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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Under
United States environmental law an
Environmental Assessment (EA) is compiled to determine the need for
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and originated in
the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA),
enacted in 1970.
An environmental impact assessment (EIA)
is an assessment of the possible impact—positive or negative—that a
proposed project may have on the
natural environment. The purpose of the
assessment is to ensure that decision makers consider the ensuing
environmental impacts to decide whether to proceed with the 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.” After
an EIA, the
precautionary and
polluter pays principles may be applied to
prevent, limit, or require
strict liability or
insurance coverage to a project, based on
its likely harms. Environmental impact assessments are sometimes
controversial.
Environmental impact assessment is used to integrate environmental
management with the approvals process for proposals. Environmental
impact assessment is intended to:
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ensure that proponents assume primary responsibility for
protection of any environmental values that may be affected by
their proposals;
-
address environmental management for the expected life of
proposals;
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contribute to statutory decisions on whether a proposal should
proceed, and if so, decide what environmental management and
monitoring conditions should apply; and
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where legislation allows, incorporate community and stakeholder
views in assessment and decision-making processes.
EIA is an important tool for incorporating
environmental concerns at the project level. EIA should be carried
out as early as the project planning stage as part of feasibility
thus it can assure that the project will be environmentally feasible
.
EIA requires an in-depth analysis because of
the potential significance of environmental impacts from the
project. EIAs demand: (i) comprehensive analysis of the potential
impacts; (ii) works to be carried out to formulate practical
mitigation measures; (iii) in-depth economic valuation of impact to
screen and evaluate the best alternative; and (vi) in-depth analysis
to prepare an adequate environmental management plan.
With MCGI on the
project, decisions are made with an understanding of scientific
issues and the legal implications of every technical decision.
We look forward to the privilege of serving
your project needs.
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