Detector Media: Ecologists’ activists opposed the Government Bill that violates the environmental rights of Ukrainians

Source: Detector Media

“We see a dangerous trend when, often covering up with the war, the authorities are increasingly trying to take control of the public and take part in decision -making. The authorities today declare a course in integration with European legislation. But those laws and decisions made today are contrary to the declared European course, “-says the head of the NGO” Danube-Carpathian Program “Bogdan Prots.

According to him, the Government Bill on Amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Environmental Impact Assessment”, except for a few quite appropriate innovations, significantly narrows the opportunities for the public to participate in the process of making management decisions on environmental issues.

In particular, the bill proposes:

• reduce the term of public discussion of the planned activity report from 20 to 12 working days while the generally recognized international standard is at least 30 days;
• change ways of informing the public in the procedure of environmental impact assessment, in particular by canceling the requirement of publication of the message and announcement in print media;
• change the way of access to environmental impact reports, providing it only if the public request is available;
• do not hold public hearings if fewer persons registered for participation.

Representatives of the environmental movement appealed to the Government, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, as well as to the People’s Deputies of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy, demanding to review proposals that are contrary to European integration. Instead, they stand for the public to participate in management decisions on environmental issues.