Dra$  Guideline  on  Public  Par1cipa1on  in  Myanmar’s  EIA  Processes  

17  November  2017  Yangon  

MYANMAR ENVIRONMENTAL

GOVERNANCE PROGRAM  

Agenda  

•  Overview  of  project  and  purpose  of  Guideline  •  Summary  of  the  principles  underpinning  the  Guideline  

•  Summary  of  applicaBon  to  IEEs  &  EIAs  

•  Summary  of  monitoring  project  implementaBon  

Project  Context�

EIA  is  the  main  

safeguard  

Consultant  training  &  reviewing  

EIAs  

New  EIA  system  

Regional  Guidelines  

Civil  Society  Role  

DraKing  process  

•  MulB-­‐stakeholder  Working  Group  •  DraK  Guideline  for  ConsultaBon  – Online  comments  

– ConsultaBon  workshops  •  Final  draK  submiQed    for  ECD  consideraBon  

Key  goal  &  purpose  of  EIA  processes�

•  Key  goal:  

to  support  sustainable  development    and  create  sustainable  socie2es  

•  Purpose:  to  ensure  the  poten2al  impacts  are  assessed,    with  appropriate  mi2ga2on  developed,  before  

project  proposals  are  approved  and  implemented  

ECC  is  before  any  other  permit�

76:  For  Projects  that  require  an  IEE  or  EIA,  before  any  permit  is  granted  or  issued  by  any  ministry,  or  any  other  competent  authority  in  respect  of  any  applicaBon  to  proceed  with  implementaBon  of  such  Projects,  an  ECC  shall  first  have  been  duly  issued  by  the  Ministry  in  accordance  with  this  Procedure  

Key  benefits  of  public  parBcipaBon   �

•  capture  local  and  tradiBonal  knowledge  that  may  be  useful  for  decision-­‐  making    

•  ensure  that  important  impacts  are  not  missed  •  ensure  benefits  are  maximised    •  improve  consideraBon  of  alternaBves,  miBgaBon  measures  and  trade-­‐  offs    

•  reduce  potenBal  conflict  through  the  early  idenBficaBon  of  contenBous  issues  

•  create  a  sense  of  ownership  in  the  proposal  •  increase  public  confidence  in  the  EIA  process  

EIA  Legal  Framework�

Environmental  Conserva2on  Law  2012  

Empowers  the  Ministry  to  establish  and  implement  EIA  system�

Environmental  Conserva2on  Rules  2014  

•  Broad  framework:  IEE  and  EIA  •  Delegates  responsibility  to  ECD  •  EIA  Report  Review  Body�

Environmental  Impact  Assessment  Procedure  2015  

•  Provides  detailed  process  •  Public  parBcipaBon  requirements  •  Screening  Schedule   �

Myanmar’s  EIA  process  SCREENING  

INITIAL  ENVIRONMENTAL  EXAMINATION  

ENVIRONMENTAL  IMPACT  ASSESSMENT  

STAND-­‐ALONE  EMP  

InvesBgaBons  &  ReporBng  

Review  &  Approval  Process  

InvesBgaBons  &  ReporBng  

Review  &  Approval  Process  

Scoping  

Environmental  Compliance  CerBficate  (ECC)   ECC  Reject  

OTHER  PERMITTING  PROCESSES  

ECC  Reject  

Legal  requirements:  EIA  Procedure�STAKEHOLDER ROLES IN MYANMAR’S EIA SYSTEM

IEE EIA

Not required (Recommended during feasibility)

Not required (Recommended during feasibility)

Disclose information

Local consultation

Timely information disclosure

- Project website

- Local media

Local consultation meetings

Timely information disclosure

- Local and national media

Consultation meetings:

- national, state, local communities

- Government agencies

Field visits for ECD and concerned government organizations

Publish submitted IEE report Local consultation meetings Publish final IEE report if approved

Publish submitted EIA report - Proponent within 15 days of submission - ECD upon receipt National, state/regional, local consultation meeetings Publish final EIA report if approved

Screening

Investigations&Reporting

Review&Decision

Scoping

Policy  context:  Regional  Guidelines  

Policy  context:  Regional  Guidelines  

•  Same  structure    •  Same  principles  for  EIA  •  Similar  principles  of  public  parBcipaBon  •  Focus  on  EIA,  Myanmar  examined  EIA/IEE/EMP  •  Women,  children,  vulnerable  groups,  indigenous  people  

•  Regional  Guidelines  used  a  spectrum  for  public  parBcipaBon  

•  Myanmar  focuses  on  pracBcal  applicaBon  under  the  EIA  Procedure  using  the  Public  ParBcipaBon  Plan  

The  Guideline  as  a  PracBcal  Tool  

•  Primarily  for  those  responsible  for  undertaking  public  parBcipaBon    – Proponents  &  Consultants  – Government  organisaBons  

•  Useful  for  CSOs  and  general  public    – What  to  expect    – What  to  request  from  Proponents  &  Consultants  

•  Providing  direcBon,  not  theory  

Purpose  &  applicaBon  

•  Minimum  requirements  &  recommended  good  pracBce  

•  Public  parBcipaBon  includes:  –  InformaBon  disclosure  – ConsultaBon  –  IncorporaBon  of  results    

•  Chapters  follow  the  EIA  Procedure  structure  •  Can  be  used  as  guidance  for  other  processes  

Purpose  &  applicaBon  

•  Environmental  impacts  include  social  &  economic  impacts  (g)  Adverse  Impact  means  any  adverse  environmental,  social,  socio-­‐economic,  health,  cultural,  occupaBonal  safety  or  health,  and  community  health  and  safety  effect...    (h)  Environmental  Impact  …  include(s)  occupaBonal,  social,  cultural,  socio-­‐economical,  public  and  community  health,  and  safety  issues.  Moreover,  social  impacts  include  Involuntary  ReseQlement  and  relaBng  to  Indigenous  People.  

Meaningful  Public  ParBcipaBon  

Public  par2cipa2on  means  the  process  of  involving  those  who  are  directly  and  indirectly  affected  by  a  decision  in  the  decision-­‐making  process,  promoBng  

sustainable  decisions  by  providing  parBcipants  with  the  informaBon  they  need  to  be  involved  in  a  meaningful  way,  and  communicaBng  to  parBcipants  about  how  

their  input  affects  the  decision  –  in  this  way,  it  encompasses  both  informaBon  disclosure  and  

consultaBon  processes    

Principles  of  Meaningful  Public  Par1cipa1on  Chapter  1  

•  1.4.2  The  key  principles  for  meaningful  public  parBcipaBon  –  Integrity:  –  Inclusiveness:  –  Informed:  

– Responsive  and  reciprocal:  – Respect:  

Elements  of  Meaningful  Public  Par1cipa1on  Chapter  1  

•  1.4.3  Proper  Planning    •  1.4.4  IdenBfying  PAP  and  other  stakeholders  •  1.4.5  InformaBon  requirements  – Table  1:  Minimum  informaBon  generally  expected  for  disclosure  at  each  stage  of  the  EIA  process    

•  1.4.6  Language  •  1.5  Budget  

Public  Par1cipa1on  Plan    Chapter  2  

•  The  Public  ParBcipaBon  Plan  is  the  document  that  outlines  the  steps  to  be  taken  and  the  meeBngs  to  be  held  during  the  EIA/IEE  Process.  

•  It  is  a  public  document  that  PAP  and  other  Stakeholders  can  use  to  ensure  that  the  public  parBcipaBon  is  meaningful.  

•  There  should  be  a  person  in  charge  of  the  Plan  •  Special  Procedures  for  women,  vulnerable  groups  and  indigenous  people.  

Public  Par1cipa1on  Plan    Chapter  2  

•  A  Public  ParBcipaBon  Plan  is  a  necessary  element  of  an  EIA  Terms  of  Reference  – Therefore  it  is  obligatory  

•  There  is  no  discrete  IEE  scoping  step,  so  the  Public  ParBcipaBon  Plan  will  not  be  formally  reviewed  by  ECD  – But  the  Public  ParBcipaBon  Plan  is  strongly  encouraged  

Public  Par1cipa1on  Plan  Chapter  2  

•  This  is  a  key  element  to  ensure  meaningful  public  parBcipaBon  throughout  the  whole  of  the  EIA  Process  

•  Elements:  –  IdenBficaBon  of  Project  Affected  People  and  other  Stakeholders  

–  IdenBficaBon  of  issues  –  Contents  of  the  PPP  –  Resourcing  the  PPP    –  ImplemenBng  the  PPP  –  Special  procedures  

Informa1on  Requirements  Chapter  2    

•  The  informaBon  is  to  be  publically  available      •  The  EIA  Procedure  lists  some  types  of  

informaBon  that  must  be  provided  

•  InformaBon  is  disclosed  during  the  preparaBon  of  the  EMP,  IEE  and  EIA.    

•  When  the  final  report  is  ready,  it  should  be  presented  to  the  PAP  and  Stakeholders  and  then  submiQed.  

Informa1on  Requirements  Chapter  2    

•  Throughout  the  Guideline  there  are  references  to  specific  informaBon  to  be  disclosed  at  each  step  of  the  process.    

•  This  includes  all  informaBon  that  the  PAP  and  Stakeholders  need  to  understand  the  potenBal  impacts  and  the  proposed  miBgaBon  measures.    

•  Including  the  Environmental  Management  Plan  and  all  relevant  maps,  diagrams  and  other  data.    

IEE  Report  Prepara1on  Stage  Chapter  3  

•  Scoping:  No  scoping  step  required;  public  parBcipaBon  begins  at  IEE  Report  preparaBon  stage  

•  Public  Par0cipa0on  Plan:  Although  not  required,  this  is  strongly  encouraged  •  Most  effecBve  if  developed  in  consultaBon  with  

PAP  and  other  local  stakeholders  

•  Plan  should  be  released  at  commencement  of  IEE  process  to  inform  PAP  and  manage  expectaBons  

IEE  Report  Prepara1on  Stage  Chapter  3  

•  No0ce  of  Commencement  of  IEE  (Art.  3.2)  must  include  informaBon  about  PP  process  –  informaBon  disclosure,  number  and  locaBon  of  meeBngs,  etc.  

•  Number  of  Mee0ngs  during  IEE  Report  (Art.  3.4.1)  •  At  least  2  +  Final  IEE  Report  PresentaBon  (3.4.4)  •  Fewer  meeBngs  may  be  approved  by  ECD  on  case  

by  case  basis  •  Proponent  will  be  required  to  provide  

jusBficaBon  for  fewer  PP  meeBngs  

Figure  1:  Applica1on  of  Guideline  to  IEE  inves1ga1on  

IEE  Report  Review  Stage  Chapter  3  

•  Results  of  Public  Par0cipa0on  Process  (Art.  3.5)  

•  Number  of  Mee0ngs  during  IEE  Report  Review  (Art.  3.6)  

•  at  least  1  meeBng  in  close  proximity  to  Project  Site;  ECD  may  require  more  if  necessary  

•  WriJen  Comments  on  IEE  Report  (Art.  3.6.4)  

•  Response  to  Comments  (Art.  3.6.6):  ECD  to  consider  comments  received  during  Report  Review  and  explain  ECD’s  Report  recommendaBon  

Figure  2:  Applica1on  of  Guideline  to  IEE  Report  review  

EIA  Scoping  Stage  Chapter  4  

•  No0ce  of  Scoping  Stage  (Art.  4.2.2):  must  include  informaBon  disclosure,  number  and  locaBon  of  meeBngs,  etc.  

•  Mee0ngs  (Art.  4.2.4):  at  least  2  PP  meeBngs    •  Public  Par0cipa0on  Plan  (4.2.1(c)):  Proponent  must  

develop  Plan  during  the  Scoping  Stage  

•  Results  of  Scoping  Public  Par0cipa0on  (Art.  4.2.6  (c)  and  (d))  

Figure  3:  Applica1on  of  Guideline  to  EIA  scoping  

EIA  Report  Stage  Chapter  4  

•  Significant  2me  and  effort  required  –  poten2ally  6  months  to  two  years  

•  No0ce  of  Commencement  (Art.  4.3.2)  must  include  informaBon  about  PP  process  –  informaBon  disclosure,  number  and  locaBon  of  meeBngs,  etc.  

•  Number  of  Mee0ngs  during  EIA  Report  (Art.  4.3.4.1)  •  Determined  by  Public  Par2cipa2on  Plan  in  

consultaBon  with  PAP  and  ECD  •  At  least  2  +  EIA  Report  Final  PresentaBon,  but  may  

require  more  depending  on  project  •  InformaBon  about  meeBngs  to  be  included  in  Public  

Par2cipa2on  Plan  

Figure  4:  Applica1on  of  Guideline  to  EIA  prepara1on  

EIA  Report  Review  Stage  Chapter  4  

•  Results  of  Public  Par0cipa0on  Process  (Art.  4.3.5)  

•  Number  of  Mee0ngs  during  EIA  Report  Review  (Art.  4.4.5)  to  be  determined  by  ECD  depending  on  the  nature  of  the  project  •  Should  be  organized  at  different  levels  -­‐  naBonal,  

regional,  state,  Nay  Pyi  Daw  

•  WriJen  Comments  on  EIA  Report  (Art.  4.4.4)  •  Response  to  Comments  (Art.  4.4.6):  ECD  to  consider  

comments  received  during  Report  Review  and  explain  ECD’s  Report  recommendaBon  

Figure  5:  Applica1on  of  Guideline  to  EIA  Report  review  

Common  to  IEE  and  EIA  Processes  •  Site  Visits  

•  Encouraged  for  IEE  (Art.  3.4.3)  •  Required  for  EIA  (Art.  4.3.4.3)  

•  Emphasis  on  earlier  the  beJer  

•  Emphasis  on  equitable  gender  representa0on  •  Special  Procedures  for  women,  vulnerable  groups  

and  indigenous  people.  

•  Minimum  0meframes  for  stages  in  the  process  •  For  example,  noBces  of  commencement  issued  

at  least  14  days  before  PP  meeBngs  

Public  Par1cipa1on  for  Stand-­‐Alone  EMPs  Chapter  5  

•  Generally  for  projects  with  less  environmental  impacts  

•  DraK  EMP  should  be  presented  to  PAP  and  other  stakeholders  for  review  

•  Final  EMP  should  take  into  account  public  comments  

•  Final  EMP  presented  to  PAP  prior  to  submission  to  ECD  

•  Final  EMP  report  should  describe  ongoing  public  parBcipaBon  processes  

Public  Par1cipa1on  for  Project  Implementa1on,  Monitoring,  and  Compliance  

Chapter  6  •  The  EMP  must  include  public  parBcipaBon  processes  

for  monitoring,  including  mechanisms  to  address  non-­‐compliance  with  EMP  

•  Ongoing  InformaBon  Disclosure  Requirements  •  For  large  projects,  dedicated  informaBon  center  should  

be  established  

•  Project  Monitoring  Reports  –  must  be  made  available  to  the  public  no  later  than  10  days  aKer  submission  to  ECD  •  Both  electronic  and  hard  copy  

Public  Par1cipa1on  for  Project  Implementa1on,  Monitoring,  and  Compliance  

Chapter  6  Throughout  project  implementaBon,  PAP  and  other  stakeholders  should  have  access  to  wide-­‐ranging  informaBon  including:  •  regular  monitoring  and  acBvity  reports:  •  project  expenditures  on  miBgaBon  and  management  measures,    

monitoring  systems  and  project  commitments;    •  compliance  with  project  condiBons  and  commitments;    •  informaBon  about  any  breaches  of  compliance  and  remedial  

measures;    •  updated  EMPs  and  project  approval  condiBons;    •  actual  emissions  compared  to  standards;    •  levels  of  any  toxic  waste,  pollutant  releases  or  transportaBon  of  

hazardous  waste;    •  acBon  steps  and  responses  to  any  community  concerns.  

Public  Par1cipa1on  for  Project  Implementa1on,  Monitoring,  and  Compliance  

Chapter  7  •  Community  ConsultaBon  CommiQee  

•  Establishment  of  a  commiQee  is  encouraged  to  maintain  open  communicaBon  with  community  

•  May  include  a  dispute  resoluBon  mechanism  •  Complaints  and  Grievances  Mechanism  •  Encouraged  to  provide  formal,  known  avenue  •  Managed  by  Project  Proponent  with  involvement  

of  local  authoriBes