THE EIA PROCESS AND BASELINE MONITORING CGCL Data Collection Process.

THE EIA PROCESS AND

BASELINE MONITORING

CGCL Data Collection Process

April 2013 CGCL Applies for environmental clearance to

construct and operate a Methanol/DME facility

Project Screening by

EMA

Scoping By the EMA

Final TOR July 19

EIA Required

Review: Definition of EIA

Review: Definition of EIA3

Environmental Impact Assessment is : A formal process for identifying:

The likely effects of activities or projects on the Environment and on human health and welfare.

Environment is broadly interpreted as physical, biological, and social.

In EIA, the term “impacts” is used instead of “effects of activities.”

Terms of Reference

The TOR’s provided is used to guide the preparation and format of the EIA Report;

It identifies the environmental aspects which required monitoring;

The information which is needed to effectively assess the project impacts and inform the decision-making process;

It makes provisions for public involvement in the process;

Indentifies project alternatives which should be examined;

It stipulates format of studies to be carried out (e.g.

methodologies and approach, time & space boundaries);

It identifies the requirements for mitigation and monitoring.

What is an impact?5

The impact of an activity is a change from the baseline situation caused by the activity. The baseline situation is the existing environmental condition in the absence of activity.

The baseline situation is a key concept in EIA. To measure an impact, you must know what the baseline situation is.

Assessing Impacts

When collecting baseline data, the data must provide information which allows the EIA specialist to assess:- long term and short term impacts direct and indirect impacts cumulative impacts beneficial impacts and adverse impacts

Impact Categories

Examples of direct impacts include: increased noise and dust decreased air quality, decreased water quality, increased solid waste, increased employment (3000 jobs at peak

construction), increased training and education, increased infrastructure development.

Impact Categories

Indirect impacts include: increased traffic, increased commercial activity increased employment small business development

Cumulative impacts include: Are those which provide incremental

contributions to existing conditions produced by existing industries and socio cultural activities

The Baseline Situation9

•In characterizing the baseline situation, many environmental components are of interest.

•The components of interest are those that are likely to be affected by your activity—or upon which your activity depends for its success

Water Quantity of Pollutants, quality.

Soils Erosion, soil type, crop productivity

Flora Composition and density of natural vegetation, productivity, key species

Fauna Population size, habitat health, sensitive, rare or commercially valuable species

Noise Sound pressure levels

Air Quality, Quantity of Pollutants

4 Components of the Baseline Environment

The Physical and Chemical Environment The Biological Environment The Human (Social Environment) The Human (Economic Environment)

Sampling Method

Sampling design involved the collection of historical data from published sources and EIA documents and well as the conduct of field surveys.

Historical data will be used to establish past trends observed.

Real time data collected through sampling will be used to determine the current environmental status as well as validated the historical data sets.

Focus was placed on collecting data necessary for determining the impact of CGCL’s proposed operations.

Defined Study Area

The immediate study area includes all of the land, air and sea space within a five kilometre radius of the proposed plant site

The wider study area was defined as

areas directly, or indirectly affected by proposed CGCL activities and encompasses all of that area within a 10km radius of the project site.

Ambient Air and Climate

Climate –local climate, rainfall, temperature variation, humidity

Ambient Air Quality – Levels of combustion gases present (NOx, SOx, CO2, Volatile organic compounds). Level of dust particulates present (TSP, PM10, PM2.5)

Light intensity Ambient Noise Levels (SPL) taking into

consideration community activities, traffic and existing industrial activities

Geology, Sediment and Soil

Geology and topography. Information was gathered to describe; Existing topography Presence of geological features such as

faults, rivers, aquifers. Seismic studies Soil type /rock type

Current sediment quality within the Vessigny River and Coast of La Brea (Heavy metals, Hydrocarbon compounds)

Hydrology

Vessigny River characteristics: seasonal flow rate, flooding, discharge rate.

Water quality (i.e. pH, temperature, DO, BOD, Heavy-metal content, hydrocarbon content, nutrient content, bacteriological characteristics)

Characteristics of aquifer present: usage, areas of recharge, capacity

Coastal processes

Wave and current characteristics.

Sea bed characteristics (bathymetry)

Marine-water quality (e.g.. pH, temperature, DO, salinity, Heavy-metal content, hydrocarbon content, nutrient content)

Biological Environment

Description of the Flora and fauna present within the immediate impact zone.

Vegetation and Fauna found on UIE Main site

Living organisms found within the Vessigny River

Living organisms found in Brighton Harbour, within the impact zone of the proposed seawater intake, process water outfall and shipping lanes. (i.e. benthic, free-swimming and planktonic organisms)

Biological Environment

Emphasis will be placed on examining and describing:

The presence of any sensitive habitats (e.g. mangrove systems, nursery areas, spawning grounds).

Sensitive, rare, endangered or commercially important species found within the study area and impact zones.

Social Environment

The Social Impact Assessment (SIA) involves analysing, monitoring and managing the social consequences of development. - International Association for Impact Assessment

Data is current being collected to describe the social and cultural environment within the defined study areas.

Sources of data collected include; CSO census data, information from village councils and community-based organizations and primary field surveys.

Data Collected Thus Far

Flora found on the Main Site UIE

Flora on Site

Sedges and grasses

Fauna found on the Main Site UIE

Terrestrial Fauna Onsite

Terrestrial Fauna Onsite

Cnemidophorus lemniscatus

White-Headed Marsh-Tyrant

Arundinicola leucocephala

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

Shiny Cowbird

Molothrus bonariensis

River Sample Stations

Station 3 Mouth of River

Station 1Down Stream of project site

Station 2Down Stream of the SMR

Station 4Vessigny Beach

Fresh Water Fishes

Hoplias malambaricus

Two-Spotted Sardine /Doree

Astyanax bimaculatus

Brackish Water Fish

Cavalli Caranx hipposCatfish Ariidae (lpil)

Brackish Water Fish

Coscorob Aquidens pulcher

Mullet Mugil sp.

Crustaceans

Honey Shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri

Cirrique Callinectes sp.

Air and Noise Sample Stations

Sobo Village Rec. Ground

La Brea round -about

NESC

UIE Main Site

Marine Stations Sampled

5m

10m

15m

N

Brighton Port

Next Phase In EIA ProcessBaseline data Collection

Project Alternatives

Impact Assessment

Mitigation and Monitoring Plans

Social Field Survey

Social Impact Assessment

Modelling studies

EIS preparation

Thank You for your Attention