The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) was informed of works that were being carried out in Gzira where sludge was being deposited on the roof of a reservoir that forms part of the National Flood Relief Project (NFRP). ERA Enforcement Officers immediately went on site to investigate the incident.

Initial investigations showed that the works were related to the NFRP, where part of the tunnel was blocked due to a mechanical mulfunction. Officers on site confirmed the material was sedimented debris and  no foul smells were detected. As a result of the mechanical malfunction the sediment material had to be taken out of the tunnels by means of dump bucket loaders.The material is temporarily being stored on site until it drains from water so as to prevent the escape of material during transportation on the road network. ERA will continue monitoring the situation.

21 May 2020

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is inviting everyone to celebrate World Bee Day (May 20th) and International Biodiversity Day (22nd May) with the intention of increasing the understanding and awareness of the vital role that biodiversity plays in our daily lives and how we may play a part in supporting it.

This year ERA is launching the ‘Sebbaħ u ħaddar ħalli l-insett idakkar’ initiative which aims to educate individuals on the importance of having a variety of plants in our environment, while also encouraging people to grow plants in their home. To do this, ERA will be sending two seed packets free of charge right to the doorstep of those interested!

To apply, one simply needs to register online via this form and ERA will send participants seed varieties of flowering plants or herbs, a Bee Identification Guide and a Flowering Calendar for free!

Those who register will receive 2 seed packets from any of the following; Poppies, Lavender, Rosemary, Great Sage, Bear’s Breeches or the Tree Medick. We are also giving the opportunity to receive by post free copies of any of ERA’s posters with information on local biodiversity of your choice. Seeds will be available until stocks last.

Let’s take this opportunity to brighten up our homes and streets while lending a helping hand to our insect friends. Take care of nature, and it will take care of you!

19 May 2020

An area to the West of what is known as Rdum il-Ħmar in l-Aħrax tal-Mellieħa sustained serious fire damage in the early hours of Sunday 17th May 2020. ERA Officers worked hand in hand with the Police and CPD and once the area was cleared and was declared safe by CPD, ERA Officers inspected the area for damage. Apart from innumerable invasive alien acacia specimens, around 450 protected trees were clearly impacted, some minimally and others appearing completely burnt. These consisted mostly of pines but also a few cypress, carobs and lentisk trees. Two sizeable areas of garigue were also burnt.

The affected area falls outside of the Special Conservation area but is still considered as an area of ecological importance as it is a garigue.

From preliminary investigations, it seems that the fire spread from a firepit that was not extinguished after being used by campers in the area.

ERA would like to urge the general public to exercise caution in open natural spaces, especially in the summer months where the dry weather favours fires to grow and may potentially create extensive damage to natural habitats.

18 May 2020

During the board sitting of 8th May 2020 the ERA Board considered 7 applications for environmental permits, all of which were granted.

The applications included a request for a permit to operate a hotel at St. Paul’s Bay (EP0020/16). This permit covers various operations including the control and monitoring of the discharges to sea from the reverse osmosis plant and pools and the emissions from generators on site.

Another application (EP0086/19) covered a request for permit for the operations of the sea terminals at Cirkewwa and Mgarr, Gozo, covering the berthing facilities, waste management, refuelling, maintenance. The facility’s location which is overlooking a Special Protection Area was also taken into consideration and addressed in the permit.

Another two applications covered a request for a permit (EP0103/19) and a renewal of environment permit (EP0004/11) of two manufacturing plants located at Xewkija Industrial Estate, Gozo and Hal Far Industrial Estate, Malta, respectively. These permits cover various operations including control and monitoring of emissions from the manufacturing processes and associated activities and waste management.

An application to operate a chicken processing facility in Burmarrad (EP0059/19) was also considered. The permit covers the management of resultant wastes and effluents from the slaughtering facility, control of emissions to air from combustion plants on site amongst others.

Another application (EP0024/20) covered the request for a permit for the backfilling operations at a soft stone quarry in Mqabba. The permit addresses the waste management aspect of backfilling operations as well as various other aspects associated with site management and control.

In addition to the above permits, another application for renewal was also granted related to interventions within a Natura 2000 site. The application for renewal (NP 124/20) relates to the removal of a considerable number of alien species and restoration of the natural habitat within the confines of the Mellieha Holiday Centre. The permit includes various conditions aimed at mitigating the effects of the removal of alien species on the surrounding environment including ones related to control of resprouting together with the planting of a large number of specimens of indigenous species. An accompanying bank guarantee to ensure compliance with the conditions of the permit is also being requested.

8 May 2020

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) would like to publicly commend the actions proposed by the Ministry for Transport Infrastructure and Capital Projects (MTIP) in favour of car-free zones. ERA shares the same wish as that expressed by the MTIP, that once this pandemic is over, the general public continues to desire less cars on our roads, with more open spaces so as to have our streets and squares for our own enjoyment. Such an initiative would contribute to the bettering of our air quality and continues to promote the concept of wellbeing and quality of life.

The pandemic has highly raised awareness on our daily choice of mobility with more individuals making use of sustainable mobility options such as walking and cycling. Closing earmarked areas to cars at certain times of day and making public spaces car-free is truly commendable. ERA considers this, a small but significant, step to be in the right direction. It is important to remember that we have years of air pollution data which communicates a constant message throughout; the need to target roads with high traffic influx. We know that specific areas need more attention than others. This is why the National Air Pollution Control Programme, published earlier this year by ERA, prioritised this aspect. ERA will be working with Transport Malta to carry out a study on how a low emission zone can function to reap the best environmental benefit.

The Environment and Resources Authority is also working on an Air Quality Plan, which will include measures targeted at improving air quality at a local level, prioritising those hot spots. As for every policy, the contribution of all stakeholders is essential in the process and ERA will make sure consultations are carried out in the most efficient and inclusive manner so as to have everyone on board. Such activities complement other initiatives, such as urban greening, carried out by the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning and ERA in their efforts to promote wellbeing and improve the quality of life in Malta. To this end, the Authority is looking forward to work with the relevant stakeholders, not only for this project, but also for additional effective measures to be implemented in the Maltese Islands for an improved air quality and a sustainable future for the generations to come.

7 May 2020

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) was informed that an act of vandalism had been carried out at the Għadira ta’ Sarraflu early this afternoon and officers went immediately on site. L-Għadira ta’ Sarraflu is a protected site under the Environment Protection Act, noting that the habitat type it supports – a freshwater pool, is a very rare occurrence across the islands. Indeed, it is also one of the water bodies identified under the EU Water Framework Directive. It is a perennial water pool, with fluctuations in water level from wet to dry season. Such pools support ecosystems, which vary in composition depending on the water levels. These are of importance in view of the services they provide to the environment and humans.

The dumping of material, including oil and fuel, into the natural environment leads to impacts of various kinds. In this case, impacts to the water body and on the sediment are certain, impacting the water quality and the ecosystems that this freshwater pool supports. The level of contamination could be high, which hence would lead to significant impacts on the organisms and the ecology of the site overall, with the sediment also being contaminated. Such damage is not easy to reverse, and drastic measures might need to be taken so as to restore the water and sediment quality, allowing for the pool to sustain life in the long-term. These processes are complex in nature, and it would be difficult to predict the timeframes necessary for such. Action to remedy the situation has already been taken by the Civil Protection Department who were also on site yesterday afternoon.

Attempts by the CPD to collect the substance thrown in the water by absorbent pads normally used for this purpose were not successful. Thus ERA is coordinating with CPD, the Police, EcoGozo and other entities, to be able to determine the nature of the substance and to remedy the impacts on l-Għadira ta’ Sarraflu. The Authority urges anyone who may have information on this act of vandalism to call on T: (+356) 22923500 during and after office hours, weekends and public holidays or submit a report on the customer care portal.

A good and healthy environment is essential for our wellbeing and therefore such acts are considered to be acts against society.
ERA will do its utmost to clean the area and restore it.

3 May 2020

The ERA, as the regulatory authority responsible for the protection of the environment wishes to inform that currently there are 31 quarries that are permitted to accept C&D and inert waste in them, 6 of which are permitted for recycling construction waste only. Also, it is processing other applications for new sites.

The ERA took stock of the quarries in Malta and Gozo in November 2019 where it emerged that there are a number of disused quarries that may be restored. The Authority gives precedence to the infilling of disused quarries, whereby sea dredged material is permitted to be dumped at sea at the official spoil ground off Valletta Harbour.

The ERA expects all applicants and contractors to seek proper waste management facilities prior to commencement of works that are known to generate any quantities of construction waste. It is pertinent to note, that regulatory authorities such as ERA, cannot fulfil the obligations of operative entities, whether public or private, in their course of contractual obligations with third parties. The ERA has always been available to facilitate negotiations between contractors and quarry operators, however it is the responsibility of the entity generating the waste to secure proper waste disposal in line with sustainable environmental goals.

It is the intent of the Authority that in the coming days it will be introducing regulatory measures to bring in line the quarrying sector, which for the past years has been largely unregulated.

24 April 2020

Despite the Covid19 situation, ERA enforcement officers are still working on safeguarding the environment.

Dumping of construction and demolition waste in Mtaħleb

The Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) had been alerted of a case of deposition of material which occurred in a site at Il-Baħrija / Mtaħleb on Tuesday 14th April in the evening.
ERA Compliance and Enforcement officers immediately started an investigation of the said report and also got in touch with the Planning Authority’s Enforcement Directorate to inform them of the case.

The following morning on Wednesday 15th April, ERA enforcement officers issued a verbal stop order to the contractor and site owner. After further investigation it was established that the site is not a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the land was instead disturbed and had evidence of earlier dumping.

While the land is not an SAC, ERA has issued a formal Stop and Compliance Order (OWK0022/20) in view that, this case pertains to dumping of construction and demolition waste.

Trees vandalized in Dwejra

Compliance and Enforcement officers are also investigating an incident reported in Dwejra where several protected trees have been vandalised. The ERA is in contact with the San Lawrenz Local Council for potential further action.

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) condemns these acts of vandalism.

Car driven onto protected area – Ramla l-Ħamra

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) was also informed about an incident where a vehicle was driven onto the sand in Ramla l-Hamra. L-Inhawi tar-Ramla is declared as a Special Area of Conservation of International Importance and Special Protection Area as published in the Government Gazette No.681 of 5th June 2018. Vehicular access on the beach is prohibited in this area unless it is duly justified and preauthorised by the ERA. The protection of these important sites and the biodiversity therein Malta, are a priority for ERA. Hence the ERA requested the assistance of the Police on the matter in order for legal proceedings as per the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, 2006 (SL549.44), to be taken against the offender.

Any acts on the environment can be reported to the ERA via telephone on 2292 3500 or on [email protected]

During the board sitting of 3rd April 2020 the ERA Board considered 6 applications for environmental permits, which were all granted.

The applications included a request to vary an existing environmental permit (EP0031/15) covering the operations of a petrol service station in Victoria, Gozo. The changes in the existing environmental permit relate to changes in the configuration of the fuel tanks and the respective air abatement infrastructure.

Another application is related to the renewal of a permit to operate a laundry and dry cleaning in Gozo (EP0015/14). Through the renewed permit the operator shall continue the monitoring of emissions from these activities, in line with applicable legislation. The third application related to the variation of an existing environment permit (EP0079/19) which had been issued on 6th November 2019 to allow waste management activities related to receipt and temporary storage of hazardous waste at a site at Ta’ Ghadajma, Mqabba. This variation included the addition of waste codes that are allowed to be stored pending export.

In addition to the above permits there were three further permit applications which related to interventions on trees.

Two applications were for the renewal of the permits for the uprooting and transplanting of trees at Manoel Island (NP0125/20 and NP0126/20) which were approved together with conditions for transplanting, compensatory planting of 150 indigenous trees on site and imposition of related bank guarantees. The final application (NP0029/20) requested the renewal of a permit for interventions on trees related to the works in the main parking area of Xlendi. These works, which shall be covered by a bank guarantee, shall affect a total of 65 trees, 40 of which shall be transplanted. A further 48 trees will be planted as compensation for the 25 trees that cannot be transplanted.

The ERA Board today determined a number of applications for environmental permits. Two of the applications dealt with IPPC applications for the operation of GHallis and Zwejra landfills, and another application for interventions on trees at Mistra.

The IPPC applications addressed the installations are located at Għallis and Żwejra, limits of Naxxar. The activities carried out on both sites are within scope of Section 5.4 in Schedule 1 of the Industrial Emissions (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) Regulation (S.L.549.77):

“5.4. Landfills as defined in the Waste Management (Landfill) Regulations (S.L.549.29) receiving more than 10 tonnes of waste per day or with a total capacity exceeding 25,000 tonnes, excluding landfills of inert waste”

The application submitted for Għallis non-hazardous landfill by WasteServ Malta Ltd covers the variation and renewal of the IPPC permit. The variation considered is related to the vertical extension of currently permitted landfill void space and the shredding of mattresses prior to landfilling.

The application submitted for Ta’ Żwejra non-hazardous landfill by WasteServ Malta Ltd covers the renewal of the IPPC permit.

The IPPC permits for both installation, cover a number of environmental obligations which the Permit Holder is to fulfil throughout the validity of the permit to ensure the required level of environmental protection and to ensure that all operations are in line with the Waste Management (Landfill) Regulations (S.L.549.29).

All documentation related to this application are available on the ERA website at www.era.org.mt

During the same board sitting the ERA Board approved an application for a Nature Permit (NP388/19) which is authorising the interventions on trees at Mistra Road, St. Paul’s Bay. The interventions include the felling of four trees, 1 of which is dead, whilst the other 3 trees are posing a danger to heavy vehicles. The authorisation is also including the light pruning of 26 trees and hard pruning of another 15 trees. The ERA has requested the applicant to compensate for the felled trees by planting 31 trees, which shall be planted at the Pinetum in Floriana.