Background of Environmental Impact Assessment and Management

• Published in: Environmental Impact Assessments and Mitigation Vol. 1; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Mercy Manyuchi, Musaida, Mbohwa, Charles, Muzenda, Edison, Sukdeo, Nita
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: United Kingdom CRC Press 2021; Taylor & Francis Group
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: Comprehensive EIA; Prospectus Document; EIA Development; EIA Method; Potential Significant Impacts; Economic Development Resources; Significant Environmental Issues; Addresses Community Concerns; Key Development Projects; Potential Environmental Issues; Impact Identification; EIA; Endangered Species Protection; Natural Biological Resources; Resource Extractive Industries; EIA Technique; EMPs; EIA Process; GIS; Chronic; Making Judgment Decisions; Prospecting Stage; Full EIA; Environmental Issues; Lake Ecology
• ISBN: 0367220113; 0367558017; 9780367220112; 9780367558017
• DOI: 10.1201/9780429270307-1

In today’s world, sustainable development is very important especially in developmental projects. The carrying out of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and the environmental management plan (EMP) in all projects then becomes important. This chapter outlines the various stages the EIA process goes through from prospecting, scoping, public consultation, and identification of potential impacts as well as their mitigations. It further goes on to describe the way impacts are classified and introduces the various key projects in the book. This chapter outlines the various stages the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process goes through from prospecting, scoping, public consultation, and identification of potential impacts as well as their mitigations. Screening is the process used to determine whether a proposed project requires an EIA and, if so, what level of environmental review is necessary. The impact determination method is based on the type and size of the proposal, type of alternatives being assessed, nature of likely impacts, experience using EIA methods, and the resources available, as well as the nature of public involvement and the procedural/administrative requirements. Various developmental projects from infrastructure, mining, logistics, manufacturing, recycling, and social services were considered, and the EIAs and environmental management plans were developed for implementation, depending on the nature of the project. Although every development project comes with negative impacts to the environment, EIAs help to strike a balance between negative impact mitigation and positive impact maximization.