This document provides an introduction to environmental impact assessment (EIA). It defines EIA as a process that ensures environmental factors are considered early in project planning. The key points covered are: - EIA identifies, predicts, and evaluates environmental impacts of development projects before decisions are made. - Projects in agriculture, construction, industry, electricity and more may require an EIA. - The EIA process involves screening, scoping, assessment, review, decision making, and post-approval monitoring. - Methods used in EIAs include scoping, impact prediction, alternative comparisons, and the Leopold matrix.

1. Introduction to Environmental
Impact Assessment
(EIA)
Dr. S.P. Nissanka
Professor in Crop Science
Director
Centre for Environmental Studies (CES)
University of Peradeniya
spn@pdn.ac.lk

2. Structure
• What is EIA ?
• Why we need EIA ?
• Who need EIA?
• Determination of Significant Impact
• EIA process
• Methods used in EIA
• Outputs od EIA
• EIA directives
• Case study
• Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs)
• How to become a licenses EI Assessor?
4/28/2020 2
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

3. Abbreviations
EIA : Environmental Impact Assessment
CEA : Central Environmental Authority
PAA : Project Approving Agency
PP : Project Proponent
CES : Centre for Environmental Studies
TOR : Terms of Reference
IEE : Initial Environmental Examination
SIA : Social Impact Assessment
NEA : National Environmental Act
SEA : Strategic Environmental Assessment
NEAP : National Environmental Action Plan
4/28/2020 3
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

4. What is the EIA ?
“(EIA) is a process which ensures that all environmental matters are taken into
account quite early in the project at planning process itself. It takes into
consideration not only technical and economic considerations but also, the
values of natural resources (biodiversity) , traditional aspects like impact on
local people etc.”
“The process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical,
social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major
decisions being taken and commitments made!
4/28/2020 4
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

5. Why we need EIA ?
• EIA is intended to prevent or minimize potentially adverse environmental impacts
and enhance the overall quality of a project. The main benefits and advantages of
EIA are:
• Lower project costs in the long-term
• Increased project acceptance
• Improved project design
• Informed decision making
• Environmentally sensitive decisions
• Increased accountability and transparency
• Reduced environmental damage
• Improved integration of projects into their environmental and social settings
4/28/2020 5
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

6. Which type of projects under go EIA?
/ Who need EIA ? 1
• Agriculture
• Construction (road networks, buildings, dams, etc.)
• Industries
• Electricity projects
• Waste management projects
• Any developmental projects around protected areas / nature reserves/
sensitive area
• Clean Development Mechanism CDM projects
4/28/2020 6
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

7. What are the requirements to meet for
an EIA ? / Who need EIA ? 2
Project types Possible environmental impacts
Hydro power project Destruction of natural forests
Displacement of inhabitants
Loosing habitats for wild animals
Road development project Destruction of natural forests
Obstructions of animal corridors
Waste disposal project Ground water pollution
Air pollution through toxic gas emission
Plantation project Destruction of natural forests
Loosing habitats for wild animals
Chemical manufacturing plant Ground water pollution
Threat of explosion
4/28/2020 7
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

8. Criteria for IEE/EIA – Determination of
„Significant Impacts“
Significant Impacts determined based on;
1. Context
Significance of an action should be analyzed in
several contexts
2. Intensity
The severity, magnitude or nature of impact likely from a
proposed project
4/28/2020 8
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

9. EIA Process
4/28/2020 9
1. Screening
(Determining
whether an EIA /
IEE is required for
a project)
2. Scoping
(Determining the
scope of the EIA /
IEE study and
issuing of Terms of
Reference)
3. Preparation of
the EIA / IEE
report
4. Review of the
EIA / IEE report
The review
involves both
public and
technical review
5. EIA / IEE
Decision
Granting approval
with terms and
conditions or
rejection with
reasons
6. Post approval
monitoring
4.1. Public review (applicable only for EIAs) The project
proponent needs to respond to the public comments
received.
4.2. Technical review
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

10. EIA Process Cont.
4/28/2020 10
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

11. Project Approving Agencies (PAA)
• EIA process is implemented through designated “Project Approving Agencies
(PAA)” led by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA).
• The PAAs are EIA administrative agencies that are responsible for guiding the
EIA for projects and for issuing EIA approval or rejection. A single PAA is
appointed as the appropriate PAA for each EIAby the CEA.
4/28/2020 11
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

12. EIA Team - Assessors
EIA
Team
Agriculturist
Botanist
Environmenta
l Economist
Environmenta
l Law
Specialist
Zoologist
Anthropologis
t
Environmenta
l Engineer
4/28/2020 12
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

13. Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC)
• A temporary Technical Evaluation Committee should be formed for each
IEE/EIAfor which a PAA is the responsible agency.
• Comprises with technical experts
• Committee prepares a “TEC Report” to be used in decision making
4/28/2020 13
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

14. EIA Report - Public Consultation
• The EIA reports are required to be open for public inspection and comment for
a mandatory period of 30 days.
4/28/2020 14
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

15. Methods Used in EIA
Scoping
• DELPHI Techniques
• To collect expert´s knowledge
• Check List Approach
• Simple & Descriptive
Impact Prediction
• Simulation Models
• Physical models
• Analogue models
• Mathematical models/computational models
Comparison of Alternatives
• Leopold Matrix
4/28/2020 15
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

16. Leopold Matrix
Actions and Environmental
Parameters in the Leopold Matrix
Discussion
Refer: page number 36 – 37 of the EIA text book (printed paper)
4/28/2020 16
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

17. Actions and Environmental Parameters -
Leopold Matrix
Actions Environmental Items
A. Modification of Habitat
B. Land transformation and construction
C. Resource extraction
D. Processing
E. Land altering
F. Resource renewal
G. Changes in the traffic
H. Waste replacement
I. Chemical Treatment
J. Accidents
K. Others
A. Physical – Chemical characteristics
1. Earth
2. Water
3. Atmosphere
4. Processes
B. Biological conditions
1. Flora
2. Fauna
C. Cultural factors
1. Land use
2. Recreations
3. Aesthetic and human interest
4. Cultural status
5. Manufactured facilities
D. Ecological relationships
E. Others
4/28/2020
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya
17

18. Leopold Matrix - Environmental
Parameters; B. Biological Conditions
4/28/2020 18
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya
Biological Conditions
1. FLORA
a. Trees
b. Shrubs
c. Crops
d. Micro flora
e. Aquatic plants
f. Endagered species
g. Barriers
h. Corridors
2. FAUNA
a. Birds
b. Land animals
c. Fish and shellfish
d. Benthic organisms
e. Insects
f. Micro fauna
g. Endangered species
h. Barriers
i. Corridors

19. Output of EIA – negative & positive
4/28/2020 19
• Environmental impacts do not only include negative impacts. Not only should
positive impacts of a project be taken into account in the assessment,
• but ideally the assessment should also be aimed at enhancing positive
benefits through project design and implementation.
• Consequently, EIAs have also been termed a “proactive management tool
with technical input”
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

20. EIA Directive
The EIA should identify, describe and assess the direct and indirect effects of a
project on the following factors:
• Human beings
• Fauna and flora
• Soil, Water & Air
• Climate and the landscape
• Material Assets
• Cultural Heritage
• Interaction between all above factors
4/28/2020 20
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

21. A Case Study
4/28/2020 21
Upper Kothmale Hydro PowerProject
What are the Significant Environmental Impacts?
Does it need a IEE or EIA?
Who are the PAAs?
How to initiate the EIA process?
Who should involve the EIA process?
Discussion
Refer: page number 33of the EIA text book (printed paper)
Note: this project was „Not Approved“ for the second time (status as at 31st December 1996)by the CEA (as the
PAA). Later had the approvel under certain directives & conditions.
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

22. Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
• Social impact assessments are generally aimed at analyzing, monitoring
and managing the social consequences of development activities.
• Integrated within environmental assessments these are often called ESIAs
and Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments (SESAs).
4/28/2020 22
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

23. Public Participation in EIA Process
• National Environmental Law & public participation in the EIA process
• Effectiveness of public participation
• Famous Examples;
• Upper Kotmale Hydropower Project
• Colombo – Katunayake Expressway Project
• Port City Project ???
4/28/2020 23
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

24. Strategic Environmental Assessments
(SEAs)
“ The objective of these tools is to make sure that all critical information to
predict future impact on the environment is supplied and considered in the
decision-making process.
While EIAs assess planned physical developments, SEAs target the strategic
planning level, such as government plans, programmes or policies.
Both aim to avoid the implementation of any activity or strategic planning
document with significant negative impacts on the environment, as well as an
enhancement of positive impacts. “
4/28/2020 24
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

25. How to become a licensed EI Assessor?
•Academic Qualifications
•Professional Experience
•Professional Training on EIA
4/28/2020 25
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

26. 10 Day Training
Programme on EIA
organized by:
Centre for Environmental
Studies (CES)
12th programme – coming soon …
Professional Training on EIA?

27. Final thought!
“Man did not weave the web of life, he is
merely a strand in it. Whatever he does
to the web, he does to himself.”
- Chief-Seattle
4/28/2020 27
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
UniversityofPeradeniya

28. Thanks for the
attention!
Dr. S.P. Nissanka
Professorin Crop Science
Director
Centre for EnvironmentalStudies (CES)
University of Peradeniya
spn@pdn.ac.lk