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EIA AND PROJECT APPROVALS
from MAPPING PATHWAYS: Towards a Holistic Model for Inclusive and Resilient Linear Infrastructure
by WWF-Myanmar
Key provision Commentary
Purpose:
The regulations should ensure there is an appropriate connection between upstream strategic planning for linear infrastructure in a landscape and project-specific impact assessments and approvals.
Objectives:
The objectives of the EIA component of the holistic regulatory framework are to:
- Ensure the EIA is undertaken, and reviewed, in the context of the landscape-level strategic planning for linear infrastructure
- Ensure that resilience and inclusivity expectations for assessing project proposals are clearly articulated
- Establish standard conditions attached to project approvals
- Define expected content for environmental management and monitoring plans for approved projects.
Provisions:
An EIA for a linear infrastructure project proposal should be undertaken with reference to the landscape-level strategic plan (or, in its absence, another strategic assessment of linear infrastructure) by:
- ensuring baseline information is aligned
- undertaking an assessment of cumulative impacts by reference to the landscape plan
- considering resilience and inclusivity at the project level in the same terms as the landscape level
For project proposals that have EIAs approved:
- Adopt standard conditions for EIA approvals
- Provide guidance for construction and operational EMPs
Public participation:
The regulations should ensure that the public has clearly defined rights and opportunities to meaningfully participate at all stages of the EIA and project approval process, including having access to all necessary information
The expectation is that the regulations would not amend existing EIA laws, which exist in all ASEAN member states but would instead provide detailed context and considerations for applying those laws to linear infrastructure project proposals.
Draft standard project approval conditions (Annex 7) and a checklist for preparing an Environmental Management Plan (Annex 8) are provided and may be adjusted for local circumstances.
The Guidelines on Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessment in the Mekong Region provide detailed guidance that could be drawn upon to define expectations for linear infrastructure project proposals.
