Worksheet 16. Issues in an Environmental Assessment.

Most parts of your strategic plan will improve rather than harm environmental quality. But you cannot take this for granted, especially if your plan proposes road building, forest harvesting, plantation establishment, and other high-impact activities. Here is where you need structured environmental assessments. They give you preliminary indications of environmental problems to be avoided, as well as possible mitigation measures. Which of the following issues are important in your planning? What are your approaches to carry out the assessments?

In Reforestation and Plantation Development: Soil erosion and compaction from site preparation Smoke control (from vegetation burning) Soil erosion and compaction from harvesting Loss of nutrients by removing biomass from the site (in harvesting) Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers affecting water quality Depletion of soil moisture (in arid and semi-arid zones) Fire hazard from built-up combustible materials Displacement of natural ecosystems (reduced biodiversity) Risk of massive loss by pests or pathogens Risk of planted species becoming "weeds" In Natural Forest Management: Over-harvesting of rare or endangered species Erosion and compaction of the forest floor (by logging) Insufficient natural regeneration (logging's impact on light, temperature, and soil) Invasion of weeds when the forest canopy is opened Wind damage following logging Disruption of habitat for fisheries and wildlife Increased poaching of wildlife due to influx of people Changes in water runoff (following logging) Stream sedimentation (following logging) Changes in water temperatures following canopy disturbance (alters aquatic biology) In Road Construction and Use: Changes in vegetation, landscape, and soil along the road corridor Interruption of drainage patterns Impacts to wetland ecosystems and wildlife corridors traversed by roads Erosion from road cuts (sediment in surface waters) Landslides, slips, and other mass soil movements Wind-blown dust Road damage (ruts and holes) because of heavy timber loads Water contamination because of herbicides for vegetation control Entry of shifting agriculture, wildlife poachers, and other uncontrolled land uses In Transforming Raw Materials from the Forest (i.e., at Processing Sites): Siting of processing operations near sensitive habitats (e.g., for fish and wildlife) Water contamination from chemicals and organic wastes Air pollution (smoke, dust, odors, and chemical pollutants) Noise pollution Accumulation of solid wastes in the area (e.g., wood scraps and residues) Accidental release of hazardous materials (e.g., dangerous chemicals) Occupational health risks because of preceding factors Other Issues of Importance: ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................

Source: Adapted from World Bank, 1992, Environmental Sourcebook, Washington, DC, Tables 8.1, 8.5, 8.6 and 8.9.