Ecological Assessment and Policy: Ecological impact Assessment (EcIA)

The practice of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been enshrined in UK law since 1988, although the legislation was updated in 1999.  EIA is required for certain developments that meet the criteria set out in the EIA Regulations to assess the environmental impacts that would arise and to propose mitigation measures that minimise these impacts to an acceptable level.  Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) is the ecological component of EIA and is the process of identifying, quantifying and evaluating the potential impacts of a project on an ecosystem.

The Director and Principal of the company have extensive and in-depth experience of the EcIA process, ranging from small informal appraisals to large-scale projects.  We utilise a collaborative and iterative approach to EcIA, thus ensuring that avoidance and mitigation are built into a project from an early stage and that we are able to respond to increasing knowledge of a project and its impacts.  As a consequence, we can offer expert input and advice at all stages of EcIA as follows:

• Screening;
• Scoping and consultation;
• Derivation of assessment methodology;
• Baseline ecological surveys;
• Determination of value of ecological resources;
• Assessment of ecological impacts;
• Devising mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures;
• Preparation of the ecological chapters of Environmental Statements;
• Implementation through planning conditions and obligations;
• Implementation on-site;
• Monitoring.

The company can also offer a particular specialism in undertaking review of the ecological components of EIA.  The Principal of the company has extensive experience working as an ecologist for local authority.  As such, she is skilled in assessing the adequacy of EcIA against the requirements of legislation and national, regional and local policy.

Please see Project Examples for case studies of our work in EcIA.

Links:

Project Examples
Initial Habitat Survey
Mitigation Schemes
Construction Watching Brief

Ecological Assessment and Policy

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