Participation, presentation and review - Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment - page 183

Flora and
fanna

Loss of grassland of
local nature conservation
value

* Adverse Lt, IR Minor

Creation of new habitats * Beneficial Lt, R Minor

Increased recreation
pressure on SSSI

* Adverse Lt, R Minor

Soil and
geology

Loss of 300 acres
agricultural soils (grade
3B)

* Adverse Lt, IR Minor

Water Increased rates of

surface water run-off

* Adverse Lt, IR Minor

Reduction in
groundwater recharge

* Adverse Lt, R Minor

Key: I International St Short-term

N National Lt Long-term
R Regional R Reversible
D District IR Irreversible

L Local

( Source: DoE 1995.)

decisions. In some countries, for example the Netherlands, Canada, Malaysia and
Indonesia, EIA Commissions have been established to review EISs and act as a quality
assurance process. However, in the UK there are no mandatory requirements regarding
the pre-decision review of EISs to ensure that they are comprehensive and accurate. A
planning application cannot be judged invalid just because it is accompanied by an
inadequate or incomplete EIS: a competent authority may only request further
information, or refuse permission and risk an appeal. 2
Many competent authorities do not have the full range of technical expertise needed to
assess the adequacy and comprehensiveness of an EIS. Some authorities, especially those
which receive few EISs, have consequently had difficulties in dealing with the technical
complexities of EISs. In about 10-20 per cent of cases, consultants have been brought in
to review the EISs. Other authorities have joined the Institute of Environmental
Management and Assessment (IEMA), which reviews EISs. Others have been reluctant
to buy outside expertise, especially at a time of restrictions on local spending (Fuller
1992, McDonic 1992). A technique advocated by the International Association for
Impact Assessment (IAIA) (Partidario 1996), although not seen often in practice, is to
involve parties other than just the competent authority in EIS review, especially the
public.
In an attempt to fill the void previously left by the national government, several non-
mandatory review criteria have been established which aim to:

• ensure that all relevant information has been analysed and presented;