Baseline Studies

Question 1

Characteristics

Answer 1

… often one of the first activities undertaken in EIA

• Most commonly recognized, yet least understood element of EIA.
• Expensive and time consuming (can swallow of a large part of the overall cost of an EIA)
• Capable of generating vast amounts of information, but much of it may be irrelevant to the resolution of certain critical questions
• Often undertaken without clearly defined objectives.
• Data collection often not related to project decision framework – there are Key Decision Points in the development of a project which important environmental (and socioeconomic) data should be available.

Question 2

Definition

Answer 2

“A description of conditions existing at a point in time against which subsequent changes can be detected through monitoring.”

Question 3

… and monitoring

Answer 3

If the practical objective of EIA is to predict change … from a proposed development …
the Baseline studies provide the before project records,

while Monitoring gives the after project measurements against which changes can be measured in space and time.

Question 4

Example

Answer 4

Natural Gas fired Power Station

• Concerns about effects on:
  air quality (emissions of CO 2 and NOx)
  water quality (cooling water discharges)
• If located in an industrial area NOx levels may already be elevated and receiving
  water stressed
• Baseline Studies will determine existing NOx levels in the vicinity of the proposed Baseline Studies will determine existing NOx levels in the vicinity of the proposed development and hourly/daily/monthly variations, in addition to the species development and hourly/daily/monthly variations, in addition to the species composition, pollutant levels and seasonal temperature changes in the receiving composition, pollutant levels and seasonal temperature changes in the receiving waterwater……
• Predicted emissions and temperature changes can be superimposed on these Predicted emissions and temperature changes can be superimposed on these baseline data. If the new levels are acceptable, approval can be granted, with baseline data. If the new levels are acceptable, approval can be granted, with conditions.conditions.
• Monitoring will then determine actual changes, and plant can be altered if necessary.Monitoring will then determine actual changes, and plant can be altered if necessary.
  It

Question 5

Important

Answer 5

It is important to note the continuity of selected sites and variables from baseline studies thoughto the Monitoring programme.

It is equally important to use standard techniques and procedures throughout the data collection process.

Question 6

… and Project Planning

Answer 6

• Often based on the assumption that there is only one major project decision.
• Production of EIA report enforces this assumption.
• Often too late major decisions on project design already taken.
• In reality there are a multitude of decision points in the planning process.
• Baseline information is needed at all stages.

Question 7

Guidelines for Baseline Studies

Answer 7

Baseline Studies are a critical section of any EIA/EIAR
If they err on the side of brevity…
…the EIA will be accused of inadequacy or
incompleteness…
If they err on the side of excessive (or more importantly, irrelevant) detail…
…they will obscure the significant facts within the EIAR.

Question 8

Three basic guidelines

Answer 8

Relevant:
focused on topics established as significant or key in the Scoping

Sufficient
to unambiguously establish the character, extent, significance and vulnerability of each majorcomponent of the environment

Credible
accurate, complete and drawn from the best available authoritative sources …if limited, incomplete or unverified it must be so identified.