The document discusses environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for development projects. The goals of an EIA are to 1) examine project options and select the best, 2) identify mitigation measures, 3) predict residual impacts, 4) determine significant residual impacts, and 5) identify environmental costs and benefits. EIAs are required by law in Malaysia to prevent environmental problems from projects. Parameters addressed in EIAs include impacts to the physical/natural environment like soil/water/flora/fauna, and human/social impacts like noise/air/land use/heritage. Examples demonstrate assessing hydrological changes and using noise barriers for mitigation.

1. Urban
Transport
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ASSESSMENT
Riza Atiq bin O.K. Rahmat

2. What is Environmental Impact
Assessment?
http://www.jas.sains.my/doe/egeia.htm
The aim of the environmental impact assessment is to
assess the overall impact on the environment of
development projects proposed by the public and private
sectors. The objectives of environmental impact
assessment are:
1. To examine and select the best from the project options
available;
2. To identify and incorporate into the project plan
appropriate abatement and mitigating measures;
3. To predict significant residual environmental impacts;
4. To determine the significant residual environmental
impacts predicted; and
5. To identify the environmental costs and benefits of the
project to the community.

3. Why do we need EIA?
EIA is essentially a planning tool for
preventing environmental problems due to
an action. It seeks to avoid costly mistakes
in project implementation, either because of
the environmental damages that are likely
to arise during project implementation, or
because of modifications that may be
required subsequently in order to make the
action environmentally acceptable. In
Malaysia, EIA is required under section 34A,
Environmental Quality Act, 1974.

4. Parameters likely to be addressed in the description of an EIA
http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/V9933E/V9933E04.htm

5. Environmental issues of a project
Physical and Natural Environment
•Soil erosion
•Water (change in hydrological characteristic, change in
water quality)
•Flora (impact on rare plant species)
•Fauna (Impact on rare animal species)
Project site
Humans and Social Environment
•Noise
•Air quality
•Society life
•Land use
•Cultural heritage
•Landscape

6. Development Impact on Environment
Impact on Construction During operation
Soil and erosion
Water (Change in
hydrological
characteristics)
Flora
Fauna
Noise
Air quality
Society life and
economical activity
Land use (possible
conflicts)
Cultural heritage
Landscape
(Compatibility with the
plans of nature frame

7. Example: Noise
73dB
70dB
15.2m
30.4m
88km/hr
Continuous noise of 80dB will damage human hearing

8. Example: Mitigation
Noise barrier
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_barrier)

9. Example: Change in hydrological characteristics
40% 30%
evaporate evaporate
10%
runoff 55% runoff
water water
25% surface penetration 10% surface penetration
25% deep penetration 5% deep penetration