Does size matter? An evaluation of length and proportion of information in environmental impact statements

Journal Article · Thu Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 2018 · Environmental Impact Assessment Review

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EIAR.2018.08.002· OSTI ID:22826060

Germán Marino Rivera, Fernandez; Fonseca, Alberto ^[1]

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1. Graduate Program in Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais (Brazil)

Highlights: • Empirical analysis of length and proportion of information in EISs is presented. • Current EISs, in Brazil, are significantly longer than the early ones. • Baseline information is the most common element in EISs. • EIS length is affected by many variables, including project sector and size. • While relevant to decision-making, EIS length should be carefully regulated. - Abstract: For decades, authors and institutions have argued that the quality of Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) is somehow affected by the volume of information they contain. Both too little and too much information can be a problem. However, very few academic studies have addressed the issue of EIS length in detail. The objective of this article was to systematically analyze the volume of information presented in EISs, using Brazil as the empirical context. More specifically, this study evaluated the volume and proportion of information disclosed in 49 Brazilian EISs. This study also tried to identify sectorial variations and whether variables such as project size and number of pages in Terms of References are likely determinants of information volume. >146 thousand pages of EIS information were scrutinized in two rounds of content analysis. Data were organized in spreadsheets and then coded and analyzed through various descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Overall, findings corroborate the fact that EISs are now significantly longer than the early ones, and still heavily loaded with baseline information. The average number of pages in EISs and in Non-technical Summaries was found to be 2993 and 94, respectively. Kruskal-Wallis and linear regression tests indicated that EIS length is likely affected by a combination of variables, including project size, territorial and sectorial characteristics. Such findings suggest that the historical approach of setting page limits to EISs through regulations and Terms of References is no longer appropriate for EIA practice in connection with large enterprises in Brazil, and arguably elsewhere. The article discusses its practical and academic implications, and highlights the need to further investigate the actual impacts of EIS length on decision-making.

• OSTI ID: 22826060
• Journal Information: Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Journal Name: Environmental Impact Assessment Review Vol. 73; ISSN 0195-9255; ISSN EIARDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BRAZIL
DECISION MAKING
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
EVALUATION
INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT
REGULATIONS