Handbook of Environmental Impact Assessment, Volume 1

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a significant, anticipatory, environmental management tool. International debate focuses on its enhancement to meet the challenges of sustainable development and demands for scientifically robust integrated and participative decision-making. This handbook hopes to improve practice by contributing an international, multidisciplinary, ready-reference source to this debate. Volume I addresses EIA principles, process and methods. Part 1 maps the EIA process and its impact on decision, and positions EIA in the context of sustainable development as well as the other decision tools, including economic valuation. It also positions strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in a similar way. Part 2 addresses the elements of the EIA process and significant impact assessment topics (air, water, ecological, social, risk, landscape and visual), not only in terms of good practice but also methodological evolution. The volume concludes by addressing cumulative impact assessment and SEA methods. Volume 2 provides a unique consideration for EIA implementation and practice in Europe, Africa, the Far East, South America and North America. It uses a number of project types to provide 'how to do' guidance and addresses practice in policy and plan assessment. This book should be read by legislators, decision-makers, economists, developers, industrial managers and consultants involved in this significant field.

Part I: EIA As a Decision Tool:. Introduction. EIA and Sustainable Development. EIA Versus other Environmental Management Tools. Strategic Environmental Assessment - Principles and Potential. Criteria and Standards for Assessing Significant Impact. EIA, CBA and the Valuation of Environmental Impacts. EIA Impact on Decisions. Public Participation and EIA. EIA and Information Technologies. Part II: EIA Process and Methods:. Screening, Scoping and Site-Selection. EIA Monitoring and Auditing. Air Quality Assessment. Water Impact Assessment. Social Impact Assessment. Ecological Assessment. Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. Risk Assessment. Cumulative Effects Assessment. Methods of Strategic Environmental Assessment