Managing Project Impacts

Question 1

define impact management

Answer 1

strategies and plans to avoid or alleviate potentially adverse effects and to enhance potentially positive effects

Question 2

steps to impact management

Answer 2

1. avoidance
2. mitigation
3. remediation
4. compensation

Question 3

avoidance + example

Answer 3

avoiding potentially adverse environmental impacts at the beginning is more desirable

example:
activity- road construction
cause- surface disturbance, water crossing
effect/impact- loss of wetland
avoidance- avoid wetland by rerouting

Question 4

mitigation + example

Answer 4

Application of project design, construction,
operation, scheduling, management principles
and practices to minimize potentially adverse
environmental impacts

ex:
Activity- Forest Clearing
Causal Factor- Erosion and Runoff
Effect/ Impact- Increased Turbidity
Mitigation - Stream buffer zones

Question 5

Remediation + examples

Answer 5

Restoring the environmental quality or of certain
environmental components
ex:
Activity -Land Fill
Causal Factor- Site Preparation and Waste Disposal
Effect/ Impact- Habitat Loss
Remediation - Vegetating following decommissioning

Question 6

compensation + example

Answer 6

Can involve monetary or other benefit payments
to those affected by the damage caused by project
or the recreation of environmental habitat on site or alternative site

ex:
activity- open pit mine development
cause- drainage of a nearby lake for tailing disposal
impact- loss of fish habitat
compensation- creation of a new habitat

Question 7

give an example of a project that results in a positive/benefit

Answer 7

activity: hydro construction
cause: materials and service purchasing
effect/impact: increase local expenditure
creating benefits: small business support and creation

Question 8

what is an Impact Benefit Agreement (IBA)

Answer 8

-between proponent and community
-addresses project impacts on local communities; associated with compensation measures
-legally binding
-ensures communities have capacity and resources to maximize potential benefits from project

Question 9

What is an Environment Management System

Answer 9

-a tool for impact management
-voluntary and industry-based initiative
-ISO 14000 and ISO14001

Question 10

Why are Environment Management System like ISO 140001 important?

Answer 10

-holds organizations accountable
-helps an organization to identify and control environmental impacts of its operations and actions
-shows an organization where it needs to improve and operate more efficiently

Question 11

What is an Environmental Protection Plan? (EPP)

Answer 11

provides details of impact management actions and the details in which they are to be implemented

Question 12

typical components in an EPP / EMP

Answer 12

-project description
-potential impact description
-Impact Management Strategies ( each affected component is mentioned, followed by how to avoid, minimize, restore, offset/compensate the component)
-targets. indicators, benchmarks for monitoring

Question 13

What is Adaptive Management

Answer 13

-planning for the unknown
-learning by doing
-structures and well integrated
-recognizes that project plans can and must change in response to the environment

Question 14

Adaptive Management basic steps

Answer 14

Implementation–> monitoring–> (re)assessment –>
(re)design –> implementation–>
evaluation–>
adjustment–> implementation