Impact assessment has become a crucial element of the interface between society and the environment. This practical guide to the assessment process will help ecologists, environmental scientists, and civil engineers to identify the conceptual foundation of the assessments they are preparing. The guide is also intended to help policy makers understand the scientific basis for these surveys as well as the biotic and abiotic parameters. A Practical Guide to Environmental Impact Assessment will appeal to a broad cross section of those pondering land use decisions. Key Features * A conceptual guide to technical and scientific issues relevant to impact assessment * Does not assume special training * Useful regardless of political or social context within which impact is being assessed * Provides both planners and impact assessors with background necessary for evaluating environmental impacts * Covers both physical and social parameters that influence impact assessment

Providing information on the assessment an devaluation of environmental impacts, this study also discusses the fundamentals of preparing crystal clear environmental impact statements. Practical, real-life examples are included, as well as tips for identifying and avoiding potential pitfalls.

It will be useful for project managers as well as students and the community sector."--BOOK JACKET

This book uses real-life examples to analyze techniques for undertaking the task of making an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of a project. The text offers suggestions on how to quantify the effects on people’s lives; comparative end results of using certain renewable and non-renewable resources; how to cost economic development against sustainability; and how to measure the unmeasurable: sunsets, tropical forests, mountains and more.

Under the best of circumstances, preparing an environmental impact assessment (EIA) can be a complex and challenging task. Experience indicates that the scope and quality of such analyses varies widely throughout the U.S. as well as internationally. Written to help practitioners and decision-makers apply best professional practices in the developme

This comprehensive treatment of environmental impact assessment (EIA) provides an authoritative contemporary review of theory and practice over the past ten years. EIA is viewed as both science and art, reflecting the concern both with technical aspects of appraisal and the effects of EIA on the decision-making process. Adopted in many countries, with different degrees of enthusiasm, since its inception in the early 1970's, EIA is established as a major procedure for assessing the environmental implications of legislation, the implementation of policy and plans and the initiation of development projects. EIA is increasingly an essential part of environmental management