THE CONSIDERATION OF IMPACTS UPON THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS IN ENGLAND AND WALES

El-Sayed A. Badr, Matthew Cashmore and Dick Cobb
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El-Sayed A. Badr: School of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
Matthew Cashmore: InteREAM, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
Dick Cobb: InteREAM, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK

Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), 2004, vol. 06, issue 01, 19-49

Abstract: Considerable research has been undertaken on the quality of Environmental Impact Statements as an indicator, albeit superficial, of the effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) practices. Yet there remains a paucity of empirical data on practices at the more detailed level (e.g., for the consideration of certain environmental components and stages of the EIA process), despite the importance of such analyses for the development of grounded measures for enhancing effectiveness. This study contributes to the development of a detailed empirical understanding of EIA practices by examining analyses of impacts upon the aquatic environment (Water Impact Assessment (WIA)) for a sample of 50 development proposals in England and Wales. The research results indicate that WIA practices have improved over time, but a significant proportion of assessments remain unsatisfactory, and the quality of core elements of WIA (e.g., the consideration of alternatives and impact prediction) is particularly problematic. It is suggested that changes made to the EU EIA legislation have not significantly affected WIA practices in England and Wales. However, practices are not as problematic as research indicates is the case for ecological, socio-economic and cumulative impact assessments. Further strengthening the legislative provisions for EIA would partially address a number of specific problems (e.g., inadequate scoping and provision for monitoring). Nevertheless, a comprehensive and concerted strategy for enhancing effectiveness will be required if WIA is fulfil its potential for contributing to the management maxim of sustainable development.

Keywords: Environmental impact assessment; water impact assessment; effectiveness; quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1142/S1464333204001572

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