The EIA Process and Sustainability

The EIA Process and Sustainability The Environmental Impact Assessment Process in Oman and its Relationship with Sustainability Dr Simon Wilson, Five Oceans Environmental Services LLC

A Short History of EIA EIA first developed in US NEPA (1969) Oman Royal Decree 10/1982 Information on impacts on amenities and services, pollution control, monitoring procedures, and mitigation measures submitted to MRME requesting a no environmental objection. EU Directive 85/337/EC (1985) UNCED (1992) Principle 17 "Environmental Impact Assessment, as a national instrument, shall be undertaken for proposed activities that are likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment and are subject to a decision of a competent national authority Amended by RD 114/2001 and 187/2001

Purpose of EIA EIA: A key support tool for sustainable development a process having the ultimate objective of providing decision-makers with an indication of the likely consequences of their actions (Wathern 1988) Sustainable development development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs and aspirations. (WCED 1987) Sustainability: Strong and Weak Strong = no net loss of natural capital

Natural capital: Natural capital is the land, air, water, living organisms and all formations of the Earth's biosphere that provide us with ecosystem goods and services imperative for survival and well-being E.g. zero net loss of wetlands in US: George Bush Snr. 1989 and Clean Water Act 2001

Screening Scoping Review Impact Assessment Mitigation Report Review Decision-making EIA Cycle Implementation (EMP etc.)

Assessment of EIA (in Oman) Systematic approach Accepted part of the development process Focus on legislation Focus on environment Focus on permit Quality issues Lack of follow-up Focused on projects i.e. small scale Requires clear policies (SEA) In principle but reactive Requires inter-ministerial discussions Assumes legislation is sufficient and necessary to achieve sustainable development Social impacts? Cultural impacts? Health impacts? Some developers view EIA as an environmental tax to obtain the permit rather Quality than control, as due peer process review Consultants contracted to monitor projects NBSAP Action plan to combat desertification

Draft Development Control Plan Framework Ministry of Tourism For Integrated Tourism Complexes Policy, guidelines and standards MoT, MoH, MRMWR, MECA, MM, & SCTP Concept masterplan: initial environmental evaluation Preliminary masterplan: strategic environmental assessment leading to a preliminary approval Final masterplan: EIA

Draft Development Control Plan Framework Ministry of Tourism Landscaping encourages indigenous species, low water consumption Golf courses to be water-wise Guidelines to minimize visual impacts Compliance with IFC standards on social and environmental performance Conservation of sensitive habitats and rare/endangered species Social and cultural impacts to be carefully assessed and managed Social engagement and development plan, CSR guidelines Green Building Council approach to sustainability in built environment

Summary Sustainable development is a national goal What are the national priorities? A strategic and integrated approach to development controls for each sector (from ITCs to tourism generally, industry (N.B. PDO), commerce, urban development, agriculture, fisheries, power and water, ports & harbours ) is necessary EIA is an well established and important tool at project scale, but is not sufficient on its own to achieve SD

Thank You PO Box 660, PC 131, Sultanate of Oman Tel: + 968 24696912 Fax: + 968 24696918 simon.wilson@5oes.com GSM: 99358053 P.O. Box 502910, Dubai United Arab Emirates Tel: + 971 4 3612874 Fax: + 971 4 3688967