The typography of environmental impact statements: Criteria, evaluation, and public participation

Abstract

/ Guidelines for implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act state that environmental impact statements (EISs) shall use "appropriate graphics." We examined one component of graphics, typography, identifying applicable criteria from the literature and applying them to 150 EISs prepared by seven agencies. We found that the EISs ranged widely in typographic quality. The average EIS met fewer than seven of ten criteria; 12% were considered unreadable. The results suggest that weak typography may seriously limit public review of EISs. Agencies are encouraged to make typography a serious component of their public participation programs.

Plain Language in Environmental Policy Documents: An Assessment of Reader Comprehension and Perceptions

“…A few studies have examined the visual aspects of PL guidelines in EIS summaries [22], yet public understanding of EIS summaries is poor [23].…”

Provisions for more meaningful public participation still elusive in proposed Canadian EA Bill

“…These are also common issues in the EA literature (Petts, 1999;Canter, 1996;Gallagher and Jacobson, 1993;Praxis, 1988). Bill C-9 proposes the creation of a new ele ctronic registry through amendments to Section 55 of the Act.…”

Involving the public in the impact assessment of offshore renewable energy facilities

“…Proposals need to be understandable [1,12,38]. New technologies, such as acoustically sensitive pile-driving for offshore turbine installations, may be particularly challenging.…”