Environmental Impact Assessment Proclamation (No. 299 of 2002).

This Proclamation prescribes that no person shall commence any new development activity under any category listed in any directive issued pursuant to this Proclamation ('project') which requires an environmental impact assessment (further specified in art. 5) without an authorization of the Environmental Protection Authority. The Authority or the relevant regional environmental agency may decide that the possible impact of the project is significant and therefore that no EIA shall be carried out (art. 3). Licensing agencies shall before issuing an investment permit or trade or operating license, ensure that EIA requirements have been fulfilled. Article 4 sets out criteria for the determination of impact. Article 6 concerns impact assessment for projects that are likely to have an impact on the environment of two or more regions. Proponents shall draft IEA in accordance with articles 7 to 9. The Authority shall take a decision on the submitted project/EIA in accordance with article 9. Other provisions of this Proclamation deal with occurrence of new circumstance (art. 11), monitoring of implementation (art. 12), EIA of a public instrument (art. 13), jurisdiction of agencies (art. 14), public participation (art. 15), and various miscellaneous issues. Article 18 prescribes offences and penalties.