ENVS2006 Environmental Impact Assessment
What is an Environmental Management Plan (EMP)?
"An EMP outlines the mitigation, monitoring and institutional measures to be taken during project implementation and operation to avoid or control adverse environmental impacts, and the actions needed to implement these measures" - World Bank EMPs take the outline of what needs to be done in the EIA and states how it will be carried out.
What is the Brundtland definition of Sustainable Development?
"Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" -World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), 1987
What are the benefits of hydropower dam schemes?
+Hydropower! It's a major renewable energy source and in the USA provides >87% of electricity production in the state of Washington +Irrigation: For example water from the grand coulee irrigates approximately 500,000 acres of land +Flow regulation +Flood control +Transportation: Provides a navigable channel for barges, which can travel more than 450 miles up the Columbia River +Recreation (e.g. Windsurfers in settle and portland) +Livelihoods and jobs depend on hydropower schemes
Advantages and Disadvantages of Tidal Lagoons
+Inexhaustible energy source +Clean energy +Production of leisure, tourism and recreation facilities +Flood and Coastal defence +Good in areas of high tide (loads in the UK) +Create jobs - Costly (Swansea will cost 1bn) - Loss of marine life through dredging, environmental effects - Silting and sand dredging - Never been done before, could have unforeseen environmental and economic consequences
"Some key parts of the EIA process are inadequately delivered and need attention for improvement." - Brief outline of this essay
-Community consultation is lacking- not set out strictly and often avoided by developers (e.g. Kirby Misperton fracking a summary of consultation was written but clearly community still very unhappy) -NTS often misses out key aspects -Developer funding means often the ES becomes a supporting statement rather than a critical analysis
Problems with EIA compared to SEA
-EIA reacts to development proposals rather than anticipating them -Therefore they cannot steer developers towards environmentally robust areas or away from environmentally sensitive areas -Project EIAs do not adequately consider cumulative impacts caused by several projects -Do not consider how much total development of a particular type is needed so do not consider whether the project is required at all -Project EIAs are often rushed due to financial limitations and constraints
"Because EIA in the UK is funded by developers the system is flawed and insufficient for making planning decisions." Discuss this statement.
-Public participation is often unsatisfactory -Bias is introduced by having those who have a vested interest in the development going ahead funding the scientific analysis of environmental impacts. -ES often become a supportive statement rather than the critical analysis of environmental effects Essentially, the developer is unlikely to predict that their development will be an environmental disaster... -Many argue that in the UK the EIA process is far too "developer-oriented" -Developers are also concerned with the potential delays associated with the requirement to submit an ES and may try and rush the process -However at a suggested cost of £35,000 per EIA under EC directives (UK DETR, 1997), who else would pay for this?
Lay out the Mitigation Hierarchy
1. Prevent the effect 2. Reduce the effect (either at source or receptor) 3. Offset the effect (i.e. offset construction emissions through carbon savings or create alternative habitats)
What are 5 benefits of the scoping stage of EIA for developers?
1. Scoping identifies key areas that must be investigated further in the ES, based on the sensitivity of effected population and areas, streamlining the process for developers 2. Areas can also be "scoped out" in the scoping report, reducing workload for developers 3. LPA is responsible for doing this, so it takes some responsibility away from the developer in the case of key information lacking in the ES 4. Begins the process of community consultation
When was the EC EIA directive amended and why?
1997: Brought the directive into a transboundary context, widened scope of EIA by increasing projects covered, provided new screening arrangements & established minimum information requirements 2003: Sought to align the provisions on public participation with the Aarhus Convention on public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters 2009: Amended Annexes 1 and 2 of the directive by adding projects related to the transport, capture and storage of CO2.
Explain briefly why the JNCC Phase One Habitat Survey is a useful element of an ecological impact assessment
A JNCC phase 1 habitat survey is a technique used to provide a relatively rapid system to record semi-natural vegetation and other wildlife habitats. It is a valuable survey that provides good baseline data, describes whether a Phase 2 survey is necessary and provides a standardised system for classifying and mapping wildlife throughout Great Britain. The possession of a survey of this nature allows planners to respond rapidly to planning requests and strengthens the attitude toward environmental work a sit provides statistics to support the case of threatened habitats.
What was the Aarhus convention?
A UNECE (Economic Commission for Europe) convention in Aarhus, Denmark on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters. It established: -Rights to receive environmental information that is held by public authorities -Rights to participate in environmental decision-making -Rights to review procedures to challenge public decisions that have been made without respecting the two aforementioned rights or environmental law in general
Explain briefly why a non-technical summary is produced by developers to support an environmental statement, and what it should be looking to deliver
A non-technical summary summarises the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment described in the Environmental Statement. This overview is in non-technical language and must be made available to the public by the local authorities. It describes the contents of the ES including findings, mitigation and monitoring strategies.
What is the requirement for community consultation for major UK development projects?
According to UK regulations (under EC Directive 85/337 as amended): -Notices must be published in a local newspaper and posted at proposed site at least 7 days before submission of development application and ES -Copies of environmental information must be made available to public -The public concerned must be given the opportunity to express an opinion before development consent is granted -Members of the public who have a sufficient interest and whose rights are impaired have access to a decision review procedure before a court of law
What is the rochdale envelope?
An approach to planning and EIA that allows for a certain amount of flexibility in the early stages of planning and assessing environmental impacts. This allows a project description to be broadly defined during early stages but still receive planning consent
An example where a development which could potentially damage the integrity of a European Natura 2000 site was given permission to proceed?
An example of this is the £19.5m coastal defence scheme in Lyme Regis, Dorset, where cliff erosion and landslides threatened property, livelihood, infrastructure loss along with the main access way to town: Charmouth Road. The project threatened integrity of a marine SAC and a UNESCO world heritage site as well as an SSSI and an area that holds geological designations.
How would developers present alternatives in an ES?
An outline of the main alternatives studied and an indication of the main reasons for the choices made, taking into account environmental effects should be included in the ES. Main alternatives may include: -Physical location of site -Types of processes (where relevant) -Physical appearance, designs of buildings, site layout, including materials to be used -Means of access including principle modes of transport
What baseline information is needed/could be included to assess the impacts of a project on cultural heritage?
Baseline data should mark the presence or absence of: -Listed buildings -Scheduled monuments -Protected wreck sites -Registered Battlefields -World Heritage Sites (UNESCO) -Registered Parks and Gardens -Heritage areas/conservation areas GOV.UK data/local authority data must also be used and local groups may be consulted
Give 2 examples of statutory consultees
Could include but not limited to: Environment Agency, Historic England, Natural England, DECC
When was EIA first implemented in Europe?
Following 15 years of discussion EC Directive 85/337 was implemented in 1985 "On the assessment of the effects of certain private and public projects on the environment"
What did the Stockholm conference mark?
In 1972, the Stockholm Conference was the first UN conference on the human environment, marked first international recognition of the interacting effects of the environment, social and economic development. It is believed to be the first major event that but the environment on the global political agenda
What information would be required to demonstrate the policy context of a major development proposal in England?
International Policy: Does the proposal show commitment to international regulations and agreements? (e.g. European Commission directives, Kyoto Protocol) National Policy: National Planning Policy Framework (2012) sets out general approaches to planning, Specific national policies related to the development must be reviewed (for example transport policies) Local Policy: LPAs lay out specific community plans, from this policies that either support or oppose the development should be identified
Distinguish between a Landscape Effects Assessment (LEA) and a Visual Effects Assessment (VEA)
LEA: Deals with changes to the landscape as a resource. It is concerned with issues like protected landscapes, contribution of landscapes to sense of place/quality of life and how change may effect individual landscape components VEA: Concerned with how surroundings of individuals or groups of people may be specifically effected by changing landscapes, for example changes to specific views and in general visual amenity experienced by specific people in specific places
An example where EIA has contributed to sustainable development
Mauritius, off the coast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, has for a long time relied on a subsistence economy of agriculture and fishing, however the vast pristine beaches and tropical location have recently made it a particularly popular destination for tourists. The EIA process has prevented the evolution of Mauritius into a "resort" island, for example by distancing hotels from the seafront by approximately 15m from high tide, ensuring they fit in with the surroundings and prevention of hotels being built above tree height. In doing so it maintains the beaches and conservation value, and thus tourism in the longterm. Small projects (such as poultry rearing) require a Preliminary Environmental Report (PER), while major undertakings such as coastal hotels require a full impact assessment and an EIA licence.
Detail the screening process in the UK, in particular what do Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 developments mean?
Schedule 1 are those that require an ES every time, they are outlined in the Town and Country Planning (EIA) 2011 (sometimes with clear thresholds) and include nuclear power stations, airport runways with a runway of >2100m and wastewater treatment plants with a capacity to support a population of >150,000, chemical works. For Schedule 2 projects an EIA must be carried out if the development is likely to have a significant impact on the environment by virtue of its nature, size or location. For example a wind farm >2 turbines may require an ES if it could have a significant effect on the environment.
When is EIA required for hydropower schemes?
Schemes are considered on an individual basis however as a rule of thumb: -Schemes with a capacity of >500kW may require an EIA -Schemes with a capacity of >5000kW will require EIA -Proposals located within sensitive zones (i.e. Natura2000) may require EIA regardless of capacity
Explain how the magnitude of an impact and the importance and sensitivity of the receiving environment can be combined to inform the process of judging the significance of an environmental impact.
Significance is judged by looking at two overarching factors in conjunction: The characteristics of the effect and the characteristics of the area likely to be affected. Characteristics of the effect include: probability, duration, frequency, spatial scale, reversibility, transboundary nature and health impacts Characteristics/Sensitivity of receptor: Looks at the value and vulnerability of the area based on special natural characteristics, cultural heritage, exceeded environmental quality standards or limit values and intensive land use. For example, despite potential impacts, an EIA was not necessary for the Cancer Immunology Centre, to be built at Southampton General Hospital in 2017, as the location is already used as a carpark and therefore not a sensitive receptor.
What is SEA?
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a systematic process for evaluating environmental consequences of proposed policy, plan or programme initiatives in order to ensure they are fully included and appropriately addressed at the earliest possible stage of the decision making process, on par with economic and social considerations.
Outline the role of statutory consultees in EIA
The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that statutory consultees should provide advice throughout the development process. LPA's are legally required to consult these consultees before reaching a decision on planning applications. Statutory consultees must provide responses on inquiries from LPA's within 21 days.
What is the screening stage of EIA?
The purpose of the screening stage is to determine whether a proposed development falls within the remit of the regulations and whether it is likely to have significant environmental effects and therefore requires assessment
When and where was EIA first made formal legislation?
USA by NEPA in 1969
Under what circumstances might a development which could potentially damage the integrity of a European Natura 2000 site be given permission to proceed?
Where a project may damage the integrity of a Natura 2000 site (SPA, SAC, Ramsar), an Appropriate Assessment is carried out to examine the impacts. Where there are significant effects on conservation sites, projects may still go ahead where there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest, in this case Appropriate Assessments will describe compensatory methods and mitigation methods to be put in place with the development.
Why might the presence of bats on a site cause problems for developers?
With urbanisation, natural roosting sites have become scarce due to development and land-use changes, as a result artificial roosts have increased in the form of houses, bridges, mines, barns, etc. Man-made roosts have stable microclimates and have become essential to survival of many bat species. In the UK, bat species and roosts are legally protected by both domestic and international legislation and therefore these cannot be disturbed without proper mitigation strategies and licensing, i.e the creation of artificial roosts (infamous heated bat house case study).
