Environmental impact assessment in Colombia: Critical analysis and proposals for improvement

The evaluation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) systems is a highly recommended strategy for enhancing their effectiveness and quality. This paper describes an evaluation of EIA in Colombia, using the model and the control mechanisms proposed and applied in other countries by Christopher Woo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental impact assessment review 2010-07, Vol.30 (4), p.247-261
Main Authors: Toro, Javier, Requena, Ignacio, Zamorano, Montserrat
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Citizen participation
COLOMBIA
Control
CONTROL SYSTEMS
Criteria
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DOCUMENT TYPES
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental impact assessments
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
Environmental impact studies
Environmental Impact System
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Environmental legislation
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
EVALUATION
LATIN AMERICA
LAWS
LEGISLATION
Mathematical models
Modelling
Monitoring
PROPOSALS
RECOMMENDATIONS
Regulation
REGULATIONS
SOUTH AMERICA
Strategic planning
Strategy
Wood
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Summary:The evaluation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) systems is a highly recommended strategy for enhancing their effectiveness and quality. This paper describes an evaluation of EIA in Colombia, using the model and the control mechanisms proposed and applied in other countries by Christopher Wood and Ortolano. The evaluation criteria used are based on Principles of Environmental Impact Assessment Best Practice, such as effectiveness and control features, and they were contrasted with the opinions of a panel of Colombian EIA experts as a means of validating the results of the study. The results found that EIA regulations in Colombia were ineffective because of limited scope, inadequate administrative support and the inexistence of effective control mechanisms and public participation. This analysis resulted in a series of recommendations regarding the further development of the EIA system in Colombia with a view to improving its quality and effectiveness.
ISSN:0195-9255
1873-6432
DOI:10.1016/j.eiar.2009.09.001