Golf course impact assessment starts

The first draft Environment Impact Statement (EIS) on the controversial 18-hole golf course proposed for Ix-Xaghra l-Hamra and il-Qortin in the limits of Ghajn Tuffieha should be completed by January, according to Adi Associates, the firm commissioned to draw up the report.

Speaking to The Times, Adi Associates director Adrian Mallia said an additional report for orchids would need to be drawn up between next February and April, which is the flowering season.

The 27-page draft terms of reference was forwarded to the applicant, the Malta Tourism Authority, by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority on July 8. It states that the ecological study should include, among other things, a detailed survey on the species of orchids in the area, where two rare endemic species - Anacamptis urvilleana and Ophrys melitensis - are found.

Four ecological surveys will be undertaken and the relative reports will be annexed to the final statement.

"A second draft would be needed if Mepa, government departments, local councils and non-governmental organisations who will receive a copy of the EIS draft request additional information," Mr Mallia said.

The target dates for the completion of the reports, followed by a period of consultation required by Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) legislation, could enable Mepa to take a decision by May, working backwards from the government's declared intent to adjudicate the project and award it to a developer by the end of next year.

Mr Mallia explained that since the EIA entailed gathering data over both the dry and the wet seasons, a number of baseline studies, such as the ecological survey and agriculture studies were already being carried out.

"A report on the sand dunes on the beach, which is in the proximity of the proposed development, has to be compiled in summer," Mr Mallia said, adding that the dry season reports should be ready by the end of next month. Golf courses are classified as Category I developments, which means that a full EIA has to be carried out.

Other baseline studies on water, cultural heritage, noise, air, traffic, geology, landscape and the social and economic impact are being carried out to compile the information on which the impact assessment report would be based.

A number of consultants have been commissioned directly by the Malta Tourism Authority, the official applicant on behalf of the government. Adi Associates will coordinate the EIA, Mr Mallia said.

Adi Associates have drawn up the Project Description Statement (PDS) for the MTA, and the latter forwarded it to Mepa on August 3.

Once accepted by Mepa, a PDS is usually downloadable from the Mepa website. The PDS on the golf course, however, has not been made public yet.

No planning application is to be found on the website either. In fact, there is no planning application on the golf course at Mepa as yet.

"An EIA is, by its own nature, a public process. An EIA is not an EIA unless the public is involved in the entire process. The EIS does not recommend a decision, because that is Mepa's responsibility," Mr Mallia said. He emphasised that EIA consultants acted independently even though they were commissioned by the developer.

"An EIS is drawn up so that whoever will approve or refuse a development will take an informed decision. An EIA is an interactive process that seeks to identify negative and positive impacts of the proposed development," Mr Mallia said.

Confirming that the EIA for the Ghajn Tuffieha golf course has started, Mepa public relations officer Peter Gingell said the developer had submitted a Project Description Statement and Mepa was "currently reviewing that document."

The Times asked Mepa for the terms of reference of the EIA. Mr Gingell said the authority had provided the applicant with the draft terms.

"The terms of reference will be finalised following consultation with stakeholders," Mr Gingell said.

On whether Mepa had given deadlines for the EIS to be submitted, Mr Gingell said the authority "does not give deadlines for the completion of the EIA".

The draft terms of reference specifying the timing of the reports are to be proposed by consultants and approved by Mepa.

Asked when the EIA would go public for nationwide consultation, the Mepa PRO said: "In reviewing the EIS, Mepa consults local councils, other regulators and non-governmental organisations. Once the EIS is certified, the report will be broadcast for public consultation".