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EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE

Reporting in the EIA process

SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION’S OBNOVA AND PHARE PROGRAMMES Resub mit Redes ign Not appro ved EIA required Scoping Impact analys is Mitigation and imp act man agement EIA report Review Decis ion-makin g Approv ed Implementation and p ost-EIA monitoring EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE Pro pos al id entification Screenin g Initial enviro nmental examination No EIA *Public involvement *Public involvement typ ically occu rs at these po ints . It may also occur at any oth er s tag e o f the EIA Process Info rmation from this p rocess contrib utes to effectiv e EIA in the futu re

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Different names for the same document

 Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA Report)  Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)  Environmental Statement (ES)  Environmental Assessment Report (EA Report)  Environmental Effects Statement (EES) EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE

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Elements of a successful EIA report

 describes the significant impacts of a proposal  identifies the measures to mitigate significant impacts including practical actions to be taken by the proponent  provides the responsible authority with information relevant to the decision  Is written in a way that the public and decision-makers can understand 4 EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE

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EIA reporting in accordance with the EC EIA Directive

 • • • • • • •

An EIA Report must contain the following

a description of the project; an outline of the main alternatives studied by the developer, and an indication of the main reasons for this choice, a description of the aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the proposed project; a description of the likely significant environmental effects of the proposed project; measures to prevent, reduce and possibly offset adverse environmental effects.

a non-technical summary; an indication of any difficulties (technical deficiencies or lack of know-how) encountered while compiling the required information.

EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE

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Preparing an executive summary

 Target the audience.

 Be brief.  Be clear and consistent.

 Avoid jargon.

 Summarise key findings.

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An executive summary should outline…

 the proposal and its setting  terms of reference of the EIA  results of public consultation  alternatives considered  major impacts and their significance  mitigation and management measures  any other critical matters EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE

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Some shortcomings of EIA reports (contents)

 objective of proposal described too narrowly  description does not cover complete activity  sensitive elements of environment overlooked  outdated or ineffective prediction models used  impacts not compared with standards or targets (relevant standards and legislation not described) EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE  cumulative, indirect and synergistic impacts not mentioned or incorrectly described  alternatives insufficiently described to enable comparision  appropriate mitigation measures not considered  incorrect conclusions drawn

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Some shortcomings of EIA reports (form)



unclear structure

• too long • not focused 

poor style and language:

• too technical (reports, as well as “non-technical“ summaries) • unclear recommendations and conclusions • references missing 9 EIA TRAINING RESOURCE MANUAL FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE

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