Transcript Slide 1
Air Quality Assessment
AQA
Assessment Methodologies for AQA: • AQA involves; Identification, predication and evaluation of critical variables such as source emission and meteorological conditions etc, Potential quality of as a result of emission from proposed project and ultimately an assessment to ensure compliance with Ambient Air Quality Standards ( AAQS) To quantify and quantify the impacts on air quality through project design, planning and mitigate them. • Canter identified six steps for AAIQA Identification of impact Description of existing environmental conditions Procurement of relevant AQS or guidelines Impact predication Identification and incorporation of mitigation measures.
1. Analysis of the exiting situations.
This will include:
• Ambient Air pollution concentrations • Pollutant source and specific location • Meteorology • Local topography • Physical conditions affecting pollutant dispersion • Sensitive receptors and their location 2.
Characteristics of emission sources:
Nature of pollutant and its rate of emission.
Efflux velocity Efflux temperature Source morphology etc.
3. Assessment of impacts:
• Comparison of AAQS and cumulative concentration of pollution.
• Computer simulation models are used.
Short term models for predicting the concentrations for few minutes days or months.
Long term models for seasonal annual average concentrations. • Mathematical models are used such as Gaussian Equation • Many countries have their own standards and guidelines. • Pakistan Air Quality Standards ( PEPA)
Noise Assessment
Procedure for noise assessment: • Identify the noise levels of the alternatives during project construction and operation • Determine the existing baseline noise levels and identify the unique noise source before the project.
• Obtain applicable noise standards • Determine the micro scale impact of predicting anticipated level for each alternative.
• Compare the predicted level with the standards • Consider Noise Abatement strategies if the anticipated level exceeds the standards
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Scoping: • Size and duration of the facility • Local Environmental setting Landscape resources.
The quality of views Components of the landscape which are protected ( Cultural and historical) Proposal for development in local plans.
Local community involvement Description of the development.
• The appearance and layout of the main elements of the facility. Size, material, color, form and non visual characteristics Non visual characteristics of the project • Nose, emission etc •
Baseline Assessment:
• Rivers, mountains, woodland and designated areas.
• Study of existing data or filed study
Impact Predication and significance:
• The area of landscape • The zone of visual influence of structure • The number of ways in which the visual or • functional landscape are affected.
• The overall effect of project on the landscape.
Evaluation of the baseline quality.
• Visual Impact Assessment ( VIA) Visual intrusion Visual obstruction Techniques for VIA • Low tech plans. • Photography High tech Models; Perspective sketches Physical plans.
Use of Digitized data GIS etc Nature of visual Effects • Minimal Effect: • • • • The project occupies very small part of the area overall view
Slight Effect:
Minor portion of the site changes for a short duration
Moderate Effect:
Some changes occur but not for substantial length of time or area.
Substantial Effect:
Where the overall scene is altered for substantial length and time
Sever Effect
Where the overall view are altered for much of the operation period
Ecological Assessment.
Effect on natural environment
• Change in habitat • The composition and population density of plants and animals. • Habitat damage • Displacement of flora and fauna Assessment Methodology: • Review of maps, aerial photographs, local authority plans, previous ecological maps, • Local Standards and data bases. Ecological Impact prediction and evaluation: • Difficult to assess • Use of overlay technique • Different terminologies used Beetle Rarity Total ( BRT) Species Rarity Total ( SRT) Beetle Quality factor ( BQF) Specie Quality Factor ( SQF) Rarity Quality Factor ( RQF)
Water Assessment
Surface water Assessment Ground water Assessment
Pollutants in water alter aquatic ecosystem in three ways;
• Reduce Concentration of dissolved Oxygen • Reducing re-production capacity or causing deaths directly • Alteration of habitat or interfere with food webs. •
Surface Water Assessment
Conceptual framework required for
• Accurate assessment of the concentration of pollutants and time period during which it will be in contact with the water.
• Effects of these concentrations on the aquatic life
Types of pollutants
• Developed and emitted
Relation of proposed effluents to quality standards Prediction of water pollutants
Groundwater Pollution:
Determine water quality and quantity impact from the proposed development Describe existing groundwater conditions Describe unique groundwater resource conditions Identify applicable groundwater standards Document existing potential source of groundwater pollution Consider phase impact Describe meso-scale ( Large scale) impact Determine micro scale impact Consider mitigation and control measures Consider other related impact issues
Archeological and Cultural heritage impact
assessment
The absence of evidence of archeological assessment doesn't constitute evidence for absence.
Techniques may include • Remote Sensing • Geographical surveys • Filed walking • Data gathering may include; Consultation of the statutory lists , registers, records. Detailed research of existing secondary data Detailed Walkover surveys Structural surveys
Social Impact Assessment
( SIA)
The process of assessing or estimating in advance the social consequences from a project. • Assessment Methodology;
Health and Safety
•
Crime level
•
Public risk and injury
•
Psychological environment Economy
•
Employment
• • •
Housing Commerce Cost of living Cultural and Urban resources;
•
Religions and belief system
• •
Identification Recreational and Scientific resources
Regional Growth and infrastructure
•
Provision of social services
• •
Changes in land use Government laws and policies Population Characteristics
•
Birth and death rates
• • •
Density and distribution Immigration and Emigration Age structure
•
Sex ratio
Key stakeholders
Local people affected by a proposal.
Proponent and project beneficiaries.
Government agencies.
NGOs.
Others, e.g. donors, the private
sector, academics
Principles of public involvement
The process should be inclusive – covers all stakeholders
Open and transparent – steps and activities are understood
Relevant – focused on the issues that matter
Fair – conducted impartially and without bias toward any stakeholder
Responsive – to stakeholder requirements and inputs
Credible – builds confidence and trust
Public involvement in key stages of the EIA process
Screening
• determining the need for, and level, of EIA
Scoping
• identifying the key issues and alternatives
Impact analysis
• Identifying the significant impacts and Mitigating
measures
Review
• commenting on/responding to the EIA report
Implementation and monitoring
• Checking EIA follow up
Developing a public involvement program typically involves:
• determining its scope • identifying interested and affected Public • Selecting appropriate techniques • Considering the relationship to decision-making • Providing feedback to stakeholders • Undertaking the analysis of stakeholder inputs • Keeping to budget and time lines • Confidentiality
Principles for successful application of public involvement techniques
Provide the right information
Allow sufficient time to review and respond
Provide appropriate opportunities/means for stakeholder involvement
Respond issues and concerns raised
Feed back the results of public input
Choose venues and times of events to suit stakeholders
Levels of public involvement
Information
One way flow from proponent to public
Consultation
Two way exchange of information
Participation
Interaction with the public
Negotiation
Face to face discussion
Principles for minimizing Conflict
Involve all stakeholders
Establish communication channels
Describe the proposal and its objectives
Listen to the concerns and interests of affected people
Treat people fairly and impartially
Be empathetic and flexible
Mitigate impacts and compensate for loss and damage
Acknowledge concerns and provide feed-back
Common reasons given for avoiding public involvement It’s too early
It will take too long and will cost too much
It will stir up opposition
We will only hear from the articulate
We’ll raise expectations
People won’t understand
Factors affecting the effectiveness of public involvement Poverty
Remote and rural settings
Illiteracy
Culture/local values
Language
Legal systems override traditional systems
Dominance of interest groups
Proponent confidentiality