EA potential exam questions

(MC) First legislation in topic of Environmental Impact Assessment was

In 1969 National Environmental Policy Act (USA)

(MC) Which institution played a key role in spreading of ElA principles around the world?

- World Bank

- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

- European Union

(MC) In which key steps of ElA process can the public express their view?

Notification, Fact Finding procedure, Environmental Impact Statement

(MC) Impact within Strategic Environmental Assessment can be

- Direct

- Cumulative;

- Synergistic;

(MC) The purpose of HIA (Health Impact Assessment) is to

Determine all potential negative aspects on the level of health risks

(MC) Criteria for the determination of the need for, and level of, EIA (which are used within fact finding procedure) are?

- Presence of planning, policy framework

- Scale and capacity of intention;

(MC) The Environmental Impact Assessment shall include

Determining, description, assessment and evaluation of expected direct and indirect environmental impacts of implementing or not implementing of the intentions

(MC) The purpose of scoping within ElA procedure is to identify

The important issues to be considered in an EIA

(MC) The purpose of scoping within SEA procedure is to identify

The significant effects and factors to be studied in detail

(MC) What belongs amongst the basic parts of the ElA process?

Environmental assessment

(MC) The purpose of ElA is

- The purpose of EIA is to identify potential environmental risk from implementation of strategies

- The purpose of ElA is to identify potential environmental impacts from proposals, such as development intentions

Describe main differences between ElA and SEA from nature of action point of view

- EIA is applied to specific projects, plans, programs or policies

- SEA is applied to a more strategic and broader level before anything gets adopted or implemented

Describe main differences between ElA and SEA from alternatives point of view

- EIA identifies and compares the environmental impacts of different project alternatives

- SEA assesses alternative policy options or different approaches to achieving certain objectives

Describe main differences between ElA and SEA from scale of impact point of view

- EIA is more specific and project oriented

- SEA is broader and more strategic

Describe all potential stakeholders involved in the EIA procedure

- Regulatory authorities

- Local communities

- Government agencies

- Affected industries

- Public

- Legal experts

- Financial institutions

Try to describe at least 5 examples of criterias for SEA fact finding procedure (Screening and scoping procedure) (annex no. 8 in Czech legislation)

- Content of conception

- Influences on other conceptions

- Importance of the conception

- Characteristics of the impacts of the conception

- Likelihood, duration, frequency of an impact

- Cumulative and synergic character of an impact

- Importance and vulnerability of the territory

Try to describe at least 5 examples of criteria for EIA fact finding procedure (Screening and scoping procedure) (annex no. 2 in Czech legislation)

- Size and design of project

- Cumulative impacts with other projects

- Use of natural resources

- Production of waste

- Risk to public health

Try to describe what does mean "decision-making process" (if you want, you can also draw the decision-making process)

(Idea → strategic vision → policy preparation → SEA) {strategic level} → (feasibility study → project documentation → EIA → planning permission → building permission → project realization) {project level}

Try to describe different categorizations of impact from magnitude, scale, duration, and direction point of view

- Magnitude: negligible, minor, moderate, major

- Scale: specific, local, regional, national, international

- Duration: short term, medium term, long term, permanent

- Direction: negative, positive

Try to describe the Subject of Strategic Environmental Assessment (how we can recognize which type of strategies are subject for the assessment)

- scale and scope

- strategies, policies and plans

- significant environmental impacts

- public interest and stakeholder involvement

Try to describe the Subject of Environmental Impact Assessment (how we can recognize which type of strategies are subject for the assessment)

- Agriculture

- Forestry

- Fishery

- Waste management

- Water management

- Land management

Describe the principle of Integration of policies

The strategic direction must be coordinated both horizontally (across departments, harmonization of sectoral strategy objectives) and vertically (with regard to strategic documents at higher and lower planning levels, including the EU strategic framework) and also in terms of their timeliness and internal consistency

Try to describe the typical hierarchy for mitigation measures

- Avoid impact at source

- If impact cannot be avoided: eliminate impacts at source

- If impact cannot be eliminated: reduce impacts at source

- For remaining impacts: reduce impacts at the receptor

- If impacts remain: repair impacts

- If repair is not possible: compensate

- If compensation is not possible: compensate by other means and enhance

How can it be recognized that the impacts are likely to be significant?

- Extensive over space or time

- Above or close to standards/thresholds

- Non compliant, threatening health and security

- Deplete or damage resources

- Disrupts the lifestyle of a large number of people