Assessing Impact

In introducing environmental impact assessment (EIA), Morrison-Saunders (Murdoch U., Australia) and Arts (Dutch Ministry of Transport) note that this process for evaluating a proposed action's potential environmental consequences has its worldwide roots in a US act of 1969. Followup in the form of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a crucial part of the process. International contributors to a dozen chapters emphasize EIA and SEA best practices and policy implications, and provide country-specific cases studies of the process. Helpfully, the volume includes boxed summaries of the material, and an appended framework and checklist for an EIA effectiveness and performance review. Distributed by Stylus. Annotation c2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Angus Morrison-Saunders is Senior Lecturer in Environmental Assessment at Murdoch University, Australia. Jos Arts is Manager of the EIA/Transportation Centre of the Dutch Ministry of Transport.