MEPA improvements on public online interface for EIA

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) has recently carried out a number of significant improvements to its website, offering customers and the public alike, a less complex structure for them to have public access and navigate through information for planning applications that require an EIA.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) represents an important component of public decision making since it can help to predict, analyse and assess the potential environmental, social and economic impacts of a proposed development.

This redesign in the architecture of the website will also facilitate the public to participate more effectively in the EIA process making its findings more accurate and robust. The public is also being given the opportunity to participate in the actual drawing up of the terms of reference for specific development proposals.

Another significant change is that the Authority has started publishing the EIA report with the Environment Protection Directorate’s recommendations, in its website, immediately once it gets concluded. This new procedure moves away from the previous practice, whereby, EIA reports had to wait for the Planning Directorate’s report on the development proposal to get concluded before getting published. This change in procedure aims at increasing the public’s perception that the EIA process is fairer, more transparent and safeguarded from undue bias.

Dr Ian Stafrace, MEPA CEO remarks that “as an Authority we are constantly assessing ways of improving the interface between ourselves and our customers. Public information and participation in the EIA process is not only necessary but essential, for there to be a positive outcome, whereby the EIA improves the protection and promotion of the environment where development projects may have a significant effect.”