Environmental Impact Assessment of Tabriz's Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Site Using Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) and Leopold Matrix

Increasing production of wastes due to the population growth, industrial development and human tendency to consumerism are among of the most important issues which now have become one of the biggest global concerns (Vahab Zadeh, 2009; Sehker and Beukering, 1998). Urban development and rising of living standards especially in developing countries also has been very effective in this field (Glawe et al., 2005). Environmental threats arising from the neglect of proper disposal of waste cannot be overlooked (Lorber et al., 1998). Unfortunately, in our country, especially in the past few decades, incorrect policies and uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources has brought many changes and vulnerability for the environment and if the scientific, technical and management instruments are not handled to deal with the crisis and the problems, future prospects will be very concerned (Taheri et al., 2014). One of the tools that have been welcomed for prediction and reducing the negative effects of important construction projects is Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Monavari, 2004). EIA including highly efficient methods which by recognizing the environment and understanding its importance, be examined the effects of different activities a project on environmental components (Canter, 1996). One of the most common ways which used in the environmental impact assessment of often development projects is the matrix technique. Tabriz as the largest and most industrialized city in North West of IRAN is faced with a very inappropriate situation about waste management in its disposal site. In the present study will try to use of two different matrix (RIAM and Leopold) to carry out environmental impact assessment of the current municipal waste landfill in Tabriz and finally with regard to the results, the various options be recommended for the implementation.