B.Sc.

III Year, Semester-VI Paper-XVII-Environmental Impact & Risk Assessment (P-XVI)

UNIT-I

What is Impact Assessment?

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) can be defined as the systematic identification and
evaluation of the potential impacts (effects) of proposed projects, plans, programs or legislative
actions relative to the physical, chemical, biological, cultural and socio-economic components of
the total environment.

Impact assessments are carried out to assess the consequences of individual projects --
Environmental Impact Assessment -- or of policies and programmes -- Strategic Environmental
Assessment.

Environmental Impact Assessment:

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental
impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic,
cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.
UNEP defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool used to identify the
environmental, social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making. It aims to
predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design, find ways and
means to reduce adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local environment and present the
predictions and options to decision-makers.
By using EIA both environmental and economic benefits can be achieved, such as reduced cost
and time of project implementation and design, avoided treatment/clean-up costs and impacts of
laws and regulations.

The fundamental components of an EIA would necessarily involve the following stages:

1) Screening to determine which projects or developments require a full or partial impact

assessment study;
2)Scoping to identify which potential impacts are relevant to assess (based on legislative
requirements, international conventions, expert knowledge and public involvement), to identify
alternative solutions that avoid, mitigate or compensate adverse impacts on biodiversity
(including the option of not proceeding with the development, finding alternative designs or sites
which avoid the impacts, incorporating safeguards in the design of the project, or providing
compensation for adverse impacts), and finally to derive terms of reference for the impact
assessment;
3) Assessment and evaluation of impacts and development of alternatives, to predict and
identify the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, including the
detailed elaboration of alternatives;
4) Reporting the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or EIA report, including an
environmental management plan (EMP), and a non-technical summary for the general
audience.
5) Review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), based on the terms of reference
(scoping) and public (including authority) participation.
6) Decision-making on whether to approve the project or not, and under what conditions; and
7) Monitoring, compliance, enforcement and environmental auditing. Monitor whether the
predicted impacts and proposed mitigation measures occur as defined in the EMP. Verify the
compliance of proponent with the EMP, to ensure that unpredicted impacts or failed mitigation
measures are identified and addressed in a timely fashion.
 Rationale and historical development of EIA

Evolution of EIA:
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.

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 modernization 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. 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. In 1994, for the first time under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, the EIA
notification was formulated in India. It made environmental clearance mandatory for expansion,
modernization and setting up of new projects.

Environmental Components Of EIA:

The EIA process looks into the following components of the environment.

Air environment

• Quality of ambient air present and predicted.

• Meteorological data: Wind speed, direction, humidity etc.
• Quantity of emission likely from project.
• Impact of the emission on the area.
• Pollution control desires/air quality standards.

Noise
• Levels of noise present and predicted
• Strategies for reducing noise pollution.

Water environment

• Existing ground and surface water resources, their quality and quantity within the zone.
• Impact of proposed project on water resources.

Biological environment

• Flora and fauna in impact zone.

• Potential damage (likely) due to project, due to effluents, emissions and landscaping.
• Biological stress (prediction).

Land environment

• Study of soil characteristics, land use, and drainage pattern, and the likely adverse impact of
the project.
• Impact on historical monuments and heritage site.

Scope of EIA:
The purpose of this Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is to identify, evaluate and report
the environmental and socio-economic effects of the proposed Expansion Project. This process
includes identification of mitigative measures that will be used to reduce or eliminate potential
adverse effects, where appropriate.

Scoping is a critical step in the preparation of an EIA, as it identifies the issues that are likely to
be of most importance during the EIA and eliminates those that are of little concern. Scoping is
a systematic exercise that establishes the boundaries of your EIA and sets the basis of the
analyses you will conduct at each stage. A quality scoping study reduces the risk of including
inappropriate components or excluding components that should be addressed. It involves:

-Identifying all relevant issues and factors, including cumulative effects, social impacts, and
health risks.
-Facilitating meaningful public engagement and review.
-Determining the appropriate time and space boundaries of the EIA.
-Identifying the important issues to be considered in the EIA, such as setting the baseline and
identifying alternatives.

The Main Participants of EIA:

 EIA applies to public and private sections. The six main players are:

• Those who propose the project

• The environmental consultant who prepare EIA on behalf of project proponent.
• Pollution Control Board (State or National).
• Public has the right to express their opinion.
• The Impact Assessment Agency.
• Regional centre of the Ministry of Environment and Forest.

Site selection and area classification for EIA projects:

The Scoping phase of the EIA Process identified the potential positive and negative
environmental (biophysical and social) impacts associated with the proposed establishment of a
proposed plant and associated infrastructure in the proposed area. A number of issues for
consideration were identified by the environmental team and/or raised by other interested
parties. This section serves to outline the approach utilised to evaluate the alternative sites and
select a preferred site for the establishment of the proposed proposed plant and associated
infrastructure. The potential environmental impacts of the proposed plant and associated
infrastructure were considered in the nomination of a preferred site for the construction of the
proposed plant, as well as in determining which further studies would be required in the EIA
phase.

Site Evaluation – Field Studies

The two alternative sites were inspected by the specialists in order to:

• Investigate the study area;

• Gather baseline environmental (biophysical and social) information for the sites;

• Assess the status quo conditions, and

• Identify any potential environmental impacts

Specialist studies and the components investigated during the Environmental Scoping phase
are as highlighted below,

A) Physical Variables:

1) Geohydrology: Quantity of waste / overburden Leakage potential and liner / decant, seepage Toxicity
of leakage / seepage Infiltration potential (permeability and gradient), Mass transport factor of
permeability and gradient), Depth to groundwater (shallow indicates higher risk), Aquifer vulnerability
(sole source aquifer indicates high risk), Downstream users / receptors (human and aquatic) etc.

2) Hydrology: Infiltration rates, Susceptibility of soil-surface sealing, Susceptibility of soil to compaction

Erodibility, Vulnerability off-site to flooding generated by development etc.

3) Soils and Agricultural Potential: Soil types

B) Biological Variables:

1) Avi-fauna: Presence of Red Data Bird species, Habitat uniqueness, Existing disturbance levels,
Proximity to existing power line infrastructure, Proximity to existing roads Presence of surface water etc.

2) Biodiversity: Destruction of threatened flora species , Destruction of protected tree species, Direct
impacts of threatened fauna species, Direct impact on common fauna species, Destruction of sensitive /
pristine regional habitat types, Floristic species changes within the development areas, Faunal
interactions with structures, servitudes and personnel , Impacts on surrounding habitats / species ,
Impacts on South Africa’s conservation obligations and targets, Increase in local and regional
fragmentation / isolation of habitat, Increase in environmental degradation etc.

C) Social Variables:

1) Visual: Visual exposure of CSP plant components, Visual exposure to major towns or built up areas,
The length of time or duration the proposed plant would be visible to road users, Length of visual
exposure of the facility from major roads, Quality of the immediately affected visual environment,
Presence/absence of existing visual clutter, Level of disturbance of natural vegetation, Proximity to
existing transmission line infrastructure etc.

2) Tourism: Visual Presence of established, Tourism Plant, Traffic Potential for future Tourism
Development etc.

3) Heritage: Presence / absence of heritage objects / sites.

4) Noise: The extent to which the existing noise climate is degraded, thereby reducing the impact of the
new Plant. Potential for impact from CSP plant construction activities, Potential for impact from
proposed plant construction traffic , Potential for impact of proposed plant operations on urban areas,
Potential for impact of proposed plant operations on settlement areas, Potential for impact of proposed
plant operations on farmhouses etc.

D) Social Impact Assessment:

Social Impact Assessment, Community and Institutional Structures, Conflicts between local residents
and newcomers, Political and Social Resources etc.

E) Technical:

Technical Criteria such as Site accessibility - existing roads and their condition Existing electrical
infrastructure (i.e. transmission / distribution lines, substation), Planned upgrade to electrical
infrastructure (transmission/distribution lines; substation), Accessibility to technical support
infrastructure Accessibility to boarding and lodging, Water availability, Grid accessibility , Available grid
capacity for connection , Geotechnical suitability of the site, Geomorphology and land gradient, Legal
title to land etc.