An Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) is the first review of a proposed project’s potential environmental impacts. It has standard steps to gather key information and provides broad benefits for organizations involved in the project.
Do you need an IEE? AOTC employs a highly skilled team of environmental professionals and can help you with your environmental assessment needs.
In this blog, we will discuss the intent of an IEE and provide details about the process and its importance in environmental assessments.
Table of Contents
Understanding Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)
What is an Initial Environmental Examination? First, let’s start with its definition. According to the US government, an IEE is a:
“First review of the reasonably foreseeable effects of a proposed action on the environment. Its function is to provide a brief statement of the factual basis for a Threshold Decision as to whether an EA or an EIS will be required.”
The overall scope of an Initial Environmental Examination includes actions that provide information on:
- Potential impacts to the environment
- Formulation of mitigation measures
- Recommendations from the findings
The objectives of an IEE are to specify the level of impact of the proposed project, such as developing a rural property or redeveloping an existing property, and to determine what should happen in the project’s next phase.
The Purpose of an Initial Environmental Examination
When discussing “What is an Initial Environmental Examination?” it is necessary to discuss its purpose. First, it documents facts to determine whether or not a more comprehensive environmental assessment will need to be conducted.
Additionally, an IEE obtains approval for projects, associated permits, and funding. Agencies and organizations need this to obtain the funds for a proposed project and maintain environmental compliance under federal environmental laws.
The Takeaway: Completing an IEE helps identify the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects and determine whether further detailed studies are required, including examining measures to mitigate the project’s impact.
6 Steps Involved in an Initial Environmental Examination
An IEE typically has six steps. Each step is needed to obtain the data needed to decide whether a full environmental assessment is warranted for the project.
1. Screening
Screening is the first step in determining whether an IEE is necessary, so a decision will be made during the screening phase about whether or not an investigation of negative impacts is needed.
A detailed project description is completed, including its location and involved stakeholders. Typical information would include the types of activities involved in the project and its objectives.
Elements of the project that have been integrated into the project design that are targeted to avoid or reduce environmental impact are also often included in the first step.
2. Scoping
During the scoping phase, key environmental and social issues are identified. These could include water, soil, or air pollution. Other areas covered during scoping include waste treatment and sanitation.
It is common to use a checklist in the scoping phase, including the examination of topics such as:
- Social Environment – (economic activities, traffic/public facilities, water rights, public health conditions, waste, hazards (risk), and cultural property)
- Natural Environment – (topography & geology, soil erosion, groundwater, hydrology, coastal zone, and fauna & flora)
- Pollution – (air pollution, water pollution, soil contamination, noise and vibration, and offensive odor)
The site, its history, and the project’s operational procedures and goals will determine the specifics of the scoping phase.
3. Data Collection
Baseline environmental conditions are documented through site surveys and field investigations supplemented by secondary sources. These sources include federal, state, and local maps, government publications, and public records at the city and county levels. The collected data is then organized for use in subsequent steps.
4. Impact Assessment
An examination will be performed of resources that the project may affect. Both direct and indirect impacts are considered. The study will typically include both beneficial and adverse effects that are reasonably foreseeable and significant, including specific information on such areas as changes to surface or groundwater, geological or seismic concerns, potential increases in air emissions or noise disturbances, loss of species (endangered/protected species), and solid waste generation.
These should be noted if the project could affect environmentally sensitive areas, such as wetlands.
Potential consequences on human health and safety are closely considered.
5. Mitigation Measures
Mitigation is another key step in an IEE. Mitigation measures are designed to reduce, offset, or eliminate the undesirable effects of a proposed project/activity on the environment.
The identification of steps to mitigate adverse impacts is considered in three categories:
- Prevention and control measures — changing project techniques or design elements or specifying an operating practice to prevent a risk fully or partially.
- Compensatory measures — implemented to offset adverse impacts in one area with improvements in another area.
- Remediation measures — conducted to repair or restore the environment after damage occurs.
6. Reporting
The IEE report is the culmination of steps 1-5. The report is prepared, including the following information:
- Project details with an activity overview and activity description
- Baseline environmental data
- Analysis and determinations of potential environmental risks
- Mitigation measures (if applicable)
- Summarizing findings and recommendations for next project steps.
Benefits of Conducting an Initial Environmental Examination
Performing an IEE has multiple benefits.
A major benefit is that it aids in sustainable project planning. The data collected in an IEE helps in decision-making about how the project should be designed and operated to be sustainable.
Another advantage is that it minimizes environmental risks. With an accurate picture of environmental conditions and project goals, risks can be discovered, planned for, minimized, or potentially eliminated through mitigation measures.
Additionally, conducting an Initial Environmental Examination ensures regulatory compliance, which is key not only to protecting the environment and natural resources on or adjacent to the site but also so that agencies can move forward with the project, secure financing, and provide confidence to stakeholders.
When is an Initial Environmental Examination Required?
Government agencies typically require an IEE for development and infrastructure projects. IEEs are utilized for a wide range of scenarios and projects, which can include:
- Water supply development project
- Construction of a new facility
- Agricultural project
- Livestock/poultry project
- Port development project
- Dredging project
- Other construction or development projects
On the federal level, The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was signed into law on January 1, 1970. NEPA requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions. Using the NEPA process, agencies evaluate their proposed actions’ environmental and related social and economic effects.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) protects, conserves, and manages Florida’s natural resources and enforces its environmental laws. The Environmental Assessment and Restoration division monitors and assesses Florida’s surface water and groundwater quality within the DEP.
Development projects are required to stay in regulatory compliance with federal and state environmental laws.
How Does an IEE Differ from Other Environmental Assessments?
In environmental management, there are various types of environmental assessments.
An IEE is intended for development projects, identifying potential environmental impacts, and proposing mitigation measures. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is utilized in more complex projects with potentially significant environmental impacts, including potential hazards, assessing environmental, economic, and social impacts.
An IEE entails limited stakeholder consultation and is a preliminary examination with a limited scope. An EIA entails a more comprehensive analysis and emphasizes a higher level of stakeholder involvement, including local communities, NGOs, and experts. The IEE is conducted to determine whether or not the EIA (EA) is necessary.
A Phase 1 Environmental Assessment, Phase 1 ESA, or Phase 1, is a series of environmental tests performed during a commercial real estate transaction. It is conducted to research the property’s current and historic environmental uses to identify potential environmental liabilities such as contamination risks and regulatory compliance issues. These assessments identify environmental risks early in the process when investors/buyers are considering purchasing a property for building and development. They also protect lenders in the transaction.
The Takeaway: IEEs are typically used for government projects to determine potential environmental impacts and to comply with regulatory requirements. If further studies are needed, an EIA will be needed. Other types of environmental assessments are utilized in the development of commercial property.
Frequently Asked Questions About Initial Environmental Examination
What Is Included In An IEE Report?
The typical contents of an IEE report include
- A project description
- Baseline data of the current environmental conditions
- The identification and assessment of potential environmental impacts
- Any measures to mitigate or minimize adverse impacts on the environment
- Information regarding stakeholders related to the project
- An Environment Management Plan (EMP) to guide the implementation and monitoring of the project to ensure regulatory compliance
How Long Does It Take To Complete An Iee?
The average time to complete an IEE is two weeks, but it will vary depending on the site. If the property has little to no development history, it will take less manpower and time. In contrast, if the property has a complex history, including multiple uses, more personnel are typically needed, and the time for completion extends.
Other factors that can affect the timeline include any history of non-compliance, substantiated environmental hazards, and the size and location of the site. Typically, the smaller and less complex the site and the proposed project, the shorter the time it takes to complete an IEE.
Can An Iee Lead To The Requirement Of A Full Eia?
Yes. It will depend on the IEE findings. After the IEE is complete and it is found that the project’s potential environmental impacts are deemed significant enough to necessitate it, a full Environmental Impact Assessment will be required.
Alternatively, if the IEE’s findings conclude that the project will not pose significant environmental impacts, the IEE will be considered the final environmental assessment report.
Contact Us for Your Initial Environmental Examination Needs
It is extremely important to work with experienced professionals when you need quality, cost-effective, and efficient environmental solutions. AOTC is an industry leader in safety and solutions. We have the knowledge, skills, abilities, and equipment to effectively and efficiently complete large-scale projects across the Southeast. Contact us for your IEE requirements today.