Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
We support investors in preparing Environmental Impact Assessments and EIA reports. We analyse the potential environmental impacts of planned projects, coordinate the necessary technical and ecological studies, and prepare documentation required in environmental permitting procedures.
When is an Environmental Impact Assessment required?
Environmental Impact Assessment is one of the key elements of the environmental permitting process for projects that may have significant effects on the environment.
An EIA is required for projects that are always likely to have a significant impact on the environment. For projects that may potentially have a significant impact on the environment, the competent authority may require an EIA following a screening procedure.
Relevant factors include, among others, the type and scale of the project, the technology used, location, expected emissions, water and wastewater management, waste generation, noise, impacts on nature and the potential for cumulative effects with other projects.
Early analysis of these factors helps prepare the project more effectively and reduces the risk of later changes to the documentation or technical solutions.
What is an EIA report?
An Environmental Impact Assessment report is a comprehensive document describing the planned project, the environmental conditions in its surroundings and the expected effects of construction, operation and, where relevant, decommissioning.
The report should provide the competent authority with sufficient information to assess the environmental effects of the project and determine whether the proposed measures are adequate from an environmental protection perspective.
Its scope includes, among other things, a description of the project, expected emissions, use of natural resources, analysis of environmental impacts, project alternatives and measures designed to avoid, reduce or mitigate adverse effects.
An EIA report should not be treated as a purely formal requirement. Its quality can directly affect the course of the administrative procedure, the number of questions raised by the authority and the need for supplementary documentation.
What should a properly prepared EIA report include?
The scope depends on the type and scale of the project, but in practice an EIA report may include:
- a description of the entire project,
- the location and proposed land use,
- a description of technologies and processes,
- expected consumption of water, energy and other resources,
- types and quantities of emissions,
- wastewater and waste management,
- noise impacts,
- impacts on soil and land,
- impacts on surface water and groundwater,
- impacts on nature and protected areas,
- impacts on people, landscape and material assets,
- assessment of cumulative impacts,
- analysis of project alternatives,
- mitigation measures,
- impacts during construction, operation and decommissioning,
- risks related to major accidents or exceptional events,
- proposals for environmental monitoring.
The level of detail should always be adapted to the specific nature and potential impacts of the project.
KIP and the Environmental Impact Assessment report
The Project Information Sheet and the EIA report serve different purposes.
The Project Information Sheet is primarily used at the screening stage to help determine whether a full Environmental Impact Assessment will be required.
The EIA report is a significantly more detailed document. It is prepared when the obligation to carry out an EIA already applies or has been imposed by the competent authority.
If the project is still at an earlier stage and it is not yet clear whether an EIA report will be required, it is worth first carrying out a preliminary qualification and preparing an appropriate Project Information Sheet.
EIA and Natura 2000 Sites
An Environmental Impact Assessment may require a detailed analysis of a project’s impact on Natura 2000 sites, natural habitats and protected species.
The location of a project directly within a protected area is not the only relevant factor. Further assessment may also be necessary where a project located outside the site could affect its integrity or protected features.
The scope of ecological assessment should be adapted to the project location, the nature of the development and the potential environmental impacts.
How do we prepare an EIA report?
We begin by reviewing the project documentation, the location of the development and the available environmental data.
We then determine the scope of the necessary analyses and specialist studies. Depending on the nature of the project, these may include noise, air emissions, water, ecological, transport or waste management assessments.
The next stage is to integrate the results of the individual studies into a coherent EIA report describing the entire project and its potential environmental impacts.
Consistency between the report, design documentation, calculations, maps and other attachments is essential. Discrepancies between these documents often result in requests for supplementary information.
During the administrative procedure, we can also support the investor in preparing responses to questions raised by the authorities and in updating the documentation.
What Information Is Needed at the Initial Stage?
To begin the work, we normally require basic information about the project, including:
- project location,
- description of the planned development,
- key parameters of the proposed structures and installations,
- site development plan,
- description of technologies and processes,
- expected consumption of utilities and resources,
- information on emissions, wastewater and waste,
- transport data,
- information about the surrounding area,
- available decisions, permits and previous environmental studies.
Not all information has to be final at the outset. It should, however, provide a coherent basis for assessing the maximum potential environmental impact of the project.
Why does the quality of an EIA report matter?
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation may lead to repeated requests for supplementary information, additional studies and delays in the administrative procedure.
Problems arise particularly when:
- project parameters differ between parts of the documentation,
- emission, wastewater or waste calculations are inconsistent with the technology description,
- parts of the associated infrastructure are omitted,
- the analysis of alternatives is too general,
- cumulative impacts are not adequately considered,
- relevant ecological constraints are overlooked,
- mitigation measures are described too generally.
A well-prepared EIA report should present the project in a coherent, specific and verifiable manner.
How MASAD can support you
MASAD can support investors throughout the preparation of EIA documentation.
The scope of our support may include:
- preliminary project classification,
- assessment of the required documentation,
- preparation of the EIA report,
- coordination of specialist studies,
- analysis of site-specific environmental constraints,
- assessment of impacts on Natura 2000 sites,
- preparation and coordination of ecological surveys,
- analysis of project alternatives,
- opracowanie działań minimalizujących,
- preparation of responses to requests from authorities,
- updates to the documentation during the procedure,
- support during the environmental permitting process.
We support projects in the Pomeranian and Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeships, as well as developments in other regions of Poland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every project requiring an environmental decision also require an EIA report?
No. For some categories of projects, an EIA is mandatory due to their classification. For projects that may potentially have a significant environmental impact, the obligation to carry out an EIA may be imposed following the screening procedure.
Who determines the scope of an EIA report?
The basic scope is established by the applicable environmental legislation. Depending on the specific project and procedure, the competent authority may also identify issues requiring particular attention.
How long does it take to prepare an EIA report?
Czas przygotowania raportu OOŚ zależy od rodzaju i skali przedsięwzięcia, dostępności danych projektowych oraz zakresu wymaganych analiz branżowych i przyrodniczych. Prostsze opracowania mogą zostać przygotowane w krótszym terminie, natomiast inwestycje wymagające inwentaryzacji przyrodniczych, analiz akustycznych, emisji, gospodarki wodno-ściekowej lub innych specjalistycznych opracowań wymagają odpowiednio dłuższego czasu. Po zapoznaniu się z podstawowymi informacjami o inwestycji określamy zakres prac oraz przewidywany harmonogram przygotowania dokumentacji.
Can an EIA report require an ecological survey?
Yes. Where the nature or location of the project indicates potential impacts on habitats, species or protected areas, appropriate ecological field surveys may be necessary to prepare a reliable EIA report.
What determines the cost of an EIA report?
The cost of preparing an EIA report depends primarily on the type of project, its location and scale, the scope of the required analyses, and the availability of project documentation. Additional specialist studies, field surveys or ecological inventories may also be required. Each assignment is priced individually after we review the basic information about the project.
Can MASAD also prepare the Project Information Sheet?
Yes. We can support the project from the initial screening and preparation of the Project Information Sheet and continue the work if the competent authority subsequently requires a full Environmental Impact Assessment.
Planning a project requiring an EIA?
Consult the project with us before or at an early stage of the administrative procedure. We will assess the required scope of documentation, identify the necessary studies and recommend an appropriate approach to preparing the EIA report.
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