Environmental

Impact
Assessment
 CONTENT
4 . 1 A s s e s s i n g E n v i r o n m e n t a l I m p a c t

4 . 2 E n v i r o n m e n t a l I m p a c t

4 . 3 E n v i r o n m e n t a l I n v e n t o r i e s pi

4 . 4 E n v i r o n m e n t a l A s s e s s m e n t

4 . 5 U s e o f R i s k A n a l y s i s i n
E n v i r o n m e n t a l A s s e s s m e n t

4 . 6 s o c i o e c o n o m i c I m p a c t
A s s e s s m e n t

4 . 7 S o c i o l o g i c a l I m p a c t s
Assessing
Env ironm ental
I m pacts
What is an
Environmental
Impact Assessment?
An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a framework that provides a set of
guidelines for examining and assessing how a proposed project will affect the
environment. It outlines the various aspects that must be analyze before moving forward
with the project, such as scope, criteria, methodology, and others.

Environmental assessments may be governed by rules of administrative

procedures regarding public participation and documentation of decision making, and
may be subject to judicial review.
The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that decision-makers consider the
environmental impacts when deciding whether or not to proceed with a project.
 How To Conduct an
Environmental Impact
Assessment?
Step 1: Define the Scope of the Assessment

To begin an EIA, the developer should clearly define the proposed project’s scope and
identify the area of assessment. The scope should be comprehensive and cover all
potential environmental impacts of the project. It should also identify any alternatives
to the project that may be considered and outline the assessment process.

Step 2: Collect Baseline Data

Collecting baseline data is an essential part of the EIA process. It involves identifying
current environmental conditions in the area of assessment. This information forms
the basis for assessing potential environmental impacts of the proposed project.
Step 3: Identify Potential Impacts

This step involves identifying the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project. It should
consider both direct and indirect impacts of the project. The assessment should be comprehensive and
include all possible impacts on the area’s environmental, economic, and social aspects.

Step 4: Determine the Significance of the Impacts

After identifying the potential impacts, the next step is determining their significance. This involves
evaluating each impact’s extent, magnitude, and duration and determining its significance. The
importance will vary depending on the project context and the assessment area.
Step 5: Develop Mitigation Measures

Developing mitigation measures is an essential part of the EIA process. It involves identifying measures
that can be taken to mitigate adverse environmental impacts associated with the project. The
mitigation measures should consider the hierarchy of impact mitigation, which is avoiding, minimizing,
and mitigating the impact.

Step 6: Prepare an EIA Report

The final step in an EIA is preparing the EIA report. The report should include a summary of the
proposed project, assessment methodology, baseline conditions, potential impacts, significance
criteria, and mitigation measures. The report should be clear and concise and supported by relevant
data. It should also consider any comments or concerns from stakeholders.
What is
Environmental
Impact?
 Environmental impacts
- are changes in the natural or built environment, resulting directly from an
activity that can have adverse effects on the air, land, water, fish, and
wildlife or the inhabitants of the ecosystem. Pollution, contamination, or
destruction that occurs as a consequence of an action that can have short-
term or long-term ramifications is considered an environmental impact.
Most adverse environmental impacts also have a direct link to public health
and quality of life issues. Several successful reductions in pollution levels
have been attributed to stricter regulations, including levels of carbon
monoxide and more recent reduction in fine particulate matter.
 EXAMPLES OF
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
 Air pollution Greenhouse gas
Climate change Habitat destruction mitigation
Biodiversity loss Noise pollution Impacts on human
Deforestation Soil degradation health
Fossil depletion Agriculture Light pollution
Ocean acidification Radon
Environmental issues
Overpopulation Waste generation
Food waste Water quality
Ozone depletion
.
 SOLUTIONS DUE TO
ENVIROMENTAL IMPACTS
 Plant more trees and go Recycle the waste
Avoid single-use plastic paperless
Promoting clean and to conserve the
Promote green innovations
affordable energy Conserve water and natural resources
Go for sustainable electricity Support local and
Use reusable products
agriculture
instead of disposable ones
environment-
Reduce food waste friendly practices
Environmental
Inventories
Environmental Inventory?
"Environmental inventory" is a complete description of current the
environment as it exists in an area where a particular proposed action is
being required.

What does it consist of ?

The Environmental inventory is compiled from a checklist of descriptors and

these are as follows:
• Physical - Chemical environment data.
• Biological environment data.
• Cultural environment data.
• Socioeconomic environment data.
Physical-Chemical Data: The "physical-chemical environment" includes such major areas such as:
Soil:
Geology
Topography
Surface Water
Ground Water
Water quality, air quality and climatology

Biological Environment Data:

• The "biological environment" refers to the flora and fauna of the area, including species of trees, grasses,
fish, birds, and mammals.
• Specific reference must be made to any threatened and /or endangered plant or animal species.

Wildlife or endangered animals

Trees
Fishes and endangered aquatic species
Birds
Cultural Environment Data:
"Cultural environment" include historic Archaeological sites, and aesthetic
resources such as visual quality. Archaeological sites & Aesthetic Resources:

Socioeconomic Environment Data :

• The "socioeconomic environment" refers to a range of considerations
related to humans in the environment, including population trends and
population distributions; economic indicators of human welfare;
educational systems; transportation networks and other infrastructure
concerns such as water supply, wastewater disposal, and solid-waste
management; public services such as police and fire protection and medical
facilities; and many others.
Importance of Environmental Inventory:
• The environmental inventory serves as the basis for evaluating
the potential impacts on the environment, both beneficial and
adverse, of a proposed action. It is included in an environmental
impact statement (EIS).
• Development of the inventory represents an initial step in the
environmental impact assessment process.
• The environmental inventory or baseline data includes a detailed
study of the environment in an area of 10 Km radius around the
proposed facility for environmental components viz., air, noise,
water, land, ecology and socioeconomic environment.
Collection of Baseline data is mainly due to:
• To assess the present status of air, noise, water, land, ecology and socio-
economic components of the environment in an area of 10 Km radius
around the proposed site, which is mandatory.
• To identify significant impacts of operations on environmental
components.
• To prepare Environmental Management Plan (EMP) with pollution
control technologies to be adopted for reduction of adverse impacts and
site specific remedial measures.
• To portray future environmental quality monitoring programs to be
pursued by the proponents after commissioning the project.
Environmental
Assessment
 Environmental Assessment
The process of calculating projected effects that a proposed action or
construction project will have on environmental quality. A methodical,
reproducible, and reasonable method is needed to evaluate both the effect
of the proposed project and the effects of alternatives that may achieve the
same ends but that may have different environmental impacts.
A number of semi quantitative approaches, among them is the checklist,
the interaction matrix, and the checklist with weighted rankings, have
been used.
Checklists are lists of potential environmental
impacts, both primary and secondary.
Primary effects occur as a direct result of the
proposed project.
Secondary effects occur as an indirect result
of the action.

Checklists can be divided into 3 phases;

Planning, Construction and Operation Phase.
 The construction phase In the operation phase
During planning phase
direct impacts such as
the environmental checklist includes noise, runoff-related
effects of the highway potential issues like water pollution, and
displacement of people, energy use are
route and the considered, along with
acquisition of property noise, soil erosion,
indirect impacts like
are evaluated. pollution, and energy regional development,
use. housing, lifestyle
changes, and economic
growth.
The checklist technique involves listing relevant factors and estimating the magnitude and importance of
each impact. Importance of impact is quantified using a scale such as:

0 = no impact
1 = minimal impact
2 = small impact
3 = moderate impact
4 = significant impact
5 = severe impact

The checklist technique relies on subjective valuation of variables, making it challenging to predict changes
like land use or lifestyle. Despite its simplicity and common use by engineers, it's often avoided in
controversial projects due to the subjectivity of its numerical rankings. However, it's still a useful tool for
developing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), although this also requires subjective judgment in
determining the lowest significance level.
Use of Risk Analysis
in Environmental
Assessment
What is Risk Analysis ?
 The term risk analysis refers to the assessment
process that identifies the potential for any adverse
events that may negatively affect organizations and
the environment. This type of analysis facilitates a
balance between risks and risk reduction. Risk
analysts often work in with forecasting professionals
to minimize future negative unforeseen effects.
 What is Risk Analysis in
Environmental Assessment?
 Risk analysis in environmental
assessment is a systematic process used to
identify, evaluate, and manage potential
adverse effects on the environment due to
human activities or natural events.
The rationale for including risk analysis in environmental impact assessment is
threefold:

1.Risk analysis provides a method for comparing low-probability, high- consequence

impacts with high-probability, low consequence impacts.

2.Risk analysis allows assessment of future uncertain impacts, and incorporates

uncertainty into the assessment.

3.The United States and international agencies concerned with regulating environmental
impacts are adopting risk-based standards in place of consequence-based standards
What will happen if engineers didn’t use risk analysis in
environmental assessment?

Without risk analysis in environmental assessment, potential

hazards may go unrecognized, leading to increased environmental
degradation, regulatory non-compliance, financial losses, public
health risks, and a loss of public trust, as well as missed
opportunities for sustainable improvements.
 The engineer must remember that risk assessment,
when used in environmental impact assessment, is
independent of risk as perceived by, or presented to, the
public. He or she should assay risk as quantitatively as
possible.
S ocioeco no m ic
I m pact
Assessm ent
 Socioeconomic impacts are typically defined as impacts to a
community’s self-definition, culture and customs, language, and
demographic characteristics; and related changes to its economic
base, main industries, employment patterns, and infrastructure.

Socioeconomic studies examine the relationship between economic

activity and social life, or the way in which the economics and social
structures of a community influence each other. In this way,
socioeconomic impacts are distinct from purely economic or purely
social impacts.
 Socio-economic impact analysis is an assessment of
how a decision will affect a society and its economy. For
example, a government may consider dumping sewage into
a certain area. They would conduct a socio-economic impact
analysis to understand how this would affect society, such as
harming the reputation of an area, and economic impact
such as the loss of some arable land.
 The potential socioeconomic impacts of wind farm development may be
divided into three distinct stages: pre-construction impacts, primarily
development-related changes in community vision; construction impacts,
primarily the housing and other services needs of construction workers, the
creation of temporary construction jobs; and post-construction impacts,
primarily reduced municipal taxes and/or increased services.

It is important to note that the pre-construction and construction periods

are relatively brief; the pre-construction period typically lasts a few years, and
the construction period may last from six months to a year. By contrast, the post-
construction or operational period is much longer, and may be essentially
permanent if the wind farm is repowered at the end of its lifespan.
Prevention

Socioeconomic Factors Indicator Profile Socioeconomic status

refers to the absolute or relative levels of economic resources, power, and

prestige closely associated with wealth of an individual, community, or country.
1. Socioeconomic status is a multidimensional construct comprising multiple factors, such as income,
education, employment status, and other factors.

2. Low socioeconomic status is associated with higher risk of developing and dying from cardiovascular
disease (CVD). Specifically, the American Heart Association notes that income level, educational attainment,
and employment status at the individual and neighborhood level are consistently associated with CVD in
high-income countries.

3. Socioeconomic factors can affect health status directly at the individual level and can also influence
broader household, neighborhood, or community-level characteristics, which can then affect health.

4. Socioeconomic factors affect one’s ability to engage in health activities, afford medical care and housing,
and manage stress. For example, employment provides income, which enables access to housing,
education, childcare, food, medical care, and other needs. At the community level, lower-income
neighborhoods are less likely to have access to high quality health care.

5.Socioeconomic factors can also interact with or confound relationships between other variables and
health. For example, the combined effects of socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity or sex can influence
health differently across different groups.
Sociological
Impacts
WHAT IS SOCIOLOGICAL
IMPACT?
 Sociological impact refers specifically to the
effects on social structures, institutions, and
relationships as studied through the lens of sociology.
It often involves understanding changes in social
norms, roles, and the broader implications on
society's functioning. The sociological impact on the
environment involves examining how environmental
changes and policies affect societal structures,
behaviors, and relationships.
Key aspects include:

1. Community Health: How environmental changes like pollution or climate change impact public
health and well-being.
2. Social Inequality: Disparities in environmental impacts across different social groups, often affecting
marginalized communities more severely.
3. Behavioral Changes: Shifts in social behaviors and practices in response to environmental issues,
such as increased recycling or changes in consumption patterns.
4. Cultural Practices: Alterations in cultural norms and practices related to environmental conservation
and sustainability.
5. Social Movements: The rise of environmental advocacy groups and movements that seek to address
and mitigate environmental problems.
6. Economic Impacts: Effects on employment and economic activities tied to environmental policies,
such as green jobs or the decline of industries harmful to the environment. Understanding these
impacts helps sociologists and policymakers address the intersections between societal needs and
environmental sustainability
The sociological impact refers to the effects that social structures, behaviors, and changes have on individuals
and societies. This can include how shifts in social norms, policies, or economic conditions influence group
dynamics, individual experiences, and societal trends.

For example:

Technology- Advances in technology have transformed communication, education, and employment, affecting
social relationships and opportunities.

Economic Changes- Economic downturns or booms can alter social stratification, job availability, and overall
quality of life.

Cultural Shifts- Changes in cultural attitudes towards issues like gender, race, and family structures can
reshape societal norms and individual identities. Understanding these impacts helps sociologists and
policymakers address social challenges and promote positive change.
Education- Access to education can significantly affect social mobility and equality.
Improvements in educational opportunities can lead to better job prospects and more
equitable social outcomes.

Urbanization- The movement from rural to urban areas can change social structures,
increase diversity, and impact community cohesion. It often leads to new social challenges
such as housing shortages and increased pollution.

Globalization-The interconnectedness of the world economy and cultures can lead to

greater cultural exchange and economic opportunities but also challenges like cultural
homogenization and economic inequality.

Health Crises-Pandemics, such as COVID-19, impact social behaviors, mental health, and
economic stability. They also highlight and often exacerbate existing social inequalities.
Social Movements- Movements such as those for civil rights, environmental justice, or
gender equality can drive significant social change, influencing laws, policies, and societal
attitudes.

Family Dynamics- Changes in family structures, such as increased divorce rates or varying
family forms, can affect social support systems, child development, and social roles. These
examples illustrate how various factors can shape and redefine social interactions and
societal norms.
Interaction
Matrix
 The interaction matrix technique
- is a two-dimensional listing of existing characteristics and
conditions of the environment and detailed proposed actions
that may affect the environment. It is a grid-like table that is
used to identify the interaction between project activities,
which are displayed along one axis, and environmental
characteristics, which are displayed along the other axis.
Checklist with
Weighted Ranking
 Checklist with Weighted Ranking

-is a valuable tool used to evaluate and prioritize

various environmental factors and impacts when
assessing a project, development, or policy. This
method ensures that the most critical environmental
concerns are given appropriate attention based on
their significance.
Thank you!