4. fundamental concepts of environmental impact assessment

1. 4. fundamental concepts of environmental impact assessment Location  Month Year

2. fundamental concepts of environmental impact assessment Learning Outcomes • Define the three fundamental concepts of environmental impact assessment • Understand how the fundamental concepts apply to the Regulation 216 process Fundamental Concepts of Environmental Impact Assessment

3. USAID IS NOT ALONE … • Most countries & almost all donors (including USAID) have impact assessment requirements (like NEPA) • In many developing countries, environmental and social impact assessment is the core of national environmental regulation ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IS DONE BY EVERYONE Key Concepts for Environmental Impact Assessment

4. KEY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS • Defining “impact” Water table Time Defining “activity” Characterizing the baseline situation Key Concepts for Environmental Impact Assessment

5. WHAT ARE IMPACTS? The impact of an activity is the change from the baseline situation caused by the activity. The baseline situation is the existing environmental situation or condition in the absence of the activity. The baseline situation is a key concept in environmental impact assessment. ! To measure an impact, you must know what the baseline situation is. Key Concepts for Environmental Impact Assessment

6. BASELINE SITUATION • The baseline situation is not just a snapshot in time. • This chart of groundwater levels shows both variability and a trend over time. • BOTH are part of the groundwater baseline situation. Water table Time Key Concepts for Environmental Impact Assessment

7. ACTIVITY The impact assessment process examines the impacts of activities. Under Regulation 216 an activity is: A project or program usually consists of many activities. Accomplishing an activity requires a set of sub-activities or tasks. A desired accomplishment or output. For example, a road, seedling production, or river diversion to irrigate land. Key Concepts for Environmental Impact Assessment

8. An Activity about Activities and sub-activities Project or Program Agricultural Enhancement Program Activities Sub-Activities or Tasks Fundamental Concepts of Environmental Impact Assessment

9. Environmental assessment Screen the activity Exempt Low Impact/ Categorically Excluded Moderate or Unknown Impact High Impact: Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Exemption Memo Request for Categorical Exclusion Negative Determination Negative Determination with Conditions Positive Determination Environmental Assessment (EA) USAID Submit for Approval Fundamental Concepts of Environmental Impact Assessment

10. Screening • ALWAYS the first step in the process • Sorting proposed activities into risk categories • Does NOT require detailed analysis or extensive baseline data. • DOES require a basic understanding of what the proposed activity is, and where it will be undertaken. • The risk category determines the next step in the process. Key Concepts for Environmental Impact Assessment

11. Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) A rapid analysis using simple tools that: • Allows the preparer to determine whether or not significant adverse impacts are likely • Allows the reviewer to agree or disagree these determinations • Sets out mitigation and monitoring for adverse impacts Typical outline • Background/project description/purpose and need • Baseline characterization • Evaluation of potential impacts • Mitigation and monitoring • Recommended findings* *Significant Adverse Impacts: (1) very unlikely, (2) very unlikely with specified mitigation; (3) possible (even with mitigation) Key Concepts for Environmental Impact Assessment

12. Types of USAID Environmental Assessments Environmental Assessment Used to assess the environmental effects of a specific project or action Programmatic Environmental Assessment Used to assess the environmental effects of a class of similar actions Rapid Environmental Assessment Used to assess, define and prioritize the potential environmental impacts in disaster situations Example An EA to evaluate a single irrigation or health clinic project Example A PEA to evaluate construction of multiple schools or sustainable forest management plans Example Earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, landslides Fundamental Concepts of Environmental Impact Assessment

13. FULL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY (IF REQUIRED) Used for highest-risk activities and/or projects Very similar in outline to a preliminary assessment, but has important differences: Key Concepts for Environmental Impact Assessment

14. HOW IS A FULL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT DIFFERENT FROM an Initial environmental examination (IEE)? A formal scoping process IDs issues to be addressed Analysis of environmental impacts is much more detailed Alternatives* must be formally defined. The impacts of each alternative must be identified & evaluated, and the results compared. Public consultation is required A professional team is usually required. ! ! ! ! ! *includes the project as proposed, the no action alternative at least one other real alternative Key Concepts for Environmental Impact Assessment

15. Activity: Review an IEE (handout) • What is the recommended threshold determination? • What potentially significant environmental impacts does the IEE identify? • What conditions are identified in the IEE? • How might the conditions identified be translated into mitigation and monitoring measures? • Do you think these conditions are robust enough to keep adverse impacts below a significant level? • What other information does the IEE contain that may be useful in the development of an EMMP? • Does this IEE identify activities that are categorically excluded? If so, how does it justify the categorical exclusions? • Does the IEE incorporate climate risk screening? How so? Why Environmental Compliance Matters