Classification and Assessment of Environmental Impacts

Environmental Impact Definition

Alteration that introduces a human activity into its environment.

Concept of Environment

Part of the environment that interacts with the activity.

Types of Environmental Impact

Environmental impacts are generally classified into five categories:

1. Impacts of Overexploitation.
2. Impacts of occupation, processing of space, and/or change in land use.
3. Impacts of pollution.
4. Impacts derived from the decline or absence of activity.
5. Positive impacts.

Impacts of Overexploitation

Renewable Natural Resources

Includes the use of groundwater, surface water, timber extraction, fishing, and hunting.

Extraction of Non-Renewable Natural Resources

Extraction at a rate such that the resources may be exhausted before the emergence of a substitute, preventing the adaptation of means, or hindering sound environmental management.

Use of Non-Renewable Resources Consumed

Resources that are consumed when used over an intensity threshold, such as cultural resources, geology, and archaeology.

Impacts of Land Use Change and Occupation

Activities include residential, industrial, infrastructure, agriculture, forestation, and livestock.

Effects

• Intensification of land use and existing utilization.
• Induces the location of other activities.

Impacts of Pollution

Process

Emission, material transfer, dispersion, transformation in the environment, and impact on man.

Remarkable Impact

Exceeding the capacity of assimilation.

Other Types of Pollution

• Visual pollution.
• Introduction of exotic flora and fauna.
• Energetic pollution (e.g., noise, thermal).

Impacts from Decline or Absence of Activity

Under-exploitation of Resources or Ecosystems

Observed in former populations, ecosystems, landscapes, culture, and environmental balance.

Impact of Passivity

Lack of intervention in situations conducive to environmental impacts or degradation.

Positive Environmental Impacts

Impacts on ecosystems, landscapes, cultures, and diverse elements that man has created throughout history (e.g., dams, canals).

Environmental Impact Assessment Project Description

1. Description of the action and its activities.
2. Review of the technically feasible alternatives and justification of the solution adopted.
3. Environmental inventory and description of key ecological or environmental interactions.
4. Identification and assessment of impacts, both in the proposed solution and alternatives.
5. Establishing protective and corrective measures.
6. Environmental monitoring program.
7. Synthesis Document.