APPENDIX 1
Elements of the Environment
The following tables describe elements of the environment broken down into 3 main categories; physical, biological and social.
Within each element is given a listing of possible issues that may have to be considered when assessing environmental effects.
A Elements of the Physical Environment
|
RIVER REGIME |
EROSION AND LAND STABILITY |
SEDIMENTATION |
SURFACE WATER |
GROUND WATER |
AGRICULTURAL SOIL |
FOUNDATION MATERIALS |
CLIMATE/-ATMOSPHERE |
NUISANCE |
LANDFORM |
|
Effect on dominant channel-forming flow |
Slope of land Vegetative cover |
Alteration of existing currents |
Effect on flow patterns |
Utilisation |
Material suitability |
Aerosols |
Noise Dust Smell |
Landscape dominant elements Rate of change |
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|
Effect on peak flow |
Rainfall intensity and duration |
Alteration of channel bed Expected rate |
Effect on levels Effects on use or abstraction |
Any beneficial use Storage Rehabilitation |
Drainage patterns surface and sub-surface |
Emissions Microclimate changes Weather modifications |
Background survey Predicted changes Boundaries of effects |
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Alteration of stop-banks |
Groundwater effects |
Provision for sedimentation traps |
Catchment condition |
Load bearing capacity |
Heat plumes |
Abatement measures |
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Flood control |
Effect on land use |
Effect on land use |
Effect on land use Groundwater levels |
Prevailing wind direction |
Ability to retrofit if necessary |
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Effect of velocity distribution of water flow |
Effect of riparian zone including wetlands |
Geomorpho-logical parameters |
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Alteration of channel slope |
Earthquake zone |
Trace element additions |
Geological parameters |
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Alteration of bed material |
Subsidence |
Nutrient addition |
Nutrient addition |
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Restriction of width |
Geological parameters |
Quality changes |
Quality changes |
Quality changes |
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Geomorpho-logical parameters |
B Elements of the Biological Environment
|
THREATENED SPECIES |
SPECIAL FEATURES |
DIVERSITY |
NATURALNESS |
REPRESENTATIVENESS |
UNIQUENESS |
STABILITY OF ECOSYSTEM |
SPATIAL CONTENT |
CULTURAL VALUE |
|
Identification of rare and vulnerable species
Limit of its distribution |
Bird colonies
Breeding grounds
Fossil bearing deposits
Geographic limit of range, rarity, abundance of particular feature |
Species richness (flora and fauna)
Community and habitat richness
Endemicness (local species)
Interdependence of species |
Extent of modification from natural condition
Potential regeneration |
Characteristics of an ecological district (swamp, wetland, estuary, etc.)
Represents diversity of a district (or former diversity - ie a small pocket representative of original state) |
Unusual combinations of: - species - physical features |
Ability to self sustain
Ability to recover from disturbance
Long term stability |
Area of the natural community
Shape
Surrounding landscape
Proximity to human activity and infra-structure
Buffer zone as protection |
Spiritual
Heritage (as built and natural)
Archaeology
Scientific and educative
Recreative
Economic (products, tourism, energy) |
C Elements of the Social Environment
|
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION |
EMPLOYMENT |
SETTLEMENT |
LAND VALUE |
EXISTING LAND USES |
RISKS AND ANXIETIES |
PERSONAL AND SOCIAL VALUES |
HISTORICAL/ CULTURAL |
LANDSCAPE/ VISUAL |
RECREATION |
|
Technocratic vs democratic decision-making |
Local vs migrant
Offshore vs NZ |
Existing patterns
Communication network |
Existing land tenure
Compensation
Mechanism of acquisition |
Effects on
Potential land capability |
Community perception of risk - physical health - mental health |
Lifestyle changes
Identification of ethos of community and region |
Traditions of community
Experience of comparable projects |
Unique physical features Measures to - protect - rehabilitate - enhance |
Types
Access
Opportunities - created - foreclosed |
|
Process to be followed |
Training |
Projected increases in size |
Extent |
District and Regional schemes |
Dynamic of community changes |
Identification of attitudes to specific project |
Ethnicity "class" |
Identify local values apropos aesthetic and landscape |
both direct and indirect |
|
Identification of sequence of consultation |
Full v part time
Transfer of labour from existing employment
Transfer of labour at completion of project |
Community facilities
Medical/education/Police etc
Existing population pattern age/ sex spread ethnicity
Projected changes to population pattern |
Property values
Protected public or private land |
Perception of noise/smell/ dust |
Indication of "activity" potential |
Exposure to development |
Value
Identify national values |