The GIWA environmental scaling and scoping methodology: a presentation and an EIA oriented evaluation

Abstract: A modified version of the Lee-Colley Environmental Statement Review Package
is used to evaluate the environmental part of the GIWA scaling and scoping
methodology. Since the approach of GIWA is new, and does not constitute a
complete EIS, there is at present no method accurately applicable for the
purpose of conducting an EIA-oriented evaluation. The modified method
contains parts of the review package that are intact, as well as exchanged
or modified parts. These exchanged or modified parts meet the relevant
requirements from the Esbo Convention, the EC Directives on SEA and EIA, and
the Convention on Biological Diversity. Applied on the GIWA methodology, the
modified method aims at finding ways of strengthening the evaluated part
when used in the future. The protocol from the scaling and scoping meeting
for the Baltic Sea is used as a cas study to reveal parts in the methodology
that require better explanation and where problems using the methodology
have occurred. Examples like providing the possibility to amend features
(e.g. water circulation) to the protocol and stressing the need for
transparency in presented data, suggests that the GIWA scaling and scoping
methodology still could be strengthened.