En4001 Environmental Impact Assessment & Monitoring Week 5.1 (2) PDF

EN4001 Environmental Impact Assessment & Monitoring Week 5.1: EIA Process - Mitigation, Monitoring, Auditing and EIA Report Teaching materials are provided by Dr. Lim Tuti Mariana  Week Content EIA Procedure: Mitigation, Implementation...

EN4001 Environmental Impact Assessment & Monitoring Week 5.1: EIA Process - Mitigation, Monitoring, Auditing and EIA Report Teaching materials are provided by Dr. Lim Tuti Mariana  Week Content EIA Procedure: Mitigation, Implementation & Monitoring, Report & 5 Auditing, Review and Decision Making, Planning & Management 6 EIA Impact Assessment Methodologies + Tutorial 1 7 EIA Impact Assessment of Air Environment + Tutorial 2 Recess 8 QUIZ; group project discussion 10/09/24 2 2  Introduction and Objectives Contents Lesson Objectives Mitigation At the end of this lesson, you should be able to: Explain the mitigation concepts and methods in EIA Implementation and why they are necessary. and Follow-up: Explain the strengths, weaknesses and Monitoring appropriateness of different mitigation options. Auditing Identify the appropriate mitigation measures for a range of particular impacts. Importance of EIA Report Explain the importance of implementation and follow- up works of monitoring and auditing. Components of EIA Explain the importance of the EIA report. Report List the components of the EIA report. Shortcomings of EIA List the shortcomings of the reports. Report Explain how EIA reports are distributed. Distribution of EIA Report 3  Mitigation in EIA The diagram below explains the process of mitigation in EIA: Mitigation EIA and project design Included in EIA A critical component of EIA process report and should work for early identification of implemented mitigation opportunities during the impact management To prevent To keep stage adverse impact impacts that To incorporate them do occur to into consideration of an acceptable alternatives and level design option 10/09/24 4  Mitigation Objectives The objectives of mitigation are:  Find better alternatives and ways of doing things  Enhance the environmental and social benefits of a proposal  Avoid, minimise or remedy the adverse impacts  Ensure that residual adverse impacts are kept within acceptable levels 10/09/24 5  Main Elements of Mitigation Shown below are the hierarchical actions of the mitigation process: Common, Alternative sites or technology preferable Impact Avoidance - to eliminate impacts Actions during design, construction Impact and operation - to minimise or Minimisation eliminate impacts Impact Compensation Used as a last resort to offset impacts Rare, Undesirable 10/09/24 6  Mitigation Objectives Shown below are the hierarchical actions of the mitigation process: Common, preferable Impact ImpactAvoidance Avoidance Impact avoidance is the most effective step when applied at the early stage of project planning. Impact For example: Minimisation Modifying project design or production processes Impact Treating at source or reduce Compensation wastes by recycling Discharging waste to less Rare, sensitive areas Undesirable Restricting hours of operation or public access 10/09/24 7  Main Elements of Mitigation Shown below are the hierarchical actions of the mitigation process: Common, preferable Impact Avoidance For example: Landscaping to blend structure into local environment Impact Using silt traps, silt curtains Minimisation during dredging Providing sound insulation or air Impact conditioning to reduce noise or Compensation dust Reducing scale of operation Rare, Creation of buffer zones Undesirable 10/09/24 8  Main Elements of Mitigation Shown below are the hierarchical actions of the mitigation process: Common, Remedy: preferable Impact Avoidance Rehabilitation Re-stocking Impact Afforestation Minimisation Oxygenation of water Compensation: Creation of lost facilities or Impact Compensation jobs elsewhere Paying money to affected Rare, parties Undesirable Relocation of affected families or villagers 10/09/24 9  Approaches to Mitigation Listed below are the main approaches to mitigation: Developing better Making changes Carrying out Giving compensation alternatives to project impact monitoring such as monetary, in- planning and and management kind, site remediation design or resettlement plan 10/09/24 10  Approaches to Mitigation Developing Listed below are some better approaches alternatives to mitigation: Broad range alternatives are generated at the earliest stage of planning and design when the process is still flexible and becomes lesser at the later stage. Site or design alternatives can be reconsidered for later stage of design. 10/09/24 11  Approaches to Mitigation Making Listed below are somechanges to project approaches planning design to mitigation: Enable impact avoidance and minimisation: address impacts throughout the life cycle of the project and identify the best practicable ways and means to mitigate them. Potential impacts of climate change have to be considered in mitigation planning and design. For example, to address increased or reduced precipitation. 10/09/24 12  Implementation and Follow-Up The key objectives of implementation and follow-up are:  To confirm that the conditions of project approval are implemented satisfactorily  To verify that impacts are within predicted or permitted limits  To take action to manage unanticipated impacts or other unforeseen changes  To ensure that environmental benefits are maximised through good practice  To learn from experience in order to improve the EIA process and practice 10/09/24 13 EIA Implementation and Follow-Up Terminology Shown below are the terminologies of EIA implementation and follow up: Term Surveillance and supervision Surveillance and supervision Surveillance of the implementation of EIA terms and conditions can be undertaken by regular or Monitoring periodic site inspections to check on compliance, observe progress and discuss issues. Auditing Supervision implies a more intensive direction of the environmental performance of on-site Evaluation activities, ensuring they are carried out in accordance with the environmental management Post project analysis plan and or contract specifications. Source: 11-1 Key Objectives of EIA implementation and follow up. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from 10/09/24 http://eia.unu.edu/course/index.html?page_id=89.html 14  EIA Implementation and Follow-Up Terminology Shown below are the terminologies of EIA implementation and follow up: Term Monitoring Surveillance and supervision Monitoring refers to the collection of data through a series of repetitive measurements of Monitoring environmental parameters (or, more generally, to a process of systematic observation). Auditing The main types of EIA monitoring activities are: baseline monitoring, effects monitoring and com Evaluation pliance monitoring. Post project analysis Source: 11-1 Key Objectives of EIA implementation and follow up. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from 10/09/24 http://eia.unu.edu/course/index.html?page_id=89.html 15  Implementation and Follow-Up - Monitoring Monitoring is the basis of EIA implementation and follow up. The key objectives of the monitoring process are: To provide information to aid impact management To better understand the cause-effect relationship To improve the impact prediction and mitigation methods 10/09/24 16  Implementation and Follow-Up - Monitoring Monitoring is used to: Establish baseline trends and conditions Measure the impacts that occur during project construction and operation Carry out compliance check against the agreed conditions and standards Facilitate impact management, for example, warning of unanticipated impact Determine the accuracy of impact prediction and effectiveness or mitigation measures 10/09/24 17  Implementation and Follow-Up - Monitoring Monitoring is used to:  Establish baseline trends and conditions  Measure Sound the impacts baseline that occur is a critical during reference pointproject construction for effectiveand operation monitoring as it can establish  Compliance the basis for corrective check actions against if the condition agreed actual and impacts are unanticipated or worse than standards the predicted values.  Facilitate impact management (warning of unanticipated impact)  Determine the accuracy of impact prediction and effectiveness or mitigation measures 10/09/24 18  Implementation and Follow-Up - Monitoring Shown below are the approach and reporting of the EIA monitoring process: Approach Reporting Compare pre and post Monitoring data needs to be project situations by the interpreted and reported to measuring relevant non-scientific audience. Hence, environmental impacts the report should be in plain against baseline conditions. language and appropriate technical standards Data Collection Collection of monitoring data is expensive. There fore, only necessary information is targeted to manage impacts by considering which one is significant. The data should be identified as early as possible in the EIA process to optimise contribution of monitoring data to 10/09/24 EIA implementation and follow-up. 19 EIA Implementation and Follow-Up Terminology Shown below are the terminologies of EIA implementation and follow up: Term Auditing A systematic process of examining, documenting Surveillance and supervision and verifying that EIA procedures and outcomes correspond to objectives and requirements. Monitoring This process can be undertaken during and or after Auditing project construction, and draws upon surveillance reports and monitoring data. Evaluation The main types of EIA related audits are: implementation audits, impact audits, compliance Post project analysis audits and effectiveness or policy audits Source: 11-1 Key Objectives of EIA implementation and follow up. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from 10/09/24 http://eia.unu.edu/course/index.html?page_id=89.html 20  Implementation and Follow-Up - Auditing EIA auditing process is a review process similar to financial accounting with an added level of interpretation focusing on performance factors. The main techniques of the process include the following: 10/09/24 21  Implementation and Follow-Up - Auditing In any EIA process, audit is used to: Identify the impacts of project implementation Verify whether or not the conditions of approval have been implemented Test the accuracy of impact predictions Check the effectiveness of mitigation measures Improve compliance and performance of EIA practice Audit is done on ad-hoc basis. 10/09/24 22  Implementation and Follow-Up - Auditing Shown below is an example of environmental monitoring and audit of the Chek Lap Kok Airport, Hong Kong SAR. Background Background Environmental monitoring and audit (EMA) programmes are Project carried out to ensure that the measures recommended in the EIA are actually implemented and appropriate actions are EMA Programme taken in cases where the impact exceeds the established limit. Summary of results Key Lessons Source: Chek Lap Kok Airport. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from http://eia.unu.edu/wiki/index.php/Chek_Lap_Kok_Airport.html#Project 10/09/24 23  Implementation and Follow-Up - Auditing Shown below is an example of environmental monitoring and audit of the Chek Lap Kok Airport, Hong Kong SAR. Background Project The Chek Lap Kok Airport was built between 1991 and 1997 Project at a total cost of US$ 20 billion. It involved the reclamation of approximately 1,250 ha site and facility development and related projects and infrastructure, including a new town of EMA Programme 20,000 (Tung Chung), and a 34 km high speed rail and road expressway to the city centre. Summary of results Major areas of concern in site construction and operation included air quality, noise, water quality, waste and Key Lessons ecological damage resulting from dredging, dumping and reclamation. Source: Chek Lap Kok Airport. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from http://eia.unu.edu/wiki/index.php/Chek_Lap_Kok_Airport.html#Project 10/09/24 24  Implementation and Follow-Up - Auditing Shown below is an example of environmental monitoring and audit of the Chek Lap Kok Airport, Hong Kong SAR. Background EMA Programme An EMA system was instituted to follow up on the Project implementation of EIA measures. The monitoring component focused on aspects of particular EMA Programme concern, including water quality, air emissions, noise and dust levels. Summary of At the airport reclamation site, the initial water quality results monitoring network was inadequate and had to be relocated to provide a more realistic set of auditing criteria. Key Lessons Source: Chek Lap Kok Airport. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from http://eia.unu.edu/wiki/index.php/Chek_Lap_Kok_Airport.html#Project 10/09/24 25  Implementation and Follow-Up - Auditing Shown below is an example of environmental monitoring and audit of the Chek Lap Kok Airport, Hong Kong SAR. Background EMA Programme (cont’d) The audit component compared actual and predicted Project impacts, and the effectiveness of environmental instruments, such as clauses included in licenses, contract specifications EMA Programme and planning and land lease conditions. The programme was carried out by developing a reference Summary of manual and database, monthly and quarterly reports on results compliance and performance, respectively, and policies and procedures to be followed in the event of breaches and non- Key Lessons compliance. Source: Chek Lap Kok Airport. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from http://eia.unu.edu/wiki/index.php/Chek_Lap_Kok_Airport.html#Project 10/09/24 26  Implementation and Follow-Up - Auditing Shown below is an example of environmental monitoring and audit of the Chek Lap Kok Airport, Hong Kong SAR. Background Summary of results The audit of the effectiveness of environmental instruments Project concluded that not all EIA recommendations were included in contracts, many specifications were too general, and means EMA Programme of enforcing or inducing compliance were insufficient. An underlying issue was the variance between the project as Summary of designed and as constructed, compromising many EIA results measures and requiring renegotiation of mitigation. Key Lessons Source: Chek Lap Kok Airport. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from http://eia.unu.edu/wiki/index.php/Chek_Lap_Kok_Airport.html#Project 10/09/24 27  Implementation and Follow-Up - Auditing Shown below is an example of environmental monitoring and audit of the Chek Lap Kok Airport, Hong Kong SAR. Background Key Lessons EIA documents must be prepared with the EMA Project requirements in mind, for example, auditable predictions and well-defined mitigation measures, with provision for their EMA Programme renegotiation if design and construction vary. In addition, these measures should be translated into Summary of practicable, enforceable specifications. The regulatory results agency should have the necessary legal authorities for this purpose. Key Lessons Source: Chek Lap Kok Airport. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from http://eia.unu.edu/wiki/index.php/Chek_Lap_Kok_Airport.html#Project 10/09/24 28 EIA Implementation and Follow-Up Terminology Shown below are the terminologies of EIA implementation and follow up: Term Evaluation Ex-post evaluation involves a policy-oriented Surveillance and supervision review of the effectiveness and performance of the EIA process. Monitoring It is concerned with the overall “balance sheet” of Auditing an EIA, looking at what it achieved, which aspects were influential, and how the process could be Evaluation improved. The guiding concepts are based on the following Post project analysis key aspects: effectiveness and performance. Source: 11-1 Key Objectives of EIA implementation and follow up. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from 10/09/24 http://eia.unu.edu/course/index.html?page_id=89.html 29 EIA Implementation and Follow-Up Terminology Shown below are the terminologies of EIA implementation and follow up: Term Post project analysis Usually, a post-project analysis is undertaken once the Surveillance and supervision project has been constructed and is about to enter the operational phase. Monitoring The term implies a focus on project specific EIA experience, such as in relation to dams, highways, waste Auditing disposal sites or power generation. Evaluation In this context, post-project analysis can include aspects of effectiveness and performance review, using impact and mitigation data from surveillance, monitoring and Post project analysis auditing. Source: 11-1 Key Objectives of EIA implementation and follow up. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2015, from 10/09/24 http://eia.unu.edu/course/index.html?page_id=89.html 30  Role of EIA Implementation and Follow-Up Shown below is a diagram on the role and position of monitoring and management in EIA: Strategic Planning Proposal Screening and Scoping Existing Baseline data monitoring Impact assessment Monitoring and impact management for implementation Information and operation Decision to an EMS Terms and (example: conditions of ISO 14000) Surveillance compliance checking approval Baseline effect compliance monitoring Implementation Proactive activity monitoring/assessment Ongoing Impact management EIA audit and post auditing 10/09/24 Design reassessment project analysis 31 EIA Implementation and Follow-Up Terminology EIA Monitoring Activities Listed below are some approaches to mitigation: Baseline Monitoring Activities taken during pre-project period: to determine baseline trends and conditions to establish reference points for changes to be measured Effects Monitoring Activities taken during project construction and implementation to detect changes which are attributed to the project. Compliance Monitoring Periodic sampling or continuous measurement to ensure that regulatory requirements and standards are being met. 10/09/24 32 EIA Implementation and Follow-Up Terminology Listed below are some approaches to mitigation: Effect and compliance monitoring are reactive approach as they detect violation Effects Monitoring after it occured. Activities taken during project Thus it isconstruction and important to set implementation predetermined to detect changes which are attributable actions to theonproject. which are triggered a threshold based on the results of these monitoring. Compliance Monitoring Pro-active and adaptive approach should be Periodic sampling or continuous measurement used through supervision or to ensure that regular regulatory requirementsinspection. and standards are being met. 10/09/24 33 EIA Implementation and Follow-Up Terminology EIA Related Audits Listed below are some approaches to mitigation: Types of audits Description Implementation To verify that EIA implementation met the conditions of audits project approval. Impact audits To determine the impact of the project and the accuracy of EIA predictions. Compliance audits To verify that project impacts are complied with environmental standards and regulatory requirements. Effectiveness or To check the feasibility of mitigation measures and the policy audits consistency of EIA practice. 10/09/24 34 EIA Implementation and Follow-Up Terminology Implementation audits to verifyCommon that EIA difficulties implementation met the in monitoring conditions and auditing of Listed below project are some approaches to mitigation: approval. Impact audits Common difficulties encountered for monitoring to determine Effects Monitoring theand impact of the project and the accuracy of auditing: EIA predictions. Limited baseline information Activities taken during project construction and implementation to detect changes Qualitative which and non-auditable are attributable impact to the project. Compliance audits prediction to verify that project impacts complied with environmental Late changes to project design and mitigation Compliance standardsMonitoring and regulatory requirements. Long lead time before certain trends and Periodic sampling Effectiveness orimpacts continuous or policy audits measurement to ensure that can be identified regulatory to checkrequirements the feasibilityand standards measures of mitigation are being met. and the consistency of EIA practice. 10/09/24 35 EIA Implementation and Follow-Up Terminology EIA Ex-post Evaluation Guiding Concepts Listed below are some approaches to mitigation: Effectiveness the extent to which the EIA process has achieved its purpose(s). Depending on how these are defined, an effectiveness review can be conducted against the terms of reference, the information provided to decision-makers or principles and criteria of EIA good practice (see Section 1 – Introduction and Overview of EIA). Performance the success of the EIA process as measured by its outcomes and results. Surveillance, monitoring and auditing data are necessary for this purpose. 10/09/24 36 Summary of EIA Implementation and Follow-Up l i a nce Comp ring Effects to Surveillan ce moni and supe rvision monitoring p l i ca ble n s u r e ap E Measure g u l a to r y ental re r d s a nd Oversee adhere nce environm a stand ments are ge du e to re to and ch a n requi implementation project e i n g met of b terms and cond ition Check the ss effectivene n of mitigatio measures 10/09/24 37 Summary of EIA Implementation and Follow-Up r oj e ct p Post is s Audit Evaluation analy u a t e the Eva l u l ts of ll r e s Verify overa t Review the projec ment and implementa a nd op tion of effectiveness devel earnt for terms and c f l onditions performance o lesson rojects Measu ith p re EIA process w f ut ur e effectivenes s a nd respect to a t compliance with specific projec regulatory standards an d requirement 10/09/24 38  Introduction to EIA Report EIA report is a document reporting the findings of the EIA process. Some examples of EIA reports are:  Environmental Impact Statement (US)  Environmental Statement (EU) Purpose: to provide a coherent statement of the potential impacts and the measures taken to reduce and remedy them. 39  Introduction to EIA Report An EIA report typically has four sections: 1. An introduction with the purpose and need of the 2. A description of proposed action the affected environment 3. A range of alternatives 4. An analysis of the environmental impacts 10/09/24 40  Introduction to EIA Report Proponent: prepare and carry out the proposal in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Responsible authority: make an informed decision including setting terms and conditions for approval. Public: understand the proposal and its potential impacts on people and the environment. A successful report must be actionable, which means it can be carried out by the proponent to achieve environmental sustainability. 10/09/24 41  Components of EIA Report Contain information as specified in legislation, procedure or guidance Include contents in accordance with terms of reference established during the scoping process The components (headings and items) of an EIA report include: Executive Executive or or non-technical non-technical summary summary Need Need and and objective objective of of the the proposal proposal Reference Reference to to applicable applicable legislative, legislative, regulatory regulatory and and policy policy frameworks frameworks Description Description of of the the proposal proposal include include implementation implementation stage stage (construction, (construction, operation operation and and decommissioning) decommissioning) Comparison Comparison ofof the the proposal proposal and and its its alternatives alternatives Description Description of of the the project project setting setting including including the the relationship relationship to to other other proposals, proposals, current current land- land- uses uses and and relevant relevant policies policies and and plans plans for for the the area. area. 10/09/24 42  Components of EIA Report The components (headings and items) of an EIA report include: Description Description of of baseline baseline conditions conditions and and trends trends Review Review of of the the public public consultation consultation process process Consideration Consideration of of identified identified main main impacts impacts and and their their predicted predicted characteristic, characteristic, proposed proposed mitigation mitigation measures, measures, residual residual effects effects and and any any uncertainties uncertainties and and limitations limitations of of data data and and analysis analysis Evaluation Evaluation of of the the significance significance of of the the residual residual impacts impacts for for each each alternative alternative to to identify identify best best option option Environmental Environmental management management plan plan describing describing how how proposed proposed mitigation mitigation and and monitoring monitoring measures measures (included (included in in an an annex annex or or separate separate document) document) Appendices Appendices containing containing supporting supporting technical technical information, information, description description of of methods methods used, used, references references and and others others 10/09/24 43  Executive or Non-Technical Summary Executive or non-technical summary: critical component Often being the only part read by decision makers and people, hence it should be short and concise (seven pages or less) Focus on the key information and options for decision making For distribution to the public as information brochure 10/09/24 44  Executive or Non-Technical Summary Typical executive summary contains: The The proposal proposal and and its its setting setting Terms Terms of of reference reference for for the the EIA EIA The The results results of of public public consultation consultation The The alternatives alternatives considered considered Major Major impacts impacts and and their their significance significance Proposed Proposed mitigation mitigation measures measures The The environmental environmental management management plan plan Any Any other other matters matters that that need need decision decision making making 10/09/24 45  Shortcomings of EIA Report Report should be easily understood, objectives, factual and consistent Many contributors and tight deadlines may cause difficulty to achieve good EIA report Shortcomings and Deficiencies of EIA reports and Reporting Examples Shortcoming EIA Reporting Example Source: Netherlands EIA Commission An EIA report substantiates the need for offshore The need for a exploratory drilling in a remote and sensitive Arctic Sound project cannot be primarily in terms of energy security and economic justified development. The broader opportunity costs of opening the area to development are overlooked. The objective and An EIA report on a proposed by-pass road identifies the alternatives are objective as relieving traffic congestion, failing to consider too narrowly 10/09/24 broader transport issues and alternatives. 46 stated  Shortcomings of EIA Report Shortcomings and Deficiencies of EIA Reports and Reporting examples Shortcoming EIA Reporting Example Source: Netherlands EIA Commission The description of the An EIA report describes the proposed construction of an industrial plant but proposal does not cover omits information about construction of a pipeline and other facilities to the key features transport and handle raw materials and finished products to and from the plant. Selection of alternatives The EIA report on a car racing circuit in a coastal dune landscape only considers does not take into alternatives meeting motor sport requirements, visitor ‘needs’ and public safety account environmental regulations. It overlooks environmental considerations, such as noise aspects abatement, protection of land surface and dune ecology. An EIA report describes the proposed construction of a coal-fired power plant Key problems affected by using surface water as cooling medium. It does not divulge that the surface the proposal are not water body is already used by other industrial activities for this purpose to the described limit of its cooling capacity. Sensitive elements in the An EIA report for a pipeline project does not indicate that the proposed affected environment are alignment will dissect certain areas of ecological value. overlooked 47 10/09/24  Shortcomings of EIA Report Shortcomings and Deficiencies of EIA Reports and Reporting examples Shortcoming EIA Reporting Example Source: Netherlands EIA Commission Environmental target An EIA report for an extension of an airport describes the impacts up to values and standards are the standard of 25 per cent of people seriously affected by aircraft not properly taken into noise, whereas the target value aims at 10 per cent of people seriously account affected. An EIA report for a sanitary landfill indicates that the soil types in the Alternatives do not comply area are very diverse, ranging from sand and clay to peat. The with environmental alternatives do not take into account the large differences in regulations and standards compaction and subsidence of these soil types, with subsequent failure of underlining and drainage systems. An EIA report for a sanitary landfill does not describe a system for Appropriate mitigating collecting methane gas produced in the landfill, even though measures are not greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate warming and should be considered capped at current levels. Good EIA reporting should address these shortcomings. 48 10/09/24  Distribution of EIA Report EIA reports should be made available to the public and distributed widely particularly to those who have interest or are affected by the proposal. Special measures are required for proposals that affect the poor and non-literate community. Presentation of the findings can be: Local media, radio or television Community report Newsletters and information sheets Walk-in and storefront displays Feedback through the local chief 10/09/24 49