Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
analysis. But the body of the scoping statement would include a synthesis
discussion, addressing the 6 to 12 overarching issues that typically cover
90% or more of the individual comments and an integrated discussion of
how these will be comprehensively addressed in the analysis. The studies to
be conducted, proposed investigation methods, and analysis of results can
also frequently be addressed in summary fashion in the scoping statement.
More details may be provided by reference, or if the methods are uniquely
developed for the subject analysis, they can be included as appendices.
Whether the comments are addressed in text, table, or appendix, man-
agement of comments throughout the entire process is critical to a suc-
cessful environmental impact analysis, and the management begins with
the scoping statement. It is important to keep a dynamic record of com-
ments received that can serve as a checklist at the completion of the draft
environmental analysis to ensure each has been addressed or to confirm
that it is not relevant to the purpose and need. Also, when comments are
received on the draft analysis, experience has shown that a large portion,
and frequently most, of the comments on the draft were expressed in one
form or another during scoping. Thus thorough tracking, consideration,
and documentation of response to scoping comments as part of the draft
analysis provides a headstart in addressing comments on the draft during
preparation of the final environmental impact analysis document. Also,
if a dynamic comment management system, either software or manual, is
established during scoping, the comments received on the draft can easily
be added to the system.
4.4 PublicOutreach
Virtually all EIA regulations in democratic countries have a requirement
for some form of public participation (Noble 2006). The requirements vary
from country to country and state to state within the United States with a
strong trend since the 1970s of increased public involvement. An example of
the increasing focus on public outreach is the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID), where during the 1980s and into the 1990s, there was
strong resistance to any form of environmental analysis and even more reluc-
tance to public outreach in the environmental analysis process. The resistance
partially stemmed from the potential strain on international relations because
many of the countries receiving assistance were authoritarian, and acknowl-
edgment to the public of plans and impacts potentially affecting the envi-
ronment was contrary to the workings of the government in all areas of the
society. Progressing beyond acknowledgment to active public participation
was not even within the lexicon of many authoritarian countries receiving aid.
In fact, it took a presidential commission and executive order to implement
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