The following table may assist also in the preparation of the scoping report
Attribute of impacts |
Prompt question |
Examples |
---|---|---|
Magnitude |
Which changes will occur? |
A measurable estimate e.g.
|
Direction |
Is the possible impact negative or positive? |
Positive Negative |
Characteristic |
What kind of impact is foreseen from the project? |
Is it a direct or indirect impact? Are there overlapping impacts? Will cumulative impacts occur? |
Extent |
In which area will the impact take place and what will be the extent of the impact on that area? |
A measurable estimate e.g.
|
Duration |
How long will the impact last? |
Short- and medium term e.g.
Long-term e.g.
Permanent e.g.
|
Frequency |
How often will this impact occur? |
Once (e.g., during construction of the wind farm) Occasionally (e.g., only during migratory period of birds or breeding season of specific species) 󠅦 Intermittent frequent or periodical (e.g., at certain times of the day, like night lights; when wind is sufficient to move the rotor of the wind turbines) Continuously (e.g., visual impact of turbines and ancillary facilities) |
Reversibility |
Can this impact be reversed? |
Naturally reversible (e.g., the temporary loss of vegetation during the construction phase that will fully recover in a relatively short period of time after the construction phase is over) Partially reversible through human intervention (e.g., deconstruction of the wind turbines and ancillary infrastructure with full rehabilitation of the environment) Irreversible (e.g., like excavation of archaeological sites during the construction of the wind energy infrastructures) |
Likelihood |
How likely will this impact occur? |
Possible e.g.
Probable e.g.
Definite e.g.
|