Optimised Mardie Project, page-2

Five facets to this stage, hopefully the information request delay will shorten this process:

1. Scoping the proponent environmental review

When additional assessment information is required, an Environmental Scoping Document is prepared by either the EPA or the proponent which defines the proposal specific requirements of the proponent's environmental review. The Environmental Scoping Document includes the preliminary key environmental factors that the proponent needs to address and the required work (including studies and investigations) that the proponent needs to carry out.

2. Preparation of additional assessment information

The EPA may require a proponent to undertake an environmental review and provide a report on the environmental review to the EPA. The EPA refers to this report as the Environmental Review Document.

The EPA may require that the proponent produce Environmental Management Plans to demonstrate how proposed management measures will reduce environmental impacts to an acceptable level.

The EPA may also require any person to provide it with information, including requests for advice from relevant decision making authorities and other government agencies.

3. Public review

The EPA may require the proponent to make the Environmental Review Document and any other information or report available for public review.

The EPA may also require the proponent to respond to any submissions received during the public comment period.

4. Preparation of EPA draft assessment report

Once the EPA has adequate assessment information it will assess the proposal, based on information including:

• referral information,
• additional assessment information, including an Environmental Review Document,
• submissions (if information is made available for public review) and the proponent’s response to any submissions, if required
• additional assessment information obtained during the assessment, including the EPA’s own investigations and inquiries.

The EPA will also:

• consider whether Environmental Management Plans provided during the assessment are adequate;
• consider whether conditions are necessary and if so, develop draft conditions; and
• prepare a draft assessment report.

5. Completion of the EPA assessment

The EPA completes its assessment when the EPA considers the draft assessment report and any conditions and:

• agrees on the key environmental factors identified in the course of the assessment
• agrees to recommend whether or not the proposal may be implemented
• agrees to adopt the draft assessment report as the basis for the EPA’s final assessment report
• resolves that the EPA prepare and approve the final assessment report and give that report to the Minister