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.

ERA’s Board has just approved the mutually agreed termination of the CEO Dr Louise Spiteri with immediate effect.
Perit Michelle Piccinino has been appointed Acting CEO until a call is issued as provided in law.

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is saddened by the loss of Mr Michael Briffa, one of Malta’s most humble and prominent experts on local plants and fungi.

Mr Briffa was also acknowledged of his valuable contribution to the country in 2017, when he was awarded the prestigious Buonamico Award, Indeed, Mr Briffa was awarded the very first award of this award, which was set up by ERA, under the patronage of H.E. President of Malta, to recognise individuals who significantly contributed towards the protection of our natural heritage.

Michael Briffa was born in 17th November 1926 and has been a prominent figure in research on our local flora. Briffa’s passion on local plants and fungi led to valuable knowledge to the scientific community on local vascular plants, fungi and slime moulds – with various new records of species for Malta, new localities for rare species and the rediscovery of species previously considered as possibly extinct.

Amongst his most renowned discoveries is the thorny burnet (tursin il-għul xewwieki), a very rare shrub in Malta found for the first time in 1985; the narrow-leaved grape-hyacinth (il-muskari s-skur), a bulbous flowering plant first reported by him in 1983; and the small-flowered buttercup (iċ-ċfolloq)in 1985. Additional rediscoveries of important species include the Maltese dwarf hawksbeard (il-melitella), a species first described in the world from Malta in the early 20th century and rediscovered by him in 1983, and which is now protected at international level, as well as the dog rose (wardet il-klieb) and a species of viper’s bugloss (lsien il-fart), rediscovered after more than a century; the very rare beaked spider orchid (il-brimba ta’ Sqallija) ; and more than 40 other flowering plant species. He also rediscovered the white-flowered form of the National Plant, the Maltese Rock-Centaury (widnet il-baħar); such form was first included in the description of the species by Stefano Zerapha in 1827 but not found for decades.

In 1980s, he also became interested in fungi (particularly wild mushrooms and toadstools) and later in 1995 in the related slime moulds. More than 300 fungal species were encountered during his studies, with several new records for Malta. Notable fungi include Amanita mushrooms; the polypore Inonotus euphoriae; as well as various species association with oak/pine woodlands as well as rockrose phrygana. As to slime moulds and related species, Briffa compiled the first annotated checklist of 71 species in 1997, amongst which he enlisted several rare species as well as a number of species which were never recorded been in the Mediterranean Region.

Most of the discoveries by Michael Briffa are included in the official ‘Red Data Book for the Maltese Islands’ issued by the precursor to the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA), and a good number of species are now protected by law, either directly as protected species or through the protection of their habitats through the Natura 2000 network and the related designation of Special Areas of Conservation and Tree Protection Areas by ERA.

ERA’s heartfelt and sincere condolences are extended to his family and relatives, who have also supported Mr Briffa. Mr Michael Briffa’s memory will surely live on through his significant contribution to our knowledge on local biodiversity and his efforts towards safeguarding our natural environment.

7 February 2020

The Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) holds a launch event for its Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP) project entitled ‘Reform and Capacity-Building in Permitting and Compliance at ERA. The project will be implemented in cooperation with the European Commission and IMPEL.

This project will continue to strengthen the reform process in the environment sector through improving and optimising regulatory capacity for permitting, compliance and enforcement at ERA.

It intends to support ERA in its efforts to strengthen regulatory processes and meet the demands expected of the environmental regulator, which will in turn contribute to the national socio-economic goals by enabling environmental regulation that does not put undue burden on businesses and operators whilst improving quality of life in the islands.

The project is comprised of three main components;

• Assessment – In which an assessment of the current system will be taking place, closely followed by the proposition of a roadmap for change.
• Capacity-Building – In which a training needs assessment will be undertaken to develop a made to measure training programme which will then be delivered to ERA officials.
• & Information Management – In which internal systems will be developed to manage information in an increasingly efficient manner.

Once completed the project will strengthen the environmental regulator, ensuring activities respect environmental parameters and build capacity within the Environment Permitting Unit and the Compliance and Enforcement Directorate, ultimately, reinforcing the development of a stronger environmental regulator.

The Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) would like to reiterate that the works which were not in conformity with the approved permit have been stopped by its enforcement officers, and only works covered by the permit were allowed to continue.

It is to also be noted that ERA’s permitting process has a procedural mechanism that allows for an applicant to deviate from approved plans through the submission of a Variation of Permit application, in which any proposed deviations from the permits that are yet to be undertaken are processed and considered on their own merits.

This variation process does not consider sanctioning of works already undertaken, since such works are subject to enforcement action by ERA. Furthermore, deviations from approved drawings may only be undertaken once a variation application is duly considered, determined and approved.

Any works undertaken without approval, are subject to enforcement action by ERA.

The Environment and Resources Authority is closely following Infrastructure Malta’s ongoing repair works of sections of the rural road at Wied Qirda, to ensure the protection of this area of high natural importance.

Infrastructure Malta confirms that it is collaborating with the Authority in all stages of this infrastructural investment, so that the required works to restore the safety of the indicated road are carefully implemented, using methods that do not endanger the area’s long-term environmental sustainability. Moreover, once the road repair works are completed, it will contribute to the regeneration of this valley with all necessary interventions specified by the same Authority.

The Agency clarifies that its works in this part of the road during the last few months were required due to the necessary replacement of the pre-existing asphalt surface within the road width, and the structural repair of a short stretch of the same road which had collapsed during various storms. These repairs include the excavation of existing foundations, building of new retaining walls on stronger footings and the replacement of an adjacent road crossing to avoid further storm damages in the future. The road crossing, including a dam formed decades ago, was blocking the natural flow of water in this part of the valley. The Authority and the Agency confirm that its removal can be a way to enhance the valley system and enable the regeneration of this part of the valley to its natural state, whilst reducing the impact of water erosion on the road alongside the valley.

The Environment and Resources Authority notes that the Stop and Enforcement Order issued in November 2019 was not meant to stop the works permitted by law to repair the road and render it safe to the public, but to request that it is informed on the methodology of works and to ensure least impact on the environment. The Authority issued this Order to make sure that any other works in this area, if required, are carried out in strict adherence to approved method statements, and that the contractors involved recognise the ecological importance of this area and reduce any negative impacts with appropriate mitigation measures. Moreover, the Order was issued so that plans for any non-urgent works commissioned by the Agency in this area are analysed by its environment protection officers before they are carried out.

The Authority also notes that when the Enforcement Order was issued, it informed the Agency that in another section of the same road, a 70 square metre area of disturbed land outside the pre-existing footprint had been asphalted. Infrastructure Malta’s contractors immediately complied and this asphalt was removed within a few days.

In another section of this road, additional road foundation and rubble wall reconstruction works are needed to repair damages caused by a truck that accidentally overturned on the side of the road during the resurfacing works late last year. Whilst these repairs are necessary, they do not constitute a public safety risk. In fact, Infrastructure Malta has not yet carried out these works. The Authority will consider these works together with the rest, to evaluate the intervention in its entirety with method statements and related plans, so that it can propose any additional protective measures. Repair works in this section of the road will commence in the coming weeks, when final method statements are confirmed and approved.

When all road works are completed, the Authority will continue to monitor the area to verify that Infrastructure Malta reinstates the valley to its natural state. In this regard, any reinstatement works required will also be implemented by Infrastructure Malta.

24 January 2020