The environmental impact assessment and review process : the role and effectiveness of the New Zealand procedures

Abstract

This study is concerned with examining the nature and purpose of environmental impact assessment (EIA) in environmental and resource management. The process of EIA is frequently conceived to be a wholly scientific and objective exercise, undertaken in order to "protect the environment". The inherent contradictions of this perception have stimulated an interest in examining the relationship between "rational" assessments and decision-making activities which are essentially political.

A concern for the effectiveness of "environmental protection" activities in New Zealand under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Procedures has focussed the study on the question of what makes a process involving EIA effective? Effectiveness certainly means different things to different people, as evidenced by controversies surrounding the general success or otherwise of EIA, and its influence in particular cases of development planning. Such controversy naturally begs the questions, what is EIA for, why, and under what circumstances can it be considered effective?

The study attempts to answer these questions, by developing a framework for understanding the preconditions of effectiveness of the environmental impact assessment and review process; firstly in the international context, and then in the New Zealand setting.