Environmental Impact Assessment

Base Knowledge

Students should have been approved for the most specific environmental curricular units.

Teaching Methodologies

The contents to be taught are divided into two skill levels, the first concerning the understanding Environmental Impact Assessment philosophy, structure and process, as well as the acquisition of notions on Strategic
Environmental Assessment; the second refers to the acquisition of practical skills that are meet with the preparation of a case study based on a specific real case.
To attain the objectives of the course and help the students to acquire competences, the teaching-learning process will be on theoretical and practical classes and in the making of a practical work where integrating skills and competencies are meet.

Learning Results

Students must:
Know the relevant legislation to implement Environmental Impact Assessments;
Know and justify the need for the different phases and associated methodologies.
Understanding the importance of public participation process, known methods of public participation, and their efficacy.
Know techniques to assess impacts.
Develop technical skills to design and implement monitoring networks.
Develop competences to help with an audit.
Be proficient in the use of methods and evaluation of decision alternatives

Program

Module 1 Knowledge of the Environmental Impact Assessment process

1.Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessments 2.Principles of EIAs 3. Origins and development of EIAs 4. National and European Legislation framing 5. Delimitation of the scope of the Environmental Impact Study 6. Preparation and content of an Environmental Impact Study 7. Technical assessment of Environmental Impact Studies 8. Public participation and public hearings 9. The Environmental Impact Statement 10. Post-Evaluation (monitoring and audits) 11. Methods for decision and evaluation of alternatives 12. Strategic Environmental Assessment

Module 2 Development of an Environmental Impact Study

1.1 description of the project and legal framework 1.2 identification of potential impacts 1.3 scope definition 1.4 characterization of the reference situation 1.5 impact forecast 1.6  assessment of impacts and alternatives 1.7  mitigation and compensation measures 1.8 monitoring and gaps

Grading Methods

Avaliação por exame
  • - Exame prático - 50.0%
  • - Exame teórico - 50.0%
Avaliação contínua
  • - Trabalho teórico individual - 50.0%
  • - Trabalho prático em grupo - 50.0%

Internship(s)

NAO

Bibliography

Petts, J. – Handbook of Environmental Assessment – Volume 1. Blackwell Science, 1999.

Jesus, J. – Revisão de Estudos de Impacte Ambiental.

Kiely, G. – Environmental Engineering. Mc Graw-Hill, 1997.

Petts, J. – Handbook of Environmental Assessment – Volume 2. Blackwell Science, 1999

Environmental Resources Management (ERM); Grontmij Consulting Engineers – Guia de Determinação do âmbito das informações a fornecer. Direcção-Geral do Ambiente, Segurança Nuclear e Protecção Civil da Comissão Europeia, 199

Canter, L. W. – Environmental Impact Assessment. Mc Graw-Hill, 1996.

Environmental Resources Management (ERM) – Guia de Selecção de Projectos. Direcção-Geral do Ambiente, Segurança Nuclear e Protecção Civil da Comissão Europeia, 1996

Henriques, A. G. – Processo de AIA: Avaliação de Impacte Ambiental. Lisboa: Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil, 1991.

Ordem dos Engenheiros – Compêndio Ambiente. Ordem dos Engenheiros – Região Centro, 2001.

Rau, J., Wooten, D., 1980. Environmental Impact Analysis Handbook. McGraw-Hill, 1980. ISBN 0-07-0512175.