Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 2000. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains v, 75 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-75).

Thesis (M. En.)--Miami University, Institute of Environmental Sciences, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 32).

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Delaware, 2007. / Principal faculty advisor: Jacob L. Bowman, Dept. of Entomology & Wildlife Ecology. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2005. / Laura O. Taylor, committee chair; Keith R. Ihlanfeldt, David L. Sjoquist , Mary Beth Walker, committee members. Electronic text (342 p. : ill.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed Aug. 15, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 335-341).

M.Phil. / The urban environment, as a concentration of human industrial activity, has an ecological footprint extending well beyond its geographic borders. The reactive nature of Environmental Impact Assessment methodologies focuses on impacts in the natural environment, and mitigation thereof, rather than the causes, and since cities incorporate only limited natural resources, their impact on the larger environment is easily overlooked within the urban setting. Urban design and planning aims to guide urban development, and in order for such development to occur sustainably in the natural, built, social and economic environments, a strategic approach to environmental assessment must be followed. This study explores the merits of a strategic environmental assessment as a pro-active methodology to guide urban master-plan development at precinct level towards more sustainable urban layout and form. The Civic Precinct of the newly formed Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, to be established within the heart of Germiston, South Africa, serves as a case study. Having contextualized strategic assessments in an urban environment on the basis of a literature review, the study defines the development vision on the basis of higher-tier strategic documents and planning frameworks formulated for Ekurhuleni. Screening explores the legal parameters, and serves to define a vision specifically for sustainability of the Civic Precinct. Scoping has been conducted with reference to existing research data available from highertier studies and GIS databases, and at precinct-specific level fieldwork has provided both qualitative and quantitative status quo data, which have been transferred onto maps to highlight resources and constraints. At an applied level this study has yielded direct outcomes: i) A matrix of criteria for sustainability in the urban environment has been generated from the United Nations Agenda 21, and the Plan of Implementation from the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, 2002), supplemented by assessment criteria of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighbourhood Development Rating System. The matrix forms a generic checklist for planners and designers, applicable also in other urban renewal projects. ii) The review of higher-tier planning documentation for Ekurhuleni, supplemented by fieldwork, has provided a comprehensive set of qualitative and quantitative data relating to the environment of the Ekurhuleni Civic Precinct. iii) By relating the results of the fieldwork, through a SWOT analysis, to the predetermined criteria for sustainability, a project-specific set of sustainability guidelines has been formulated. These guidelines are direct design informants for the master-plan, and become specifications for sustainability of individual projects to be implemented in the context of the master-plan. Through these outcomes the case study demonstrates that an adapted strategic environmental assessment methodology offers an effective tool for pro-active focus on sustainability in lower-tier, pre-implementation urban planning and design processes. The study, however, also indicates that the geographic confines of an urban precinct may be too restrictive to do justice to all dimensions of sustainability which make up an urban system, and suggests that application of the SEA methodology should be explored at the broader level of the local spatial development plan, where the SEA methodology may be more economically applied. The local spatial development plan offers a more appropriate level at which to conduct strategic environmental assessment, since it offers a broader scope for strategic consideration of the interconnectedness of all spheres of sustainability, while still permitting sufficient detail in the outcomes to make a concrete difference to the sustainability of an urban design when implemented.

This study documents strengths and weaknesses inherent in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), as currently practiced at the federal level in Canada. Two case studies are examined—the Beaufort Sea hydrocarbon development and production Environmental Assessment and Review Process (EARP), and the West Coast offshore hydrocarbon exploration EIA (a joint federal/provincial review). By examining current strengths and weaknesses valuable lessons can be learned and utilized in adapting the role of EIA within wider planning processes. The major objective of this study is to determine how the West Coast EIA can contribute to a more considered approach to development planning in the West Coast region. The study reviews relevant literature on planning and EIA to provide information on theoretical relationships between EIA and planning. This provided a basis for evaluating strengths and weaknesses of the Beaufort Sea EARP. The West Coast EIA was compared and contrasted to the Beaufort Sea EARP to determine what lessons had been learned from the latter review. Based on this evaluation, suggestions were made on ways in which the West Coast EIA, principally through the panel's recommendations, could contribute both to improvements in EARP, and to effective planning and management of West Coast offshore hydrocarbon resources. Evaluation of the two case studies revealed that there are both strengths and weaknesses evident in EIA. Major strengths are the comprehensive scope of the reviews, public involvement, and, in the case of the Beaufort Sea EARP, the provision of intervenor funding, and, a unique opportunity to examine government's management capability. Both EIAs are affected by similar external circumstances--the lack of a coordinated policy and planning framework, and outstanding native claims. The Beaufort Sea EARP panel failed to make the most of its opportunity to address the partial policy and planning vacuum. The West Coast EIA panel still has an opportunity to address the partial vacuum within which it is operating. The Beaufort Sea EARP and West Coast EIA both examine preliminary project proposals associated with hydrocarbon activities. However, the Beaufort Sea EARP panel provided little guidance on how such preliminary EIAs should be handled in future, or recommendations on subsequent project specific EIA requirements. The thesis suggests ways in which the West Coast EIA can avoid repeating this deficiency. There is a definite weakness in EARP procedure. As a one-shot approach, EARP focuses on the product (the Environmental Impact Statement) rather than on environmental management as an ongoing, continuous process. Thus, the Beaufort Sea EIA process ended after the panel submitted its Final Report, and it appears that the same will apply for the West Coast. EIA review. Consequently, there is no guarantee that management-oriented monitoring, which should be an integral part of EIA, will be undertaken. This study concludes that if the West Coast EIA is to make a valuable contribution to regional development planning the panel should more fully utilize the information it receives than previous panels have done. Moreover, it must clearly establish and document in its Final Report the major issues and concerns impeding orderly development of the region. How will these concerns interfere with hydrocarbon exploration and other resource uses? How can governments act to resolve these outstanding issues? This requires going beyond merely documenting future data and research requirements to a consideration of the policy, planning and institutional requirements for rational development of West Coast resources. I suggest several major issues deserving of focused attention: lack of a coordinated regional planning framework; project need assessment; jurisdictional dispute; outstanding native claims; future project specific EIA requirements; community involvement in future assessments; monitoring; intervenor funding; and compensation. The panel, of course, may uncover other issues and concerns. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

This thesis identifies the causes of disputes between scientists who are involved in environmental impact assessment and management (EIAM), and suggests some critical elements of scientific dispute resolution processes, particularly peer review. It does this within the context of a case study, the environmental assessment, monitoring, and management of the Island Copper Mine marine tailings discharge into Rupert Inlet, B.C. The events of this case are analysed, drawing on literature on the scientist's role in impact assessment and management, and on the philosophy and sociology of science literature. The case study and literature review indicate that the causes of such scientific disputes are complex. The complexity and uncertainty of the physical and biological processes of a fjord system are one cause. Logistical failings in integrating scientists into the process are another: poor timing of scientists' efforts; failures of communication; and lack of accountability are examples. Poor methodology and inadequate research design also caused disputes. The transdisciplinary nature of the scientific problems common to EIAM causes disagreements of a different nature-- over the relevance of various disciplines' research foci to the problem at hand, and over what constitutes acceptable scientific practice. Value and interest conflicts between scientists, which influence both the trajectory of research and the interpretation of its results, complete the typology of the causes of disputes. The thesis recommends the elements of peer review processes necessary to resolve these disputes. Peer review should be pre-emptive, by focussing on research design where possible, and should be representative of the range of relevant scientific disciplines, and should facilitate constructive solutions rather than the defense of positions. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

Bibliography: pages 56-7. / De Beers Namaqualand Mines (DBNM) have appointed the Environmental Evaluation Unit to undertake an impact assessment of mine closure. According to recent estimates DBNM anticipate that their diamond mining operations in Namaqualand will have to be closed in approximately ten years time. DBNM requested that the study focus on the socio-economic implications of mine closure within the regional context of Namaqualand and not the broader context of South Africa. It is anticipated that the results and recommendations of the study will be used by DBNM in planning for mine closure. The aims and objectives of the study are: 1) To assess the socio-economic consequences of future mine closure. 2) To recommend actions that will mitigate the impacts of mine closure. The aims and objectives of this report are to: 1) Fulfil the academic requirements of the degree. 2) Assess and evaluate information collected during the data collection phase of this project (contained in the Baseline Information Report) and to present these findings clearly and concisely, highlighting significant impacts and options for mitigation. 3) To communicate these findings in a way as would make them useful to both the client as the decision-maker and the interested and affected parties.

Bibliography: pages 65-67. / In 1991 the Environmental Evaluation Unit (EEU) of the University of Cape Town was appointed by DBNM to undertake a socio-economic impact assessment of the proposed closure of DBNM by the year 2005. According to De Beers, the source of viable diamond ore is finite and unless technological advances or market fluctuations make the reserves economically viable, the mine has no option but to shut down its operations. This is anticipated to have major social and economic impacts on the region and DBNM. The emphasis is on regional impacts i.e. the Namaqualand Magisterial District. However, due to the concentration of employees originating from the Herschel District in the Transkei, special cognisance is taken of impacts likely to occur there. Therefore, the two main purposes of this report are to: * identify and evaluate the potential major socio-economic impacts arising out of the closure of De Beers Namaqualand Mines (DBNM), * determine mitigatory action which will reduce negative impacts and optimize positive impacts.