Plans are in hand for the implementation of light pollution mitigation at Malta Freeport, Environment Minister Mario de Marco said yesterday in reply to a parliamentary question by Marlene Farrugia (PL).

Ms Farrugia had asked how €52,044 in Early Intervention and Placement Prevention Programme (EIPP) funds given by Mepa in January 2009 had been spent; if the project had been completed or what remained to be done, for the benefit of Birżebbuġa and Marsaxlokk residents and the environment in general.

Dr de Marco explained that development permit PA 3403/07 allowed the applicant to carry out the measures, in which case Mepa would refund the outlay.

The operator had been requested to submit a proposal for a light monitoring survey by August 27, 2012. The Freeport had presented the basis of the proposal at a meeting of the Environmental Monitoring Committee on September 11. The Freeport had advised the committee that a preliminary study had already been carried out in some areas, culminating in changes in the type of lighting installed.

Dr de Marco said that once the final proposal was presented by Freeport and approved by the committee, the operator would be obliged to submit the survey for the committee’s evaluation.

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