ABSTRACT
Overall, the experience of EIA to date can be summed up as being like the proverbial curate's egg: good in parts. Current issues in the EIA process were briefly noted in Section 1.5: they include screening, scoping, EIA methodology, the roles of the participants in the process, EIS quality, monitoring and the extension of EIA to more strategic levels of decision-making. The various chapters on steps in the process have sought to identify best practice, and Chapter 8 provides an overview of the quantity and quality of UK practice from 1988 to 1997. Detailed case studies of good practice and comparative international experience provide further ideas for possible future developments. The limited experience in EIA among the main participants in the process - consultants, local authorities, central government, developers and affected parties - explains some of the current issues.
