Environmental Impact Assessment for Wetlands: Stakeholders and Public Participation

Abstract

Public participation is a prerequisite for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and can consist of informing, consulting or full participation of stakeholders in the EIA process (shared analysis and assessment). Public participation is considered essential for the scoping and review phases of EIA, but also highly desirable for enhancing the quality of the whole assessment process. Relevant stakeholders include the project target groups, other people affected by the project, formal and informal organizations involved, and people who may rely on the wetland in the future. Benefits of participation include learning and empowerment of stakeholders, improved data collection, increased chances of success of the project, and in general good governance and sustainable development. The article concludes with a discussion of operating principles of participation (e.g. planning and facilitation). Some constraints are also presented, such as incomplete representation of stakeholders, communication barriers and legal limitations to participation.