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

BERIAREPUBLICA REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY SINKOR 4TH STREET, MONROVIA LIBERIA Re: REGULATORY INSTRUMENT EPA Instrument: 2021 Revised Environmental and Social Impact Assessment/Strategic Environmental Assessment (ESIA/SEA) Procedural Guidelines Instrument no: EPA/003/03-22 Prepared by: EPA/ESIA Technical Committee Approved by : Management Team/Executive Director, EPAEffective date: dd/mm/yr 30/03/2022 Approved March 30, 2022 e Table of Contents Operational Definitions. CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION Meaning and Importance of ESIA/SEA Chapter II: Stages of the ESIA PROCESS Application. The Second step of the ESIA/SEA process in Liberia begins with an Environmental Project Brief: following a response from the EPA. The response shall contain a package of list of EPA-certified evaluators, the proponent is advised to ..4 4 ..5 ..5 ..5 ..6 2.3 Screening – is the third step which is an initial provision of relevant information of a proposed or existing project. The proponent or applicant will be required to prepare an environmental impact study in accordance with Section 14 of the EMPL if the project /activity will have or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment. If it is determined that the project does not require a full ESIA, a permit could be issued, denied or additional information could be requested to proceed with the development of a scoping and/or an ESIA report. Refer to Annex I ofthis documentfor the content and structure of the screening process. .6 2.4 Scoping - is the fourth step used to identify specific impacts that are likely to cause adverse environmental and social problems, either at the construction or operation phase of the proposed project or both. Scoping sets the basis for the Terms of Reference (ToR) or methodology of an EIA/ESIA study. Refer to Annex I of this document for the content and structure of the scoping report. 2.5 Assessment Process. 9 .6 2.6 Review: Is the sixth step of the ESIA/SEA process. It begins once an environmental report is received (and the required nonrefundable permit fees is paid). The Agency shall conduct a preliminary review of the report, through the ESIA Unit, in consultation with other relevant units within the department of compliance and enforcement to ensure all requirements (content & Structure) were certified before presenting said report to the ESIA Technical Review Committee for review. In an event that a report does not meet the basic requirement, said report is returned to the author or independent consultant for modification, to avoid delay in the processing of applications for environmental permits. 7 2.7 Public Hearing: .8 The seventh step of the ESIA/SEA process. It begins once an environmental report is reviewed by the committee. .8 2.8 Decision Making: 8 The eighth step of the EIA/ESIA process which considers comments received from the review process. The Agency's decision of a particular project, policies, programs is consistent with the provision as outlined in Part III: Section 21 of the EMPL. The Agency shall take the following decision, uporf review of an application or environmental report: 2.9 Follow-Up:. Page 2 of 19 ESIA 2021 Revised Procedural Guidelines τ ..8 8