Residents can now air their concerns at public hearings concerning
proposed construction projects or the establishment of businesses that may
impact the environment or quality of life in their communities.
The provisional regulations which ordered the public hearings on
environment-related administrative approvals, enacted by the State Environmental
Protection Administration (SEPA), took effect on July 1.
According to regulations, public hearings will be held on small projects
which might cause unpleasant smells, noises, residues or other forms of
pollution that affect the living environment of local residents.
Medium and large-sized projects which may have great impact on the
environment will also be under the spotlight of public hearings.
In addition, public hearings will be held on development programmes in
sectors including industry, agriculture, forestry, energy and tourism, which
possibly have side effects to the environment and are directly linked to public
interests.
Zhao, a source with the administration's law and regulation department, said
the regulations were enacted because people have been increasingly concerned
about construction projects that impact their living space.
Environmental authorities will be required to review results the opinions and
concerns expressed during the hearings and consider this feedback in their
decision making, he said."No matter if the authorities heed the opinions
expressed or not, the authorities have to give public explanations for their
actions," he said.
Any environmental authorities which do not schedule or advertise hearings and
thus make them useless will be subject to punishment, he added.
Zhao said before the regulation was approved, there were no detailed
requirements for providing public hearings on environment-related administrative
approvals.
Xia Guang, director of the administration's Policy Research Centre, said the
regulations are the first which specifically address public hearings on
environment-related administrative approvals.
"The regulations will strengthen public participation in decision making
regarding environmental issues," Xia said.
Vice-Minister of the administration Pan Yue said the general public should be
given more opportunities to take part in the policy making process.
He urged environmental authorities to regulate administrative approvals and
protect the interests of all citizens, businesses or "legal persons," and other
organizations.
In addition to enacting the regulations, the administration will take more
measures to improve its work, Pan said.
An environmental policy system that is based on the participation of the
public, experts and environmental authorities will be set up so that the policy
making process is improved, Pan said.
During the drafting of environmental laws, the opinions of legal experts,
grass root environmental group members and members of the general public are
solicited.
Environmental regulations will be examined regularly and amended or abolished
accordingly, Pan said.
