Potential investors/developers in the Zone must apply to the Investor Services Division for an Operational Permit. In order for this permit to be granted, ASEZA must be satisfied as to a number of different issues relating to public health, public safety and the environmental impact of the scheme.

The process of assessment of the environmental impacts of the scheme is termed Environmental Clearance, and this assessment is made by the Environmental Planning Directorate (EPD).

In applying for an Operational Permit, the developer must submit an Investment Facilitation Form to the Investor Services Division, which will request details about the intended activities.

Unless the activity falls into an EPD "Exclusion List", Section 3 of the Investment Facilitation Form must be completed. This serves as a provisional application for Environmental Clearance.

Once completed, the Investment Facilitation Form is passed to the Environmental Planning Directorate allowing it to assess the potential impacts on the natural resources and the environment within the Zone. If the activity appears on the EPD"Exclusion List", it will receive an immediate Environment Clearance. The "Exclusion List" includes such activities as office facilities, restaurants, and educational centers.

• Initial Screening Process
• Preliminary Environmental Evaluation (PEE)
• Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

 Initial Screening Process

A copy of the submitted Investment Facilitation Form will be forwarded to the Environmental Planning Directorate. The Environmental Planning Directorate will :

• Verify if Section 3 of the Investment Facilitation Form is duly complete and check all attachments.
• Coordinate with the investor to obtain additional information if required.
• Screen the proposed project based on the information and documents submitted and decide whether can receive Environmental Clearance or whether it requires a "Preliminary Environmental Assessment" (PEE) or a comprehensive "Environmental Impact Assessment" (EIA).
• Notify the investor of the decision using either Form "RF 100-A" or "RF101-A".

The above process would normally take 7 working days provided that no additional information was required.

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 Preliminary Environmental Evaluation (PEE)

If the enterprise is assessed as potentially having adverse impact on the environment, but it is not clear that a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment is required, a Preliminary Environmental Evaluation (PEE) may be requested. A PEE will provide more detailed information regarding the proposed project, but will fall short of a comprehensive EIA.

If the project does require a PEE study, the technical staff at the Environmental Planning Directorate will discuss the PEE's Terms of Reference with the investor, and highlight the information required.

The completed PEE report will be reviewed by the Environmental Planning Directorate. Additional information may be requested at this stage. Once the EPD is satisfied that the impacts of the project, taking into account any proposed mitigation measures, are acceptable, a recommendation will be made to the Director of Environmental Planning.

The duration of this process would normally be 7 working days from the date of your submission of the PEE report with all the required information to make decision regarding the project.

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 Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

If the project is assessed as requiring a full EIA study then the investor will be required to engage the services of a consulting company to carry out an EIA study on the project.

The terms of reference and the scope of the study will be set by the Environmental Planning Directorate in conjunction with the consulting company.

As part of the EIA study, a scooping session/meeting should be held with the stockholders and other governmental and non-governmental institutions to identify the potential significant impacts that may result from the project.

The consultants will conduct the EIA study and submit the draft Environmental Impacts Statement EIS. This should present a full description of the project, its location and activities, and discuss the potential significant impacts on the natural resources and environment in the Zone. Proposals to mitigate and minimize any negative impacts on the environment, along with a monitoring plan for such impacts and their mitigation, should also be included.

The consultants will conduct the EIA study and submit the draft Environmental Impacts Statement EIS. This should present a full description of the project, its location and activities, and discuss the potential significant impacts on the natural resources and environment in the Zone. Proposals to mitigate and minimize any negative impacts on the environment, along with a monitoring plan for such impacts and their mitigation, should also be included.

Based on the meeting, comments and recommendations, the draft EIS will be amended if necessary, and resubmitted for final review by the Environmental Planning Directorate, who will then make one of three recommendations.

Environmental Clearance is to be granted, taking into account the proposed mitigation measures. In this case an Environmental Clearance Certificate is issued and it is valid for one year.

Environmental Clearance shall not be granted due either to the severe adverse environmental impacts or the inadequacies of the proposed mitigation measures and management plan.

Further assessment is required. In this case, an independent evaluation of the EIS will be commissioned.

The Commissioner shall issue the final decision, in writing, within 7 working days of receiving the recommendations of the Environmental Planning Directorate.

If Environmental Clearance is to be granted (Form "RF - 108/A"), the EIS, together with the proposed mitigation and monitoring plans shall be considered an integral and binding part of the clearance agreement. Environmental Clearance shall be subject to inspection during construction and pre-operation to ensure compliance with the proposed mitigation measures and monitoring plan.

If the EIS is rejected and Environmental Clearance is denied, an appeal may be made to the Board of Commissioners within 10 working days of the date of announcement of the final decision. The Board may reject the objection or appoint an independent committee of technical experts to make a ruling on the objection. The decision of the Board will be considered final.

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