Decision No. 13/2005/QĐ-BTNMT on the functions, tasks, and powers of the Department of Appraisal and Environmental Impact Assessment

DECISIONOF THE MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

Regulations on functions, tasks, powers

of the Department of Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment

MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

Pursuant to Decree No. 91/2002/NĐ-CP dated November 11, 2002 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

Pursuant to the proposal of the Director of the Department of Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment and the Director of the Department of Organization and Cadres,

DECISION:

Article 1. Position and Functions

The Department of Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment is an organization under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment with the function of assisting the Minister in managing state affairs related to environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment; conducting strategic environmental assessments; organizing reviews and providing opinions on natural resources and environmental issues for economic and social development strategies, sectoral and territorial development plans, investment projects, technical assistance projects, and development projects of ministries, sectors, localities, organizations, and individuals.

b) Draft five-year and annual socio-economic development plans for the province; major economic and social balances for the province; draft five-year and annual plans, programs, projects, measures to organize and implement tasks related to socio-economic development, finance-budget, planning-investment, and other tasks within the scope of state management of the Department of Finance as prescribed by law;

1. Submit regulatory documents on environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, review, and post-review activities of environmental impact assessment reports; on organizing environmental impact assessment service; guide and inspect the implementation after the issuance of such documents.

2. Take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies and units to provide opinions on natural resources and environmental issues for economic and social development strategies, sectoral and territorial development plans, investment projects, technical assistance projects, and development projects of ministries, sectors, localities, organizations, and individuals.

3. Serve as the focal point to participate with ministries and sectors in reviewing projects according to the assignment of the Ministry.

4. Participate in reviewing programs, projects, and plans on natural resources and environment according to the assignment of the Ministry.

5. Organize the review of environmental impact assessment reports and strategic environmental assessment reports in accordance with current regulations.

6. Guide technical and operational procedures for environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, review, and post-review activities of environmental impact assessment reports.

7. Monitor and inspect the implementation of tasks related to environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, and post-review activities of environmental impact assessment reports by central and local environmental management agencies; identify, propose, and participate in opinions on handling violations.

8. Conduct comprehensive environmental impact assessments for development activities in key economic zones, river basins within the territory of Vietnam assigned; participate in environmental impact assessments for large-scale projects with significant potential for environmental pollution according to the assignment of the Ministry.

9. Respond to organizations and individuals regarding issues related to the assigned fields of work.

10. Implement international cooperation programs and scientific research topics according to the assignment of the Ministry.

11. Statistically report periodically and urgently on the implementation of tasks in the assigned fields of work.

12. Perform other tasks assigned by the Minister.

13. Manage civil servants of the Department.

Article 3. Organization of the Department

The leadership of the Department of Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment includes the Director and several Deputy Directors.

The Director is responsible to the Minister for the assigned tasks and is legally accountable for all activities of the Department; establishes working regulations and manages all activities of the Department; signs directive documents on operational procedures for environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment functions and tasks of the Department upon authorization from the Minister.

Deputy Directors assist the Director and are responsible to the Director for the assigned fields of work.

Civil servants of the Department work under the specialist system.

Article 4. Effectiveness and Responsibility for Implementation

This Decision takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette and replaces Decision No. 14/2004/QĐ-BTNMT dated June 16, 2004 of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

The Director of the Department of Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment, the Director of the Department of Organization and Cadres, and the Heads of subordinate agencies and units of the Ministry are responsible for implementing this Decision./.