Assessment Detail:
Project proponent must submit a report that includes information about: the nature of the project; design and activities; the potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures to be taken during and after implementation; an action plan for prevention and management of possible accidents; a plan to ensure health and safety of workers and nearby communities. The report must be prepared by a registered EIA expert. The Authority has 45 days to review the report and determine whether an EIA is warranted. EIA Regulations secs. 7-10.
Best Practices in Lieu of EIA:
Who Conducts Screening Detail:
Project proponent submits a project report to the Authority. Within 45 days the Authority must decide whether the proponent must prepare an EIA study. EIA Regulations (2003) secs. 7-10
Criteria for Screening:
List or appendix of project or activity types
Proposed project or activity may cause significant environmental impact
Other
Criteria for Screening Detail:
EMCA sec. 58(1) + Second Schedule; EIA required for any activity that "may introduce exotic species" or "lead to unsustainable use of any ecosystem." EMCA Regulations (2006) sec. 4; see also EIA Regulations (2003) sec. 4
Who Prepares EIA:
Project Proponent (with or without contractor)
Who Prepares EIA Detail:
The proponent of a project shall undertake or cause to be undertaken at his own expense an environmental impact assessment study . . . .” EMCA sec. 58(2)
Who Pays for EIA Detail:
The proponent of a project shall undertake or cause to be undertaken at his own expense an environmental impact assessment study . . . .” EMCA sec. 58(2)
EIA Contractor Qualifications:
EIA Contractor Qualification Detail:
EIA shall be conducted by "individual experts or a firm of experts authorised in that behalf by the Authority." EMCA Act sec. 58(5); EIA Regulations (2003) sec. 14 + Fourth Schedule
Conflict of Interest Detail:
An EIA expert may be de-registered for contravening the code of practice issued by the Authority. EIA Regulations (2003) sec. 14(5)
Terms of Reference Detail:
An EIA “shall be conducted in accordance with terms of reference developed during the scoping exercise by the proponent and approved by the Authority.” EIA Regulations (2003) sec. 11(1).
Days for Decision Maker Review:
Automatic Approval Detail:
Any person who upon submitting his application does not receive any communication from the Director-General within the stipulated time may within nine months of such submission start his undertaking. EMCA sec. 58(9)
Written Decision Detail:
EIA Regulations (2003) sec. 23(2)
Authority to Impose Conditions:
Authority to Impose Conditions Details:
The Authority issues an environmental impact assessment license "on such terms and conditions as may be appropriate and necessary to facilitate sustainable development and sound environmental management." EMCA sec. 63, see also EIA Regulations (2003) sec. 24
Expiry of Decision Detail:
The Authority may request a fresh EIA if the project changes, the project poses a new environmental threat, or it is established that the EIA was false, inaccurate or intended to mislead. EMCA sec. 64(1)
Financial Assurances Detail:
A bond is not automatically required. The Minister responsible for finance may, on the recommendations of the Council, prescribe that persons engaged in activities or operating industrial plants and other undertakings . . . pays such deposit bonds as may constitute appropriate security for good environmental practices." EMCA sec. 28(2)