Environmental Analysis (EA) is a systematic process used to identify the purpose of a proposed action, develop alternatives, and predict potential environmental effects. An EA is conducted by an interdisciplinary team and identifies problems that may affect the environment or viability of a project. The 8-step EA process includes identifying the project, scoping issues, collecting and interpreting data, designing alternatives, evaluating effects, comparing alternatives, issuing a decision notice, and implementing and monitoring the selected alternative.
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Environmental analysis
1. Environmental Analysis
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS (the EA Process) is a
systematic, interdisciplinary process used to
identify the purpose of a proposed action, develop
practical alternatives to the proposed action, and
predict potential environmental effects of the
action.
2. . A few examples of proposed actions are road
construction, logging, tree clearing for disease
control, reforestation, building a hydroelectric dam, or
developing a quarry. Figure 2.1 shows some of the
trade-offs and environmental impacts of low versus
high standard roads.
3. • An Environmental Analysis (EA) identifies
problems, conflicts, or resource constraints that
may affect the natural environment or the
viability of a project. It also examines how a
proposed action might affect people, their
communities, and their livelihoods (Photo 2.1).
The analysis should be conducted by an
Interdisciplinary Team consisting of personnel
with a range of skills and disciplines relevant to
the project. Team members should include a
team leader and may include engineers,
geologists, biologists, archaeologists, and social
workers.
4. 8 Step Environmental Analysis Process
• 1. Identify the Project
• 2. Scoping
• 3. Collect and Interpret Data
• 4. Design of the Alternatives
• 5. Evaluate Effects
• 6. Compare Alternatives
• 7. Decision Notice
• 8. Implementation Record results. and
Monitoring Implement selected alternative.
5. 1. Identify the Project
• Identify the purpose and need of the
proposed action. Develop a goal to provide a
framework for EA
6. 2. Scoping
Identify the issues, opportunities, and
effects of implementing the proposed
action.
7. 3. Collect and Interpret Data
• Collect data. Identify probable effects of
project implementation.
8. 4. Design of the Alternatives
• Consider a reasonable range of alternatives.
Usually at least three alternatives are
considered. Include a No-Action Alternative.
Consider the mitigation of negative impacts.
9. 5. Evaluate Effects
• Predict and describe the physical, biological,
economic, and social effects of implementing
each alternative. Address the three types of
effects -- Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative
10. 6. Compare Alternatives
• Measure the predicted effects of each
alternative against evaluation criteria.
11. 7. Decision Notice
• Allow for review and comment by the
affected and interested public
12. 8. Implementation and Monitoring
• Monitoring Implement selected alternative.
Develop a monitoring plan. Insure that EA
mitigations are being followed.