Environmental Impact Analysis : Process and Methods

This book provides a comprehensive description of the environmental analysis and approval process. It describes then methods and tools available to successfully accomplish the analysis and includes a step-by-step description of how to prepare an environmental analysis document that meets technical, regulatory, and stakeholder expectations and requirements. Case studies drawn from author’s long experience with preparation and review of environmental analyses illustrate each step. The text details the regulatory mandates and identifies approaches for prediction of impacts, interaction with stakeholders, comparison of alternatives, and obtaining regulatory approval and public acceptance.

There are thousands of environmental analyses prepared each year to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and similar programs. Written by an expert with 35 years of experience in environmental consulting, research, and education, Environmental Impact Analysis: Process and Methods makes the preparation of EIAs not only easier but more thorough. It provides a guide to successfully preparing analyses that are legally defensible; establish the base for environmental protection; and produce better projects, plans, and policies.

Following an informal description of the legal requirements, the book breaks down the analysis process into a logical flow of steps and available methods to identify impacts, compare alternatives, and develop impact mitigation measures. The author illustrates each step and analysis method with examples from case studies he managed, providing insight not available from an independent review of the cases. He offers a comprehensive and consistent approach to analysis with each chapter building on information presented in previous sections.

The book also describes methods from other programs such as hazardous waste clean-up and Natural Resources Damage Assessment and explains how they can be adapted for use in environmental impact analysis. It compares a diverse array of multi-level environmental impact analysis approaches. Readers learn not only how to produce an environmental document that meets regulations but also clearly maximizes the benefits of the analysis and results in a more useful product with strong stakeholder support.