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Environmental Impact Assessment

Additional course materials

Course abstract

Students are introduced with the regulatory enactments of the Republic of Latvia, which determine the procedures for the environmental impact assessment, undertake the environmental impact assessment methods, are introduced with environmental load indicators and limits, learn to predict and evaluate changes in air, water, soil and groundwater, as well as potential changes in the biological environment as a result of anthropogenic effects.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Have understanding of theoretical and practical issues of environmental impact assessment (3 tests);
Have the capacity to assess and analyse the quality of the environment and to plan and manage the environmental impact assessment procedure (4 seminars).
Be able to participate as an expert, according to his or her specialisation, in the environmental impact assessment procedure (4 practical works).

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Environmental policy and legislation. National and international environmental policy instruments (1 h)
2. Environmental policy instruments. Principles for the assessment of environmental impacts. Environmental impact assessment methods (1 h).
3. Seminar 1: Role, tasks, methods, legislation of the environmental impact assessment (2 h).
4. 1. Test (2 h).
5. Description of the affected environment, main impact and assessment criteria. Factors characterizing the intended activity (1 h).
6. Forecast and assessment of impacts on the air environment. Sources, type, volumes, air protection measures (2 h).
7. Information on water resources, their quantity and quality, pollution sources and the nature of pollution (1 h).
8. Seminar 2: Environmental indicators and indicators for the characterization of the affected environment (2 h).
9. Land use. Potential causes of soil degradation due to the impacts of the proposed action (1 h).
10. 2. Test (2 h).
11. Seminar 3: forecast and assessment of impacts on water and soil resources (1 h).
12. Forecast and assessment of impacts on biological systems. Characterization and assessment of habitats (2 h).
13. Landscape changes and their assessment. Assessment of impacts on the cultural environment. Architectural and historical monuments (1 h).
14. Analysis of impacts and determination of relevance. Reduction of impacts. Alternative solutions and decision-making (1 h).
15. Seminar 4: forecast and assessment of impacts on biological resources (2 h).
16. 3. Test (2 h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

Classes were attended, four practical assignments were successfully completed and defended, participation in four seminars, and three tests were successfully passed.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. The student must independently prepare for three formal tests on the topics covered in the lectures.
2. The student shall perform studies of scientific and practical literature and analyses the obtained findings according to the topics of four seminars.

3. Development of practical works takes place in the auditorium. The descriptive part of the submitted paper (work), the graphic material and its design should be performed independently, following the requirements of guidelines for the student research paper (work) and other instructions.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

1. Credit (Pass/Fail Assessment). The maximum total score is 100 points. The credit is obtained if at least 70 points are collected in total.
2. Tasks to be completed:
a. Three tests, each worth up to 10 points (maximum total: 30 points);
b. Four practical assignments, each worth up to 10 points (maximum total: 40 points);
c. Four seminars, each worth up to 5 points (maximum total: 20 points);
d. Participation in all classes (maximum total: 10 points for 100% attendance);
e. Practical assignments submitted in the e-learning system by the specified deadline (maximum total: 10 points).
3. Final evaluation criteria:
a. 0–69 points – not passed;

b. 70–100 points – passed.

Compulsory reading

1. Red. M. Kļaviņš, J. Zaļoksnis. Vide un ilgtspējīga attīstība. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2010. 334 lpp.
2. Ietekmes uz vidi novērtējums. Rīga: Ietekmes uz vidi novērtējuma valsts birojs, 2002. 208 lpp.
3. Vircavs M. . Ietekmes uz vidi novērtējums. Rīga: Biznesa augstskola Turība, 2001. 123 lpp.
4. Canter Larry W. . Environmental Impact Assessment. McGraw - Hill, Inc., 1996. 660 P.

Further reading

1. LR likums "Par ietekmes uz vidi novērtējumu" . [tiešsaiste]. [skatīts 27.05.2014.]. Pieejams: http://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=51522

Periodicals and other sources

1. Vides vēstis: Vides aizsardzības kluba žurnāls. Rīga : Vides aizsardzības klubs. ISSN 1407-2939.
2. National Geographic. [tiešsaiste]. Official Journal of the National Geographic Society. ISSN: 0027-9358. [skatīts 27.05.2014.]. Pieejams: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/

Notes

The course is included in the restricted elective (B) section of the LBTU Faculty of Environmental and Civil Engineering master’s study programme “Environmental, Water and Land Engineering” (VUZI), within the specialization “Environmental Engineering”.