Problem overview:

     Integrating stakeholders: Since development projects will affect a number of stakeholder groups in different ways, could be positive or negative. Either way, it is necessary to bring these affected parties together when it comes to conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment, so that every voice will be heard.

     Meeting information requirements: A huge amount of information will be gathered and processed as input for the EIA, but it is important to select and keep only the ones that are necessary and eliminate the ones that are irrelevant, and this is why there is a need for the Scoping Process.

Background in summary:

     In Sri Lanka, one important component of EIA is the Scoping process: In Sri Lanka, the Scoping process, a vital component of the EIA, is determined by the Project Approving Authority (PAA). This authoritative body identifies the significant issues related to the proposed action, through the following important activities among others.

• Determination of the scope and significant issues to be analyzed in depth by the EIA.
  
  
• Determination of the reasonable alternatives that should be addressed in the EIA.
  
  
• Identification and elimination of insignificant or previously covered issues.

     The Scoping process brings together the stakeholders: The Scoping process itself essentially involves formal and informal meetings with people who may be affected by the proposed project either directly or indirectly or who may have special knowledge of the project area and its environment, e.g., government agencies, NGOs, private businesses, interest groups, individuals, etc. Affected parties would include any of the following.

     The Scoping process results in the TOR: Scoping identifies existing sources of data, key individual contacts and important areas of field study. It increases local, regional and national awareness of the project, its environmental concerns and facilitates rapid data collection and analysis. The immediate result of the concluded scoping process is the preparation or modification of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the conduct of the EIA.

Peer Review Committee Good practice rating: (1 for the best, 5 for the lowest score)
Sustainability		Efficiency
2	Improvement in either the environment of economic condition with no harm to the other.	2	Cost efficient.
2	Sustainable over time (not one-off)	Process
Adaptability		2	Participation of the community
2	Location adaptability (can the project be done in other places?)	2	Participation of resource owners/users
2	Socio-cultural adaptability.	2	Partnerships between various actors (Governments, NGO, Academia, Private)
2	Level of development adaptability.	2	Degree of coordination and cooperation between government departments.
2	Style of government adaptability.	2	Ability to attract political interest/support
2	Degree of decentralization adaptability.	2	Procedures for feedback and review.
Comments on this example:   Sustainability of the project:      Integrating stakeholders: EIA is a fundamental part of sustainable development. Including all concerned participants can avoid future surprises. Although, quite often, the concerned parties, say, local villagers had their say in the EIA. However, they soon realize that with or without their contribution, the development project will be carried on the way developers intend anyway, as if their contribution is only something done because of mandatory purposes not because it could be used to improve the project. Hence, the villagers become dissatisfied and conflict arises among the parties resulting discontinuity of the project. Adaptability of the project to other situations:      This process should be adaptable to all national governments concerned with sustainable development and should be adopted. It helps keep the process more focused on what is important. Process of decision making and implementation:      Meeting information requirements: The Scoping process will help keep the EIA on the right track and focus exactly on what is most important. Although, it could also be a double-edge sword in a way that, because of being to focused on what is important, other aspects that could also be just as important, but not realized, could be neglected. Cost efficiency: