ScienceAsia 1 (1975): 152-166 |doi: 10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.1975.01.152

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

M.B. PESCOD

Summary: The environmental effects of development projects are discussed with respect to developing countries and the objective quantitative approach to environmental assessment is recommended for each major project. Environmental base line studies are reviewed in terms of need, purpose and implementation. Preparation of environmental impact assessments is considered and the environmental impact matrix suggested as a useful approach to discourage subjective evaluation of results. The analytical techniques, materials balance, residuals dispersion, market simulation, and marginal and trade-off analyses are outlined and the concepts of decision criteria and measures of worth introduced.

          An example of environmental impact assessment in Thailand related to the Quae Yai River hydroelectric scheme is reviewed. The scope of this included: water resource management. mining, forestry and river basin development, relocation of upstream inhabitants; health; fishery resources and aquatic weed infestations; inundation of archeological artifacts and sites; and aesthetic quality and tourism potential. Final recommendations are given for both the initial environmental reconnaissance study and the subsequent more detailed survey related only to medical, heavy metals, archeological and aesthetic aspects of the basin.

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Environmental Engineering Division, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

Received 15 August 1975