UNIT 2 (EIA)

Faculty: G. BHOGAYYA NAIDU

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Introduction:
There are a number of methodologies evolved by different people for preparing Environmental
Impact Analysis. Depending upon the specific needs of the user and the type of the project being
undertaken, one particular methodology may be more useful than the other.

EIA methods range from simple to complex, requiring different kinds of data, different data
formats, and varying levels of expertise and technological sophistication for their interpretation.
The analyses they produce have differing levels of precision and certainty. All of these factors
should be considered when selecting a method.

Many times an EIA analyst or the person charged with the preparation of an EIA report is faced
with a vast quantity of raw and usually unorganized data.

Hence, each technique and method for the evaluation of impacts should have the following
qualities and characteristics:

1. It should be systematic in approach;

2. It should be able to organize a large mass of heterogeneous data;
3. It should be able to quantify the impacts;
4. It should be capable of summarizing the data;
5. It should be able to aggregate the data into sets with the least loss of information because of
the aggregations;
6. It should have a good predictive capability;
7. It should extract the salient features, and
8. It should finally be able to display the raw data and the derived information in a meaningful
fashion.

Each of the different methodologies for the assessment of environmental impacts of development
projects has their advantages and disadvantages and their utility for a particular application is
largely a matter of choice and judgment of the analyst.
Nevertheless, some objective criteria exist in making such a choice and these are stated below
under the key areas that involve the assessment process.

Environmental Attributes means any and all credits, benefits, emissions reductions,
offsets, and allowances, howsoever entitled, attributable to the System, the production of
electrical energy from the System and its displacement of conventional energy generation,
including (a) any avoided emissions of pollutants to the air, soil or water such as sulfur oxides
(SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and other pollutants; (b) any avoided
emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide, hydro fluorocarbons, per
fluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) that have been
determined by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or otherwise by
law, to contribute to the actual or potential threat of altering the Earth’s climate by trapping heat
in the atmosphere; and (c) the reporting rights related to these avoided emissions, such as Green
Tag Reporting Rights and Renewable Energy Credits. Green Tag Reporting Rights are the right
of a party to report the ownership of accumulated Green Tags in compliance with federal or state
law, if applicable, and to a federal or state agency or any other party, and include Green Tag
Reporting Rights accruing under Section 1605(b) of The Energy Policy Act of 1992 and any
present or future federal, state, or local law, regulation or bill, and international or foreign
emissions trading program. Environmental Attributes do not include Environmental Incentives
and Tax Credits. Purchaser and Seller shall file all tax returns in a manner consistent with this
Section 5. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Environmental Attributes include
carbon trading credits, renewable energy credits or certificates, emissions reduction credits,
emissions allowances; green tags tradable renewable credits and Green-e® products.

Criteria for the Selection of EIA Methodology

1. General
(a) Simplicity: The methodology should be simple so that the available manpower with limited
background knowledge can grasp and adopt it without much difficulty.
b) Manpower time and budget constraints: The methodology should be applied by a small group
with a limited budget and under time constraints.
(c) Flexibility: The methodology should be flexible enough to allow for necessary modifications
and changes through the course of the study.

2 Impact Identification

(a) Comprehensiveness: The methodology should be sufficiently comprehensive to contain all

possible options and alternatives and should give enough information on them to facilitate proper
decision-making.
(b) Specificity: The methodology should identify specific parameters on which there would be
significant impacts.
(c) Isolation of project impacts: The methodology should suggest procedures for identifying
project impacts as distinguished from future environmental changes produced by other causes.
(d) Timing and duration: The methodology should be able to identify accurately the location and
extent of the impacts on a temporal scale.

3 Impact Measurements:

(a) Commensurate units: The methodology should have a commensurate set of units so that
comparison can be made between alternatives and criteria.
(b) Explicit indicators: The methodology should suggest specific and measurable indicators to be
used to qualify impacts on the relevant environmental parameters.
(c) Magnitude: The methodology should provide for the measurement of impact magnitude,
defined as the degree of extensiveness of scale of the impact, as distinct from impact importance,
defined as the weighting of the degree of significance of the impact.
(d) Objective criteria: It should be based on objective criteria and the criteria should be stated
explicitly.

4 Impact Interpretations and Evaluation:

(a) Significance: The methodology should be able to assess the significance of measured impacts
on a local, regional and national scale.
(b) Explicit criteria: The criteria and assumptions employed to determine impact significance
should be explicitly stated.
(c) Portrayal of "with" and "without" situation: The methodology should be able to aggregate the
vast amounts of information and raw input data.
(d) Uncertainty: Uncertainty of possible impacts is a very real problem in environmental impact
assessment. The methodology should be able to take this aspect into account.
(e) Risk: The methodology should identify impacts that have low probability of occurrence but a
high potential for damage and loss.
(f) Depth of analysis: The conclusions derived from the methodology should be able to provide
sufficient depth of analysis and instill confidence in the users, including the general public.
(g) Alternative comparison: It should provide a sufficiently detailed and complete comparison of
the various alternatives readily available for the project under study.
(h) Public involvement: The methodology should suggest a mechanism for public involvement in
the interpretation of the impacts and their significance.

5. Impact Communication:

(a) Affected parties: The methodology should provide a mechanism for linking impacts to
specific effected geographical or social groups.
(b) Setting description: It should provide a description of the project setting to aid the users in
developing an adequately comprehensive overall perspective.
(c) Summary format: It should provide the results of the impact analysis summarized in a format
that will give the users, who range from the lay public to the decision makers, sufficient details
to understand it and have confidence in its assessment.
(d) Key issues: It should provide a format for highlighting the key issues and impacts identified
in the analysis
(e) Compliance: One of the most important factors in choosing a methodology is whether it is
able to comply with the terms of reference established by the controlling agency.

Methodology Requirements:

The EIA practitioner is faced with a vast quantity of raw and usually unorganized
information that must be collected and analyzed in preparation of an EIA report. The best
methods are able to:
 organize a large mass of heterogeneous data;
 allow summarization of data;
 aggregate the data into smaller sets with least loss of information; and
 display the raw data and the derived information in a direct and relevant fashion
 target audience should also be considered (example if target audience are not educated
then, use of colour code, size, cross etc should be used rather that figures and tables)

EIA Methods:

The following are the important methodologies of utility for assessing the impacts of
developmental activities on the environment.
1. Ad hoc methods
2. Checklists methods
3. Matrices methods
4. Networks methods
5. Overlays methods
6. Environmental index using factor analysis
7. Cost/benefit analysis
8. Predictive or Simulation methods

In view of large number of models and methodologies being practiced in EIA studies, one must
choose between two extremes: complete uniformity or complete uniqueness. So far as
uniformity, reproducibility and comparability are concerned, it would be profitable if one
uniform method could be prescribed for any EIA. On the other hand, each environment is so
unique that a standard methodology would most probably neglect the unique factors. That is why
many EIA specialists have made their own methodologies for each one of the projects.

1. Ad hoc Method:

These methodologies provide a minimum guidance for impact assessment. They merely suggest
broad areas of possible impacts (e.g., impacts on lakes, flora and fauna, forests, etc.), rather than
defining specific parameters to be investigated.
Ad hoc methods involve assembling a team of specialists to identify impacts in their area of
expertise. In this method, each environmental area, such as, air, and water, is taken separately
and the nature of the impacts, such as, short-term or long term, reversible or irreversible are
considered.
Ad hoc methods are for rough assessment of total impact giving the broad areas of possible
impacts. For example, the impacts on animal and plant life may be stated as significant but
beneficial.
The information is stated in simple terms that are readily understood by the lay person. No
information about the cause-effect relationship between project actions and environmental
components is provided. The actual impacts on specific environmental components likely to be
affected by the project or those that may require further investigation are not identified. The
method merely presents the pertinent information without resorting to any relative weighting of
importance.
A good example of an ad hoc method is a team of experts assembled for a short time to conduct
an EIA. Each expert's conclusions are based on a unique combination of experience, training and
intuition. These conclusions are assembled into a report. Sometimes this is the only required or
possible approach.

In the ad hoc methods, the assessor relies on intuitive approach and makes a broad-based qualitative
assessment. This method serves as a preliminary assessment which helps in identi lying more important
areas like:
I. Wildlife 7. Natural drainage 13. Recreation
2. Endangered species 8. Groundwater 14. Health and safety
3. Natural vegetation 9. Noise 15. Health and safety
4. Exotic vegetation 10.Air Quality 16. Public facilities
5. Grazing II. 11. Visual description and services
6. Social characteristics 12. Open space

Example: The example presents the impact of reservoir with three alternative. Negative
impacts are inundation of archeological sites, malaria cases, area, reduced open space etc,
however the positives are new irrigation area, employment, enhances fisheries. Based on the
expertise of specialist the positives and negatives are ranked and site is selected among A,B and
C. It clearly shows the positive and negative impacts of project and that is the work of EIA.

The ad hoc method has the following drawbacks:

• It may not encompass all the relevant impacts;

• Because the criteria used to evaluate impacts are not comparable, the relative weights of
various impacts cannot be compared;
• It is inherently inefficient as it requires sizeable effort to identify and assemble an appropriate
panel of experts for each assessment; and
• It provides minimal guidance for impact analysis while suggesting broad areas of possible
impacts.
Because of the above drawbacks, it is not recommended as a method for impact analysis. It is
after all ad hoc method and has utility only when other methods cannot be used for lack of
expertise, resources and other necessities.

2. Checklist Method:

These methodologies present a specific list of environmental attributes to be investigated for

possible impacts. They need not necessarily attempt to establish the cause-effect links to project
activities.
They may or may not include guidelines about how attribute data are to be measured and
interpreted.
Checklists are standard lists of the types of impacts associated with a particular type of project.
Checklists methods are primarily for organizing information or ensuring that no potential impact
is overlooked.
There are four general types of checklists:

(a)Simple Checklists: "Simple checklists" represent lists of environmental factors which should
be addressed. However, no information is provided on specific data needs, methods for
measurement or impact prediction and assessment, how to interpret and measure an
environmental parameter.

(b) Descriptive Checklists: "Descriptive checklists" refer to methodologies that include lists of
environmental factors along with information on measurement and impact prediction and
assessment. For each factor, information is included on its definition and measurement,
prediction of impacts, and functional curves for data interpretation (where one was available or
easily developed).

(c) Scaling Checklists: These are similar to a descriptive checklist, but with additional
information on subjective scaling of the parameters.
Scaling checklists go a step further and include simple devices for assessing importance or
significance of suspected impacts. This might be through the use of letter or numeric scales,
assigned after comparison with criteria supplied in the checklist, to indicate the importance of an
impact. Another approach is to use threshold values, based on statutory criteria (e.g. for water
quality standards) or on derived measures (e.g. visitor carrying-capacity for a given locality). The
suspected impact can be estimated in broad terms and given a value to represent its significance.
On that basis, a start can be made on comparing and ranking alternative project options.

(d) Scaling Weighting Checklist: These are similar to a scaling checklist, with additional
information for the subjective evaluation of each parameter with respect to all the other
parameters
e) Questionnaire checklist is a form of scaling checklist but uses a series of carefully directed
questions to elicit information about possible impacts and their likely importance.
For preparing check lists information expertise at different levels are required. While simple
check lists require information of impacts on general environmental factors scaling weighing
check lists require more detailed expert knowledge.
There are several major reasons for using checklists:
• They are useful in summarizing information to make it accessible to specialists from other
fields, or to decision makers who may have a limited amount of technical knowledge;
• Scaling checklists provide a preliminary level of analysis; and
• Weighting is a mechanism for incorporating information about ecosystem functions.

Some of the drawbacks with checklists when used as an impact assessment method:

1. They are too general or incomplete;

2. They do not illustrate interactions between effects;
3. The number of categories to be reviewed can be immense, thus distracting from the most
significant impacts; and
4. The identification of effects is qualitative and subjective.
3.Matrices Method:

In matrix methods interactions between various activities and environmental parameters will be
identified and evaluated. Matrix methods are basically generalized checklists where one
dimension ofa matrix is a list of environmental social and economic factors likely to be affected
by a project activity. The other dimension is a list of actions associated with development. These
relate to both the construction and operational phases.

In a Leopold matrix the columns of the matrix correspond to project actions (for example, flow
alteration) while the rows represent environmental conditions (for example, water temperature).
The impact associated with the action columns and the environmental condition row is described
in terms of its magnitude and significance

In Leopold matrix One 100 different types of impacts and 88 environmental characteristics are
identified in the system giving a total of 8800 possible interactions, but in practice it can usually
be quickly reduced to a fewer number of related items.

In the use of the Leopold matrix, each action and its potential for creating an impact on each
environmental item will be considered. Where an impact is anticipated, the matrix is marked
with a diagonal line in the appropriate interaction box.

Next the interaction in terms of its magnitude and importance will be considered in the method.
The '"magnitude" of an interaction is described by the assignment of a numerical value from 1 to
10, with 10 representing a large magnitude and 1 a small magnitude. Assignment of numerical
values for the magnitude of an interaction should be based on an objective evaluation of
available facts and data related to the anticipated impact.

The "importance" of an interaction is related to its significance, or an assessment of the probable

consequences of the anticipated impact. The scale of importance also ranges from 1 to 10 with
10 representing a very important interaction and 1 an interaction of relatively low importance.
Assignment of a numerical importance value is based on the subjective judgment of the expert
group, or interdisciplinary team working on the study.

The matrix approach is reasonably flexible. The total number of specified actions and
environmental items may increase or decrease depending on the nature and scope of the study
Matrices can be tailor-made to suit the needs of any project that is to be evaluated. They should
preferably cover both the construction and the operation phases of the project, because
sometimes, the former causes greater impacts than the latter.
Simple matrices are useful:
1) Early in EIA processes for scoping the assessment;
2) For identifying areas that require further research; and
3) For identifying interactions between project activities and specific environmental components.
However, matrices also have their disadvantages:
• They tend to overly simplify impact pathways,
• They do not explicitly represent spatial or temporal considerations, and
• They do not adequately address synergistic impacts.
• They tend to be difficult to get an overview when many variable are included.

4.Network Methods:

These methodologies work from a list of project activities to establish causecondition-effect

relationship. It is generally felt that a series of impacts may be triggered by a project action. They
define a set of possible networks and allow the user to identify impacts by selecting and tracing
out the appropriate project actions.

To develop a network a series of questions related to each project activity (such as what are the
primary impact areas, the primary impacts within these areas the secondary impact areas the
secondary impacts within these areas and so on) must be answered.

In developing network diagram the first step 'is to identify the first order changes in
environmental components. The secondary changes in other environmental components that will
result from first order changes will be then identified. In turn third order changes resulting from
secondary changes will be then identified. This process will be continued until the network
diagram is completed to the experts' satisfaction.

Network analyses are particularly useful for understanding the relationship between
environmental components that produce higher order impacts, which are often overlooked in
some major projects. Networks can also aid in organizing the discussion of anticipated project
impacts. Network displays are useful in communicating information about an environmental
impact study to an interested public.
5.Overlay Methods:

Overlay methods involve preparation of a set of transparent maps, which represent the spatial
distribution of an environmental characteristic (e.g., Extent of dense forest area, susceptibility to
erosion, etc.,).

Information on wide range of variables will be collected for standard geographical units within
the study area which will be recorded on series of maps typically one for each variable. These
maps will be overlaid to produce a composite map. The resulting composite maps characterize
the area's physical, social, ecological, land use and other relevant characteristics relative to the
location of the proposed development.

To evaluate the degree of associated impacts many project alternatives can be located on the
final map and validity of the assessment will be related to the type and number of parameters
chosen. Normally to have some clarity the number of parameters that can be overlayed in a
transparency map is limited to 10.

These methods are widely used for assessing visually the changes in the landscape before and
after the activity. Secondly it can be used for preparing combined mapping with an analysis of
sensitive areas or ecological carrying capacity. As these methods are spatially oriented they can
very clearly show the spatial aspects of cumulative impacts.
Their limitations relate to:

1) Lack of causal explanation of impact pathways; and

2) Lack of predictive capability with respect to population effects.

Combination Computer-aided:

These methodologies use a combination of matrices, networks, analytical models, and a

computer-aided systematic approach. Since this is a combination of difficult methodologies, it is
a multiple-objective approach to:

(a) Identify activities associated with the governmental policies and programmes;
(b) Identify potential environmental impacts at different levels;
(c) Provide guidance for abatement and mitigation techniques;
(d)Provide analytical models to establish cause-effect relationships and to quantitatively
determine potential environmental impacts, and
(e) Provide a methodology and a procedure to utilize this comprehensive information in
decision-making.
6.Cost/Benefit Analysis:

Cost/benefit analysis provides the nature of expense and benefit accruable from a project in
monetary terms as a common practice in traditional feasibility studies and thus enables easy
understanding and aids decision-making. The principal methods available for placing monetary
values (costs and benefits) on environmental impacts, a taxonomy of valuation methods, and
steps involved in economic evaluation of environmental impacts are discussed under this
category.

I. The use of economics for "benefit-cost analysis" as an integral part of project selection;
2. The use of economics in the assessment of activities suggested by the EtA; and
3. The economic assessment of the environmental impacts of the project.
Environmental economics can aid in the selection of projects in that benefit-cost analysis can be
used in the prescreening stage of the project, and the environmental components can be brought
into the process of presenting various options and selecting among them. Doing so eventually
leads to a project selection process, which takes the environment into consideration. Tn the
second role, the economic assessment is focused on the cost assessment of environmental
mitigation measures and management plans suggested in the EIA. The economic analysis in the
EIA may include a summary of the project costs and how such cost estimates would change due
to the activities proposed under the EIA. This component can be considered as an accounting of
the environmental investment of a project. The third role, which is the economic assessment of
the environmental impacts of a project, is geared towards seeking the economic values (of both
costs and benefits) of the environmental impacts. These impacts are neither mitigated, nor taken
into account in traditional economic analysis of projects. They should be identified by the ETA
and sufficient quantitative and qualitative explanations should be given in EIA documents.

The difficulty encountered in the use of these techniques will be that. impacts have to be
transformed and stated in explicit monetary terms, and this is not always possible, especially for
intangibles like the monetary value of health-related impacts of industrial development.

Cost/benefit analysis of the type for assessment of natural systems is not merely concerned with
the effects on environmental quality, but rather, it seeks the conditions for sustainable use of the
natural resources in a region. This type of approach is not useful for small scale development
projects, but is better suited for the analysis and evaluation of a regional development plan. Even
thought it may not be possible to place an economic value on environmental losses or gains
resulting from a developmental project, decision makers should take into account implied
environmental values in their decision-making

To facilitate the decision making process, therefore, assessors conducting environmental

impacts, should not just identify environmental impact, they should also provide information on
the implied values of the environmental losses and gains.

The evaluation of site / sites and major design options should be taken together, within the
economic and technical limitations imposed by the aim of the project, the combination of project
site and project design needed to produce no significant environmental impacts, should also incur
the least economic cost to the community.

If, for the preferred site and project option, the assessor has predicted potentially significant
environmental impacts, he should consider the cost to the community of any mitigating or
abatement measures ,and their alternatives before adopting them into the project plan. Whenever
there is a choice of measures to mitigate or abate a significant potential impact he should select
the solution that will incur the least economic cost to the community.
Steps in Economic Valuation of Environmental Impacts
Economic analysis of environmental impacts
important in project preparation to determine whether the net benefits of undertaking the project
are greater than the alternatives, including the non-project scenario. Project alternatives often
vary in their economic contribution and environmental impacts. Economic assessment of
different alternatives in the early stages of project planning should provide important inputs to
improve the quality of decision-making. The economic analysis of the environmental impacts of
the selected projects also allows for amore complete assessment of the project's costs and
benefits. A general procedure that can be followed in economic analysis of environmental
impacts is presented in (adapted from Asian Development Bank, 1996).

I. Determine the spatial and conceptual boundaries of the analysis;

2. Identify environmental impacts and their relationships to the project;
3. Quantify environmental impacts and organize them according to importance - the impacts
described qualitatively, if they cannot be expressed in quantitative terms;
4. Choose a technique for economic valuation;
5. Economic valuation (place monetary values) of environmental impacts identified; and
6. Set an appropriate time frame and perform the extended benefit cost analysis
7. Modeling Method:

Model
Modeling is an analytical tool which enables the quantification of impacts which can affect the
environment by simulating environmental conditions. Often models use computer technology to
predict the chemical or physical effects of a particular action within the environment

A mathematical model lends itself to the spatial and temporal analysis of aspects of the
environment such as air and water quality, water volume and flows, noise levels and airborne
deposition on soils and vegetation

Other types of model include socio-economic models, species habitat models and expert systems
which allow the impact of a project to be determined through a programme of decisions.

Prediction of impacts – Models:

Physical models – representation of the reality in a reduced scale, simulating processes

Visual models – elaboration of images that represent the environment before and after the
development of a project and its alternatives. It can also address the timing dimension (e.g.,
seasonal changes, vegetation growth).

Mathematic models- Maths or statistic simulations applied to the deterministic or probabilistic

calculation, based on quantitative values

Cartographic models- representation of reality that will be affected by the project through maps
or charts. Cartographic overlaps enable impact predictions

Models commonly used for Environmental Studies:

EIA Methodologies Pros and Cons:

Environmental Media Quality Index Method of EIA:

 Impacts of under construction and operation phases of development activity on the

environment are identified and analyzed using several methods. Some of them are
mentioned below
 1. Delphi Method:- The Delphi method or Delphi technique (also known as Estimate-
Talk-Estimate or ETE) is a structured communication technique or method, originally
developed as a systematic, interactive forecasting method which relies on a panel of
experts.
Delphi Method:

➢ Developed by Olaf Helmer and Norman Dalkey in 1963, is a widely accepted method, to
study the environmental impact assessment.
➢ A clear description of project
➢ Evaluate the impact of the project
➢ Select a panel of members – expertise
➢ Provide questionnaire to the panel experts.
➢ Evaluate the responses received from the panel experts.
➢ Second round questionnaire
➢ Repeat steps still satisfactory response

The Percent Method:

A comparison is drawn between individual pollutants with the ambient air quality standards,
followed by calculation of Air pollution Index(API), using their average value.

The Ration Method

The ratio between the air pollutants and their respective air quality standard values are
calculated. The sum of the average is multiplied by 100
Single parameter Index:- The single most parameter is taken into consideration
Pollution Standard Index:- used to assess the ambient air quality of any region on a daily basis.
Water quality Index:- Water quality parameters – pH, Dissolved Oxyzen, Biological Oxyzen,
Temp Change, Nitrates, Turbidity, Total dissolved solids, Conductivity, BOD,NO3, Alkalinity

Reviewing of EIA and EMP Reports:

a) Environmental Impact Assessment”

Although it is the responsibility of the proponent of the project in a transparent and logical
matter, the review will be based on technical grounds including: ™
➢ Description of Project and base line conditions ™
➢ Methods and models used ™
➢ Risk analysis and disaster management ™
➢ Public review ™
➢ Mitigation measures
Description of project and baseline conditions:
Base line conditions of the project area (site) known as core area and surrounding identified area
known as buffer zone (within 10 km radius) are collectively referred as project impact area. The
check list of key parameters will be:

Land
1. Landforms including coastal zone
2. Lithology and geomorphology
3. Soil composition and characteristics
4. Slope stability
5. Subsidence and compaction
6. Seismicity / zone
7. Flood plains/swamps
8. Land use
9. Mineral resources
10. Buffer zones (National park, wild life habitat)
11. Soil erosian
12. Catchments area treatment

Surface water

1. Shore line
2. Bottom interface
3. Flow variations
4. Water quality
5. Drainage pattern/water logging
6. Water balance
7. Flooding
8. Existing and planned future use
9. Siltation

Atmosphere
1. Air quality
2. Visibility
3. Meteorology

Noise and vibration

1. Intensity
2. Duration
Ground water potential
1. Water table
2. Flow regime
3. Water quality
4. Recharge rate
5. Aquifer characteristics
6. Existing use and proposed plans

Species and population

1. Terrestrial flora/fauna
2. Other terrestrial vegetation
3. Aquatic flora/fauna
4. Fish
5. Other aquatic flora/fauna

Habitat and communities

1. Terrestrial
2. Aquatic communities
3. Migratory path
4. Benthic flora and fauna

Health and safety

1. Physical
2. Psychological
3. Occupational
4. Parasitic diseases
5. Communicable diseases
6. Water born diseases
7. Disease vectors

Socio- Economic
1. Agricultural land
2. Employment/Training
3. Housing 4. Education
5. Utilities
6. Amenities (water, sanitation, electricity, transportation)
7. Community health
Aesthetic/Cultural
1. Landscape
2. Wilderness
3. Climate
4. Tranquility
5. Community structure
6. Religious places
7. Historical/Archaeological structures

When describing project base line conditions a good practice is mapping the impacted region on
a 1:25000 scale. Mapping for critical themes of relevant environmental components may also be
presented.

Site and process alternatives

Project description will need to address the main attributes during phase of the implementation
process
➢ General siting, layout map, showing water resources, roads, sewage, storm drains, land
use ™
➢ Project construction - Direct employment, water, power lines usage, earth work, dredging
drilling, schedule of activity ™
➢ Operation – Direct employment, raw materials, transport, pollution control, utilities,
stacks, vents, noise control, quantities of solid. Liquid and gaseous waste.

Risk Analysis and Disaster Management

➢ Hazard identification, inventory analysis, natural hazards. Maximum credible accident
analysis to identify hazardous scenarios, fire.
➢ Preparation onsite and offsite, disaster management plan.

Public Review:
The state Pollution Control Boards provide the details of Public Hearing. The proponent is
obliged to respond to the issues raised by stake holders. It is imperative to identify stake holders
representing the sections as given in Schedule IV of the Notification
QUESTIONS:
I. List the various EIA methods. What are the criteria used for selecting best EIA
method in a given situation?
2. What are adhoc methods? Where they are useful? What are its draw backs?
3. What are different categories of check methods? Discuss different
environmental factors to be considered in check list methods
4. What are scaling and weighing scaling check list methods What are different
environmental factors considered in check list methods?
5. What are different types of scales used in scaling check list methods
6. What is Battelle Environmental Evaluation System?
7. Check list are useful in which conditions better?
8. What are salient features of Matrix methods? What are interaction Matrix
methods discuss with reference to Leopoid matrix method?
9. What are stepped up matrix methods and net works methods?
10. Discuss what are secondary impacts that can be visualized in dredging and pulp
mill projects?
11. What are overlay methods? How GIS is useful as advanced tool I in overlay
methods?
12. Discuss the salient features of Rapid assessment methods. What are various
pollution load factors?
13. What is the importance of predictive methods in EIA?
14. What are different types of models used in EIA?