Procedure of an Environmental Impact Assessment
The environmental impact assessment process can be subdivided into three main stages:
a) the pre- study phase
b) the actual impact assessment, which result in the EIS
c) the post – study period, in which the information is used to come to a decision and in which the impacts of the project are monitored.
It includes the following steps:
- Screening
- Determines whether the environmental and social impacts of a proposed development project would be significant enough to develop an EIA.
- Scoping
- Establish the boundaries of the EIA, set the basis of the analyses that will be conducted at each stage, describe the project alternatives and consult the affected public
- Impact Assessment & Mitigation
- Evaluate the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of the planned project and its alternatives, and then identify the mitigation measures to reduce those impacts.
- Impact Management
- Prepare the plans required for addressing mitigation measures and other project risks, such as technological failures and natural disasters.
- The EIA Report:
- Pull together all the research and work done during the previous steps into a comprehensive, structured document, ensuring that the EIA report contains all the key components.
- Review & Licensing
- Designated authorities review the EIA report to determine if the planned project will get a license or if it requires amendments.
- Monitoring
- Ensure that the mitigation measures, priorities listed in the EMP, and contingency plans are properly implemented and effectively address the project’s impacts.