The assessment road ahead...

The Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) explains the process for the environmental evaluation of the proposed Legacy Holdings development in the Victoria Falls World heritage Site …

Danny Mwango of ECZ confirmed receipt of the Legacy Holdings Zambia Scoping Report, part of the requirements for Legacy to properly consult with all stakeholders. He explains what will now take place:
1. The Scoping report (for a full Environmental Impact Assessment by Legacy Holdings) includes the c.v.’s of those consultants put forward by Legacy to carry out the report, and the terms of reference (TOR) for the study (this study should have preceded the draft environmental assessment which had been submitted by Legacy Holdings).
2. The Scoping report is then approved – or not, by ECZ
3. Legacy Holdings then carry out the EIA; full consultations with stakeholders being required
4. ECZ carry out an internal review of the EIA, and may decide to call for a further EIA
5. ECZ then make public in the press over a two week period that the EIA is available for inspection at ECZ
6. Then, under a neutral facilitator/chairman, a public hearing in Livingstone will be held.
7. The ECZ then make a decision.
8. In the event of disagreements, the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources makes a decision.

Obviously, those who are in disagreement with such a decision are free to revert to the courts.