ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors provide a review of the literature surrounding the five major themes typically addressed through Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) scoping: development alternatives, valued ecosystem components, indicators, drivers, and boundaries. As pointed out by L. A. Greig and Peter N. Duinker, science outside EIA has demonstrated its ability to design and implement rigorous, long-term experiments in large ecosystems. The prediction of environmental impacts, along with the explicit communication and reduction of scientific uncertainty, continue to be recognized as core elements of EIA's contribution to sustainable development. The literature on formal EIA document reviews, focusing on the intersection of administrative, scientific, and political dimensions. Arts et al. identify four major activities within EIA follow-up: monitoring, evaluation, management, and communication. The author also provide two short reviews: one of the general literature on EIA follow-up and another focusing more specifically on the scientific literature surrounding environmental effects monitoring. It is argued that enhancing stakeholder participation in EIA follow-up increases the utility of an assessment to all parties involved.
