Environmental Impact Assessment Rachel Carson’s book ‘Silent Spring’ (1962) awakened the world by showing the agricultural pesticides found in environments outside their target areas and the dire ecological consequences of introducing toxic chemicals into the natural food chains. As a result, government authorities were obliged to exert some control over the release of toxic chemicals into the environment and environmental assessment was accepted in principle at the United Nations Conference on the human environment in 1972. Nowadays, environmental impact assessment is widely practiced around the world to ensure that decision makers consider the ensuing environmental impacts when deciding whether to proceed with a project. An environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project (e.g., reservoir, wastewater treatment plant, highway) may have on the environment considering the environmental, social and economic aspects. 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.” Environmental impact assessment is divided into four steps: acquisition of information, analysis of information, communication of conclusions and selection of appropriate actions. The report of environmental impact assessment should have a logical structure and avoid repetition. The content should include the following information: Project description: overview of the project, land use, emissions, etc. Identification of stakeholder: to identify who are likely interested in or affected by the project. Environment: to identify what components of the environment will be affected (human beings, flora, fauna, soil, surface water, groundwater, air, climate, noise, vibration, landscape, cultural heritage). The information from similar projects in the past should be consulted.
Environmental Impact Assessment Rachel Carson’s book ‘Silent Spring’ (1962) awakened the world by showing the agricultural pesticides found in environments outside their target areas and the dire ecological consequences of introducing toxic chemicals into the natural food chains. As a result, government authorities were obliged to exert some control over the release of toxic chemicals into the environment and environmental assessment was accepted in principle at the United Nations Conference on the human environment in 1972. Nowadays, environmental impact assessment is widely practiced around the world to ensure that decision makers consider the ensuing environmental impacts when deciding whether to proceed with a project. An environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project (e.g., reservoir, wastewater treatment plant, highway) may have on the environment considering the environmental, social and economic aspects. 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.” Environmental impact assessment is divided into four steps: acquisition of information, analysis of information, communication of conclusions and selection of appropriate actions. The report of environmental impact assessment should have a logical structure and avoid repetition. The content should include the following information: Project description: overview of the project, land use, emissions, etc. Identification of stakeholder: to identify who are likely interested in or affected by the project. Environment: to identify what components of the environment will be affected (human beings, flora, fauna, soil, surface water, groundwater, air, climate, noise, vibration, landscape, cultural heritage). The information from similar projects in the past should be consulted.