How to Handle Changes in the EIA process

Changes or variations to the project are common in a project life cycle.

Being a planning tool, the EIA process indeed can flexibly handle or cater for changes to the project. Some tips over their applications are:

1. At Project Profile Stage

Alternative alignments, route corridors and different development scenarios can be used in project profile. An example is the project profile for the North Island Line where alternative alignments were proposed. Click here to view the project profile.

2. At EIA Stage

An alternative development scenario approach can be used in an EIA to assess the environmental impacts under different situation. Description of mitigation measures under "if-then" scenario is often a handy tool to build in flexibility in an EIA.

3. Implementation Stage

Design audit through Environmental Team and Independent Environmental Checker is a useful tool to handle minor environmental changes during implementation. In case where variation to an environmental permit is needed, an applicant can apply for variation of environmental permit under the EIAO.