The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) shall be appealing the PA decision taken in connection with PA 1191/05 (Townsquare High Rise Project). The Board considers that it has sufficient legal and substantive arguments to appeal this case. Further details will be issued following the submission of the appeal.

While ERA has concerns about PA 0581/16 (Mriehel High Rise Project), it believes that an appeal is not the most appropriate tool to address these concerns. ERA shall be taking alternative measures to ensure that such concerns are presented at the right fora, for the best possible outcome.

In the meantime, ERA would like to state that it is not in principle against high rise buildings, as long as these developments take into full account the principles of sustainability. Nonetheless ERA will also be taking other initiatives, including the submission of formal recommendations to Government, to ensure that such high rise developments will be assessed within an improved comprehensive planning and environmental framework.

These decisions were taken today (12th September 2016), at ERA’s Board meeting.

ERA was referred the case of a development to supply electricity to the boathouses in Ġnejna on the 22nd July and has in principle objected to the proposal.

This is because while the trench itself is unlikely to have a significant direct negative impact from an environmental point of view, the fact that provisions of utility services which the proposed trench is intended to serve is ‘illegal development’, is of significant environmental concern.

ERA’s position on this matter is also based on the fact that the area has been designated as a Natura 2000 site (Rdumijiet ta’ Malta: Ir-Ramla taċ-Ċirkewwa sa Il-Ponta ta’ Bengħisa) and is adjacent to the Marine Special Area of Conservation of International Importance (‘Il-Baħar bejn Rdum Majjiesa u Ras ir-Raħeb’).

The Environment and Resources (ERA) has looked into the case concerning the trees that were uprooted from St. Julians.

The Authority confirms that these trees are not protected under environmental legislation, because they are of the invasive alien type, and a threat to the native plant species found in the natural environment. In view of this, the ERA could not request that these same trees be transplanted in the natural environment.

The decision to uproot the trees and not relocate them elsewhere, was taken after the ERA stated the above and following consultation with the Agriculture Department, who confirmed that the trees were too old to be replanted in a contained environment, such as in a garden. Notwithstanding that the trees in question could not be replanted or relocated, it was considered that the residents should not have to bear the loss of trees from the locality and requested that 13 olive trees be planted as compensation. The Olive trees will be planted in Wied Għomor.

The Environment and Resources Authority is currently evaluating how trees which are not ecologically significant, but are of social value, are still afforded protection under environmental legislation in line with the principles of sustainable development. This is so as to ensure that decisions taken to respect this law strike a balance between the social, economic and environmental aspects. The ERA is conducting this task in collaboration with the Ministry for Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Change and shall be issuing the amended regulations for a public consultation in due course.

The Environment and Resources (ERA) has looked into the case concerning the trees that were uprooted from St. Julians.
The Authority confirms that these trees are not protected under environmental legislation, because they are of the invasive alien type, and a threat to the native plant species found in the natural environment. In view of this, the ERA could not request that these same trees be transplanted in the natural environment.
The decision to uproot the trees and not relocate them elsewhere, was taken after the ERA stated the above and following consultation with the Agriculture Department, who confirmed that the trees were too old to be replanted in a contained environment, such as in a garden. Notwithstanding that the trees in question could not be replanted or relocated, it was considered that the residents should not have to bear the loss of trees from the locality and requested that 13 olive trees be planted as compensation. The Olive trees will be planted in Wied Ghomor.
The Environment and Resources Authority is currently evaluating how trees which are not ecologically significant, but are of social value, are still afforded protection under environmental legislation in line with the principles of sustainable development. This is so as to ensure that decisions taken to respect this law strike a balance between the social, economic and environmental aspects. The ERA is conducting this task in collaboration with the Ministry for Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Change and shall be issuing the amended regulations for a public consultation in due course.

 

Officials from the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) spent their night monitoring a Loggerhead turtle nest at Golden Bay. Following information provided by members of the public some time after 10pm, ERA officials immediately went on site and confirmed that eggs had been laid shortly before midnight.  They then proceeded to assess the situation and decide on the most appropriate way forward to ensure that the nest was not in any danger. The last time such a nest was confirmed was in Ġnejna, back in 2012, making this a very exciting and important event.

The ERA compliance officials were relieved of their duties at around 3 in the morning, when volunteers from the NGO Nature Trust took over. Later in the morning, Police from the Administrative Law Enforcement Section and of the District Section, rangers from the Majjistral Park, as well as other compliance officers of ERA were again on site. The MTA provided shelter and water to officers and volunteers surveilling the nest.  It is of utmost importance that the nesting site does not sustain any negative impacts from the activities nearby.

Such joint effort is vital for the viability of the eggs within the nest, said a spokesperson for the ERA, who welcomed and thanked all involved for the support given especially the volunteers of Nature Trust.

The turtle that nested in Golden Bay yesterday night is a loggerhead turtle (Maltese: il-fekruna l-komuni), scientifically known as Caretta caretta, which is a long-living, slowly maturing marine species that inhabits tropical to warm temperate areas. This species is currently classified as globally endangered by the World Conservation Area (IUCN) and is also protected by various national and international legislation.  Capturing, killing, taking, and trading these turtles, as well as the deliberate disturbance of these species, particularly during the period of breeding, rearing and migration, is prohibited and subject to legal action.  Even the destruction of eggs or taking of eggs from the wild is strictly prohibited and constitutes a criminal offence.  In fact the local ‘Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations’ impose a minimum fine of nearly €500 and going up to nearly €2400 for each egg that may be destroyed or taken from the wild.  Golden Bay itself is a protected area that also boasts a Blue Flag status.  Such turtle nestings increase the value and rating of Blue Flag bays.

Presently loggerhead nests are mostly found in the central and eastern part of the Mediterranean basin, mainly in Libya, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt, but small populations also nest in Tunisia, Sicily, and Lampedusa. In the past turtle species also nested in southern Italy and Corsica, apart from Malta. There is evidence that nesting incidences in the Maltese Islands are on the increase.

For further information, please contact:

Claire Cordina Borg
Unit Manager National Affairs
Strategy & Communication Directorate
Environment and Resources Authority (ERA)
T: + 356 2292 3500   E:  [email protected]

 

 

 

 

Perit Ruben Abela graduated as an architect and civil engineer from the University of Malta in 1992 with a specialisation in Land-use Planning and Urban Design. In 1995 he obtained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management and an MSc in Conservation Technology in 1997.

For 14 years (1992-2006) he was employed by the Planning Authority and later MEPA, serving in managerial positions in Development Control and Enforcement Units. Since 2006 he has been working as a manager at Heritage Malta and was responsible for a number of conservation and restoration projects, the last one being the conservation and restoration of Fort St Angelo, where he was the Project Leader of this project funded through the European Regional Development Fund.

Between 1995 and 2014 he was a part-time lecturer in the Faculty of the Built Environment, of the University of Malta, lecturing in conservation studies at under-graduate and post-graduate courses.

In 2015 he was appointed by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Minister for Sustainable Development and Climate Change as a member on the steering committee of In-Nwadar National Park.

For three years (1993 – 1995), Perit Abela was a member of the Heritage Advisory Committee within the Planning Authority, giving advice on development proposed on buildings forming part of our architectural heritage. Between May 2013 and March 2016, he was a member of the Natural Heritage Advisory Committee within MEPA, giving advice on development which could have an impact on natural heritage. He has been appointed on the Valletta and Floriana; Cottonera; and Mdina Rehabilitation Committees since May 2013, and was recently appointed as an independent member on the Environment and Resources Authority Board and one of ERA’s two representatives on the Executive Council of the Planning Authority.

Between 1998 and 2002, Perit Abela was elected as president of UPAP the house-union of professional staff at MEPA. For the last thirty years, he worked in the voluntary sector in a number of organisations and was founder of the local NGO Wirt iż-Żejtun.

He is author of a number of papers, publications and articles.

Late Saturday night, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) communicated with the Police to investigate the case of a photo which was posted on Facebook, about a group of Maltese divers who stated that they had caught a great white shark. The shark in question, which in all probability is actually a female Short-fin Mako Shark, is a protected species.  Great White Sharks, which resemble this species, are also protected. The Monitoring & Compliance Unit of ERA is actively collaborating with the Police as the investigation is on-going.

‘BioSnippet’, is a novel initiative being launched by the newly established Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) to disseminate interesting information on biodiversity.

’Biological diversity’, or ‘biodiversity’ in short, is a term used to collectively refer to the variety of living things and their habitats. Without their habitat, living things would not thrive, so habitats are considered crucial to sustain life itself, even that of humans.

BioSnippet is being launched on the occasion of the International Day for BiologicalDiversity – 22 May.  Look out for new BioSnippets that ERA will be publishing, with information on species and habitats particularly concerning Malta – here

The new Environment Minister, Dr Jose Herrera promised to continue on the footpaths of his predecessor in order for the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) to become truly professional, efficient and dedicated. Minister Herrera said this during a recent visit at Hexagon House, where he had the opportunity to meet up with the employees of the newly established authority.

This was Dr Herrera’s first visit at the authority’s premises since his appointment as Minister for Environment following the recent cabinet reshuffle. During his visit the Minister emphasised the fact that the setting up of the ERA showed that the environment was a priority for the Government. Dr Herrera also noted that there was much work to be done, mostly with regards to capacity building, including human resources, the IT system migration and improvements to the building infrastructure.

The Minister was shown around by ERA Chairman Professor Victor Axiak and he also had the opportunity to meet the members of the Authority’s Board.