GU-195-EnvironmentAssessmentGuideline-PDO.docVIP

 Contents 1.0 Introduction 1 1.1 Background 1 1.1.1. Regulatory Requirements 1 1.2 Purpose 1 1.3 Scope 2 1.4 Distribution and Target Audience 2 1.5 Document Review 2 2.0 Environmental Assessment Guideline 3 2.1 Description of Environmental Assessments 3 2.1.1 Introduction to Environmental Assessment 3 2.1.2 Core Elements of Environmental Assessment 3 2.2 PDO’s Environmental Assessment Process 4 2.2.1 General 4 2.2.2 New Projects 5 2.2.3 Scoping the Environmental Assessment 9 2.2.4 Management and Organisation of the Environmental Assessment 9 2.2.5 Consultation 11 2.2.6 Characterising the Baseline Conditions of the Receiving Environment 11 2.2.7 Identifying Environmental Hazards 13 2.2.8 Identifying Environmental Effects 14 2.2.9 Assessing Environmental Effects 14 2.2.10 Evaluating Controls 15 2.2.11 Recording the Process and the Result 16 2.3 Related Standards 18 Appendix A: Regulatory Requirements 19 Appendix B: Example of Register of Environmentally Significant Activities and Effects 22 Appendix C: Notes on Environmental Sensitivities in PDOs Concession Area and Other Areas of Operation 23 Appendix D: Table of Activities with Potential Environmental Hazards 27 Appendix E: Table of Environmental Hazards and Possible Effects 29 Appendix F: Hazards and Effects Assessment Worksheet 30 Appendix G: Example Table of Contents for an Environmental Assessment Report 31 Appendix H: Glossary of Terms, Definitions Abbreviations 32 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background PDO has both external and internal requirements to conduct environmental assessments of its operations. Omani legislation requires that, in order to obtain an environmental permit or No Environmental Objection (NEO) letter, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be submitted for all new project developments, or major upgrades of existing facilities, that have the potential to cause pollution. The EIS is to be submitted to the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources (MRMEW