Your chance to say how projects can affect you and your community!

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the national regulatory body for environmental management and conservation in Guyana. The Agency implements a process that allows it to decide whether or not to grant permission for development projects to operate. This process is called the Environmental Authorisations process.
For projects that may have significant impacts on the environment, the EPA requires that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) be done. This assessment is to better inform the EPA of the potential impact of a proposed project so that it can make the best decision for the environment and development.

What types of projects need an EIA?
Projects that are of a large scale, or with impacts which are not well known, usually require an EIA. For such projects in the agriculture, forestry, or fishing sectors, an EIA may for example, determine how introducing new species; removing species; producing wastes e.g. agrochemicals, animal waste and sediments etc. may affect the environment. For projects in the mining sector, such as gold and bauxite (mineral) mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction an EIA may for example, estimate the impact on forest cover, soil quality and water contamination etc. For projects in the energy sector, e.g. electricity, gas, and steam generation, an EIA may consider safe storage of large quantities of fuel and air pollutants etc. For infrastructure projects such as water supply, sewage transport and waste management and remediation, safeguards for dust, water pollution would need to be examined in an EIA. Sectors that may affect human health through air or water pollution such as motor vehicle repair; health care and funeral homes may also require an EIA. The accommodation and food services sector may also require an EIA if a large-scale operation is proposed.

What you need to know about the Environmental Authorisations Process
An individual or company desirous of embarking on a developmental activity has to submit an application for Environmental Authorization along with required documents to the EPA. The Agency will then conduct a visit to the proposed site of the project. Based on the nature and scope of the project, the EPA will determine whether or not an EIA has to be conducted.
If an EIA is necessary, it has to be conducted by specialized consultants approved by the Agency. The purpose of the EIA is to understand the potential impacts of a proposed project and to identify measures to address them.

Legal requirement
The Environmental Protection Act (1996), requires that members of the public be consulted during the EIA process. This helps the EPA to identify what needs to be addressed when the EIA is being done by the consultants. The public is given the chance to raise their concerns about a project through Public Scoping. Therefore Public Scoping is a critical aspect of the EIA process.

What is Public Scoping?
Public Scoping is the process of consulting with members of the public, stakeholders and communities about a project that is proposed by a developer. The main purpose of this exercise is to receive inputs from relevant persons on how they think that a particular project will affect them and their surrounding environment. Public scoping is not limited to any particular section of society; anyone can attend these meetings! Persons who live in or are regular users of an area in which a project will be implemented should take an interest and make a special effort to attend scoping meetings.

Benefits of attending public scoping
People benefit from public scoping since it provides a forum for opinions to be heard and considered in the EIA study. Information on the project is shared during the process so that people can learn how a project will be operated and possible ways it will be of benefit to them. Participation in public scoping increases the capacity of people to be involved in environmental decision-making by helping to shape a project through their questions and concerns. Participation also provides an opportunity to contribute to safeguarding the environment from potential harm.
For persons unable to attend the scheduled scoping meetings for a project in their area, they can forward their comments in writing to the Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown; OR via email at: epa@epaguyana.org or eit.epaguyana@gmail.com. Usually, this has to be done within 28 days of a Public Notice about the project being published in the newspapers.

To find out how your comments are integrated in the EIA, you are encouraged to read the EIA Report which will be made available for public scrutiny.

During next week, the EPA will be facilitating Public Scoping meetings for two major projects: Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) Liza Well, Phase 1 and Rong-An Inc. Large Scale Logging and Operation of a Portable Sawmill. Information on these projects can be found on the Agency’s website at www.epaguyana.org or at the EPA’s office, Ganges Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

Schedule for Public Scoping Meetings
1. Project: EEPGL’s Liza Phase 1 Development Project
Date: October 24, 2016
Time: 16:00 h
Venue: Synthetic Track, Leonora, Region 3

2. Project: EEPGL’s Liza Phase 1 Development Project
Date: October 26, 2016
Time: 16:00 h
Venue: Anna Regina Multilateral School, Anna Regina, Region 2

3. Project: Rong-An Inc. (Logging Project)
Date: October 28, 2016
Time: 10:30 h
Venue: Kwakwani Empowerment Centre; Kwakwani, Region 10.

4. Project: Rong-An Inc. (Logging Project)
Date: October 28, 2016
Time: 15:00 h
Venue: Ituni Small Loggers Association, Ituni, Region 10.