2021 Revised Environmental and Social Impact Assessment/Strategic Environmental Assessment (ESIA/SEA) Procedural Guidelines (Instrument no: EPA/003/03-22).

These Guidelines are intended to (i) provide a clearer procedure on the ESIA process of Liberia that all stakeholders can and use in the planning, development, and implementation of proposed or existing projects, policies, programs; (ii) encourage all proponents, potential proponents, practitioners, and the general public seeking to obtain an environmental permit for new or existing projects, and policies in Liberia to use this instrument as a guide when planning; (iii) provide a good understanding of the ESIA/SEA process of Liberia in line with best practices and national standards; (iv) offer a practical guide in terms of structure, contents, and administrative procedures of all environmental reports needed by the EPA, in order to issue environmental permits for projects at all scale levels. Conducting an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (EIA/ESIA) enhances a project's credibility, sustainability, and acceptance among all stakeholders, including Project Affected Communities and local authorities.
The process consists of nine steps: (1) Application: submission of a formal letter and application package to the Executive Director of the EPA; (2) Environmental Project Brief: the EPA responds with a package, including a list of certified evaluators; (3) Screening: an initial assessment determines if a full ESIA is required, leading to either an environmental impact study, permit issuance, denial, or a request for additional information; (4) Scoping: identification of potential environmental and social impacts, establishing the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the ESIA study; (5) Assessment Process: conducting the ESIA study based on the approved ToR; (6) Review: the EPA conducts a preliminary review for completeness before submission to the ESIA Technical Review Committee, with modifications requested if requirements are not met; (7) Public Hearing: stakeholders provide feedback following the review process; (8) Decision-Making: the EPA evaluates review and public hearing comments to approve, modify, or reject the project in accordance with environmental regulations; (9) Follow-Up: compliance monitoring and inspections ensure adherence to permit conditions and mitigation measures outlined in the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).
The projects are classified into 3 categories based on their environmental impact (1) Category A (Major) includes projects with significant adverse environmental impacts and requires a full EIA or ESIA/SEA report; (2) Category B (Medium) includes projects with limited environmental impacts that must submit an environmental project brief, screening report, or EIA/ESIA/SEA, depending on location and scale; (3) Category C (FONSI) for the projects with little or no significant impact that may not require an EIA but must complete an EPA-approved Environmental Assessment Form, potentially including laboratory analysis of Parameters of Concern (POCs), based on risk level. This determination follows an application review and site visit. The issuance of a permit may vary, depending on the category of project, policies, and programs.