Do you have an interest in major projects taking place in your community? Do you want to be able to share your thoughts and opinions about a developmental project? If so, then you definitely need to look out for the public notices published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The Importance of Public Notices
People and communities play an important role in environmental management; that is why the EPA publishes public notices to alert them of upcoming projects. These public notices not only allow you to become aware of developmental projects, but also provide you with the opportunity to have a say.
The Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20:05, Laws of Guyana, requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish notices on different categories of projects, to ensure that there is maximum public involvement. The comments and concerns raised through public participation can provide valuable information on impacts, solutions and alternatives, which can be used to make wise decisions on proposed developments in our country. Also, the EPA is mandated to take public feedback into consideration when making decisions on whether or not ‘environmental authorisation’ will be granted for a particular project.
When and Where are Public Notices Published?
Public Notices are published in the newspapers to inform citizens:
Whether or not a project is exempted from the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), or it is required to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment.
Also when an EIA is completed and available for public review.
Additionally, recognising the great reach of social media, the EPA also uploads Public Notices on its Facebook and Instagram Pages – so check us out to be in the know of what developments are being proposed in your neck of the woods.
Get Involved!
How can you participate? Here is a list of ways that you can be part of the EIA process:
• Appeal: After the EPA publishes its decision on whether or not an EIA is needed for a project, you have 30 days to lodge an appeal with the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB).
• Project Summary: Before any EIA commences, the Agency publishes a notice and makes available a project summary to members of the public.
• Written Submissions: Members of the public have 28 days from the date of publication to make written submissions to the EPA, setting out those questions and matters they require to be answered or considered in the EIA.
• Scoping: The Agency may also conduct sector and public scoping meetings at its discretion during the 28-day public notice period for EIA-required projects. You can share your thoughts and concerns at these meetings.
• Comment on the EIA: After the EIA is completed, the Agency publishes another notice in the newspapers, and citizens have 60 days to submit comments for consideration by the EPA.
Since the purpose of public notices is to give the public opportunity to participate in the decision-making on environmental management process, it is your responsibility to make use of these opportunities. To ensure that you do not miss out on these opportunities, make it a practice to:
Read the daily newspapers, follow the EPA on social media, check our website regularly, and look out for public notices.
Give your feedback on a developmental project whenever you are able to attend scoping meetings, and let your voice be heard.
Remember, your participation will ensure that your ideas help to shape the development of Guyana!
Upcoming Public Scoping Meetings
The following is a schedule of public sensitisation meetings for the presentation of the main findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study on the Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) Liza Phase 2 development project.
