Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 9.1
Environmental Analysis and Permits: Comparisons and Contrasts
Environmental Impact Analysis
Environmental Permits and Approvals
What to Do?
How to do it.
Decisions
Control
Agency actions (under NEPA)
Agency approvals and enforcement
No penalties for violation
Adherence dependent on threat of penalties
Open and flexible technical requirements
(dependent on scoping)
Strict standards and requirements must
be met
One time only, prior to implementation
Monitoring and renewal following
implementation
Unrestricted scope
Limited to resource or activity
Relation to permits
Relation to environmental impact analysis
Must list and describe permits needed
Frequently must rely on alternative analysis
and data collected during the environmental
impact analysis
Permitability as decision criteria
Permitting agency exerts influence on
decisions
Permit limit as maximum impact level
Incentive for impact mitigation
Vehicle for conflict resolution
Proponent knows requirement in advance
project, policy, and plan implementation. The two complement each other,
yet have important differences (Table 9.1). The relationships between these
two prongs of environmental policy must be identified early in the planning
process, considered in the scope of the environmental impact analysis, and
periodically reviewed as the analysis progresses. Also the environmental
impact analysis document should be at hand and consulted closely during
the permitting and approval process for the proposed action.
9.3
Managing the Environmental Impact Analysis
One of the largest and often most deserved criticisms leveled at environ-
mental analyses is that they take too long and cost too much. As discussed
throughout this topic (particularly Section 4.3 and Chapter 6) much has been
done from a regulatory and guidance standpoint to address this issue and
there has been marked success. However, the environmental analysis prac-
titioners are on the frontline conducting the day-to-day management and
implementation of the analysis, and their activities directly and profoundly
affect schedule and resource expenditure.
A first step for practitioners in maximizing efficiency is to recognize some
of the common failings and flaws that have historically been at the center of
delays and budget overruns for the analysis. The environmental analysis by
necessity and design is an interdisciplinary approach, typically dominated by
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