Monitoring and Post-auditing in Environmental Impact Assessment
Monitoring and Post-auditing in Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is often viewed as a series of steps, leading from screening, through scoping and environmental impact statement (EIS) preparation, to consultation and decision-making. However, this focus on the pre-decision stages of EIA, and the relative neglect of post-decision monitoring and post-auditing stages, can prevent an EIA system from being an effective environmental management tool. This leaflet explains the nature of monitoring and post-auditing in EIA. It then presents some of the findings from the published literatureon post-auditing in three sections: the need for post-auditing in EIA; the issues relating to post-auditing practice; and an overview of EIA post-audit findings. Finally, key areas for future development are highlighted and a list of the main references is provided. [author]
