Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)

 

A complete service

Ensuring that all ecological responsibilities are suitably discharged, our service includes:

• the preparation of scoping reports;
• stakeholder consultation;
• the collection and analysis of baseline ecological data;
• the assessment of impact significance;
• the design and implementation of mitigation and monitoring measures; and
• the provision of supporting evidence at public inquiries.

ECOSA’s team are highly experienced in successfully preparing the Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) chapters for formal Environmental Statements and other ecological assessments. We identify and evaluate the impacts on habitats and species within a project's 'zone of influence'.

Practical solutions

Where needed, we devise an appropriate mitigation strategy aimed at minimising negative impacts and maximising positive outcomes through the project design process. We work closely with the project team to provide practical and innovative solutions to potential ecological constraints.

Early assessment of potential ecological impacts minimises the effect on both project timescales and budgets. Please refer to our survey timetable which illustrates when in the year vegetation and protected species surveys can be conducted.

Ensuring compliance

ECOSA follow EcIA guidelines developed by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). The preparation of our Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) biodiversity chapters involves, as a minimum:

• reviewing for compliance with relevant biodiversity conservation policy
• identifying and evaluating ecological features
• characterising and quantifying impacts and assessing their significance; and
• recommending measures for mitigation, restoration and enhancement aimed at retaining and enhancing the key biodiversity features of the site

Please call 02380 261065 to discuss the scope of your project and the level of ecological impact assessment works which might be required; or email info@ecosa.co.uk.