NGOs submit reaction to proposed EIA rules

NGOs have formally made their submissions to the government over the recent proposal to amend the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations, declaring their outright opposition to the proposed changes.

Friends of the Earth, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, the Ramblers Association of Malta and Moviment Graffitti have joined forces to present their reactions.

Their main argument is that the new regulations would undermine the work carried out by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority EIA team and transfer critical decision-making from the authority to the director of policy at the Environment Ministry.

The NGOs say there was no justification for the proposed amendments, and argue that the EIA process is workable and should remain as is.

EIAs are requested to assess the effect of certain large scale development projects on the environment.

The NGOs also highlight the need to improve the way in which EIAs are carried out, since they often have a pro-developer bias.

They also stress the need to curb the political pressure which, according to the NGOs, is applied on Mepa especially with regard to projects being proposed by ministries or public agencies.

The NGOs pointed out that there are a number of loopholes in the list of projects that should have required an EIA and which the amendments do not address.

More specifically, the proposed amendments, the NGO's said, will facilitate the approval of large projects, even within urban conservation areas with no need for an EIA.

"While we understand that the regulations have to conform to the EU Directive, the setting up of another system, as proposed, within the Environment Ministry which will be empowered to override the decisions taken at Mepa, will only be a source of more confusion and possible abuse."

They also suggested the setting up of a register of EIA consultants as soon as possible, and that the work carried out by the consultants on that list would be evaluated by a review team which could then strike off those experts found to be producing unprofessional or biased work.

The government had defended the proposed amendments saying they never intended to facilitate the Environment Minister's intervention in the planning process.

According to the proposals, Mepa would still have to decide whether a developer has to carry out an EIA before an application is considered.

Developers would, however, be given the right of appeal with the Director of Environment Policy and Initiatives at the Environment Ministry.