INTRODUCTION

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is normally reviewed once

it has been completed before being submitted to the decision making

authority to conduct a decision making process either for approval of an

undertaking or not.

In most countries the formal review of the draft Environmental Impact

Statement (EIS) is undertaken by a governmental environmental review

agency of which the results of the review are then passed on to another

agency for ultimate approval for the development of an undertaking.

In spite of the important role that EIA information plays in project approval

processes, the quality of EIA reports is highly variable

The scientific and technical information upon which environmental

assessment decisions are being made is often inadequate. Some primary

reasons for poor quality EIA reports are;

Lack of qualified environmental experts, and insufficient time and money as

well as other logistical support

Inadequate terms of reference (TOR) for the EIA study

Some review authorities are not very rigorous in their review of the draft EIA

reports.

The main purpose of the review is to verify that the information and

conclusions presented in the EIA report which is the EIS are sufficient for

informed decision making. The results of the review are then passed on to

another agency for ultimate approval of the development an undertaken of

which the EIA report should satisfy three criteria as follows:

Completeness and conformance with the TOR for the EIA

 Accuracy and veracity as defined by general acceptable scientific criteria

(for example, quality assurance and quality control procedures for analysis of

sampling data) and use of acceptable methods for the assessment of

environmental impacts; and

Clear description of environmental impacts, recommended mitigation

measures, environmental monitoring plan, and environmental management

plan.

SCOPE

Review of EIA reports in foreign countries would be limited to following

countries: USA, UK, California, The Netherlands, Canada, Australia and New

Zealand taking into consideration the geographical and socioeconomic status

of these countries.

GEOGRAPHICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC POSITIONS

USA

The United States of America (also referred to as the United States, the U.S.,

the USA, or America) is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty

states and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North

America, where its forty-eight contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the

capital district, lie between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, bordered by

Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The state of Alaska is in the

northwest of the continent, with Canada to the east and Russia to the west

across the Bering Strait. The state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-
Pacific. The country also possesses several territories in the Caribbean and

Pacific.

At 3.79 million square miles (9.83 million km2) and with over 308 million

people, the United States is the third or fourth largest country by total area,

and the third largest both by land area and population. It is one of the

world's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of

large-scale immigration from many countries.[6] The U.S. economy is the

world's largest national economy, with an estimated 2009 GDP of $14.3

trillion (24% of nominal global GDP and 20% of global GDP at purchasing

power parity).

The United States life expectancy of 77.8 years at birth is a year shorter than

the overall figure in Western Europe, and three to four years lower than that

of Norway, Switzerland, and Canada. Over the past two decades, the

country's rank in life expectancy has dropped from 11th to 42nd in the world.

The infant mortality rate of 6.37 per thousand likewise places the United

States 42nd out of 221 countries, behind all of Western Europe. The U.S.

health care system far outspends any other nations, measured in both per

capita spending and percentage of GDP. The World Health Organization

ranked the U.S. health care system in 2000 as first in responsiveness, but

37th in overall performance. The United States is a leader in medical

innovation. In 2004, the non-industrial sector spent three times as much as

Europe per capita on biomedical research.

AUSTRALIA
Australia ,officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the

Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent,

the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and

Pacific Oceans. Neighboring countries include Indonesia, East Timor and

Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New

Caledonia to the northeast and New Zealand to the southeast. Since

Federation, Australia has maintained a stable liberal democratic political

system and is a Commonwealth realm. The population is 22 million, with

approximately 60% concentrated in and around the mainland state capitals

of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. The nation's capital city

is Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory.

A prosperous developed country, Australia is the world's thirteenth largest

economy. Australia ranks highly in many international comparisons of

national performance such as human development, quality of life, health

care, life expectancy, public education, economic freedom and the protection

of civil liberties and political rights. Australia is a member of the United

Nations, G20, Commonwealth of Nations, ANZUS, OECD, APEC, Pacific Islands

Forum and the World Trade Organization.

Australia has a free-market economy with high GDP per capita and low rate

of poverty. The Australian dollar is the currency for the nation. Ranked third

in the Index of Economic Freedom (2010), Australia is the world's thirteenth

largest economy and has the eleventh highest per capita GDP; higher than

that of the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada and Japan, and on par

with that of the United States. The country was ranked second in the United

Nations 2009 Human Development Index. The service sector of the

economy, including tourism, education, and financial services, accounts for

about 70% of GDP.

Life expectancy in Australia is relatively high, with figures of 78.7 years for

males and 83.5 years for females born in 2006.

CANADA

Following several constitutional conferences, the Constitution Act, 1867

officially proclaimed Canadian Confederation, creating "one Dominion under

the name of Canada" on July 1, 1867, with four provinces: Ontario, Quebec,

Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. The population density, 3.3 inhabitants per

square kilometer (8.5 /sq mi), is among the lowest in the world

Canada occupies a major northern portion of North America, sharing the land

borders with the contiguous United States to the south and the U.S. state of

Alaska to the northwest, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the

Pacific Ocean in the west; to the north lies the Arctic Ocean. By total area

(including its waters), Canada is the second-largest country in the world—

after Russia. By land area, Canada ranks fourth.[82] The country lies between

latitudes 41° and 84°N, and longitudes 52° and 141°W.Canada has an

extensive coastline on its north, east, and west, and since the last glacial

period it has consisted of eight distinct forest regions, including extensive

boreal forest on the Canadian Shield. The vastness and variety of Canada's

geography, ecology, vegetation and landforms have given rise to a wide

variety of climates throughout the country. Because of its vast size, Canada

has more lakes than any other country, containing much of the world's fresh

water. There are also fresh-water glaciers in the Canadian Rockies and the
Mountains. Canada is also geologically active, having many earthquakes and

potentially active volcanoes.

Canada is one of the world's wealthiest nations, with a high per-capita

income, and it is a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation

and Development (OECD) and the G8. It is one of the world's top ten trading

nations. Canada is a mixed market, ranking above the U.S. on the Heritage

Foundation's index of economic freedom and higher than most western

European nations and aeronautics representing particularly important

industries.

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean

comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island),

and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the

Chatham Islands. The indigenous Māori language name for New Zealand is

Aotearoa, commonly translated as land of the long white cloud. The Realm of

New Zealand also includes the Cook Islands and Niue (self-governing but in

free association); Tokelau; and the Ross Dependency (New Zealand's

territorial claim in Antarctica).

New Zealand is notable for its geographic isolation; it is situated about

2,000 kilometers (1,200 mi) southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea,

and its closest neighbors to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga.

During its long isolation New Zealand developed a distinctive fauna

dominated by birds, a number of which became extinct after the arrival of

humans and the mammals they introduced. The country's islands lie
between latitudes 29° and 53°S, and longitudes 165° and 176°E. The main

North and South Islands are separated by the Cook Strait, 22 kilometers (14

mi) wide at its narrowest point.[133] The total land area of 268,021 square

kilometers (103,483 sq mi)[134] is a little less than that of Italy or Japan, and a

little more than the United Kingdom.

The majority of New Zealand's population is of European descent; the

indigenous Māori are the largest minority. Asians and non-Māori Polynesians

are also significant minority groups, especially in urban areas. The most

commonly spoken language is English.

New Zealand has a modern, prosperous and developed market economy

with an estimated gross domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity

(PPP) per capita between US$27,420 and $US29,352, 4th most livable city

and Wellington the 12th by the Mercer Quality of Life Survey.

NETHERLANDS

The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands,

located mainly in North-West Europe and with parts in the Caribbean. It is a

parliamentary democratic constitutional monarchy. Mainland Netherlands

borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and

Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders with Belgium, Germany

and the United Kingdom. The capital is Amsterdam and the seat of

government is The Hague.[8]

The Netherlands is a geographically low-lying country, with about 25% of its

area and 21% of its population located below sea level,[11] with 50% of its

land lying less than one meter above sea level.[12] Significant land area has
been gained through land reclamation and preserved through an elaborate

system of polders and dikes. Much of the Netherlands is formed by the

estuary of three important European rivers, which together with their

distributaries form the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta. Most of the country is

very flat, with the exception of foothills in the far southeast and several low-

hill ranges in the central parts. The BES islands, or Caribbean Netherlands,

became part of the Netherlands proper after the dissolution of the

Netherlands Antilles on 10 October 2010.

The Netherlands has the 16th largest economy in the world, and ranks 7th in

GDP (nominal) per capita. Between 1998 and 2000 annual economic growth

(GDP) averaged nearly 4%, well above the European average. Growth slowed

considerably from 2001 to 2005 with the global economic slowdown, but

accelerated to 4.1% in the third quarter of 2007. Inflation is 1.3%, and

unemployment is at 4.0% of the labor force. By Eurostat standards,

unemployment in the Netherlands is at 4.1% (April 2010) – the lowest rate of

all European Union member states.[49] The Netherlands also has a relatively

low GINI coefficient of 0.326. Despite ranking only 7th in GDP per capita,

UNICEF ranked the Netherlands 1st in child well-being.[50] On the Index of

Economic Freedom Netherlands is the 13th most free market capitalist

economy out of 157 surveyed countries.

CALIFORNIA

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States.

Nicknamed "The Golden State," it is the most populous[5] and third-largest

state by land area, after Alaska and Texas. It is home to the nation's second-

and sixth-largest census statistical areas and eight of the nation's 50 most

populous cities. Its five largest cities are Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose,

San Francisco, and Fresno.] California's capital is Sacramento. California's

population was counted by the US Census Bureau at 37,253,956 for the 2010

census, making it the most populous state.]

As of 2007, the gross state product (GSP) is about $1.812 trillion, the largest

in the United States. California is responsible for 13 percent of the United

States gross domestic product (GDP). As of 2006, California's GDP is larger

than all but eight countries in the world (all but eleven countries by

Purchasing Power Parity). California's unemployment rate exceeds 12%.

UNITED KINGDOM

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (commonly known

as the United Kingdom, the UK, or Britain) is a sovereign state located off the

north-western coast of continental Europe. The total area of the United

Kingdom is approximately 243,610 square kilometers (94,060 sq mi). It

consists of the island of Great Britain, the northeastern one-sixth of the

island of Ireland, and smaller surrounding islands. It lies between the North

Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, coming within 35 kilometers (22 mi) of the

coast of northern France, from which it is separated by the English Channel.

[5]
As of 1993 10% of the UK was forested, 46% used for pastures, and 25%

used for agriculture The United Kingdom lies between latitudes 49° and 61°

N, and longitudes 9° W to 2° E. Most of the country consists of lowland

terrain.
The UK has a partially regulated free market economy. Based on market

exchange rates, the UK is today the sixth largest economy in the world and

the third largest in Europe after Germany and France, after having fallen

behind France in 2008 for the first time in over a decade.[133] In recent years,

the UK economy has been managed in accordance with principles of market

liberalization and low taxation and regulation.

In July 2007, the UK had government debt at 35.5% of GDP. this figure rose

to 56.8% of GDP by July 2009.

VARIOUS EIA STAGES

USA

Proposal Identification

Screening

The agency undertakes preliminary environmental analysis (PEA) to

determine the following:-

The need for Environmental Impact Statement (EIS):

Excursion from the preparation of EIA due to insignificant impacts. The

preparation of finding no significant impacts is written to deal with the

reasons for granting the excursion from EIA.

EIA is necessary to address the significant impacts identified during the PEA.

Scoping:

Brings different interests in the proposal to agreement on significant impacts

and possible investigation.

EIA Report Preparation

Preparation of draft EIS based on the mandated agency guidelines or

regulations which constitute the following:-

Description of the existing environment

Detailed explanation of the proposed project

Analysis of the effects of the project on the environment (not exceeding 150

pages)

Review

The EPA critically reviews draft EIS

Local groups, organizations and public participates in the review (45 days)

Prepares final EIS after consultation process.

Decision Making

A record of decision is prepared indicating the kind of the reason for taking

such decision.

Record of decision is used after a 30 day waiting period after filling final EIS

with EPA.

Monitoring

Ensuring that various mitigation measures are implemented as stated in the

final EIS.

CALIFORNIA

The main steps involved in the California EIA follow California Environmental

Quality Act (CEQA) process.

(a) Preliminary Analysis/Initial Study

This is where a lend agency determines where a proposed project will cause

a significance effect or not on the environment using CEQA guidelines

checklists.

(b) The lead agency determines the following:

Issues negative declaration if the project will not have any significant effect.

Choose to revise the negative declaration in the light of newly submitted

information

Issues a mitigated declaration if mitigation measures will clearly avoid any

significant effect.

Determine that a full EIR will be necessary

No further CEQA review is required if negative declaration stands survives.

(c) Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

EIR is prepared if project will have significant environmental effect. This is

determined by lead agency. EIR involves the following phases:

Scoping

The lead agency issues notice of intent soliciting views from public agencies

and the general public about issues in EIR.

Publish Draft EIR

The lead agency prepares draft EIR after gathering relevant data to the

proposed project and its environmental impacts. This takes several weeks to

several years.

Review and Comment

A draft EIR is subjected to public scrutiny, review and comment. Ranging

from 30-60 days,

After this period, the agency revises the EIR to address the comments.

Publish Final EIR

The final EIR contains the draft EIR, comment received and

recommendations on the draft EIR.

(d) Project Approval

The lead agency determines whether to approve the project after final EIR. 6

project will not be approved if feasible mitigation measures will not reduce

significant environment effects.

(e) Mitigation Monitoring

The lead agency adopt and implement a monitoring and reporting program

to ensure that mitigation measure reduce environmental effects.

U.K.

The main steps involved in the EIA are:

Proposal initiation

Screening

Schedule one and two projects require EA whiles other projects of EA is not

required.

Scoping

Proponent determines the scoping EIA

EIA report preparation

Proponent prepares Es

Review

Public reviews ES

Proponent is required to submit further information

Decision Making

Local Planning Authority evaluates environmental statement and comments

recurred.

Local Planning Authority makes final decision.

NETHERLANDS

The steps involved in the Dutch EIA process are outlined as follows:-

Proposal Identification

Screening

Proposal mandatorily requires EIA

Proposal possibly requires EIA after application of thresholds and criteria

Other proposal may not requires EIS

Scoping

Proponent prepares notice of intent

EIA commission prepares guidelines recommendations

Competent authority issues guidelines

There is provision for public participation

EIA Report Preparation

Competent or relevant authority determines if EIA is acceptable.

Review

EIA commission evaluates EIS and advises competent authority.

Proponent prepares supplementary EIS.

Decision Making

Competent authority makes decision.

CANADA

The steps of EIA in Canada are:-

Proposal Identification (Initiation)

Screening

Self-directed assessment

Public review

Regulatory Authority Determination

The need for EA or not

Scoping

Regulatory Authority determines the scope screening and the extent of

study.

EIA Report Preparation

Regulatory Authority ensures screening report is prepared as well as

comprehensive study report.

Public Review

The EIA report is subjected to public review.

Decision Making
Regulatory Authority makes decision based on the outcome or result of the

public review on EIA report.

Monitoring

Regulatory Authority ensures that initiates measures are implanted as

indicated in EIA report.

However, if the Regulatory Authority decides that EIA report is

unsatisfactory, proponent is required to go through a mediation process. In

this case, EA is required at the screening stage and the process is repeated

again.

Screening

Scoping

EIA report

Public review

Decision making

Monitoring

AUSTRALIA

The main steps involved in Australia EIA System are:-

Identification of process

Screening

Action department assures the proposal and refers it to proponent.

Proponent prepares notice of intent

From there, other processes are required:-

Public enquiry
PER requirement

EIS requirement

Recommendation

If EIA is not required, the project is executed.

Scoping (EIA is required)

Commonwealth EPH prepares guidelines

EIA Report Preparation

Proponent prepares draft EIS.

Review

Public review

Proponent prepares final EIS

Decision Making

Commonwealth EPA prepares assessment report

Recommendation by Environment Minister

Action Minister makes decision

Monitoring

Monitoring to ensure that mitigation measures are implemented as stated in

EIS.

NEW ZEALAND

The main steps involved in EIA of New Zealand EIA are:

Project proposal

Screening

Prohibited site use

Non-crop lying discretionary use (EIA)

Controlled site use (EIA required)

Permitted site use (EIA not required)

Scoping

This is carried out where EIA is required.

EIA Report Preparation

Proponent prepares EIA report.

Review

Local council reviews EIA report

Notified project

Local council request independent review

Proponent prepares further information

Local council holds hearing

Decision Making

Local and comments received

Local council makes decision

In all the above countries, there are comprehensive arrangement under the

National environmental Policy Act for the review of draft EIS. The lead

agency must circulate the draft for review to prescribe agencies taken into

consideration the following:

The review of the EIA report must take place

Checks on objective of the EIA report review

Review criteria to determine EIA report adequately

An independent review body with appropriate expertise

The finding of the EIA report review body must be published

The proponent should be asked for more information following the review

A draft and final EIA report must be prepared

Published guidance on the EIA review procedure and method

Consultation and participation required in the EIA report review

There must be appeal against review decision

EIA report review must function effectively and efficient

From the table below it is evidence that United Kingdom does not fully meet

the EIA report review criterion. Even in the United Kingdom it is not the

public of the EIA report which is missing but the duty of the proponent to

respond formally to the points raised. In practice, the proponent usually

provides further information if it is requested by the local planning authority

on demand.

Criterion Must EIA report be publicly review and the proponent respond to

the points raised?

Jurisdiction Criterion met? Comment

United States Yes Lead agency must respond to

agency and public comment on

published draft EIS in final EIA

California Yes Lead agency must respond to all

relevant comment on published draft

 EIR in final EIR.
United Review: Yes LPA may request further information

Kingdom Response: No and proponent usually provide it.

Proponent under no duty to respond to

comment.
The Yes Where necessary, supplementary EIA

Netherlands commission review the EIS.

Canada Partially Discretionary public review of

screening report, public review of

comprehensive study report, and

extensive public review, with proponent

respond of EIS.
Australia Yes Proponent respond in final EIS to

relevant point raised on published draft

EIS.
New Zealand No Local authority power to commission

independent review of public EIA report

at developer’s expense and to demand

more information for notification.

SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW OF EIA

In United States there is a formal general guidance on EIA review but EPA

(1984) has issued policy guidance concerning the quality of the draft and the

acceptance of the proposed action. Generally there have being criticism of

the time taken of the EIS review since the process seem to work reasonably

efficient and there is no doubt that it is ensuring the concern of the various

relevant agencies and perhaps to a lesser extent the public .

Also in California, legal action against the lead agency may be taken on

ground that the final EIR is inadequate. The scope of judicial review does not

extend to the correction of an EIR’s conclusions, but only to its sufficiency as

an information document for decision-makers and the public.

In the Netherlands once the competent authority has accepted the EIS, the

public must be notified and the EIS is made public together with the draft

decision on the proposal. In general the EIA review process is working

reasonably well. The level of expertise within the competent authorities is

growing, the public is becoming increasingly involved and as a result the

quality of EIS is improving. The evaluation committee on EIA saw the role of

the EIA commissions published review of the EIS as critical tool to

maintaining and improving the quality of EIS.

In Canada the situation relating to public review of EA report varies with the

type of report. In the self directed assessment procedure, there are

differences between the screening and comprehensive study tracks.

For Australia the requirement to public and agency review of the

environmental impact statement are specified in considerable detail manner

in the administrative procedure. Notwithstanding the various checks and

balances on the preparation and review of the EIA report including the role of

EPA as an independent arbiter, Criticisms have been labeled at the

frequently lengthening EISs

While these criticisms are not universal, it appears that the EPAs various

checks on the quality of EISs are invaluable.

The review stage on the part of the New Zealand EIA process serves two

purposes: first it reviews the information provided by the developer to

determine its adequacy and to permit the decision on the action to proceed.

Secondly, it acts as a screening stage unlike the Canadian EIA system where

the review process usually requires further information from the developer.

REFERENCES:

Holling (1978), Bisset (1980, 1981, 1984), Sewell and Korrick (1984),

Caldwell et al. (1983),

Beanlands and Dunker (1984), Culhane (1987), Culhane et al. (1987),

McCallum (1987), Tomlinson and Atkinson (1987a, b), Bisset and

Tomlinson (1988), Sadler (1988), Bailey and Hobbs (1990), Bailey et al.

(1992), Buckley (1990, 1991a), Glasson et al. (1994).