SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

WHAT IS SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT The systematic analysis in advance of development or policy changes that will bring social change to a community.

SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SIAs provide a systematic framework to: Anticipate social change from a project or policy change Measure baseline data and project impacts Look at the potential social implications Communicate changes to the community Outline steps to mitigate or enhance negative or positive aspects of change See that the benefits of change do not empower some groups over others

SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SIAs should Involve as many community members as possible Acknowledge negative consequences so they can be addressed in an open manner Seek to balance both economic needs with social needs

HISTORY OF SIA Federal US Law requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (US National Environmental Policy Act of 1969—NEPA)for major projects or policy changes Projects that generate significant alterations of the “Bio-Physical Environment” can impact human populations Changing the natural environment impacts humans SIAs are anticipatory

SIA PARTICIPANTS Project Proponent Community Government Agencies Consultants The Public

STAGES IN PROJECT/POLICY DEVELOPMENT Planning and Development Construction/Implementation Operation/maintenance Decommissioning/Abandonment

COMPONENT GUIDELINES FOR SIA Description of proposed actions Relationship of the proposed action to land use plans Probable impacts on the ecology Alternative to proposes actions Identifying unavoidable adverse effects Local short term impacts and long-term issues Identifying irreversible and irretrievable impacts Other considerations such as psychological impacts

SIA VARIABLES Population Change Population change Influx of (temporary) workers Presence of seasonal residents Dislocation/Relocation of families Changes in composition

SIA VARIABLES Community/Institutional Arrangements Attitudes towards projects Interest Group Activities Changes in local government Planning and Zoning changes Industrial diversification Income and Wages Income inequality Employment of groups Changing occupational choices

SIA VARIABLES Communities in Transition New outside interests acting in the community New coalitions of existing institutions New social classes Changes in industries Changes in housing costs Changes in the allocation of natural resources

Individual and Family Level Impacts Disruptions in living and movement patterns New religious practices Alteration in family structure Disruption of social networks Changes in public safety and health Changes in leisure activities

SIA VARIABLES Community Infrastructure Changes in utilities and roads Land acquisition and selling Effects on known cultural, historical, sacred, and archeological resources

THREE KINDS OF TOOLS Planning Policy Programs projects Policy To act To decide Decision-Making Determine social costs

SCOPING Scope out the range of issues Identify stakeholders Governments Project proponents Project detractors Community groups and organizations Interested citizens Native peoples Special populations

MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT Mitigation First, try to avoid adverse impacts Second, alternative designs to minimize impacts Third, Compensate of adverse impacts