Procedure of Environmental impact assessment (EIA)

Procedure of Environmental impact assessment (EIA)

Three months have passed since the law of Ukraine «On Environmental Impact Assessment” came into force, the purpose of which is to obtain a conclusion on the environmental impact assessment (EIA). The procedure of environmental impact assessment substitutes the state ecological expertise. To carry out the environmental impact assessment is required before making decision to implement a planned activity. In other words, at the design stage, business entity hast to carry out the procedure of environmental impact assessment. The article #3 of the law of Ukraine «On environmental impact assessment» determines the first and second categories of types of business activities that are the subject of mandatory EIA.

The procedure of environmental impact assessment (EIA) is carried out due to the further stages:

1. Business entity should prepare and submit the letter of advice of planned activity to local authority of ecology or Ministry of ecology and natural resources of Ukraine (central authority) on e-form (via the Unified register of EIA) and on paper. Paper documents must be indicated with an assigned number of Unified register of EIA. Except the letter of advice, in certain cases it is required to provide the claim and additional information for obtaining the conclusion of environmental impact assessment. Further, local or central authority of ecology study the letter of advice, put recommendations or comments and within 20 days from publishing this information the community can give its opinion on planned activity.
2. Development of the report of environmental impact assessment. The business entity has to prepare the report on environmental impact assessment considering comments and recommendations from community. Completed report should be submitted to the Unified register of EIA and used during public hearings and discussions. The content and structure of the report on environmental impact assessment you can find in appendix 5 of the Act of Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine «On approval a procedure of submission documents for conclusion of evaluation of impact on surroundings».
3. For holding of public hearings and discussions is responsible local or central authority of ecology. The community has a right within 25-25 working days to study the report of EIA and introduce the recommendations, claims or comments. Regarding to the results of public discussions, Ministry of ecology or local authority of ecology develop the report of public hearings and discussions. In addition, this report must be submitted to Unified register of EIA by the central or local authority of ecology.
4. The last stage in the procedure of EIA is the development of the conclusion of environmental impact assessment. Ministry of ecology or local authority in the field of ecology develop and provide the conclusion. This conclusion means the right of business entity to realize of planned activity. In addition, conclusion of impact on environment can include the list of ecological and environmental protection measures proposed for compliance by the business entity.

At first, the procedure of environmental impact assessment is aimed for evaluation of possible negative impact from planned activity on environment, for defining the measures of its mitigation fully elimination. New procedure does not intend to obstruct the planned activity of entrepreneur.

If you have questions related with the procedure of environmental impact assessment, please, you can apply to the specialists of MCL.