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\section{Conclusion}
-TODO
+Although the RMA anticipated some of the core principles of SEA in
+that it provides an integrated framework for the assessment of
+policies, plans, and projects, insufficient monitoring and the lack of
+a well-defined process to feed assessment experiences at the local
+level back into nation-wide guidelines limits the suitability of the
+RMA for SEA. The fact that the RMA purposefully omits prescribing
+explicit assessment procedures does enable a more flexible approach to
+environmental assessment that is guided by local needs but has also
+allowed an overwhelming number of poor-quality assessments to enter
+the process.
-- plan formulation process is well defined, but AEE process is not
-- public participation in plan formulation is slowing down the process but makes it possible to represent a variety of values in screening and scoping rules
-- public participation in AEE is limited by the decision of many councils to not publically notify applications
-- the devolved mandate ... TODO
-- potential for SEA, but unused due to slow implementation \ No newline at end of file
+While the broad definitions of the terms `environment' and `effects',
+and the integration of EIA principles in the resource consent process
+do ensure that most proposals with potentially significant impacts
+fall under the activities that require assessment, the sheer volume of
+resource consents that are to be reviewed by local councils result in
+high workload which negatively affects the councils' consent review
+performance. The effects of these performance issues are particularly
+obvious in the disappointing monitoring practises and the severely
+limited opportunity for the general public to provide input on all but
+a minor fraction of resource consents. Since the lack of well-defined
+procedures allows local authorities to disregard the results of an
+assessment, it is unclear to what extent AEE is actually used as a
+means to promote sustainable development. \ No newline at end of file