Now it's time to transform your detailed brainstorming into a concise but thorough summary of the environmental impacts that could arise during the Narromine to Narrabri rail project. This summary is known as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
What is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)?
An (EIS) is a legally required part of the development process. It anticipates potential impacts the project may have on the environment, and proposes mitigation strategies to reduce them. This document is then released to the public, as well as submitted to decision makers who will either approve or refuse it.
An EIS is just one part of a larger process called an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): think of it as one step in a ladder.
The figure below was developed by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. It shows where an EIS sits within the different phases of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
While you're at it, check out the video below, which tells you all about what an Environmental Impact Assessment is and why it matters.
So, how exactly do we go about putting together an EIS?
Drafting a full-fledged EIS can be daunting. That’s why we’ve provided a simplified template for you to base your own EIS on. Simply make a separate document, follow the roadmap below, and compile the findings from your original project plan and critical path, stakeholders and fieldwork assessments, and mitigation strategies. Feel free to add or play around with headings as you see fit!
Extra hints and tips for writing your EIS
- Use plain English
- Include a clear table of contents
- Incorporate your project scope and objectives from week 2
- Feel free to use grids or tables, if that helps you convey your information
- Go back through the resources provided throughout the program so far, if you need to refresh your memory on anything we’ve learned.