As a matter of fact, we see similar provisions in some other laws. For example,
Clause 6 of Article 5 of the “Public Procurement Law” No. 4734 (OG 22 January
2002, No. 24648), identifies the EIA Approved certificate as a prerequisite for
putting out for tender any project which, in accordance with the associated legislation, needs an EIA Report. However, an EIA Report will not be required for
construction works to be given out by contract after natural disasters. Apart from
the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, what are the responsibilities of
public institutions and organizations during the EIA process? The Ministry is
responsible for the establishment of a Review and Evaluation Committee within its
organization, comprising authorized representatives of the Ministry as well as the
representatives of associated public institutions and the project owner. This committee is established with the purpose of determining the special format to be given
for the project and the criteria of assessment, and reviewing and evaluating the EIA
Report prepared in line with these principles. If deemed necessary, depending on
the subject and type of the project and its planned location, representatives of
universities, institutes, research institutions, trade associations, unions, confederations and non-governmental organizations can also be invited to the meetings of the
committee. During the EIA process, in addition to the Ministry of Environment and
Urbanization, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, the Ministry of
Energy and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Culture and
Tourism, the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication, and the
Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology play a crucial role (Republic of
Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forestry, 2009a: 30). These institutions
should take into consideration the area coordinates of projects when evaluating the
permits, approvals and/or licences for projects with an “EIA Approved”/“EIA Not
Required” decision (Republic of Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forestry,
2009b: 39). It is essential to receive complete and clear explanations of the views of
member institutions and organizations of the Review and Evaluation Committee
and to clarify whether it is plausible to undertake the proposed project in line with
the legislation of the associated administrative entity; and if so, to identify the
precautions and commitments that need to be taken.
4.5.5 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Authority
While the Environmental Impact Assessment is carried out at project level, it is
insufficient to influence the decisions taken at strategic level in the previous stages.
The consideration of alternatives to a planned activity may be at the level of the
location of the project and the quality of the technology alternatives. Within the
framework of this requirement, the importance of applying environmental assessment to programmes and plans also arises.
According to OECD SEA Guidance, “SEA refers to a range of ‘analytical and
participatory approaches that aim to integrate environmental considerations into
policies, plans and programmes and evaluate the inter-linkages with economic and
4 Environmental Administration in Turkey
73
Clause 6 of Article 5 of the “Public Procurement Law” No. 4734 (OG 22 January
2002, No. 24648), identifies the EIA Approved certificate as a prerequisite for
putting out for tender any project which, in accordance with the associated legislation, needs an EIA Report. However, an EIA Report will not be required for
construction works to be given out by contract after natural disasters. Apart from
the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, what are the responsibilities of
public institutions and organizations during the EIA process? The Ministry is
responsible for the establishment of a Review and Evaluation Committee within its
organization, comprising authorized representatives of the Ministry as well as the
representatives of associated public institutions and the project owner. This committee is established with the purpose of determining the special format to be given
for the project and the criteria of assessment, and reviewing and evaluating the EIA
Report prepared in line with these principles. If deemed necessary, depending on
the subject and type of the project and its planned location, representatives of
universities, institutes, research institutions, trade associations, unions, confederations and non-governmental organizations can also be invited to the meetings of the
committee. During the EIA process, in addition to the Ministry of Environment and
Urbanization, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, the Ministry of
Energy and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Culture and
Tourism, the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication, and the
Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology play a crucial role (Republic of
Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forestry, 2009a: 30). These institutions
should take into consideration the area coordinates of projects when evaluating the
permits, approvals and/or licences for projects with an “EIA Approved”/“EIA Not
Required” decision (Republic of Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forestry,
2009b: 39). It is essential to receive complete and clear explanations of the views of
member institutions and organizations of the Review and Evaluation Committee
and to clarify whether it is plausible to undertake the proposed project in line with
the legislation of the associated administrative entity; and if so, to identify the
precautions and commitments that need to be taken.
4.5.5 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Authority
While the Environmental Impact Assessment is carried out at project level, it is
insufficient to influence the decisions taken at strategic level in the previous stages.
The consideration of alternatives to a planned activity may be at the level of the
location of the project and the quality of the technology alternatives. Within the
framework of this requirement, the importance of applying environmental assessment to programmes and plans also arises.
According to OECD SEA Guidance, “SEA refers to a range of ‘analytical and
participatory approaches that aim to integrate environmental considerations into
policies, plans and programmes and evaluate the inter-linkages with economic and
4 Environmental Administration in Turkey
73