• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.129-150
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• 2011

This paper proposes an improvement to differentiate assessment procedure for projects in consideration of their environmental impact as a means to improve efficiency in environmental impact assessment ("EIA") procedure. The targets of analysis were limited to lower impact projects. The current EA system in Korea has already attempted to introduce separate proceedings for certain projects.Tangible results from these efforts, however, have been limited. Other countries have adopted a "screening" system to determine whether EIA is applicable to a particular project, and if so, what procedure will be used therein. Therefore, this study suggests the screening as the process wherein need for EIA is determined with respect to projects which have undergone Prior Environmental Review System(PERS) and which appear to have comparatively negligible environmental impact. In this case, EIA can be omitted and the developer can then draft a mitigation plan instead. This study found that exempting certain projects deemed as having low environmental impact can considerably shorten the duration required for both environmental assessment and consultation, thereby improving efficiency. Other expected effects from the adoption of this screening include reduction in delays in project execution due to environmental assessments and reduced red tape through the provision of increased autonomy to developers and the approving authorities.