What ecological impacts would a new anaerobic digesor have on the surrounding area, (for an EIS)?

Question

I must write a hypothetical environmental impact statement with my classmates. I must include the ecological impacts that an anaerobic digestor will have on the surrounding area. It's in a remote field and I can't think of any ecological impacts that an AD would have on ecology that would be included in an environmental impact statement. Please help if you can, thanks guys.

Answer 1

a) it might displace a family of spotted owls, or rare slugs, or some other species

b) leaks from the digester could put methane into the environment - a greenhouse gas that has 20 times the global warming potential of CO2

c) construction of the digester will disturb the local habitate, as will ongoing maintenance and operation of the facility.

d) Other things to consider are:

        - further impact of construction / maintenance operation on the surrounding area

       - noises, smells (SOx?) on the community.

       - increased traffic in the area?  

I'm not sure how many of these need to be addressed in an EIS, but those are the first few things that come to mind.  You might want to use a search engine to seek out an existing EIS for a digester (or landfill, or other wastewater treatment facility) just to see what else was included, and whether or not it would apply to your facility.