Application of a significance framework in the environmental impact assessment process (EAG 9) Summary: The purpose of this guideline is to describe how the EPA makes decisions, throughout the entire environmental impact assessment (EIA) process, on the likely significance of impacts of a proposal, using a risk based approach.
This EAG is considered to be a framework document in that it applies to the entire EIA process, and is supported by other more detailed guidance on specific aspects or stages of EIA.
Status: Final
Release Date: 10 June 2013
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Environmental factors and objectives (EAG 8) Summary: The purpose of this Environmental Assessment Guideline is to:
- communicate the EPA’s environmental factors and associated environmental objectives;
- describe the EPA’s framework for environmental factors and objectives and how they link to EPA guidance; and
- outline the EPA’s expectations for applying environmental factors, objectives and guidance through environmental impact assessment.
This guideline complements EAG 9 Environmental Assessment Guideline on the Environmental Impact Assessment Framework which describes the EPA’s decision framework for determining environmental acceptability.
Status: Final
Release Date: 10 June 2013
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Defining the key characteristics of a proposal (EAG1) Summary: This Guideline focuses on how to define the Key Proposal Characteristics of proposals for the purposes of assessing the proposal and incorporation in the Ministerial Approval Statement. The objective of this Guideline is to assist proponents to identify and provide the Key Proposal Characteristics that capture all key features of the proposal relevant to the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
The Guideline will help proponents understand the need for a broader contextual description and information about the proposal characteristics at various stages of the EIA process and how this differs from the Key Proposal Characteristics. Having a clear understanding of the Key Proposal Characteristics for which the proponent is seeking approval is a fundamental starting point for engaging in the EIA process.
Status: Draft
Release Date: 25 May 2012
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Environmental Assessment Guideline for Marine Dredging Proposals (EAG7) Summary: This EAG sets out the preferred approach for presenting impacts of dredging proposals that are subject to formal environmental impact assessment. It aims to ensure that predictions presented to the EPA have a sound scientific basis, take the range of likely impacts into account and are used to develop environmental monitoring and management strategies.
Status: Final
Release Date: 23 September 2011
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Changes to Proposals after Assessment - Section 45C of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EAG2) Summary: This Guideline specifically addresses the scope and use of section 45C of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 EP Act. The Guideline sets out:
(a) when section 45C can be used for approving changes to a proposal after assessment; and
(b) information required from proponents to enable the consideration and, if appropriate, approval of proposed changes to a proposal.
Download the checklist as a Word document here.
Status: Final
Release Date: 26 August 2011
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Joint Guidelines for Preparing Mine Closure Plans Summary: The
Guidelines for Preparing Mine Closure Plans has been jointly prepared by the Department of Mines and Petroleum and the Environmental Protection Authority and was released in June 2011. This guideline supercedes the draft Environmental Assessment Guideline for Preparing Mine CLosure Plans.
The objective of the guideline is to ensure that, for all mines in Western Australia, an effective planning process is in place so that mines can be closed, decommissioned and rehabilitated in an ecologically sustainable manner, consistent with agreed post-mining land uses, and without unacceptable liability to the State.
Status: Final
Release Date: 21 June 2011
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Timelines for Environmental Impact Assessment of Proposals (EAG6) Summary: The EPA has developed this EAG in recognition of the need for guidance on the assessment process and associated timelines to provide certainty to all stakeholders, particularly proponents, in relation to the EIA process.
This guideline was updated in March 2013 to be consistent with the 2012 administrative procedures.
Status: Final
Release Date: 26 November 2010
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Environmental Assessment Guideline for protecting marine turtles from light impacts (EAG5) Summary: This EAG specifically addresses approaches to proposal design and implementation to protect marine turtles from the adverse impacts of light. This EAG sets out:
(a) guidance on an array of approaches available for avoiding, reducing, managing and mitigating light impacts on marine turtles to be considered when preparing documentation relevant to the EIA process and during the implementation of proposals or planning schemes;
and
(b) alternative methods for the avoidance and management of light impacts that can be applied using a risk-based approach and by applying best practice methods.
Status: Final
Release Date: 1 November 2010
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DRAFT - Towards Outcome-based Conditions (EAG4) Summary: This Environmental Assessment Guideline specifically addresses the development of outcome-based conditions and sets out:
a the method for the development of outcome-based conditions which is to be followed when preparing documentation relevant to the EIA process with the exception of Section 48A assessments; and
b issues to be considered as part of the development of the condition to ensure all aspects of the intended outcome of the proposal, once implemented, will be delivered by the condition.
Submissions to: submissions.eiaepa.wa.gov.auClose of comments: 22 February 2010
Status: Draft
Release Date: 21 December 2009
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Environmental Assessment Guidelines for Protection of Benthic Primary Producer Habitat in Western Australia's Marine Environment (EAG3) Summary: The EPA has developed this Environmental Assessment Guideline in recognition of the fundamental ecological importance of Benthic Primary Producer Habitats and the potential consequences of their loss for marine ecological integrity, and also the fact that almost all marine development proposals will result in some loss of these important habitats. For the purposes of this Environmental Assessment Guideline, Benthic Primary Producer Habitats are defined as seabed communities within which algae e.g. macroalgae, turf and benthic microalgae, seagrass, mangroves, corals or mixtures of these groups are prominent components. This document has the status of "Final" which means it has been reviewed by stakeholders and the public and supersedes Guidance Statement No.29 June 2004 and previous draft revised versions of that document.
Status: Final
Release Date: 1 December 2009
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