Environmental impact assessment (EIA)

What EIA is?

EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) is a preventive tool for environmental protection which helps to decrease potential negative impacts of planned investments/projects. It is a systematic investigation process of possible impacts on environment and public health prior to construction. This tool allows general public to get involved in the process.

The EIA process is regulated by Act No. 100/2001 Coll. on Environmental Impact Assessment, as amended. This Act determines all factual and formal requirements for the EIA process.

Constructions and activities that fall within EIA process are listed in Annex 1 to the Act. No. 100/2001 Coll. Investment plans are subject to assessment either for every planned project (large more significant projects/investment plans) or, when established during the so-called screening.

Generally speaking, majority of significant investment plans/projects in the field of energy, industry, mineral extraction, transport and line construction, civil construction (shopping centres and residential complexes), waste management, water management, agriculture or forestry, is subject to Act No. 100/2001 Coll., as amended.

With most of the investment plans/projects, the process starts with screening, which, when submitted to relevant authority (i.e. Ministry of Environment, Regional Office) has to be supplemented with EIA Notice and made public by the authority. The relevant authority based on received opinions subsequently decides whether further assessment is or is not needed and which areas of the investment plan needs to be assessed.

Investment plans, which are subject to further assessment need to be then assessed in detail in the EIA report. This report is then publicly discussed and assessed further by an independent reviewer.

The process ends with issuance of binding statement, which agrees with the investment plan/project usually with conditions, or declines it. Binding statement is a necessary document for the issuance of decisions in following proceedings.

Our services:

• EIA screening, documentation and reports in EIA process
• Representation of client in dealing with authorities and organisations involved in the EIA process
• Communication of planned investments and projects and their possible impact on the environment to general public
• Supporting studies and analyses (noise studies, dispersion studies, biological assessment, Natura 2000, health impact assessment, …)
• EIA consultation services with the aim to minimize time and scope of activities