ENVENG 200 Week 12: EIA, AEE and CRL Case Study

What is the length of the City Rail Link (CRL)?

3.45 km

What type of rail line is the City Rail Link?

A twin-tunnel underground rail line

Which city is the City Rail Link located in?

Auckland

What are the names of the new stations in the CRL project?

Karanga-a-Hape, Te Waihorotiu, Maungawhau (Mt Eden upgrade)

Who are the partners in the City Rail Link joint venture?

City Rail Link Ltd, Auckland Transport, and KiwiRail

What is the primary objective of the City Rail Link?

To improve public transport capacity and sustainability

What environmental challenges does the CRL face?

Dense urban environment, sensitive buildings, groundwater systems, and vibration sensitivity

What are some of the social effects of the CRL construction?

Noise, vibration, dust, traffic disruption, and community wellbeing impacts

What is the purpose of Māori engagement in the CRL project?

To incorporate cultural values and assess impacts on taonga and archaeological features

What does AEE stand for in the context of the CRL?

Assessment of Environmental Effects

What does the EIA process aim to achieve?

To identify, assess, and mitigate environmental impacts

What are the general steps in the EIA process?

Screening, scoping, impact assessment & mitigation, impact management, EIA report, review and licensing, monitoring

What is the significance of the Maungawhau Station in the CRL?

It is a major interchange linking the Western Line with new CRL tunnels

What are the key issues associated with the Maungawhau Station redevelopment?

Vibration, noise, dust, access disruption, and groundwater drawdown

What are the three strategies for dealing with environmental impacts?

Avoid, mitigate, remedy

What does 'kaitiakitanga' refer to in the context of Māori engagement?

Guardianship and protection of the environment

What is the role of community engagement in the AEE process?

To inform stakeholders, gain their views, and influence project design

What are the principles of effective community engagement?

Inclusive, open and transparent, relevant, fair, responsive, and credible

What is the purpose of scoping in the EIA process?

To identify key issues, concerns, and boundaries for the assessment

What is the significance of integrating Māori values in the EIA process?

It improves legitimacy and design quality of the project

What is the potential impact of climate change on EIA practices?

Greater emphasis on climate, cumulative, and distributional effects

What does the term 'taonga tūturu' refer to?

Cultural heritage and artifacts significant to Māori

What is the expected outcome of a good AEE?

Allows decision-makers to act confidently

What does 'monitoring' entail in the EIA process?

Tracking the effectiveness of mitigation measures and compliance with conditions

What are the types of alternatives considered in the AEE process?

Demand, supply, activity, location, process, and scheduling alternatives

What does the term 'RMA' stand for?

Resource Management Act

What is the significance of the Ōkahu Tidal Creek project?

It involves daylighting a section of the piped creek, enhancing ecological and cultural values