C6.2 Role of the Environmental Impact Assessment
EIA is a way of providing decision makers with information about the effects that a given project could have on the environment. It is an important procedure for ensuring that the likely effects of new development on the environment are fully understood and taken into account before the development is allowed to go ahead.
The Objectives an EIA are to:
- Ensure that environmental factors are considered in the decision-making process.
- Ensure that possible adverse environmental impacts are identified and avoided or minimised.
- Inform the public about the proposal.
- Confirm that the conditions of project approval are implemented satisfactorily.
- Verify that impacts are within predicted or permitted limits.
- Allow action to be taken to manage unanticipated impacts or other unforeseen changes.
- Ensure that environmental benefits are maximised through good practice.