Environmental Impact Assessment Frank van Gemert NRG, Radiation & Environment The Netherlands

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Contents Introduction Why ? How ? Who ? When ? €, £, $ ? Conclusions Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Introduction EIA Environmental Impact Assessment = Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Why ? Regulatory requirements Public Involvement Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Regulatory requirements COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 amending DIRECTIVE 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment. … See Chapter 5 Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Public involvement Takes a lot of time Creates additional burdens Environmental issues are for experts But: Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Public involvement Brings additional expertise in the decision making process Results in better implemented and respected decisions Makes environmental legislation more effective Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment How ? A phased process Screening Scoping Impact Evaluation Impact Statement Review and decision Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment How ? A phased process Screening Scoping Impact Evaluation Impact Statement Review and decision Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Determine if an EIA is required EU guidance to facilitate the screening process Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Steps in screening EIA X X EIA X EIA Annex I or II ? Mandatory list ? Exclusion list ? Case-by-case; sign. effect ? yes no no no yes yes no yes Natura 2000; sign. effect ? EIA X X EIA no yes Record the decision X EIA Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Selection criteria case by case screening Characteristics of projects Location of Projects Characteristics of the potential impact Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Screening tools Screening checklist Checklist of criteria for evaluating the significance of environmental effects Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Screening checklist Characteristics of projects Location of Projects Characteristics of the potential impact Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Characteristics of projects Size of the project Cumulation with other projects Use of natural resources Production of waste Pollution and nuisances Risk of accidents Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Location of projects Existing land use Relative abundance, quality and regenerative capacity if natural resources in the area Absorption capacity of the natural environment Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Characteristics of the potential impact Extent of the impact (area, size of population) Transfrontier nature of the impact Magnitude and complexity of the impact Probability of the impact Duration, frequency and reversibility of the impact Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment How ? A phased process Screening Scoping Impact Evaluation Impact Statement Review and decision Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Must ensure that the environmental studies provide all the relevant information on: The (most important) impacts The alternatives to the project Any other matter to be included Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping On request of the developer or Mandatory (in some member states) Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Requested scoping Only when requested by the EIA developer Is undertaken by the Competent Authority Requires consulting of environmental authorities May involve consultation of other interested parties and the general public Results in a “Scoping Opinion” which forms the terms of reference for the EIA Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Mandatory scoping Is undertaken by: (a) the Competent Authority or (b) the EIA developer Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Mandatory scoping by developer A draft “Scoping Report” is prepared Requires consulting of environmental authorities May involve consultation of other interested parties and the general public Results in a “Scoping Report” which forms the terms of reference for the EIA Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Mandatory scoping by CA Undertaken by the Competent authority or by an independent body on behalf of the CA Requires consulting of environmental authorities by the CA May involve consultation of other interested parties and the general public Results in a “Scoping Opinion” which forms the terms of reference for the EIA Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Scoping Reports and Opinions Identify the types of environmental impacts to be investigated and reported and may also cover: Alternatives to consider Baseline surveys & investigations to carry out Methods & criteria to be used for prediction & evaluation of effects Mitigation measures to consider Organisations to consult Structure, content and length of the Environmental Information (EIS) Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment but: The provision of a Scoping Opinion does not preclude the competent authority from subsequently requiring the developer to submit further information if the CA considers that it is necessary. Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Good scoping: Will involve the CA and the developer in a dialogue about the project and the issues it raises. Does not end with the delivery of the Scoping Report or Opinion. Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Information for scoping Preliminary data collection and field work; Checklists; Scoping checklist part 1 & 2; Criteria for evaluation the significance of impacts; Potential alternatives and mitigation measures. Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Scoping checklist part 1 – project characteristics Physical changes in the locality; Use of natural resources; Harmful materials or substances; Produce of wastes; Emissions to air; Noise, light, electromagnetic radiation etc.; Contamination of land or ground or surface water; Risk of accidents; Social changes; Other factors. Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping checklist Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Include: Secondary or higher order effects Indirect effects Cumulative effects Temporary or intermittent effects Effects resulting from abnormal events Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Scoping checklist part 2 – characteristics of the environment Protected or sensitive species or fauna; Routes or facilities used by the public; Location to extreme climatic conditions; Employment; Community cohesion; Plans for future land use around the location; …. Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Consultation Environmental authorities Regional, local Pollution control Health & safety…….. Interested parties Environmental & social interest groups Employees’ organisations (e.g. unions) Research institutes… General public Residents Local community groups…. Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Effective consultation Provide enough information; Make clear scoping is not about selling a project, but about hearing and understanding views; Provide sufficient time; The scoping stage does not preclude from making comments in a later stage; Ensure that views expressed are taken into account. Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Scoping - key questions What effects could this project have on the environment? Which effects need particular attention in the environmental studies? Which alternatives and mitigating measures ought to be considered? Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment How ? A phased process Screening Scoping Impact Evaluation Impact Statement Review and decision Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental impact evaluation Description of the environmental baseline Impact identification Assessment of significance of impacts Mitigation measures Monitoring plan Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental baseline Describes the environment prior to decommissioning: Natural environment (e.g. air and water quality, flora and fauna) Socio-economic factors (e.g. land use, infrastructure, economy) Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Impact identification Actions in the decommissioning project (with potential to cause impact) Environmental factors (potentially affected by these impacts) Identification matrix Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Impact identification matrix (example) Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Assessment of significance of impacts Impact weighting schemes Take account of opinions of stakeholder groups Risk perception Professionals: probabilistic approach Other stakeholders: consequences of potential effects (even with very low probability Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Mitigation measures Determine potential effectiveness for each scenario Demonstrate that further improvements are not justified Re-assess the environmental impact of the project Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Development of a monitoring plan Objective : Measure the impact of the decommissioning project Real impact vs. estimated impact Effectiveness of mitigating measures Parameters Methods Frequency Expected values Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment How ? A phased process Screening Scoping Impact Evaluation Impact Statement Review and decision Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental impact statement (EIS) Provide information to: Decision makers People potentially effected by the project Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

EIS = tool to communicate Clear structure Description of procedure Concise, comprehensive and objective Consistent terminology, glossary References to information sources Description of methods used for studies Clear discussion of alternatives Non-technical summary Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment How ? A phased process Screening Scoping Impact Evaluation Impact Statement Review and decision Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Review before decision making Mandatory or ‘only’ good practice By competent authority or by independent organisation Aims: Information adequate for decision making? Complies with requirements of legislation? Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Review checklist Description of the project Objectives and physical characteristics of the project Size of the project Production processes and resources used Residues and emissions Risks of accidents and hazards Other questions Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Review checklist Consideration of alternatives Description of the environment likely to be affected Aspects of the environment Data collection and survey methods Other questions Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Review checklist Description of the likely effects Scoping of effects Prediction of direct effects Prediction of other effects Evaluation of significance of effects Impact assessment methods Other questions Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Review checklist Description of mitigation Non technical summary Quality of presentation Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Use of review checklist Briefly overview the EIS Decide which questions are relevant for the project Indicate special features not identified in the checklist Review the EIS for the relevant questions Specify missing information Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment EIS decision Competent authority: Are the environmental implications of the planned decommissioning project acceptable? Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Who ? Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment When ? Typical duration of EIA preparation for NPP decommissioning: Detailed assessment and preparation of EIS: 9-15 months Full EIA: 1-3 years To reduce the overall level of resources: Involvement of competent authorities as soon as possible Initial feasibility studies as soon as possible Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment €, £, $ ? Depends on e.g.: Size and complexness of the installation Approach to scoping Number of options in detailed assessment Identification of key impacts Approach to public involvement Availability of existing data Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment €, £, $ ? EIA costs are typically 1 % of the total project costs Range: 0.01 – 5 % Typical cost of an EIA for NPP decommissioning: M€ 1 – 1.5 Up to M€ 5 if existing information is inadequate or significant environmental monitoring is required Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Conclusions Why ? Regulatory requirements Public involvement How ? Phased process Screening Scoping Impact evaluation and EI Statement Review (and decision) Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Conclusions Who ? Competent authorities Project developer Independent organisation Stakeholders General public Dialogue to reach consensus Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment Conclusions When ? Start dialogue early Typical duration for NPP 1-3 years Costs ? Depends on project scale, available information, dialogue 1 % (0.01 – 5 %) of project costs Typical costs for NPP M€ 1 – 1.5 Eundetraf II - Environmental Impact Assessment

Frank van Gemert NRG Radiation & Environment vangemert@nrg-nl.com