The status of ecology in the British environmental impact assessment process

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a process by which the potential environmental impacts of a proposed development are assessed. An assessment of the ecological impacts of a development on ecosystems, habitats and species is required under the 1985 European Directive 85/337/EEC, which is implemented in Britain through the 1988 Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations. The status of ecology within the British EIA process was investigated by analysing 179 environmental statements mostly produced between 1989 and 1992. Criteria relating to ecological survey infonnation, consultation, impact prediction and evaluation, mitigation, and monitoring were used. Most of the ecological infonnation presented was of such poor quality, or of such limited quantity, that it was not adequate to assess the ecological implications of the proposed schemes. Only 21% of statements devoted more than 10% to ecology. Only 45% were based on new ecological survey information, with only 59% of surveys conducted by an ecologist. Consultation with a statutory body was reported by 48°c. Potential impacts were identified in 92° o of statements, but only 90 quantified impacts. Although 78% mentioned mitigation measures, only 23° o described them. A major shortcoming was that none gave a commitment to monitor development impacts. It was concluded that a major reason for these shortcomings is a lack of guidance for developers and ecologists involved in ELA. As a potential solution, survey guidelines incorporating a simple scoring system were produced and tested for woodlands, a habitat type particularly prone to development pressure. The shortcomings described relate to the individual project approach to EIA. The European Community is discussing environmental impact assessment of policies, plans and programmes, a process known as strategic environmental assessment (SEA). The need for, and feasibility of, SEA was investigated from an ecological point of view for a habitat (lowland heath), a bio-geographic unit (the coastal zone) and an industry (salmon frming). SEA frameworks for each are outlined and the required legislative changes are discussed. The need for ecologists to involve themselves in EIA initiatives, and to learn lessons from the longer established north American EIA system, is stressed. This will help to enhance the status of ecology within the British EIA process.

Grantor dc:publisher

Oxford Brookes University

Year dc:date

1994

Author dc:creator

• Thompson, Stewart

Contributors dc:contributor

• Thurling, David
• Lack, Andrew
• Porter, Keith
• Long, Hazel

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Language dc:language

en

DOI dc:identifier

https://doi.org/10.24384/wgxm-9r84

OAI identifier oai:identifier

tle:0c199be4-d486-4682-8f85-377897d9b80d:d6bd9758-527a-46cd-bfe2-c433766e8fca:1