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Environmental Impact Assessment

Additional course materials

Course developer

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

Formal test with a grade.
1. Attending lectures, practical works and active participation in two seminars;
2. Developing and successful presentations of four practical works;
3. Positive evaluation of two formal tests.

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. General. The evaluation of the study course depends on the sum of points obtained during the semester, tests and practical work. A maximum of 100 points can be obtained, corresponding to 10 points.
2. Activities:
a) three formal tests, up to 10 points can be obtained in each (maximum 30 points);
b) four practical works, up to 10 points can be obtained in each (maximum 40 points);
c) four seminars, up to 5 points can be obtained in each (maximum 20 points);
d) participation in all lectures (maximum 10 points, at 100% attendance);
e) Practical works in the e-studies system have been submitted within the deadlines (maximum 10 points).
The final assessment according to the total amount of points received during the semester:
• less than 50 points – 3 (unsatisfactory);
• 50...54 points - 4 (almost satisfactory);
• 55...59 points - 5 (satisfactory);
• 60...69 points - 6 (almost good);
• 70...79 points - 7 (good);
• 80...89 points - 8 (very good);
• 90...95 points - 9 (excellent);
• 96...100 points - 10 (with distinction).

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 limited choice electives of the academic master's study programme "Environmental, Water and Land Engineering" full-time studies.