EIA/EIS Environmental Impact Assessment/Statement
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a procedure that identifies the potential impacts upon the environment involved in the undertaking of new developments and the subsequent changing of the natural environmental system.
Environmental Impact Assessments is the method used for predicting potential impacts on the environment as a result of development. The Environmental Impact Statement is the integral document formulated as a result of the EIA process. There are three definite elements in the EIA process:
1 - Screening
This step determines if there is a requirement for an EIS. The existing EIA regulations, in conjunction with other environmental factors, establishes the thresholds or sizes of certain classes of projects, which identify if an EIS is necessary. In conjunction with these thresholds, a competent Authority may also specify the need for an EIA where a potential development project may be below the regulated threshold. This typically occurs where is a potential for significant effects upon the local environment.
2 - Scoping
The scoping process is a method used to determine the specific issues that could be potentially significant during the EIA process and also to establish any issues that may be eliminated. An integral part of the EIA process involves consultation with the relevant government departments and non-governmental organisations, the competent Authority, the public, National Parks and Wildlife Services, fisheries boards, local authorities, land owners, and any other interested parties.
3 - EIS: Environmental Impact Statements
The Environmental Impact Statement should be produced to include the following sections:
• The proposed development,
• The existing environment,
• The impacts of the proposed development,
• The measures to mitigate adverse impacts; and
• Non-Technical Summary
The existing environment and the potential impacts of the proposed development are described by reference to the examination of the possible influences on a number of environmental criteria such a:
• Human beings
• Traffic
• Noise
• Soil
• Water
• Air |
• Climate
• Landscape
• Material assets including the architectural and archaeological heritage and cultural heritage
• The inter-relationship between all of these. |
Examples of EIA/EIS’s completed include:
• EIA/EIS – Inert Recovery Facility
• EIA/EIS – Waste Licence for Waste Recovery Facility
• EIA/EIS – Large scale infrastructural Metal Recycling Facility
• EIA/EIS – Windfarms
• EIA/EIS – Housing Developments
• EIA/EIS – Business Parks
• EIA/EIS – Road Developments
• EIA/EIS – Quarry Developments
Further Information
For more information on these or any other aspect, please contact us on LoCall 1890 522 000, or email us at info@enviroco.ie
