The Difference Between Environmental Management Plans and Environmental Impact Assessments

Environmental management plans and environmental impact assessments contain qualitative and quantitative observations used to assist in the determination of environmental conditions and how they can be controlled or prevented. It is important to be able to differentiate the two documents as they represent different objectives but can appear to be similar in context.

Environmental management plans (EMP) are an adoption of management strategies over a time frame and allow flexibility for the best possible outcome. These can be used by any organisation that has some form of responsibility for managing impacts in a particular context. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) process enables an assessment of likely impacts before projects proceed, and state how to minimise the effects of the impact. An EIA is performed primarily before development and an EMP is put into action once it is developed using best-practice strategies. Both documents investigates all factors present in the environment and extensively encourages community participation and submissions which may alter the content of the document.

Subtle differences separate the two documents. The difference in information is based upon the purpose of the EMP or EIA. Environmental impact assessments are formal documents of proposals which are likely, if implemented, to have a significant effect on the environment. A decision on whether a proposal should be assessed is made by the EPA or to whom the EPA has delegated its decision-making power. Environmental Management Plans direct staff in the development of detailed strategies which framework resources, infrastructure and operational works for future management. They utilize strategies and performance indicators to develop its context by verifying land care and responsibility on the proposed beneficiary’s part.

The potential impacts of projects and its subsequent management are integral parts of project planning, implementation and operation. Increasingly EIA is being linked to Environmental Management Systems through the use of Environmental Management Plans. While negligible differences separate the documents both are extremely critical in the environmental planning process.