UNIT-1 INTRODUCTION

Department of Civil Engineering

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT-18CEOE05

Unit-1 INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION TO EIA: Definition, Objectives, History of development, Difference between effect and
impact, Projects and its environmental impacts, Purpose of EIA, Environmental components. Types – Rapid
and Comprehensive EIA, EIS, FONSI.

DEFINITION:

 EIA is done to get Environmental Clearance from the Government for undertaking any developmental
activity.

 EIA is an exercise to be carried out before any project or its modernization stage or its expansion
stage (2006 Notification).

 It’s a policy and a management tool for both planning and decision making

 EIA is a process which identify, predict, assess all likely impacts of a proposed developmental activity

 It examines all positive and negative impacts of a proposed activity and try to enhance the positive impacts
by modifying project

Environmental Impact Assessment is the process of identification of future consequences of current or

proposed action. It is an intensively inter disciplinary process that utilizes the biological, physical and social
sciences in analyzing the potential impacts of an action and devising strategies for minimizing or preventing
such impacts.
The term ‘Environment’ includes:

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What is Environmental Impact Assessments?

It 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. EIA is
a tool used to assess the positive and negative environmental, economic, and social impacts of a project. This is
used to predict the environmental impacts of a project in the pre-planning stage itself so that decisions can be
taken to reduce the adverse impacts.

An EIA may be defined as: A formal process to predict the environmental consequences of human
development activities and to plan appropriate measures to eliminate or reduce adverse effects and to augment
positive effects.

 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.

Environmental assessment (EIA) is the term used for the assessment of the environmental consequences
(positive and negative) of a plan, policy, program, or project prior to the decision to move forward with the
proposed action. In this context, the term 'environmental impact assessment' (EIA) is usually used when
applied to concrete projects and the term 'strategic environmental assessment' applies to policies, plans and
programmes. Environmental assessments may be governed by rules of administrative procedure 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. The International Association for Impact Assessment
(IAIA) defines an environmental impact assessment as "the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and

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mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions
being taken and commitments made. EIAs are unique in that they do not require adherence to a predetermined
environmental outcome, but rather they require decision makers to account for environmental values in their
decisions and to justify those decisions in light of detailed environmental studies and public comments on the
potential environmental impacts.

Engineering and consulting companies work hand in hand as contractors for mining, energy, oil&gas
companies executing EIAs. These contractors are the ones not only in charge of preparing an EIA study but
most importantly getting these studies approved by each country government offices prior to the execution of a
project. Each country will also have its own local contractors offering the same kind of service hence breaking
out monopolies by increasing the supply of EIAs execution consultants.

OBJECTIVES:

Objectives of Environmental Impact Assessment

1. Identifying, predicting, and evaluating economic, environmental, and social impacts of development
activities.
2. Providing information on the environmental consequences for decision making.
3. Promoting environmentally sound and suitable development by identifying appropriate alternatives and
mitigation measures.

The aims and objectives of EIA can be divided into two categories. The immediate aim of EIA is to inform the
process of decision-making by identifying the potentially significant environmental effects and risks of
development proposals. The ultimate (long term) aim of EIA is to promote sustainable development by
ensuring that development proposals do not undermine critical resource and ecological functions or the well
being, lifestyle and livelihood of the communities and peoples who depend on them.

Immediate objectives of EIA are

potential impacts of the proposal

implementing the proposal

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Long term objectives of EIA are

nges and serious damage to the environment

EVOLUTION & HISTORY OF EIA:

EIA is termed as one of the best policy innovations in the 1900s. The main aim of EIA is to conserve the
environment and bring out the best combination of economic and environmental costs and benefits.
Environmental Impact Assessment evolution and history as follows:

1. The birth of EIA is dated back to the 1970s. In 1969, The USA had brought its first National
Environment Policy Act (NEPA) 1969.
2. The EIA was initially practised by developed nations but slowly it was also introduced in developing
nations including India.
3. Columbia and the Philippines are the earliest examples of developing nations who introduced EIA in
their policies. Columbia brought it in 1974 while the Philippines in 1978.
4. Worldwide, EIA is now practised in more than 100 countries. By the mid-1990s, some 110 countries
applied EIA as a major environmental policy.
5. In 1989, EIA was adopted as the major development project by the World Bank.

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History of EIA in India

 Environment Impact Assessment in India is statutorily backed by the Environment Protection Act,
1986 which contains various provisions on EIA methodology and process.

 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.

 Till 1994, environmental clearance from the Central Government was an administrative decision and
lacked legislative support.

 On 27 January 1994, the then Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, under the Environmental
(Protection) Act 1986, promulgated an EIA notification making Environmental Clearance (EC) mandatory
for expansion or modernisation of any activity or for setting up new projects listed in Schedule 1 of the
notification.

 The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified new EIA legislation in
September 2006.

o 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.
o 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.

Current EIA Reports – India

EIA Notification 2020 draft has been made public. Once the EIA Notification 2020 will be published in the
Official Gazette, it will replace EIA notification 2006. EIA has been in the news following EIA notification
2020 was drafted as one of the amendments will be the removal of public consultation from several activities
(Put under Category B2).

Here are a few important terms/agencies concerning EIA notification 2020 which aspirants should further read
about:
1. Accredited Environment Impact Assessment Consultant Organization (ACO)
2. Central Pollution Control Board
3. Certificate of Green Building
4. Corporate Environment Responsibility
5. Eco-Sensitive Area/ Eco-Sensitive Zone

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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.
Read about the environment acts mentioned above in the linked articles below:

1. Wildlife Protection Act of 1972

2. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981
3. Biological Diversity Act, 2002

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EFFECT AND IMPACT

The two terms impact and effect do not mean the same, even though they have similar meanings and
can be used in similar situations. The main difference between impact and effect is that impact is the
influence of an action/phenomenon on something or someone whereas effect is the consequence or
outcome of an action or a phenomenon.

Effect – Meaning and Usage

Effect is the result or outcome of an action or a phenomenon. Effect can be both used as a noun and
a verb though noun is the most commonly used of the two. As mentioned above, effect is generally used as a
noun to indicate the result or consequence of something. In most cases, the term effect refers to the end results
of a phenomenon. An effect is always the result of a cause.
To understand this word better, let us look at the phenomenon of global warming, which has become a
burning issue in today’s world. Emission of greenhouse gasses is the main cause behind global warming.
Effects of global warming are environmental and social changes like the retreat of glaciers, changing in the

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timing of seasonal events, changes in agricultural productivity, etc. All these effects are caused as a result of
direct or indirect human behavior. Global warming has a major impact on all human and animal life on earth.

Fig: Glacier retreat is an effect of global warming.

Impact – Meaning and Usage

The term impact can have several meanings such as collision, strong effect, influence, etc. But since we
are comparing impact with effect in this article, we’ll only look at the meaning that is mostly confused with
effect. In certain cases, impact can be defined as a powerful effect. Keep in mind that the term impact mostly
refers to a negative effect. Although the term effect can be loosely interchanged with terms like result and
consequences, impact cannot be interchanged with these terms. Unlike effect, impact does not indicate a
consequence or result but indicates how something influence and affect something.

In the earlier section, we discussed the effects of global warming and how it has a huge impact on
human and animal lives. Here, you’ll notice that the term impact refers to how global warming affects and
influence our lives. When we say effects of global warming, we are referring to what happens due to global
warming. When we say impacts of global warming, we are mainly referring to the influence of these effects on
environment and society. In simple, we use the term effect, when we are merely talking about the
consequences of something, but we use the term impact to describe how these consequences are going to affect
someone or something. For example, consider the sentence, “To understand the seriousness of global warming,
it is important to know its impact on the environment and society.” Here, impact basically refers to how global
warming is going to affect and influence the environment and society. If we are simply talking about the
consequences of global warming, without mentioning what or who it is going to be affected, we can say use
the term effect.

Fig: Extreme weather conditions have a huge impact on humans.

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1. Definition:
Impact can be defined as a marked effect that usually has negative outcomes.
Effect can be defined as a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.
2. Action/ Phenomenon:
Impact is the influence of an action/phenomenon on something or someone.
Effect is the consequence or outcome of an action or a phenomenon.
3. Synonyms:
Impact cannot be used synonymously with result, consequence, outcome, etc
Effect can be used synonymously with result, consequence, outcome, etc..
4. Consequence:
Impact refers to how a consequence of some action is going to affect someone or something.
Effect only refers to the consequences.

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PURPOSE OF EIA/ NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDIES

Economic, social and environmental change is inherent to development. Whilst development aims to
bring about positive change it can lead to conflicts. In the past, the promotion of economic growth as the motor
for increased well-being was the main development thrust with little sensitivity to adverse social or
environmental impacts. The need to avoid adverse impacts and to ensure long term benefits led to the concept
of sustainability. This has become accepted as an essential feature of development if the aim of increased well-
being and greater equity in fulfilling basic needs is to be met for this and future generations.

In order to predict environmental impacts of any development activity and to provide an opportunity to
mitigate against negative impacts and enhance positive impacts, the environmental impact assessment (EIA)
procedure was developed in the 1970s.
An EIA may be defined as: A formal process to predict the environmental consequences of human
development activities and to plan appropriate measures to eliminate or reduce adverse effects and to augment
positive effects.
EIA thus has three main functions:
• To predict problems • To find ways to avoid them • To enhance positive effects

The third function is of particular importance. The EIA provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate
ways in which the environment may be improved as part of the development process. The EIA also predicts
the conflicts and constraints between the proposed project, programme or sectoral plan and its environment. It
provides an opportunity for mitigation measures to be incorporated to minimize problems. It enables
monitoring programmes to be established to assess future impacts and provide data on which managers can
take informed decisions to avoid environmental damage.

EIA is a management tool for planners and decision makers and complements other project studies on
engineering and economics. Environmental assessment is now accepted as an essential part of development
planning and management. It should become as familiar and important as economic analysis in project
evaluation.

The aim of any EIA should be to facilitate sustainable development. Beneficial environmental effects
are maximized while adverse effects are ameliorated or avoided to the greatest extent possible. EIA will help
select and design projects, programmes or plans with long term viability and therefore improve cost
effectiveness.

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It is important that an EIA is not just considered as part of the approval process. Volumes of reports
produced for such a purpose, which are neither read nor acted upon, will devalue the process. A key output of
the EIA should be an action plan to be followed during implementation and after implementation during the
monitoring phase. To enable the action plan to be effective the EIA may also recommend changes to laws and
institutional structures.

Initially EIA was seen by some project promoters as a constraint to development but this view is
gradually disappearing. It can, however, be a useful constraint to unsustainable development. It is now well
understood that environment and development are complementary and interdependent and EIA is a technique
for ensuring that the two are mutually reinforcing.

Irrigated agriculture is crucial to the economy, health and welfare of a very large part of the developing
world. It is too important to be marginalized as it is vital for world food security. However, irrigated
agriculture often radically changes land use and is a major consumer of freshwater. Irrigation development thus
has a major impact on the environment. All new irrigation and drainage development results in some form of
degradation. It is necessary to determine the acceptable level and to compensate for the degradation. This
degradation may extend both upstream and downstream of the irrigated area. The impacts may be both to the
natural, physical environment and to the human environment. All major donors consider large irrigation and
drainage developments to be environmentally sensitive.

An EIA is concerned both with impacts of irrigation and drainage on the environment and with the
sustainability of irrigation and drainage itself. Clearly an EIA will not resolve all problems. There will be
trade-offs between economic development and environmental protection as in all development activities.
However, without an objective EIA, informed decision making would be impossible.

Importance of EIA

 EIA links environment with development for environmentally safe and sustainable development.

 EIA provides a cost effective method to eliminate or minimize the adverse impact of developmental
projects.

 EIA enables the decision makers to analyse the effect of developmental activities on the environment well
before the developmental project is implemented.

 EIA encourages the adaptation of mitigation strategies in the developmental plan.

 EIA makes sure that the developmental plan is environmentally sound and within the limits of the capacity
of assimilation and regeneration of the ecosystem.

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PROJECTS AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

1. Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the most complex and vital feature of our planet. It is essentially every living thing and
ecosystem that makes up the environment. From the tallest giraffe to the smallest microorganism, everything
plays an important role in the maintenance of our world.
But with the increase in global warming, pollution and deforestation, biodiversity is in danger. Billions of
species are going or have gone extinct all over the world. Some scientists, in fact, are suggesting that we are in
the beginning of a 6th mass extinction, posing issues for our planet and ourselves.

Reducing our meat intake, particularly red meat, as well as making sustainable choices can help to keep our
planet running smoothly.

2. Water
Water pollution is a huge concern for us and our environment. Not only is polluted water a huge financial
strain but is also killing both humans and marine life. With oil spills, an abundance of plastic waste and toxic
chemicals entering our waterways, we’re damaging the most valuable resource our planet has to offer.

By educating people on the causes and effects of water pollution, we can work together to undo the damage
humans have caused. Laws also need to change to make pollution tougher, consistently across national borders.

3. Deforestation
We need plants and trees to survive. They provide oxygen, food, water and medicine for everyone, all over the
globe. But if deforestation continues at the rate it’s occurring, we won’t have much of the valuable forestry
left.

With natural wildfires, illegal logging and the mass amount of timber being harvested for commercial use, our
forests are decreasing at an alarming rate. As well as reducing our supply of oxygen, the loss of forests is
contributing around 15% of our greenhouse gas emissions.

To help, you can buy more recycled and organic products, limiting the amount of paper and cardboard you use.

4. Pollution
Pollution is one of the primary causes of many of the other environmental concerns, including climate
change and biodiversity. All 7 key types of pollution – air, water, soil, noise, radioactive, light and thermal –
are affecting our environment.

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All types of pollution, and environmental concerns, are interlinked and influence one another. So, to tackle one
is to tackle them all. That’s why we need to work together, as a community, to reduce the impact that pollution
is having on our environment.

5. Climate Change
As pointed out by a recent UN report, without ‘unprecedented changes’ in our actions and behaviour, our
planet will suffer drastically from global warming in just 12 years. Greenhouses gases are the main cause
of climate change, trapping in the sun’s heat and warming the surface of the earth.

An increased ocean temperature is affecting the sea life and ecosystems habituated there. The rise in global sea
levels is shrinking our land, causing mass floods and freak weather incidents across the world. If we continue
as we are, the world will suffer irreversibly.

Saying no to driving more will reduce your carbon footprint, as will switching off electrical items when they’re
not in use. More importantly, we need to educate the world on the effects and severity of global warming,
before it’s too late.

TYPES – RAPID AND COMPREHENSIVE EIA

Types of EIA Classified under two categories:• Rapid Assessment &• Comprehensive Assessment
o Rapid Assessment is the initial feasiility study carried out for a minimum period of 3 months.
o After it gets appraisal from MOEF , the next phase, comprehensive assessment is carried out.
o It is carried out for a period of 16 months.
1. RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (REIA):Rapid Environmental Impact
Assessment can be defined as the study , which isdone for quick assessment of likely adverse
impacts.Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment studies will be conducted at theinitiation of the new
activity. In some cases this study may be required for theexpansion of existing unit or change in the
current manufacturing process( if thepollution load is to exceed the existing one ).Rapid Environmental
Impact Assessment study covers one season baselinedata for various environmental components viz.
Air , Noise, water, land,Biological and Socio-economic including parameters of human interest.
2. Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment is basically a study whichincludes collection of data
for various components for four seasons i.e. Monsoon,Post-monsoon, Winter and Summer.
Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment report has to be submitted after the evaluation of
Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment report, if so asked by the Impact Assessment Agency. The
various methods used in the EIA are Adhoc Method, Overlays methods,Checklists, Matrix , network
and Integrated Method- combination of Matrix,Network analysis model and a computer aided
systematic approach.

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A typical EIAstudy including an industry includes.

1. Field data collection for various Environmental parameters.
2. Assessment of various liquid, solid and gaseous pollutants generated from theplant and existing
pollution control devices.
3. Assessment of various impacts from these pollutants on Environment.
4. Consideration of various statutory guidelines and standards prescribed by Central Pollution Control
Board and Ministry of Environment and Forests.5.Formulation of detailed Environment Management
Plan (EMP) to mitigate /control the various impacts and bring them within the standards limits.

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 one season
(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.

Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment:

If it is felt that the project is likely to cause some detrimental effects on the environment, it is subjected to
Rapid Environmental Assessment which involves
1. Identification of the important impacts of the project on the environment.
2. Evaluation of the impact of the project on the locality or entire region.
3. Conducting cursory cast benefit analyses.
4. Listing of the issues which are unresolved and which need examination in detail.

Comprehensive Environmental Assessment:

Comprehensive Environmental Assessment is usually undertaken after the initial screening and Rapid Impact
Assessment has been performed. The earlier work has already generated some information about the project
and its likely impact on the environment and it is now a comprehensive study of the critical aspects of project
which is taken-up in the Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment. It usually involves collection and
evaluation of the following set of information.
1. Base-line data about the project, its description in detail along with the description of the existing
environment.

2. Impact Identification.

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3. Impact Prediction.
4. Evaluation of the impacts.
5. Mitigative measures and monitoring plans.
6. Informing the society and the decision makers.

1. Collection of Baseline Data:

The nature and the description of the project to be undertaken along with the details about the magnitude of
activity which shall occur in the locality are the basic information's required for Comprehensive Impact
Assessment. The condition of the locality and the description of existing environment in which the project has
to come up are also necessary requisites for the impact assessment.
The description of the environment should include all its components such as atmosphere, hydrosphere,
lithosphere and the biosphere. Comprehensive Impact Assessment has to conduct socio-economic surveys also
among the human settlements located nearby.
Data on population densities, age and sex distribution, ethnic groups, education level, morbidity and mortality
rates etc. are very valuable for the assessment of the impact of development activities on human society. So
also are the descriptions of the community, life styles, the needs and problems of the people, likely
productivity levels, unemployment figures, and means of livelihood etc. which are necessary to assess the
socio-economic aspects of the project.
2. Impact Identification:
Impact identification attempts to answer the question, "What will happen when the project enters its
operational stage?" A list of important impacts such as changes in ambient air quality, changes in water and
soil qualities, noise levels, wild life habitats, species diversity, social and cultural systems, employment levels
etc. may be prepared. The important sources of impact like smoke emission, consumption of water, discharge
of effluents etc. are identified.
3. Impact Prediction:
Impact prediction examines the extent of changes which occur in the system due to the project activity. As far
as possible, impact prediction scientifically quantities the effect and examines its secondary and synergistic
consequences for the environment and local community. The impact is closely studied and evaluated for its
subsequent effects on the components of the environment.

For example, the discharge of effluents in the local waters causes deterioration in the quality of water, its
secondary effect is degeneration of fishereis which is followed by detrimental economic effect on the
fishermen of the locality. With means of livelihood gone the fishermen may have to migrate to other localities
or seek some other alternative for livelihood. This could cause a rise in the crime graph of the locality.

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4. Impact Evaluation:
Impact evaluation attempts to answer the question, "Do the changes really matter?" This step evaluates the
predicted adverse impacts to determine whether they are significant enough to warrant mitigation. If the project
has to come up on inhospitable land with very little biological significant localities around and no human
settlements or very sparsely populated areas a little deterioration of the environment may be permitted.
However, if the development activity is undertaken in biologically significant locality even minor detrimental
impacts should be avoided. Either adequate mitigative efforts should be taken up or the project could be shifted
to some other locality. The judgement of significance is usually based on
1. Comparison of predicted information with accepted standards.
2. Reference to pre-set criteria such as protected places, features or species.
3. Consultation with relevant decision makers.

5. Mitigative Measures and Monitoring Plans:

If the changes caused by the developmental activities are significant, the process of environmental impact
assessment proceeds to examine ways and means to mitigate the adverse effects. A wide range of measures
may be proposed to prevent, reduce, remedy or compensate each of the adverse impact evaluated as significant.
The measures are critically examined for their effectiveness. The possible mitigative measures may include:
1. Introduction of pollution control measures, waste treatment, strict monitoring etc. to mitigate the adverse
effects caused by the developmental activity.
2. Changing project sites, routes, processes, raw materials, operating methods, disposal routes or location or
wastes and engineering design.
3. Offering restoration of damaged resources, money to affected people, concessions on other issues,
improvement in the quality of life for the community etc.
All mitigation measures cost something. This cost should be estimated and added to the value of the product. If
a number of mitigative measures are proposed the cost of each of these measures should be estimated and
compared. Environmental Impact Assessment should explicitly analyse implications of adopting different
alternatives so as to make policy decisions easier. A thorough cost benefit analyses should be made to simplify
the decision making process.

6. Informing the Society and Decision Makers:

Documentation and communication of the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment to the relevant
people also constitutes an important step of the impact assessment. Many technically sound Impact Assessment
studies fail to exert their importance and impress the decision makers simply because of poor documentation.

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The assessment can achieve its true purpose only if its findings are well documented and communicated to the
policy-makers. For the effective communication one has to identify the target audience and then shape the
report accordingly so that it becomes a meaningful document. For the purpose, Impact Assessment report may
have to be written as a non-technical document as well, so that its contents are intelligible to non-technical
administrators and general public while the technical document is studied by review committee and experts.

Comprehensive Environmental Impact 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.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS
Depending on nature, location and scale of the project EIA report should contain all or some of the following
components/attributes to be assessed.
Air Environment
Determination of impact zone (through a screening model) and developing a monitoring network

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Monitoring the existing status of ambient air quality within the impacted region (7-10 km from the
periphery) of the proposed project site
Monitoring the site-specific meteorological data, viz. wind speed and direction, humidity, ambient
temperature and environmental lapse rate
Estimation of quantities of air emissions including fugitive emissions from the proposed project
Identification, quantification and evaluation of other potential emissions (including those of vehicular traffic)
within the impact zone and estimation of cumulative of all the emissions/impacts
Prediction of changes in the ambient air quality due to point, line and areas source emissions through
appropriate air quality models
Evaluation of the adequacy of the proposed pollution control devices to meet gaseous emission and ambient
air quality standards
Delineation of mitigation measures at source, path ways and receptor
Baseline Monitoring

Noise Environment
Monitoring the present status of noise levels within the impact zone, and prediction of future noise levels
resulting from the proposed project and related activities including increase in vehicular movement
Identification of impacts due to any anticipated rise in noise levels on the surrounding environment
Recommendations on mitigation measures for noise pollution
Baseline Monitoring

Intensity , Duration and Frequency of noise

Water Environment
Study of existing ground and surface water resources with respect to quantity and quality within the impact
zone of the proposed project
Prediction of impacts on water resources due to the proposed water use/pumping on account of the project
Quantification and characterisation of waste water including toxic organic, from the proposed activity

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Evaluation of the proposed pollution prevention and wastewater treatment system and suggestions on
modification, if required
Prediction of impacts of effluent discharge on the quality of the receiving water body using appropriate
mathematical/simulation models
Assessment of the feasibility of water recycling and reuse and delineation of detailed plan in this regard
Baseline Monitoring

Biological Environment
Survey of flora and fauna clearly delineating season and duration.
Assessment of flora and fauna present within the impact zone of the project
Assessment of potential damage to terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna due to discharge of effluents and
gaseous emissions from the project
Assessment of damage to terrestrial flora and fauna due to air pollution, and land use and landscape
changes
Assessment of damage to aquatic and marine flora and fauna (including commercial fishing) due to
physical disturbances and alterations
Prediction of biological stresses within the impact zone of the proposed project
Delineation of mitigation measures to prevent and / or reduce the damage.

Land Environment
Studies on soil characteristics, existing land use and topography, landscape and drainage patterns within
the impact zone
Estimation of impacts of project on land use, landscape, topography, drainage and hydrology
Identification of potential utility of treated effluent in land application and subsequent impacts
Estimation and Characterisation of solid wastes and delineation of management options for minimisation
of waste and environmentally compatible disposal

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Baseline Monitoring

Socio-economic and Health Environment

Collection of demographic and related socio-economic data
Collection of epidemiological data, including studies on prominent endemic diseases (e.g. fluorosis,
malaria, fileria, malnutrition) and morbidity rates among the population within the impact zone
Projection of anticipated changes in the socio-economic and health due to the project and related activities
including traffic congestion and delineation of measures to minimize adverse impacts
Assessment of impact on significant historical, cultural and archaeological sites/places in the area
Assessment of economic benefits arising out of the project
Assessment of rehabilitation requirements with special emphasis on scheduled areas, if any.
Baseline Monitoring

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Risk Assessment
Hazard identification taking recourse to hazard indices, inventory analysis, dam break probability, Natural
Hazard Probability etc.
Maximum Credible Accident (MCA) analysis to identify potential hazardous scenarios
Consequence analysis of failures and accidents resulting in fire, explosion, hazardous
releases and dam breaks etc.
Hazard & Operability (HAZOP) studies
Assessment of risk on the basis of the above evaluations
Preparation of an onsite and off site (project affected area) Disaster Management Plan

Environment Management Plan

Delineation of mitigation measures including prevention and control for each environmental component
and rehabilitation and resettlement plan.
Delineation of monitoring scheme for compliance of conditions
Delineation of implementation plan including scheduling and resource allocation

The Following Impacts of the Project should be Assessed:• Air: - Changes in ambient levels and ground level
concentrations due to total emissions from point, line and area sources. - Effects on soils, materials, vegetation,
and human health.• Noise: - Changes in ambient levels due to noise generated from equipment and movement
of vehicles.- Effect on fauna and human health.• Water: - Availability to competing users.- Changes in quality.-
Sediment transport.- Ingress of saline water.
1• Land: - Changes in land use and drainage pattern.- Changes in land quality including effects of waste
disposal.- Changes in shoreline/riverbank and their stability .•Biological: - Deforestation /tree-cutting and
shrinkage of animal habitat.- Impact on fauna and flora (including aquatic species, and migratory path/route
of animals.- Impact on breeding and nesting grounds.• Socio-Economic: - Impact on the local community
including demographic changes.- Impact on economic status.- Impact on human health.- Impact of increased
traffic.
2. Risk Assessment Hazard Identification Maximum credible accident (MCA) analysis Consequence analysis
of failure and accidents Hazard and operability studies Environment Management Plan- Delineation of
mitigation measures including prevention and control ofeach environmental component and rehabilitation &
resettlement
3. Alternatives, Delineation of Mitigation Measuresand EIA Report For every project alternatives should be
identified & Environmentalattributes compared. Alternatives should cover both project location &
processtechnologies. Once alternatives has been reviewed, a mitigation plan should bedrawn up and is

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supplemented with an Environmental ManagementPlan to guide the proponent towards “Environmental

Improvement”. An EIA report should provide clear information to the decisionmaker on the different
environmental scenarios without the project,with the project. Uncertainties should be clearly reflected in the
EIA report.
4. Public Hearing Law requires that the public must be informed andconsulted on a proposed development
after the completion ofEIA report. It includes:1.Bonafiede local resident2.Local
associations3.Environmental groups4.Any other person located at te project site
5. Decision Making Decision making process involve consultation between theproject proponent and the
impact assessment authority(assisted by an expert group if necessary) The decision on environmental
clearance is arrived atthrough a number of steps including evaluation of EIA andEMP
6. Monitoring the Clearance Conditions Monitoring should be done during both construction andoperation
phase of a project. This is to observe whether the predictions made in the EIAreports were correct or not.
Monitoring will enable the regulatory agency to review thevalidity of predictions and the conditions of
implementationof the Environmental Management Plan.

EIA, EIS, FONSI.

1. Environmental impact assessment (EIA)
• Environmental impact assessment is the formal process used to predict the environmental consequences
(positive or negative) of a plan, policy, program, or project prior to the decision to move forward with the
proposed action. Formal impact assessments may be governed by rules of administrative procedure regarding
public participation and documentation of decisionmaking, and may be subject to judicial review. An impact
assessment may propose measures to adjust impacts to acceptable levels or to investigate new technological
solutions.
• 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. The International Association for Impact Assessment
(IAIA) defines an environmental impact assessment as "the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and
mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major
decisions being taken and commitments made."[1] EIAs are unique in that they do not require adherence to a
predetermined environmental outcome, but rather they require decision makers to account for environmental
values in their decisions and to justify those decisions in light of detailed environmental studies and public
comments on the potential environmental impacts.[2]

2. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

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• A document, prepared after careful studies, describing a proposed development or activity, and disclosing
the possible, probable, or certain effects of that proposal on the environment.
• An EIS should be comprehensive in its treatment of the subject matter, objective in its approach, and
sufficiently specific for a reasonably intelligent and informed mind to examine the potential environmental
consequences of the carrying out or not carrying out of that proposal.
• An EIS should meet the requirement that it alerts the decision-maker, members of the public, and the
government to the consequences to the community; it should also explore possible alternatives to the project
that might maximize the benefits while minimizing the disbenefits.
• The purpose of an EIS is to assist the decision-maker in arriving at a better informed decision than would
otherwise have been the case...(Gilpin 1990, p. 72).
• The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not a decision-making end in itself but a means to a decision-
making end.

3. Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

• A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) presents the reasons why an action will not have a significant
effect on the human environment. It must include the Environment Assessment(EA) or summary of the EA
that supports the FONSI determination.
• A FONSI is issued when environmental analysis and interagency review during the EA process find a
project to have no significant impacts on the quality of the environment. The FONSI document is the EA
modified to reflect all applicable comments and responses. If it was not done in the EA, the FONSI must
include the project sponsor's recommendation or selected alternative. No formal public circulation of the
FONSI is required, but the state clearinghouse must be notified of the availability of the FONSI.
• The FONSI is a document that explains the reasons why an action will not have a significant effect on the
human environment and, why, therefore, an EIS will not be required (40 CFR 1508.13). This FONSI is a
stand-alone document but is attached to the Environmental Assessment (EA) and incorporates the EA by
reference.
• The FONSI does not constitute the authorizing document: the decision record is the authorizing document.
“Significance” as used in NEPA requires considerations of both context and intensity. In relation to context, I
find that the project’s affected region is localized and the effects of implementation are relevant to people
recreating and living in the area. There would be no societal or regional impacts and no impacts on
potentially affected interests.

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A FONSI is a public decision document that briefly describes why the project will not have any significant
environmental effect and will not require the preparation of an EIS.

The FONSI must document the reasons for deciding that the action will not have a significant effect on the
environment. If relevant it must show which factors were weighted most heavily in the determination. It should
also incorporate by reference any other environmental documents used to support the assessment. The FONSI
is usually a one-page document to which the EA is attached or referenced.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT(FONSI)

FONSI is a decision document supporting a determination that an action will not result in significant impacts.
A FONSI is a document which is concisely presents the reasons why an action not otherwise excluded will not
have a significant effect, on the human environment and for which an EIS will not be prepared. If a significant
effect or effects are anticipated the an EIS is to be prepared. If no significant effects are anticipated or if they
can be mitigated then an FONSI is to be prepared. The FONSI was initially referred to as a Negative
declaration. A mitigated FONSI refers to a proposed action which has incorporated mitigation measures to
reduce any significant negative effects to insignificant ones.
Negative declarations or FONSI can be prepared on the following types of highway improvement actions,
since they are not likely to have significant impacts.
-road protective devices

Standard Contents of EIS:

The content of a federal EIS is regulated by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), an office in the
executive branch of the federal government tasked with enforcing the rules established by NEPA. A typical
federal EIS includes the following four sections:
 Section 1—Introduces the Proposed Action and its Purpose and Need
 Section 2—Describes the Affected Environment, provides a baseline for understanding the current
environmental situation in relation to the Proposed Action.
 Section 3—Presents a Range of Alternatives to the Proposed Action—this is considered the “heart” of
the EIS. There is always a No Action Alternative presented. Understanding how the environment
would respond if no action were taken helps to evaluate the Proposed Action and Alternatives.

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 Section 4—Analyzes the environmental impact of each of the Proposed Actions and Range of
Alternatives. The analysis include:
o Impacts to threatened or endangered species
o Air and water quality impacts
o Impacts to historical and cultural sites, particularly sites of significance for indigenous peoples
o Social and economical impacts to local communities, including housing stock, businesses,
property values, and considerations of aesthetics and noise expected
o Cost and schedule analysis for all of the actions and alternatives presented

The EIS may include additional topics not required for every project, including financial plans, environmental
mitigation plans, and plans for complying with any additional required federal, state, or local permits.

With so much to address, the typical EIS is a lengthy document, often more than 100 pages. The table of
contents, however, makes quick work identifying specific sections that might be most useful for a classroom
discussion or civic action.

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