Environmental Impact Assessment A Practical Guide

Providing information on the assessment an devaluation of environmental impacts, this study also discusses the fundamentals of preparing crystal clear environmental impact statements. Practical, real-life examples are included, as well as tips for identifying and avoiding potential pitfalls.

This book uses real-life examples to analyze techniques for undertaking the task of making an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of a project. The text offers suggestions on how to quantify the effects on people’s lives; comparative end results of using certain renewable and non-renewable resources; how to cost economic development against sustainability; and how to measure the unmeasurable: sunsets, tropical forests, mountains and more.

Impact assessment has become a crucial element of the interface between society and the environment. This practical guide to the assessment process will help ecologists, environmental scientists, and civil engineers to identify the conceptual foundation of the assessments they are preparing. The guide is also intended to help policy makers understand the scientific basis for these surveys as well as the biotic and abiotic parameters. A Practical Guide to Environmental Impact Assessment will appeal to a broad cross section of those pondering land use decisions. Key Features * A conceptual guide to technical and scientific issues relevant to impact assessment * Does not assume special training * Useful regardless of political or social context within which impact is being assessed * Provides both planners and impact assessors with background necessary for evaluating environmental impacts * Covers both physical and social parameters that influence impact assessment

It will be useful for project managers as well as students and the community sector."--BOOK JACKET

Environmental assessment is a means of counteracting, foreseeing and controlling interference in the environment. All new major developments in Europe and North America are now subjects of scrutiny to prevent them from causing significant harmful effects to the land, sea or air. This book is an essential guide to the process, reviewing the history and background to assessment, summarizing the current legislation and providing useful advice on the skills and management techniques needed for a successful environmental assessment project. Environmental Assessment opens with a review of the US origins of the scheme, definitions and explanations of how the UK has implemented controls. This is followed by the law, rules, regulations and legislation applicable to the UK and the EC directives for the European Community. The author examines management and monitoring, setting up project teams, researching and presenting effective information, as well as calculating and analysing the potential effects of the project. Mitigating measures and alternatives are discussed, as are qualitative assessment techniques. The book has been written for architects, planners and landscape designers, who may be unfamiliar with the techniques, but who are directly involved in shaping the landscape. It would also be a valuable handbook for local planning authority councillors, environmental groups and anyone involved in sensitive development proposals. Although not written as a textbook, environmental students will discover clear jargon-free explanations of and insights into the practice of environmental assessment.

Under the best of circumstances, preparing an environmental impact assessment (EIA) can be a complex and challenging task. Experience indicates that the scope and quality of such analyses varies widely throughout the U.S. as well as internationally. Written to help practitioners and decision-makers apply best professional practices in the developme

Due to rapid economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities, manufacturing and infrastructural projects play a vital role, especially in developing nations. Even though voluminous literature is available on environmental impact assessment (EIA), guidelines on conducting good quality assessments are lacking. It may be recognized that good EIA reports can only facilitate government decision making with sustainability considerations. The book is the result of the review of more than 150 EIA reports and the analysis of shortcomings observed by the author. It will serve to bridge the gap in the limited understanding of EIA concepts by practitioners and practical aspects by fresh graduates. The book describes the output and salient features of a good quality EIA report and case studies to facilitate professionals preparing and appraising these reports. It will be of immense use to environment ministries, EIA practitioners, EIA appraisal authorities, project proponents, academics, and NGOs, especially in the emerging economies.