CE482

ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT ASSESSMENT
MODULE 6 LECTURE 3
PREPARED BY,
RESHMY M. RAJU
M.TECH ENV. ENGG.
APCE SNIT ADOOR

TOPIC : EIA- SCOPING

SCOPING
• Scoping is done by
• EAC for category A projects

• SEAC for B1 projects

• Scoping is used to describe the process of deciding what should be included in an EIA

• It may be seen as a means for identifying the main public concern about a proposal
and for organizing the scientific work for the assessment.

• A scoping process involves two important parts : impact identification and public
involvement.
PREPARED BY RESHMY M. RAJU APCE SNIT ADOOR 2
SCOPING

• Scoping is a stage, usually involving the public and other interested parties, that
identifies the key environmental issues that should be addressed in an EIA.

• This step provides one of the first opportunities for members of the public or
NGOs to learn about a proposed project and to voice their opinions.

• Scoping may also reveal similar or connected activities that may be occurring in
the vicinity of a project, or identify problems that need to be mitigated or that may
cause the project to be canceled.

PREPARED BY RESHMY M. RAJU APCE SNIT ADOOR 3

SCOPING

• The aim of EIA is not to carry out exhaustive studies on all environmental impacts
for all projects.

• Scoping is used to identify the key issues of concern at an early stage in the
planning process

• The results of scoping will determine the scope, depth and terms of reference to be
addressed within the Environmental statement.

PREPARED BY RESHMY M. RAJU APCE SNIT ADOOR 4

 SCOPING
• Scoping is a very key stage of the EIA process in which those impacts which
might have significant effect on the environment, to be addressed in the EIA, are
determined.

• A process of interaction between government agencies and project proponents

Importance of Scoping

• Serves to facilitate efficient EIA by identifying appropriate areas for consideration

(e.g, key issues, concerns, alternatives)

• Reduces likelihood of deficiencies in EIA (e.g., ensures that important issues are
not overlooked)

• Prevents unnecessary expenditures and time delays from oversights or unnecessary

areas of study
SCOPING – PURPOSE
• Identify concerns and issues for consideration in an EIA

• Ensure a relevant EIA

• Enable those responsible for an EIA study to properly brief the study team on the alternatives and
on impacts to be considered at different levels of analysis

• Determine the assessment methods to be used

• Identify all affected interests

• Provide an opportunity for public involvement in determining the factors to be assessed, and
facilitate early agreement on contentious issues

• Save time and money

• Establish terms of reference (TOR) for EIA study

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SCOPING – TERMS OF REGFERENCE (TOR)
GENERALLY THE TERMS OF REFERENCE WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
• A description of the project
• A list of the agencies or ministries responsible for overseeing the EIA process and making decisions
• The geographic area to be studied (also called the ‘impact zone’)
• EIA requirements in applicable laws or regulations
• Impacts and issues to be studied
• Mitigation and/or monitoring systems to be designed
• Provisions for public involvement
• Key stakeholders
• Timeframe for completing the EIA process
• Expected work product and deliverables
• Budget for the EIA
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Steps to be considered during scoping
• Develop a communication plan (decide who to talk to and when).
• Assemble information that will be the starting point of discussion.
• Make the information available to those whose views are to be obtained.
• Find out what issues people are concerned about.
• Look at the issues from a technical or scientific perspective in preparation for
further study.
• Organize information according to issues including grouping and setting priorities.
• Develop a strategy for addressing and resolving each key issue, including
information requirements and terms of reference for further studies.
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