Environmental Assessment
Volume E-3.9
Tailings Facility
Oceanography
Ambatovy Project
86
January 2006
3.9
OCEANOGRAPHY
3.9.1
Introduction
This assessment provides impact analyses relating to the biological, physical and
social environments at the site of the marine outfall from the tailings facility.
This assessment was conducted for the proponent by Coastal & Environmental
Services (CES) of South Africa. Baseline conditions are described in Volume J,
Appendix 10.1, Attachment 2.
3.9.2
Methods
3.9.2.1 The Impact Evaluation Criteria
The rating system used for assessing issues in this study is primarily based on
three criteria, namely:
•
the relationship of the issue to temporal scales (Box 1);
•
the relationship of the issue to spatial scales (Box 2); and
•
the severity of the issue (Box 3).
These three criteria are combined to describe the overall importance rating,
namely the environmental consequence (Box 4). In addition, the following
parameters are used to describe the issues:
•
the risk or likelihood of the issue occurring (Box 5); and
•
the degree of confidence placed in the assessment of the issue (Box 6).
TEMPORAL SCALE
The temporal scale allows assessment of impact at various time scales.
Box 1:
Temporal scale used in the EIA.
Short term
Less than 5 years. Many construction phase impacts will be of a short duration.
Medium term
Between 5 and 20 years.
Long term
Between 20 and 40 years (a generation) and from a human perspective, essentially
permanent.
Permanent
Over 40 years and resulting in a permanent and lasting change.
