ABSTRACT
One of the key aims of the EIA process is to provide information about a proposal’s likely environmental impacts to the developer, public and decision-makers, so that a better decision may be made. Consultation with the public and statutory consultees in the EIA process can help to ensure the quality, comprehensiveness and effectiveness of the EIA, as well as ensuring that the various groups’ views are adequately taken into consideration in the decision-making process. Consultation and participation can be useful at most stages of the EIA process:
• in determining the scope of an EIA; • in providing specialist knowledge about the site; • in evaluating the relative significance of the likely impacts; • in proposing mitigation measures; • in ensuring that the EIS is objective, truthful and complete; • in monitoring any conditions of the development agreement.
