The Environmental Management Act

The National Environmental Advisory Committee must be made up of the listed office holders and representatives, including a Chairman and Secretary.

At the first meeting, the Committee members must elect one of their number as Vice-Chairman.

Some Committee members serve for three years and may be reappointed once if their membership is not ended for misconduct or missing three consecutive meetings without excuse.

The Committee meets at times and places set by the Chairman after consulting the Secretary. Ordinary meetings are convened by the Chairman, with notice and agenda sent to members at least 14 days before the meeting. Special meetings may be convened on a written request signed by at least three members, and their agenda must be circulated at least 3 days before the meeting. The Chairman presides, or someone elected by those present does if the Chairman is absent.

The Chairman of the National Environmental Advisory Committee may invite a person who is likely to help with the Committee’s deliberations.

Committee meetings need a quorum of half of the members.

The Committee may set up sub-Committees and can co-opt people to them or to the Committee, but a co-opted person cannot vote.

A member with a direct or indirect interest in a matter before the Committee or sub-Committee must disclose that interest promptly and must not later take part in the decision, or in deliberations unless a majority of members present agree.

The Committee must regulate its own proceedings, subject to the provisions of this Schedule.

The Committee must prepare an annual report about its current and future activities.

The Members must elect one of their number as Vice-Chairman of the Council.

Members must serve their appointed term, may resign in writing to the President or Minister, and may nominate a substitute to attend a meeting if they cannot attend.

The appointing authority may terminate a Board member’s appointment if specified conditions occur, including bankruptcy, certain criminal conviction and imprisonment, prolonged illness, or incapacity/incompetence.

If a member dies, resigns, or otherwise leaves office before the term ends, the appointing authority must appoint another person to fill the vacancy.

The Chairman presides at Council meetings; if absent, the Vice-Chairman presides; if both are absent, members present elect a temporary Chairman. The presiding person also has a casting vote when votes are equal.

The Council must meet three times a year, may hold extra meetings in specified situations, and the Secretary must notify each member of meeting time and place.

A Council meeting has a quorum only if at least half of the members currently in office are present.

The Council decides questions by majority vote of members present, and it may also decide without meeting by circulating papers and collecting the written views of a majority.

The Council must keep minutes of its meetings, have them read and confirmed or amended at the next meeting, and have them signed by the presiding person.

A Council act or proceeding remains valid even if there is a vacancy among members or a defect in a member’s appointment.

Council-issued orders, directions, notices, and similar documents must be signed by the Chairman, the Secretary, or an officer authorized in writing by the Secretary.

The Council’s seal must not be affixed to any instrument unless the Chairman, the Secretary, or another Council officer is present, and at least one Council member is present.

The Council may regulate its own proceedings, subject to this Schedule.

This provision gives general examples of things that may be considered out of character with their surroundings, including certain activities, structures, and major land-use changes.

This provision concerns mining, including quarrying and open-cast extraction.

This provision concerns agriculture, including animal production.

This section is titled “Processing and manufacturing industries.”

This section is about management of hydrocarbons, including storage of natural gas and combustible or explosive fuels.

This section concerns major developments in biotechnology, including the introduction and testing of genetically modified organisms.

Any other activity may be prescribed in the regulations.

The Board of Trustees must have 7 to 9 members, including specified representatives, with at least 3 women; the Board may invite non-members to meetings, but invited non-members cannot vote.

The trustees must elect a Vice-Chairman from among themselves.

Trustees serve for three years and may be re-appointed for one further term unless their membership ends for misconduct or another sufficient reason.

The officer responsible for the Fund’s financial matters must attend trustees’ meetings as an ex-official member when management of the Fund is being discussed.

The Chairman must convene ordinary trustees’ meetings and send each trustee a notice and papers at least 14 days before the meeting; a special meeting must be convened on a written request signed by at least three trustees, with the Vice-Chairman or acting Chairman stepping in if the Chairman is absent.

A meeting of the trustees has a quorum when half the members in office are present.

A trustee with a direct or indirect interest in a matter before the Board must disclose that interest as soon as reasonably practicable and must not take part in later deliberations or decisions on that matter.

The trustees may regulate their own proceedings, subject to this Schedule.