Pilot project on EIA post-project analysis in a transboundary context (Belarus - Ukraine)
The specific objective of the pilot project was to establish a good practice in the post-project analysis of projects subject to a transboundary EIA procedure and to improve cross-border dialogue between Belarus and Ukraine in monitoring and mitigating transboundary impacts. Considering the conclusions of the project, it can be concluded that this objective was achieved in the agreed timeframe through the well-organized activities and common understanding of the partners involved during the implementation of the pilot project. The disagreements between the parties were settled through dialogue and justification of arguments. Elaboration of the recommendations on how to address weaknesses and gaps in the national EIA systems, notably related to the post-project analysis, revealed through the project, can be seen as one of the important positive aspects. These recommendations, formulated by the team of international and national consultants, were accepted by the Parties without any essential remarks.
The outputs delivered include:
1. Bilateral working group for conducting monitoring on the “Khotislavskoye” deposit was established. The bilateral working group was an efficient instrument for joint monitoring of environmental impacts of the development project. Extensive monitoring programme for Khotislavskoye quarry was approved and implemented to enable evaluation of ex-post environmental impacts and verification of whether the environmental impacts and mitigation measures were predicted adequately.
2. Exchange of monitoring information between the parties, as well as the public access to it, was facilitated. Establishment of the bilateral working group also provided a possibility to create a system for exchange of information on the monitoring of surface and ground waters. The monitoring results were posted on the websites of the Ministries of Environment of the Republic of Belarus and Ukraine, as well as on the websites of the Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of Ecological Problems, National Joint Stock Company "Nadra Ukraine", Institute of Water Problems and Land Reclamation, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Ukraine.
The Parties agreed to continue exchange of monitoring data from the same sampling area on an annual basis in form of information-analytical notes based on the agreements reached by the countries in 2011. This is a good ground for future EIA procedures in transboundary context between Belarus and Ukraine including post-project analysis.
3. Recommendations for improving transboundary EIA procedure to better predict transboundary impacts and identify mitigation measures were developed.
4. Recommendations for carrying out post-project analysis within EIA procedure were provided.
The project encompassed not only the pilot case study on monitoring results of the activity through a post-project analysis, but also development of the recommendations for post-project analysis considering also the best practices for public participation and access to information, including recommendations for post-project analysis in Belarus and Ukraine. In addition, recommendations were made for the addendum on post-project analysis in projects subject to transboundary EIA procedure to the bilateral agreement between Belarus and Ukraine.
5. Considering the final results from the pilot project, it should be noted that the approach used was appropriate and successful. Therefore the results of the project can be disseminated to all countries in Eastern Europe and, through a subsidiary body to the Meeting of the Parties to the Espoo Convention, to all countries in the UNECE region as a “good practice”.
The specific objective of the pilot project was to establish a good practice in the post-project analysis of projects subject to a transboundary EIA procedure and to improve cross-border dialogue between Belarus and Ukraine in monitoring and mitigating transboundary impacts. Considering the conclusions of the project, it can be concluded that this objective was achieved in the agreed timeframe through the well-organized activities and common understanding of the partners involved during the implementation of the pilot project. The disagreements between the parties were settled through dialogue and justification of arguments. Elaboration of the recommendations on how to address weaknesses and gaps in the national EIA systems, notably related to the post-project analysis, revealed through the project, can be seen as one of the important positive aspects. These recommendations, formulated by the team of international and national consultants, were accepted by the Parties without any essential remarks.
The outputs delivered include:
1. Bilateral working group for conducting monitoring on the “Khotislavskoye” deposit was established. The bilateral working group was an efficient instrument for joint monitoring of environmental impacts of the development project. Extensive monitoring programme for Khotislavskoye quarry was approved and implemented to enable evaluation of ex-post environmental impacts and verification of whether the environmental impacts and mitigation measures were predicted adequately.
2. Exchange of monitoring information between the parties, as well as the public access to it, was facilitated. Establishment of the bilateral working group also provided a possibility to create a system for exchange of information on the monitoring of surface and ground waters. The monitoring results were posted on the websites of the Ministries of Environment of the Republic of Belarus and Ukraine, as well as on the websites of the Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of Ecological Problems, National Joint Stock Company "Nadra Ukraine", Institute of Water Problems and Land Reclamation, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Ukraine.
The Parties agreed to continue exchange of monitoring data from the same sampling area on an annual basis in form of information-analytical notes based on the agreements reached by the countries in 2011. This is a good ground for future EIA procedures in transboundary context between Belarus and Ukraine including post-project analysis.
3. Recommendations for improving transboundary EIA procedure to better predict transboundary impacts and identify mitigation measures were developed.
4. Recommendations for carrying out post-project analysis within EIA procedure were provided.
The project encompassed not only the pilot case study on monitoring results of the activity through a post-project analysis, but also development of the recommendations for post-project analysis considering also the best practices for public participation and access to information, including recommendations for post-project analysis in Belarus and Ukraine. In addition, recommendations were made for the addendum on post-project analysis in projects subject to transboundary EIA procedure to the bilateral agreement between Belarus and Ukraine.
5. Considering the final results from the pilot project, it should be noted that the approach used was appropriate and successful. Therefore the results of the project can be disseminated to all countries in Eastern Europe and, through a subsidiary body to the Meeting of the Parties to the Espoo Convention, to all countries in the UNECE region as a “good practice”.