Environmental impact assessment in practice

Abstract

Environmental Impact Assessment: Procedures and Practice is concerned with the process of environmental impact assessment (EIA). In other words, it is a comprehensive analysis of the assessment of the potential environmental impacts of proposed very large projects and complex developments. Its logical structure mirrors the orderly and thorough processes required of EIA. Part 1 analyses the procedures of conducting an EIA, and raises issues related to practice. Part 2 examines practices for each state and territory in Australia through relevant and well-chosen case examples. It looks at the standard steps for major development proposals: information gathering, to refine the scope of the assessment; the impact assessment (data collection and analysis) and design of mitigation measures; reporting and making public the findings of the assessment, review of the findings and decision-making; and, follow-up, to determine the accuracy of predictions made in the assessment and to establish the effectiveness of the process. Part 3 draws links between the two previous parts, and questions the role that EIA will take in future developments.