Environmental Impact Report

Information relating to Environmental Impact Reports(EIR)and how they are used to address potential threats and risks to the environment. The EIR outlines the extent to which these threats are likely and manageable.

An Introduction to Environmental Impact Reports

To apply the certainty principle in relation to the likely environmental impacts of a regulated activity it is required that a licensee prepares an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the regulated activities which addresses their threats and risks on the environment and outlines the extent to which these threats are likely and manageable.

Contents of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

Contents of an Environmental Impact Report (Regulation 10):

  • a description of the activities to be carried out.
  • a description of the specific features of the natural, social/cultural and economic aspects of the environment which may be affected by the activities.
  • a description of the actual and potential events associated with the activities that could pose a threat to the various aspects of the environment defined under 2) above. Including their likelihood and the level of certainty in their prediction.
  • an assessment of the potential consequences of the above defined events on the various aspects of the environment.
  • detailed information on the extent to which the above potential consequences can be managed including information on their duration, size and scope.
  • information on any consultation undertaken with the relevant land owner or occupier, relevant government agencies or other interested groups or individuals.

 Quality of Information in a Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

The information and material provided by the EIR must:

  • be balanced, objective and concise;
  • state any limitations that apply, or should apply, to the use of the information and material;
  • identify any area or issue in relation to which there is a significant lack of relevant information or a significant degree of uncertainty;
  • identify the sensitivity to change of any assumption that has been made and any significant risks that may arise if an assumption is later found to be incorrect;
  • be presented in a way that allows a person assessing the information or material to understand how conclusions have been reached and allows the information or material to be used to make an informed decision on the level of environmental impact of a particular activity without the need to obtain additional technical advice.