EIAReview11.07(Gajaseni, 2007)1 Reviewing. 2 Reviewing is the process of EIA report assessment produced during EIA process is concerned with assessing

EIAReview11.07(Gajaseni, 2007) 1

ReviewingReviewing


Reviewing

is the process of EIA report assessment produced during EIA process

is concerned with assessing its quality for decision-making.


Quality of reviewing depen ds on:

Stage in EIA process at which it is undertaken

Qualifications, experience and degree of independence of the reviewers

Availability of the relevant documentation for review

Resources and time provided for review Transparency and degree of participation

in the reviewing process


Reviewing considers the adequacy of:

compliance with the Terms of Reference the examination of alternatives, impacts, mitigation

and monitoring the use of scientific and technical analytical

information techniques conduct of the EIA process and the consideration

of views of all parties present the sufficiency of information presentation of information to public and decision-

makers


Steps in reviewing an EIA report: set the scale/depth of the review select reviewer(s) use public input identify review criteria carry out the review determine the remedial options publish the review report



Range of review methods:

general checklists project specific checklists ad hoc processes expert opinion, accredited reviewers public review panels of inquiry, independent commissions legal approaches


General checklists: can be developed using compliance with the

local legislation or guidelines as the starting point.

Project specific checklists and guidelines: are much more successful if they are based on

a general or sectoral checklist and then adapted to suit the requirements of the specific project and its terms of reference.


Ad hoc processes: are the most open to controversy and

corruption. greatly reduces the ability of government

to set appropriate standards for documentation and reduces the opportunities for building local capacity


Expert opinion, accredited reviewers: can be engaged to review the adequacy of the

report and carried out by academic or other institutions, NGOs or an accredited reviewer

Public review: can be sought on the adequacy of the report

and given to the decision-maker for consideration in the decision-making process


Panels of inquiry and independent commissions: requires the availability of independent

experts to review the EIA report and make recommendations to the decision-maker

is generally regarded as being very fair and well received by the stakeholders in the process


Legal approaches: Some countries allow the adequacy of an EIA

report to be challenged in a court of law. This has beneficial effects in terms of proponent

compliance, it can prove to be very expensive. It may also focus the EIA process on specific

legal arguments rather than on its true roles of producing environmentally sustainable design and environmental protection.



Criteria rating:

Rating system consists of A, B, C, D, E, F and N/A (not applicable)



In UK & EU, EIA results to environmental benefits

More than 50% of EIA is emphasis on red uction of negative impacts

Cost of EIA are typically ~0.2% of total p roject cost and exceptionally increase to

>1% of total capital cost - Well management systems with good EI

A report will decrease the time of projectauthorisation


Comparison of EIA Report

High income countries: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ire

land, Portugal, Spain and the UK. ~70% of EIA Report reviewed were of sati

sfactory quality (with ‘C’ grade or above) The least satisfactory performance in ass

essment is ‘Identification and Evaluation of key impacts’


Developing countries:Developing countries:

Malaysia (1988-1991)8% were assessed as good quality (A or B grade)77% were borderline (C or D grade)15% were poor (E or F grade)

India (1994)~30% to be satisfactory (all in C grade)70% were unsatisfactory (in D, E and F grade)

Documents

EIAReview11.07(Gajaseni, 2007)1 Reviewing. 2 Reviewing is the process of EIA report assessment produced during EIA process is concerned with assessing