Czech Senate allows associations to turn to court over EIA (České noviny)

The Czech Senate approved today a bill recognising municipalities and associations' right to turn to court in case of doubt about the legality of the course of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The legislation is yet to be signed by President Vaclav Klaus.

It was supported by 42 out of 70 senators present.

Both houses of parliament have passed the bill in order to avert a complaint by the European Commission.

The Chamber of Deputies passed it in shortened proceedings in September. It rejected it in February.

"The European Commission first demanded that we define the public concerned that would always have access to court. This would mean in practice a rise in the number of complaints by the public concerned that would raise the load of administrative courts. The commission quit its original demands after it got an explanation," Environment Minister Ladislav Miko said. The new bill will not raise the number of complaints because NGOs already take part in proceedings on the basis of other legal norms, Miko said.

Critics say the new bill will result in further obstructions.

ČTK, České noviny, 8. 10. 2009, 12:01, News in English