This practical, step-by-step introduction to environmental impact assessment examines EIA tools, procedures, and methodology while taking into account both physical and human environments. With its interdisciplinary approach and extensive Canadian case studies, this text exposes students to EIA at work in the real world.

Table of Contents:
Part One: Environmental Impact Assessment Principles 1. Aims and Objectives of Environmental Impact Assessment Introduction Defining Environmental Impact Assessment - Environmental Change and Effects EIA Theory and Objective - EIA Output and Outcome Objectives The Origins and Development of EIA - EIA Origins - EIA Development International Status of EIA - Canada - Australia - European Union - China - Developing Nations and Development Agencies The Basic EIA Process - Operating Principles Opportunities for and Challenges to EIA - Ensuring a Quality EIA Process - Balancing Efficiency and Efficacy - Improved EIA Governance 2. Overview of Environmental Impact Assessment in Canada EIA in Canada Canadian EIA Systems - Provincial EIA - Northern EIA Development of Federal EIA - EARP Origins - Canadian Environmental Assessment Act - Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 - Major Changes under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 - "Higher-Order" Assessment - EIA Directions 3. Tools Supporting EIA Practice The Practitioner's Toolkit Tools for Impact Identification, Interpretation, Organization, and Communication - Checklists - Matrices - Trends and Associations - Spatial Analysis Tools for Impact Prediction - Analogue Approaches - Judgment - Systems Modelling - Scenario Analysis Tool Selection Part Two: Environmental Impact Assessment Practice 4. Screening Procedures Screening Screening Approaches - Is an EIA Required? - Hybrid Screening Screening Requirements in Canada - Requirements for EIA - Determining Whether an EIA Is Required - Type of EIA Required General Guidance for Screening - Screening and the Precautionary Principle 5. Scoping and Environmental Baseline Assessments Scoping Scoping Requisites - Identification of Project Alternatives - Valued Ecosystem Components - Establish Assessment Boundaries - Conduct the Environmental Baseline Study Scoping Continuation 6. Predicting Environmental Impacts Impact Prediction Predicting Impacts on the Biophysical Environment - What to Predict Predicting Impacts on the Human Environment - What to Predict Characterizing Predicted Impacts - Order of Environmental Effects - Nature of Environmental Effects and Impacts - Temporal Characteristics of Effects and Impacts - Magnitude, Direction - Spatial Extent - Reversibility and Irreversibility - Likelihood of Effects and Impacts Good Practice Requirements for Impact Prediction - Accuracy and Precision - Verifiable Impact Predictions - Addressing Uncertainty 7. Managing Project Impacts Impact Management Managing Adverse Impacts - Avoidance - Mitigation - Remediation - Compensation Managing Positive Impacts - Creating Benefits - Enhancing Benefits Measures That Support Impact Management - Environmental Management Systems - Environmental Protection Plans - Adaptive Management Strategies EIA and Impact Management in Canada 8. Determining Impact Significance Impact Significance Determining Significance - Effect and Impact Characteristics - Impact Importance Approaches to Significance Determination - Technical Approach - Collaborative Approach - Reasoned Argumentation - Composite Approach Toward a Higher Test for Impact Significance - Guidance for Determining Significance 9. Follow-up and Monitoring Follow-up - Follow-up Requirements - Follow-up Components Rationale for Post-decision Monitoring - Compliance Monitoring - Progress Monitoring - Monitoring for Understanding Effective Follow-up and Monitoring - Objectives and Priorities Identified - Targeted Approach to Data Collection - Hypothesis-Based or Threshold-Based Approaches - Combined Stressor- and Effects-Based Monitoring - Control Sites - Continuity in Data Collection - Ensuring Adaptability, Flexibility, and Timelines - Socio-economic-Inclusive Monitoring - Participatory Monitoring Monitoring Methods and Techniques 10. Public Participation in EIA Involving the Publics - Rationale for Involving the Public Nature and Scope of Public Involvement - Identifying the Publics - Levels of Involvement - Provisions and Requirements for Public Participation in Canada Aboriginal Consultation and Engagement - Duty to Consult - Traditional Ecological Knowledge Methods and Techniques Meaningful Participation - Basic Principles - Operating Principles Part Three: Advancing Principles and Practice 11. Cumulative Environmental Effects Assessment Cumulative Environmental Effects - Definition of Cumulative Effects - Sources of Cumulative Effects - Types of Cumulative Effects - Pathways of Cumulative Effects Models of Cumulative Effects Assessment - Effects-Based CEA - Stressor-Based CEA - Good CEA Framework for the Application of CEA - Scoping - Retrospective Analysis - Prospective Analysis - Management State of CEA in Canada - Enduring Challenges and Concerns 12. Strategic Environmental Assessment Strategically Oriented Environmental Assessment - Characteristics of SEA Systems of SEA - SEA in Canada - SEA Benefits and Opportunities - Types of SEA SEA Frameworks - Develop a Reference Framework - Scope the Baseline and Issues of Concern - Identify Trends and Stressors - Formulate Strategic Alternatives - Assess Potential Effects under Each Alternative - Identify a Strategic Direction - Determine Mitigation or Enhancement Needs - Develop a Follow-up Program - Implement the Strategy, Monitor, and Evaluate Directions in SEA 13. Professional Practice and Ethics NEW Professional Practice of EIA - Skills and Qualifications Ethics and Practice - Ethical Responsibilities The Practitioner as Honest Broker Part Four: Environmental Impact Assessment Postscript 14. The Effectiveness of Environmental Assessment: Retrospect and Prospect Introduction The Substantive Effectiveness of Environmental Assessment - Environmental Impact Assessment - Cumulative Effects Assessment - Strategic Environmental Assessment Integrating the Silos of Environmental Assessment Prospects Glossary Index