Understanding an Environmental Management Plan (EMP)

A key outcome of EIA process will be an EMP which:

- Identifies key potential project impact areas
- Set out the programme for monitoring and auditing the potential impacts
- Establishes reporting and mitigation (including emergency) response procedure

The purpose of EMP is to get a perspective of Environmental management of the project, the proponent should prepare the master EMP for the whole project. The main contractor can then prepare specific EMPs for their specific contract packages which fits into the overall EMP.

EMP's typically contain the following:
a- A concise statement of purpose and policy
b- A summary the key potential impacts of the project. this should be written in simple language for the layman
c- A list of legal requirement, standards and guidelines which applies to the project
d- A detailed programme for execution of environmental works which is integrated with the ocerall project programme. This typically includes management of soil erosion, siltation , air, water pollution and hazardous substances
e- Environmental objective and targets
f- Clearly defined structure with roles and responsibilities for environmental management
g- Training and qualification requirements for key staff, i.e environmental auditors
h- Clear lines for communication regarding environmental management matters
i- Specific document and operation control procedures eg. specific methods and guidelines to control the identified impacts
j- Emergency response and event contigency plans with specified trigger levels
k- Environmental monitoring programme and procedures
l- Environmental records
m- Environmental auditing programme and protocol
n- Management review