The National Environment Board yesterday agreed with an Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning's (Onep) proposal for local groups of experts to undertake environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies of special economic zone projects.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment permanent secretary Kasemsun Chinnavaso yesterday said the use of local expertise will speed up the process for industrial and infrastructure projects planned in seven provinces housing special economic zones.
He said the plan will help reduce the number of projects pending EIA studies.
The seven provinces containing the special economic zones are Sa Kaeo, Mukdahan, Songkhla, Trat, Tak, Narathiwat and Nong Khai.
Mr Kasemsun said Onep's own experts normally undertake EIA studies of all projects but this was creating a backlog.
Under the new provision the Onep expertise group will only take a preliminary look at a project's EIA study.
Local groups comprising people with expertise relevant to projects such as academics and engineers, will then take over and look into further details.
If a local expertise group agrees with a report, Onep will forward the approved EIA report to the agency that grants the licence for construction.
"The process is similar to what was done under the Onep expertise group. But we want to create a shortcut to facilitate projects located in special economic zones," he said.
Previously, Onep set up local expertise groups to study EIA reports for high-rise buildings located in Nonthaburi, Chiang Mai, Samut Prakan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Pathum Thani, Songkhla, Rayong and Khon Kaen, to reduce the workload due to limited staff numbers.
Mr Kasemsun also said the National Environment Board has approved the EIA study for the 132km Map Kabao-Chira double-track railway project from Saraburi to Khon Kaen.
The board has requested the State Railway of Thailand set a budget for the construction, land expropriation and measures to mitigate environment impacts mentioned in the EIA report. Onep will submit the EIA study to the cabinet next week.