susdev / SEA

1 files changed, 28 insertions, 37 deletions

diff --git a/assignment1/main.tex b/assignment1/main.tex
index 87e09c2..4aaef5f 100644
--- a/assignment1/main.tex
+++ b/assignment1/main.tex
@@ -16,8 +16,6 @@ adverse significant biophysical, social and other relevant effects''
 of such proposals ``prior to major decisions being taken and
 commitments made'' \parencite{principles}.
 
-% TODO: sustainable development
-
 In order to provide decision-makers with sufficiently detailed insight
 into the potential positive and negative effects of a project on the
 environment, the participation of all parties that would be affected
@@ -47,7 +45,13 @@ activities \parencite{principles}:
     identifying the key impacts that are associated with the project.
 
   \item[\emph{Consideration of alternatives.}]
-    %TODO: important. Spend a little more time on this.
+
+    Since EIA is mainly intended to be a tool to assist
+    decision-making, practicable alternatives must be presented for every
+    proposed activity, including the option not to do anything.  This step
+    ensures that EIA does not turn into an expensive documentation
+    exercise for planners and decision-makers; it is essential for
+    effective EIA.
 
   \item[\emph{Impact analysis, mitigation, and evaluation of residual impacts.}]
 
@@ -97,6 +101,23 @@ statutes and is generally considered to be the first piece of
 integrated sustainability legislation in the
 world \parencite{rma-guide}.
 
+
+\subsubsection{The role of sustainable development}
+
+In recognition of the inherent limitations of project-level
+EIA---including the difficulty of assessing cumulative impacts, the
+lack of integrated assessment of effects at a wider scope, and the
+narrow focus on direct impacts of assessed proposals---the RMA does
+not institutionalise the standard EIA process but provides for an
+integrated approach to ``the sustainable management of natural and
+physical resources'' (Section 5).  In line with this purpose, the RMA
+adopts a very broad definition of the term `environment'---including
+communities, amenity values, social and cultural conditions (Section
+2(1))---and its mandatory requirement for the assessment of `effects'
+applies to policies, plans and projects alike. In principle, the RMA
+is thus closer to an implementation of Strategic Environmental
+Assessment (SEA) than to ``first generation'' EIA.
+
 The RMA has been described as an ``effects-based approach'' to
 regulation \parencite{sadler}, as it does not intend to regulate human
 activities per se, but ``focuses on the regulation of the effects of
@@ -111,36 +132,6 @@ guide and implement sustainable resource management'' \parencite[p
 31]{sadler}.
 
 
-\subsubsection{The role of sustainable development}
-
-% TODO
-
-%As the concept of sustainable development became more popular
-%... scope of project-based impact assessment determined to be too
-%narrow to ensure a progression towards sustainable
-%development. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) ...
-%
-%- broad definition of ``environment'' is adopted
-%``Social Assessment'' (Taylor et al in the Green Book, chapter 25)
-%
-%\begin{quote}
-%   The New Zealand Resource Management Act (1991) ... has included
-%   mandatory requirements for the assessment of environmental effects,
-%   with “social,” “cultural,” and “amenity values” clearly included in
-%   the definition of environment. Also required are public involvement
-%   and community consultation, and monitoring of effects once the plan or
-%   project has begun.
-%\end{quote}
-
-% TODO: RMA and SEA
-% ``Social Assessment'' (Taylor et al in the Green Book, chapter 25)
-% \begin{quote}
-%   It provides a comprehensive framework with a single
-%   purpose of promoting “the sustainable management of natural and
-%   physical resources” (Section 5).
-% \end{quote}
-
-
 \subsubsection{Decentralised environmental management}
 
 Interestingly and somewhat unusually in international comparison, the
@@ -186,15 +177,15 @@ resource consents \parencite{furuseth}.  As
 council has to address in plans and policy statements are mostly
 related to the sustainable management of natural or physical
 resources. Planning at the district level is constrained by these
-regional plans and policies. % TODO? one more sentence; subdivision etc done at district level
-
-
-\subsubsection{Plans and resource consents}
+regional plans and policies.
 
 The plans and policies at the national, regional, and district level
 provide a framework for regulation of development activities.
 %TODO: the evolution of a plan; public participation in the evolution of plans
 
+
+\subsubsection{Resource consents}
+
 For every proposed activity that is not explicitly allowed as a
 `Permitted Activity' in the appropriate regional or district plan,
 resource consent have to be obtained from the local authorities before