Impact significance determination—Back to basics

Lawrence, David P.

doi:10.1016/j.eiar.2007.02.011

Cited by 72 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Although numerous procedures, criteria and methods are described within EIA literature, no consensus has been reached on the most effective method/s to determine impact significance (Lawrence 2007). However Lawrence (2007, p.762) notes that most approaches are phased or iterative with the common realisation that:…”

Section: Essential Components Of Significance Determinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…IAIA & IEA 1999). Lawrence (2007) noted the importance of clearly identifying the connections between significance determination and decision-making, particularly in relation to how these determinations form and guide the EIA process. Wood (2008) found transparency could be enhanced through the use of well-defined significance criteria and evaluation frameworks.…”

Section: Transparency In Decision-making and Significance Determinationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Have a clear operational framework for how significance is determined throughout the EIA (Ehrlich and Ross 2015;Wood 2008;Lawrence 2007;Ross et al 2006;Wood 2003;Sippe 1999;Canter and Canty 1993;Kennedy and Ross 1992); 2. Focus EIA attention only on significant issues (Ross et al 2006;Briggs and Hudson 2013;Wood 2003;Sadler and Fuller, 2002 Kennedy and Ross 1992;IAIA & IEA 1999;Sippe 1999;Canter and Canty 1993;Duniker and Beanlands 1986); 3.…”

Section: Essential Components Of Significance Determinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However it remains a misunderstood component of the EIA process and a cause of conflict with the meaning of significance varying throughout the various phases of the EIA process (Kjellenup 1999;Lawrence 2007;Wood 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Making sense of significance in environmental impact assessment

Jones

Morrison‐Saunders

2016

Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal

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Impact significance determination lies at the heart of environmental impact assessment (EIA) but conflict and misunderstanding around the concept is common. This paper attempts to make sense of impact significance in EIA based on four essential components of significance synthesised from the literature to ensure that: (1) a clear operational framework for significance determination applies throughout EIA, (2) attention focuses only on significant issues, (3) the term significance is specified and applied consistently, and (4) significance determinations are transparent to all EIA stakeholders. To provide a practical perspective, the extent to which EIA institutional provisions in Western Australia uphold these significance determination components is reviewed. Overall the Western Australian approach generally meets all four components, but areas for improvement include: better guidance encouraging proponents to adopt a more consultative approach to determining relevant environmental factors and objectives to better focus EIA, and distinguishing between terms used for significance within EIA documentation. A new significance framework approach in Western Australia represents a clear attempt to uplift practice, but opportunity exists to improve the way impact significance determinations are presented to stakeholders. EIA practitioners may benefit from mapping and making sense of impact significance in their own jurisdiction using the four components presented.

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Section: Essential Components Of Significance Determinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Transparency In Decision-making and Significance Determinationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Essential Components Of Significance Determinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Making sense of significance in environmental impact assessment

Jones

Morrison‐Saunders

2016

Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal

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show abstract

“…Or, they may be issues related more directly to the procedure and stages of EIA. These issues may include, for example, success of screening (Hokkanen and Polonen, 2006;Weston, 2000) and scoping (Snell and Cowell, 2005;Ross et al, 2006), lack of impartiality of the process Glasson et al, 2005), insufficient consideration of alternatives (Steinemann, 2001), and difficulties in determination of impact significance (Lawrence, 2007;Ross et al, 2006) and in the conduct of follow-up . Also, concerns about communication of results and their use in decision-making have often been expressed .…”

Section: The Quality Of Environmental Impact Assessments In Finlandmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effectiveness of the Finnish EIA system — What works, what doesn't, and what could be improved?

Pölönen

Hokkanen

Jalava

2011

Environmental Impact Assessment Review

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Impact Assessment

Lawrence¹

2015

Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology

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The field of impact assessment (IA) is very important to the chemical industry and to industries using chemical technologies. Such industries are sometimes directly subject to IA requirements. Industrial decision making (eg, locations and management practices) can be affected directly by IA requirements, documents, and methodology and indirectly through the actions of regulatory agencies and government bodies responsible for chemically related policies and programs. IA also has much to offer in terms of effective methods and procedures directly relevant to sound environmental planning and management. It is a sound practice to be aware of this well‐established, but still rapidly evolving, field and of its implications for the chemical industry. It starts with understanding the meaning, origins, and types of IA. It entails appreciating IA institutional arrangements, as reflected in IA legislation, regulations, and guidelines. It requires awareness of IA processes (activities and process design choices) and methods (for activities and for IA specialties). It means recognizing new IA directions and emerging priorities. It underscores the need to know where to go to obtain detailed and up‐to‐date information and insights about IA requirements, theory, and practice.

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Impact significance determination—Back to basics

Cited by 72 publications

References 16 publications

Making sense of significance in environmental impact assessment

Making sense of significance in environmental impact assessment

The effectiveness of the Finnish EIA system — What works, what doesn't, and what could be improved?

Impact Assessment

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