Section 14: The Environment Coordination Committee

14. The Environment Coordination Committee (1) There shall be for the purposes of this Act an Environment Coordination Committee which shall consist of— (a) the Permanent Secretary, as Chairperson; (b) the Director, as Vice-Chairperson; (c) the Permanent Secretaries, or the executive directors, of the enforcing agencies, or a designated officer of a rank immediately below them; (d) such other public officers, or officers of statutory bodies, as may be designated by the Minister. (2) The Committee shall— (a) ensure the maximum co-operation and coordination among enforcing agencies and other public departments dealing with environment protection; (b) develop such policies and administrative measures as are necessary to ensure prompt and effective consultation on matters relating to environment protection and management; (c) ensure that information is shared among the enforcing agencies, the Department and other public departments so as to develop a better understanding of environmental issues and of problems relating to enforcement of environmental laws; (d) advise the Minister and, when requested, the Commission, on matters relating to environmental standards, guidelines, codes of E12 – 13 [Issue 2] Environment Protection Act practice and other control measures for the purpose of avoiding duplication of functions among public departments and of ensuring proper enforcement of environmental laws; and (e) ensure compliance with, implementation and enforcement of, any direction given by the Minister in relation to the coordination in the administration and enforcement of an environmental law among the various enforcing agencies. (3) The Committee may— (a) make recommendations to the Minister on any matter relating to the protection and management of the environment, including national environmental standards, the processing of applications for EIA licences, the review of EIAs, spills and environmental emergencies, enforcement procedures and policies; (b) propose to the Minister amendment of the Fourth Schedule; (c) adopt any memorandum of understanding on the use of facilities under the control of any public department; (d) provide sound guidelines on sampling, monitoring and laboratory analyses under an environmental law. (4) The Committee shall— (a) regulate its meetings and proceedings as it thinks fit; (b) meet as often as it is necessary at the request of its Chairperson, but in any case at least once every month. (5) For the purpose of discharging its functions under this Act, the Committee may— (a) establish sub-committees; (b) delegate any of its functions and powers to its Chairperson, the Director or any sub-committee. (6) Half of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. [S. 14 amended by s. 33 (1) of Act 6 of 2008 w.e.f. 15 July 2008.] PART IV – ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT