EIA is a part of the development control process and not research!
Basic characteristics of a good EIA:
- Balance - Complete, unbiased and practical
- Relevance - Development, location
- Significance - Focussed, ignoring trifles and side issues
- Thoroughness - Quality of contents
- Clarity - To public and decision makers
Main elements of an EIA report
- Executive summary
- Main report
- Aims and objectives of the proposal
- Analysis of site selection and alternative sites
- Description of expected environmental conditions (biophysical and socio economic)
- Description of impacts
- Relationship to current land use policies
- Significance of impacts
- Evaluation of alternatives
- Impact management, mitigation plan
- Monitoring plans, contingency plan
- Terms of reference
- Appendices (glossary, explanation of acronyms, ToRs and a list of persons consultants for the study and documentation).
Steps in EIA report review
- Set the scale of the review
- Select reviewer(s)
- Use public input
- Identify review criteria
- Carry out the review
- Determine remedial options
- Publish the review report
Range of review methods
- General checklists
- Project specific checklists
- Ad hoc processes
- Expert opinion, accredited reviewers
- Public review
- Panels of inquiry, independent commissions
- Legal approaches