Len Jamandores & Mickey EvaPlan 289 SURP | University of the Philippines

environmental impact assessment

singapore

environmental

policies

eia process

case study

comparison

discussion

and conlusion

Ministry of the Environment and Water

Resources (MEWR) is the governing agency

(formerly ENV)

There are no existing laws that provide for

EIA to be mandatory or set standards and

frameworks for EIA

EIA is an ad hoc process of the MEWR

EIA is embodied in urban planning and

pollution control legislation which is

implemented by MEWR and other agencies

Environmental Policy

EIAs are only done for “projects of concern”

EIA is imbedded in policies which gives the

MOEWR power to impose EIA on a project

Clean Air Act of 1971

Water Pollution Control and Drainage Act of 1975

Environmental Pollution Control Act (EPCA) of 1999

(revised in 2000)

EIA is also under the Land Planning Process,

controlled by the Master Plan Committee

Implementation of EIA

Implementation of EIA (MOEWR)

Pollution Control Department

INITIAL ASSESSMENT

Gov’t agency, affiliate or private developer

PROJECT PROPOSAL

Decision: Necessary Action

No EIA

needed

EIA to be

conducted by the

Department

EIA to be

conducted by a

private consulting

firm

Implementation of EIA (Master Plan Committee)

50+ local areas

“DEVELOPMENT GUIDE PLANS” (DGPs)

Whole of Singapore

“CONCEPT PLAN”

Basic environmental concerns

Identify dev’t

constraints

and major

land uses

i.e. airport,

hazardous industries

Project land

needs

i.e. refuse

facilities

Identify areas

for major

utility

installations

& infra needs

i.e. gasworks,

explosive storage

Identify possible

areas for nature

conservation

Continued

protection of

water catchment

areas

items related to hazardous waste (Part VII

Hazardous Substances Control)

establishing of industrial plants (Part IX Licenses

and Industrial Plant Works)

e.g. plants for petrochemical works, gasworks,

refuse-incineration plants, chemicals storage

These projects follow the general format for EIAs.

implementation of EIA (Master Plan Committee)

Activity: Reclamation near Northern Islands

The EIA report was not a public document and

acquiring copies of the report is not permitted

according to Wildshores of Singapore (an NGO).

The project has initially been criticized in 2007

for lack of public consultation.

Some 200 corals were relocated as a result of

the project.

Case Study 1: Environmental Impact Assessment of

the Sentosa Island Integrated Resort Development 2007

Activity: Construction and operation of

Resorts World Sentosa

A 49ha. complex of the world’s largest Oceanarium,

Asia’s largest theme park, 6 world class 5-star

hotels & other entertainment facilities

Project operation starts in 2010

EIA also covers various aspects, but no

standard framework is followed

Case Study 2: Environmental Impact Assessment of

Integrated Resort in Sentosa Island

Coverage of scoping:

Physical (climate, soil, geology, topography)

Ecological (marine, terrestrial, flora & fauna / rare

or endangered species, protected areas)

Economic (industries, tourism, infrastructure,

utilities)

Socio-cultural

Antici

Case Study 2: Environmental Impact Assessment of

Integrated Resort in Sentosa Island

Coverage of impact analysis:

Vegetation and terrestrial habitat (construction &

operation) including special species, habit

destruction and removal of air-shed

Marine water quality, reefs and coastal process

(soil erosion & sedimentation, dredging, toxic

substances, habitat of corals, sea grasses & other

species, habitat destruction, rare & endangered

species, and improper waste disposal

Case Study 2: Environmental Impact Assessment of

Integrated Resort in Sentosa Island

Coverage of impact analysis:

Air Quality (traffic of vehicles, piling of excavated

soil, loosen soil due to deforestation)

Noise (traffic of vehicles, heavy equipment

operations esp. dredging & piling)

Hazard Vulnerability (accidents in transport of

materials, fire, etc.)

Waste Generation (solid waste from construction

and residences; littering; water pollution)

Energy & Water Consumption

Case Study 2: Environmental Impact Assessment of

Integrated Resort in Sentosa Island

Coverage of impact analysis:

Socio-economic (positive and negative: business,

labor, supplies, increase in gambling and other

undesirable activities – crime, loans & money

laundering)

Biodiversity (deforestation, flora & fauna)

Soil erosion

Water Pollution

Case Study 2: Environmental Impact Assessment of

Integrated Resort in Sentosa Island

Reporting, Review, Decision-making, and

Follow-up

Case Study 2: Environmental Impact Assessment of

Integrated Resort in Sentosa Island

Basic Stage

in EIASingapore EIA Specifications

Screening All projects are screened but EIA requirement is subject

to the discretion of the MOEWR or the MCP. Scoping

Impact Analysis Impact is also assessed based on the stress it poses to

land availability, utilities and waste generation. It does

cover various aspects, including means of mitigation and

seeking of alternatives

Mitigation

ReportingThe report is submitted to either the MOEWR or MCP

who has the authority to approve or reject the project.

Based on the DGP and CP of the area, these projects are

implemented.

Review

Decision

Making

Follow-up In place. (Stringent control measures are observed.)

Comparison: EIA Process Stages

Comparison & Discussion

Comparison & Discussion

No clear policy set on the conduct of EIA in Singapore

Although in practice, once an EIA is conducted, it follows international standards

The EIA is comprehensive, it presents alternatives and mitigation measures

The strength of EIA in Singapore is the monitoring and evaluation

Recommendation: sustain the good performance of EIAs but institutionalize EIA framework and standards through legislation to ensure checks & balances, and participatory & transparent processes

Summary & Conclusion

http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTEAPREGTOPENVIRONMENT/Resources/EIA&SEA-regional-review.pdf

http://www.aecen.org/sites/default/files/singapore_eia_casestudy_prelimassessmentenvilawinsg_1997.pdf

http://www.slideshare.net/micamonkey/environmental-impact-assessment-of-sentosa-integrated-resort

http://www.aecen.org/sites/default/files/singapore_eia_casestudy_coastalandngorole.pdf

http://www.wildsingapore.com/news/20070708/070815-0.htm

http://www.wildsingapore.com/news/20070708/070707-2.htm

fin.

Thank you.

-Len Jamadrones

-Mickey Eva

References