Una de las áreas donde la evaluación ambiental puede ser más efectiva es la de la selección del sitio para la planta, pero, únicamente, si se inicia el proceso de evaluación antes de finalizar el proceso de seleccionar las opciones. Los proyectos complejos de desarrollo industrial y las instalaciones similares que tienen el potencial para causar un impacto ambiental significativo, no pueden ser manejados mediante la aplicación simple de los criterios de selección del sitio. Estos proyectos requieren una evaluación ambiental completa. Esta debe comenzar mucho antes de tomar la decisión en cuanto a la selección del sitio, de modo que se pueda considerar las alternativas reales. Al identificar los impactos potenciales asociados con cada lugar, y al comparar los sitios sobre esta base, salen a la luz, muy oportunamente, las cuestiones ambientales, y esto permite que los planificadores y diseñadores del proyecto puedan aprovechar al máximo todas las formas posibles de evitar los impactos. En el caso de los impactos que no pueden ser evitados y que sean aceptados como parte de los costos del desarrollo, se presenta la oportunidad de seleccionar un sitio alternativo y, como resultado, la eficiencia de las medidas tomadas para atenuar los impactos puede ser más alta y los costos de las mismas, más bajos, de lo que habría sido, de otra manera. Además, la evaluación ambiental oportuna ayuda a evitar las interrupciones, demoras y costos adicionales que ocurren cuando es necesario cambiar de sitio debido a cuestiones ambientales, o la falta de aceptación del público, que salen a la luz durante el diseño final.

Influence area

Depending on the type of plant and the medium that is under consideration (air, water, plants, animals, human communities)..., the area where the influence of the project is felt can extend far beyond the site and its immediate surroundings. When selecting the site, factors such as the effect that there may be on the availability of water at the point of removal, or its quality at a distance downstream from the point of discharge, should be considered. The characteristics of the natural resources and land uses of the downwind climatic zone, as well as the environmental impacts on communication routes, are relevant at long distances. Whether the project will cause secondary development that would vary depending on site selection (for example, asphalt plants in quarries, new railways or roads, port facilities, or new pipelines, housing for workers, resettlement sites). Water catchment areas and climatic zones must be taken into account in the site selection decision.

Emergency response capability

It is irresponsible to locate an industrial plant in a location where it represents a significant risk to neighboring communities, or the surrounding fragile natural systems, where it is impossible to manage an emergency in such a way as to avoid damage or a disaster. If it is not possible to design an action plan that allows us to be reasonably certain of its effectiveness (including provisions for emergency evacuation, if the type of facility warrants it), another site should be chosen. If there are no means of communication and emergency response, it is impossible to manage the risks. Unsafe roads and railways, or questionable trucks and trains, if used to transport hazardous materials through residential areas, constitute unacceptable risks. The lack of a buffer zone between the hazardous materials storage or processing plant and fragile communities or natural systems (fish spawning areas, for example) creates a situation in which neither warning nor containment will be timely enough to prevent damage.

Some of these limitations can be overcome if the project includes risk management components. Local government response capacity can be strengthened by providing equipment and training. Means of transportation can be improved, or alternative routes can be built to reach the site. However, some dimensions of the emergency response problem can only be resolved through careful site selection.

induced development

Employment opportunities are magnets that attract workers and drive growth in local communities. Especially at the beginning of industrial growth, the community may experience induced land development, and be ill-prepared to manage the impacts. These include the overloading of municipal infrastructure and services, and cultural conflicts between long-time residents and migrant workers. Special attention must be given to preventing unplanned settlements next to factory gates. Institutional strengthening of local government and the participation of local communities in project preparation are effective ways to reduce these negative impacts.

Una de las áreas donde la evaluación ambiental puede ser más efectiva es la de la selección del sitio para la planta, pero, únicamente, si se inicia el proceso de evaluación antes de finalizar el proceso de seleccionar las opciones. Los proyectos complejos de desarrollo industrial y las instalaciones similares que tienen el potencial para causar un impacto ambiental significativo, no pueden ser manejados mediante la aplicación simple de los criterios de selección del sitio. Estos proyectos requieren una evaluación ambiental completa. Esta debe comenzar mucho antes de tomar la decisión en cuanto a la selección del sitio, de modo que se pueda considerar las alternativas reales. Al identificar los impactos potenciales asociados con cada lugar, y al comparar los sitios sobre esta base, salen a la luz, muy oportunamente, las cuestiones ambientales, y esto permite que los planificadores y diseñadores del proyecto puedan aprovechar al máximo todas las formas posibles de evitar los impactos. En el caso de los impactos que no pueden ser evitados y que sean aceptados como parte de los costos del desarrollo, se presenta la oportunidad de seleccionar un sitio alternativo y, como resultado, la eficiencia de las medidas tomadas para atenuar los impactos puede ser más alta y los costos de las mismas, más bajos, de lo que habría sido, de otra manera. Además, la evaluación ambiental oportuna ayuda a evitar las interrupciones, demoras y costos adicionales que ocurren cuando es necesario cambiar de sitio debido a cuestiones ambientales, o la falta de aceptación del público, que salen a la luz durante el diseño final.

Influence area

Depending on the type of plant and the medium that is under consideration (air, water, plants, animals, human communities)..., the area where the influence of the project is felt can extend far beyond the site and its immediate surroundings. When selecting the site, factors such as the effect that there may be on the availability of water at the point of removal, or its quality at a distance downstream from the point of discharge, should be considered. The characteristics of the natural resources and land uses of the downwind climatic zone, as well as the environmental impacts on communication routes, are relevant at long distances. Whether the project will cause secondary development that would vary depending on site selection (for example, asphalt plants in quarries, new railways or roads, port facilities, or new pipelines, housing for workers, resettlement sites). Water catchment areas and climatic zones must be taken into account in the site selection decision.

Emergency response capability

It is irresponsible to locate an industrial plant in a location where it represents a significant risk to neighboring communities, or the surrounding fragile natural systems, where it is impossible to manage an emergency in such a way as to avoid damage or a disaster. If it is not possible to design an action plan that allows us to be reasonably certain of its effectiveness (including provisions for emergency evacuation, if the type of facility warrants it), another site should be chosen. If there are no means of communication and emergency response, it is impossible to manage the risks. Unsafe roads and railways, or questionable trucks and trains, if used to transport hazardous materials through residential areas, constitute unacceptable risks. The lack of a buffer zone between the hazardous materials storage or processing plant and fragile communities or natural systems (fish spawning areas, for example) creates a situation in which neither warning nor containment will be timely enough to prevent damage.

Some of these limitations can be overcome if the project includes risk management components. Local government response capacity can be strengthened by providing equipment and training. Means of transportation can be improved, or alternative routes can be built to reach the site. However, some dimensions of the emergency response problem can only be resolved through careful site selection.

induced development

Employment opportunities are magnets that attract workers and drive growth in local communities. Especially at the beginning of industrial growth, the community may experience induced land development, and be ill-prepared to manage the impacts. These include the overloading of municipal infrastructure and services, and cultural conflicts between long-time residents and migrant workers. Special attention must be given to preventing unplanned settlements next to factory gates. Institutional strengthening of local government and the participation of local communities in project preparation are effective ways to reduce these negative impacts.