REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS IN KUWAIT: A STEP TOWARDS MITIGATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS ASSOCIATED WITH MAJOR PROJECTS

Major development projects, within the third review of the Kuwait Master Plan (KMP3), are proposed for the period (2005–2030). These projects include, among other things, the construction of new towns, industrial areas, power plants, highways, hospitals, waterfront projects and sanitary projects. All of these projects are well known to have adverse environmental impacts unless necessary precautions are taken in their planning stages. As per Article 8 of Law 21 of 1995 and its amendments, the proponents of such projects are requested to submit a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) document for review before an environmental permit is given by the Environment Public Authority (EPA) in Kuwait. There is at present inadequate information available to help the proponents in this task, and the aim of this paper, is to provide a set of preliminary guidelines for the review and development of EIS documents for various types of major development projects. Although the examples focus on Kuwait, the principles discussed are generally applicable. The future challenges to enhance the review and development process are also discussed.