
Introduction toEnvironmentalImpactAssessment2nd,EditionJOHNGLASSONRIKITHERIVELANDREWCHADWICKAlsoavailableas aprintedbookseetitleversoforiSBNdetails

ContentsviliPrefacetothefirsteditionixPrefacexAcknowledgementsxiAbbreviations1PART1Principles and procedures21 Introduction and principles262Origins and development52 3UKagencyand legislativecontext80PART2Process814 Starting up; earlystages1225Impactprediction,evaluationandmitigation1546Participation,presentationandreview1847 Monitoring and auditing:after the decision205PART3Practice2068An overview of UK practice to date236Environmental impact assessment and projects requiring planning9permission27110Environmental impact assessment of projects not subject to planningcontrol31311Comparativepractice
Contents Preface to the first edition viii Preface ix Acknowledgements x Abbreviations xi PART 1 Principles and procedures 1 1 Introduction and principles 2 2 Origins and development 26 3 UK agency and legislative context 52 PART 2 Process 80 4 Starting up; early stages 81 5 Impact prediction, evaluation and mitigation 122 6 Participation, presentation and review 154 7 Monitoring and auditing: after the decision 184 PART 3 Practice 205 8 An overview of UK practice to date 206 9 Environmental impact assessment and projects requiring planning permission 236 10 Environmental impact assessment of projects not subject to planning control 271 11 Comparative practice 313

365PART4Prospects36612Improvingthe effectiveness of projectassessment38513Widening the scope: strategic environmental assessment411AppendicesAuthor index460468Subject index
PART 4 Prospects 365 12 Improving the effectiveness of project assessment 366 13 Widening the scope: strategic environmental assessment 385 Appendices 411 Author index 460 Subject index 468

PrefacetothefirsteditionTherehas been a remarkableandrefreshing interest in environmental issues over thepastfewyears.Amajorimpetuswasprovidedbythe1987Reportof theWorldCommissionontheEnvironmentandDevelopment(theBrundtlandReport);theRio Summit in1992soughtto acceleratethe impetus.Much of thediscussion on environmental issues and onsustainable development is about the better management of current activity in harmonywiththeenvironment.However,therewill alwaysbepressurefornewdevelopment.Howmuchbetteritwouldbetoavoidormitigatethepotential harmful effectsof futuredevelopmenton the environmentat theplanning stage.Environmental impactassessment(EIA)assessesthe impacts ofplannedactivityontheenvironmentinadvance,therebyallowingavoidancemeasurestobetaken:prevention isbetterthan cure.Environmental impactassessmentwasfirstformallyestablished intheUSAin1969.Ithas spread worldwide and received a significant boost in Europe with the introduction ofanECDirectiveonEIAin1985.Thiswas implemented intheUK in1988.Subsequentlythere has been a rapid growth in EIA activity, and over three hundred environmentalimpactstatements(EISS)arenowproducedintheUKeachyear.EIAisanapproachingood currency.It is also an area wheremanyof thepractitioners have limited experienceThistextprovidesacomprehensiveintroductiontothevariousdimensionsofElA.Ithasbeenwrittenwiththerequirementsofbothundergraduateandpostgraduatestudentsinmind.Itshouldalsobeofconsiderablevaluetothoseinpractice-planners,developersand various interest groups.ElA is on a rapid "learning curve";this text is offered as apoint on the curve.Thebookis structured into four parts.The first provides an introduction to theprinciplesofElAandanoverviewofitsdevelopmentandagencyandlegislativecontextPart2provides a step-by-stepdiscussion and critiqueof theEIAprocess.Part3examinescurrent practice, broadly in the UK and in several other countries, and in more detailthrough selected UK case studies.Part 4 considers possible future developments.It islikelythatmuchmore of theEIAiceberg will becomevisible in the199Os and beyond.An outline of important and associated developments in environmental auditing and instrategicenvironmental assessmentconcludesthetext.Although thebookhas a clear UK orientation,itdoes draw extensively on EIAexperience worldwide,and it should be of interest to readers from many countries.Thebook seekstohighlight bestpractice and to offerenough insightto methods, and tosupportingreferences,toprovidevaluableguidancetothepractitioner.Forinformationondetailedmethodsforassessmentofimpactsinparticulartopicareas(e.g.landscapeairquality,traffic impacts),thereaderis referred tothecomplementaryvolume, Methodsofenvironmentalimpactassessment(Morris&Therivel,1995,London,UCLPress)JOHNGLASSONRIKITHERIVELANDREWCHADWICKOxford Brookes University
Preface to the first edition There has been a remarkable and refreshing interest in environmental issues over the past few years. A major impetus was provided by the 1987 Report of the World Commission on the Environment and Development (the Brundtland Report); the Rio Summit in 1992 sought to accelerate the impetus. Much of the discussion on environmental issues and on sustainable development is about the better management of current activity in harmony with the environment. However, there will always be pressure for new development. How much better it would be to avoid or mitigate the potential harmful effects of future development on the environment at the planning stage. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) assesses the impacts of planned activity on the environment in advance, thereby allowing avoidance measures to be taken: prevention is better than cure. Environmental impact assessment was first formally established in the USA in 1969. It has spread worldwide and received a significant boost in Europe with the introduction of an EC Directive on EIA in 1985. This was implemented in the UK in 1988. Subsequently there has been a rapid growth in EIA activity, and over three hundred environmental impact statements (EISS) are now produced in the UK each year. EIA is an approach in good currency. It is also an area where many of the practitioners have limited experience. This text provides a comprehensive introduction to the various dimensions of EIA. It has been written with the requirements of both undergraduate and postgraduate students in mind. It should also be of considerable value to those in practice—planners, developers and various interest groups. EIA is on a rapid “learning curve”; this text is offered as a point on the curve. The book is structured into four parts. The first provides an introduction to the principles of EIA and an overview of its development and agency and legislative context. Part 2 provides a step-by-step discussion and critique of the EIA process. Part 3 examines current practice, broadly in the UK and in several other countries, and in more detail through selected UK case studies. Part 4 considers possible future developments. It is likely that much more of the EIA iceberg will become visible in the 1990s and beyond. An outline of important and associated developments in environmental auditing and in strategic environmental assessment concludes the text. Although the book has a clear UK orientation, it does draw extensively on EIA experience worldwide, and it should be of interest to readers from many countries. The book seeks to highlight best practice and to offer enough insight to methods, and to supporting references, to provide valuable guidance to the practitioner. For information on detailed methods for assessment of impacts in particular topic areas (e.g. landscape, air quality, traffic impacts), the reader is referred to the complementary volume, Methods of environmental impact assessment (Morris & Therivel, 1995, London, UCL Press). JOHN GLASSON RIKI THERIVEL ANDREW CHADWICK Oxford Brookes University

PrefaceTheaims and scope of this second edition areunchanged from those of the first editionBut, as noted in the first preface, EIA is on a rapid learning curve, and any commentaryonthesubjectmustbe seenas partofanongoingdiscussion.TheworldwidespreadofEIAproceduresandpracticeisbecomingincreasinglycomprehensive.IntheEuropeanUnion,thereisnowtenyearsexperienceofthe implementationof thepioneeringEIADirective, and an amended directive will become operational in 1999.There has alsobeen considerable interest inthedevelopmentof theEIAprocess,inextendingthe scopeof activity,and also in assessing effectiveness.Reflecting such changes,this revisededitionupdatesthecommentarybyintroducinganddevelopinganumberof issueswhichareseen asofgrowing importancetoboththestudentandpractitionerof ElA.Thestructure of thefirst editionhas beenretained,plus muchof theoriginal materialbut variations and additionshave beenmadeto specific sections.In PartI (principles andprocedures),a significantaddition has been theincorporationoftheamendmenttotheECEIA Directive and consideration of the implications for EIA practice.In Part 2(discussion of theEIAprocess),many elementshavebeen updated,including screening,assessment of significance, participation, presentation, review and the overallmanagementoftheprocessWe have made very substantial changes to Part 3 (overview of practice), drawing onthe findings of several major international and UK reviews of EIA effectiveness.Whilethere is general consensus on the utility of EIA, there is also concern about someweaknesses in the procedures and practice to date.The moredetailed studies of UKpracticefornew settlements,roads and electricity supply have been updated, and theimportant areaof waste disposal projects has been added.Major changes have alsobeenmade tothe chapter on comparative practice,with more discussion of emerging ElAsystems and the roleof international funding institutions,suchas theWorld BankPart4of thebook(prospects)hasalsobeen substantiallyrevisedtoreflectsomeofthechanging prospects for EIA including, for example, more consideration of cumulativeimpacts,socio-economicimpacts,andpublicparticipation,pluspossibleshiftstowardsmore integrated environmental assessment.Similarly,in the final chapter,thereisasubstantial update of the developing principles,procedures and practice of StrategicEnvironmental Assessment.Additions to the Appendices include theamended ECDirective,World Bank EIA procedures,environment impact statementreview pro-formas.Thereisanexpandedbibliographyofkeyreferences.JOHNGLASSONRIKITHERIVELANDREWCHADWICKOxford1998Dedicated to our families
Preface The aims and scope of this second edition are unchanged from those of the first edition. But, as noted in the first preface, EIA is on a rapid learning curve, and any commentary on the subject must be seen as part of an ongoing discussion. The worldwide spread of EIA procedures and practice is becoming increasingly comprehensive. In the European Union, there is now ten years’ experience of the implementation of the pioneering EIA Directive, and an amended directive will become operational in 1999. There has also been considerable interest in the development of the EIA process, in extending the scope of activity, and also in assessing effectiveness. Reflecting such changes, this revised edition updates the commentary by introducing and developing a number of issues which are seen as of growing importance to both the student and practitioner of EIA. The structure of the first edition has been retained, plus much of the original material, but variations and additions have been made to specific sections. In Part 1 (principles and procedures), a significant addition has been the incorporation of the amendment to the EC EIA Directive and consideration of the implications for EIA practice. In Part 2 (discussion of the EIA process), many elements have been updated, including screening, assessment of significance, participation, presentation, review and the overall management of the process. We have made very substantial changes to Part 3 (overview of practice), drawing on the findings of several major international and UK reviews of EIA effectiveness. While there is general consensus on the utility of EIA, there is also concern about some weaknesses in the procedures and practice to date. The more detailed studies of UK practice for new settlements, roads and electricity supply have been updated, and the important area of waste disposal projects has been added. Major changes have also been made to the chapter on comparative practice, with more discussion of emerging EIA systems and the role of international funding institutions, such as the World Bank. Part 4 of the book (prospects) has also been substantially revised to reflect some of the changing prospects for EIA including, for example, more consideration of cumulative impacts, socio-economic impacts, and public participation, plus possible shifts towards more integrated environmental assessment. Similarly, in the final chapter, there is a substantial update of the developing principles, procedures and practice of Strategic Environmental Assessment. Additions to the Appendices include the amended EC Directive, World Bank EIA procedures, environment impact statement review proformas. There is an expanded bibliography of key references. JOHN GLASSON RIKI THERIVEL ANDREW CHADWICK Oxford 1998 Dedicated to our families

AcknowledgementsOur grateful thanks are due to many people without whose help this book would not havebeen produced.We areparticularlygrateful to Carol Glasson, who typed and retypedseveral drafts to tight deadlines and to high quality,and who provided invaluableassistance inbringingtogether the disparate contributions ofthethree authors.Our thanksalsogotoRob Woodwardforhisproductionof manyof theillustrations.Weareverygrateful to our consultancy clients and research sponsors, who have underpinned thework oftheImpact AssessmentUnit in the School of Planning at Oxford BrookesUniversity(formerlyOxfordPolytechnic).Michael Gammonprovidedthe initiativeandconstant support;Phil Saunders and AndrewHammondmaintained thepositive link withthe electricity supply industry.Other valuablesupporthas been provided bytheRoyalSociety for the Protection of Birds,the Economic and Social Research Council andPCFC.Our students at Oxford Brookes University on both undergraduate and postgraduateprogrammes have critically tested many of our ideas.In this respect we should liketoacknowledge, in particular,the students on the MSc course in Environmental Assessmentand Management.The editiorial and presentation supportforthesecond editionby staifat Taylor and Francis is very gratefully acknowledged.We have benefited from thesupport of colleagues in the Schools of Planningand Biological and Molecular Sciences,andfromthewidercommunityof EIA academics,researchersand consultants,whohavehelped tokeep us on our toes.Wearealsogratefulforpermissiontousematerial fromthefollowingsources:Environmental Data Service(Figs3.2,3.3).BritishAssociation of NatureConservationists(cartoons:Parts2and3).Rendel Planning (Fig.4.3).UNEPIndustryandEnvironmentOffice(Fig.4.5andTable4.3).UniversityofManchester,Departmentof Planningand Landscape,EIACentre(Tables5.8, 8.1, Figs. 8.4, 8.7, Appendix 3)John Wiley & Sons (Tables 6.1, 6.2).BaselineEnvironmental Consulting,WestBerkeley,California (Fig.7.2).David Tyldesleyand Associates (Fig.9.1 and Table9.5)UKDepartmentofEnvironment(Table6.4).UKDepartmentofTransport(Table10.1)Planningnewspaper(cartoon:Part4).KentCountyCouncil PlanningDepartment (Fig.13.3).HertfordshireCountyCouncil PlanningDepartment(Table13.1,Fig.13.4)
Acknowledgements Our grateful thanks are due to many people without whose help this book would not have been produced. We are particularly grateful to Carol Glasson, who typed and retyped several drafts to tight deadlines and to high quality, and who provided invaluable assistance in bringing together the disparate contributions of the three authors. Our thanks also go to Rob Woodward for his production of many of the illustrations. We are very grateful to our consultancy clients and research sponsors, who have underpinned the work of the Impact Assessment Unit in the School of Planning at Oxford Brookes University (formerly Oxford Polytechnic). Michael Gammon provided the initiative and constant support; Phil Saunders and Andrew Hammond maintained the positive link with the electricity supply industry. Other valuable support has been provided by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Economic and Social Research Council and PCFC. Our students at Oxford Brookes University on both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes have critically tested many of our ideas. In this respect we should like to acknowledge, in particular, the students on the MSc course in Environmental Assessment and Management. The editiorial and presentation support for the second edition by staif at Taylor and Francis is very gratefully acknowledged. We have benefited from the support of colleagues in the Schools of Planning and Biological and Molecular Sciences, and from the wider community of EIA academics, researchers and consultants, who have helped to keep us on our toes. We are also grateful for permission to use material from the following sources: ● Environmental Data Service (Figs 3.2, 3.3) ● British Association of Nature Conservationists (cartoons: Parts 2 and 3) ● Rendel Planning (Fig. 4.3) ● UNEP Industry and Environment Office (Fig. 4.5 and Table 4.3) ● University of Manchester, Department of Planning and Landscape, EIA Centre (Tables 5.8, 8.1, Figs. 8.4, 8.7, Appendix 3) ● John Wiley & Sons (Tables 6.1, 6.2) ● Baseline Environmental Consulting, West Berkeley, California (Fig. 7.2) ● David Tyldesley and Associates (Fig. 9.1 and Table 9.5) ● UK Department of Environment (Table 6.4) ● UK Department of Transport (Table 10.1) ● Planning newspaper (cartoon: Part 4) ● Kent County Council Planning Department (Fig. 13.3). ● Hertfordshire County Council Planning Department (Table 13.1, Fig. 13.4)

AbbreviationsAEEassessmentofenvironmental effectsAONBArea of Outstanding Natural BeautyBATNEECbest availabletechnique not entailing excessive costsBPEObestpracticableenvironmental optionCBAcost-benefit analysisCCcounty councilCEAACanadian Environmental Assessment AgencyCECCommissionoftheEuropeanCommunitiesCEGBCentral Electricity Generating BoardCEPACommonwealth Environmental Protection Agency(Australia)CEQCouncil on Environmental Quality (us)CEQACalifornia Environmental QualityActCHPcombined heat and powerCIEcommunity impact evaluationCPRECouncil for the Protection of Rural EnglandCVMcontingent valuation methodDoEnDepartment of EnergyDCdistrict councilDETRDepartment of Environment, Transport and the RegionsDGDirectorate General (CEC)DMRBDesign Manual for Roads and BridgesDOEDepartment of the EnvironmentDOTDepartment of TransportDTIDepartment of Trade and IndustryEAenvironmental assessmentEBRDEuropeanBankforReconstructionandDevelopmentECEuropeanCommunityEESenvironmental evaluation systemEIAenvironmental impactassessmentEIRenvironmental impact report
Abbreviations AEE assessment of environmental effects AONB Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty BATNEEC best available technique not entailing excessive costs BPEO best practicable environmental option CBA cost-benefit analysis CC county council CEAA Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency CEC Commission of the European Communities CEGB Central Electricity Generating Board CEPA Commonwealth Environmental Protection Agency (Australia) CEQ Council on Environmental Quality (us) CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CHP combined heat and power CIE community impact evaluation CPRE Council for the Protection of Rural England CVM contingent valuation method DoEn Department of Energy DC district council DETR Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions DG Directorate General (CEC) DMRB Design Manual for Roads and Bridges DOE Department of the Environment DOT Department of Transport DTI Department of Trade and Industry EA environmental assessment EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EC European Community EES environmental evaluation system EIA environmental impact assessment EIR environmental impact report

EISenvironmentalimpactstatementEMASeco-management and audit scheme (CEC)EMSenvironmental management systemENEnglish NatureEPAEnvironmental Protection ActESenvironmental statementESIelectricity supply industryESRCEconomic and Social Research CouncilEUEuropeanUnionFGDflue gas desulphurizationFOEFriends of the EarthFONSIfinding of no significant impactGAMgoals achievement matrixGISgeographical information systemGNPgross national producthahectaresHMIPHerMajesty'sInspectorateofPollutionHMSOHer Majesty's Stationery OfficeIAIAInternational Associationfor ImpactAssessmentIAUImpact Assessment Unit (Oxford Brookes)IEAInstitute of Environmental AssessmentIFIInternational Funding InstitutionIPCintegrated pollution controlkmkilometreLCPlargecombustionplantLILandscape InstituteLPAlocal planning authorityLULUlocally unacceptable land useMAFFMinistry of Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodMAUTmulti-attribute utility theoryMEAManual of environmental appraisalMWmegawattsNEPANational Environmental Policy Act (us)NEPPNational Environmental Policy Plan (Netherlands)NGOnon-government organizationNIMBYnot in my back yard
EIS environmental impact statement EMAS eco-management and audit scheme (CEC) EMS environmental management system EN English Nature EPA Environmental Protection Act ES environmental statement ESI electricity supply industry ESRC Economic and Social Research Council EU European Union FGD flue gas desulphurization FOE Friends of the Earth FONSI finding of no significant impact GAM goals achievement matrix GIS geographical information system GNP gross national product ha hectares HMIP Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Pollution HMSO Her Majesty’s Stationery Office IAIA International Association for Impact Assessment IAU Impact Assessment Unit (Oxford Brookes) IEA Institute of Environmental Assessment IFI International Funding Institution IPC integrated pollution control km kilometre LCP large combustion plant LI Landscape Institute LPA local planning authority LULU locally unacceptable land use MAFF Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food MAUT multi-attribute utility theory MEA Manual of environmental appraisal MW megawatts NEPA National Environmental Policy Act (us) NEPP National Environmental Policy Plan (Netherlands) NGO non-government organization NIMBY not in my back yard

NRANational Rivers AuthorityPADCproject appraisal for development controlPBSplanning balance sheetPPGPlanning Policy Guidance notePPPSpolicies, plansand programmesPWRpressurised water reactorRAriskassessmentRSPBRoyal Society for the Protection of BirdsRTPIRoyal Town Planning InstituteSACTRAStandingAdvisoryCommitteeonTrunkRoadAssessmentSDDScottishDevelopmentDepartmentSEAstrategic environmental assessmentSIAsocial impactassessmentSOSSecretaryof StateSSSISite of Special Scientific InterestT&CPtown and country planningUKUnitedKingdomUNCEDUnitedNationsConferenceonEnvironmentandDevelopmentUNECEUnitedNationsEconomicCommissionforEuropeUNEPUnited NationsEnvironment ProgrammeUSUnited StatesWRAMWaterResourcesAssessmentMethod
NRA National Rivers Authority PADC project appraisal for development control PBS planning balance sheet PPG Planning Policy Guidance note PPPS policies, plans and programmes PWR pressurised water reactor RA risk assessment RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds RTPI Royal Town Planning Institute SACTRA Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment SDD Scottish Development Department SEA strategic environmental assessment SIA social impact assessment SOS Secretary of State SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest T&CP town and country planning UK United Kingdom UNCED United Nations Conference on Environment and Development UNECE United Nations Economic Commission for Europe UNEP United Nations Environment Programme US United States WRAM Water Resources Assessment Method

Part 1Principles and proceduresWTATHECRYCFTHESSOELBENIFLSPOTLOONTOATRLIYESTNE-MLENERS
Part 1 Principles and procedures