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The RA Deputy Minister of Environment presented for debate in the second reading the amendments being proposed in the RA Water Code and on the RA Water National Programme at the regular sitting of the Standing Committee on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Environment Protection on November 4.

Ara Mkrtchyan informed that the NA Civil Contract Faction presented a proposal during the period from the first to the second reading. It is proposed to make an amendment, so that the economic operator has a positive conclusion of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and does not face the problem of refusing the water use permit. As a result of joint debates, these amendments were made. Accordingly, the economic entity will apply to the authorized body, receive a water use permit for the appropriate period, which will be suspended at the same time until the economic operator submits to the authorized body a positive conclusion of the Environmental Impact Assessment expertise (no later than for a period of one year). After one year, if the positive conclusion of the expertise is not submitted, the issued water use permit will be considered null and void.

According to the substantiation of the Civil Contract Faction, Before the EIA examination, the economic entity will have the opportunity to apply for and receive a temporary water use permit (certificate) for carrying out design work regarding the amount of water to be used in a given location. And only after the EIA examination is completed that permit will become legally valid.

This will exclude cases where the economic entity undergoes an EIA examination, spending resources and time, only to find out later that the work was pointless, since the potential amount of water used is not sufficient for the implementation of the project.

According to MP Babken Tunyan, the amendments promote the flexibility of the system and the definition of the rules understandable for the economic entities.

The Committee in the second reading also debated the package of the draft laws designing addenda and amendments to the law on Wastes and to the RA Code on Administrative Offences.

It is expected by the adoption of the drafts that the exploitation of illegal waste disposal sites will be prevented, and those managing the disposal sites, including community leaders, will be more consistent in the proper operation of waste disposal sites.

The RA Deputy Minister of Environment also answered the MPs’ questions.

The draft laws were endorsed by the Committee.