Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment is designed to be the primary text for teaching environmental impact assessment. The focus is procedural training in EIA, with an emphasis on good principles and practices of EIA. IT provides extensive case studies, most of which are Canadian while the others are American, European, and Australian.

* NOTE: Each chapter ends with a list of Key Terms, Study Questions and Exercises, and References List of Boxes List of Tables List of Figures Preface: Using This Guide Acknowledgements Part I: Environmental Impact Assessment Principles Chapter 1: Aims and Objectives of Environmental Impact Assessment Introduction Defining Environmental Impact Assessment EIA Objectives and Principles The Origins and Development of EIA EIA Origins EIA Development International Status of EIA Canada Australia European Union Japan China Developing Nations and Developmental Agencies EIA Process Benefits and Challenges to EIA Chapter 2: An Overview of Environmental Impact Assessment in Canada EIA in Canada Canadian EIA Systems Provincial EIA Northern EIA Legal Development of EIA EARP Origins Canadian Environmental Assessment Act Towards 'Higher-Order' Assessment EIA Directions Part II: Foundations of Environmental Impact Assessment Chapter 3: Nature and Classification of Environmental Impacts Environmental Effects and Impacts Order of Environmental Effects and Impacts Simple Classification of Effects and Impacts Nature of Environmental Effects and Impacts Temporal Characteristics of Impacts Magnitude, Direction, and Spatial Extent of Impacts Reversibility and Irreversibility of Impacts Likelihood of Impacts Chapter 4: Methods Supporting EIA Practice Methods and Techniques Methods for Impacts Identification and Classification Examination of Similar Projects Checklists Simple Matrices Interaction Matrices Networks Overlays and Features Mapping Systems Models Expert Judgement Methods Selection Techniques for Involvement and Communication Rationale for Public Involvement Levels of Public Involvement Identifying the Publics Methods and Techniques Elements for Successful Public Involvement Part III: Environmental Impact Assessment Practice Chapter 5: Screening Procedures Screening Screening Approaches Is an EIA Required? Screening Requirements in Canada Requirements for EIA Type of EIA Required Some General Guidelines for Project Screening Chapter 6: Scoping Procedures EIA Scoping Scoping Types and Functions Scoping Requisites Describe the Proposed Activity Scope Project Alternatives Establish the Environmental Baseline Establish Assessment Boundaries Identify Potential Impacts and Issues Scoping Continuation Chapter 7: Predicting Environmental Impacts Impact Prediction Basic Requirements of Impact Predictions Accuracy and Precision Techniques for Impact Prediction Mechanistic Models Statistical Models Balance Models Experimental Techniques Analogue Techniques Judgemental Techniques Predicting Impacts on the Biophysical Environment What to Predict Techniques Challenges to Impact Prediction Addressing Uncertainty in Impact Prediction Verifiable Impact Predictions Chapter 8: Determining Impact Significance Impact Significance Determining Significance Impact Characteristics Impact Importance Methods, Techniques, and Guidance Fixed-Point Scoring Rating Paired Comparisons Scope of Significant Impacts Chapter 9: Managing Project Impacts Impact Management Managing Negative Impacts Avoidance Mitigation Rectification Compensation Managing Positive Impacts Creating Benefits Enhancing Benefits Measures That Support Impact Management Environmental Management Systems Environmental Protection Plans Impact Benefit Agreements EIA and Impact Management in Canada Chapter 10: Post-Decision Monitoring Follow-up Follow-up Components Rationale for Post-Decision Monitoring Compliance Monitoring Progress Monitoring Monitoring for Understanding Requirements for Effective Monitoring Objectives and Priorities Identified Targeted Approach to Data Collection Hypothesis-based or Threshold-based Approaches Control Sites Continuity Adaptability, Flexibility, and Timeliness Inclusiveness Monitoring Methods and Techniques Part IV: Advancing Principles and Practices in Environmental Impact Assessment Chapter 11: Cumulative Environmental Effects Developing an Awareness of Cumulative Effects Definition of Cumulative Effects Sources of Cumulative Effects Types of Cumulative Effects Pathways of Cumulative Effects Cumulative Effects Assessment Spatial Boundaries for CEA Temporal Boundaries for CEA Methods for CEA Towards a Regional Approach to CEA in Canada Chapter 12: Strategic Environmental Assessment The Basis of Strategic Assessment Systems of SEA Aims and Objectives Types of SEA SEA Frameworks Screening Scoping Assessing Initiatives and Option Impacts Determining Significance Identifying the Preferred Option Directions in SEA Appendix I: Alternative Means: An Exercise in Project Assessment Appendix II: Alternative To: An Exercise in Strategic Assessment Glossary of Key Terms Index

Bram NobleAssistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of Saskatchewan