Environment Ministry to reduce costs and processing time associated with Environment Impact Assessment

The Ministry of Environment has taken steps to revise it’s existing regulatory processes by reducing costs incurred by customers seeking Environment Impact Assessments and reducing the number of days taken to process it.

This will come into effect from the 1st of October.

Minister for Environment Dr Mahendra Reddy says the decision is expected to positively impact those applying for gravel extraction and logging businesses in Fiji.

The Minister says an Environment Impact Assessment will now be screened in 10 days and not 14 days.

He says the processing of Terms of Reference has been reduced from 30 days to 20 days while an Environment Impact Assessment will now take 30 days instead of 35.

He adds if an applicant is not happy with the decision of the screening application, they can appeal to the Permanent Secretary who will respond within 7 days and the decision will be final.

Dr Reddy further says review of Environment Impact Assessment report by an external Committee, including public consultations will be done within 30 days and not 35 days.

He adds this will however depend on all information being provided with the application.

Dr Reddy says they will also regulate the Environment Impact Assessment consultation fees charged to clients depending on location and size.