What is the purpose of EIA / IEE ?
EIA / IEE is a simple process of predicting the potential impacts of development activities on the natural and social environment. EIA also suggests measures to prevent or minimize negative impacts and to enhance positive impacts. EIA ensures sustainable investment for developers and a livable environment for the people. In 1981 EIA was made a legal requirement for projects within the coastal zone and since 1993 is mandatory throughout Sri Lanka for prescribed development projects.
How do I know whether my project proposal will be required to go through the EIA process?
Only so called “prescribed projects”(8) given in Government Gazette No. 772/22 of 24th June 1993 and No. 859/14 of 23rd February 1995 require to undergo Environmental Impact Assessment (you can verify with the Central Environmental Authority). The Central Environmental Authority will provide you with a Basic Information Questionnaire to submit essential information about the project, in order for CEA to determine whether or not a project requires an Environmental Impact Assessment.
If the project is located within the coastal zone then you should contact the Director, Coast Conservation Department. The coastal zone comprises 300 meters land-wards from the high waterline and 2 km seawards from the low waterline. In the case of estuaries and other water bodies 2 km distance from the water area when you draw a line perpendicular to the mouth of the water body.
If the project is located within one mile from the boundary of a National Reserve you should contact the Dept. of Wild Life Conservation.
What are prescribed projects for EIA?
Only large-scale development projects that are likely to have significant impacts on the environment or project which are to be located in environmentally sensitive areas are listed as prescribed projects. The projects are prescribed according to two categories.
- By type and the magnitude. (e.g. Thermal Power Project over 25 MW, Hotels over 99 rooms, highways over 10 km, cement manufacturing plants, reclamation of wetlands over 4 hectares)
- By location (e.g. if projects are located wholly of partially within environmentally sensitive areas such as forest and wildlife reserves, stream or lake reservation, archaeological reserve, declared erodible areas etc.
The prescribed projects are listed in the Gazette no 772/22 of 24th June, 1993 and 859/14 of 23rd February 1995.
How do I begin or initiate the EIA process?
First find out whether the proposed project falls within the "prescribed project" list.
If you have any doubts requires an EIA whether your project requires EIA or not, the safest option is to ask the EIA division of the Central Environmental Authority.
In order for the CEA to determine whether or not your project requires EIA or not you will be required to submit Preliminary Information about the proposed project to the CEA. The CEA will provide you with a simple form (Basic Information Questionnaire) to submit Preliminary Information about the project at your request.
Based on Preliminary Information provided by you, the CEA will designate "Project Approving Agency"(9) for the project. The Project Approving Agency will prepare Terms of Reference (ToR) for the EIA report by conducting one or more "Scoping" meetings.
The Project Approving Agency (PAA) is the government agency responsible for administering the EIA process. The Central Environmental Authority and other government agencies listed in the Gazette Notification may perform the task of the Project Approving Agency depending on the type of project.
How do I know whether my poropsed site is located within a sensitive area?
You may get the service of GIS laboratary of Rsearch and Special Project Unit of CEA to verify whether your proposed site is located within a sensitive area.
When should I provide the preliminary information?
As soon as the project concept is developed and the location of the project is decided. If the Project Proponent is carrying out a pre-feasibility study, then that is the right time to do it. You should not wait until the full feasibility stages to submit the preliminary information.
What is the difference between an IEE and an EIA?
If the environmental impacts of the projects are not very significant then the Project Proponent may be asked to do an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), which is a relatively short and simple study. However, if the potential impacts appear to be significant the Project Proponent will be asked to do an Environmental Impact Assessment, which is a more detailed and comprehensive study of environmental impacts. Another difference between IEE and EIA is that the law requires that EIA reports must be opened for public comments for a period of 30 working days. There is no such requirement in the case of IEE reports.
How long does the EIA Process take?
The time allowed for the Project Approving Agencies to process the EIA from the day the Project Proponent submitted the Preliminary Information is 116 working days, provided that the information submitted is sufficient for the Project Approving Agency to review. The time allowed for the Project Approving Agency to process an IEE is less. However, there is no time limit to prepare the IEE/EIA report. Experience shows that the time taken to prepare an EIA report ranges from 3 months to one year, depending on the nature of the project.
Who is responsible for the preparation of the EIA Report?
The Project Proponent is responsible for preparation of EIA reports. In most cases the project proponent will require the services of consultants for this purpose. Consultants hired by the Project Proponent. A list of consultants and consulting firms who have registered with the CEA is available at the Central Environmental Authority. You may also advertise for bids from consulting firms for the EIA study. The Project Proponent is responsible for submitting their EIA report to the Project Approving Agency.
What does the EIA report look like?
It is a relatively short and concise document (may be about 100 pages) written in easy to understand language that describes the following.
- the details of the proposed project including all components
- the existing environment of the proposed project site
- the positive and negative impacts of the project
- proposed mitigation measures
- reasonable alternatives
- monitoring programme
Past EIA reports are available at the CEA library for reference.
To whom should the project proponent submit the EIA report?
To the Project Approving Agency assigned to the project. The Project Proponent needs to submit required numbers of copies of the EIA report. The EIA report needs to be translated into Sinhala and Tamil also.
Who gives the approval for the EIA or IEE (environmental clearances)?
The Project Approving Agency. The Project Approving Agency appoints a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) consisting of experts in different fields which independently evaluates the EIA report and submits their observations to the Project Approving Agency. The Project Approving Agency will base their decision in the observations of the Technical Evaluation Committee.
In addition, the concurrence of the Central Environmental Authority is also required for the Project Approving Agency's decision to be effective.
How long is the approval valid for?
Generally the approval is valid for 3 years. If the Project Proponent does not commence work within 3 years of the decision, renewal of the approval from the Project Approving Agencies is necessary. The validity period is usually stated in the letter of approval.
If my project is not approved after an EIA what redress do I have?
You have a right to appeal to the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment. His/her decision will be final.
Do the Project Proponents require other permits even after getting EIA clearance?
Yes. You will also have to get approval for the project from the relevant government institution at the local level having jurisdiction over the proposed site. There may be other permit requirements as well. Remember EIA approval gives only the environmental clearance. It is important that the Project Proponent obtains other permits such as land clearance from the relevant authorities before initiating the EIA process.
What activities can the Project Proponent carry out before receiving the approval?
Only those that will not lead to any changes at the site. The Project Proponent can explain the project to the people and others having an interest in the project and its outcome. In fact, Project Proponents are encouraged to employ professional public relations consultants for this purpose.
You can also carry out such activities as surveying the land and field testing etc.
How can I ensure that the EIA approval process does not take too long?
The time taken for the EIA approval process is mainly dependant on you as the Project Proponent. The quality of the EIA is the factor that most often determines the time required for its approval. A well written EIA report with all required information makes it easy for the Technical Evaluation Committee to recommend the granting of approval.
From where can the Project proponent get more details on the EIA Process?
The Environmental Management & Assessment Division of the Central Environmental Authority, No. 104, Denzil Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Battaramulla.
Tel. : 011-2872419, 011-2876643
Fax : 011-2872296
The following documents available for sale at CEA will be useful.
- Guidance for Implementing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process No. 1 - A General Guide for Project Approving Agency
- Guidance for Implementing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process No. 2 -A General Guide for Conducting Environmental Scoping
The libraries at the Central Environmental Authority and several Universities have good collections of background material on EIA. The CEA library also has copies of past EIA reports for reference.
- Environmental Requirements for starting New Project/Industry
- Environmental Requirements for operation of an industry/project.
- Environmental Requirements for Import/Export of Hazardous Materials.
| 
