Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a critical examination of the effects of a project on the environment. An EIA identifies both negative and positive impacts of any development activity or project, how it affects people, their property and the environment.
EIA also identifies measures to mitigate the negative impacts, while maximizing on the positive ones.
EIA is basically a preventive process. It seeks to minimize adverse impacts on the environment and reduces risks.
If a proper EIA is carried out, then the safety of the environment can be properly managed at all stages of a project- planning, design, construction, operation, monitoring and evaluation as well as decommissioning.
The EIA study report will detail the following:
- The nature of the project.
- The location of the project, including the physical area that may be affected by the project activities.
- The activities that shall be undertaken during the project construction, operation and decommissioning phases.
- The design of the project.
- The materials to be used, products and by-products, including wastes to be generated by the project and methods of their disposal.
- The potential environmental impacts of the project and the mitigation measures to be taken during and after implementation of the project.
- An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the prevention and management of possible impacts during the project cycle.
- A plan to ensure the health and safety of workers and neighboring communities.
- The economic and social, cultural impacts to the local communities and the nation in general.
- The projects budget and
- Any other information that the authority may require.
