Using the Modified RIAM Method to Locate Landfill Sites in order to Increase Viability (Case Study: Shabestar Township)

Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) is one of the Environmental Impact Assessment methods (EIA) to bring subjective judgments in a transparent way into the EIA process. Whereas this matrix does not consider sensitivity and vulnerability, in this study the method was modified by adding the sixth evaluation criterion (susceptibility of the target environment, B4) to the assessment framework. With the help of criterion B4 the intrinsic values of the target environment of the project can be brought to the evaluation process and this way make the significance determination more realistic. Then using the modified RIAM method, site selection of landfill in Shabestar Township was confirmed. The effects of project activities in two proposed locations of the composting plant on four environmental components (Physical-Chemical, Biological-Ecological, Social and Economic) are evaluated by field survey, expert opinion and RIAM software. The results showed that the best place to build a compost plant is the second option.