Environmental Baseline Studies (EBS) are conducted in both desk-top studies and field surveys to establish existing environmental and social conditions at a site prior to any site development or implementation. The studies are undertaken in the early stages of master planning or as a part of environmental permitting requirement. It is important to recognize constraints and opportunities at the site to provide a benchmark against any potential future impacts resulting from environmental and social changes during the life of the proposed development.
Surveys conducted by SAM include:
- Topography & Physiography
- Geology & Geomorphology
- Soil & Land evaluation
- Meteorology / Climatology
- hydrology and Hydrogeology
- land use & Land cover
- flora and fauna
- Sensitive area
- Coastal & Marine
- Natural hazards
- Social study
- Archaeological and Traditional Land Use Studies
Typical environmental baseline studies generally consist of one or more of the above listed components, depending on the type, scale, and location of the proposed operation, and its predicted environmental impacts.
As Environmental and social studies often require a multi-specialist approach, SAM has the staff and technical expertise working alongside aboriginal to ensure that studies are accurate, efficient, and acceptable to clients, regulators and lenders.
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