The basis of a training course of Prin. of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Designed for policy makers from gov't., academia, and environmental and industrial org. Chapters: what is EIA and why is it important: how may EIA programs evolve in different cultures and countries?; the basis for EIAs; EIA laws and require.; circumstances requiring EIAs; key considerations in the EIA process; steps in the EIA process; methods for forecasting and assessing impacts; writing, reviewing and evaluating EIA reports; building an effective EIA program; assess. for small projects and contaminated sites; lessons learned from other EIA prog.; info. sources; and model EIA checklists for scoping and impact assess.