Information Requirements and Tools

for Screening

and Preliminary Assessment

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2Tools and Methods

Stages of EA

Screening: to determine nature & extent of analysis needed

Preliminary Assessment: to assess range of impacts and need for full-scale EIA

Scoping: to determine key issues and impacts

Conducting the EIA itself

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3Tools and Methods

Resources Required for Preparing an EA

Qualified multi-disciplinary staff Established technical guidelines Information about the project Information about the environment Analytical & administrative capabilities Institutional arrangements Review, monitoring, and enforcement powers Time and money

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4Tools and Methods

Gathering Necessary Information

Collect environmental data (climate, land-use, habitats present, etc.) and socioeconomic data (culture, agricultural practices, water use, etc.) of the area

Rely on a variety of sources of information (local, government, universities, consultants, etc.)

Use available maps (topographical and physical), plans, and sketches that provide information on site characteristics

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5Tools and Methods

Typical Data Sources

Direct observation during site reconnaissance

Local population University/training centers Local consultants Reports (e.g., National Action Plan, USAID

Environmental Sector Assessment) GIS data bases

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6Tools and Methods

Same Basic Tools for Assessing Environmental

Impacts

Simple checklists: offers simplicity for gathering and classifying information

Interaction matrices: useful for impact identification, ranking, and displaying results

Network analyses: useful for identifying cause-effect relationships

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7Tools and Methods

Types of Checklists

Simple Lists Descriptive Checklists Scaling Checklists Questionnaire Checklists

the USAID checklist (see PVO/NGO Guidelines...)

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8Tools and Methods

Example of a Simple checklist

Proposed Activitiesclearing Xcut/fill Xdredging Xblasting -

Environmental components:Physical

air quality Xwater quality Xwater flow X

Biologicalspawning habitat Xrearing habitat X

Socio-economicfishing X

(After Sadar, 1994)

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9Tools and Methods

Sample of a checklist

SEE SAMPLE IN PARTICIPANTS’ SOURCEBOOK

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10Tools and Methods

Checklists + & -

Advantages can structure initial stages of assessment help to ensure that vital factors are not

neglected are easy to apply, particularly by non-

experts

Disadvantages deal only with the environment pose danger of “tunnel vision”

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11Tools and Methods

Interaction Matrices

Allow for the identification of cause-effect relationships

Qualitative or quantitative estimates can be used

Can address impact severity and significance

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12Tools and Methods

Example of an Interaction Matrix

Spawninghabitat(substrate)

FishingWaterquality

WaterFlow

Dredging

Clearing

Access

After Sadar, 1994

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13Tools and Methods

Sample of a Leopold Matrix

IN PARTICIPANTS’ SOURCEBOOK

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14Tools and Methods

Network Analyses

Used to identify cause-effect linkages Visual description of linkages Extension of information found in

matrices

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15Tools and Methods

Example of a Network Analysis

Salmonoid populations

Fishing Spawning

Temperature Flow Water Quality (Suspended Matter)

Access Dredging Clearing

(After Sadar, 1994)

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16Tools and Methods

Network Analyses + & -

Advantages Provides visual summaries that are easily

understood and communicated to decision-makers and the public

Useful for identifying important indirect impacts

Disadvantages May oversimplify relationships; can be hard to

show adequate level of detail As with above methods analysis is static Doesn’t show relative significance of impacts

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17Tools and Methods

Maps

Many types Commonly available Effective visual representation of

critical environmental features May portray biophysical and social

aspects

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18Tools and Methods

Map Overlays Separate mapping of critical environmental

features at the same scale as project's site plan e.g. wetlands, steep slopes, soils, floodplains,

bedrock outcrops, wildlife habitats, vegetative communities, and cultural resources...

Older Technique: environmental features are mapped on transparent plastic in different colors

Newer Technique: Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

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19Tools and Methods

Map Overlays + & -

Advantages Excellent for showing spatial dimension and

location of impacts Most useful for assessing alternative routes for

linear developments, e.g. pipelines, roads, transmission lines

Disadvantages Less successful with timing, reversibility, and

probability of impacts Sharp boundary definitions can be misleading

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20Tools and Methods

Tools for Evaluation & Decision-Making

Cost-Benefit Analysis Multi-Criteria Analysis Risk Assessment Simple Comparisons

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21Tools and Methods

EA & Public Participation

Gives communities a voice in development plans

Should begin in earliest stages Can be formalized in public sessions Has often been absent in EIA

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22Tools and Methods

Sample checklist for Project Analysis

Project Potential Recommended Degree ofActivity Environmental Mitigation Environmental

Impact Impact

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23Tools and Methods

Practical Steps in Environmental Analysis

Step 1: List activities -- all, in detail Goal/Purpose of Project (Consider Alternatives) Ancillary Activities (Quarries, Haul Roads,

Transmission Lines) Inputs Needed (Raw Materials, Energy,

Equipment) Operational Characteristics By-products and Waste Produced Financing Plan and Sequencing/Phasing of

Activities

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24Tools and Methods

Step 2: Use Tools Available

Matrices Checklists Map Overlays Relational Networks Flow Diagrams

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25Tools and Methods

Step 3: Identify Foreseeable Impacts of Each Activity

What components of the environment are affected? Such as: human health, endangered species, tropical forests, . . .

Who is subjected to the incidence of the impacts? How severe is the magnitude and extent of each impact? When do the impacts occur (planning, construction, operation,

decommissioning)? Where? Geographical units affected by the impacts? Watershed?

Political/administrative units? Ecological units? Why are the impacts occurring? How do activities fit within the development context of the locale,

country , or region? Critical or sensitive resources

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26Tools and Methods

Step 4: Field Visit and Site Reconnaissance Investigate environment Discuss Activity with People

Step 5: Assemble Documents

Step 6: Discuss/Consult with Specialists (soil scientists, animal behavior specialists, wildlife biologists, agronomists, foresters, hydrologists, experts in EIA and environmental information systems

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27Tools and Methods

Step 7: Use a table to visualize activities, foreseeable impacts and relevant regulation or procedures (both USAID and national):

Classify activity according to the level of impacts on the environment

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28Tools and Methods

Step 8: Sort the Activities 8.1: Sort MECHANICALLY

No foreseeable impacts/Category 1 Significant impacts/Category 3 Pesticide-related Tropical forests, biological diversity, endangered species

effects (Category 4) Other activities (modest possible impacts)/Category 2

8.2: Once the FIRST sort is done, go back to each group and decide whether an activity should be maintained in the category initially assigned or not. Consultation, literature review and another field visit can help

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29Tools and Methods

Step 9: Devise Mitigative Measures: Re-design to Avoid or Diminish Impacts Recommend Corrective

Measures/Activities May Need Further Analysis or Study

Step 10: Devise Monitoring Procedures Step 11: Write Report Step 12: Evaluate the Activity and the

Effectiveness of Mitigative Measures