Environmental impact assessment (EIA): study of impact on biodiversity
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is carried out in accordance to the laws of Ukraine «On environmental impact assessment» and «On strategic ecological assessment». It prescribes the preparing of the report on environmental impact assessment, holding of public hearings, collecting and analysis of provided information in the process of EIA and developing a conclusion of EIA for realization of planned activity.
Environmental impact assessment requires an overall analysis of planned activity. It means a comprehensive study of impact of the results of activity on environment. Conducting activity, business entities can affect human health, atmospheric air, soils, and water and land resources. As a result, if affects habitats of birds, bats, hydrobionts, insects etc. For fully studying the scales and level of impact on biodiversity, it required to involve in the process of EIA the experienced scientists, plant biologists, zoologists, ichthyologists, entomologists, ornithologists. Involving of these specialists allows carrying out field studies, researches and developing monitoring program for biodiversity conservation; carrying out an inventory of animals and plants in the area of planned activity; analysis the impact on bats, insects, birds, mammals considering seasonality and animal migration; identify existing routes of animals and birds migration; estimate the possible number of dead bats and birds from the planned activity.
In which cases is required a necessity to involve scientists and researchers? For example, the report of EIA for projects of wind farms, mini hydro power plants or development of mineral resources deposits must include the results of studies and researches carried out by the ornithologists, assessment of noise and vibration pollution on animals and birds. On the other hand, while designing the projects of shoreline stabilization structures and hydro-technical facilities is required to estimate the impact on hydrobionts. Similarly, for almost types of activities due to the article three of the Law of Ukraine “On Environmental Impact Assessment”, specialists and scientists in the field of environmental protection should be involved. Therefore, environmental impact assessment means estimation of planned activity in the context of impact on biodiversity and development of measures for it mitigation.
MCL, LLC cooperates with Ukrainian scientific and research centers and laboratories in the process of EIA to conduct joint research of flora and fauna and analyze changes in their existence habitant because of planned activities. Recently, agreement was signed with I.I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, activity of which is directed on study of fauna biodiversity. In the same time, scientists and researches of this institute develop programs for protection and conservation of fauna and flora in terms of anthropogenic factors. Joint work in the process of EIA allows carrying out baseline studies, estimating the scale of impact on biodiversity and putting significant contribution for protection of individual forms of biodiversity, their groups and whole ecosystems. Along with that, it contributes the development of modern monitoring methods for environment. MCL, LLC carries out environmental impact assessment in form «ready-to-operate» and can be involved to the process of EIA on different stages (after uploading the letter of advices on planned activity to the Unified register of EIA or on the stage of development the report of EIA). Team of MCL, LLC is your reliable partner in the process of environmental impact assessment.