1.

WHAT IS RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) is intended to help a person to survey the

environmental conditions of a particular location d uring a specific period of time the purpose
being to identify any existing or potential problem areas or concerns with specific regards to the
use of natural resources, but also considering broad social and economic impacts. This form of
assessment is undertaken by gathering information from a range of sources, by completing a
series of short descriptions, checklists and ranking matrixes , and by analysing, discussing and
synthesising the findings. This particular REA tool and several other types of environmental
assessment and REA exist (see Box 1) is based on five checklists, designed to help users:

begin to gather essential baseline data;

identify actions which might cause short- or longer term impacts;

identify possible solutions to at least some of the negative impacts which might be
revealed;

assess where additional technical expertise mighte required; and

identify what actions can and should be addressed immediately possibly through simple
interventions.

The checklists in this Handbook are written for UNHCR and Implementing Partner staff working
in relief operations, especially emergency situations.While specific experience or technical
knowledge of environmental issues is an obvious bonus at suchtimes, neither is essential. It
should be stressed that a REA is not a substitute for a formal Environmental Assessment (EA).
The latter is an internationally recognized systematic assessment which may be required by host
governments and/or donor agencies in development as well as humanitarian operations. A REA

does not require the technical expertise, funding levels or resources that are needed to carry out
a comprehensive EA. The results of a REA are, however , far more subjective and, therefore, are
not as conclusive as those from a formal EA. This REA guide has been prepared as a first step in
assessing risks and needs in an emergency or a situation where time is restricted for a more
elaborate assessment. The results are intended to b e primarily used when discussing and
formulating response management plans. It is therefore intended to serve as an early decisionmaking tool in emergency-like situations. Results from the REA, however, will also find longer
term application as

data gathered through this process will provide the context and basic

information that can shape a late r EIA, but can also importantly serve as the baseline for future
monitoring progress at a slightly later stage when prevailing conditions permit this to happen.
As with almost every tool or approach, different ty pes have been developed to suit particular
needs.This REA has been developed for application in refugee and returnee situations, primarily
during an emergency response. This REA can and should be undertakenup to a maximum of
three months after the onset of an emergency situation. Beyond, and sometimes even before, that
time limit a formal EA should be commissioned and undertaken. Elements of this REA,
especially Checklists 1-3 can also be applied as an integral part of contingency planning. As
field tests of this tool have shown, however, this REA may prove equally useful in more
protracted situations when sudden changes may take place in a camp or settlement. Camp closure
and consolidation, for example, might result in the sudden movement of refugees to a longestablished camp or settlement elsewhere in the region/country.Such an action is likely to have
environmental well as social and economic, repercussions: these need to be identified before the
move takes place so
that appropriate response mechanisms can be put in place. This REA should therefore be viewed
as a multipurpose tool, relevant in fast evolving situations where population displacement takes
place, but equally applicable during care and maintenance situations, or during a repatriation
and/or a re-integration operation. It is likely to find equal use when planning/altering camps for
internally displaced persons (IDPs).

2. WHAT IS COMPRENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

The objective of a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is to prevent or at least to

considerably reduce activities that may have important harmful effects or consequences on the
environment and protected areas, thus realising the principles of sustainable development,
integrity and prevention.

The procedure for a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is defined in the

Environmental Protection Act and is carried out for plans provided that:

they define or envisage an activity affecting the environment for which an environmental
impact assessment needs to be carried out;

assessment of the acceptability of impacts on the protected areas according to the

regulations governing nature conservation is required;

the responsible ministry estimates that their implementation could have an important
effect on the environment.

In the procedure for comprehensive environmental impact assessment, the effects of the plan are
evaluated on the basis of the environmental report. The procedure is conducted by the ministry
responsible for the environment. It also includes cooperation between all national authorities
within their ministries and organisations, as well as public information and participation. The
participation of the public is governed by the Environmental Protection Act, which lays down a
30-day public presentation of the environmental report.

National authorities and local communities must, prior to the preparation of the plan and in the
specified manner, inform the ministry responsible for the environment thereof. Non-compliance
with legal obligations may result in invalidity of plans

The objective of comprehensive environmental impact assessment is "to provide a high level of
protection of the environment and to include environmental aspects in preparation and
adoption of plans and programmes in order to promote sustainable development".

Difference between Comprehensive EIA and Rapid EIA

The difference between Comprehensive EIA and Rapid EIA is in the time-scale of the data
supplied.

Rapid EIA is for speedier appraisal process. While both types of EIA require inclusion/ coverage
of all significant environmental impacts and their mitigation, Rapid EIA achieves this through
the collection of two seasons (other than monsoon) data only to reduce the time required.

This is acceptable if it does not compromise on the quality of decision-making. The review of
Rapid EIA submissions will show whether a comprehensive EIA is warranted or not.

It is; therefore, clear that the submission of a professionally prepared Comprehensive EIA in the
first instance would generally be the more efficient approach

Environmental Management Plan

EMP for the purpose of providing a stand-alone plan for managing the potential
environmental and social impacts of proposed construction and operation activities
on Choiseul Island. This EMP is based on the assessments and findings of the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). EMP that will be used to deliver the project

health, safety and environmental (EHS) regulatory compliance objectives, lenders

requirements (ie IFC Performance Standards) and other related commitments.
Environmental Management Objectives

Propose practical measures to avoid, reduce, restore or compensate for identified

adverse impacts.

Conserve highly significant aspects of the biophysical, cultural and social

environments.Protect human health and safety. Inform an environmentally sound
and sustainable engineering design process.

Propose a plan to monitor and manage Project implementation, such that the Project
is environmentally sustainable and optimizes resource use environmentally
sustainable and optimises resource use

Environmental Clearance - The Process

The environmental clearance process is required for 39 types of projects and covers aspects
like screening, scoping and evaluation of the upcoming project. The main purpose is to
assess impact of the planned project on the environment and people and to try to
abate/minimise the same.

The process consists of following steps:

Project proponent identifies the location of proposed plant after ensuring compliance with
existing siting guidelines. If project site does not agree with the siting guideline, the proponent
has to identify other alternative site for the project

 The project proponent then assesses if the proposed activity/project falls under the purview of
environmental clearance. If it is mentioned in schedule of the notification, the proponent
conducts an EIA study either directly or through a consultant. If the project falls in B category,
the project goes to state government for clearance which further categorise into B1 and B2
projects. B2 projects doe not require preparation of EIA reports.
After the EIA report is ready, the investor approaches the concerned State Pollution Control
Board (SPCB) and the State Forest Department (if the location involves use of forestland). The
SPCB evaluates and assesses the quantity and quality of effluents likely to be generated by the
proposed unit as well as the efficacy of the control measures proposed by the investor to meet the
prescribed standards. If the SPCB is satisfied that the proposed unit will meet all the prescribed
effluent and emissions standards, it issues consent to establish (popularly known as NOC), which
is valid for 15 years.
The public hearing is a mandatory step in the process of environmental clearance for certain
developmental projects. This provides a legal space for people of an area to come face-to-face
with the project proponent and the government and express their concerns.
The process of public hearing is conducted prior to the issue of NOC from SPCB. The District
Collector is the chairperson of the public hearing committee. Other members of the committee
includes the official from the district development body, SPCB, Department of Environment and
Forest, Taluka and Gram Panchayat representative, and senior citizen of the district, etc. The
hearing committee hears the objections/suggestions from the public and after inserting certain
clauses it is passed on to the next stage of approval (Ministry of Forest and Environment).
The project proponent submits an application for environmental clearance with the MoEF if it
falls under Project A category or the state government if it falls under project B category. The
application form is submitted with EIA report, EMP, details of public hearing and NOC granted
by the state regulators.
Environmental appraisal: The documents submitted by an investor are first scrutinised by a
multi-disciplinary staff functioning in the Ministry of Environment and Forests who may also
undertake site-visits wherever required, interact with the investors and hold consultations with

experts on specific issues as and when necessary. After this preliminary scrutiny, the proposals
are placed before specially constituted committees of experts whose composition is specified in
the EIA Notification. Such committees, known as Environmental Appraisal Committees have
been constituted for each sector such as River Valley, Industries, Mining etc. and these
committees meet regularly to appraise the proposals received in the Ministry. In case of certain
very special/controversial projects, which have aroused considerable public interest, the
committee may also decide to arrange for public hearings on those projects to ensure public
participation in developmental decisions. Announcements for such public hearing shall be made
atleast 30 days before through newspapers. On the basis of the exercise described in the
foregoing paragraphs, the Appraisal Committees make their recommendations for approval or
rejection of particular projects. The recommendations of the Committees are then processed in
the Ministry of Environment and Forests for approval or rejection.
Issues of clearance or rejection letter: When a project requires both environmental clearance as
well as approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Proposals for both are required to be
given simultaneously to the concerned divisions of the ministry. The processing is done
simultaneously for clearance/rejection, although separate letters may be issued. If the project
does not involve diversion of forest land, the case is processed only for environmental clearance.
Once all the requisite documents and data from the project authorities are received and public
hearings (where required) have been held, assessment and evaluation of the project from the
environment angle is completed within 90 days and the decision of the ministry shall be
conveyed within 30 days thereafter. The clearance granted shall be valid for a period of five
years for commencements of the construction or operation of the project.

SOIL QUALITY CRITERIA

Up to the 1990ies soil protection was not a priority in spatial planning in the EU Member
States and was usually overruled by economic demands. European cities are mostly situated in
river basins with the best agricultural land. Consequently growth of settlements usuall results in
loss of high quality land.

Many countries integrated the sustainability principle, and hence the efficient and careful use of
natural resources in their spatial planning policies in the 1990ies. To which extent this principle
was later on respected is described in the country profiles .About ten years ago first initiatives
started to integrate soil protection and in particular the protection of soil functions in spatial
planning decisions. Key objective of these initiatives were to ensure that the best soils are
conserved and that alternative solutions, i.e. in areas with less valuable soil functions, are
selected for new developments or that new developments are designed in a way that impacts to
soil functions are reduced developments are designed in a way that impacts to soil functions are
reduced

Urban Soil Evaluation in City Regions

At European level the project TUSEC-IP can be considered as pioneer initiative, which paved
the way for sustainable planning in particular in ecologically sensitive areas, which are subject
to heavy use and where there is continuous demand for building and development land like in
most European agglomerations. The project triggered the realisation of soil assessment in
spatial planning, as this was the case for the municipality of Bozen and the province Upper
Austria. The project TUSEC-IP developed a procedure for soil evaluation based on soil
functions. It permits soil evaluation regardless of national regulations for handling soils and is
not specific to one certain pedologic method the results of soil evaluation contribute to ensuring
that in future greater consideration is given to precautionary soil protection in regional and
municipal planning procedures and in the associated environmental impact assessment. There
are 2 methods of evaluation.

Food and other biomass production

Physical and cultural environment for mankind

The result of each evaluation procedure is given as a five stage classification from very high to
very low

Application. The soil evaluation system was tested on the basis of example cases
encountered in planning processes in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Slovenia.