Environmental Impact Analysis

There are thousands of environmental analyses prepared each year to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and similar programs. Written by an expert with 35 years of experience in environmental consulting, research, and education, Environmental Impact Analysis: Process and Methods makes the preparation of EIAs not only easier but more thorough. It provides a guide to successfully preparing analyses that are legally defensible; establish the base for environmental protection; and produce better projects, plans, and policies. Following an informal description of the legal requirements, the book breaks down the analysis process into a logical flow of steps and available methods to identify impacts, compare alternatives, and develop impact mitigation measures. The author illustrates each step and analysis method with examples from case studies he managed, providing insight not available from an independent review of the cases. He offers a comprehensive and consistent approach to analysis with each chapter building on information presented in previous sections. The book also describes methods from other programs such as hazardous waste clean-up and Natural Resources Damage Assessment and explains how they can be adapted for use in environmental impact analysis. It compares a diverse array of multi-level environmental impact analysis approaches. Readers learn not only how to produce an environmental document that meets regulations but also clearly maximizes the benefits of the analysis and results in a more useful product with strong stakeholder support.

"Dr. Maughan has authored a comprehensive compendium of practical and easily read guidance for NEPA practitioners and environmental planners of any discipline. His methodical and well explained approach demystifies the often complex NEPA/EIS process and provides the reader with practical and balanced advice on every aspect of the planning and development of the range of NEPA documents."––David Tomey, Retired Biologist and NEPA Specialist with the Federal Government"Author James Maughan infuses each chapter with the broad perspective of a leader of one of the world’s top environmental consulting firms. His generously shared insights into EIA failures, as well as successes, make this book particularly valuable to practitioners. … Acquiring this book enables the reader to draw readily upon highly relevant insights--akin to engaging front-line colleagues and advisors. Practicality, integration and scope flow abundantly."––Richard E. Wetzler, Ph.D., Director, Institute for international Ecological Assessment and Consultant to the United Nations Environment Programme"If you are experienced in ERA and would like to expand your practice into EIA, this is the book for you. It will show you how your current knowledge can be adapted and will provide the EIA legalisms, jargon, and procedures that you will need. That information is more important than you might think."—Glenn Suter, SETAC Reviews Editor, in Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management