The process of an EIA
Steps of the EIA procedure - Monitoring
The decision to grant development consent shall incorporate at least the following information:
- (a) the reasoned conclusion referred to in Article 1(2)(g)(iv);
- (b) any environmental conditions attached to the decision, a description of any features of the project and/or measures envisaged to avoid, prevent or reduce and, if possible, offset significant adverse effects on the environment as well as, where appropriate, monitoring measures.
The EIA Directive requires monitoring measures only in cases when it is duly justified (e.g. when the emissions into water of the project may have significant adverse effects on the groundwater on the site, the status of which would have to be monitored). These measures have to already be included in the EIA report and – as stipulated by Article 8a(1) – endorsed by and included in the development consent.
With the aim of avoiding duplications, the use of existing monitoring systems should be facilitated. For instance, when emissions into the air are of concern, the results of existing air quality monitoring stations could be used for the purpose of monitoring the effects of the project.
Monitoring is one of the most challenging parts of the EIA process and it is often considered by practitioners (both from developers and competent authorities) as being the most difficult to implement.