Pragmatic suggestions for incorporating risk assessment principles in EIA studies

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Environmental Professional; (United States)

OSTI ID:6480714

Canter, L W ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States)

Based on recent expansions in coverage of both risk assessment (RA) and environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies, it is timely to develop specific actions to ensure the incorporation of Ra principles in the EIA process. The EIA process benefits would include: (1) encouragement of integrated thinking by the interdisciplinary teams conducting EIA studies; (2) the opportunity to focus attention on risk reduction activities; and (3) emphasis on emergency response measures in the event of accidents and associated environmental perturbations. Practical suggestions for incorporating RA principles and steps are given, and brief examples of actual approaches used to address health risks in five environmental impact statements (EISs) are described. Actions that could be taken to facilitate incorporation of Ra principles in the EIA process include planning one or more technical and policy-related conferences on the relationships between RA and EIA; conducting pertinent training courses for EIA practitioners; modifying the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations to include specific risk-related requirements; and developing detailed guidance on the potential advantages/disadvantages of RA in EIA studies, where RA should or could be included, how RA results should be interpreted, and where such results and interpretations should be incorporated into EIA documentation.

• OSTI ID: 6480714
• Journal Information: Environmental Professional; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Professional; (United States) Vol. 15:1; ISSN 0191-5398; ISSN EPROD9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
DECISION MAKING
DOCUMENT TYPES
EMERGENCY PLANS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
IMPLEMENTATION
LAWS
RISK ASSESSMENT
US NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT