Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Programmes on the Environment
Introduction
The aim of the Directive on the Assessment of the Effects of Certain Plans and Programmes on the Environment is to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development, by ensuring that, in accordance with this Directive, an environmental assessment is carried out of certain plans and programmes which are likely to have significant effects on the environment.
The Directive was aligned with the national law in 2005 by the Environmental Impact Assessment from Certain Plans and/or Programmes Law 102(I)/2005.
Directive
Legislation
The purpose of the environmental impact assessment from certain plans and programmes Law is environmental protection and the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes which may have a significant impact on the environment for the promotion of sustainable development.
Scope of the Law
The law covers plans or programmes drawn up for the various sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, farming, forestry, fisheries, quarrying and mining, energy, industry, transport, waste management, water management, telecommunications, tourism, urban planning and land use, which specify the framework for future permits of projects covered by the law on environmental impact assessment of projects. Also, the Law provides for Plans or Programmes which will take place in areas of conservation or protection and requiring an assessment of their environmental impact in accordance with the Law for the protection and management of the natural and wildlife or the Law for the protection and management of wild birds and game animals.
Environmental Impact Assessment Process
During the preparation of a plan or programme, in the initial stages of planning the competent authority requests the opinion of the Environmental Authority whether the preparation of a Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment Study (SEIAS) is needed. If the Environmental Authority decides in accordance with the criteria laid down by the Law (Annex II) that the plan or programme is likely to have significant effects on the environment, it shall request the preparation of a relevant study.
For the preparation of the plan or programme, the competent authority prepares and submits the SEIAS to the Environmental Authority, while publishing a relevant notification in two daily newspapers and online, informing the public with respect to the plan or programme, the areas and hours that the SEIAS may be inspected and the right of every person to submit opinions to the Environmental Authority within 35 days from the date of publication of the notification.
The Study is considered at a Meeting of the Committee of the environmental impact assessment from certain plans and programmes set up in accordance with the provisions of the Law. The Committee consists of 9 Members (Departments/Bodies). Specifically, the Committee is chaired by the Department of Environment, while permanent members are the Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, the Directorate General for European Programmes, Coordination and Development, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, the Ministry of Interior, the Cyprus Federation of Environmental and Ecological Organizations, the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber, the University of Cyprus and the Cyprus University of Technology.
The Committee, taking into account the views submitted by the public, formulates its suggestions to the Environmental Authority. The role of the Committee is advisory to the Environmental Authority, which has the ultimate responsibility for the preparation of the relevant Opinion. The Opinion of the Environmental Authority which shall be sent to the competent authority shall determine the environmental aspects that should be incorporated into the plan or programme or specific variations to ensure the protection of the environment, such as the control and monitoring of environmental impacts during implementation. During the decision taking stage, the competent authority should take into account, the views expressed and the Opinion of the Environmental Authority.
Items to accompany the Environmental Impact Assessment Study (EIAS)
§ 1 letter from a competent authority,
§ 25 copies of the EIAS in electronic format (PDF file)
§ 4 printed copies of the EIAS,
§ a non-technical summary of the SEIAS,
§ publications in two daily newspapers,
§ electronic format of SEIAS (up to 2MB size), and
§ electronic format of the EIAS including maps, drawings, photographs, etc. (without limitation to MB)