Background

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The Department of Environment (DoE) has conditionally approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on 7 November 2017. The conditional approval has 59 conditions for compliance by Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd.

 

Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd shall comply with the DoE related guidelines with regards to preparation of an environmental plan management before construction, control on erosion, slope stability, ensuring water and air quality, noise and vibration levels control. Other mitigation measures include controlled blasting, waste disposal management, periodical environmental auditing and other administrative issues. Other than the EIA Report, Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd would also have to obtain approvals from various technical agencies overseeing the project before commencing work.

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In compliance to the above requirements and conditions, an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) shall be prepared for submission to DoE. An independent environmental consultant appointed by the Penang State Government shall undertake to prepare the EMP.

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What is an EMP?

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The EMP translates the pollution prevention and mitigation measures recommended in EIA report and the 59 approval conditions into action. The EMP document shall state in explicit terms what actions will be taken, what measures will be instituted, what structures to be built, what will be installed, when the actions will be executed, etc. It is a concrete plan of action which is explicit, illustrative, action-oriented, time-bound and definitive.

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EIA Legal Requirement

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The EIA report was prepared by an independent environmental consultant based on the following legal requirements:-

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1. EIA Report fulfilled the requirements as prescribed in Section 34A(2), Environmental Quality Act 1974 and its governing guidelines.

2. EIA study were conducted by a team of qualified persons who are registered with DoE. 

3. Data and relevant information for the study were derived from published reports, actual field surveys and measurements.

4. The sampling and analyses were performed by a recognised laboratory.

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Compliance Requirement

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The due process of compliance in ensuring environmental quality has mandatory checkpoints and requirements which are listed as follows:-

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1. The submission of EIA report (Schedule 2) to DoE.

2. Assessment of the EIA report by the EIA Technical Review Committee of the DoE.

3. Conditional approval of the EIA report by DoE.

4. Approval of the Detailed Design by Land Office, Jabatan Perancang Bandar dan Desa and various State Agencies and utilities companies (e.g. JKR, JPS, TNB, MOH, etc.).

5. Submission and approval for EMP and Erosion Sedimentation Control Plan (ESCP).

6. Commencement of construction only upon DoE approval of EMP and ESCP.

7. Competent Environmental Officer(s) presence on-site to ensure regulatory compliance during construction.

8. Third party periodic audits.