Mitigation

The objectives of mitigation measures Find better alternatives and ways of doing things Enhance the environmental and social benefits of the project Avoid, minimize or remedy adverse impacts. Ensure that residual adverse impacts are kept within acceptable levels.

From Practical Prospect, Mitigation Means: Public should not be expected to bear costs greater than the benefits Predictable and undesirable effects of a project should be mitigated by the proponent. Injured parties may need to be compensated financially. Mitigation deal with the transfer of costs and benefits between the project and the public. Definition of "proponent " means the person, body, authority or government that proposes the project.

From Practical Prospect, Mitigation Means: The responsibility of proponents to internalize the full environmental costs of development proposals is now accepted. In addition, many proponents have found that: Good design and impact management can result in significant savings. Mitigation measures are more expensive in capital outlay but have been found to be cost effective over the long run.

The sustainability agenda: New demands to Mitigation and Impact Management: Increasing attention is being given to the principle of no net loss of natural and social capital . Under, the polluter pays principle ,restitution for unavoidable residual damages should be done. In this case, mitigation would include: “in-kind compensation measures”

The main elements of mitigation are organised into a hierarchy of actions : First, avoid adverse impacts as far as possible by use of preventative measures. Second, minimize or reduce adverse impacts to as low as practicable levels. Third, remedy or compensate for adverse residual impacts, which are unavoidable and cannot be reduced further.

A framework for impact mitigation

Principles of mitigation Give preference to avoid and prevent measures; Consider feasible alternatives to the proposal and identify the best practical environmental option; Identify customized measures to minimize each of the main impacts predicted; Ensure they are appropriate, environmentally sound and cost-effective; Use compensation or remedial measures as a last resort.

How could we carry out Mitigation? Structural measures, such as design or location changes, engineering modifications and landscape or site treatment . Non-structural measures, such as economic incentives, legal, institutional and policy instruments, provision of community services and training and capacity building.

Step One: Impact avoidance. It can be achieved by: Not undertaking certain projects or elements that could result in adverse impacts. Avoiding areas that are environmentally sensitive. Putting in place preventative measures to stop adverse impacts, e.g. release of water from a reservoir to maintain a fisheries regime.

Step Two: Impact minimization. to limit or reduce the degree ,extent ,magnitude, or duration of adverse impacts It can be achieved by: Scaling down or relocating the proposal. Redesigning elements of the project. Making supplementary measures to manage the impacts.

Step Three: Impact compensation. It can be achieved by: Rehabilitation of the affected site or environment, e.g. :by habitat enhancement and restocking fish. Restoration of the affected site or environment to its previous state or better, it’s required for: mine sites, forestry roads and seismic lines. Replacement of the same resource values at another location, e.g. by wetland engineering.