Environmental impact assessment methodologies

Chapter ·1 Fundamental Approach to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) I.A Basic Concept of ElA ............................................................................................. I I.A.I Introduction ............................................................................................ I I.A.2 EIA Procedure ........................................................................................ 3 l.B Systematic Approach for Using EIA as a Planning Tool for Major Project Activities ........................................................... 17 I.B.I Introduction .......................................................................................... 17 1.8.2 1.8.3 I.BA 1.8.5 1.8.6 l.8.7 I.B.S l.B.9 l.B.tO l.B.II I.B.12 l.B.13 Preparation of Environmental Base Map .............................................. IS Identification of Study Area ................................................................. 19 Classification of Environmental Parameters ........................................ 19 Formation of EIA Study Team ............................................................. 19 Preparation of Tenns of Reference ......... .......... ............ .... .... .............. 19 Preparation of an EIA Report ............................................................... 20 Environmental Monitoring and management Plan ............................... 21 Draft and Final Envionmentallmpact Statements ............................... 21 Impact Analysis .................................................................................... 22 Fonnat and Content of a Draft Environmental Impact Statements (OEIS) ................................. 23 OEIS Processing .................................................................................. 23 Final Environmental Impact Statem.:nts (FEIS) .................................. 23I.C Comparative Evaluation Alternatives from EIA Studies ....................................... 24 I.C.I Selecting a Preferred Alternative ........................................................... 24 1.e.2 Conceptual Basis for Trade-OfT Analysis ............................................. 25 1.e.3 Importance Weighting of Decision Factors .......................................... 28 References ............................................................................................................. 30 Questions .............................................................................................................. 30 Chapter - 2 EIA Methodologies 2.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 32 2.2 Criteria for the Selection ofEIA Methodology .................................................... 32 2.3 EIA Methods ......................................................................................................... 34 2.4 Predictive Models for Impact Assessment .......................................................... 83 Re.ferences ............................................................................................................. 90 Questions .............................................................................................................. 94 Chapter - 3 Prediction and Assessment of Impacts on Soil and Ground Water Environment 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 95 3.2 Soils and Ground water ........................................................................................ 95 3.3 Methodology for the Prediction and Assessment of Impacts on Soil and Groundwater ....................................................................... 95 References ............................................................................................................ 122 Questions ............................................................................................................. 122 Chapter - 4 Prediction and Assessment of Impacts on Surface Water Environment 4.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 124 4.2 Project Which Create Impact Concerns for the Surface-water Environment ................................................................................ 125 4.3 Systematic Methods for Evaluation of Impacts of Various Developmental Activities on Surface Water Environment .................................. 125 References ............................................................................................................ 157 Questions ............................................................................................................. 158Chapter - 5 Prediction and Assessment of Impacts on Biological Environment 5.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 160 5.1 General Methodology for the Assessment of Impacts on Btological Environment ....... ................................................................................ 161 5.2 Systematic Approach for Evaluating Biological Impacts ................................... 163 5.3 Typical Examples for Carrying out EIA ............................................................. 190 5.4 Typical Example Assessment of Impacts of Road Development on Flora and Fauna ............................................................. 196 References ........................................................................................................... 20) Questions ..... ....................................................................................................... 206 Chapter - 6 Prediction and Assessment of Impacts on the Air Environment 6.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 207 6.2 A Generalized Approach for Assessment of Air Pollution Impact ...................... 211 References ........................................................................................................... 229 Questions ....................... ..................................................................................... 230 Chapter -7 Prediction and Assessment of Impacts of Noise on the Environment 7.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 231 7.2 Basic Information of Noise ................................................................................ 233 7.3 Noise Measuretnent ............................................................................................ 236 7.4 Effects of Noise of People ................................................................................. 236 7.5 Systematic Methodology for Assessing Environmental Impacts of Noise ...................................................... 241 References........................................................................................................... 254 Questions ............................................................................................................ 255 Chapter - 8 Prediction and Assessment of Impacts of Socio-Economic and Human Health Impacts 8.A Prediction and Assessment of Impacts on the Socio-Economic Environment. 256 8.A.l Introduction ...................................................................................... 256 8.A.2 Social Assesstnent ............................................................................ 256 8.A.3 Conceptual Frame Work for Socio Economic Assessment ............ 2578.B Prediction and Assessment of Impacts of Project Activities on Human Health ..................................................................... 272 8.8.1 Tasks of Health Impact Assessment ................................................. 272 8.B.2 Methodology ..................................................................................... 273 8.C Assessment if Impacts of Project Activities on Traffic and Transportation Systems ................................................................... 282 References ............................................................................................................. 283 Questions ............................................................................................................. 283 Chapter - 9 Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) and Risk Management in EIA 9.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 284 9.2 Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) .............................................................. 284 9.3 Risk Assessment and Treatment of Uncertainty ................................................. 285 9.4 Key Steps in Performing an Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) ................ 286 9.5 Advantages and Limitations of Environmental Risk Assessment ....................... 312 References ............................................................................................................ 310 Questions ............................................................................................................. 322 Chapter -10 Application ot Remote Sensing and GIS for EIA 10.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 312 10.2 Concepts of Environmental Remote Sensing ...................................................... 313 10.3 Basic Principles of Remote Sensing ................................................................... 314 10.3. I Electromagnetic Energy .................................................................... 314 IC.3.2 Photography and Optical Data .......................................................... 315 lOA Airborne Light Detection and Ranging System (LIDAR) ................................... 317 10.5 Thennal Imagery ................................................................................................. 317 10.6 Radar ................................................................................................................... 318 10.7 Satellite Orbits ..................................................................................................... 319 10.8 Application of Environmental Remote Sensing for EIA ..................................... 320 10.8.1 Linear Projects .................................................................................. 320 10.8.2 Coastal Zone Studies ......................................................................... 320 10.8.3 10.804 10.8.5 Estuaries ............................................................................................ 320 Land Use and Land Cover S 1 tudies .................................................. 321 Sources of Remote Sensing Applications ......................................... 32110.9 Application of GIS for EIA ................................................................................ 322 10.9.1 What is a GIS? ................................................................................. 322 10.9.2 GIS Concepts and Techniques ......................................................... 322 10.10 GIS for Environmental Impact Assessment ...................................................... 325 10.10.1 Possible Approaches ........................................................................ 325 10.10.2 10.10.3 Resource iInplications ...................................................................... 325 GIS in Screening, Scoping and Baseline Studies ............................ 327 10.11 Databases for GIS ............................................................................................. 330 10.12 Major Applications of GIS .................................................................................. 332 References ............................................................................................... " .......... 333 Questions ............................................................................................................ 333 Chapter-11 EIA Case Studies 11.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 335 11.2 Environmental Impact of Industrial Development ............................................. 337 11.2.1 Physical Resources .......................................................................... 337 11.2.2 Ecological Resources ........................................................... , ........... 340 11.2.3 HUlnan use values ............................................................................ 341 11.2.4 Quality-of-Iife values ........................................................................ 341 11.2.5 Project Siting .................................................................................... 342 11.3 Factors to be considered in Making Assessment Decisions .............................. 344 11.4 Guidelines for Preparations of TORS for Life of Industrial Development Projects for Initial Environmental Examination ........................... 345 11.5 Management Requirements for the Preparation of EIA for industrial projects. 346 11.6 Preparation of EIA of Land Clearing Projects ................................................... 365 11.7 Assessment of Impacts of Traffic and Transportation ..................................... 373 11.8 Physiography and Drainage ................................................................................ 410 11.9 Geology and Structure ........................................................................................ 411 11.10 Climate ................................................................................................................. 411 11.11 Soil Series ............................................................................................................ 411 11.12 Land use/ Land cover ......................................................................................... 412 11.13 Preparation of the Secondary Overlays ............................................................. 413 11.13.1 Slope .......................................................................... , ...................... 41311.14 Generation of Final Overlays for Decision Making ............................................ 413 11.14.1 Hydrogeomorphology and Groundwater ......................................... .413 11.14.2 Land-Irrigability ................................................................................. 414 11.14.3 Composite Erosion Intensity Units! Composite Land Development Sites ................................................. 414 11.14.4 Land Capability ................................................................................. .414 11.14.5 Sediment Yield Index ........................................................................ .415 11.15 Treatlnent Plans .................................................................................................. 416 11.15.1 Development Plan for the command Area ........................................ 416 11ldex .............................................................................................................................. 425