Environmental Impact Assessment

Training Resource Manual for Tigray

Bureau of Agriculture Experts

Complied by: Bamlak Desalegn

Mekelle Univeristy, Department of LaRMEP
September, 2013

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 F oreword
Many changes have taken place in the world and in particular to Ethiopia during the
last decade. Among these changes is the programme of economic reform; which is
attracting a host of new investments into this country. Some of the major investments to-
date and those in the pipeline include:
The energy sector like Hydropower projects like The Great Ethiopian Dam;
The Farming and agro industry Projects;
Infrastructure development areas Like the railway project; and others.

If the country is to maximize the benefits from such developments, and avoid incurring
unforeseen costs, then the careful consideration of their social and environmental implications
will be required. Decisions on development activities can only be sound and rational if they are
made with full understanding of their environmental impacts, and that any negative impacts are
avoided or reduced through mitigation measures. Whilst EIA is now applied routinely to aid-
funded development projects, Ethiopia lacks adequate numbers and quality of expertise for its
implementation. It is clearly states the need for increased efforts and emphasis of the need for
EIA capacity building to support sustainable economic growth in the country through integration
of its principles and practice in development plans and implementation of activities particularly
for key socio-economic sectors where current and future development will concentrate.

The rapid changes in national economic policy mentioned above, add urgency to the need for
improvements in domestic environmental assessment capability. So that; this EIA training manual
is designed to have sustainable development proclivity planning in Ethiopia, which is tailored
specifically to national context in which it is to be delivered in terms of locally based examples,
exercises, overheads and case studies which would be more relevant than foreign examples of
EIA. The manual also provides a resource for planners and policy-makers responsible for the
development of an institutional and regulatory framework for EIA in the country in general and
the region in particular.
In general; the Training Resource Manual has been designed with the purpose of building capacity
for Tigray Regional Bureau of Agriculture and Natural Resource experts as a planning tool basic
capability in the application of EIA for trainees who have some background experience and
understanding of EIA. It is designed to exposing the trainees to EIA concepts and processes, and
therefore be able to develop an appreciation for the need for EIA as it relates to their day-to-day
work, as well as its role in development planning in the region.
Specifically the manual is designed to assist the trainers to
 Identify local EIA needs and priorities
 Custom design training courses to meet these needs
 To use EIA case studies to expose Trainees to hands-on exercises.
 To be familiar with the conceptual and methodological aspects of carrying out the assessment,
including the policy options in the context of future scenarios of the country.
 Undertake EIA training as part of a strategic for community service; and
 Encourage networking of EIA professionals to facilitate exchange of information and develop
new skills of Mekelle University

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STRUCTURE OF THE TRAINING MANUAL
To be easy for the trainees; the manual is structured into four parts:

Box 1 Introductory Course Topics

Topic A: What is Environmental Impact Assessment?
Topic B: EIA in the Ethiopia context
Topic C: Get The EIA-The EIA Process
Topic D: Making the EIA Process Effective (in Ethiopia)

It should be stressed that trainees are expected to make a selection of the overheads presented in
this handbook, so that those most relevant should be chosen, and it would be a mistake in 6
hours course to attempt to make use of all of them. The manual also contains annexes which
include a sample sectoral and sub-sectoral guidelines and of the EIA findings review format.

Thus, I am confident that this introductory training and resource handbook manual will be
successful in encouraging a range of approaches to the important task of developing the skills
and expertise required to manage the EIA process in the country in general and Tigray regional
state.

Bamlak Desalegn
Lecturer, Mekelle University; Department of LaRMEP

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DEFINITION OF TERMS USED IN THIS MANUAL
Environment: The complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors (such as climate, soil, and
living things) that act upon individual organisms and communities, including humans, and
ultimately determine their form and survival. It is also the aggregate of social and cultural
conditions that influence the life of an individual or community.
An Impact: Any effect caused by a proposed activity on the environment, including effects on
human health and safety, flora, fauna, soil, air, water, climate, landscape and historical
monuments, or other physical structures, or the interaction among those factors. It also includes
effects on cultural heritage or socioeconomic conditions resulting from alterations to those factors.
Cumulative Impacts: Those impacts that result from the incremental impact of the proposed
action added to the impacts of other past, present, and foreseeable future actions.
Developer: means a person, group of persons or agency developing a project which is subject to an
environmental impact assessment process. They are also called proponents
Direct Impacts: Those impacts that are caused by the action and which generally occur at the
same time and place as the action.
Indirect Impacts: Those impacts that induce changes in the natural environment, population,
economic growth, and land use.
Environment Impact Assessment: A tool used to identify the environmental, social, and
economic impacts of a project prior to decision making. It aims to predict environmental impacts
at an early stage in project planning and design, find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts,
shape projects to suit the local environment, and present the predictions and options to decision
makers.
Environmental Impact Statement: The written report which presents the results of an
Environment Impact Study.
Environmental Monitoring: the continuous determination of the actual and potential effects of
any activity or phenomenon on the environment whether short-term or long-term.
Mitigation measures: Actions which reduce, avoid or offset the potential adverse environmental
consequences of a project.
Participation: A process through which stakeholders influence and share control over
development initiatives and decisions on resources that affect them.
Project: a set of planned activities designed to achieve specific objectives within a given area and
time frame. (In the National Environment Statute, 1995, Project includes both project and policy
that leads to projects with an impact on the environment.
Scoping: Early, open identification of potentially significant environmental impacts and
deemphasize or elimination of insignificant impacts or impacts which have already been covered
by other environmental impact assessments.
Screening: Determination of the level of environmental impact assessment required for a
particular proposed activity/project.
Significance: is an expert evaluation/judgement of the magnitude of impact or the degree to which
a proposed activity or project may (potentially) impact on the environment if implemented.
Significant effect: on the environment means: "a substantial, or potentially substantial, adverse
change in any of the physical factors of the surroundings of the human beings including land,
water, atmosphere, climate, sound, odour, taste, the biological factors of animals and plants and
the social factor of aesthetics and includes both the natural and the built environment".
Stakeholders: those affected by the outcome of a project or can affect the outcome of a proposed
project either negatively or positively.

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Table of Contents

Contents
Foreword .................................................................................................................................................. II

STRUCTURE OF THE TRAINING MANUAL .................................................................................. III

TOPIC A: BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................................... 1

WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT?....................................................................................1

THE SPREAD AND EVOLUTION OF EIA........................................................................................................5

TOPIC B: EIA IN ETHIOPIA ................................................................................................................. 6

LEVEL OF EIA PERFORMANCE IN ETHIOPIA ..............................................................................................6

A. NATIONAL POLICY INITIATIVES: ......................................................................... 6

B. CONSTRAINTS OF EIA PRACTICE IN ETHIOPIA ................................................ 9

TOPIC C: GETTING AN EIA PROCESS STARTED ....................................................................... 10

STEP 1- IDENTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION ........................................................................................... 11

STEP 2- SCREENING ................................................................................................................................ 11
STEP 3- PHASE II(THE FULL EIA) .......................................................................................................... 13
4.1 EIA REPORTING .......................................................................................................................... 26
4.1.1 EIA report format: Basic elements of an EIA report ........................................ 26

PART D – GETTING TO KNOW YOUR EIA REPORT ................................................................... 26

4.2 EIA REVIEW ............................................................................................................................. 30

4.3 DECISION-MAKING ................................................................................................................ 31
4.4 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING ................................................ 32
4.5 ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING ............................................................................................. 33
4.6 STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT IN EIA ............................................................................ 33

TOPIC E: MAKING THE EIA PROCESS EFFECTIVE .................................................................. 37

CONDITIONS FOR EFFECTIVE EIA ................................................................................................ 37

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING ..................................................................................... 39

APPENDIXES ......................................................................................................................................... 40

APPENDIX 1-RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (REA) CHECKLIST FOR MAJOR KEY PROJECTS IN
ETHIOPIA ................................................................................................................................................ 40
APPENDIX 2- INSTRUCTIONS FOR REVIEWING EIA REPORTS IN ETHIOPIA ............................................ 56

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 Topic A: BACKGROUND
What is Environmental Impact Assessment?
In this training programme, some individuals among the participants may have a fair idea about the
subject matter for the subject area. Some participants, however, will be participating in formal
training on EIA for the first time. In view of this, it is important that the trainer assumes that none in
the training has had any EIA training what so-ever and attempts to introduce the subject as simply as
possible. Of-course the presence of those who may have had opportunity to know about the subject
should be useful during discussion. Before the trainer presents a definition of EIA, it is important to
give the participants an opportunity to make presentations on their understanding of what EIA is.

A definition
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a process which can be used to improve decision-
making and ensure that development options under consideration are environmentally, socially
and economically sound and sustainable. It is concerned with identifying, predicting and
evaluating the foreseeable impacts, both beneficial and adverse, of proposed development
projects and alternatives. It aims to eliminate or minimize negative impacts and optimize positive
impacts through mitigation and enhancement measures. EIA relates to a process rather than a
particular activity, the environmental impact study itself being only one component of the
process. The main features of EIA are summarised in Box A.1. The terms 'impact assessment'
and 'environmental impact assessment' are umbrella terms frequently used to cover a broad range
of techniques, e.g. social impact assessment (SIA), risk assessment (RA), environmental impact
assessment (EIA) and health impact assessment (HIA). To date, EIA itself has been applied
generally at the project level, but increasing attention is now being given to impact assessment at
the level of policies, plans and programmes (this is known as strategic environmental
assessment - SEA). EIA is now increasingly being seen and used within the wider context of
serving 'sustainable development' objectives. This role was highlighted at the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992 where Principle 17 of the Rio
Declaration, and to which Ethiopia is a signatory, states:"Environmental impact assessment, as a
national instrument, shall be undertaken for proposed activities that are likely to have a
significant adverse impact on the environment and are subject to a decision of a competent
national authority”. It is hoped that this introductory handbook and course will help to improve
understanding and awareness of the potential role of EIA in Ethiopia in project planning and
development still further.

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Box A.1 Importance and roles of EIA
It contributes to more environmentally sensitive decisions and the integration of environmental and
social considerations in development planning.
-Resources conservation
-Cost minimization
-Waste minimization
-Efficient use of equipments
-Sustainable development
-Promote environmentally sound and sustainable development
-Foresee the potential environmental problems that would arise out of a proposed development
and address them in the project's planning and design stage.
-For improving the long-term viability of projects

 Usually, the cost of undertaking an EIA accounts for only a small proportion of total
project costs (usually less than 0.1% of overall project costs), but savings to the project
from an impact assessment can often considerably more.

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Box A.2 provides some examples of the role that EIA in addressing common planning dilemmas.
Box A.2 Why EIA is important
Today’s environment:
The environment matters more than ever before. Human activities are altering natural cycles and
systems on an unprecedented scale. For the first time, the cumulative effects of development activities are
estimated to be on par with bio-physical processes as an agent of ecological change.
Risks and impacts are more significant than ever before. We live in a greenhouse world of ozone holes
and vanishing species. Many reputable scientists consider that the impact of human activities on the
biosphere is reaching critical thresholds, with the consequent threat of ecological breakdown and social
conflict.
EIA is more important than ever before. This approach provides a basis for designing policies and plans
that take account of environmental potentials and constraints, and for managing the impacts and risks of
development projects and activities.
Source: Sadler, 1996.

Table A.1 The Role of EIA in Addressing Some Common Planning Dilemmas
Benefit Description
Avoiding conflicts EIA can provide guidance and information for decision-makers to assist in making
trade-offs between social, cultural, economic and environmental interests.
Integrating short-term Short-term needs and interests can jeopardize long term development goals. EIA
needs with long-term goals can help identify and reduce the risk of these problems arising.
Addressing transboundary The political nature of transboundary issues can delay project implementation,
issues increase costs and lead to national conflicts. EIA can be used to identify and find
solutions to transboundary issues.
The Ethiopia Great Dam Project is a good example.
Improving project design and Activities which incorporate EIA at an early stage of their development tend to be
reducing costs more effective and cheaper - because they can identify and address unforeseen
issues during planning and implementation. This can reduce capital and recurrent
costs as well as avoiding unnecessary environmental damage and social disruption.
Improving institutional EIA provides a formal mechanism for inter-agency co-ordination and negotiation
coordination between stakeholder groups.
Considering alternative In the absence of EIA, project appraisal techniques tend to examine alternatives in
projects and designs terms of minimizing financial costs and optimizing financial returns. EIA broadens
the boundaries of project appraisal so that considerations can be made of alternative
approaches (e.g. community management of wildlife, rather than national parks),
technologies (e.g. improving soil and pest management rather than practices that
emphasis agrochemical applications) and designs
(e.g. re-routing of the Road to avoid damage to the cultural and protected areas).
Improving accountability EIA contributes to planning that is more transparent and accountable by providing
and transparency in a framework for information sharing, dialogue and consensus-building.
planning and decision
making
for early warning planning A wide range of resource use, development, and conservation initiatives in order to
make the most of options for achieving sustainability
Source IRA/IIED, 1995

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 EIA in the Project Cycle

Conventional Project
Planning
Corresponding Environmental
Protection Activity
Project
Recon n aissan ce Survey Screening In itial En viron men tal
Examin ation
Pre-feasibility Study
En viron men tal Impact
Feasibility Study Assessment

Fin al Design Checkin g Design

Construction
Mon itorin g Con struction

Operation
Mon itorin g Operation s an d
En viron men tal Effects

Figure A.1 EIA and the Project Cycle

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The spread and evolution of EIA
EIA is now widely institutionalised and accepted throughout the world, and interest continues to
grow. These include:
Box A.3 The Evolution of EIA :
Environmental Impact Assessment emerged in the United States as a response to the rise of
environmental movements of the 1960s that raised awareness of the serious environmental effects
of human activities which were inadequately controlled by existing planning regulation and
pollution control measures.
Spread of EIA to other countries:
The spread of EIA to other countries gained momentum due to four fundamental factors:
First, an increasing awareness among the general public of the danger and impacts of major
development and new technologies due to a better scientific knowledge and publicity
Secondly, the increasing activities of environmental pressure groups, For example “Friends of the
Earth” in the UK.the political effectiveness of these groups was intensified by scientific evidence
and media coverage
The third was the widespread concern about the sheer scale of resource developments and their
associated environmental effects.
Fourth, all of the above reasons made the western developed nations more cautious and
responsive to environmental concerns.
EIA & the International Conventions
The role of EIA as a tool for development decision-making was formally recognized in Principle
17 of UNCED :
“Environmental impact assessment, as a national instrument, shall be undertaken for proposed
activities that are likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment and are subject
to a decision of a competent national authority”.

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Topic B: EIA IN ETHIOPIA
Target points
 National policy initiatives
 National EIA guidelines and its performance in the country

Box B.1 The national context

Ethiopia has now enacted some type of EIA legislation, regulations (mandatory rules) and
procedural guidance (advisory interpretation) elaborate how EIA legislation is to be implemented.
Some of these are:
Article 43:- The Right to Development and
Article 44:- Environment Right
Establish a legal Environmental Protection Authority by proclamation No. 9/1995. According to this
proclamation the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has amongst its 'powers and duties':
• To prepare environmental protection policy and laws; and, upon approval, follow up their
implementation.
• To prepare directives and systems necessary for evaluating the impact of social and economic
development projects on the environment; follow up and supervise their implementation.

Level of EIA performance in Ethiopia

Past experience has shown that programmes and projects undertaken in different sectors of the
country have caused damage to the environment and to public health. This is because traditional
project preparations and decisions were mainly based on short term economic and technical
feasibilities and neglected the environmental and social as well as the long-term economic
dimensions.

A. NATIONAL POLICY INITIATIVES:

I. Legislative Framework for Environmental Impact Assessment in Ethiopia
Prior to becoming a legal requirement in 2002, the application of EIA in Ethiopia was introduced
by a few sectors. The former Ethiopian Valleys Development Authority was the first national
institution to incorporate EIA into its activities. Environmental Impact Assessment Proclamation
(Proc No. 299/2002) makes EIA to be a mandatory legal prerequisite for the implementation of
major development projects, programs and plans. This proclamation was promulgated to
facilitate the implementation and the maximization of socio-economic benefits by predicting and
managing the environmental effects which a proposed development activity or public
instruments might entail prior to their implementation. With regard to development projects, the
proclamation stipulates that no person shall commence implementation of a proposed project
identified by directive as requiring EIA without first passing through environmental impact
assessment process and obtaining authorization from the competent environmental agency. In
line with this, project proponents must undertake EIA and submit the report to the concerned
environmental body, and, when implementing the project, fulfill the terms and conditions of the
EIA authorization given to them.
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 II. Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines
Based on the duties and powers vested to Environmental Protection Authority( EPA); it has
issued different EIA guidelines that can help to implement the EIA Proclamation and policy
objectives entailed in the environmental policy. Among these are the technical and procedural
EIA guidelines, which were issued in 2000 and 2003 respectively. They are intended to guide
developers, competent agencies and other stakeholders in carrying out EIAs. Most of the issues
which are raised in establishing the mechanism for the effective implementation of the EIA
procedure in the development projects of all sectors are essentially similar. For this reason one
set of procedures has been prepared which is relevant to all development projects.

The procedural guideline details the required procedures for conducting an EIA, the permit
requirements, the stages and procedures involved in EIA process, and the roles and responsibilities of
parties involved in the EIA process. According to Procedural Guideline proposal, the project
proponent (developer) is responsible for undertaking an 'Initial Environmental Examination'
(IEE) in order to determine whether or not a given project requires full EIA. The IEE report
would have importance in setting out relevant details of the project (location, size of the project,
likely impacts and proposed mitigation measures etc). On the basis of the IEE report, the
Competent Agency (e.g. EPA) will approve the project (with conditions if considered necessary),
request a full EIA study, or reject the project outright. The EPA can assist developers in
addressing environmental issues related to development projects and in meeting environmental
impact assessment requirements by preparing sectoral EIA guidelines that provide relevant
information and making them available to the developers.
Outlines of the proposed draft EIA process (main stages guidelines)
The main stages in the proposed draft environmental impact assessment process in Ethiopia include:
Screening: which will be undertaken to decide which projects should be subject to environmental impact
assessment. Criteria used include size of project, nature of project and sensitivity of the environment.
As clearly mentioned in the proposed guideline, screening will be undertaken by the Competent
Agency.
Scoping: the process which defines the key issues should be included in the environmental assessment.
The intent of this process is to focus the environmental impact assessment on a limited number of
environmental issues and to identify these issues through proactive public consultation which
ensures that a wide number of stakeholders are to be involved. As stated in the guideline document,
these key issues will be clearly described in the Terms of Reference (ToR) which will be prepared
by the project proponent.
Study phase: As stated in the procedure, paying the cost of, and undertaking, the study is the
responsibility of the project proponent. The output of the study (EIS) will be reviewed by the
Competent Agency.
Review: As environmental impact statements are normally produced by the project proponents, it is usual
for a review to be undertaken by the concerned Competent Agency is responsible for reviewing and
approving the Initial Environmental Examination reports and ToRs of the proposed projects.
Monitoring: is normally adopted as a mechanism to check that any conditions imposed on the project
are being enforced or to check the quality of the affected environment. The responsibility for
undertaking this activity is with the project proponent. However, the Competent Agency is also
involved in this process as is deemed necessary.

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Auditing: is used to test the scientific accuracy of impact predictions and as a check on environmental
management practices. It is stated in the guideline document that the project proponent and the
Competent Agency are actively participating in undertaking this major activity.

The other valuable document is the Guideline for Reviewing EIA Reports (2003). This is a generic
guideline prepared to facilitate the EIA reports reviewing and decision-making process, and it
includes review approaches, and outlines a minimum report structure and information requirements.

Help the reviewers to assess the content, comprehensiveness, adequacy and accuracy of
information in the report, as well as its organizational and presentational qualities. The review
guideline is principally meant to be used by EPA and regional environmental agencies but also by
sectoral environmental units, and the proponents. Thus, it is believed that the guideline will help to
make decisions in good time and faith, whether and under what conditions the project shall proceed
(See apndex2).
III. Administrative Framework for Environmental Impact Assessment
The environmental protection organs responsible for protection of environment and administering the
EIA process are established based on the provision of Environmental Protection Organs
Establishment Proclamation. These environmental protection institutions are: Environmental
Council, Federal Environmental Protection Authority, Regional Environmental Protection
Authorities and Sectoral Environmental Units. Each of these organs has its own duties and
responsibilities with respect to EIA administrations. Sectoral Environmental Units are mandated to
be established at every competent agency with the responsibility of coordinating and following up
activities in harmony with environmental protection laws and requirements. Such sectoral
environmental units can play important role in ensuring that EIA is carried on development projects
and public instruments initiated by government institutions. The Environmental council consists of
representatives from relevant federal and government offices, NGOs and other civic societies. The
main duties of the council is review proposed environmental policies, strategies, regulations and
issue recommendations to the government; evaluate and provide appropriate advise on the
implementation of Environmental Policy of Ethiopia; and review and approve directives, guidelines,
and environmental standards prepared by EPA.

The regulation of EIA is one of the key responsibilities entrusted to the federal Environmental
Protection Authority. In this respect, federal EPA is responsible for establishing a system for
undertaking EIA on public and private projects as well as on social and economic policies, strategies,
laws and programs. Specifically, it is responsible for developing a directive that identifies categories
of projects likely to have negative impact and thus require EIA, and for issuing guidelines that direct
the preparation and evaluation of EIA study reports. In addition, EPA is responsible for evaluating
the EIA study reports on projects subject to federal licensing, execution or supervision and on
projects likely to create inter-regional impacts. The EPA is also responsible for auditing and
regulating the implementation of such projects (EPA, 2000). The regional environmental agencies
are responsible to evaluate the EIA study reports on projects that are licensed, executed or
supervised by regional states and that are not likely to entail inter-regional impacts. Regional
environmental agencies are also responsible for auditing and regulating the implementation of such
projects.

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B. CONSTRAINTS OF EIA PRACTICE IN ETHIOPIA

In the past, especially until the 1990s, little attention was paid to environmental impacts of
development actions in Ethiopia. The evaluation and decision-making mechanisms were exclusively
based on technical feasibility and economic benefits, and environmental and social impacts were
rarely anticipated or mitigated (Solomon Kebede, 2006). The linkage between the project cycle and
corresponding stages of EIA process are weak. Most "EIA-reports" submitted for approval while
the project is at the operation phase. This is basically in the contravention of the basic principle of
EIA that environmental concerns require an early consideration at project conceptualization or
planning stages (EPA, 2006). The existing institutional conditions of both federal and regional
environmental protection agencies are not encouraging. They lack the desired human resources and
physical competence. Besides absence of strong enforcement tools such as regulation and directives
and lack of coordination among federal, regional, zonal, woreda environmental bodies and other
actors in EIA are the major problems for EIA administration (EPA, 2006). Other EIA constraints
and gaps indicated in the few preliminary reviews undertaken in the past reveals the existence of a
number of gaps and challenges in the EIA system of Ethiopia. These constraints and gaps include:
lack of reliable baseline data, and poor data management system; limited technical and managerial
capacities to implement EIA and limited public participation in different stages of EIA process as
described in the following box chart.

Box B.2 Misconceptions and Attitudes to Environmental Impact Assessment

Nuisance Arguments
`EIA is just a symbolic exercise to satisfy the rules. We don't really need to take it
seriously’. ‘We know all about the issues involved. We have already decided on the action we are going to
take. An EIA is not necessary'. 'EIA is an obstructive nuisance - it interferes with getting on with our
projects'.
Time and Money` Arguments
'EIA takes too long - we need to get this project finished quickly'. 'We can't afford EIA - it adds extra costs
to project planning'.
'We Know Better' Arguments
'EIA and participation is all very well, but local environmental issues obscure national
requirements'.’The public are only likely to raise difficult questions and create difficulties for us'.
Skeletons -in-the-Cupboard' Arguments
'Can't you say something more favourable about this project in your EIA report. It paints a very poor
picture of the project! 'We must use our own technical staff to undertake the EA. They are more likely to
look upon the project favourably'. 'An EIA would run the risk of our project being cancelled'.
We're Not Good Enough' Arguments
'We can't use experts from our own country. There is no-one in the country.

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Topic C: GETTING AN EIA PROCESS STARTED

Figure C.1- General Steps in a Typical EIA Process

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 Step 1- Identification or Registration
This stage is a simple administrative procedure which requires project proponents to officially
register their intention to undertake a development activity. Registration allows all new projects
to be screened (see below) for their potential impacts by the appropriate authority. Registration
procedures differ from one country to another but, in general, responsibility for registering a
proposed project lies with the proponent. To ensure that the proponent understands the EIA
procedures which need to be followed, on registration, the ERB will supply the proponent with
the necessary documentation (policy, legal and administrative requirements, guidelines).

Step 2- Screening
The major tasks cover in this stage are:
(a) Understanding the proposed project
Understanding and answering why and where the project is being undertaken
o Why road
o Why the Ethiopian Great Dam at Abay ( Benishangule)
Answering why? Helps frame alternatives and best social and environmental benefits

(b) Understanding what is being proposed

A. Communicate with engineers, developers, affected community and international
communities; take the Ethiopia great dam project committees from Nile basin scientists who
have different social, environmental and political perspectives
B. Visit similar projects else where
C. Identify and consider associated activities
1. Upstream activities (obtaining construction materials from sources)
2. Downstream Impacts (e.g. water sharing, waste disposal, water contamination like the
current hot Political issue between Ethiopia and Egypt)
3. Temporary structures (e.g. retaining walls, construction roads)

(c) Understanding the proposed project: List out

A. Goal/purpose of project (Consider alternatives)
B. Ancillary activities (Quarries, Haul roads, Transmission lines)
C. Inputs needed (raw materials, Energy, Equipment)
D. Operational characteristics
E. By-products and Wastes produced
F. Financing plan and sequencing/phasing of activities

(d) Screening
Results of the screening process three possibilities project category decisions will made as shown in the
following chart
1. The project is categorized under C type- By its nature the project does not have any
significant effect on the environment- means the EIA process ends
2. The project is categorized under B type- May or may not require a full EIA, but further
scrutiny is indicated- This takes you to Preliminary assessment where a rapid, streamlined EIA
with simplified or more generic tools is employed.
Which is again have two probability out comes after your preliminary assessment
1- NO: Project very unlikely to have any significant adverse effects : EIA process ends
2- Yes: Significant adverse effects are possible: Go to Phase II-Scoping
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 3. The project is categorized under A type- those types that have significant, or irreversible
adverse negative impact to the social and environment of the area and others

Figure C. 2 flowchart of the screening or phase 1 of EIA

A framework for screening
Both prescriptive and discretionary approaches have a place and their specific procedures can be
combined into a comprehensive procedure to classify the projects under each categories;

Typical proposals requiring a full EIA-

those are under A categories in Ethiopia
are:
Dams and Reservoirs
(Re)settlement and urban development
Infrastructure (e.g. transport and sanitation)
Industrial facilities (e.g. manufacturing plants)
Energy and minerals extraction (e.g. oil & gas,
coal)
Waste management and disposal of hazardous
and toxic materials
Energy development (power stations,
transmission lines, pipelines)

Figure C.3 – Project categories in terms of their potential possible impacts

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Step 3- Phase II(The full EIA)
Steps or activities under this stage are
- Scoping
- Conduct a base line Study
- Identify a range of alternatives
- Identify and predict impact for each alternative
- Determine impact significance
- Compare and evaluate alternatives
- Consider options to mitigate or compensate for impacts
- Prepare mitigation and monitoring plan

A. Scoping- This stage is sometimes referred to as preliminary assessment, is used to focus the
EIA on the key issues for decision-making. In addition scoping is used to identify im[ortant
information needs for the EIA study, to review alternative options and prepare tem of
reference (TOR) to the project. The major tasks undertake under this stage are:
- Identification of potential impacts
- It is qualitative in nature
- Tools used are
o Check list This points will
o Matrices discuss in detail at
o Overlays impact analysis
o Networks stage
o Simulations
o Ad hoc methodologies

I. Evaluation of Base Line Situation

- Basic question: What would happen in the absence of the project
- Necessary as a basis for comparison
- Environmental attribute examined can include
o Geology, topography, soils, climate, ground water, surface water, ecosystems (aquatic and
terrestrial), sensitive areas, endangered species, noise, air quality, land use, historic, cultural
and archaeological, social and economic conditions.

 In a nutshell, a baseline survey is important because:

 A good baseline survey is the foundation of an EIA, resembling piling of a building.
 A baseline survey establishes identity of a project; identifies affected communities and
their status, and provides yardsticks for impact prediction.

II. Identification of alternatives to be studied

Two alternatives must be considered
1- the proposed project
2- the “no project” alternative (the base line situation)
And at least one additional alternative
1- identify and describe these additional alternatives as soon as possible
2- Focus on credible alternatives

Then Identify Potential Impacts for each alternative

- Many tools and methods are available
- Types of impacts
o Direct vs Indirect
o Short term vs Long Term
o Adverse vs Beneficial
13
 Compare and evaluate alternatives
- Systematic approaches can help in evaluation process
- Choosing the preferred alternatives involves a value judgement
o What matters
o What governs, controls or regulates
Selection of Best Alternative
-Compliance
- Scaled/Weighted matrices
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Goal-achievement
- Multi criteria Evaluation

Box C.1 Assessment of project alternatives mechanisms

A range of systematic methods can be used for comparing and evaluating alternatives. The
different categories of alternatives are given below:
Demand alternatives (e.g. using energy more efficiently rather than building more
generating capacity);
Activity alternatives (e.g. providing public transport rather than increasing road capacity);
Locational alternatives, either for the entire proposal or for components (e.g. the location
of a processing plant for a Dam, or the location of tourist lodges within different zones of a
national park);
Process alternatives (e.g. the re-use of process water in an industrial plant, waste minimizing
or energy efficient technology, different mining methods);
Scheduling alternatives (where a number of measures might play a part in an overall
program, but the order they are scheduled will contribute to the effectiveness of the end
result); and
Input alternatives (e.g. raw materials, energy sources–such as replacing diesel oil with low
biogas such as in the rural and urban people of Ethiopia).

III. Preparation of Term of References (TOR)

Usually government bodies do not employ sufficient staff to carry out EIAs.
 It is more cost effective to ask specialist consultants (local or foreign), universities or
research institutions to carry out environmental assessments.
 In this case, terms of reference (TOR) will have to be prepared by the project-executing
agency
 It will determine its ultimate value

A. Background information section should include:

 Project Description (i.e., type, magnitude, location, alternatives and constraints)
 Environmental Setting (i.e., delineation of study area, listing of environmental resources
and sensitive or special value areas)
 Background Reports (e.g., aspects of the environmental setting, previous projects with
relevant impacts or resources)

14
 Box C.1 Specific Format of terms of reference for further EIA studies
An introduction: This should introduce the proponent, the project proposal, and the purpose and
objectives of the study.
Project-related information: The project proposal and project alternatives should be described here,
and in sufficient detail to guide the development of a study proposal. Relevant (existing)
background studies can be summarised to provide an indication of the kinds of information
available to the study.
Specific EIA requirements: Environmental issues likely to be of particular relevance to the project
should be outlined here and EIA objectives. These are normally identified by the scoping study. The
need for the EIA to address measures for avoiding, mitigating and managing impacts must be
clearly stated.
Field versus desk work: Expectations regarding the level of field work, such as ground trusting and
updating existing information sources, or requirements for new surveys etc. should be indicated.
Working relationships: The nature of the relationship between the EIA team, the proponent, the
government and the public, must be discussed. If the EIA is to be effective in influencing project
planning, the ToR must specify that the EIA team work in close collaboration with other project
design components, such as engineering and economic appraisal. Importantly, the ToR should
indicate the range of stakeholder groups who should be involved in the EIA process (these should
be identified during the scoping phase).
Time: The duration and schedule for undertaking and reporting on the EIA process should be specified.
Reporting requirements: ToR should specify the format and main headings for the EIA study report.

ToR may be prepared in collaboration by the developer, an agency and/or consultant requested
by the developer, or the developer in consultation with a donor (in case of a donor funded
project, e.g. the World and Africa Development Bank). In Ethiopia, the Environmental
Protection Authority is likely to bear such responsibility.

ToR are important because they:

 Provide formal guidance for practitioners or experts on the range of issues that must be
addressed in the EIA process;
 clarify to the proponent "what is expected of them"
 provide the proponent with a basis for project analysis;
 provide the reviewing agency with a tool for compliance; and,
 establish the framework for the review process by providing „benchmarks‟ against which
the EIA process (as a whole) and the EIS (in particular) can be evaluated.

15
Responsibility for scoping lies with the proponent, the EIA authority or with the practitioners (EIA experts).

Figure C.4 -Major issues covered at scoping stage

The end result of scoping may either be a formal document, such as terms of reference, or an
informal document such as the proponent‟s scoping report. In any cases, the report should
indicate the following:
 How scoping was undertaken;
 The authorities and interested/affected parties involved;
 How local/central government was involved;
 Alternatives which should be examined in the impact assessment;
 The stakeholder concerns; and,
 The specific guidelines for undertaking and preparing the impact assessment.
The results of scoping must be presented in a clear and logical way so that the significance of
potential impacts can be understood clearly.

B. Predict Potential Impacts

 An Impact: is the effect of any action that affects one or more elements of the natural,
social or economic environment, either adversely or beneficially.
 This sections covers the considerations for
 identifying the impacts more specifically
 predicting the characteristics of the main impacts
 evaluating the significance of the residual impact
 Prediction of uncertainties and
 comparison of alternatives

16
The three overlapping phases:
Identification: to specify the impacts associated with each phase of the project and the
activities undertaken;
Prediction: to forecast the nature, magnitude, extent and duration of the main impacts; and
Evaluation: to determine the significance of residual impacts i.e. after taking into account how
mitigation will reduce a predicted impact.

One of the most critical techniques in the conduct of EIA is the ability to identify, assess and
evaluate the potential environmental impacts of development proposals and projects, as well as to
identify the sources of any such anticipated impacts. Basic questions to ask in assessing
environmental impacts include:
 what are the components of the proposed action or project,
 what is likely to happen to the environment as a result of the project,
 What will be the extent and severity of the changes,
 Will the changes matter so much,
 If so what can be done to minimise the changes,
 How can the perceived changes and actions to minimised be used for decision making?
Important factors to consider in determination of impacts:
Nature of project,
Location of project,
Nature of anticipated impacts,
Risk factors,
Legal and policy considerations.
Criteria for determination of impact significance, including:
Ecological importance,
Social importance,
Economic considerations,
Environmental standards,
Positive versus negative aspects.
The determination of significance can also be based on the use of indicators and "weighing"
techniques where impacts are evaluated against threshold values, where these exist.

Determine the Significance of Potential Impacts

Effects (Impact) prediction is the most challenging and controversial stage of the EIA process
Some criteria for determining adverse impacts include:
o Resources availability, farm land, forests, wild life
o Public concern/controversy/precedent setting
o Disruption of local customs
o Loss of rare or endangered species and ddisturbance of protected /valued habitats
o Loss of critical/productive habitat;
o Toxicity impacts on human health;
o Reductions in the capacity of renewable resources to meet the needs of present and
future generations;
o Loss of current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes by aboriginal
persons; and Foreclosure of future resource use or production Aesthetics,religous and
recreation, other unique characteristics
17
 Types of impacts & their attributes
Direct & indirect
The EIA process is impacts
concerned with
Short-term & long-
all types of impacts and term impacts
may describe them in a
Adverse & beneficial
number of ways
impacts
Cumulative impacts
 Intensity
 Direction
 Spatial extent
 Duration
But all impacts are
 Frequency
 Reversibility NOT treated
 Probability equally.
ENCAP EA-ESD Course: Basic Concepts for EIA. Visit
www.encapafrica.org 6

 E.g. If Mosebo cement factory was established at Semien/Awash National Park or near to Aksum
or Lalibela, it has very different social and cultural impact implication to the peoples of the country
than the current operational location

Box C. 3 Tools for Impact Analysis

-Checklists
-Matrices
-Networks
-Overlays and geographical information systems (GIS)
-Expert systems
-Professional judgement

 Selection of Appropriate Methods

Type and size of proposal
Type of alternatives being assessed
Nature of likely impacts (For example, the use of costly GIS technology and expertise may not be
justified for a small project of limited environmental scope).
Experience using EIA methods
Resources available
Nature of public involvement
Procedural/administrative requirements

EIA Impact Identification

Methods
Expert Systems
Overlays/GIS

Assessment
Checklists

Networks
Matrices

Risk





Qualitative Quantitative

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 Table C.1 - Example of a Simple checklist

1. Checklists: are
standard lists of
the types of
impacts
associated with a
particular type of
project. This
methods are
primarily for
organizing
information or
ensuring that no
potential impact
is overlooked.

Table C.2 Simple checklist developed for the Road Project (this is to give only to show how we use checklist
but not based on ground data).
Items Nature of Likely Impacts

Adverse Beneficial
ST LT R IR L W ST LT SI N
Aquatic Ecosystems x x x
Fisheries x X x x
Forests x x
Wildlife x x
Rare and endangered species
Surface hydrology x x x x
Surface and river water quality
Ground water quantity and quality x x x
Soils x x x
Air quality x x x x
Navigation * * * * * * * * * *
Land transportation x
Agriculture x x
Scio-economic ( cultural, economical, x X X
religion and traditional impact)
Aesthetics x x x
Legend X indicates potential for type of impact ST denotes Short Term LT denotes Long Term
R denotes Reversible IR denotes Irreversible L denotes Local
W denotes Wide SI denotes Significant N denotes Normal
* denotes Negligible
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2. Matrices: This methods identify interactions between various project actions and environmental
parameters and components i.e allow cause-effect interaction.
It is the most Commonly used Method of Impact Identification. common Matrices Types:
 Simple Matrices
 Time Dependent Matrices
 Magnitude Matrices
 Quantified Matrix (Leopold Matrix)
 Weighted Matrices

Table C.3 Simple Matrices sample chart

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Table 14 Example of Leopold matrix impact analysis method

3. Networks: Matrices are limited only to identifying cause-effect linkages (direct impact).
While Network diagram visually describes these linkages, providing some indication of how an
ecosystem operates.
 Different levels of information can be displayed in a network diagram to study the “Holistic"
characteristic approach of network is to recognize series of impacts may be activated by a single
project action. This method provides a guide to identification of second and third-order effects
(indirect impact).

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Figure C.4- Overlaying Impact Analysis

4. Geographic information systems (GIS)

 Have potential for storing and accessing large data,
 Can combine data from many different sources for use in geographic analysis,
 Are efficient at performing multiple map overlays
 Can generate descriptive and analytical statistics
 Allow number of different scenarios to be investigated quickly and efficiently
 Can generate maps for output

22
 e.g. How we
delineate the
project site and
show the possible
impacts

Figure C.4 GIS methods of Impact analysis

Table C.4 Main potential strength and weakness of impact identification methods

5. Mitigation and monitoring plans: Is the Selecting of appropriate mitigation

measures in order to

 Avoid, minimise or remedy adverse impacts

 Ensure that residual impacts are within acceptable levels
 Enhance environmental and social benefits
 An important outcome of this stage will be recommendations for mitigating measures

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(Avoidance, Replacement, Down size, Restoration, Compensation)

Step One: Impact avoidance

 most effective when applied at an early stage of project planning.
 not undertaking certain projects or elements that could result in adverse impacts;
 avoiding areas that are environmentally sensitive; and
 putting in place preventative measures to stop adverse impacts from occurring, for
example, release of water from a reservoir to maintain a fisheries regime.

Step Two: Impact minimization

Usually taken during impact identification and prediction to limit or reduce the degree, extent,
magnitude, or duration of adverse impacts.
 scaling down or relocating the proposal;
 redesigning elements of the project; and
 taking supplementary measures to manage the impacts.

Step Three: Impact compensation

Usually applied to remedy unavoidable residual adverse impacts.
 rehabilitation of the affected site or environment, for example, by habitat enhancement
and restocking fish;
 restoration of the affected site or environment to its previous state or better, as typically
required for mine sites, forestry roads and seismic lines; and
 replacement of the same resource values at another location, for example, by wetland
engineering to provide an equivalent area to that lost to drainage or infill.

24
Good understanding of problems is critical to development of effective mitigation measures
 What is the problem?
 When will the problem occur?
 When should the problem be addressed?
 How should the problem be addressed?
 Who stands to lose or gain?
 Who will implement the measures?
 Where (i.e. at what locations) will the measures be implemented?
 To what standards or requirements should these measures be implemented?

Characteristics of a good mitigation plan:

 Contains measures to prevent, offset or minimise anticipated environmental impacts,
 Includes actions needed to implement the plan,
 dentifies responsible actors, including institutional responsibility for implementation of the
mitigation measures,
 provides technical details for each mitigation measure,
 identifies an implantation schedule for various elements of the mitigation plan,
 identifies monitoring and reporting procedures,
 resources required for implementation of the mitigation plan.
As in the previous session, the participants can be given a case study for review to evaluate adequacy
of the proposed mitigation measures for a particular project.

Box C.4 Simple Exercise

Case study Presentation on Impact Mitigation
To provide trainees with further insight into impact mitigation, it is recommended that the Lead
Trainer presents a sample case study of an EIA mitigation programme and thereafter give the
participants an opportunity to discuss and make comments on adequacy and shortcomings of the
mitigation measures identified. You try to identify different types of environmental impacts that have
been identified in local projects, especially impacts that are particular to the region(Tigray)

2.5.2 Group work on Impact Mitigation

To further give hands-on practice on EIA mitigation, this session should provide opportunity for the
course trainees participants to practice EIA mitigation based on the same projects for which scoping
and impact identification was carried out. For purposes of continuity, it is recommended that the
composition of the groups remains as for the previous group work. The identification of the
mitigation measures can make use of the impact mitigation criteria outlined during the previous
sessions.

25
PART D – GETTING TO KNOW YOUR EIA REPORT
Environmental Impact Statement

4.1 EIA Reporting

Because EIA should provide a basis for decision making, the information generated during the study
must be presented in a manner that is clear enough to take an informed decision on the project
subjected to EIA. It is therefore important that participants are introduced to techniques of EIA report
preparation. This session therefore is aimed at equipping participants with skills for writing
satisfactory EIA reports which can be of value to decision makers. However, in view of the fact that
the basic elements of EIA reporting often vary depending on the different policy and legal
requirements under different jurisdictions, the lead trainer has to be mindful of the different policy
and legislative requirements for EIA reporting in the countries where
the participants come from.

4.1.1 EIA report format: Basic elements of an EIA report

The Lead Trainer shall outline the contents of a typical EIA report, including:
Typical Contents of EIA
More specific guidelines for contents of an EIA are usually specified in the terms of reference of
an EIA study of a particular project. The typical headings of an EIA are:

II. Executive Summary

III. Introduction
IV. Project Description
V. Project stakeholders and public involvement
VI. Description of Institutional, Policy and Legislative Environment
VII. Description of Existing Social and Biophysical Environment
VIII. Environmental Planning and Design
IX. Assessment of Environmental Impacts
X. Impact Planning and Management
XI. Economic Evaluation
XII. Conclusion and Recommendations
XIII. Appendices

1. Executive, or non-technical, summary

The non-technical summary is the part of the report that most people will read. It is often the
only part of the report that people will read! For a small to medium proposal a two to three page
summary is appropriate. However, for a major proposal, the executive summary may be up to ten
pages long. The summary should be short but comprehensive, with an emphasis on expected
impacts and management measures.

26
2. INTRODUCTION- here you are expected to write some general information to introduce for
your clients, This should identify the type of project proposed (e.g. road project; forest
plantation); its location (or various site alternatives), and if the project is part of a larger
proposal or not.
3. PROJECT DESCRPTION AND JUSTFICATIO- here you try to give information in detail
about the
Project Description like location, nature and major activities. This should indicate the status of the
project in the project cycle e.g. pre-feasibility, feasibility, detailed engineering and design - so
that reviewers of the report can understand the level of detail and available planning or design
options.
Project Justification-the major significant contribution of the project to the country economy
e.g. Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Project (GERDP) is a Hydropower Project being built on the
Abay River intended to generate 6,000MW of Electricity by exploiting the river’s flow which has an
average water discharge of 1,547 cu.m/s.

4. POLICY, LEGAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK-

This would include the policies, regulations, institutional and legislation which the project will
have to comply, and the bodies or organisations with which it will have relations in its
construction and operation environment affecting the project and its development.. This will
cover the different institutional and administrative boundaries affecting the project. The major
points cover here are:

Regulatory Framework of FDRE- e.g.The ESIA study for the proposed Ashegoda Wind Farm
project has been carried out within the framework of local, national and international environmental
regulations. The legislative framework applicable to the proposed project is governed by the Federal
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Africa Development Bank‟s environmental and
safeguard policies and procedures.
Relevant Guideline- e.g.
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia adopted its Constitution in 1995, which provides the
basic and comprehensive principles and guidelines for environmental protection, and management
in the country.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has established an Environmental Impact Assessment
system for Ethiopia including the preparation of Procedural and Sectoral Guidelines as a
prerequisite for the approval of new development activities and projects.
EEPCO and the contractor will be responsible for implementing the recommended environmental
mitigation measures and management plans in coordination with the Federal EPA and the Regional
Environmental Protection Offices. The environmental performance of the project will be monitored
on a regular basis through EEPCO‟s own set-up and through external/ third party audits.
e.g. African Development Bank Guidelines- According to AfDB screening criteria, the Grand
Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Project is a category “1” project, for which a full-scale environmental
impact assessment is required. This ESIA reports were prepared to fulfill the requirements of AfDB
involvement in financing of the project investment

27
 5. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ENVIRONMENT-Description of the project ite interms of
topography, climate, resources like soil, water, fauna and flora of the project area and socio-
economic activities
It should include:
 spatial and temporal boundaries within which the environment is going to be considered;
 environmental conditions in qualitative and quantitative terms of the physical, biological and
human environment before the implementation of the project, as well as projected conditions
over the time horizon of the project should the project not go ahead; and,
 environmentally-sensitive areas of special or unique scientific, socio-economic or cultural
value.
In most cases, the description should include:
inputs (raw materials), outputs (products), processes and major types of equipment;
the different options or alternative designs or locations available to the project;
maps, flow diagrams and photographs where necessary; and
a summary of technical, economic and environmental features essential to the project.

6. PROJECT ALTERNATIVES-
Alternative I: “Do-nothing”: With the “do-nothing” alternative, the potential social and socio-
economic benefits to the nation would be foregone, and quality of life would remain at a low
level for many of those who live in the country. Therefore, from an environmental viewpoint,
the “do-nothing” alternative is not preferable to project implementation.
Alternative II: the site is comparatively rich in its biodiversity resources and could be affected severely
the tourism potential of the area;
Alternative III: (Preferred option):e.g. if Ashegoda wind farm is established as Adigudem; it avoids
clearing of additional forest areas, dislocation of more households, interfering to further
cultivated lands, etc.
Therefore, from the environmental and socio economic points of view, option 3 is preferred as the best to
implement the proposed project, given that the proper mitigation measures are undertaken in advance.

7. POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION/ENHANCEMENT MEASURES

This chapter serves to assess the identified potentially significant environmental impacts (both
positive and negative) associated with the proposed site for the development of project and to make
recommendations for the mitigation measure of these impacts.

Table D.1 Synthesis of Environmental Impacts Matrix

No Environment components Preconstruction Construction stage Operation
phase activity components
Social -economic Environent
Residential areas , Income , Cultural and
historical sites, Health & safety, Quit daily life and
I
Society unrest
Physical-Environment
II Soil, Air quality and Land use
Biological Environment
III  Flora, Fauna and Parks and reserves

28
 Beneficial/ Positive Impacts
Key potentially beneficial impacts associated with the implementation of the project are:
 Additional Power Capacity: EEPCO will be able to increase its electric power reliability and
power supply capacity
 Creation of employment and business opportunities: It is expected that many people (including
women to the extent possible) will get jobs during construction; and an additional people will
probably get direct and indirect jobs during operation. 
 Boost the economy through investment and expansion of businesses and income generation
opportunities. 
 Gender Issues: e.g. Women often run shops and bars in the areas and during the construction period,
it is anticipated that there will be further income generating activities for women such as food
catering/restaurants for workers on the construction sites and the selling of local products to
construction camp workers. 
 Connecting more households and institutions to the national grid, Enable to reduce poverty,
Improve living standards. 
 Potential Negative Impacts: Impacts on Fauna, Impact on flora, Noise, Vibration and Dust Emissions,
Impacts on Residential Areas and Community Services, Impacts on Crop Production, Social Impact (HIV/AIDS
and other sexually transmitted diseases), Landscape and aesthetic beauty Visual Intrusion of the area, Impacts
on Soil (the risk of erosion), Impacts on Drainage and Water Resources, Impact of National Park (The Koka –
Hurso Dire Dawa Electric transmission line impact on the Awash National Park in part)
 Mitigation/Enhancement Measures: Here find any options to reduce or avoid for all negative
listed impacts and enhance those positive impacts. 
Rehabilitation the area with indigenous trees-The contractors will be required to taking proper
dust abatement measures like watering of roads and control of traffic speed limit. 
 Environmental and social management plan (ESMP): e.g. the contractor is responsible for
implementing the majority environmental mitigation measures specified in this report and measures
specified in the contract. EEPCO will be fully responsible for implementing the project related
suggested solution 
 Environmental Monitoring: The Federal Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) will oversee all
the environmental activities related to the project. The Ministry of Mines and Energy, Agricultural and
Rural development, Health and other stakeholders will be involved with their specific monitoring
responsibilities in the environmental and socio economic activities. 

8. PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS AND DISCLOSURE: During field assessment and scoping phase of
the ESIAs and RAPs preparation, public consultations and disclosure meetings were held with the
affected community households, elders and chairpersons of the Kebele (Peasant) Associations. The
consultations were conducted at Asehgoda , Adigudem and Kuhia Town, kebeles and nearby villages
for Ashegoda wind farm project. Public consultations and disclosure requirements: During the
Scoping and reviewing Phase, public participation was comprehensive and included advertising in
national, regional, and local newspapers, subsequent notifications in regional and local newspapers,
and the dissemination of a nontechnical Background Information Document (BID) in English,
Amharic, Tigrigna and Affan Oromo languages.
9. CONCLUSION- It is useful to have summarised in a series of brief statements referring to
relevant sections of the report. The section should focus on significant impacts, the measures

29
 proposed avoid or mitigate them, and the impact management proposals during project
implementation.
10. APPENDICES: These should include information not directly useful in the text of the
report but needed for reference or detailed review by technical experts. These could include:
References;
Abbreviations used in text;
The Terms of Reference for the study;
Sources of data and information;
Detailed data reduced for use in the main body of the report;
Detailed technical analysis of particular impacts (e.g. pollution dispersion, soil erosion,
demands for social services);
Names of individuals and organisations consulted or involved in study;
Details of when and where study was undertaken; and,
Names and qualifications of team members who carried out the study.

4.2 EIA REVIEW

Determines whether the EIA report is an adequate assessment of environmental concerns and is
of sufficient relevance and quality for decision making
The review can be carried out by decision maker or by review committee, however effective
review criteria should allow an authority to:
 Ensure that all relevant information has been analyzed and presented.
 Assess the validity and accuracy of information contained in EIA Report.
 Quickly become familiar with the proposed project and consider whether additional
information is needed.
 Assess the significance of the project‟s environmental effects.
 Evaluate the need for mitigation and monitoring of environmental impact and advise
on whether a project should be allowed to proceed
Guidelines to assist in the review of the quality of EIA, and to provide a framework for
coherence and consistency of review quality, have now been prepared for a number of countries
(See Appendix 2 for Ethiopia).

The review phase is an essential component of an effective EIA process. It provides an impartial
mechanism for assessing the quality of the EIA and its adequacy for decision-making. In some
countries, such as the Netherlands, an independent commission provides a review of each impact
assessment. Review is generally the responsibility of the competent environmental authority.
However, in many countries, especially where technical expertise, time and financial resources
are limiting, review agencies establish special review panels or inquiry bodies drawing expertise
from different organisations and agencies, such as university departments, research institutes,
NGOs, consultancy organisations and expertise within other government departments.

The purpose of the review process is to establish if the information in an EIA report is sufficient
for decision-making.

30
  Key objectives and aims are to:
 Review the quality of the EIA report
 Take account of public comment
 Determine if the information is sufficient, clear and understandable
statement of key findings
 Identify any deficiencies to be corrected
 Compliance with terms of reference
 Check information is correct and technically sound
 Check information is sufficient for decision-making
On completion of the review process, decisions can be made public on whether or not the EIS is
adequate for decision-making purposes use thte following rating classes of the report.

Table D.2 the final decision output possibiliies of reviewing stage

The review guideline is principally meant to be used by EPA and regional environmental agencies
but also by sectoral environmental units, and the proponents. Thus, it is believed that the guideline
will help to make decisions in good time and faith, whether and under what conditions the project
shall proceed (See apendix2).

Critical Areas for Review

 Compliance with the Terms of Reference
 Examination of alternatives, environmental setting, impact analysis, mitigation, and
impact management and monitoring
 About the analytical techniques or methods
 For the EIA completeness and comprehensiveness of the assessment process
 Sufficiency and accuracy of information provided for decision-making purposes

4.3 DECISION-MAKING
The main decision in the EIA process, whether or not to allow the proposal to proceed lies with a
government agency, following consultation and public participation. EIA is an ongoing process
of review, negotiation and incremental decision making

31
  Ultimately, an administrative or political decision is made whether to proceed or not
with a proposed project or activity
 Function of the EIA report is to provide objective assessment of issues to inform and
facilitate the decision-making process other considerations.
Information for decision-makers should include:
 background of the proposal
 policy context
 alternatives considered
 public inputs and balance of opinion
 significant impacts
 proposed mitigation and monitoring
 extent that the proposal conforms to sustainability principles

4.4 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING

Monitoring is an activity undertaken to provide specific information on the characteristics and
functioning of environmental and social variables in space and time. It includes
 Ensure the implementation of conditions attached to a decision or to compare predicted
and actual impacts.
 Verify that impacts are as predicted or permitted.
 Confirm that mitigation measures are working as expected or recommended.
 Take action to manage any unforeseen changes.

The monitoring activities can be classified as:

Baseline monitoring conducted before the development of the project and oriented towards
establishing the baseline environmental conditions.

Construction phase monitoring carried out during the construction and oriented either to the
emissions and discharges of the installation or to the status of the environmental variable.

At operating phase monitoring to be carried out when the installation is left or has finished its
operative period and oriented to residual emissions, e.g. long term evaluation of the
environmental conditions.

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4.5 ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING
Environmental auditing refers to the systematic, documented, periodic and objective review of
practices related to meeting environmental requirements. In EIA, audit refers to the comparison
of actual and predicted impacts for the purpose of assessing the accuracy of predictions and the
effectiveness of impact management practices and procedures. The audit of specific EIAs can
also help encourage compliance with approval terms and conditions, and provide an opportunity
to re-think environmental management practices as the project progresses through the project
cycle.
In conducting an environmental audit the following questions have to be considered:
What environmental impacts were predicted for the project concerned?
When and where were the predictions stated?
What actual impacts have been monitored?
Where are the results recorded?
How do actual impacts compare with predicted impacts?

4.6 STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT IN EIA

WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE EIA PROCESS?
Five principal groups of stakeholders should be involved. These include :

 Project proponents who are responsible for commissioning and paying for the EIA
process. Proponents usually include government ministries and departments, private sector
companies and development agencies. A project proponent is strongly advised to critically
review the EIA findings, recommendations, and conclusion, together with its implementation
schedule. Proponents should satisfy themselves that they would implement all these
recommendations and that these undertakings are certain and clear enough to be implemented
timely, properly and flexibly.
 EIA practitioners or service providers who undertake or provide inputs to the EIA
process. They include individuals; organisations; research and academic institutes; NGOs;
and both local and international consulting companies.
 Reviewers who are responsible for 'quality control'. They are responsible for determining
the level of environmental assessment required (screening), and ensuring that the EIA
process proceeds according to agreed, clear and comprehensive terms of reference. They
also review the EIA process and communicate their findings to decision-makers and other
stakeholders. Depending on the complexity and scope of the project, an independent review
panel may be formed for a specific project. Such panel members may be recruited from
government ministries, universities and colleges, and environmental NGOs, together with
local and international experts. The public should be notified of the EIS and requested to
present their views and comments and these would be collated by the EIA Agency for
consideration.

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  Decision-makers who are responsible for making decisions on project development once an
environmental impact statement (EIS) has been submitted. They may include central
government, local authorities and development agencies.
 The public who are the most important stakeholders. The public can contribute ideas and
information that can help to avoid unforeseen problems, improve project design and
contribute to monitoring. Experience also shows that development projects imposed on local
communities often fail or under-perform because they lack a sense of local ownership and
public support. They can also result in conflict. EIA provides a mechanism for public
involvement in decision-making. The public also includes interest groups. These are groups
that might not be directly affected by a development proposal, but which have interests in
particular aspects of the environment, such as conservation organisations, NGOs and CBOs.

Box D. 1 Who are the Public?

The public” are different people who care, positively or negatively, about a project. Who they
are may depend on their ethical, moral, interest, welfare etc. viewpoints.
They may become involved due to their

 Proximity – Pollution, Property values, Employment.

 Economics – Landowners, House-owners.
 Use – Amenity value, rights of way, vista.
 Social and Environmental Issues – Justice and Risk.
 Values – Animal Rights, Ecology, Religion.

key objectives
 Obtain local and traditional knowledge that may be useful for decision-making;
 Facilitate consideration of alternatives, mitigation measures and trade-offs;
 Ensure that important impacts are not overlooked and benefits are maximized;
 Reduce conflict through the early identification of contentious issues;
 Provide an opportunity for the public to influence project design in a positive manner (thereby creating
a sense of ownership of the proposal);
 Improve transparency and accountability of decision-making; and
 Increase public confidence in the EIA process.

Table D.3 Tools and techniques for public involvement

Technique Description and use Advantages Disadvantages
Level 1. Education & information provision
Leaflets/ Used to convey information. Can reach a wide audience, or Information may not be
Brochures Care should be taken in be targeted. understood or be
distribution. misinterpreted
Newsletters May involve a series of Ongoing contact, flexible Not everyone will read a
publications. Care should be format, can address changing newsletter
taken in distribution. needs and audiences.
Unstaffed Set up in public areas to convey Can be viewed at a convenient Information may not be
Exhibits/Displays information. time and at leisure. Graphics understood or be
can help visualize proposals. misinterpreted
Local Newspaper Conveys information about a Potentially cheap form Circulation may be limited
Article proposed activity. publicity. A means of reaching
a local audience.
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National Conveys information about a Potential to reach a very large Unless an activity has gained
Newspaper Article proposed activity. audience. a national profile, it will be
of limited interest.
Site Visits Provides first hand experience of Issues brought to life through Difficult to identify a site
an activity and related issues. real examples. which replicates all issues.
Level 2. Information feedback
Staffed Set up in public areas to convey Can be viewed at a convenient Requires a major
Exhibits/Displays information. Staff available. time and at leisure. Graphics can commitment of staff
help visualize proposals. Groups time.
can be targeted.
Staffed telephone Can phone to obtain Easy for people to participate and May not be as good as
Lines information, ask questions provide comments. Promotes a face-to face discussions.
or make comments about feeling of accessibility. Staff may not have
proposals or issues knowledge to respond to
all questions.
Internet Used to provide information or Potential global audience. Not all parties will have
invite feedback. On-line forums Convenient method for those with access to the Internet.
and discussion groups can be set internet access.
up.
Public Meetings Used to exchange information and Can meet with other stakeholders. Can be complex,
views. Demonstrates proponent is willing unpredictable and
to meet with other interested intimidating. May be
parties. hijacked by interest
groups.
Surveys, Used for obtaining information Confidential surveys may result in Response rate can be
Interviews and and opinions. more candid responses. Can poor. Responses may not
Questionnaires May be self-administered, identify existing knowledge and be representative and
conducted face-to-face, by post or concerns. opinions change.
telephone.
Level 3. Involvement & consultation
Workshops Used to provide background Provides an open exchange of Only a small number of
information, discuss issues ideas. Can deal with complex individuals can participate.
in detail and solve problems. issues and consider issues in- Full range of interests not
depth. Can be targeted. represented.
Open-House Location provided, e.g. at a site Can be visited at a convenient Preparation for and staffing
or operational building, for time and at leisure. of the open house may
people to visit, learn about a require considerable time
proposal and provide feedback. and money.
Community People representing particular Can consider issues in detail and Not all interests may be
Advisory/Liaison interests or areas of expertise, highlight the decision-making represented. Requires on-
Groups e.g. community and religious process and the complexities going commitment from
leaders, meet to discuss issues. involved. participants.
Citizen Juries Group of citizens brought Can consider issues in detail and Not all interests may be
together to consider an issue. in a relatively short period of represented. Limited time
Evidence received from expert time. may be available for
witnesses. Report produced, participants to fully
setting out the views of the jury. consider information
received.
Visioning Used to develop a shared vision Develops a common view of Lack of control over the
of the future. future needs. outcome.
Needs to be used early in
the decision-making
process.

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 Box D.2 Benefits of stakeholder involvement in EIA
Potential benefits from increased stakeholder involvement include :
 Help the EIA address relevant issues, including those perceived as being important by local communities and
affected groups;
 Help to harness traditional knowledge which conventional approaches may overlook;
 Help improve information flows between proponents and stakeholder groups, improving the understanding and
‘ownership’ of a project;
 Enable local communities to influence project design, so that it responds to their needs;
 Help identify important environmental characteristics or mitigation opportunities that might be overlooked;
 Help ensure that the magnitude and significance of impacts has been properly assessed;
 Improve the acceptability and quality of mitigation and monitoring processes.

Potential costs of insufficient or lack of public involvement:

-Emergence of conflicts between different levels of government, or between different governmental agencies and
failure to gather local support for project;
-Risk of marginalising potentially valuable contributors to the decision-making process; failure to tailor projects to
local needs and priorities;
-Lack of accountability can lead to ineffective or inefficient working practices and corruption;
-Failing to draw on local expertise and energy represents a potential lost opportunity for making a good project
even better;
-Communication problems can create divisions within local communities, and breed resentment between local
communities and project proponents;
-May lead to important, and often locally-specific, social, environmental and health impacts being overlooked or
ignored in project design;
-Reliance on interventions by outside experts, limiting the learning of new possibilities by local stakeholders; and,
-Inability to prevent the concentration of project benefits accruing to a small number of influential beneficiaries.
Source: ODA (1996).

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Topic E: Making the EIA Process Effective
The preceding topics have looked at: what activities are done by the EIA expert and discusses
the framework and resources needed to effectively implement EIA, especially in relation to the
conditions prevailing in Ethiopia today.

EIA SYSTEM
The key elements of effective EIA system (according to UNEP 1996) are summarised below:
 a legal basis with accompanying regulations
 appropriate institutional arrangements for co-ordination and regulation of EIA system,
e.g.by an environment agency
 provision for stakeholder involvement and public participation
 high level political commitment and awareness
 availability of national technical capacity and EIA expertise
 formal review system of EIA reports established by government
 transparency in decision making processes on proposed development actions
In addition to these certain basic resources and conditions are required if EIA is to make an
effective contribution to the design of projects, plans and policies.

Making EIA effective

To be an effective tool
for ESD, EIA must be: EIA is undertaken early enough
 a integral part of the to affect project design
project development Mitigation and monitoring
developed in the EIA process is
cycle.
implemented.

The full EIA study must

 Honest consider real alternatives
Impacts must be assessed
honestly.

 Transparent & The EIA products must be clear

accessible and accessible to key actors.

CONDITIONS FOR EFFECTIVE EIA

Institutions and policies
There are several prerequisites for effective EIA: clear procedural guidelines, functioning
institutional arrangements and procedures and, preferably, legal and/or regulatory provisions. To
date the institutional and policy framework for EIA Ethiopia has been weak or lacking,
however, various initiatives are underway which have the potential to create a policy
environment that could be more supportive of EIA. For example: draft national EIA guidelines
by the EPA, have been prepared and discussed at national and district level

37
Human resources

Experience in Ethiopia shows that there is an urgent need to raise awareness, amongst the full
range of stakeholder groups, of the role of the EIA process, and the contribution it can make to
improved decision-making and planning. A second priority is to develop human resources
trained in EIA process management; and to expose existing "expert groups" such as academics,
economists and research institutions, to EIA applications like this trainings. The building of
multi-disciplinary team working skills will be an important part of this process. Finally, the
development and use of participatory planning and research skills will be of considerable value
to EIA throughout the country. In Ethiopia EIA teams often lack expertise crucial to the issues
under consideration.
For example: The EIA team for an irrigation project was dominated by biodiversity experts and lacked social,
health and hydrological expertise. So that the EISA focused on biodiversity management issues, whilst other
crucial issues (e.g. impacts on downstream hydrology and water users, and health and culture) were given less
prominence.

Financial resources
In Ethiopia, budget restriction is widely considered by EIA practitioners to be a significant
constraint to EIA „best practice‟. EIA costs are considered a burden, and proponents tend to opt
to avoid or minimise incurring such costs. However, experience worldwide suggests that the
financial cost of undertaking an EIA is usually a small proportion of total development costs -
usually less than 0.5% of project costs. Conversely, investment on EIA often identifies
unforeseen environmental impacts which might require expensive remedial action, and which
may undermine a project at a later stage of a project cycle. Often, these impacts can be designed
out of the project if identified early enough.

Timing of the EIA study

Ideally, an EIA process should begin at project inception, and should continue throughout the
development and implementation of the project to include monitoring and. In Ethiopia, case
studies suggest that the late stage at which the need for EIA is actually foreseen, is a more
important reason for the poor EIA practice. Almost 50% of EIA processes were initiated after the
design of the project had been completed, in some cases even after projects had been constructed
and were operational. In most of the remaining cases, EIAs were not started until design work
was well advanced. Under such circumstances, EIA became perfunctory, and performed either a
„reactive‟ or a „firefighting‟ role.

Time requirements
Ideally, the 'EIA study', which forms one component of a larger process, can take anything from
2 months to a year or more to undertake, depending on the scale and complexity of the project,
and the availability of baseline data. Experience in Ethiopia showed that in many cases,
restricted time was available for the EIA and this constrained significantly the quality of the
process. In such cases, key issues were omitted and little attention given to stakeholder
involvement. Such „quick-and-dirty’ EIAs that tend to be commissioned in the country tend to
be cheap and ineffective.

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References and further reading
For more detailed information on the EIA process and EIA Review in Ethiopia please see
copies of the following relevant published papers or other source material

 Proclamation No.1/1995 Constitution of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE).

 Proclamation No.9/1995 Environmental Protection Establishment (FDRE).
 Proclamation No.4/1995 Definition of the powers and duties of the Executive organs of the
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) Proclamation.
 Environmental Protection Authority, EPA 1997; Environmental Policy of the Federal
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
 Environmental Protection Authority, EPA 1997: Procedural Guideline for Environmental
Impact Assessment (draft).
 Ebisemiju, F.S. (1993). Environmental Impact Assessment: making it work in developing
countries. J. Environmental. Management, 38(4), pp 247-273.
 Solomon Kebede. 2003. Environmental Impact Assessment in Ethiopia. The Federal
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Environmental Protection Authority. To be submitted to an
Advanced International Training Program on Environmental Impact Assessment Training
Workshop, Stockholm, Sweden.
 Yonas Tekelmichael. 2003. Current Status of the Environmental Impact Assessment System
in Ethiopia. UNEP EIA Training Resource Manual: Case Studies from Developing
Countries.

39
Appendixes
Appendix 1-Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) Checklist for major key projects in Ethiopia

The following table lists important potential impacts which may require a project to be earmarked for
special attention, redesigned or rejected. For each project, go to the relevant section and check off the
likely potential for the impacts listed.

 Where potential impacts are identified, these should be marked on the project file for the attention
of the Regional FSCO, as possibly requiring mitigating measures additional to those in the
standardized lists provided in the Technical Materials.
 If an impact marked * is likely to occur, the project may be accepted, but the project file must be
marked as a „Project of Concern‟, potentially requiring review by the Regional Environmental
Authority.
 Projects involving the relocation of any resident should re-designed to eliminate the impact
concerned. If such redesign is impossible, the project should be rejected. Instances where such
impacts are most likely to occur are marked: **.

Note also:

If the project involves dam construction, this may not exceed a height of 15 metres.

No project within, or adjoining, an internationally disputed area may be accepted.

40
 ESMP- for Road Project

Project Potential major Mitigation measure Time frame Budget Responsible Monitoring area
activity impacts Agent
removal of vegetation Minimize removal of to be fixed durian donor and Government Worda Rural Minimized vegetation
and natural habitat natural vegetation planning period community labour Development removal & replantation
replanting Office
Sedimentation of Drainage control measure during planning Community labour Woreda Soil erosion and run-off
aquatic systems from Construct silt trap period Rural controlled
soil erosion and run Establish retention ponds Development
off Vegetation Office
Road construction

Migration barriers for Fixing wild life traffic signs before & after road Government & donor Kebele Food Placemats of signboard
certain species of Posters services input Security Task and awarenes creation
wildlife Environmental education Force activities
Disturbance of cultural Identify and avoid cultural during project » Regional Non-disturbances of
and historical sites and historical sites to formulation and Food security cultural & historical sites.
change road direction operation Coordination
Office
Potential major Budget Responsible Monitoring
impacts agent
stagnant pools at Leble and rehabilitate end of excavation Community labour input Wereda Food pits and burrows are
excavation sites that sites/pits secunty Taste leveled and filled
creat breeding sites for Force
mosquitoes
Population Creation of alternative during project Government & donor Regional and Awareness creation
migration due to employment planning input Woreda Food Regulation
improved access. awareness creation Security Task
Forces
Disturbances of Sensitive areas should be during project design Part of cost of project Woreda sectoral Sensitive areas
environmentally mapped for consideration formulation offices
sensitive areas of alternatives routes undisturbed

41
 Soil erosion from road Stabilize soil by vegetation during operation Community labour Woreda Food Soil erosion
construction Construct diversion ditches Security Task prevention
Force

Regrouping of people Develop regulatory defined during Donors Woreda Council Land degradation
along the road side measures to control advese project design & Bureau of compliance
causes over cultivation impacts on their Environmental
and overgrazing environment Protection
Environmental awareness
creation
Displacement of land Replacement and defines during project donors Regional Food Replacement of cost
holders and users compensation formulation security & compensation of
Coordination lost assets.
Office

ESMP- For Irrigation projects

Project Potential major Mitigation measure Time frame Budget Responsible Agent Monitoring area
activity impacts
Manage sustainability of water defined during donor & Woreda Food Water management
A. Natural Assess volume of water supply and existing project design government Security Task Force and compliance of
Environment demand water supply with
Decrease in water existing demand
volume
Soil erosion resulting At end of construction, level the soils & during design & donor & Kebele Food Security decreases in
in sedimentation facilitate vegetation regeneration operation government Task Force sedimentation &
Irrigation projects

regeneration of
aquatic resources
Water logging due to Avoid to clear vegetation along water during operation donor & Woreda Food Efficient irrigation
excessive irrigation bodies government Security Task Force water use
Avoid excessive watering
Installation & maintainace of adequate
drainage system

42
Algal blooms & weed Reduction of inputs of nutrients from to be defined in - Kebele Controlled algal
proliferations fields (Nitrogen & phosphorus) planning bloom & weed prolife
Food Security rations.

Task Force
Clogging of canals by design and management of canals to to be defined in donors & Kebele Food security Cleared canals.
weeds minimize weed growth planning government Task Force
provision of access to canals for removal
of weeds
Salinization of soils leaching of soils by flushing soils to be defined in government Kebele Food security Improved Soil
periodically planning &donor Task force management
Cultivation of saline tolerance crops
Leaching of nutrients Avoidance of overwatering to be defined in government & Kebele Food security Improved soil
from soils replacement of nutrients by fertilizers or planning donor task Force management &
crop rotation efficient agricultural
practices.

B. Economy, Social & Ensure that compensation cover revenue defined during donar , Woreda and Keble Compensation
Cultural and assets losses by adversely affected men operation government Food Security Offices
& women (land owners or land users)
Perturbation of
existing
activities(traditional
agriculture)
Loss of revenue or
Productive means
primarily productive
land
Exclusion of specific Identity why specific groups are not defined during - Keble food security Corrective measures
groups from accessing benefiting from the project and adapt operation
irrigated land corrective measures

43
Increased pressures on Assist social service administrations in defined during donor Regional food security Improvement of
existing social services coordinating their efforts to offer project government coordination office services
due to irrigation additional services and improve service formulation
delivery
Increased prices of Infrastructure construction & defined during donar Regional Food Development of
social services (health, maintenance project government Security infrastructure
transport, etc.) formulation Coordination Office

deterioration of water Improved water management, Improved defined during government & Woreda line offices Improvement of water
quality affecting agricultural practices and control of inputs planning donors quality
fisheries & down imposition of water quality criteria
stream users
Reduction of down Relocation or redesign of projects defines during Government Woreda line Offices water budgeting
stream flow affecting Regulation of take off to mitigate effects planning & donor
water users, fisheries compensatory measures where possible
and dilution of
pollutants
Alteration or destruction Sitting of projects to minimize loss of sensitive define during Government & Woreda line offices availability of wild life habitat
of wildlife habitat areas planning donor
Establishment of reserved areas
Animal relocation
Provisions of corridors for movement
Impediment to Provision of pathways during planning - Woreda Food Availability of path ways.
movement of livestock period Security Take Force
and human
Threats to historic, Siting of projects to prevent loss. defined in Government Woreda line offices Maintenance & preserved
cultural & aesthetic Prevention of cultural sites planning & donors historic, cultural and
features aesthete features
Dislocation of Siting of projects to minimize effect defined during Government Regional Food Ensure resettlement
population & Resettlement scheme ensuring at least planning & donor Security
communities equal standard of living Coordination Office

44
Incidence of water Avoidance of stagnant or slowly moving defined during Government Regional Food State of health
borne or water related water planning & donor Security
diseases (malaria, Disease treatment Coordination Office
schistormiasis ect) Control of vectors
Environmental awararess
Health problem due to Wastewater treatment (e.g. settling ponds) during operation Government Kebele Food Security State of Health
use of waste water in prior to use & donor Task Force
irrigation Education for safe use of water
Increased agricultural develop an Integrated pest management to be defined in government & Kebele Food Security proper use of
chemicals loading strategy, planning donor Task Force agrochemicals
enhance extended use of organic fertilizers
provide training for farmers
Private assets displaced avoid occupied land, Prepare procedures to be defined in government & Regional Food procedure in place &
to ensure equitable resolution planning donor security coordination compensation
office

Local inexperience to provide training to be defined in government & Kebele Food Security efficient use of irrigation
manage facilities establish operation and maintenance planning donor Task Forces Woreda facility & manual develops
manual line offices

local incapacity with provide training to farmers on sustainable to be defined in government & Woreda line Offices efficient use of irrigation
irrigated agriculture irrigated agriculture planning donors agriculture

45
 ESMP----for health-clinic project

Project Potential major impacts Mitigation measure Time frame Budget Responsible agent Monitoring
activity area
alteration of existing drainage control measures to to be defined in government & donor Regional Food Security Control of drainage
drainage conditions be included within planning Coordination Office
construction plans

Vegetation removal minimize temporary or to be defined in " Kebeld Food Security minimized vegetation
permanent natural vegetation planning Task Force removal
Wet season soil disturbance Schedule construction for dry to be defined in " Woreda Food Security dry season construction
Health-clinic project

season planning Task Forces

Quarries and burrow pits rehabilitate sites or pits to be defined in " Woreda Food Security rehabilitated quarries
created avoid collection of standing planning Task Force and pits
water
Sanitation development ensure the necessary facility & " " Woreda line Offices upgraded sanitation
effects on existing disposal capacity consistent with the facilities
fields health department design
standard
Medical waste increase Prepare a waste management " " Woreda line Offices "
effects on existing disposal plan for major facility
system upgrades.
Land acquisition Avoid occupied land - government & donor - construction on
Prepare procedure to ensure uncapped land &
equitable resolution compensation

46
 ESMP- For Crop Production
Project Potential major impacts Mitigation measure Time frame Budget Responsible agent Monitoring
activity
area

Soil erosion from site Promote soil and water conservation to be defined government & Kebele Food Security appropriation soil
clearing, cultivation on measures (terracing, water in planning donor Task Force conservation measure
steep slopes harvesting, vegetative cover, wind
breaks and structural measures)
Loss of organic matter & apply organic matter to improve soil to be defined government & Kebele Food Security  green mounting
nutrients by removal of structure & fertility in planning donor Task Force  Compost
vegetation and leaching Crop rotation with legumes for  Training manuals
Crop production

nitrogen fixation, agro forestry

provide training on compost making
and application
Pollution from fertilizers Adherence to instructions for " " " check adherence to
chemical application instructions of application
Balance of organic and inorganic
fertilizers
Pollution from pesticides Integrated pest management " " " "
techniques
Use of wastewater for Wastewater treatment to be defined government & Woreda Food Security treatment facility and
irrigation Education and training in planning donor Task forces training manual

Encroachment in sensitive Avoidance of sensitive(protected) " " woreda and Kebele Check replanting,
areas (protected area, areas Food Security Task ensure people's
wetlands) Replanting of trees Force participation
Rapid soil depletion from Participatory planning and
crop cultivation on cleared consultation between local residents,
forested land. authorities and NGOs
Impacts on environmental
services and biological
diversity functions

47
Increased vulnerability to Crop rotation practices " " Kebele Food Security Check approprate croping
insects and pests due to Task Force system
monoculture
Health hazard from Adherence to instruction on " " Woreda line offices ensure adherence to
handling of agricultural appropriate use of fertilizer and instruction and training
chemicals pesticides. manual
Education and training
Increased disease incidence avoidance of stagnant or slowly " " Kebele Food security check quarry sits and pits
from water borne discuses moving water office leveled and filled
due to irrigation Filling or draining of borrow pits
Expanding of farms on Pre project socio-economic survey " " Regional Food Security Check survey
grazing lands may cause and land-use assessment Coordination Office &
conflict of land ownership consultation with affected people, Kebele Food Security
authorities and NGO to determine Task Force
and solve potential conflects
Disturbance of valuable Pre-project consolations with local " " " "
cultural resources, such as population, authorities, and NGO to
burial sites, sacred forests determine existence of resource
and archeological sites Project sitting to avoid affected
resource
Measures to protect or restore
affected resource if avoidance in not
possible.

48
 ESMP - for Dams and Reservoirs Project
Project Potential major impacts Mitigation measure Time frame Budget Responsible agent Monitoring
activity
area

Negative environmental effects of air and water pollution to be defined in government & Woreda Agricultural Checks the mitigation
construction control precautions to pre-project donor and rural Development plants and
air and water pollution from minimize erosion consideration implementation
construction & waste disposal Careful location of borrow
Soil erosion pits, quarries and disposal
Destruction of vegetation, sanitary & sites
health problem from construction
sites.
Dams and Reservoirs Project

Dislocation of people living in Relocation of people to To be define government & Regional Food Security relocated people
immediate zone suitable area during planning donor Coordination Office compensation
Compensation in kind for
resource lost
Provision of health services,
infrastructure and
employment opportunity.
Loss of land to construct dam and Sitting of dam to decrease " " " check the change in site
reservoirs loses. and decrease in size
Loss of historic, cultural and aesthetic Decrease size of the dam
features. and reserves
loss of wildlife habitat
Proliferations of aquatic weeds in Clearance of woody vegetations to be define in government & Kebele Food Security check clearance of
reservoir impairing dam discharges, from immediate areas prior to planning phase donor Task Force wordy vegetation and
irrigation systems, fisheries and flooding regulatory measures
increasing water loss through provide weed control measures
harvest of weeds for compost,
fodders or biogas.
Regulation of water discharges

49
Deterioration of water quality in Clearance of woody vegetation " " " cheek prepare measures
reservoir from immediate areas prior to in the mitigation plan
flooding
Control of agricultural
chemical use in watershed
areas
Limit retention time of water
in reservoir.
Sedimentation of reservoir and loss Control of land use in water " " " Woreda line offices
of storing capacity shed (prevention or conversion
of forest to agriculture)
Reforestation and/or
conservation activities in
watersheds
Removal of sediments
Salt water intrusions in upstream Maintenance of at least To be define in government & Woreda line offices Check prevented
minimum flow to prevent planning donor measures.
intrusions
Increase of water related diseases Design and operation of dam " " Woreda line offices check the
to decrease habitat for vector implementation of the
Vector control mitigation measures on
Disease prophylaxis and disease control
treatment
Environmental degradation from Choice of resettelement site to " " Woreda and Kebele check the proper
increased pressure on land avoid surpassing carrying Food Security Task measures under taken to
capacity of land Force protect land degradation
Increase of productivity or
improve management of land
(agricultural. range, forestry) to
accommodate higher
population

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 Creating favorable habitat for insect Vector control " " Woreda line offices measures taken to
disease vectors (mosquitoes, tsetse) control motor
.

Environmental problems arising Basin-wide integrated planning defined in government & Woreda line office Basin management
from development made possible to avoid overuse, misuse and planning donor
confliction uses of water and
land resources
Uncontrolled migration of people Limitation of access, provision " " Woreda food Adverse impacts
into the area made possible by access of rural development an security office minimized
road health services to try to
minimize impact

ESMP- for livestock and Rangeland Management

Project Potential major impacts Mitigation measure Time Budget Responsible organ Monitoring
activity frame area
Degradation of vegetation Limit animal numbers " " Kebele Food Security Task Overgrazing, fodder
due to overgrazing Control of length of grazing time on Force production
particular area
Livestock and Rangeland

Mixing of lives tock species to maximize

use of vegetation resources
Cut and carry
Reseeding and fodder production
Management

Increased soil erosion due Soil erosion control measures (e.g. " " Kebele Food Security Task Soil erosion
to clearing of vegetation reforestation, residing, terracing) Force
and trampling Restriction of livestock access to unstable
area.
Increased rapid ruriaff due Water conservation measures " community Keble Food Security Task rapid run off controlled
to vegetation clearing and labour Force
soil compaction

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Degradation of vegetation Development of many small capacity " government Woreda line office Cheek soil and
and soil around water water sources & donor vegetation degradation
points Strategic placement of water points near water points.
Closure of permanent water sources Kebele Food Security
when temporary pools and stream are
available
Displacement of wildlife Planning and implementation of rage " government Worda Food Security Reduction of wild life
population by reduction management strategies that minimize & donor habitat
of habitat negative impacts on wildlife
Pollution environmental Choise of chemicals that is species " " " disease and pest control
disruption and health specific, short residence time, and has measure
hazard from disease and low impact on other biologic resources
pest control measures Protective measure for workers
Negative effective of Implementation of well planned and " " Keble Food Security task the burning program
uncontrolled burning for controlled burning programme Force
bush control on soil and
vegetation (deterioration
of soil fertility and soil
structure altered wildlife
habitat, destruction of
vegetation)
Conversion of lowland Avoidance of clearing such forests for " government Woreda line office and forest conservation
forests for livestock livestock production & donor Keble Food Security
production resulting in
long-term environmental
degradation and
sustainable production

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 ESMP- for forestry project
Project Potential major impacts Mitigation measure Time frame Budget Responsible agent Monitoring area
activity
Degradation of air quality by dust during Use appropriate means for to be defined in donor& Kebele Food Security Task Condition of air
access road construction minimizing dust dispassion planning gov't Force (reduced dust during
during site preparation operation)
particularly means
involving labour intensiver
methods.
Degradation of air quality by fire (site Forbid the use of fire for " " Variation of the
preparation) site preparation in dry procedure taken to
season control rook
Forestry project

Change in local hydrologic conditions by Manage surface water in " " Woeda line offices Verity anticipated
altering water flow, which can affect order to minimize the environmental
ground water recharge impacts on down stream of problems are
the project area managed
Degradation of water quality due to soil Discourage the use of " " Kebele Food Scurity Task The condition of
erosion and use of fertilizers and pesticides pesticides and chemical Force and Woeda Food water quality and the
fertilizers and favor the use Scurity Task force use of biological and
of alternative biological and appropriate use of
other appropriate means chemicals
Train workers on the safe
use of pesticides and
chemical fertilizers
Loss of organic matter by removal of Avoid whole-tree harvesting " " Kebele Food Scurity Task The condition of soil
vegetation.(site preparation and harvesting Force fertility & Om.
contact
Encroachment in to ecoloically sensitive Design tree plantation to be defined in donor werda an Kebele Food Verification of the
and protected areas in order to establish projectstaking into planning pause & gove. security Task forces measures taken to
new tree plantations account ecologically protect ecologically
sensitive areas. sensation areas

53
Destruction of natural forests for Forbid land clearing for the " " " "
establishment of plantations(decrease in establishment of tree
biodiversity) plantations in ecologically
sensitive areas
Creation of habitats favorable to Avoid single-species " " " Assessment of health
organisms that could be harmful for the plantations and favors condition of the
vegetation cover and/or favounable to multipart pose frees. community
diseases vectors due to the establishment
of intensive monocultures
Degradation of terrestrial and aequatic Plan plantation operation " " " Assemeat of the
wildlife habitats through land clearing for taking into account the condition & status of
the establishment of tree plantations presence of wild life' wild life
In semiarid areas, depletion of soil Replant as soon as possible to be defined in Donors Kebele Food Scurity Task Assessment of
moisture and lowering of water table in after land clearing planning & Force adherence of project
plantation areas Give preference to fast- gover. activities to protect
Change in soil stability by road cuts on growing and nitrogen fixing soil moisture loss &
sloping soils resulting in landslides. species for protecting soils stability of soil
Encourager rapid forest
regeneration
Social conflicts over forest products Clearly define forest to be defined in - Kebele Food Scurity Task Ensure adherence to
ownership products ownership in the planning Force consultation of the
consultation with affected phase affected parties
men and women
Destruction of food sources and medicine Protect medicinal plants " - " action taken to
plants protect medicinal
plants

Change in local customs (means of Implement an adequate " - Woeda and kebele food change in economic
subsistence and traditional forest products communication plan to security task forces status and situation of
collecting activities) inform the local population people
on work to come and
opportunities for them.

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Appendix 2- Instructions for Reviewing EIA Reports In Ethiopia
Background
The following tables provide one approach to reviewing the basic adequacy of the standard of an EIA report.
These tables are not sufficient on their own to fully review a report. It is recommended that the following steps
should also be carried out:
 a check for compliance with legal or donor requirements;
 an assessment of the scientific and technical adequacy of the work; and
 a public review of the work.
This review should be able to be carried out by a person who is familiar with the environmental impact assessment
process and the requirements of any local regulations.
Instructions
The review process is outlined on the flowchart on the following page.
There are four review areas, each with a series of review categories.
For each review category, the reviewer is asked to rate the EIA report for its performance in addressing a list of
issues. The reviewer gives each issue a rating between A and F (see table of review criteria for details). The overall
rating for a category is then determined by the reviewer on the basis of the results of the individual ratings, weighted
according to their relative importance by the reviewer.
Some issues and categories (marked **) are essential to the overall adequacy of the EIA report. If they do not
achieve a minimum rating of C the report should be returned to the proponent for improvement, or, if this is
not feasible, other remedial action should be taken as appropriate.
The evaluation of the overall report is determined by the reviewer, based on the ratings of the review categories,
again weighted according to their relative importance. Added to this evaluation should be:
 a brief summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the report;
 any needs for further study;
 any impact monitoring and management required to be undertaken by the proponent or the
government; and
 any terms and conditions that should apply if approval of the proposal is granted.

Review of EIA Report

EIA report title and date:
_______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
EIA report reviewed by:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_________
Dates of review: ______________________________________________________

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 Review criteria possible out puts

Rating Explanation
A generally well performed, no important tasks left incomplete
B generally satisfactory and complete, only minor omissions and
inadequacies
C just satisfactory despite omissions and/or inadequacies
D parts well attempted but must, on the whole be considered just
unsatisfactory because of omissions and/or inadequacies
E unsatisfactory, significant omissions or inadequacies
F very unsatisfactory, important task(s) poorly done or not attempted
N/A not applicable, the review topic is not applicable in the context of
the project

Using the review criteria, complete the tables on the following pages and then answer the
following questions.
1. Minimum requirements
Did all the review criteria marked ** in the EIA review tables perform satisfactorily, i.e. rate A, B or C?
YES NO
(If not the report should be returned to the proponent for revision.)
2 Broad compliance
Were all four review areas rated satisfactory or better ,i.e. rate A, B, or C?
YES NO
(If not the report should be returned to the proponent for revision.)
3 Overall quality
Overall rating for report A B C D E F
Provide a brief summary of the key factors, which determined your overall rating. Include your
assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the report as well as any needs for further study and impact
monitoring and management by the proponent or the Government. Pay particular attention to the
adequacy of the report based on the requirements of your discipline or agency.
4 Approval terms and conditions
If EIA acceptance of the proposal is granted on the basis of this EIA report what terms and
conditions should govern the manner in which the activity proceeds? These can refer to
responsibilities of either the Government or the proponent.

57