North Chungcheong Province deliberates on an ordinance expanding the scope of environmental impact assessment… Scheduled to be implemented next year

Expanding the scope of business subject to related laws... If passed by the National Assembly, it will take effect next year.

(Cheongju = Yonhap News) Reporter Jeon Chang-hae = The Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Council is seeking to strengthen regulations by mandating prior environmental impact assessments on some environmental facilities to protect the health rights of residents.

According to the Chungbuk Provincial Council on the 9th, the 'Chungbuk Provincial Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance' proposed by Representative Kim Jong-pil will be deliberated at the 437th regular meeting held from this day to the 22nd.

The purpose of this ordinance is to conduct a preliminary environmental impact assessment on waste landfill facilities, incineration facilities, livestock waste treatment facilities, and food waste treatment facilities, and to prepare appropriate measures to reduce environmental pollution accordingly.

In particular, the key point is to strengthen regulations by broadening the scope of target projects beyond the Environmental Impact Assessment Act.

The Environmental Impact Assessment Act stipulates that an environmental impact assessment must be conducted for waste landfill facilities when the built-up area is more than 300,000 m2 or landfill volume is more than 3.3 million m2, and for designated waste landfill facilities when the built-up area is more than 50,000 m2 or landfill volume is more than 250,000 m2.

Additionally, waste incineration facilities, livestock waste treatment facilities, and food waste treatment facilities are eligible if their processing capacity is more than 100 tons per day.

However, there is an exception clause that states that even if a project is not subject to the law, it can be regulated through ordinance if the metropolitan government determines that it is necessary to conduct an environmental impact assessment in consideration of regional characteristics, etc.

The ordinance that the North Chungcheong Provincial Council is planning to enact has expanded the scope of environmental impact assessments to include projects exceeding 50% and less than 100% of the statutory scale in accordance with this provision.

When this ordinance goes into effect, the business operator must conduct an environmental impact assessment through a professional organization.

The environmental impact assessment report submitted in this way will be closely scrutinized by the ‘Chungbuk Province Environmental Impact Assessment Deliberation Committee’ to determine whether the environmental impact has been properly predicted and assessed and whether appropriate reduction measures are in place.

The ordinance also contains provisions for imposing a fine of up to 10 million won if an environmental impact assessment is not conducted or if construction is carried out before the end of the change consultation process even if an assessment report has been submitted.

Rep. Kim said, "The environmental impact assessment ordinance aims to supplement local-level projects that have a significant impact on residents' lives while maintaining the purpose of environmental conservation. We will promote the development of eco-friendly and sustainable environmental facilities and strive to create a comfortable living environment for residents."

If passed by the Provincial Council, this ordinance will take effect on January 1 of next year.