A growth in large-scale developments such as roads, pipelines, retail, commercial and industrial projects, such as quarrying, have all led to a focus on the protection of our archaeological, architectural and overall cultural heritage. An EIS is a requirement for such projects in order to reduce the impact the proposed development may have upon the cultural heritage of an area, achieving a balance between heritage protection and development.

 
What is an EIA?

Environmental Impact Assessment is defined as ‘the process of examining the environmental aspects at the design stage, through to the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement, evaluation of the EIS by a competent authority and the subsequent decision as to whether the development should be permitted to proceed, also encompassing public response to that decision,’ (EPA 2002, 1).

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is defined as ‘a statement of the effects, if any, which the proposed development, if carried out, would have on the environment,’ (ibid).

Why are some developments subject to an EIS?

Certain public and private sector projects that are likely to have significant effects upon the environment are subject to the requirements of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

A process of screening is carried out in order to assess if a project should be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment. This is based on project type, scale and on the significance or environmental sensitivity of the receiving environment (EPA 2002, 1).

Scope & Methodology for Cultural Heritage EIS

The Cultural Heritage component of an EIS includes archaeological sites and monuments, areas of archaeological potential, places with ritual and religious associations, riverine and estuarine sites, find spots of archaeological or heritage objects, designed landscapes, historic townland boundaries, natural landscapes with cultural heritage associations, relic landscapes and folklore associations.

Cultural heritage also includes architectural and built heritage sites for example, bridges, limekilns, mills, warehouses, railways, canals and can also include smaller items such as milestones, water pumps, wells, gate piers and gates etc.

The EIA involves a thorough desktop study, field survey and also an aerial survey, if warranted. Specialist surveys i.e. geophysical or built heritage survey may form part of the report or be included in the mitigation strategy. The EIS presents mitigatory measures in order to ameliorate, reduce or off-set the impact that the proposed development may have upon the cultural heritage.