EIA is an assessment of the environmental consequences of a proposed project prior to major decisions. The EIA process involves screening, scoping, impact analysis and prediction, mitigation, reporting, review, decision making, monitoring and audit. Screening determines if an EIA is required. Scoping identifies key issues. Impact analysis predicts and evaluates effects. Mitigation proposes impact management. Reporting communicates findings. Review evaluates sufficiency. Decision making approves or rejects projects. Monitoring checks implementation. Audit evaluates accuracy and lessons learned. The goal of EIA is to integrate environmental considerations into development planning for sustainable development.

1. PREPARED BY:
Manoj Sharma
Msc.Ag (Agri- Economics)
Agriculture and Forestry
Univesity
EIA and IT’S PROCESS
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2. What is EIA ?
 A study of the effects of a proposed project, plan or
program on the environment
 Sadler, B. 1996.
“ Environmental impact assessment is a process of
identifying, predicting, evaluating, and
mitigating the biophysical, social, and other
relevant effects of proposed projects and physical
activities prior to major decisions and
commitments being made ”
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3. History of EIA
 USA: first nation to start EIA (National Environmental
Policy Act, 1970)
 Formalization and extension through UN conference on the
Environment in Stockholm , 1972
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4. EIA in Nepal
 Sixth Five Year Plan (1980-1985) - first mentioned the need
for EIA for major infrastructure projects
 Eighth Five Year Plan (1991-1995) – need of EIA at the
stage of feasibility study
 National EIA Guideline, September 1992 and gazette in
July 1993
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5. EIA process
Scoping
Impact analysis
Reporting
Review
Decision making
Monitoring
A brief statement of
environmental issues
Determine:
Whether environmental
effects are significant
OR,
Mitigation measures
can be adopted
Phase I
Initial Environmental
Examination (IEE)
Phase II
Environmental Impact
Studies (EIS) or simply
EIA
If it provides definite
solution
NO
EIA
If needed
Screening
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6. Screening
Initial Environmental
Examination (IEE)
EIA Not
Required
EIA
Required
Monitoring
EIA Audit and
Evaluation
IEE
Review
Scoping/
Terms of
Reference
Full-Scale
EIA
Evaluate
Options
EIA Not
Approved
EIA
Review
Decision
Making
EIA
Approved
A flowchart of EIA Process
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7. Screening
 No all development projects require an EIA, as some
projects may not pose an environmental threat
 Screening is the process used to determine
o Whether an proposed project or activity requires an EIA
and,
o If so, what level of environmental review is necessary
Phase I
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8. IEE
 The output of the screening process - Initial
Environmental Examination (IEE)
 Actually, a low-cost environmental evaluation that makes
use of information already available
 Possible IEE outcomes:
o full or comprehensive EIA required,
o Limited EIA required, and
o no EIA required
Phase I
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9. IEE Flow chart…….
1. Identify Potential
Significant Environmental
Issues
2. Obtain Information
3. Effects Classification/
Identification of Significant
Environmental Issues (SEIs)
4. Resolve SEIs Where
Possible (Review
Alternatives/Develop
Environmental Management
Plans and Protection
Measures)
The IEE makes
recommendations
for further study:
Full-Scale EIA
IEE is the final
EIA Report
5. Are all SEIs
resolved?
YES NO
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10. Screening
Initial Environmental
Examination (IEE)
EIA Not
Required
EIA
Required
Monitoring
EIA Audit and
Evaluation
IEE
Review
Scoping/
Terms of
Reference
Full-Scale
EIA
Evaluate
Options
EIA Not
Approved
EIA
Review
Decision
Making
EIA
Approved
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11. Scoping
A process of interaction between government agencies
and project proponents
A stage for members of the public or NGOs to learn about
a proposed project and to voice their opinions
Identifies the key issues and impacts to be considered
Lays the foundation of an effective process, saves time
and money, and reduces conflict
Establish terms of reference (TOR) for EIA study
Phase II
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12. Terms of Reference contents:
o Project Description (i.e., type, magnitude, location,
alternatives and constraints)
o Environmental Setting (i.e., delineation of study area,
listing of environmental resources and sensitive or special
value areas)
o Background Reports (e.g., aspects of the environmental
setting, previous projects with relevant impacts or
resources)
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13. .
Screening
Initial Environmental
Examination (IEE)
EIA Not
Required
EIA
Required
Monitoring
EIA Audit and
Evaluation
IEE
Review
Scoping/
Terms of
Reference
Full-Scale
EIA
Evaluate
Options
EIA Not
Approved
EIA
Review
Decision
Making
EIA
Approved
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14. Impact analysis and Prediction
Criteria for impact Possibilities
Type biophysical, social, health or economic
Nature direct or indirect, cumulative, etc.
Magnitude or severity high, moderate, low
Extent local, regional, trans-boundary or global
Timing immediate/long term
Duration temporary/permanent
Uncertainty low likelihood/high probability
Reversibility reversible/irreversible
Significance unimportant/important
Phase II
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15. Cont…
Tools used for impact analysis
o Checklists
o Matrices
o Networks
o Overlays and geographical information systems (GIS)
o Expert systems
o Professional judgment
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16. Mitigation and impact management
 To avoid, minimize or offset predicted adverse impacts
 Different approaches for Impact management:
•Avoid
•Replace
•Reduce
•Restore
•Compensate
Phase II
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17. Reporting
 Different Names for Report:
o Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA
Report,
o Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
o Environmental Statement (ES)
Phase II
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18. The content of report:
 A description of the project,
 Alternatives of mitigation management,
 A description of the aspects of the environment likely to be
significantly affected by the proposed project,
 Measures to prevent, reduce and possibly offset adverse
environmental effects,
 An indication of any difficulties (technical deficiencies or
lack of know-how) encountered while compiling the
required information
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19. Screening
Initial Environmental
Examination (IEE)
EIA Not
Required
EIA
Required
Monitoring
EIA Audit and
Evaluation
IEE
Review
Scoping/
Terms of
Reference
Full-Scale
EIA
Evaluate
Options
EIA Not
Approved
EIA
Review
Decision
Making
EIA
Approved
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20. Review
 To establish if the information in an EIA report is sufficient
for decision-making
 EIA review methods involves
o general checklists,
o project specific checklists,
o review packages,
o expert and accredited reviewers,
o public hearings,
o extended review frameworks etc.
Phase II
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21. Decision making
 A decision to approve or reject a proposed project
 Possible decision outcome;
o Approval
o Approval with conditions
o Approval subject to ongoing investigation
o Further investigation required
o Request for a supplementary, or new, EIA report
o Rejection
 Ministry of Forest and Environment: Report approval of
EIA and environmental auditing
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22. Screening
Initial Environmental
Examination (IEE)
EIA Not
Required
EIA
Required
Monitoring
EIA Audit and
Evaluation
IEE
Review
Scoping/
Terms of
Reference
Full-Scale
EIA
Evaluate
Options
EIA Not
Approved
EIA
Review
Decision
Making
EIA
Approved
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23. Monitoring
An important part of project implementation
Monitoring serves mainly three purposes:
o Ensuring that required mitigation measures are being
implemented,
o Evaluating whether mitigation measures are working
effectively,
o Validating the accuracy of models or projections that
were used during the impact assessment process
Phase II
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24. Screening
Initial Environmental
Examination (IEE)
EIA Not
Required
EIA
Required
Monitoring
EIA Audit and
Evaluation
IEE
Review
Scoping/
Terms of
Reference
Full-Scale
EIA
Evaluate
Options
EIA Not
Approved
EIA
Review
Decision
Making
EIA
Approved
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25. EIA Audit
 Determine impacts
 Check that conditions arising from EIA are being met
 Test accuracy of EIA predictions
 Identify areas where EIA could have been improved
 Compile lessons learned for future EIAs
Phase II
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26. CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
 The integration of environment into development planning
is the most important tool in achieving sustainable
development.
 Thinks to be remember:
o The EIA process should be adaptive.
o The EIA process needs to be inclusive and transparent.
o The process should not be seen as an administrative task.
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