The Institute for Environmental Studies (IES) and Sherwood Sustainability and Environmental Associates earlier last month held a one-day seminar on 'Environmental impact assessment, review training' at the Coastline Hotel, Salina.
Karl Fuller, director of Sherwood Sustainability and Environment Associates, conducted the seminar. Mr Fuller has over 15 years' experience in environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment fields.
He has developed the EIA and SEA quality assurance services provided by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, and has extensive experience in reviewing and advising on the quality of environmental impact statement.
He has developed good practice guidance for practitioners and provided training services and resources within the UK, internationally and in Malta. Mr Fuller has been a member of a UK government steering group advising on strategic environmental assessment of offshore wind energy provision and chaired and co-ordinated an international panel review of an EIA for a project adjacent to a Ramsar site in Cyprus.
The seminar consisted of lectures and group discussions, and included a short workshop during which participants could review a case study.
The seminar focused on providing participants with the skills to review EIAs, including understanding EIA documents, using best practice in writing and reviewing EIAs, and determining significant issues.
The training seminar was well attended by environmental officers from various units of MEPA), including the Nature Protection Unit (NPU), the Pollution Prevention and Control Unit (PPCU), the Waste Management Team (RMU); advisory boards, including the Natural Heritage Advisory Committee (NHAC); professionals from various private companies specialising in planning and environmental impact assessments; and environmental experts.
The seminar forms part of the IES training programme on environmental issues and is the latest in a series of short courses which included an evening course on basic aspects of marine biology and a half-day seminar for the Malta Tourism's beach staff. Last summer, the IES also launched the new concept of ecodiving.
Courses scheduled by the IES include a follow-up course on basic marine and another on terrestrial biodiversity. Further details on upcoming activities can be seen at www.ies.com.mt.