PIANC Releases Environmental Assessment Guideline Report
PIANC has released a report from EnviCom Working Group 143 that provides guidance when conducting an initial assessment of the environmental effects of navigation and infrastructure projects.
The initial assessment is largely a planning-based activity to establish the project scope and objectives further existing information needed to perform the assessment develop the conceptual model and reach a conclusion about the level of risk and whether more assessment is required. The projects covered in the report include maintenance and capital dredging port and harbor development (terminals berthing facilities barge flotilla areas and turning basins) and the construction of waterways locks canals quays breakwaters jetties and groins.
The process identifies aspects of navigation and infrastructure projects requiring investigation; it also identifies the need to investigate possible alternatives early in the project definition phase.
The report provides an instrument to develop a detailed understanding of the strengths weaknesses and limitations of infrastructure projects with respect to the environment and it also creates opportunities for win-win situations. The initial assessment process described in the report was specifically developed to evaluate the potential for environmental impacts so that unacceptable impacts are avoided.
To order Initial Assessment of Environmental Effects of Navigation and Infrastructure Projects or for more information contact the PIANC General Secretariat; Bâtiment Graaf de Ferraris – 11ième étage; Blvd. du Roi Albert II 20 – Boîte 3; B-1000 Brussels Belgium . Phone: +32 2 553 71 61; fax: + 32 2 553 71 55; email: info@pianc.org; Web: www.pianc.org/technicalreportsbrowseall.php. 50 pages; PDF format; € 50.00; PIANC EnviCom Working Group 143.
