This document discusses environmental impact assessment (EIA). It defines EIA as the prior assessment of the future environmental impacts of development proposals. The key points made are: - EIA identifies, predicts, evaluates, and mitigates biophysical and social effects of projects before major commitments are made. - Common EIA methods include checklists, matrices, networks, and overlays. Checklists list environmental factors and scale potential impacts. - The first EIA law was passed in the US in 1969, requiring assessments for major projects. - A full EIA report is called an Environmental Impact Statement.

1. Mithun Ray
Department of Geography
Malda College (University of Gour Banga)
E-mail: mithunmc@maldacollege.ac.in
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ASSESSMENT [EIA]

2. What is EIA ?
Is the prior assessment of the future impact of the consequences of any
decision on the quality of the total human environment on which man largely
depends for his well-being.
EIA is 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. [International Association for Impact Assessment]

4. Characteristics of EIA
It is a systematic evaluation of all significant environmental consequences.
 It is a process which forces developers to reconsider proposals
It is a process leading to a statement to guide decision-makers.
 It is a process which has the potential to increase developer’s accountability to
the public.
It should be subject to independent, objective review of results.
It should include clear statement of identified impacts as well as possible
alternative development options.
It considers both environmental and economic, costs and benefits.

5. History of EIA
The growth of EIA is associated with the legislation passed in the United
States on 1st January 1970, arising out of the National Environment Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969, requiring EIA for major projects.
The complete report of the EIA is called an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS).

6. Methods of EIA
1. Adhoc method
2.Checklist method
3.Matrix method
4.Network method
5.Overlay method
6.Environmental index using factor analysis
7.Cost/Benefit analysis
8.Predictive or Simulation methods
For more details:
http://mjcetce455.blogspot.com/2017
/04/methods-of-eia.html

7. Check-list for Environmental Impact Assessment
In this method, environmental factors are listed in a structured format by giving
importance weightings for factors and application of scaling techniques for impacts
of each alternative.
Checklists are strong indicators of impact identification. They effectively garner the
attention and awareness of their audience. Impact identification is a fundamental
function of an EIA.

8. Checklists may be:
1. Simple
2. Descriptive
3. Scaling or
4. weighting type

9. Simple checklists are a list of parameters without guidelines regarding
either interpretation or measurement of environmental parameters or specific
data needs or impact prediction and assessment.
Descriptive checklists include list of environmental factors along with
information on measurement, impact prediction and assessment.
Scaling and weighting checklists facilitate decision making. Such checklists
are strong in impact identification. While including the function of impact
identification, they include a certain degree of interpretation and evaluation.

10. In checklist method, the impacts are tabulated in the form of cells with
information either in the descriptive form that gives information regarding
possibility or potential existence of an impact whereas in the scaling or
weighing methods the magnitude or importance of impact is given.

11. Preparation of Check-list for Environmental Impact Assessment
(Example)
Parts of a Check-list for evaluating a
Water Power Project
A.Physical Impacts:
 Change in sediment transport downstream
 Change in water quality
 Change in river hydrology
 River erosion
 Slope instability
 Deforestation
 Increased erosion on slopes
 Increased seismic disturbance in the area
 Inundation of significant amounts of natural vegetation
 Disturbance of the local fauna
 Alteration of aquatic life
 Alteration of soil fertility
 Loss of rare or unique features or life forms

12. B. Impact on Local Population:
 Inundation of settlements
 Resettlements of people
 Problems of sanitation
 Availability of river water downstream
 Spread of endemic diseases
 Introduction of new diseases
 Psychological stresses due to changes in lifestyle and economy

13. B. Impact on Local Economy:
 Disturbances in local economy
 Inundation of existing transport network disruptions in river
transport
 Submergence of objects of cultural heritage
 Inundation of historicity cites
 Availability of electricity
 Improvement of agriculture
 Industrial expansion

14. This Power Point Presentation (PPT) has been
prepared only to deliver the lecture. The
materials (Maps, Diagrams and Images) used in
this presentation have been collected and
compiled by the presenter from various
academic blogs, research papers, books etc.

15. THANK YOU