Perspectives on Environmental Impact Assessment: Proceedings of the Annual WHO Training Courses on Environmental Impact Assessment, Centre for Environmental Management and Planning, University of A

The experience of highly industrialized countries demonstrates that single-minded pursuit of economic develop­ ment is self-defeating because, by disregarding the other components of what is cxmnonly called "the quality of life", it creates conditions which are not acceptable to large sectors of the population. In the recent past a number of projects, for example, major darns, have had unexpectedly deleterious social, envir­ onmental and health consequences. As a result, many govern­ ment department and agencies are investigating the impacts of specific projects and are examining the role impact analysis could play in project planning. The process of environmental impact analysis has been developed, tested and institutionalized in several countries. The objective of the process is a prior identification and definition of likely environmental impacts of projects such as public works, industrial developments and tourist develop­ ments, as well as the impact of policies and legislative proposals. The environmental impact analysis process also includes the definition of alternative courses of action which would achieve comparable economic objectives while eliminatir .. g some or all of the detrimental environmental consequences. Identification of preventive or precautionary measures, which would minimize the unavoidable impacts, fonn an integral part of the process. The aim should be for a balanced appraisal in which economic, technical, social, environmental and health aspects are fully evaluated. Thus viewed, environmental impact analysis emerges as one of the most powerful planning tools for the prevention of environmental pollution and degradation.

Table of Contents:
A: Objectives and Procedures.- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Scope and Objectives.- Environmental Impact Studies in the United States.- Impact Assessment in the United States and Europe.- Canadian Federal and Ontario Provincial Environmental Assessment Procedures.- EIA Procedures in France.- The Evolving EIA Procedure in the Netherlands.- EIA in the Planning Process: A Scottish Overview.- EIA Procedures in Developing Countries.- B: The Role of Environmental Health Assessment.- The Health Component of the Environmental Impact Assessment Process.- Medical Effects of Atmospheric Pollution and Noise.- Health Impacts of the Volta Dam, Ghana.- Assessment of Hazard and Risk Cameron.- C: Assessment Methods and Techniques.- The Use of Methods in Screening and Scoping.- Methods for Assessing Direct Impacts.- Methods for Assessing Indirect Impacts.- Systems Analysis and Environmental Impact Assessment.- A Comparative Analysis of the Utility of EIA Methods.- Development of UNEP Guidelines for Assessing Industrial Environmental Impact and Environmental Criteria for the Siting of Industry.- Assessment of Visual Impact.- Ecological Impact Assessment.- Water Pollution Impact Assessment - Examples for Study.- Physical Environmental Assessment: Some particular problems of the coastal zone.- Solid and Liquid Wastes and the Impacts of their Disposal.- The Economic Input into Environmental Impact Assessment.- Monitoring and Environmental Impact Assessment.- D: Case Studies.- The Role of Environmental Impact Assessment within British Petroleum.- Sullom Voe Oil Terminal: Its Environmental Appraisal.- Some Environmental Aspects of Gas Developments in the UK.- Environmental Assessment of Coal Extraction Projects: The Vale of Belvoir Experience.- Assessment of Water Resource Developments.- The Assessment of Tourism Impacts.