ABSTRACT
Any attempt to assess the impacts of resource developments will involve an examination of an extremely broad range of theoretical and methodological considerations. Private resource development firms also have an increasing number of reasons to be vitally concerned with the impact assessment process. First, impact assessments are required as a prerequisite to obtaining necessary permits, and inadequacies of impact assessments have led to substantial delays of major projects. The methodological considerations are restricted to a general discussion of the computational procedures involved in various assessment methods, the relative strengths and weaknesses of each method, and the data needs and resource costs associated with the use of each method. The socioeconomic changes occurring during the construction and subsequent operation of large energy conversion plants exemplify the paradoxical effects of many types of industrial facilities on rural areas. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
