In this article we will discuss about the features and types of environmental impact statement (EIS).
Basic Features of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS):
EIS should consist of the following:
1. Description of the proposed action and its alternative.
2. An estimation of the nature and magnitude of the likely environmental effects of all alternatives.
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3. It should identify the relevant human concerns.
4. Description of the measures envisaged to reduce the harmful effects.
5. It should define, the criteria to be used in measuring the significance of environmental changes, including the relative weights to be assigned in comparing different kinds of changes.
6. An estimation of the significance of the predicted environmental changes (estimation of the impacts of the proposed action).
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7. Non-technical summary of the total assessment.
8. Recommendations for monitoring procedures to be followed during and after implementation of the action.
A baseline report is sometimes prepared for submission in advance or at the same time as the EIS. The baseline report contains an account of environmental conditions in the region existing at the time of the report along with trends that may have occurred recently.
Types of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS):
The nature and magnitude of the environmental changes that are likely to occur, which must be estimated and included in the EIS, falls into three main types:
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1. Physical:
Such as earthquake probabilities, water quality in ground water, rivers and lakes; soil and air quality.
2. Biological:
Such as vegetation; wild life; sport and commercial fish species; endangered species.
3. Socioeconomic:
Such as demographic; economic; social values and attitudes.