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* Preliminary Information
A project proponent is required to provide the CEA with preliminary information on the proposed project, in order for the EIA process to be initiated.
The best time for a project proponent to submit the preliminary information on the proposed project is as soon as the project concept is finalized and the location of the project is decided. The Basic Information Questionnaire (BIQ) form prepared by the CEA can be used for this purpose.The BIQ may be obtained from the EIA Unit of the CEA Head Quarters or the Provincial / District offices of the CEA. It could also be downloaded from the CEA website.
* Environmental Scoping
When a prescribed project is referred to CEA, the CEA will decide a suitable Project Approving Agency (PAA). Then the PAA will carry out scoping and Terms of Reference (ToR) for the EIA/IEE will be issued to the project proponent.
* EIA/IEE Report Preparation
It is the responsibility of the project proponent to prepare the EIA / IEE report and to submit it to the PAA for evaluation. Preparation of EIA reports may require the services of a team of consultants as many specialized areas have to be covered. A list of consulting firms who prepare EIA reports is available at the CEA. In addition to this, project proponents may use the services of suitably qualified consultants who may not have registered in the CEA. It is important to note that project proponent should obtain the services of reliable and adequately qualified experts in the relevant field, in order to ensure that the EIA reports will be of the required standard.
* Public Participation & Evaluation of the Report
On receipt of an EIA report, it will be subjected to an adequacy check in order to ensure that the ToR issued by the PAA has been met. It will then be open for public inspection / comments for a period of 30 working days.
If there are any public comments on the EIA report, they will be sent to the project proponent for response.
Subsequent to the public commenting period the PAA will appoint a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) to evaluate the EIA report and make its recommendations.
IEE reports are not required to be opened for public comments and are thus subjected to technical evaluation only.
* Decision Making
Based on the recommendation of the TEC, the PAA makes it's decision on whether to grant approval for a project. If the PAA is not the CEA, it should obtain the concurrence of the CEA prior to granting approval.
If the project proponent doesn't agree with the decision he has a right to appeal to the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment.The decision of the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment is final.
* Compliance Monitoring
EIA / IEE approval is generally given with conditions which the project proponent is expected to meet. The CEA or the PAA will monitor the implementation of conditions / mitigation measures. If the project proponent violates the conditions, the approval may be revoked.
EIA regulations are published in following Gazette notifications;
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