What Is An Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment

An Environmental Impact Assessment is a process set up under environmental legislation, for evaluating proposed development projects in terms of the effect they are likely to have on the environment. In Australia, the main Federal legislation governing the process is the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act of 1999. However, each state has its own legislation which runs in parallel to the Federal legislation, and largely governs the process in each state.

Under this legislation, the Environmental Protection Authority, or its equivalent, in each state has the power to assess any proposed project which is deemed likely to have a significant effect on the environment. These projects can include any development programme, industrial projects such as mining proposals, or any proposed change in the use of a piece of land. They can even include government proposals, if there is a possibility that they could affect the environment to a substantial degree. Any individual or group can refer a proposed project for assessment, though in practice most referrals are made by decision-making bodies, such as local government. Any person can also appeal against a decision not to carry out an assessment.

As the legislation refers to projects affecting the environment, it also defines the particular aspects of the environment that would be affected by a proposal, for it to be subject to an assessment. These include world heritage and national heritage sites, plus wetlands of international significance. They also include protected migratory species and species listed as under threat, in addition to the marine environment round Australia's coasts. State legislation may define the environment in different ways -- for instance, it may cover the social impact in the area directly involved in the proposal, including cultural, aesthetic and economic effects.

The environmental impact assessment process is complex, and requires input from a wide range of disciplines, including economics, social sciences, engineering, environmental consultants, and various branches of science. As well as collecting and analysing data, the process requires effective communication among the different disciplines. Very importantly, a high priority has to be given to public consultation, and there is usually a public comment period of seven days or more, during which anyone can make a submission.

Usually, at the end of the assessment, an EIS or Environmental Impact Statement is prepared. This includes recommendations on how to proceed on the referral, and how to mitigate or minimise any negative effects which may have been identified. This EIS will be made public and will be open to public comment, after which the decision will be made as to whether the project can or cannot go ahead, or go ahead subject to modifications.

Decisions about developments or industrial projects are often highly contentious, and usually involve trade-offs among many warring points of view. The Environmental Impact Assessment lies at the heart of these decisions, and involves quantifying the risks and benefits, and weighing them up against one another -- for instance, whether the social benefits of a new highway justify the disruption to the habitat of a number of rare wildlife species. The current process has attracted a lot of criticism from those who allege that it fails to protect some precious natural resources. Generally, however, it is accepted as being successful in achieving the best possible balance among competing interests.

Understand The Role And Need For Environmental Consultants

There are quite a variety of roles for anyone who works as an expert in the environmental consultant's role. Environmental consultants will mostly be involved in government or commercial contracts by addressing a number of environmental issues when contracted. Such issues might include the appraisal of air, land, water and noise pollution or contamination. 

Understanding What Environmental Consultants Do

Environmentalists also deal with issues that involve the valuation of environmental impacts and audit, the management of waste, and the formulation of a policy on environment. They can also be called upon to address issues that are concerned with environmental management systems. At times they are contracted as consultants by governments at the local and at the national level and also in a regulatory role as well as by commercial enterprises and private bodies and organisations. 

Most private and organisational clients will contract environmental consultants. The purpose is generally to seek their assistance in ensuring that any environmental compliance levels are met in accordance to required regulations. Two categories of environmentalists exist although the field is quite diverse. 

There are environmentalists that work in the industrial level and those that work from the environmentalist level. Environmentalists can work in construction too particularly to provide asbestos hazard or lead assessments. Environmental consultants can also provide their clients with diligence reports and can perform general consulting services or might specialize in specific fields of operation in environmental consultancy. 

Who Would Use Environmental Consultants and Why

Anyone that has a graduate degree or even a master's degree in environment such as Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies or any other such science discipline is qualified to work as an environmental consultant. With such a profound knowledge in the field of environments, they have the potential to become experts in any area of interest in the environment. Private industries and organizations, public and government institutions and organizations and even individuals will require the services of environmental consultants. 

If you are a developer and would like to ensure that your plans are in order according to the Federal, State or even Local Government authorities, you might need the services of an environmental consultant. Builders with projects that are next to conservancy parks or wildlife areas will also need these services. Anyone that wants to construct a pond in their premises will require these services too.

You need to ensure that you do not encroach on wildlife land and might need a survey undertaken. You also need to ensure that the construction of your pond is done in the correct approach. If you want to deal with soil erosion or would like to stop the erosion, an environmental consultant will help you. 

Anyone that is having soil erosion problems, a city manager or a municipal engineer, a local planning officer, all will need the services of environmental consultants. This is especially if they have some projects that require storm water upgrades or improvements. When you would like an appraisal of your water quality, you will need consultants in the field of environment to help you do this. 

Businesses that want to purchase or acquire another business will need the services of an environmental consultant. You might also need to get a consultant if you want to occupy the residency that another business previously occupied. An appraisal should be conducted on the premises particularly if you require financing. 

Expert environmentalists can also be consulted in legal cases that involve the environment. Should you own a service station and you have an underground fuel storage tank checked because it might be leaking, you will need to consult environmental experts. Communities will need the services of environmental experts to protect well fields. The advice of environmental experts are thus needed for a vast array of services

To find out more about the role of environmental consultants, Gold Coast company ADG Consulting would be a good place to start.