Benchmarking Evaluation of Environmental Impact Assessment Studies Case Study: New Burg El Arab City– Alexandria – Egypt

Abstract

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is one of the great significance tools to achieve environmental sustainability. The objective of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of EIA practice in Egypt, through evaluation of the produced environmental impact statement (EIS) reports in New Burg El Arab City (Case study) using the Lee & Colley EIS review package. The study focuses on a comparison between different EIA studies conducted by the Egyptian Environmental Affair Agency (EEAA) and the Industrial Development Authority (IDA), emphasis areas for improving the EIA report quality, and make suggestions for future improvements. The Lee and Colley's EIS review package were modified to evaluate both EIA complete studies (B Scope, C and high-risk industrial projects) and EIA forms (A, B and low-risk industrial projects) in Alexandria, Egypt.The first modification of the EIS review package was used to evaluate the quality of (75) EISs complete study produced during the years 2016 and 2022.The results of This EISs evaluation revealed that approximately 75% of the total samples were satisfactory in quality. (36 EISs) 48% were good, (33 EISs) 44% borderline, (6 EISs) 8% poor. The second modification of the EIS review package was used to evaluate (80) environmental classification forms (A and B) during 2016 (EEAA) and to evaluate (100) low risk industrial projects during the period 2017-2022. The environmental classification forms (A and B) were evaluated that were submitted to the concerned Alexandria branch of the EEAA, and it was found that about 91% of the EIS samples were of acceptable quality. Of these (44 EISs), 55% were good, (36 EISs), 45% were border line. Moreover, the evaluation of low-risk industrial projects indicated that about 56% of the EISs samples were of acceptable quality. Of those (31EISs) 31% were good, (33EISs) 33% were borderline and (36EISs) 36% were poor. The research presents suggestions and recommendations for enhancement of EIA process in Egypt. The use of EIA guidelines, EIS reviewing criteria, environmental monitoring program, EIA consultant’s accreditation, consideration of alternatives and public consultation, all ensue an effective EIA system in Egypt along with protecting our environment /natural resources for us and further generation.