Screening
Screening: The purpose of screening is to determine whether a proposal requires an EIA or not. This project was listed under the Comprehensive Study List (Category A) and therefore required a full and comprehensive EIA.
Scoping
The purpose of scoping is to identify:
In addition, the scoping process can be used to help define the feasible alternatives to a proposed action. Not all EIA systems make provision for the review of alternatives during scoping. However, consideration of alternatives during scoping is becoming accepted internationally, as an EIA as good practice.
For the GSX EIA, the Terms of Reference( ToR) were established under which the JRP would conduct a review of the project. The GSX ToR included a review of alternatives.
Under the ToR [1]
As well as:
The Review also considered the potential effects within the spatial and temporal boundaries. These boundaries reflected:
- the important issues to be considered in an EIA;
- the appropriate time and space boundaries of the EIA study;
- the information necessary for decision-making; and
- the significant effects and factors to be studied in detail. [5]
In addition, the scoping process can be used to help define the feasible alternatives to a proposed action. Not all EIA systems make provision for the review of alternatives during scoping. However, consideration of alternatives during scoping is becoming accepted internationally, as an EIA as good practice.
For the GSX EIA, the Terms of Reference( ToR) were established under which the JRP would conduct a review of the project. The GSX ToR included a review of alternatives.
Under the ToR [1]
- The JRP conducted a Review of the environmental effects of the of the construction, operation, decommissioning and abandonment of the Project.
- The JRP included in the Review of the Project, consideration of the following factors:
- The environmental effects an their significance of the Project, including malfunctions or accidents that may occur in connection with the Project and any cumulative effects
- Comments from the public that are received during th eReview
- Measures that are technically and economically feasible and that would mitigate significant adverse effects
- The purpose of the Project
- Alternative means of carrying out the Project
- The need for, and the requirement of, any follow-up program
- The capacity of renewable resources that are likely to be significantly affected by the Project to meet meet the needs of the present and the future
As well as:
- Need for the Project
- Alternatives for the Project
- Description of the present environment which may be expected to be affected
- Measures to enhance any beneficial environmental effects
- Proposal for Contingency and Emergency Response Plans
The Review also considered the potential effects within the spatial and temporal boundaries. These boundaries reflected:
- Timing of sensitive life cycle phases
- Timing required for effect to be evident
- Natural variation of a population or ecological components
- Time requires for population or ecological component to recover from an effect and return to pre-effect conditions