How can you incorporate ecosystem services into the EIA process?

Ecosystem services are the benefits that people obtain from nature, such as food, water, climate regulation, recreation, and cultural values. They are essential for human well-being and sustainable development, but often overlooked or undervalued in environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes. EIA is a tool for identifying, predicting, and mitigating the potential environmental and social impacts of a proposed project, policy, or plan. How can you incorporate ecosystem services into the EIA process to improve its quality, credibility, and relevance? Here are some tips and examples to help you do so.

1 Define the scope

The first step in any EIA process is to define the scope of the assessment, which includes the objectives, methods, alternatives, and criteria for evaluation. To incorporate ecosystem services, you need to identify the relevant stakeholders and their values, preferences, and dependencies on nature. You also need to determine the spatial and temporal boundaries of the assessment, taking into account the direct and indirect effects of the project on the ecosystem services and their beneficiaries. A scoping matrix can help you organize and prioritize the key issues and questions to address.

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Jim Boggs

Oklahoma State University Alumnus 1977 & 1989
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A good example of this in the govt. sector is the Army Corps of Engineers’ 33 CFR regulations established to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Corps, just as all federal agencies, is mandated to follow implementing regulations to standardize how they will comply with all federal environmental laws, most notably NEPA which executes federal policy at every level regarding public disclosure related to their capital and operating projects. If a federal dollar is spent, then NEPA applies, even if no environmental impacts are anticipated. Scoping, as described above, is initially undertaken to determine how the “Action Agency” will move forward with an EIS, EA, or Categorical Exclusion; all in compliance with NEPA.

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2 Collect the data

The next step is to collect the data and information needed to assess the baseline conditions and the impacts of the project on the ecosystem services. You can use various sources and methods, such as literature review, field surveys, interviews, focus groups, participatory mapping, and modelling. To incorporate ecosystem services, you need to use indicators and metrics that capture the biophysical, economic, and social aspects of the services, such as quantity, quality, value, distribution, and trade-offs. You also need to consider the uncertainty and variability of the data and the assumptions and limitations of the methods.

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Jim Boggs

Oklahoma State University Alumnus 1977 & 1989
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In my government experience, all aspects of data collection are discussed with stakeholders during the scoping process then developed to satisfy compliance with the agency’s NEPA implementing regs. All action agencies employ environmental assessment professionals with scientific backgrounds to establish data collection protocols as part of the entire scope of required scientific analysis to satisfy regulatory agencies responsible for their respective environmental oversight (i.e., US Fish and Wildlife Service, EPA, the Corps, NOAA Fisheries, USDA, and state natural and cultural resource agencies). The final NEPA document (Finding Of No Significant Impact, Record Of Decision, or Categorical Exclusion) must be vetted through these agencies.

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3 Analyze the impacts

The third step is to analyze the impacts of the project on the ecosystem services and their beneficiaries, using the data and information collected in the previous step. You can use different techniques and tools, such as matrices, checklists, rating scales, scoring systems, and decision support systems. To incorporate ecosystem services, you need to compare the impacts of the project with the baseline conditions and the alternatives, taking into account the positive and negative, direct and indirect, short-term and long-term, and cumulative and synergistic effects. You also need to assess the significance and acceptability of the impacts, using the criteria defined in the scoping step.

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4 Mitigate the impacts

The fourth step is to mitigate the impacts of the project on the ecosystem services and their beneficiaries, using the results of the impact analysis. You can use different measures and strategies, such as avoidance, minimization, restoration, compensation, and enhancement. To incorporate ecosystem services, you need to design and implement the mitigation measures in consultation with the stakeholders, taking into account their needs, preferences, and capacities. You also need to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the mitigation measures, using the indicators and metrics defined in the data collection step.

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5 Communicate the results

The final step is to communicate the results of the EIA process to the decision-makers and the public, using various formats and channels, such as reports, summaries, maps, graphs, tables, and presentations. To incorporate ecosystem services, you need to communicate the benefits and costs of the project and the alternatives for the ecosystem services and their beneficiaries, using clear, concise, and consistent language and visuals. You also need to disclose the sources, methods, assumptions, and uncertainties of the assessment, and invite feedback and comments from the stakeholders.

Incorporating ecosystem services into the EIA process can help you to improve the quality, credibility, and relevance of the assessment, and to support informed and sustainable decision-making. By recognizing and valuing the benefits that nature provides to people, you can also enhance the social and environmental outcomes of the project, and contribute to the conservation and restoration of the natural capital.

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