The document discusses environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for development projects. The goals of an EIA are to 1) examine project options and select the best, 2) identify mitigation measures, 3) predict residual impacts, 4) determine significant residual impacts, and 5) identify environmental costs and benefits. EIAs are required by law in Malaysia to prevent environmental problems from projects. Parameters addressed in EIAs include impacts to the physical/natural environment like soil/water/flora/fauna, and human/social impacts like noise/air/land use/heritage. Examples demonstrate assessing hydrological changes and using noise barriers for mitigation.