Guideline For Involving Biodiversity Specialists In Eia Processes

SUMMARYSUMMARYThis guideline deals with specialist input on biodiversity to the EIA process.The guideline gives an introductory background to, and key concepts underpinning,consideration of biodiversity in EIA. It looks at the role and timing of specialist input to the EIAprocess, and identifies the main triggers and and key issues requiring specialist input onbiodiversity. These issues may emerge from the public participation process, be evident fromthe nature of the receiving environment, or from the nature of the project.The guideline covers the range of possible inputs by the biodiversity specialist: Specialist inputcan be given in the form of professional advice or judgement with minimal documentation,usually in the early stages of the EIA process; or can be given in the form of a detailed specialistassessment supported by often lengthy written reports in the latter stages of the EIA process.The guideline looks at the role of the EIA practitioner in planning and co-ordinating specialistinput, and the issues that need to be considered by that practitioner in finalising the biodiversityspecialist’s Terms of Reference. The establishment of appropriate time and space boundaries,development alternatives, environmental and operating scenarios, a suitable approach toproviding specialist input, stakeholder involvement, confidentiality issues, as well as the timing,sequencing and integration of the input need to be considered.The guideline addresses the role of the biodiversity specialist in providing the right informationin the best way to inform the EIA, from predicting through assessing and evaluating the potentialsignificance of impacts, to recommending management (including mitigation, enhancement andmonitoring) actions, and reporting. The establishment of impact assessment criteria andthresholds of significance are important steps in the assessment and evaluation process. Risksand uncertainties, gaps in information and/or limitations to the study, as well as confidencelevels in the specialist input should be clearly stated. Affected parties who stand to benefit or‘lose’ from impacts on biodiversity should be identified.Finally, the guideline gives advice on reviewing the biodiversity specialist’s input. A list of usefulresources that may assist the reader in better understanding best practice consideration ofbiodiversity in EIA is provided.DEA&DP GUIDELINE FOR INVOLVING BIODIVERSITY SPECIALISTS IN EIA PROCESSESDRAFT FOR COMMENT, 15 April 2005page vi

SYNOPSISSYNOPSISPlease note: Users of the synopsis should read the guideline document in its entirety beforerelying on this synopsis as a reference, to ensure that the underlying considerations are fullyunderstood.This synopsis gives a concise summary of the key parts of the guideline for involvingbiodiversity specialists in EIA processes, namely:1) The principles underpinning consideration of biodiversity in EIA;2) When to involve a biodiversity specialist in the EIA process, and which specialist tochoose;3) Triggers for involving a biodiversity specialist;4) Key issues for the biodiversity specialist;5) Determining the scope of biodiversity input, and drawing up sound Terms of Reference;6) The appropriate approach to biodiversity input;7) Providing specialist input on biodiversity;8) Reviewing specialist input on biodiversity.S.1. Principles underpinning consideration of biodiversity in EIAThe following principles provide the foundation for considering biodiversity in EIA:1) A long-term perspective of biodiversity should be adopted to promote intergenerationalequity;2) Biodiversity should be protected, and natural capital maintained at or near current levels,with best efforts made to replace or offset loss (“no net loss” principle);3) Prevention of impacts on biodiversity is better than cure in terms of risk and investmentof resources;4) Biodiversity issues should be integrated into decision-making;5) An ecosystems approach to evaluating effects and impacts should be taken, recognizingthat humans are a component of ecosystems on which they depend;6) The rights to an environment (including biodiversity) not detrimental to health or wellbeing must be respected;7) The requirements of international laws and conventions relating to biodiversity, as wellas national and provincial legislation, should be met;8) Thorough and early consideration of alternatives is the optimum way to determine thebest practicable environmental option to meet proposal objectives whilst preventing oravoiding loss of biodiversity;DEA&DP GUIDELINE FOR INVOLVING BIODIVERSITY SPECIALISTS IN EIA PROCESSESDRAFT FOR COMMENT, 15 April 2005page vii

SYNOPSIS9) Resource use should operate within the regenerative capacities, whilst pollution/wasteoutputs operate within assimilative capacities of the natural environment;10) Both biodiversity pattern and process should be conserved;11) Ecosystem services should be safeguarded, giving due consideration to the costs ofreplacing these services should they fail;12) A risk-averse and cautious approach should be taken where either information and/orthe level of understanding is inadequate, where impacts are unprecedented or wherethere is inherent uncertainty as to the significance of impacts, or there is an element ofsubstantial risk of irreversible impacts which could lead to irreplaceable loss of naturalcapital;13) Traditional rights and uses of, and access to, biodiversity should be recognised, and anybenefits of commercial use of biodiversity should be shared fairly.S.2. When to involve a biodiversity specialist in the EIA process, andwhich specialist to chooseA biodiversity specialist can be involved at the following stages:1) In the pre-application planning phase of a proposed project, during conceptual planning.Biodiversity specialists would contribute in a proactive and advisory way, and givespecialist input.2) In the formal application phase for environmental authorisation, during thexscreening stage: Biodiversity specialists would contribute in a proactive andadvisory way, and give specialist input;xscoping stage: Biodiversity specialists would contribute in a reflective and advisoryway, and give specialist input;ximpact assessment stage:Biodiversity specialists would contribute in aninvestigative, analytical and advisory way, and carry out a specialist assessment.The figure in this synopsis gives guidance on when to involve a biodiversity specialist.There is no one ‘biodiversity specialist’; the term is used to cover a range of specialists in thefield of biodiversity, from broad areas of expertise (e.g. plant or terrestrial ecologist, marineecologist or freshwater ecologist) to narrow areas of expertise (e.g. mammal specialist, birdspecialist, wetland specialist, etc.). An ecologist is best involved in the pre-application planningphase, or screening and scoping stage of an EIA, given their broad, holistic perspective onecosystems and biodiversity. The choice of ecologist will depend on the nature of the affectedecosystem. Where specific components of biodiversity need to be addressed in greater detail inthe later impact assessment stage, specialists in relatively narrow fields of biodiversity pattern(e.g. particular threatened species) or process (e.g. heavy metal contamination in aquaticecosystems) should be appointed.DEA&DP GUIDELINE FOR INVOLVING BIODIVERSITY SPECIALISTS IN EIA PROCESSESDRAFT FOR COMMENT, 15 April 2005page viii

SYNOPSISThe biodiversity specialist should:1) Be competent at interpreting and evaluating scientific information and answering the "sowhat" and “to whom” questions;2) Have appropriate formal training in his/her field of expertise;3) Have sufficient practical experience working in the specific ecosystems of the affectedregion, and preferably local area, to make him/her respected by peers;4) Be able to think beyond his/her immediate discipline, able to trace impact pathways andidentify indirect or cumulative impacts, and think of biodiversity/human wellbeing;5) Preferably be certified by a professional body registering biodiversity and/or ecologicalspecialists.S.3. Triggers for involving a biodiversity specialistThe following criteria would provide triggers to involve a biodiversity specialist:1) Legal triggers, such as permit requirements (e.g. for removing or trading in protected orendangered species).2) Lack of information about the receiving environment to determine reliably whetherimpacts on biodiversity could be significant.3) The presence of important biodiversity pattern, such as protected/threatenedecosystems, protected/threatened species, and/or where there are high levels ofendemism.4) Important ecological processes, such as regional or local ecological corridors,important habitat for threatened, protected or commercially valuable species, highlydynamic or unstable systems, or the need to maintain key processes which ‘drive’ecosystems (e.g. fire).5) Important ecosystem goods or services in the area, which support lives orlivelihoods, such as reserves of harvestable goods, wetlands or reefs which regulatewater supply and coastal protection, natural or living landscapes or species havingheritage or other cultural value, and unique opportunities offered by biodiversity toenhance development (e.g. ecotourism).6) Potential of the proposed activity, because of its nature, to pose a significant threateither directly or indirectly to biodiversity. Where pollution is an issue, a biodiversityspecialist is invariably needed to address effects on valued receiving ecosystems andspecies.7) Potential of a component of biodiversity or receiving ecosystems to pose a threatto the proposed activity (e.g. disease vectors, flooding, waterlogging).8) Potential for significant contribution to the biodiversity estate, given the particularcontext of the proposed activity, such as proposals to set aside areas for biodiversityconservation.DEA&DP GUIDELINE FOR INVOLVING BIODIVERSITY SPECIALISTS IN EIA PROCESSESDRAFT FOR COMMENT, 15 April 2005page ix

SYNOPSISProject proposalLegal triggerEnough reliableinformation?Nature of proposalposes significantthreat to biodiversity.Receiving environmentImportant biodiversitypattern, process and/or ecosystem goods orservices.If there are biodiversityissues:Issues within EIA scope?Can the issue beresolved and potentialimpacts avoidedthrough changing theproposal?Sufficient reliable informationto evaluate impact withoutspecialist inputDescribe changes toproposal, explainclearly how theissue has beenaddressed. Ifdeemed necessary,ask a biodiversityspecialist for expertjudgement toconfirm that theissue has beenresolved.to conclude that the impact is notsignificant and does not need tobe investigated in more detail?Appoint biodiversityspecialist andnegotiate appropriateTerms of Referencefor a biodiversityassessment.Findings included inscreening, scoping orEIA stage report, asappropriate.Figure showing when to involve a biodiversity specialist in the EIA processDEA&DP GUIDELINE FOR INVOLVING BIODIVERSITY SPECIALISTS IN EIA PROCESSESDRAFT FOR COMMENT, 15 April 2005page x

SYNOPSISKey issues for the biodiversity specialistKey issues typically requiring involvement of a biodiversity specialist include:1) At a genetic level: Increased risk of extinction or reduced viability of species, loss ofvaluable cultivars or varieties, and/or other ecosystem goods.2) At a species, community and habitat level: Increased risk of biodiversity loss,including valued ecosystem goods and/or services, through changed speciescomposition of habitats or communities, and/or loss of species from an area.3) At an ecosystem level: Increased risk of biodiversity loss, including valued ecosystemservices, through changes to ecosystem processes, changes in the amount or quality ofhabitat, conflict with plans to protect areas of important biodiversity, or changes toecological corridors connecting ecosystems.These key issues are crucial where the proposed activity is likely to be one of a number ofactivities in the affected area causing similar impacts, i.e. where impacts on biodiversity wouldbe cumulative.S.4. Determining the scope of biodiversity input, and drawing upsound Terms of ReferenceKey components that should be considered and negotiated between the EIA practitioner, theproponent and the specialist are given below.1) Establishing time and space boundaries for biodiversity input or assessment;2) Determining reasonable development alternatives;3) Establishing environmental and operating scenarios which could affect the evaluation ofimpacts;4) Consideration of indirect and cumulative effects on biodiversity;5) Deciding on an appropriate approach to the biodiversity input;6) Optimum timing, sequencing and integration of the biodiversity specialist’s input;7) Stakeholder engagement; and8) Confidentiality issues.DEA&DP GUIDELINE FOR INVOLVING BIODIVERSITY SPECIALISTS IN EIA PROCESSESDRAFT FOR COMMENT, 15 April 2005page xi

SYNOPSISS.5. The appropriate approach to biodiversity inputTypical approaches to providing biodiversity input, and when they would best be followed, aregiven below:Approach1. Desk top study. Synthesizeavailable informationWhen usedAlways, at the start of the specialist’s involvement2. Site visit3. Determine cause-effect-impactpathways, to focus onpotentially significant issues4. Determine information needsfrom other specialistsAlways, preferably with other specialists involved in the EIAAlways, at an appropriate level of detail to the proposed project5. Determine the bestmethodology to address theparticular project-relatedissue/s. For example:a) Baseline survey, from a rapidscan to a more comprehensivesurveyb) Sensitivity study, and/or analysisof opportunities and constraintsof the natural environment, usinga range of approaches, from arapid scan to a morecomprehensive surveyc) Professional judgement oropinionc) Interviewsd) Detailed studies and/or surveys,analysis, and/or mappinge) ModellingWhen other specialists are involved and where their inputoverlaps, is needed by, or is dependent on, the biodiversityspecialistAlways. Methods and techniques used should be standard to,and recognized by the professional discipline. The methodologyshould take into account the quality and quantity of availableinformation.Where information is insufficient to determine potentiallysignificant impacts and/or risks to biodiversity, usually carried outin pre-application planning phase or impact assessment stage ofEIAWhere the natural environment is known to be potentiallysensitive or important from a biodiversity or ecosystem servicesperspective. Carried out to inform the proposal and alternatives,using a positive planning approach, usually in the pre-applicationplanning, screening or scoping phase of an EIA.When information is sufficient to enable opinion or judgement tobe given with high level of confidence.When scoping appears flawed, where there has been insufficientopportunity for biodiversity stakeholders to give input, and/or togather local, traditional, or indigenous knowledgeWhere effects on, and/or risks to biodiversity are potentiallysignificant, and there is inadequate information to assess andevaluate reliably and with confidence the potential significance ofimpacts, look at mitigation measures and identify additionalalternatives. Usually carried out in the impact assessment stageof EIACan be used qualitatively early on in EIA process to illustratecause-effect-impact relationships of alternatives (e.g. usingcartoons). Or, can be used quantitatively where impactpathways are not clear and modelling would help to test orconfirm the relevance and/or significance of a path that has been‘built into’ the model.DEA&DP GUIDELINE FOR INVOLVING BIODIVERSITY SPECIALISTS IN EIA PROCESSESDRAFT FOR COMMENT, 15 April 2005page xii

SYNOPSISS.6. Providing specialist input on biodiversitySpecialist input should be concise, scientifically and technically sound, focused on the keyissues, and accessible to a non-specialist. It should be given at a level of detail appropriate tothe specific project.The specialist will need relevant information on the following, in order to provide sound input:1) The proposed project and associated activities;2) The legal, policy and planning context;3) Other specialist inputs to the EIA process, where they may affect or be affected byimpacts on biodiversity.The following list of a biodiversity specialist’s input would apply to input during the impactassessment stage of an EIA; input to the pre-application planning phase, or to screening and/orscoping, would depend on the particular trigger/s for involving a biodiversity specialist:1) The specialist’s Terms of Reference and scope of input;2) A summary table of positive and negative impacts associated with different alternativesand their significance before and after mitigation or enhancement, using the definedimpact assessment and significance rating criteria;3) A statement as to which impacts would be irreversible, or result in an irreplaceable lossof biodiversity or ecosystem services to the ecosystem and/or society;4) A statement as to whether or not the proposed project would comply or be consistentwith international conventions, treaties or protocols, and with national, provincial andlocal legislation, policy and plans as they apply to biodiversity;5) The need (where relevant) for higher order assessment to address potentially significantcumulative effects on biodiversity;6) A concise description of the importance of the affected area to biodiversity in terms ofpattern and process, ecosystem goods and services, as appropriate;7) The significance of impacts for each issue and alternative, before and after mitigation,specifying whether significance thresholds have been exceeded;8) The main beneficiaries and losers from the proposed development where there are cleardependencies on ecosystem goods and/or services, highlighting vulnerable and riskprone parties;9) The specialist’s assumptions, and level of confidence in the assessment predictions;10) Key risks and uncertainties that may influence the assessment. Associated with theserisks and uncertainties, a clear statement of any limitations and/or gaps in knowledge orinformation;11) A summary of key mitigation and enhancement measures that would fundamentallyaffect the significance of impacts on biodiversity if implemented;12) The most appropriate alternative from the specialist’s perspective;13) Alternatives not previously considered in the EIA;DEA&DP GUIDELIN

SPECIALISTS IN EIA PROCESSES DRAFT FOR COMMENT, 15 APRIL 2005 EDITION 1 Prepared by: Susie Brownlie deVilliers Brownlie Associates 21 Menin Ave Claremont 7708 South Africa Co-ordinated by: CSIR Environmentek PO Box 320 Stellenbosch 7599 South Africa CSIR REPORT NO. ENV-S-C 2005-053 C .