Studies for Environmental Licensing
The environmental studies used in the Brazilian environmental licensing process vary according to the complexity of the project, the legislation in force, and the responsible licensing body.
Some examples of the main environmental studies required by the environmental agencies are the PBA, RAS, RCA, PCA, and EIA/RIMA. The Simplified Environmental Report (RAS) may be required in the environmental licensing of small environmental impact projects, and usually presents the characterization of the project, the environmental diagnosis of the region where it will be located, the environmental impacts, and the respective control measures.
The Environmental Control Report (RCA) is required for enterprises or activities that do not generate significant environmental impacts, and its content is established according to its own term of reference. This study presents the location in relation to the municipal master plan, the characterization of the region where the enterprise will be installed, permits and similar documents, in addition to the environmental control plan, containing sources of pollution or degradation and their control measures.
The Environmental Control Plan (PCA) involves all the executive projects, mentioned in the previous licensing of the enterprise or activity, proposed for the mitigation of environmental impacts.
The Basic Environmental Project (PBA) presents, in detail, the proposed control measures and environmental programs.
