Source: https://www.elaw.org/print/12772
Timestamp: 2020-08-12 14:58:24
Document Index: 186721720

Matched Legal Cases: ['Art. 3', 'Art. 4', 'Art. 69', 'Art. 5', 'Art. 1', 'Art. 5', 'Art. 4', 'Art. 10', 'Art. 69', 'Art. 68', 'Art. 68', 'Art. 6', 'Art. 8', 'Art. 9']

Organic Law No. 04/2005, Determining Modalities of Protection, Conservation, and Promotion of Environment in Rwanda
Ministerial Order Nos. 003/2008 & 004/2008
Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines, 2006
The EIA Guidelines describe three levels of assessment: IL1 (no assessment needed); IL2 (some assessment needed); IL3 (full EIA required). The IL2 level, "represents projects believed to have adverse, but not irreversible environmental impacts and mitigation and management measures can be readily designed and incorporated into the project. The EIA process for these projects is similar to that of IL3 projects." EIA Guidelines, sec. 2.1.2(b)
The project developer submits a project brief to the Authority. Min. Order No. 003/2008, Art. 3. "The purpose of a Project Brief, prepared as prescribed by the EIA Regulations, is to provide sufficient information on the project to enable the Authority and Lead Agencies establish whether or not the proposed activities are likely to have significant environmental impacts, and also enable to determine the level of EIA required (screening)." EIA Guidelines, sec. 2.1.1.
The EIA regulations contain an annex listing projects that are subject to EIA. See Annex to Min. Order No. 004/2008. Also, "[w]hen it is necessary and evident that the project might have a negative impact on the environment, Rwanda Environment Management Authority shall have the power to request the project's owner to conduct environmental impact assessment even if it is not listed in the annex." Min. Order No. 004/2008, Art. 4
Min. Order No. 003/2008, Arts. 4, 5
"The environment impact assessment shall be carried out at the expense of the promoter." Organic Law No. 04/2005, Art. 69
The expert (contractor) must be approved by the Authority. Min. Order No.003/2008, Art. 5. An expert is defined as "any physical or moral person that is technically competent, fulfils the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment guidelines and is recognized by the Authority to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment or studies in accordance [with regulations.]" Id., Art. 1(5)
The selected experts should have no direct or indirect interests in the project. Min. Order No. 003/2008, Art. 5. Note that the language is phrased as a recommendation ("should") and not a mandatory requirement.
"Within 30 days after receipt of the project brief and after its analysis, the Authority shall submit the terms of reference to the developer for the Environmental impact study. The developer may also prepare the terms of reference provided they are approved by the authority before conducting the study." Order 003/2008, Art. 4
Variable (at least 20 days)
"The Authority shall communicate its decision to the developer in writing." Min. Order 003/2008, Art. 10.
Although the EIA law and regulations do not address whether conditions may be imposed, the EIA Guidelines provide some clarification. Following a record of decision, the Authority will issue an "Implementation and Operations Order (IOO). This legal order specifies compliance terms and conditions to be met during project implementation and operation." EIA Guidelines, sec. 2.1.6.6
The EIA law and regulations do not specify how long a decision is valid.
Financial assurances are not discussed in the EIA law or regulations.
This issue is not addressed in the EIA law or regulations.
The EIS must contain "a brief description of the project and its variants[.]" Organic Law No. 04/2005, Art. 69. According to the EIA Guidelines: "During EIA studies, the EIA experts shall undertake an analysis of alternatives with the view of finding feasible ways to prevent or minimize negative impacts while maintaining project objectives." EIA Guidelines, 2.1.4(iii)(b)
Although the EIA law and regulations do not mention this issue, the EIA Guidelines recommend the following: "The 'No project' option which implies that the project may not be implemented, should also be analysed." EIA Guidelines, sec. 2.1.4(b)
The EIS must indicate "measures envisaged to reduce, prevent or compensate for the damage . . . ." Organic Law No. 004/2005, Art. 68. See also EIA Guidelines, sec. 2.1.4
The EIS must provide "an explanation of the methods that will be used in monitoring and evaluating the state of the environment before, during the activities of the project, in using the installation but particularly after completion of the project." Organic Law No. 004/2005, Art. 68. See also EIA Guidelines, sec. 2.1.4
Although the EIA law and regulations do not specifically instruct the Authority or project proponent to notify the public about opportunities to review the environmental impact study, the EIA Guidelines state that the Authority must publish a notice "prior to the public hearing." EIA Guidelines, sec. 6.2(d).
Availability of and access to the environmental impact study is left to the discretion of the Authority. According to the EIA Guidelines: "After submitting an EIA report to the Authority, it shall be a public document and any person can access it, except for that information which a developer asked to be maintained confidential. REMA shall publicize the report (excluding the confidential portions) to the public together with locations where it would be available for public viewing. REMA shall also make copies of the EIR for relevant stakeholders." EIA Guidelines, sec. 6.2(c)
The EIA law and regulations do not require supporting studies or data to be made available to the public; however, it probably could be accessed through an access to information request. See Law No. 04/2013 Relating to Access to Information
There are no provisions in the EIA law or regulations requiring the Authority or project developer to notify the public when a decision has been made.
The EIA Regulations state the "environmental impact study shall be done with due consideration of the opinion of all the relevant stakeholders." Min. Order 003/2008, Art. 6. This suggests that there must be some public input before the study is complete
Although public opinions may be gathered during scoping, the EIA law and regulations do not allow for members of the public to review the terms of reference before it is provided to the developer.
The EIA Regulations suggest that a public hearing is discretionary. "If it becomes necessary to hold public hearing [the Authority may extend the time for its review of the environmental impact study report.]" Min. Order No. 003/2008, Art. 8. However, the EIA Guidelines state that a public hearing report must accompany an EIA before it can be reviewed by the Authority EIA Guidelines, sec. 2.1.5
"[S]takeholders may comment on the environmental impact report and express views on the impact of the proposed development." Min. Order 003/2008, Art. 9
The EIA law and regulations do not require decisionmakers to respond to or consider public comments provided during the EIA process.
There are no provisions in the EIA law or regulations, but the EIA Guidelines state: "Situations may occur where special provisions need to be made in order to get input from disadvantaged or minority groups." EIA Guidelines, sec. 6.7.4
The EIA law and regulations allow only the project proponent to appeal a decision made by the Authority.
There are no provisions in the EIA law or regulations, but the EIA Guidelines describe a monitoring process to be undertaken by the Authroity and the project developer. EIA Guidelines, sec. 2.1.6.9
Source URL: https://elaw.org/eialaw/rwanda
[1] https://elaw.org/countries-and-regions/rwanda
[2] https://www.elaw.org/rwanda-environmental-impact-assessment-law-and-regulations