The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it has screened the application for an environmental permit for the proposed China Road and Bridge Corporation Mobile Cement Concrete Batching and Asphalt Mixing Plant.
An ad, placed in the Guyana Chronicle, stated that after a thorough review, the EPA has determined that the project will not significantly affect the environment and is therefore exempt from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
The EPA cited several reasons for its decision, including the project’s necessity to support the improvement works of the East Bank Demerara Road. The project is located along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, between Madewini and Kuru Kururu.
Additionally, the agency noted that the plant’s emissions and particulate matter will be moderate, short-term, and mitigable through measures such as water sprays, dust suppressants, and temporary covers on exposed soil and construction materials.
The EPA also emphasized that the plant’s equipment is designed to capture and collect dust and particulate matter, which will be periodically removed and reused in the process. Additionally, while there may be temporary impacts on air quality, the predicted concentrations of key pollutants will be within World Health Organization’s stipulated limits. The EPA ad also addressed concerns about noise and vibration, stating that these will primarily come from vehicle movement and machinery, which are not expected to exceed 100 decibels and are localized. The agency added that measures such as free-floating screen designs will limit vibration.
Furthermore, the EPA noted that there are potential risks of impacts from hydrocarbon-based product spills, sedimentation, and greywater from kitchen and washroom facilities. However, treatment of stormwater will comply with standards set by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards and Environmental Water Quality Regulations 2000. Fuel and bitumen will be stored in tanks situated within an impervious area to capture and contain any spilled or leaked materials.
“Hazardous waste will be disposed of in accordance with the Hazardous Waste Management Regulations 2000. The agency also noted that efficient equipment and technology will be employed to reduce material wastage in the batching process,” the advert said.
As is the norm with EPA screenings, the decision is subject to appeal by anyone who may be affected by the proposed project. These appeals must be lodged within 30 days of the publication of this notice with the Environmental Assessment Board at eabguyana21@gmail.com or www.epaguyana.org.
The project summary will soon be available on the EPA’s website for public review.
