
functions

Human health and safety –

Facilitating participatory approaches –

.s – Promotion of sustainable activities

?Explain approaches to EIA procedures

It is generally accepted that the effects analyzed should be quantified as accurately as
.possible

Quantitative Qualitative Quantitative Qualitative

Technical Political
Seeks maximum objectivity Enables subjective assessments
Nature science based Based on an interdisciplinary
approach
Experts from technical and natural science fields Experts from natural, law, social,
economic and technical fields
Focused on environmental pollution control and Focused on spatial planning
permitting procedures
Main attention on EIA report Focus on the EIA process
Perspective: a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches

EIA procedures are mainly limited to the assessment of individual impacts, and the complex
(overall) impact of different alternatives of the proposed economic activity on the
environment is very difficult to assess with sufficient accuracy and is often not possible at all.
These two different approaches to the essence of EIA procedures will gradually converge
and the advantages of quantitative and qualitative assessment methods will have to be
.rationally combined

?What are the benefits of EIA

Improvements of project planning and design •

Cost savings by early identification of potentially unforeseen impacts •

.Ensuring early compliance with environmental standards •

Increasing public acceptability; demonstrated environmental and socio-economic •

.responsibility

Better environmental and health protection •

?What are barriers for effective EIA

Agreement • Knowledge • Technology • Economic • Social • Political •

?What is the main critique of EIA

Technical shortcomings (lack of precision determination of exposure, incorrect assessment •
.of mitigation measures)

Procedural shortcomings (delays in processes, costs, lack of quality assurance, lack of •

.assurance on the implementation of environmental mitigation measures)

.Structural aspects (inconsistency of the project and EIA implementation processes, etc.) •

.Improper public involvement ("confusion") •

Why EIA process is prolonged? Because of

;The EIA starts too late •

;Work timeframes are poorly planned •

;The EIA is not carried out according to schedule •

;The EIA report is inadequate and needs to be improved •

.Technical information is missing •

?What are operating principles of EIA

.As early as possible in the planning and decision-making stages •

Applies to all proposals that may have a significant negative impact or cause public •
.concern

For all environmental and human aspects that may be affected (including health, culture •
.and cumulative effects)

.In line with existing policies, plans, programs and principles of sustainable development •

.In a way that involves all affected and stakeholders •

.Meets local, regional, national and international standards and requirements •

?Explain briefly EIA stages

Screening: The procedure for deciding whether an EIA is mandatory for a proposed •
.project

In order to carry out the selection, the project developer must prepare and submit to the
responsible authority information on the place where he plans to start economic activity,
.describe the scope of economic activity and possible impact on the environment

Scoping: A procedure during which from many possible economic activities' alternatives •

.Places, technologies, environmental mitigation, alternatives and potential impacts

a minimum but sufficient number of them is selected for further consideration in order to
.reach a reasoned decision

Report preparation – impact assessment – impact management •

The Environmental Impact Assessment Report is the main document of the whole process,
.which is prepared according to the approved EIA program

The report shall collect, analyze and make available to all interested authorities and the
public, in an appropriate form for decision, the potential environmental effects of the
.alternatives considered

Report review •

Procedure for assessing the quality of the report and the possibility of a reasoned decision
.based on that report

Impacts & Monitoring assessment •

The procedure, which is carried out after the implementation of the assessed project and
allows to determine the real impact of this economic activity on the environment and to
.compare it with the forecast in the EIA report

?What are EIA participants/stakeholders

Proponent/developer of planned economic activity .1

A public or private organization, company or person intending to commence a certain

economic activity, which must be subject to the environmental impact assessment
.procedures established by law

In international practice, the client must cover all costs related to the EIA. Such a procedure
.is also legalized in the Lithuanian EIA Law

Responsible authority .2

State or regional institution that makes the final decision on the possibilities of
.implementation of the planned economic activity
In many countries, the principle of shared responsibility is enshrined, where the final
decision is the responsibility of several institutions rather than one. Similarly, it is provided
for in the Lithuanian EIA Law, according to which other EIA subjects also participate in
.making the final decision

An institution authorized by the Government to coordinate the environmental impact

.assessment process and perform other functions established by this Law

:EIA consultant/expert .3

A person, group or consulting firm authorized by the client to carry out the assessment of
.the planned economic activity, to prepare the EIA program and report

A natural person authorized by the organizer (developer) of the proposed economic activity
who has the relevant higher education or qualification in the field that corresponds to the
specifics of the environmental impact assessment documents, or a legal person with
specialists with relevant higher education or qualification in the field the specificity of the
.assessment documents

Review executing authority .4

.Organization responsible for the objectivity and quality of the report

As conflicting interests of different interest groups are encountered during EIA procedures,
.ensuring the objectivity of the prepared EIA documents is extremely important

EIA stakeholders .5

state and municipal institutions that examine environmental impact assessment programs
.and reports and provide conclusions in accordance with their competence

Society/Public .6

Public - one or more natural and/or legal persons, their associations, organizations or
.groups

Non-governmental organizations, groups of individuals or individuals representing the public

interest

In democracies, there is a perception that the environment gains a voice through public
participation, which contributes substantially to ensuring the objectivity and quality of the
.EIA process

Public concerned shall mean the public affected or likely to be affected by the taking of
decisions, acts or omissions in the area of environmental impact assessment or having an
interest in the process of screening for environmental impact assessment and/or
.environmental impact assessment

?What are functions of EIA participants/stakeholders

:Authority

;coordinates the environmental impact assessment process •

,performs the selection •

,examines and approves programs •

examines: – evaluation of the proposals of the public concerned, proposals of the public •
concerned, – reports, conclusions of the environmental impact assessment subjects
regarding the programs, reports and the possibilities of the planned economic activity

;and makes a decision •

;informs public •

use consultants if necessary. The participation of consultants in the process of •

environmental impact assessment of the planned economic activity is organized by the
.responsible institution at its own expense

EIA stakeholders

Participates in the project screening process and submits proposals to the responsible •
.authority regarding the mandatory EIA

Examines EIA programs, submits proposals to the responsible authority on additional •

impacts, location and technological alternatives and measures to reduce environmental
.impact

Examines EIA reports, submit proposals to the responsible authority for its quality •
.improvement

Submits proposals to the responsible authority regarding the possibilities of the planned •
.economic activity

Developer

:Carries out at its own expense the environmental impact assessment procedures •

Prepares the information required for the screening (or expert does that) –

.Hires EIA experts and pays them for the environmental impact assessment –

Organizes and pays the costs of public information and participation in the EIA process (or –
.expert does that)

EIA expert

Prepares information for screening (if agreed) -

Prepares the EIA program, which provides for location and technological alternatives to be –
considered during the EIA procedures, measures to reduce the environmental impact and
.assess the types of impacts and determines the content of the EIA report

Collects and analyzes information on the potential impact of the proposed economic –
.activity on the environment

Prepares an EIA report assessing the environmental impact of different activity –

.alternatives and the effectiveness of mitigation measures

.Organize public information and participation (if agreed) –

Society
in accordance with the established procedure, submits proposals regarding the •
environmental impact assessment of the planned economic activity and the possible
:environmental impact of this activity

.Provides proposals for the screening -

.Provides proposals for the EIA program –

.Participates in the public discussion of the EIA report –

.Provides proposals for review of the assessments provided in the report –