Social Impact Assessment Applied Sociological Research

Social Impact Assessment  The U.S. National Environment Policy Act (1969) requires an SIA whenever federal funds, lands, or legislation is involved in a project it’s citizens  SIA is also used by communities to decide about the appropriateness of a project for them  Project proponents sometimes use SIA to make their projects more successful  SIA is part of the Environmental Impact Assessment along with an Economic Impact Assessment  SIA is used to determine how a community might be changed by the proposed project

What Social Impact Assessment Does:  Identifies potential social change from new projects  Identifies projected changes that are most significant  Describes the consequences of the project  Communicates this information broadly in the community  Outlines steps that might mitigate problems or enhance the positive impacts of the proposed project

Who Participates in SIAs  Project Proponent  The Community  The Larger Public/Society  Government or Regulatory Body  SIA Facilitator/Consultant

A Brief History of SIA  Before SIA were used simple cost/benefit analysis was used to decide to move forward on projects  USNEPA 1969  Trans-Alaska Pipeline Permit 1970

Guidelines for EIA/SIA Reports 1. Description of proposed actions 2. Relationship of proposed actions to land use 3. Probable impact on the environment 4. Alternatives for the proposed actions 5. Unavoidable adverse effects 6. Local short-term impacts Vs. Long-term maintenance 7. Irreversible and Irretrievable 8. Other considerations (often social-psychological)

Stages in Project/Policy Development 1. Planning/Policy Development 2. Construction/Implementation 3. Operation/Maintenance 4. Decommissioning/Abadonment

Selecting SIA Variables SIA Variables are measurable change in human populations and can come from secondary or primary data. SIA variables include things such as:  Population indicators  Health Indicators  Environmental indicators  Economic indicators  Well-being indicators

SIA Variables are Monitored over the Project Life  Planning Stage  Construction Implementation Stage  Operation/Maintenance  Decommission/Abadonment

SIAs in the Planning Process  Planning Tool  Policy  Programs  Projects  Policy Tool  SIAs can identify modifications or alternatives for policies  Decision-Making Tool  Social costs and social benefits analysis  Manages conflicts through public scoping processes

Identifying the Project and Doing Scoping  What is the project?  Who are the stakeholders?  What are the majority views of stakeholders?  How much conflict is involved with the stakeholder groups?  What is the possibility of stakeholder groups working together for decision making?

What is the Zone of Influence of a project?  Primary Zone  Geography most impacted by the proposal  Secondary Zone  Secondary impacts, more diffused like traffic, school growth, other services

Identifying Key Stakeholders Government  Local Government  State Government  Federal Government  Regulatory Bodies Community  Groups and Organizations  Interested Citizens  Native Populations  Special Populations (at risk)

Data Sources  Ethnography/Rapid Assessment  Secondary Data  Census Information  Department of Commerce  Primary Data  Public Participation/Public Scoping

Identifying Themes in Proposed Projects 1. Changes in population composition/Changes in demands for infrastructure (Community Impacts) 2. Changes in way of life/culture 3. Polarizing groups, exploitation, and conflict 4. Changes in personal and family level well-being

Determining Likely Outcomes Identify likely changes in: 1. Population composition/Changes in demands for infrastructure (Community Impacts) 2. Way of life/culture 3. Polarizing groups, exploitation, and conflict 4. Personal and family level well-being

Make Recommendations on How to Mitigate Negative Impacts  Bring together stakeholders  Present likely outcomes  Recommend mitigation or enhancing changes  Hope that the stakeholders make good choices!