ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN SAN PEDRO MIXTEPEC, JUQUILA, OAXACA

Abstract

The problematic concerning environmental impact in Mexico means that no assessments on effectiveness as an instrument of environmental policy have been conducted; therefore it is important to know whether the instrument meets or contributes to the basic principles of sustainable development, con¬sidering that it must evolve and be in a process of continuous improvement. Precautionary approach should be assured to provide certainty on environmental feasibility of different projects, which aim to promote development. In this study, a hypothetical-deductive research along with a correlational and descriptive empirical method were used, elaborating collection, analysis and evaluation of existing information, mainly on environmental impact statements of development projects with expert opinion, in San Pedro Mixtepec, Juquila, Oaxaca. Results show that the information presented is superficial, without providing scientific knowledge on true impacts generated by the project and/or activity to the environment and natural resources. It can be concluded that these documents play an important role, because they allow the identification of negative environmental impacts, and at the same time, harmonize these effects by applying prevention or mitigation measures that promote a balance between environmental conservation and development.