Transcript Cover Title - Institute of Environmental Management and

Environmental Impact Assessment and Noise
Dani Fiumicelli – Technical Director Acoustics, Noise & Vibration
EIA & Noise: Introduction
• EIA is the evaluation of the possible significant positive or negative effects
a proposed scheme may have on the environment.
• The purpose of EIA is to ensure that the significant effects on the
environment are taken into account when deciding whether to permit or
authorise a scheme.
• Where an EIA reveals that a project is unlikely to have an adverse impact
on the environment, normally the project is permitted or authorised
• Where the EIA reveals that a project is likely to have an adverse impact on
the environment, it does not automatically follow that the project cannot be
permitted or authorised – the adverse impacts need to be weighed against
the scheme’s benefits.
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EIA & Noise: Introduction
•
EIA normally leads to the
production of an Environmental
Statement (ES),
•
An ES is a formal document
drawing together, in a systematic
way;
– an assessment of the likely
significant environmental effects
from a proposed scheme; and,
– a description of the measures
that could be used to mitigate or
restrict any significant adverse
effects.
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EIA - Noise
• IEMA has estimated that in 2010 there were over 500 ESs produced in
the UK, and;
• Noise was in joint first place as the most common topic reported in
92% of a sample of 100 of these Ess, along with ecology.
• Because:
o There are few developments which do not generate noise either during
operation, construction or decommissioning, and;
o Many developments in the UK tend to be located close to receptors which
are sensitive to noise i.e. human beings.
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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• EIA encountered in the UK is derived from European law in EU
Directive 85/337 – “The EIA Directive” of 1985;
• Since 1985 the EIA Directive has been amended four times, in 1997,
2003, 2009 and in 2014.
• The initial Directive of 1985 and its four amendments are currently
codified by Directive 2014/52/EU.
• The EIA directives are transposed in to UK law via planning legislation
passed by the relevant Governments and Devolved Administrations
• The "EIA" Directive requires an environmental assessment for certain
projects which are likely to have significant effects on the
environment by virtue, amongst other things, of their nature, size or
location; before development consent can be given.
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Changes in the 2014 EIA Directive
• New environmental topics: including biodiversity, climate change, land,
human health, and natural and man-made disaster risk .
• More detailed screening procedures – effectively “mini EIA”.
• Scoping remains voluntary, however if a Scoping Opinion is sought
the EIA must be based on the Scoping Opinion issued by the LPA.
• Requires more detailed analysis of reasonable alternatives considered
by the developer.
• EIA to be either undertaken or reviewed by accredited experts.
• Mitigation taken into account in Screening must be incorporated into
the scheme and included in conditions of Planning Permission
• Monitoring requirements will apply for higher risk projects.
• Specific time frames for key stages of the EIA process.
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Noise Effects Considered in ESs
The effects of noise on humans are
usually the predominant
consideration in assessing noise
impacts, e.g:
•
Annoyance,
•
Speech interference,
•
Sleep disturbance,
•
Activity disruption,
•
Children’s cognitive
development,
•
Direct health effects,
•
ESs should also consider noise
effects on sensitive fauna.
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Stages in an EIA
The EIA process has three key
steps, as follows:
• Screening - The developer can
ask the decision maker to decide
whether an EIA is required.
• Scoping - This is a ‘narrowing’
process usually undertaken by
the ‘assessment team’ to identify
the key issues an ES needs to
cover.
• Environmental Statement (ES)
- The ES describes the extent
and magnitude of impacts and
determines the significance of
any resulting effects.
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EIA
Screening – is an
ES required ?
Scoping – What the
ES will cover & how.
ES – ID likely significant
effects
Decision
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Content of an ES
The ES must, as a minimum, provide the following information regarding
the construction and operation of an EIA scheme:
• A description of the project e.g. purpose, location, design and size;
• The main alternatives considered by the developer and the main
reasons for this choice;
• Data required to assess the main effects of the project on the
environment (and an appraisal of any limitations that may apply to the
data or evaluation methods);
• Possible measures to reduce significant adverse effects;
• A non-technical summary of this information
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EIA Decision Making
•
All interested parties should be allowed to participate in the decision-making
procedures and express their opinions, e.g. via public consultation.
•
At the end of the procedure, the following information must be made
available:
– The decision to approve or reject the project and any conditions
associated with it;
– The principal arguments upon which the decision was based;
– Information on any measures to reduce the adverse effects of the project
(mitigation).
•
In accordance with national legislation, EU member states must ensure that
the interested parties can challenge the decision regarding the proposed
development in court.
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3 Classes of Noise Assessment
75
After Development
LA10,T, 70 dBA
70
5 dBA Change in LA10, T (DMRB)
Change comparison - Relative
65
Before development
LA10,T, 65 dBA
Sound Level dBA
60
Absolute/Fixed
LAeq,T , 55 dBA
55
Absolute/Fixed Threshold of 55 LAeq, T dBA
(WHO/BS 8223)
50
After Development
LAeq,T, 45 dBA
45
Context comparison – Relative (BS 4142)
40
5 dBA Difference
Between the LA90, T
& LAeq,T
35
Before Development
LA90,T, 40 dBA
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Choosing Noise Assessment Methods
•
No single noise assessment method is appropriate for all noise sources and
receptors in all circumstances;
•
Therefore, it is common that an ES covering a range of noise sources and
receptors may rely on more than one of the above types of noise assessment.
•
Because:
o Neither the EIA directive nor transposing regulations define “significance” or specify in
detail how it shall be assessed; and,
o Neither the EIA directive nor the regulations determine whether consent can or should
be granted.
Provided both clearly explain their reasons for such choices;
o The assessor is free to choose noise assessment methods, and impact and effect
evaluation criteria; and,
o The Decision Maker is free to decide which they prefer;
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Noise Impacts and Noise Effects
The name of the EIA Directive and the EIA Regs imply assessment of
impacts; but both actually require appraisal of the effects of noise.
•
Noise Impact: the noise level of the source under consideration, and/or
any change in noise levels due to the scheme, and/or the relationship
between the noise level of the source under consideration and a
descriptor of the existing noise climate; at a receptor or in a group of
receptors.
•
Noise Effect: the consequence of the noise impact e.g. annoyance, sleep
disturbance, speech interference, health consequences, fauna
displacement etc.
Noise impact and noise effect are clearly related; with the noise effect
linked to the magnitude of the noise impact and the other factors that
influence how the impact will affect the receptor e.g. sensitivity of the
receptor, duration, and timing etc.
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Perception
Effect
Magnitude of
Impact
Significance
of
Effect
Not
noticeable
None
No Impact
Not significant
Slight
Generally not
significant, but
could be if the
current acoustic
environment is
already poor
Moderate
Significant
Substantial
Significant
Severe
Significant
Non intrusive
Noise can be heard, but does not cause any change in
behaviour or attitude, e.g. turning up volume of television;
Noticeable
speaking more loudly; closing windows. Can slightly affect the
character of the area but not such that there is a perceived
change in the quality of life.
Intrusive
Noise can be heard and causes small changes in behaviour
and/or attitude, e.g. turning up volume of television; speaking
Noticeable
more loudly; closing windows. Potential for non-awakening
sleep disturbance. Affects the character of the area such that
there is a perceived change in the quality of life.
Disruptive
Causes a material change in behaviour and/or attitude, e.g.
avoiding certain activities during periods of intrusion. Potential
Noticeable for sleep disturbance resulting in difficulty in getting to sleep,
premature awakening and difficulty in getting back to sleep.
Quality of life diminished due to change in character of the
area.
Harmful
Significant changes in behaviour and/or an inability to
mitigate effect of noise leading to psychological stress or
Noticeable
physiological effects, e.g. regular sleep
deprivation/awakening; loss of appetite, significant,
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medically definable harm, e.g. auditory and non-auditory
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Significance of the Effect of Noise –
Quantitative Factors, e.g.
• The effect being considered and relevant sound level threshold
/trigger values.
• The averaging time period of any noise measurements – will too long
a time averaging period obscure short term significant effects?
• The spectral characteristics of the noise – are there tones? or is low
frequency noise dominant?
• The influence of the noise indicator used – e.g. assessing short–term
noise events using the LA90,t is probably not as good as using the
LAeq,t or Lmax,t.
• The existing noise level i.e. will a benchmark of effect be exceeded?
or is a bench mark of effect already exceeded?
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Significance of the Effect of Noise –
Qualitative Factors, e.g.
• Sensitivity of receptor (high, medium or low).
• Frequency of occurrence – noise that occurs frequently will
probably have a more significant effect than noise that occurs
less frequently.
• Duration of impact (short, medium or long term).
• Permanent or Temporary/Reversible impacts.
• Timing of impact (day, evening, night or 24 Hr).
• The nature & character of locality e.g. Urban, suburban, rural,
tranquil and END quiet areas.
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Noise - EIA
Change
in Noise
Index
[dB(A)]
Semantic
Criteria to Determine Whether Noise Effect is Significant
Significant
Descriptor of
Noise
Sensitivity Duration Permanent or Timing Existing Nature &
Magnitude
Effect?
of receptor of Impact Temporary/
Noise
Character of
of Noise
Reversible
Level
Locality
Impact
Impacts
>10
Major Adverse
5 to 10
Moderate
Adverse
3 to 9
Minor Adverse
1.1 to 2.9
Negligible
Adverse
0 to 1
Nil
-1.1 to -2.9
Negligible
Beneficial
-3 to 4.9
Minor
Beneficial
-5 to -10
Moderate
Beneficial
>-10
Major
Beneficial
Medium
Short
High
Long Term
Temporary and
Day only Medium
reversible
Primarily
commercial
No
Permanent and
non-reversible
Residential
Yes
24 hour
High
Example of Magnitude of Impact and Significance of Effect Evaluation Criteria for Noise.
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Health Warning!
The methods and criteria used in an ES should be based on a thorough
understanding of the project, its context and the potential effects. This
should involve:
• understanding the proposed development and identifying the potential sources
of noise and the associated effects;
• understanding the nature and character of the prevailing noise environment;
• identifying all the new noise sources throughout its construction and operation;
• understanding the nature of the new noise sources that will arise from the
proposal, including such features as tonal characteristics, intermittency,
duration and timing (diurnally and seasonally);
• identifying potential sensitive receptors, and;
• understanding the policy context of the proposal, including central and local
government policy, and relevant international and national guidelines, British
Standards etc.
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Conclusions
•
EIA aims to ensure that the decision maker has knowledge of the likely significant
effects of the scheme on the environment.
•
Environmental Statements (ESs), draw together, in a systematic way, an
assessment of a project's likely significant environmental effects.
•
There are three fundamental means of assessing noise impacts, each suited to a
range of noise sources and circumstances.
•
Consequently, each scheme needs to carefully consider and justify how it
approaches the assessment of noise impacts as there is no “one size” fits all
assessment method or set of evaluation criteria suitable for use in all
circumstances for all noise sources.
•
Noise impacts and effects can be regarded as separate concepts; noise impacts
reflect the intensity or change in noise levels due to the scheme; whilst noise
effects reflect the consequences of the noise impacts.
•
An ES noise and vibration chapter should justify the methods and evaluation
criteria used in regard to the noise and vibration sources and the circumstances of
the scheme under consideration.
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Environmental Impact Assessment and Noise
Qs