Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a significant, anticipatory, environmental management tool. International debate focuses on its enhancement to meet the challenges of sustainable development as well as demands for scientifically robust integrated and participative decision-making. This handbook hopes to improve practices by contributing an international, multidisciplinary, ready-reference source to this debate. Volume I addresses EIA principles, process and methods. Part 1 maps the EIA process and its impact on decision. It positions EIA in the context of sustainable development and relative to other decision tools, including economic valuation. It also positions strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in a similar way. Part 2 addresses the elements of the EIA process and significant impact assessment topics (air, water, ecological, social, risk, landscape and visual) not only in terms of good practice but also methodological evolution. This volume concludes by addressing cumulative impact assessment and SEA methods. Volume II provides a unique consideration for EIA implementation and practice in Europe, Africa, the Far East, South America and North America. It uses a number of project types to provide 'how to do' guidance and addresses practice in policy and plan assessment. This book should be read by legislators, decision-makers, economists, developers, industrial managers and consultants involved in this significant field.

"As Secretary of the Interior, implementing the Endangered Species Act was one of my most important, and challenging, responsibilities. All who deal with this complex and critical law need a clear and comprehensive guide to its provisions, interpretation, and implementation. With chapters written by some of the foremost practitioners in the field, the new edition of Endangered Species Act: Law, Policy, and Perspectives is an essential reference for conservationists and the regulated community and the attorneys who represent them."---Bruce Babbbitt, former Secretary of the Interior --

This award-winning book is a veritable "soup to nuts" guide to CEQA and the environmental review process. It contains easy-to-understand explanations of the key policies, players, procedures, and practices related to CEQA compliance. It takes the reader through the process from the Initial Study and Notice of Preparation all the way to agency decision-making and litigation. The book also explains how to prepare useful and legally sufficient environmental documents, including Negative Declarations, Mitigated Negative Declarations, and Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs).This edition includes: ¿ All legislative amendments through 2012 ¿ The most recent version of the State CEQA Guidelines, including revisions related to greenhouse gas emissions ¿ Sidebar discussion of key court decisions ¿ Practice tips addressing commonly occurring issues ¿ New and revised flow charts and diagrams explaining important elements of CEQA ¿ Advice about integrating CEQA with NEPA and other environmental laws ¿ Hard-to-find studies of CEQA¿s effectiveness ¿ Pointers for successful compliance