ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING & DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Lesson Plan No. – 35-44
TOPIC – ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
SUB TOPICS – Definition and Objectives (Category I, II & III) of environmental impact assessment, EIA guidelines
and Environmental management system.
REFRENCE BOOKS
1. Khopkar S.M., Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Control, New Age International Publishers, Delhi.
2. Srivastava Smriti, Environment and Ecology, S.K. Kataria & Sons, Delhi.
3. R. B. Singh (Ed). Disaster Management, Rawat Publication, New Delhi, 2000.
4. Principles of Environmental Science & Technology by K. Saravanan, S. Ramachandran & R. Baskar, New
Age International Publishers.
INTERNET LINKS
https://www.biologydiscussion.com/environment/environmental-impact-assessment-eia-definition-process-and-
importance/16777#:~:text=The%20objective%20of%20EIA%20is,development%20through%20the%20identifi
cation%20of
https://www.aboutcivil.org/environmental-impact-assessment
https://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_0592001/1-3.pdf
https://www.environmentalpollution.in/environmental-impact-assessment/environmental-impact-assessment-
scope-and-objectives/4614
https://unep.ch/etu/publications/EIA_ovrhds/top01.pdf
https://www.leaders-mena.com/environmental-impact-assessment-eia-objectives-and-benefits-2/
https://www.leaders-mena.com/environmental-impact-assessment-eia-objectives-and-benefits/
https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/eia/
https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1
http://www.fao.org/3/v9933e/v9933e02.htm
http://mytutorial.srtcube.com/environment-impact-assessment-eia/environment-science/826-455#7497
https://www.pmfias.com/eia-environmental-impact-assessment/
http://www.raymondsumouniversity.com/eia-local/page93.htm
https://www.cseindia.org/understanding-eia-383
http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/eia_guidelines.pdf
http://www.nzdl.org/gsdlmod?e=d-00000-00---off-0envl--00-0----0-10-0---0---0direct-10---4-------0-0l--11-en-
50---20-help---00-0-1-00-0--4----0-0-11-10-0utfZz-8-
00&cl=CL1.1&d=HASH0163f418d473d649bc20dade.11. 1.2>=1
https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutional-document/32635/files/environmental-assessment-
guidelines.pdf
http://adlib.everysite.co.uk/resources/000/020/059/PB6475.pdf
https://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/evaluation/watsan2005/annex_files/SIDA/SIDA%201%20-
%20Environmental%20impact%20assessments.pdf
https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/environment/iemas-guidelines-for-environmental-impact-assessment/9908
https://essexregionconservation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/EIA-Guidelines-September-6-2019.pdf
https://idronline.org/the-eia-draft-2020-needs-to-be- restructured/?
gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlISyvanb6wIVVwQrCh2a5woAEAAYASAAEgJIlPD_BwE
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/draft-environment-impact-assessment-norms-explained-
6482324/#:~:text=Under%20the%20Environment%20(Protection)%20Act,affect%20(pollute)%20natural%20re
sources.&text=The%201994%20EIA%20notification%20was%20replaced%20with%20a%20modified%20draf
t%20in%202006.
https://www.epa.gov/ems/learn-about-environmental-management- systems#:~:text=An%20Environmental
%20Management%20System%20(EMS)%20is%20a%20framework%2
0that%20helps,improvement%20of%20its%20environmental
%20performance.
https://isoconsultantkuwait.com/2019/06/21/iso-140012015-environment-management-system/
https://14000store.com/articles/what-is-ems-environmental-management-system/
https://www.iso.org/iso-14001-environmental-management.html
https://advisera.com/14001academy/knowledgebase/what-is-an-environmental-management-system-ems/
http://www.environmentalmanagementsystem.com.au/what-is-an-environmental-management-system.html
https://www.epa.gov/ems
DEFINITION AND OBJECTIVES (CATEGORY I, II & III) OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ASSESSMENT, EIA GUIDELINES, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
DEFINITION AND OBJECTIVES (CATEGORY I, II & III) OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ASSESSMENT
DEFINITION OF EIA
A systematic identification and evaluation of the potential impacts of proposed projects, plans,
programs, or legislative action relative to physical-chemical, biological, cultural and socioeconomic
components of environment is called Environmental Impact Assessment.
OR, The process of predicting, identifying, evaluating and mitigating the biological, social and other
relevant effects of developmental proposals prior to major decision being taken and commitment made. It is an
important procedure for ensuring that the likely effects of new developmental activities on the environment are
fully understood and taken into account before the development is allowed to go ahead.
Environmental impact Assessment is an event or effect, which results from a prior event. It can be
described as the change in an environmental parameter, over a specific period and within a defined area,
resulting from a particular activity compared with the situation which would have occurred had the activity not
been initiated.
OBJECTIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA)
The principal objective of EIA is to ensure that the development is sustained with minimal
environmental degradation. Adverse effects on environment should be minimized by incorporating suitable
measures in the project planning itself on the basis of predictions regarding environmental degradation on
account of project operation. The Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India, has been assigned
the responsibility for appraisal of projects with regards to their future environmental implications. Three
primary objectives of EIA can be summarized:
(i) To identify, predict and evaluate the economic, environmental and social impact of development activities.
(ii) To provide information on the environmental consequences for decision making.
(iii) To promote environmentally sound and sustainable development through the identification of appropriate
alternatives and mitigation measures.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
An ideal EIA should have the following characteristics:
(i) Apply to all activities that have significant environmental impact and address all the impacts that are
expected to be significant.
(ii) Compare alternatives to a proposed project (including the possibility of not developing the site),
management, techniques and mitigation measures.
(iii) Clear EIS mentioning importance of impacts and their specific characteristics to experts as well as to non
expert in the field.
(iv) Public participation and stringent administrative review procedure
(v) Be on time so as to provide information for decision making and be enforceable.
(vi) Including monitoring and feedback procedures.
PROCESS / COMPONENTS OF EIA
The key steps in EIA process are:
(i) PROJECT DEFINITION AND IDENTIFICATION
During project identification and definition, the project proponent conducts feasibility studies, defines
the usefulness of the study, considers alternatives, files a notice of intention to seek EIA clearance and, ideally,
initiates an inter-agency and public consultation process.
(ii) SCREENING
At this stage, the EIA agency determines whether the project may proceed as planned or it should be
modified partially or completely. For this, the EIA agency consults the proponent and other agencies and public
participants to determine the requirements of further studies.
(iii) SCOPING
This is also an early planning stage and deals with a more detailed plan of study for the project to
identify major concerns and key impacts, and to decide assessment methods and models to be used.
(iv) AGENCIES
Agencies and public representatives concerned with the project or the project area are consulted.
(v) BASELINE DATA COLLECTION
Baseline data collection and analyses are very important in project planning. They play an important role
in primary monitoring of the environment in the project area.
(vi) IDENTIFICATION OF IMPACT
Impact prediction and assessment are the most important parts of the technical process. This can be
achieved by employing suitable models and a careful evaluation of inputs and outputs of environmental
impacts.
(vii) ALTERNATIVE EVALUATION CRITERIA
They include legally-mandated criteria, technical/ scientific criteria, and social acceptability criteria.
Alternative sites and design process should be critically examined to maximize the positive environmental
impacts, socio-economic benefits, profitability, and minimize the temporary adverse impacts.
(viii) MANAGEMENT PLAN
After the identification of environmental impacts, the mitigation measures are now needed to be defined.
A good management plan should have flexible project planning so that it can adopt the modified or entirely new
project alternatives. It should aim to minimize adverse environmental impacts.
(ix) PUBLICATION OF EIA REPORT
Circulation/ Publication of EIA report is an important step. It brings public comments, which would be
definitely helpful for primary stages of EIA like screening and scooping.
(x) FORMAL APPROVAL (WITH OR WITHOUT CONDITIONS)
The decision on the EIA report is put forward in a written record with conditions that the project
proponent must comply with the provisions mentioned in the document.
(xi) MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE
A careful monitoring ensures the compliance of provisions mentioned in the management plan. It not
only provides confidence to workers, public agencies, and communities involved in dealing with negative
impacts, but also gives useful feedback on the accuracy of the EIA’s impact predictions.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
After the inception of the NEPA, 1969, a number of methodologies and models are now available for
evaluation and assessment of environmental impacts. Computer-based models are more improved than
conventional subjective models. Some of the important methods for EIA are:
(1) AD HOC APPROACH
This is the oldest and perhaps the crudest approach to EIA. This method provides very little guidance for
assessing impacts on specific parameters beyond suggesting impacts on broad areas like impact on land, forests,
population, water, wildlife, etc. This approach does not count secondary impacts.
(2) CHECKLIST
It is the updated version of the ad hoc approach in which specific areas of potential impacts are listed.
Checklists contain environmental parameters. Each environmental parameter for adverse, beneficial, or no
effects due to proposed project activities can be simply ticked in the checklist and overall environmental impact
can be evaluated. This method is usually very large, subjective, and provides little guidance that can aid in the
decision making process.
(3) MATRIX METHOD
The method is attributed to Leopold et al (1971). The method uses a matrix format to relate project
actions and environmental components.
IMPORTANCE / BENEFITS OF EIA
(i) EIA links environment with development for environmentally safe and sustainable development.
(ii) EIA provides a cost effective method to eliminate or minimize the adverse impact of developmental
projects.
(iii) EIA enables the decision makers to analyse the effect of developmental activities on the environment well
before the developmental project is implemented.
(iv) EIA encourages the adaptation of mitigation strategies in the developmental plan.
(v) EIA makes sure that the developmental plan is environmentally sound and within the limits of the capacity
of assimilation and regeneration of the ecosystem.
LIMITATIONS OF EIA PROCESS
(i) APPLICABILITY
There are several projects with significant environmental impacts that are exempted from the
notification either because they are not listed in schedule I, or their investments are less than what is provided
for in the notification.
(ii) COMPOSITION OF EXPERT COMMITTEES AND STANDARDS
It has been found that the team formed for conducting EIA studies is lacking the expertise in various
fields such as environmentalists, wildlife experts, Anthropologists and Social Scientists.
(iii) PUBLIC HEARING
(a) Public comments are not considered at an early stage, which often leads to conflict at a later stage of project
clearance.
(b) A number of projects with significant environmental and social impacts have been excluded from the
mandatory public hearing process.
(c) The data collectors do not pay respect to the indigenous knowledge of local people.
(iv) QUALITY OF EIA
One of the biggest concerns with the environmental clearance process is related to the quality of EIA
report that is being carried out.
(v) LACK OF CREDIBILITY
There are so many cases of fraudulent EIA studies where erroneous data has been used, same facts used
for two totally different places etc.
(vi) Often, and more so for strategic industries such as nuclear energy projects, the EMPs are kept confidential
for political and administrative reasons-
(a) Details regarding the effectiveness and implementation of mitigation measures are often not provided.
(b) Emergency preparedness plans are not discussed in sufficient details and the information not disseminated
to the communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN INDIA
EIA started in India in 1976-77 when the Planning Commission directed the Department of Science &
Technology to assess the river valley projects from the point of view of the environment. This was extended for
all those projects that required approval from the Public Investment Board.
Then, in 1986, the government enacted the Environment (Protection) Act which made EIA statutory.
The other main laws in this regard are the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972), the Water Act (1974), the
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act (1981), and the Biological Diversity Act (2002).
In 1982, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change set up the Environmental Information
System (ENVIS) to collect, collate, storing, retrieving and disseminating information related to the
environment sector. This serves as a web-based distributed network of subject-specific databases. The chief
purpose of the ENVIS is to integrate all countrywide efforts to collect, store, disseminate, and use environment-
information for better managing environmental assessment activities.
EIA GUIDELINES
Each individual EIA report should ideally be modified to fit the circumstances of the project. However,
it is useful to follow certain general guidelines to fit together the essential components of the study so as to
generate a logical advisory report helpful to the decision makers as well as the general public. A brief
description of the typical contents of each section of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is given
below-
INTRODUCTION
This would be introductory in nature and should provide a background of the project. It presents a
review of the existing situation and demonstrates the need for the proposed project. Details regarding the
composition of the EIA study team, the budget adequacy (in professional person months), work plan, and the
report organization should also form a part of this.
SITE AND SURROUNDINGS
In accordance with the prevailing guidelines. Published literature and educational and government
agencies can be the major source of information. This information can be augmented by field studies and should
include the following information-
(a) A description of the location and layout, including a vicinity map.
(b) Existing land use patterns should be described. Emphasis has to be on existing agriculture activities,
presence of forest land, habitations, etc.
(c) Existing water use in the area is to be identified.
(d) Demographic profile which includes population density, population centres, and employment statistics.
(e) Soil profiles, including identification of soil types.
(f) Hydrology and water quality, which should include surface and groundwater resources, hydraulic, and water
quality characteristics. Water quality parameters can be based on drinking water quality standards. Data on
groundwater quality and the profile of the groundwater table, etc., should also be provided.
(g) Meteorology and air quality; meteorological data such as temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, wind
speed and direction, and air quality data such as levels of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide,
hydrocarbons, etc.
(h) Ecology; ecological data will include a description of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the area. Rare and
endangered species, if any, will be identified.
(i) All the baseline information to be included in this chapter would be one year of monitoring data in the case
of a detailed EIA.
PROJECT
This should include the plant layout, inclusive of the drainage system, description of materials utilized
and produced (mass balance), design criteria adopted, and the access ways to be used. Project information
should be described in terms of the following activities, such as site preparation, construction, operation on site,
transportation, welfare, and closure.
Amongst this classification, all major activities should be identified and shown in the form of a bar chart
to convey the implementation as well as operation of the project. Any potential as well as non-routine or less
frequent activities should also be paid attention to. Examples are the storage facilities, start-up, and shut down
of the plant, etc. Attributes of all the major activities should be described so as to appreciate their size and
duration.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF PROJECT OPERATION
The anticipated impacts of the project operation on the environment should be described in this point.
Impacts on air quality, water quality, agriculture, and aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems have to be stressed. A
logical use of the information presented in the above two points should form the root of this point. EIA methods
such as matrix and network, together with tools such as prediction models, may be useful at this stage. All direct
and indirect (first order and higher order) impacts should be speculated at this stage. To assist in this exercise,
tools of prediction modeling may also be used, if necessary.
EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS OF IMPACT
This type of evaluation method or tool, for example, weighted/scaled matrix, network, GIS, index
method, cost-benefit analysis, etc., used to quantitatively evaluate the impact due to the proposed action, should
be highlighted in this part of the report. Expert systems may also be useful for this evaluation.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP)
The EMP documents should contain an implementation plan for each of the selective mitigative
protection and enhancement measures. The chapter may be structured as follows:
(a) Objective
(b) Work plan
(c) Implementation schedule
(d) Manpower requirements
(e) Budgetary provision for EMP
EMP is the most crucial and significant part of the entire EIA report. It is therefore essential that this
point be presented with precision and clarity. It might be useful in this case to identify issues of significance due
to the project and specify the corresponding mitigation measures. Representation of this in a tabular form may
be useful.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMMES
The proposed monitoring programmes to be implemented to monitor environmental impacts due to the
operation of the project should be described in this chapter. The programmes should be initiated prior to the
commencement of the construction activities. The following sections have to be discussed:
(a) Surface water
(b) Groundwater
(c) Air quality
(d) Ecological - aquatic and terrestrial
(e) Socio-economic condition
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS)
DEFINITION
“An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a set of processes and practices that enable an
organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency.” This site provides
information and resources related to EMS for small businesses and private industry, as well as local, state and
federal agencies.
METHODOLOGY OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
(EMS)
An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a framework that helps an
organization achieves its environmental goals through consistent review, evaluation,
and improvement of its environmental performance, which is based on the Plan – Do
– Check – Act methodology.
The assumption is that this consistent review and evaluation will identify opportunities for improving
and implementing the environmental performance of the organization. The EMS itself does not dictate a level
of environmental performance that must be achieved; each organization's EMS is modified to its own individual
objectives and targets.
BASIC ELEMENTS OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS)
(a) An EMS helps an organization address its regulatory demands in a systematic and cost-effective manner.
This proactive approach can help reduce the risk of non-compliance and improve health and safety practices for
employees and the public.
(b) An EMS can also help address non-regulated issues, such as energy conservation, and can promote stronger
operational control and employee stewardship.
Basic Elements of an EMS include the following:
(i) Reviewing the organization's environmental goals.
(ii) Analyzing its environmental impacts and legal requirements.
(iii) Setting environmental objectives and targets to reduce environmental impacts and comply with legal
requirements.
(iv) Establishing programs to meet these objectives and targets.
(v) Monitoring and measuring progress in achieving the objectives.
(vi) Ensuring employees' environmental awareness and competence.
(vii) Reviewing progress of the EMS and making improvements.
COSTS OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS)
(A) INTERNAL
(i) Staff / Manager Time (represents the bulk of EMS resources expended by most organizations).
(ii) Other employee time.
(B) EXTERNAL
(i) Potential consulting assistance.
(ii) Outside training of personnel.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS)
Potential benefits of an EMS are-
(i) Improved environmental performance
(ii) Enhanced compliance
(iii) Pollution prevention
(iv) Resource conservation
(v) New customers/markets
(vi) Increased efficiency/reduced costs
(viii) Enhanced employee morale
(ix) Enhanced image with public, regulators, lenders, investors
(x) Employee awareness of environmental issues and responsibilities
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS) UNDER ISO 14001
The most commonly used framework for an EMS is the one developed by the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the ISO 14001 standards, established in 1996. This framework
is the official international standard for an EMS which is based on the Plan – Do – Check – Act methodology.
An EMS encourages an organization to continuously improve its environmental performance. The
organization first commits to an environmental policy, then uses its policy as a basis for establishing a plan,
which sets objectives and targets for improving environmental performance. The next step is implementation.
After that, the organization evaluates its environmental performance to see whether the objectives and targets
are being met. If targets are not being met, corrective action is taken. The results of this evaluation are then
reviewed by top management to see if the EMS is working. Management revisits the environmental policy and
sets new targets in a revised plan. The company then implements the revised plan. The cycle repeats, and
continuous improvement occurs. The system follows a repeating cycle (see figure 1).
Figure 1: The continuous improvement cycle
The five main stages of an EMS, as defined by the ISO 14001 standards are described below:
(1) COMMITMENT AND POLICY
Top management commits to environmental improvement and establishes the organization's
environmental policy. The policy is the foundation of the EMS.
(2) PLANNING
An organization first identifies environmental aspects of its operations. Environmental aspects are those
items, such as air pollutants or hazardous waste, which can have negative impacts on people and/or the
environment. An organization then determines which aspects are significant by choosing criteria considered
most important by the organization. For example, an organization may choose worker health and safety,
environmental compliance, and cost as its criteria. Once significant environmental aspects are determined, an
organization sets objectives and targets. An objective is an overall environmental goal (e.g., minimize use of
chemical X). A target is a detailed, quantified requirement that arises from the objectives (e.g., reduce use of
chemical X by 25% by September 1998). The final part of the planning stage is devising an action plan for
meeting the targets. This includes designating responsibilities, establishing a schedule, and outlining clearly
defined steps to meet the targets.
(3) IMPLEMENTATION
An organization follows through with the action plan using the necessary resources (human, financial,
etc.). An important component is employee training and awareness for all employees. Other steps in the
implementation stage include documentation, following operating procedures, and setting up internal and
external communication lines.
(4) EVALUATION
A company monitors its operations to evaluate whether targets are being met. If not, the company takes
corrective action.
(5) REVIEW
Top management reviews the results of the evaluation to see if the EMS is working. Management
determines whether the original environmental policy is consistent with the organization's values. The plan is
then revised to optimize the effectiveness of the EMS. The review stage creates a loop of continuous
improvement for a company.
IMPORTANTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (EMS)
Environmental Management Systems go beyond just complying with the law. It is expected that a
company will know and meet all the environmental requirements that are specified for their operations, but not
every company will look past this and work towards improving their operations with respect to reducing the
negative impacts on the environment. This is the reason for having an environmental management system, and
is the biggest selling point for why a company would want to implement such a system. Reducing your
environmental impact can help gain market share in a world with ever growing environmental awareness.
