Environmental Analysis Tools - Environmental Impact Analysis: Process and Methods - page 309

and thus increase the likelihood of reaching consensus and achieving envi-
ronmental benefit at a reduced cost.

7.4 Adapting Tools to Environmental Impact Analysis

Although ecological risk assessment and NEBA were developed for differ-
ent purposes, they can readily be adapted to more generic environmental
impact analysis. NEBA can be directly applicable because the currency and
the calculation of total benefit can be used to objectively and quantitatively
compare alternatives. It is also an excellent tool for development and evalu-
ation of mitigating measures. Since there is a single currency, or scaled mul-
tiple currencies, measures to increase the currency metrics can be targeted
for mitigation (e.g., if density of osprey is the currency, mitigation can be
creation of more nesting sites). Also if the net benefit has been determined for
an alternative, the same calculation can be made with mitigation and then
an informed decision made as to the relationship of cost of mitigation and
environmental benefit derived.
Ecological risk assessment is also adaptable to broader environmental anal-
yses, as demonstrated by the AJ Mine case study (Section 7.2.9). Adjustments
must be made to the methods because a classic risk assessment is primarily
concerned with impacts that have already occurred, whereas a classic envi-
ronmental impact analysis projects future impacts. But the risk assessment
concepts of conceptual models, assessment and measurement endpoints,
and application of acceptable levels of risk/impact are directly transferable
to environmental analysis.
Finding a tool to use in the analysis can be a rewarding challenge to the
environmental practitioner. Just as ecologists were able to reach into their
bag of methods and pull out ecological risk assessment, HEA, and NEBA,
practitioners from other fields should be able to find tools common in their
profession to apply in the environmental analysis. Both example methods
were developed to address biological impacts. But many of the concepts
presented can be adapted to other types of environmental resources by
applying knowledge of the methods, the specific situation under consid-
eration, and some creativity. For example, if the purpose and need are
to expand a school system, the educators on the analysis team should be
able to identify tools to compare alternatives. Common metrics such as
test scores, graduation rates, job placement, and college acceptance might
be developed into a tool similar to NEBA to compare the alternatives of
expanding a school into an environmentally sensitive area versus more
online courses.
Typically, team members have tools that they use in their area of exper-
tise as standard practice to measure and evaluate new ideas, programs,