Examples Of Environmental Impact Statement

What is an Environmental impact report

What is an environmental impact report or statement? When we think of engineering we usually think of the construction of buildings or roads or even the manufacture of products. We rarely consider what effects these processes have on the surrounding environment or the global impact. In this section of the report I will discuss why an Environmental Impact Statement and Environment Impact Assessment are used in Civil engineering.

An Environmental Impact Statement is described in S.I No 349 of 89 (art 3(1)) as follows:

"A statement of the effects, if any, which proposed development, if carried out, would have on the environment". (http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1989/si/349/made/en/print)

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Environmental impact assessment

"Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the term applied to the systematic examination of the likely impacts of development proposals on the environment prior to the beginning of any activity". (http://www.ncte.ie/environ/eia.htm)

Screeningis the process of ascertaining whether a development requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is determined by reference to mandatory and discretionary provisions as set out in the Planning and Development Acts (2000-2010) and the Planning and Development Regulations (2001-2011).

The likelihood of significant environmental effects is the principal issue around which consideration of the requirement for an EIA is focused. These significant effects have the potential to occur due to nature of the proposed development, the scale, massing or magnitude of the proposed development and the intended location of the development in relation to particular environments sensitive to

For to Annex II projects, individual Member States can choose to institute specific thresholds or project specific considerations or a combination of both of these approaches to arrive at a decision regarding EIA requirement.

The Planning and Development Act, (2000-2010) and the Planning and Development Regulations

(2001-2011) provide a guideline as to the specific requirements for both public and private projects to assess their potential effects on the environment. The European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, 1999, as amended, also set specific thresholds above which an EIA is mandatory. Section 176 of the Planning and Development Act provides the initial steps in relation to the criteria of determination on whether an EIA is required. It states:

(1) The Minister may, in connection with the Council Directive or otherwise, make