Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

According to the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA is a procedure for assessing the potential environmental impact of the implementation of a proposed activity, and developing solutions to prevent or reduce adverse effects or prohibit the implementation of the proposed activity in the event of a breach of the requirements set out in the regulatory enactments.

If the activity falls under Annex 1 of the law on EIA, the EIA is mandatory. If the activity falls under Annex 2, an initial assessment must be carried out, leading to a decision by the State Environmental Service (SES) on whether or not to apply the EIA procedure. If the EIA procedure is not applicable, the Technical Regulations are issued by the SES.

The Technical Regulations sets out the environmental protection requirements for the proposed activity at the site, in accordance with Cabinet Regulation No. 30 of 27.01.2015, “Procedure by Which the State Environmental Service Shall Issue Technical Regulations for the Proposed Activity”.

Environmental Impact Assessment Procedure

The EIA will be conducted in accordance with Cabinet Regulation No. 18 of 13.01.2015, “Procedure for Environmental Impact Assessment and Approval of the Proposed Activity” and the programme issued by the State Environmental Bureau (SEB). From the environmental impact assessment procedure application to receiving the final Opinion (Atzinums), one should expect a process lasting at least 12 months or longer, which includes:

• a preliminary public consultation
• an assessment of the existing state of the environment
• identification and assessment of the likely environmental effects of the proposed activity
• an assessment of alternatives to the proposed activity (an essential task which may include an assessment of the alternative location, technology or other alternative condition)
• requesting and obtaining any certified nature expert opinions on the effects of the proposed activity necessary for the preparation of the report
• preparation of graphic appendices and cartographic material for the report
• preparing a summary of the EIA report for citizens
• informing the inhabitants about the proposed activity in the media
• organising a public consultation meeting on the report
• preparing a summary of the results of the public consultation
• improving the report in the light of the proposals received
• submitting the report to the SEB and receiving its feedback
• improving the report in line with the suggestions received from the SEB
• other activities

EXPERIENCE