the ongoing construction projects at La Pointe Koenig at Les Salines, Rivière Noire, he will, for the benefi…
(No. A/44) Dr. Ms B. Thannoo (Second Member for Quartier Militaire & Moka) asked the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change whether, in regard to the ongoing construction projects at La Pointe Koenig at Les Salines, Rivière Noire, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain information as to whether same stand on Pas Géométriques and whether Environment Impact Assessment Licences have been granted in respect thereof and, if not, indicate the remedial measures being envisaged in relation thereto.
Reply: Since 2006 to date, the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change has issued thirteen Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Licences in the region of Les Salines, Rivière Noire. The Ministry of Housing and Lands has informed that, out of the thirteen EIA Licences issued, ten projects stand on Pas Geometriques – State Land while two projects stand on private land and one project is situated partly on both Pas Geometriques and Private lands. Furthermore, the Ministry of Housing and Lands has informed that two additional projects stand on Pas Geometriques – State Land, out of which one has been completed and the other one is ongoing. These two projects are not subject to EIA Licences. To date, out of the thirteen Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Licences issued for projects, only one project has been completed, three projects are under implementation and three projects have not yet started. It is to be highlighted that five of the projects will not be implemented and that the EIA Licence issued in respect of one project has been revoked. With regard to projects subject to EIA Licences, joint monitoring, in collaboration with the relevant authorities, is being ensured during both the construction and operation phases. Moreover, as regards the two projects which are not subject to EIA Licences, the District Council of Black River is ensuring that the proponents are in compliance with the conditions imposed in their respective Building and Land Use Permits.