No decision has been made, and no outcome is predetermined for the proposed Special Prospecting License 1495 – Kulukulu Sands, Sigatoka Iron Sands Project.
Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Doctor Sivendra Michael has made this clear while acknowledging the concerns raised about the review
process from the vanua and landowners of Tikina Nasigatoka, the Fiji Museum, civil society, the surfing and fishing communities, and members of the public.
Doctor Michael says the strength of public interest is welcome.
He says it is exactly what the EIA process exists to capture.
The Permanent Secretary says the EIA Report was prepared by an EIA Registered Consultant commissioned by the proponent.
The Ministry's role is to assess it accordingly, which does not equate to an approval or rejection.
The public's views through written submissions carry weight in that determination.
The EIA Report submitted by the proponent is currently undergoing the Department's
statutory review process.
Doctor Michael says in accordance with the Environment Management Act and EIA
Regulations, the report is subject to a legislated 21-working-day review period, which
commenced when the report was made available for public inspection on 2nd October.
During this period, government agencies, stakeholders, and members of the public are invited to examine the report and provide comments for the Department's consideration.
The EIA Report is available for public inspection at five locations: the Ministry Headquarters, Bali Tower, Suva; the Department of Environment's Western Division office, Lautoka; Kulukulu Police Post; Sigatoka Town Council; and the Nadroga/Navosa Provincial Office, Sigatoka.
The deadline for submission of all written review comments is 30th October.
All submissions received by this date will form part of the assessment process.
In parallel, the Department is working to finalize arrangements for the public consultation
phase, which will take place after the viewing period closes.
Doctor Michael says more than a week's notice will be given of the dates and venues.
Following the public consultations, the Department will convene a Technical Review
Committee meeting.
Under the EIA process, the Director of Environment may appoint up to ten experts to form the review committee.
These experts may be drawn from relevant
government agencies, academic institutions, technical organizations, and other sectors
possessing specialized knowledge relevant to the proposal and its potential environmental,
social, cultural, economic, and technical impacts.
The Director may also appoint an independent consultant where additional specialist expertise is required.
The Technical Review Committee will consider the EIA Report alongside comments received during the 21-working-day review period, the outcomes of the public consultations,
and any other relevant technical information.
The committee's findings and recommendations
will then be provided to the Director of Environment to inform the Department's final
assessment and determination.
