Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
9.4
Environmental Impact Analysis Critical Success Factors
In summary, paying close and frequent attention to a few critical elements
can greatly improve the chance of success and environmental enhancement
of an environmental impact analysis. These include:
1. Identify critical stakeholders and actively solicit their input.
2. Clearly identify the purpose and need. In the process, make sure
the critical stakeholders and environmental analysis team are aware
and on-board with the purpose and need.
3. Pay attention to the scope, make sure it:
a. Is distributed and acknowledged early in the process
b. Addresses stakeholder issues
c. Is focused on key issues
d. Guides all analysis work (i.e., do no work outside of the scope)
e. Provides all the information needed for affected environment
description, impact prediction, alternative development and
comparison
f.
Is compared to work completed and ongoing to monitor progress
and make adjustments as necessary
4. Make sure the intended use of any data collected or engineering
studies conducted is clear and needed for the analysis before the col-
lection or study is undertaken.
5. Develop an Impact Prediction Conceptual Model early in the process
and check/revise it often to help guide the environmental analysis.
6. Establish impact significance criteria for use in designing studies,
predicting impacts, and comparing alternatives.
7.
Maximize use of existing information for the description of
affected environment and, if necessary, design of analysis-specific
investigations.
8. Make all analyses are objective and quantitative to the extent pos-
sible. Use or modify proven techniques from each discipline (e.g.,
ecological risk assessment, net environmental benefit analysis, traf-
fic studies) to maximize objectivity, quantification, and acceptance.
9. Develop and analyze in detail a full range of alternatives that reflect
the issues and impacts to resources of concern raised during scoping.
10. Involve the public and key stakeholders throughout the process.
11. Make the comparison and selection of alternatives transparent,
objective, well documented, and analytical to the extent possible
given constraints of specific situations.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search