Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA)

1.             Key Elements of an Initial Project Description and Scoping

 The key environmental issues to be considered in relation to a projects characteristics are discussed in Sectoral Guidelines published by MoEF from time to time. An Initial Project Description (IPD) should at the very least provide the reviewer with all the information necessary to enable project screening and scoping.

 Specific information that must be covered by the IPD includes:

1.    Location/current land use along with contours and whether it conforms to the development plans proposed for that area.
2.       Details of proposed project activity including the project cost.
3.    Outlining the key project elements during the pre-construction, the construction and the operation phases etc. as per the list of documents to be attached with the questionnaire
4.      The IPD may also include.

                         - Off-site activities

                         - Associated activities

                         - Expected project induced activities

                        - Project activities as PERT chart and process as a flow chart delineating unit processes with input-output.

                The project proponent after suitable scoping should  provide environmental information for consideration in detailed EIA. The reviewer while assessing  the report should focus on the crucial aspects involving project location and characteristics.

Project Location(s)

The site(s) selection can be an effective approach in minimising the requirement of mitigation measures. Proposed project locations should be reviewed based upon regulatory and non-regulatory criteria. Project siting restrictions depend on the sensitivity of the surrounding environment. Sensitivity should be assessed in relation to proximity of the project to the  places/sites listed in list of identified ecologically sensitive zones (ESZ) notified by MOEF.

 The siting criteria delineated by MoEF include:

1.  As far as possible prime agricultural land/forest land may not be converted into an industrial site.
2. Land acquired should be minimum but sufficient to provide for a green belt wherein the treated wastewater, if possible/suitable, could be utilised from wastewater treatment systems.
3. Enough space may be provided for storing solid wastes. The space and the waste can be  made available for possible reuse in future.
4. Layout and form of the project must conform to the landscape of the area without unduly affecting the scenic features of that place.
5.  Associated township of the project if any to be created must provide for space for photo-graphic barrier between the project and the township and should take into account predominant wind direction.

 In addition the following distances should be maintained:

1.     Coastal Areas: at least 1/2 km from the high tide line (within 0.5 km of High Tide Line  (HTL), specified activities as per CRZ notification, 1991 are permitted)(The HTL is to be delineated by the authorised agency only.)
2.         Estuaries: At least 200 metres from the estuary boundaries
3.       Flood Plains of the Riverine systems: at least 500 metres from flood plain or modified  flood plain or by flood control systems
4.       Transport/Communication System: at least 500 metres from highway and railway
5.       Major Settlements (3,00,000 population) at least 25 km from the projected growth  boundary of the settlement

 In addition to the siting criteria listed above, the proposed project location should be reviewed in  relation to the following salient issues:

1. Ambient air, water and noise quality standards
2. Critically polluted areas
3. Natural disaster prone areas
4. Ecologically sensitive areas
5. Availability of water and other critical infrastructures like electricity, roads with adequate  width and capacity 

 Land Use Impacts

When assessing the significance of potential land use impacts, the reviewer will need to consider

the following:

1.          Total land coverage of the project
2.          Expected change in the landscape and topography
3.          Present and designated land use in conformity with regional developmental plans / master  plan
4.          Dependent/resident population
5.          Assessed land capability/suitability in the region
6.         Assessed erosion potential in the region
7.         Unstable or critical hydrologic, biotic and abiotic components systems (especially drainage)
8.         Slope stability and proneness to land slide hazards
9.         Designated land use in the master plan/regional development plan

Consideration of Alternatives

 Alternatives must be considered with respect to the following:

1.         No project
2.        Siting of the project
3.        Technology/Processes

 The reviewer will need to evaluate whether or not the proposal has taken into  consideration all feasible alternatives in respect of siting, and the plant processes including mitigation methods.

 No project:

 Alternatives of no project situation need to be weighed against the ecological implications.

 Siting of the project:

 Specific information that must be covered in site selection should include:

1.         Status of conformance with siting guidelines of MoEF
2.         Ambient environmental quality in the region and conformance
3.         Existence of sensitive receptors in the impact zone
4.         The characteristics of soil strata and potential for groundwater depletion/ contamination
5.         The location of the site in relation to the watershed, and suitability of the site vegetation  and ecology
6.         Extent of resettlement and rehabilitation, including vulnerability of the affected populations
7.         Likely Stress on public utilities and services in the region
8.         Likely Stress on the ecosystem

 Process selection:

 Criteria for the process selection should include:

1.         Choices of inputs to generate minimal wastes and emissions causing minimum stress on  resources
2.         Pollution prevention through maximising efficiency in the utilization of inputs
3.         Recycling and reuse of wastes and emissions
4.         Treatment of wastes and emissions
5.         Choice of appropriate mitigation methods to reduce the impacts

 Construction Phase

 Project construction may require cutting, striping, levelling landscaping, topographic, sea / riverbed or subsurface transformations, opening of new quarries transportation of men and materials, construction of temporary houses any of which can cause both positive and negative environmental impacts.

 The construction phase is especially significant in the case of infrastructure projects. In such cases a detailed schedule of construction activities is critical for scoping impacts. If the construction stretches over a prolonged period (1-3 years), the impacts of habitat disturbances may be even more severe in the construction phase than during operation phase. In addition, there may be substantial influx of labour in some project areas that could create stress on public utilities, services, public health and social relations.

 Input Requirements

 A pre-requisite to estimating the potential environmental impacts of a project is the identification  and recording of the total project inputs including process technology, raw materials, water and energy.

 While not exhaustive, below is a checklist of the information likely to be required  for the scoping of project inputs.

Information required:

Project Technology

1.         Available technology/equipment
2.         Cleaner options

 Land

1.         Nature of land/soil
2.         Topography

 Materials

1.         Physical and chemical nature of raw materials
2.         Source of raw material
3.         Storage
4.         Precautionary measures
5.         Mine discharge
6.         Top soil preservation and reuse
7.         Project output

Hazardous/Toxic materials management

1.   Requirements of processing, transportation and handling of any hazardous/toxic /flammable/explosive material(s)

2.   Storage requirement for hazardous/toxic flammable / explosive material(s)

3.   Usage of any recycled, salvaged material from industrial waste in the process.

Water

 Water requirement

1.         Average demand, peak demand at full production, source and type (treated/ untreated)
2.         Water drawal at intake vis-vis the requirement of competing user (If water supply is to be augmented from other source(s) for meeting both present and  future requirements)
3.         Physico-Chemical characteristics of surface/ground water at the site and likely impact area
4.         Treatment requirements of water before use
5.         Physico-Chemical characteristics of treated water

 Energy/Fuel

 Total power requirement for

1.         Existing facilities
2.        Proposed facilities

 Sources of power supply

1.         Public supply
2.        D.G.Set/Gas turbine
3.         Captive power plant
4.        Capacity, type of fuel, consumption

 Details of fuel used

1.         Coal
2.        Natural gas
3.         LSHS
4.        HSD
5.        Naphtha
6.          Furnace Oil
7.         Other (specify)
8.       Consumption (tonnes/day), Calorific Value (K Joules, kg), % Ash, % Sulphur,  Source of supply, Mode of transportation to the plant site with justification and  linkage details of technology for power generation

 Transport

1.         Details of transport system to be used for transporting raw materials, finished products and  wastes

 Wastes and Emissions

 An assessment of the significant environmental issues for each phase of the project in relation to wastes and emissions involve

1.         Potential releases
2.         The receiving environment including bio-environment

  

 The issues that need to be identified are

1.         Air emissions
2.         Noise
3.         Liquid effluents
4.         Solid wastes
5.         Hazardous/Toxic Wastes

Types of release and potential sources. 

A.      Air Emissions

a.       Emissions from Compaction & setting during construction

b.      Emissions from Drilling & blasting

c.       Emissions from Operation of DG. Sets/captive power plant

d.      Vehicular emissions

e.      Emissions from storages & transport

f.        Process emissions

g.       Fugitive emissions

h.      Accidental /emergency releases

i.         Emissions from Fuel combustion

j.        Offsite emissions

B.      Noise & Vibrations

a.       Generated by the plant and equipment

b.      From Vehicles

c.       Blast induced ground vibrations

C.      Liquid Effluents

a.       Process and domestic effluents

b.      Offsite effluents

c.       Storm water

d.      Cooling tower effluents and boiler blow downs

e.      Effluents from treatment plant

f.        Effluents from emission mitigation system

g.       Acid Drainage

h.      Tailing Residue emplacement

i.         Ground / surface water contamination

j.        Accidental / emergency & spills

       D.  Solid Waste

a.       Domestic solid waste

b.      Soil overburden/Dredged material/stripping and quarrying waste

c.       Process/storage units sludge

d.      Sludge form ETP/STP

e.      Waste from emission mitigation system

f.        Accidental / emergency dumps

E.      Hazardous / Toxic Waste

a.       Process / Storage units (tank bottoms)

b.      Sludge form Waste water treatment

c.       Sludge form Emission treatment system

d.      Leachates from storage

e.      Genetically modified organisms

f.        Biotechnological activities and related emissions and wastes

 Air Emissions

The issues for air emissions should be based on project location (valley, coastal areas, regions  with frequent dust storms etc.) type of activity and air polluting potential. A list  of key activities and associated air pollutants are listed.

 Liquid Effluents

Detailed assessment will be required where: 

1.         The proposed receiving body is surface water, irrigation canal, marine coast, public sewers  etc.
2.         The discharge point is within the catchment area of a drinking water source or a river stretch designated for drinking purposes (as per CPCB designated usages)
3.     The disposal is on land, the soil is permeable and the aquifer conditions are prone to  groundwater contamination

 Solid Wastes

  Solid waste can be toxic or non-toxic. A list of toxic or hazardous waste classifications can be found in the MOEFs Hazardous Waste - Management and Handling Rules, Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals, genetically modified organisms/biotechnology activities and related emissions and wastes and related amendments notified from time to time. Where a project proposal includes any of the waste classes or activities listed in these documents the proposal should identify this and meet their requirements.

 Should the proponent be unable to confirm the existence of an acceptable treatment or disposal facility for any of the listed hazardous wastes classes with adequate capacity the issue will need to form input into the detailed assessment. It is important to note that in addition to those wastes that are classified, all potential waste groups should be examined according to the following parameters:

1.          Moisture and High Volatile matter
2.         Oil and Grease
3.         Calorific value
4.         pH
5.        Conductivity
6.         Heavy metal (Cr, Pb, Cu, Mn, Zn, Ni) concentrations
7.         Phenolic compound concentration

The comprehensive inventorization of solid wastes is necessary, if

1.        The region has no land for disposal
2.        Existing capacity of the dumping site is near exhaustion
3.     The region has high intensity and/or duration of rainfall and the region is prone to  flooding/water logging/high ground water table.

Risks to Environment and Human Health

Impacts to environment and human health can occur from accidents (both on-site and off-site) or  through general environmental degradation. When determining the appropriate areas for a more  detailed risk assessment, the reviewer should take into account both the type of risks inherent in a  particular activity and the potential for human/ environment exposure.

Onsite

 Exposure to fugitive dust, noise, gases, thermal and other emissions

1.         House keeping practices requiring contact with solid and liquid toxic wastes
2.        Emission/spillage etc. from storage & handling
3.         Exposure to explosive material
4.        Exposure to toxic chemicals

 Offsite

 Exposure to toxic releases from offsite / storage/related activities

1.         Contamination of ground / drinking water due to accidental releases or normal  release in combination with natural hazard
2.         Deposition of toxic pollutants in vegetation / other sinks and possible sudden releases due to accidental occurrences

Socio-Economic Impacts

It is generally envisaged that the scale of a projects socio-economic impact study is limited to  the region and population directly influenced by the project, with an emphasis on the distribution of benefits and costs among the project stakeholders. Within project scoping, the socio-economic issues should be addressed as below:

Socio-economic

1.      Onsite and offsite optimal land requirements, specifically in relation to the potential  for displacement, rehabilitation, and habitat fragmentation
2.         Land acquisition details
3.        Quantity and nature of employment and /or estimated needs for migratory workers
4.         Potential for stress/ increase on utilities and services
5.         Potential benefits/disbenefits to the local habitants resulting through project and ancillary activities
6.         Impact on health of/due to migrant labour
7.         Impact on education of male/female
8.         Community health impacts
9.           Potential impacts on existing occupations and economic activities
10.          Potential losses of livelihood for local and vulnerable sections of the population
11.         Stress on medicinal plants
12.           Potential impacts to archaeological monuments and culturally/religiously important locations

Ecological Impacts

 Project proposals located nearby wildlife sanctuaries, National Parks, and/or biosphere reserves,  breeding /spawning /nesting grounds etc need to come under careful scrutiny, and the  EIA report should contain impact on such ecologically fragile/sensitive areas.

Global Environmental Issues

 India is a signatory to many international agreements ratifying her commitment to environmental concerns. Therefore global concerns must also be considered. The reviewer will need to note whether a projects potential resource consumption, waste generation and emissions could break international codes of practice and where this is the case, the proponent should identify, evaluate and suggest mitigation measures if any in the EIA report.

 There are a number of additional/optional areas, which may be considered:

1.          Potential trans. - boundary transport of atmospheric pollutants or liquid effluents.
2.         Potential impacts to wetlands of international importance and those that attract migratory birds
3.         The use or production of hazardous or toxic materials
4.      Potential impacts on primitive and rare cultivated plants, land, ethnic minorities, and archaeological places
5.         Impacts on identified rare and endangered species.

            Emissions of nuclear radiation on-site and off-site and potential for nuclear accidents