The potential of a GIS-based scoping system: An Israeli proposal and case study

In the environmental impact assessment (EIA) lifecycle, scoping is regarded as the most important stage for the quality of the entire process. Even though many EIA methods exist, only a few of them are specifically suited for scoping. Despite the well-acknowledged potential of geographical information systems (CIS) for EIA and their seemingly widespread use, the applicability of GIS for scoping has not been analyzed sufficiently. This article advances a GIS-based scoping method and discusses the conditions necessary for its utilization. Two specific issues are addressed: the ability of a GIS-based system to identify the pertinent environmental effects on the basis of readily available information under stringent time and budget constraints, and the institutional infrastructure needed for such a system to operate effectively. These issues are analyzed in a case study conducted in Israel. In this case study, the proposed GIS-based scoping system identified all the main effects found independently in a comprehensive environmental impact statement (EIS), as well as issues not analyzed in the EIS. A centralized institutional scoping structure, whereby EIS guidelines are issued by a single entity, is found to be important for the operation of such a system, because it can enjoy the economies of scale and scope involved in setting up and operating a GIS system for scoping purposes

Transparency in environment impact assessment decision-making: Recent developments in Western Australia

Transparency in decision-making, involving the establishment of explicit goals and objectives combined with open, facilitative procedures, has recently been advocated as an important principle for effective environmental impact assessment (EIA). This paper examines recent changes to EIA practice in Western Australia that emphasise clear procedures for decision-making. Current practices focus on objectives established for relevant environmental factors identified during the screening and scoping stages of EIA. These objectives are then used as decision criteria for project decision-making following public review. An example from a recent assessment is provided. Some strengths and weaknesses of this approach to transparent EIA decision-making are also examined

Soft systems methodology analysis for scoping in environmental impact statement in Israel

The current working paper will focus on Soft System Methodology (SSM) analysis of the process of issuing guidelines for Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) to developers in the Israeli context. The paper’s goal is to make the reader familiar with the terminology and the concepts of SSM, while serving as a case study for practising SSM. The paper starts with a “crash” introduction to SSM, followed by a general description of the process in the centre of the discussion - the Israeli EIS process. After these two introductory sections, the paper turns to the main issue - a SSM analysis of the problem situation - the creation of guidelines for EIS in the Israeli context. This specific case study have been selected due to the author’s familiarity with it (is served as the main research field for his MA thesis). Also the author has the shorthand transcripts from a series workshops that were held as part of an evaluation study that the environmental planning department in the ministry of environment (EPD-MoE) have commissioned on the Israeli EIS system. Unless stated otherwise, the sources for SSM are “Information Systems Development: Methodologies, Techniques and Tools” (Avison and Fitzgerald, 1995), “Practical Soft Systems Analysis” (Patching, 1990), on-line lecture notes for the UCL “System Analysis and Design” course (Sasse and Fultun, 1997) and “Soft Systems Methodology: An Alternative Approach to Knowledge Elicitation in Complex and Poorly Defined Systems” (Finegan, 1994)

Utility of Environmental Impact Assessment Processes in Western Australia: submission to inquiry into the environmental effects statement process in Victoria, Environment and Natural Resources Committee of the Parliament of Victoria

I have been asked to discuss a number of issues relating to the inquiry, including: •the key strengths of environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes in Western Australia (WA), including objectives, project referrals, levels of assessment, appeal rights for third parties, and the role of the Environment Protection Authority; •proposed reforms to the WA EIA Framework; •your experiences in environmental impact assessment processes in other jurisdictions, including examples of EIA best practice in Australia and overseas; •the role of strategic environmental assessment; •the most suitable body/agency to carry out EIA; and •post-EIA monitoring and enforcement. A brief report addressing these points is provided following an account of the EIA context in WA

Key Components and Best Practices for Environmental Impact Assessments

New and emerging activities pose risks to the conservation and sustainable development of ABNJ in the absence of prior assessment, and remain a significant gap under UNCLOS. Environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments are widely accepted as valuable tools for incorporating environmental and social concerns into decision making processes with respect to specific projects or activities (EIAs) or policies, plans or programmes (SEAs). The development of a new international instrument to address the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction ("international Instrument") is an opportunity to incorporate best practices for EIAs and SEAs already found under a number of multilateral and regional agreements, and apply lessons learned from their application. Importantly, the new Instrument should also provide the mechanism for the assessment of cumulative impacts of activities and climate change

Environmental impact assessment of the pangasius sector in the Mekong Delta

In the past seven years the export of white pangasius fillets grew fast. The culture method shifted to intensive production of striped catfish (Ca Tra) in deep ponds because this is more efficient than the pen and cage culture of Ca Basa. Today, striped catfish comprises more than 90 % of the culture. The increased production was achieved by producers investing in large ponds. The market chain is gearing towards vertical integration. Most farms keep fish at relatively high densities of 15 to 25 fish/m3 in ponds having a depth of up to 4m, and are advised to exchange daily 20 to 40% of the water. The sustainability of the sector is threatened due to the increased environmental pressure, and hampered by the growing cost of inputs and reduced farm-gate prices of the fish. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) intends to identify measures for preventing or mitigating the environmental impacts of catfish culture in the Mekong Delta. The EIA was a seven-step process during which we interacted twice with part of the main stakeholders. To build trust among the stakeholders from the sector, we conducted the scoping and goal setting with them