The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has once again announced that an impact assessment will not be required for Non Destructive Testers Limited (Guyana) Inc. to operate and store Industrial X-Ray and Gamma Ray Equipment at Coverden, East Bank Demerara.
NDTL, a Trinidadian-based company, has partnered with the National Hardware to undertake the venture. In June, 2021, the EPA made its first announcement that the proposed operation would not require an impact assessment. Instead NDTL would’ve had to prepare an Environmental Management Plan (EMP). But Cover-den residents appealed against the agency’s decision and public hearings were held by the Environmental Authorisation Board (EAB) to listen to concerns of the people and determine whether the EPA erred in its decision to forgo an impact assessment.
However, the results of those hearings are yet to be made known publicly or privately to the appellants. Coverden appellants were shocked to learn that the EPA made an announcement that reflected that of the first one as they were still awaiting the decision of the EAB.
“We heard from the grapevine that they [EAB] rejected the NDTL proposal. However, we are yet to be informed,” said Penelope Howell when asked if she as an appellant was informed of any decisions made by the EAB since the hearings last year.
In a comment yesterday to Stabroek News, Khemraj Parsram, the Executive Director of the EPA, explained that NDTL had withdrawn their previous application and submitted a new one, which the agency screened. It was based on the new application that the agency determined that an impact assessment will not be needed but an EMP will be requested and appropriate safeguards put in place if an environmental permit is issued.
The issuance of the permit is subject to a 30-day period during which objections or appeals may be made against the EPA’s decision. Members of the public who may be impacted by the project can submit appeals to the EAB during the 30-day period which started on February 20th, according to Parsram.
If no objections are raised during that period then a permit will be issued.
The source storage facility will be located at 1-2 Coverden, East Bank Demerara. In its environmental screening report, the agency said that the primary risk of the project is radiation exposure. Those at risk include radiation workers, and other employees working nearby.
“Radiation exposure is not significant since adequate mitigation measures will be implemented to protect employees and the public. These mitigation measures were clearly documented in the Radiation Safety Manual that was submitted along with the application and Project Summary as required by the EPA,” the document assured, while noting that NDTL will have an emergency response plan, a traffic management plan and a Radiation Safety Officer.
It was also determined that environmental impacts will not be significant as there are no direct discharge or releases to air, soil or water from the operation while no risk to flora or fauna is foreseen. In addition, the report states that while the Demerara River is approximately 0.32 kilometers away from the source storage facility, the operation will not release any effluent in this waterway.
“The potential impact of radiation exposure was thoroughly assessed and the proposed safety and security risk and measures along with monitoring and emergency response procedures were deemed adequate and in keeping with international standards and best practices,” said the report.
The full report and project summary can be accessed on the EPA’s website.
