ENVENG 200 Week 11: EIA Scoping, Māori Perspectives and Community Engagement

What is the purpose of scoping in an AEE/EIA?

To identify the boundaries of the study, necessary information for decision-making, key issues, and significant impacts.

What are the key objectives of the scoping process?

Identify stakeholders, key concerns, feasible alternatives, main issues and effects to study, and define study boundaries.

What is the first step in the scoping process?

Prepare an outline scope.

What should be done after preparing an outline scope?

Develop the outline through relevant consultation.

What is meant by 'dealing with effects' in AEE/EIA?

It involves deciding whether to avoid, mitigate, or remedy adverse impacts.

What is the objective of mitigation in AEE/EIA?

To find better alternatives, enhance benefits, avoid/minimize adverse impacts, and ensure residual impacts are acceptable.

What are the responsibilities of proponents in impact/effect management?

Avoid, minimize, and remedy adverse effects, internalize environmental costs, prepare management plans, and repair environmental damages.

What does impact/effect avoidance entail?

Not undertaking certain projects, avoiding sensitive areas, and using measures to prevent impacts.

How can impact/effect minimization be achieved?

By scaling down or relocating proposals, redesigning project elements, and managing impacts.

What types of alternatives should be considered in scoping?

Demand, supply/input, activity, location, process, and scheduling alternatives.

What is the Nam Theun II Hydroelectric Dam's purpose?

To strengthen the economic base of Laos by exporting power to Thailand.

What did the World Bank request regarding the Nam Theun II Dam?

To conduct an alternatives analysis against the project's objectives.

What aspects were evaluated for the Nam Theun II Dam?

Demand side management, alternative energy sources, and comparative assessments of alternatives.

What is included in the terms of reference for initial scoping?

Objectives, study area, alternatives, public involvement opportunities, effects/issues to study, and mitigation requirements.

What is the role of public involvement in the scoping process?

To inform stakeholders and gather input on key concerns.

What is the significance of identifying key issues in scoping?

To focus the AEE/EIA on the most important impacts and concerns.

What does the term 'residual impacts' refer to in AEE/EIA?

Impacts that remain after mitigation measures have been implemented.

What is the importance of monitoring in impact/effect management?

To ensure that mitigation measures are effective and to take necessary actions for unforeseen impacts.

What is a key component of the scoping process?

Evaluating concerns to establish key issues.

What is the relationship between scoping and alternatives in AEE/EIA?

Scoping identifies feasible alternatives that can be considered in the decision-making process.

What is the significance of defining boundaries in an AEE/EIA study?

It clarifies the scope of the study and focuses the analysis on relevant issues.

What does 'internalizing environmental costs' mean for proponents?

Incorporating the environmental and social costs of a proposal into planning and decision-making.

What is impact/effect remediation?

Achieved through rehabilitation of resources, restoration of sites, or replacement of lost environmental values.

What are the principles of impact/effect mitigation?

1. Preference for avoidance and prevention measures. 2. Consider feasible alternatives. 3. Identify customized measures to minimize impacts. 4. Ensure measures are appropriate and cost-effective.

What should an environmental management plan contain?

A summary of impacts, recommended mitigation measures, compliance statements, resource allocation, action schedules, and monitoring programs.

What are the general steps in an Environmental Assessment (AEE)?

1. Describe the proposal, site, and surroundings. 2. Consult with councils. 3. Identify environmental effects. 4. Propose conditions for mitigation. 5. Provide additional reports. 6. Finalize AEE.

What is the purpose of ranking effects in an EIA?

To assess the significance of effects as no effect, minor, major/significant, or critical.

What does it mean to avoid an effect?

To prevent the occurrence of the effect altogether.

How is mitigation defined in the context of environmental effects?

Refers to the acceptability of certain adverse effects by reducing their significance or severity.

What does remedying an effect involve?

Addressing the effects and related residual effects.

What is the significance of the case Bethwaite vs. Christchurch City Council?

It provides guidance on the identification and ranking of effects based on magnitude or significance.

What is the difference between minor and major effects?

Minor effects are lesser in size or importance compared to major effects, which are more significant.

What should be considered for significant adverse effects?

Consider alternatives and identify effects that require monitoring.

What are cumulative effects in an EIA?

Effects that result from the combination of multiple actions or projects over time.

What resources can be used to identify suitable measures to address effects?

Local guidelines, exemplars, international resources, and completed AEE/EIA reports.

What is the role of monitoring in environmental management?

To check implementation, effectiveness, and residual risk of the measures taken.

What is the Auckland Unitary Plan?

A strategic document that guides land use and environmental management in Auckland.

What is the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Sourcebook?

To provide guidelines and resources for conducting environmental assessments.

What is the importance of evidence in EIA reports?

Evidence supports judgments made in the assessment and prioritization of effects.

What is meant by 'transferability' in EIA?

The ability to apply findings from one site-specific assessment to inform other projects.

What are the key components of monitoring and follow-up in EIA?

Implementation checks, effectiveness evaluations, and assessments of residual risks.

What are the main purposes of community engagement?

To inform stakeholders, gain their views and concerns, account for public inputs in decision making, and influence project design.

What local knowledge can community engagement help obtain?

It can help obtain local knowledge, increase public confidence, improve transparency and accountability, and reduce conflict.

What are the four levels of community engagement?

Information, Consultation, Participation, and Negotiation.

What is the difference between information and engagement?

Information is a one-way flow from the proponent to the public, while engagement involves two-way exchange and interaction.

Who are considered key stakeholders in community engagement?

Iwi and hapū, local people affected by proposals, proponents, project beneficiaries, government agencies, and others like donors and academics.

What principles should community engagement processes follow?

They should be inclusive, open and transparent, relevant, fair, responsive, and credible.

What are the stages of community involvement in the EIA process?

Screening, Scoping, Impact analysis, Review, and Implementation and monitoring.

What factors can affect the effectiveness of community engagement?

Remote settings, culture/local values, language barriers, legal systems, dominance of interest groups, and proponent confidentiality.

What is the purpose of an EIA review?

To establish if the information in an EIA report is sufficient for decision-making.

What are the key objectives of an EIA review?

To review the quality of the EIA report, account for public comment, determine information sufficiency, and identify deficiencies.

What steps are involved in good practice for EIA reviews?

Set the scale of the review, select reviewers, use public input, identify review criteria, carry out the review, and determine remedial options.

What are some methods used in EIA reviews?

General checklists, project-specific checklists, review packages, expert reviewers, and public hearings.

What does 'Te Ao Māori' refer to?

The Māori world, encompassing concepts of potential, possibilities, and the relationship between the sky father (Ranginui) and earth mother (Papatuānuku).

What is 'Kaitiakitanga' in Māori culture?

The responsibility to care for the environment, respecting associated deities (atua) and ensuring reciprocity.

Who are some of the Ngā Atua Māori (Māori deities) and their domains?

Tūmatauenga (people, war), Tāwhirimatea (wind, weather), Tāne mahuta (forests, birds), Tangaroa (seas, fish), Rongomātāne (cultivated food), Haumietiketike (uncultivated food), Rūaumoko (earthquakes, geothermal resources).

What does the phrase 'Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au' mean?

It means 'I am the river, and the river is me,' reflecting the deep connection between Māori and their environment.

What is the significance of engaging with the community in EIA processes?

Engagement allows for local knowledge to shape decisions, leading to design changes and improved management commitments.

What is the role of public comments in EIA reviews?

Public comments are taken into account to ensure the EIA report is comprehensive and addresses community concerns.

What is the importance of transparency in community engagement?

Transparency ensures that the steps and activities of the engagement process are understood by all stakeholders.

How can community engagement reduce conflict?

By involving stakeholders in the decision-making process and addressing their concerns, it fosters understanding and cooperation.

What is the impact of language on community engagement?

Language barriers can hinder effective communication and understanding, affecting the engagement process.

What does 'scoping' involve in the EIA process?

Scoping involves identifying key issues and alternatives to be considered in the EIA.

What is meant by 'impact analysis' in the EIA process?

Impact analysis identifies significant impacts and suggests mitigating measures.

What is Mātauranga Māori?

The knowledge, comprehension or understanding of everything visible and invisible existing in the universe.

How is Mātauranga Māori traditionally transmitted?

It is traditionally orally transmitted and embedded within everyday activities.

What distinguishes Mātauranga Māori from Western approaches to knowledge?

Mātauranga Māori employs a holistic approach, unlike Western approaches which focus on measurable cause and effect.

What systematic methodology does Mātauranga Māori follow?

It is based on evidence, observations, culture, values, and world views.

What are Pūrākau and maramataka in the context of Mātauranga Māori?

They can be both accurate and precise, incorporating critically verified knowledge that is continually tested and updated.

Who is Ranginui in Māori cosmology?

Ranginui is the sky father.

What does Tūkapua represent?

Tūkapua represents clouds, described as the cloak of Ranginui.

What are the 'tears of Ranginui'?

They refer to rain (ua) in Māori cosmology.

Who is Papatuānuku?

Papatuānuku is the earth mother.

What are 'Ngā puna wai ō Papatuānuku'?

They are the weeping springs of Papatuānuku.

What is the significance of Māori perspectives in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?

They consider relationships, values, and cultural effects that may not be visible in technical datasets.

What does the RMA provision s6(e) require?

It requires recognition and provision for the relationship of Māori and their culture with ancestral lands, water, sites, and taonga.

What is kaitiakitanga?

Kaitiakitanga refers to the stewardship and guardianship of the environment by Māori.

What does the RMA provision s7(a) emphasize?

It emphasizes having particular regard to kaitiakitanga.

What does the RMA provision s8 require?

It requires taking into account the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi.

What is the purpose of a significance matrix in environmental assessment?

To combine magnitude with receptor sensitivity/value to assess the significance of potential effects.

What are the steps in managing and reassessing environmental effects?

Recall the effect pathway, propose management measures, and reassess the significance post-management.

What should be included in a performance check during environmental management?

Indicators, timing, and triggers/responses to assess if measures are implemented and effective.

What is the importance of identifying information gaps in environmental assessments?

It helps to understand uncertainties that may affect magnitude, sensitivity, significance, and management decisions.

What is the significance of the Harania Case Study in environmental assessment?

It illustrates how to prioritize interactions and assess their potential effects on water, ecology, people, and culture.

What does the term 'effect pathway' refer to in environmental assessments?

It refers to the sequence of events from project activity to potential environmental change and its effects.

What is the role of evidence in Mātauranga Māori?

Evidence is critical in the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of te Taiao.

What is the significance of 'wai' in Māori culture?

Wai refers to water, which is integral to Māori identity and cultural practices.

What does 'whenua' mean in Māori context?

Whenua means land, which is central to Māori identity and cultural heritage.

What is the relationship between environmental assessment and Māori cultural practices?

Environmental assessment must consider how project effects can alter access and customary practices related to land and water.