Baseline Conditions

Abstract

Baseline conditions may also be referred to as the environmental setting, existing conditions, and other similar terms. The baseline conditions are the physical, chemical, biological, social, economic, and cultural setting in which the proposed project is to be located, and where local impacts (both positive and negative) might be expected to occur. These conditions are the standard against which are compared projected future conditions from project alternatives. Their description and characterization are necessary for decision-makers, reviewers, and others who are unfamiliar with the project site and surrounding landscape. Unfortunately, there are few published directions or guidelines on how to apply the descriptions of the baseline conditions. To understand why directions or guidelines are necessary requires examination of what roles the baseline conditions play in the EIA process. Every impact assessment is (or, at least, should be) conducted with reference to a standard: the current environment of the area in which the proposed project is to be located. The baseline conditions usually includes components in the broad categories of physical-chemical, biological , cultural, and socioeconomic factors. Considerations in describing the baseline conditions are: 1. What components are to be included or excluded. 2. How the necessary data are to be collected and analyzed. 3. How the baseline conditions can be objectively compared with future conditions under alternative scenarios.