10 Alternatives purposes A discussion of alternatives ensures

10. Alternatives- purposes A discussion of alternatives ensures that the developer has considered other approaches to the project and the means of preventing environmental damage. � A consideration of alternatives also encourages analysts to focus on the differences between real choices. � It can allow people who were not directly involved in the decision-making process to evaluate various aspects of a proposed project and how decisions were arrived at. � Prepared by Dr Ing Zebene Kiflie

Alternatives- purposes � It also provides a framework for the competent authority’s decision, rather than merely a justification for a particular action. � A re-examination of these alternatives may help to provide rapid and cost-effective solutions if unforeseen difficulties arise during the construction or operation of a project. Prepared by Dr Ing Zebene Kiflie

Types of alternatives � No action option refers to environmental conditions if a project were not to go ahead. Consideration of the “no action” option is equivalent to a discussion of the need for the project: do the benefits of the project outweigh its costs? � Alternative locations with the aim of maximizing economic, planning and environmental considerations Prepared by Dr Ing Zebene Kiflie

Types of alternatives �Alternative scales of the project, (wind farms, waste disposal sites, �Alternative processes or equipment- involve the possibility of achieving the same objective by a different method. Prepared by Dr Ing Zebene Kiflie

Types of alternatives � Alternative site layouts- For instance, noisy plant can be sited away from residences. Power-station cooling towers can be few and tall (using less land) or many and short (causing less visual impact). Buildings can be sited either prominently or to minimize their visual impact. Prepared by Dr Ing Zebene Kiflie

Types of alternatives � Alternative operating conditions-operating conditions can be changed to minimize impacts. › For instance, a level of noise at night is usually more annoying than the same level during the day, so night-time work could be avoided. › Establishing designated routes for project-related traffic can help to minimize disturbance to local residents. Construction can take place at times of the year that minimize environmental impacts, for example on migratory and nesting birds Prepared by Dr Ing Zebene Kiflie

Comparison of alternatives � The costs of alternatives vary for different groups of people and for different environmental components. � Discussions with local residents, statutory consultees and special interest groups may rapidly eliminate some alternatives from consideration and suggest others. Prepared by Dr Ing Zebene Kiflie

Comparison of alternatives � Methods for comparing and presenting alternatives: › simple, non-quantitative descriptions, › Quantitative methods › Translation of all impacts into their monetary values. Prepared by Dr Ing Zebene Kiflie

Comparison of alternatives � Overlay maps compare the impacts of various locations in a non-quantitative manner. � Checklists or less complex matrices can also be applied to various alternatives and compared; � Some of the techniques used for impact identification—the threshold of concern checklist, weighted matrix can also be used Prepared by Dr Ing Zebene Kiflie