Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana

Environmental Protection Agency

___________________________________

GUIDELINES FOR PREPARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENT

ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

1. Introduction

The Environment Protection Act 1996 (the Act) provides for the management, conservation, protection
and improvement of the environment, the prevention of control of pollution, the assessment of the impact
of economic development on the environment, and the sustainable use of natural resources.

One of the functions of the Environmental Protection Agency, established in the Act, is to prevent or
control environmental pollution, as well as to ensure that any developmental activity which may cause
an adverse effect on the natural environment be assessed before the activity commences. These functions
are achieved through the execution of the Authorisation Programme of the Agency. To assist with assessing
proposed and existing developments and ensure adequate mitigation measures are included in the
preparation of agreements and Environmental Authorisations, the Agency may require the preparation of
an Environment Assessment and Management Plan (EAMPs). The EAMP should be developed by
competent experts/consultants engaged by the developer and approved by the Agency.

2. Objectives of an Environmental Assessment and Management Plan

An EAMP provides a description of the methods and procedures for identifying, assessing and analysing
existing and potential physical, ecological and socio-economic impacts of projects and identifying actions
to prevent and mitigate impacts as well as a framework for monitoring and reporting during project
implementation. The EAMP should also identify environmental objectives of the developer, detailed
description of the project and a robust baseline of the project environment and area of influence of
the project. The EAMP should be used throughout the project life cycle and regularly updated in an
effort to remain aligned with the project as it progresses from construction to operation
and to decommissioning.

The objectives of the EAMP are to:

1. Place the proposed/existing project in the context of the local and regional environment by
establishing a robust baseline covering physical, ecological and socio-economic resources including
primary and secondary information collection;
2. Adequately describe all components of the proposed/existing project;
3. Identify the environmental and social issues/risks associated with the proposed/existing project;
4. Provide the basis of the developer’s environment management program, which shows that the
environmental impacts resulting from the proposed/existing activity, including cumulative
impacts, can be acceptably managed; and
5. Provide a document that clearly sets out the reasons why the proposed/existing activity should
be considered environmentally acceptable.
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 Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Environmental Protection Agency
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3. Preparation of an Environmental Assessment and Management Plan

The format of the EAMP needs to fit the circumstances in which the EAMP is being developed and the
requirements it has to meet. The Agency encourages developers and consultants preparing the EAMP to
have a close partnership with the Agency through the development of the document so as to ensure the
design of the EAMP is in line with the requirements.

3.1. General Requirements

The EAMP submitted to the Agency is required to be presented in a professional format. Additionally, all
information must be accurate, clear, unambiguous and suitable for an understanding of the treatment,
control and backup methods to be employed. The EAMP should provide a comprehensive description of
the proposed/existing activity including its location (project address, block and section and certificate of
ownership). Specific matters requiring attention are:
1. Justification and/or objectives for the proposed/existing activity;
2. The legal framework, including existing zoning and environmental approvals, decision making
authorities and involved agencies; and
3. Consideration of alternative options.

3.2. Key characteristics of the proposed/existing project/activity

This section should include a description of the components of the proposed/existing project/activity,
including the nature and extent of proposed and current works. This should include, but not be limited to,
the following:
1. Life of project.
2. Total land area of site.
3. Identify any subsurface developments, and include relevant details (e.g. Water table depth).
4. Area of disturbance (including access).
5. Operating hours (during construction and business operating hours).
6. List of major components.
i. Provide adequately dimensioned plans clearly showing the location and elements of the
proposed/existing activity that are significant from the point of view of environmental
protection.
ii. Locate and show dimensions (for progressive stages of development, if relevant) of
plant, amenities buildings, access ways, stockpile areas, dredge areas, waste product
disposal and treatment areas, all dams and water storage areas, storage areas including
fuel storage and waste oil and landscaped areas.
iii. If appropriate, a process chart/mass balance diagram showing inputs, outputs and waste
streams.
7. Solid waste management.

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 Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Environmental Protection Agency
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8. Water supply source (including maximum annual requirement).

9. Fuel storage capacity and quantity used (No. of fuel storage tanks above or underground).
10. A map showing the proposed/existing activity in the local context and in the regional context.
The plan/s should include contours, north arrow, scale bar, legend, grid coordinates, the source of
the data and a title.

3.3. Environmental Policy and Legal Framework

The EAMP should define the Company’s Environmental Policy and commitment to the protection of the
Environment and the Policy, Legal and Institutional Framework within which the project operates or will
be operating. The following should be included in the EAMP:
1. The project developer’s/company’s profile, environmental management policies and
commitments: This section should include a description of the company’s environmental policy
and commitments in relation to health, safety and environment.
2. Policy, Legal and Institutional Framework: This section should clearly define the national
policies, strategies, plans, relevant legislation, regulations, standards and guidelines along with the
institutional framework within which the project will operate.

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Environmental Protection Agency
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3.4. Environmental and Social Impacts, Mitigation and Management

The following should be covered in the EAMP:

1. A description of the project components, actual and future plans for expansion, and surrounding
environment, including the physical, ecological and socio-economic resources. This should be
informed by primary and secondary information collection.
2. Identification and analysis of impacts associated with the proposed activity: The predicted negative
and positive impacts associated with the project should be identified through a clear methodology that
examines impacts that could arise during each phase of the project and distinguishes between negative
and positive impacts; direct and indirect impacts; immediate, short-term and long-term impacts; and
localized and cumulative impacts of existing activities against other similar activities in the area or
activities with similar emission discharge. Potential impacts from any expansion of the project and a risk
assessment should also form part of the examination of impacts.
3 . Description of mitigation measures and implementation framework:
The EAMP should identify feasible and cost-effective mitigation measures to avoid or reduce
significant negative environmental and social impacts and risks to acceptable and legal levels.
Mitigation measures should be described in detail and be accompanied by designs, equipment
descriptions, and operating procedures where applicable. The technical aspects of implementing
the mitigation measures should be described. The description of mitigation actions should include
how they will be achieved, by whom, by when, with what resources, with what
monitoring/verification, and to what target or performance level. Mechanisms must also be
provided to address changes in the project implementation, emergencies or unexpected events,
and the associated approval processes. This section should clearly define the responsibilities
for management actions.
4. Description of monitoring programme: Environmental performance monitoring must be
designed to ensure that mitigation measures are implemented. The monitoring programme should
clearly indicate the linkages between impacts, indicators to be measured, measurement methods
and definition of thresholds that will signal the need for corrective action.
A monitoring programme should comprise three aspects:
i. Baseline measuring: This should occur prior to the start of the project or activity in
order to determine the level and status of the environmental parameters prior to any
impacts associated with the project or activity.
ii. Impact (or performance) monitoring: This type of monitoring should be ongoing
throughout the project’s life-cycle. Further, impact monitoring must be implemented to
ensure that environmental impacts are within the predicted levels and that specified
environmental performance targets are being achieved.
iii. Compliance monitoring: This type of monitoring is implemented to ensure that the
prescribed mitigation measures are effective. Further, it ensures that the level of
environmental parameters is compliant with the laws, regulations, and standards stipulated

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 Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Environmental Protection Agency
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in the legal framework for environmental protection identified in the EAMP.

5. Implementation schedule and reporting procedures: An implementation schedule must be prepared

showing the sequence and timing (including frequency and duration) of the management actions and
monitoring activities of the EAMP. The measures should be specified in an implementation schedule,
showing links with the overall project.
6. Procedures to provide information on the progress and results of mitigation and monitoring
measures should also be clearly specified.
7. Cost estimates: This section provides cost estimates for initial and recurring expenses for
implementation of the EAMP, including provision for: mitigation and enhancement actions; training
and environmental awareness requirements; monitoring; auditing; and corrective actions.
8. Training and environmental awareness: This section of the document should specify the
requirements with regards to training and environmental awareness for all site and other project
personnel to ensure that actions specified within the EAMP are implemented effectively and
efficiently.
9. Documentation and record keeping: The EAMP should indicate what systems will be put in place
to ensure proper document handling and control, for all EAMP documentation.
10. Reporting procedures: This section should stipulate the reporting procedures and practices to be
followed during EAMP implementation.
11. Auditing: This section should provide details on the schedule for environmental auditing, approach
to engaging auditors, reporting of results and corrective actions when needed.
12. Emergency response plan (ERP): This plan is developed with a goal to protect human health and the
environment to the extent possible through minimization of impacts. It should be sufficiently detailed
to address in a comprehensive way responses to emergency situations likely to be faced by the
project.

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 Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Environmental Protection Agency
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3.5. EAMP Submission Checklist

This checklist is presented to help improve the information being provided and as such assist in reducing
the timeframe for assessments. Information should be provided on all those items that are relevant to
the proposal/existing development. It should also be noted that the list presented below is by no means
limited and can be modified by the Agency at any given time.

Issues to Consider Yes No NA

1 Have you described the proposed/existing development in full and included plans showing the
location of the proposed/existing development and surrounding environment (land uses/features)?
a. Description of proposed activities.
b. Ownership details of proposed land area.
c. Bush land areas, other system areas and reserves.
d. Wetlands and waterways (e.g. declared waterways, etc.)
e. Priority surface and groundwater protection areas (e.g. public
drinking water sources and other declared areas).
f. Any existing site contamination or details of previous land uses
which may have contaminated the soil or water resources.
g. A layout of the proposed/existing development on a site plan with
the current topography including contour lines and catchment
boundaries, catchment areas, adjacent areas including creeks and
buildings; the location of permanent storm water inlets, pipes,
outlets, and other permanent drainage facilities; current vegetation
on site and vegetation to be removed from the site, and detailed
alterations to existing land structures.

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 Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Environmental Protection Agency
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Issues to Consider Yes No NA

2 Have you addressed relevant issues from the following list and identified control measures to address
environmental impacts? Details on control measures identified for each particular issue must be
included.
a. Air.
b. Particulates/dust.
c. Odour.
d. Noise/vibration.
e. Surface water.
f. Groundwater.
g. Wastewater reuse.
h. Solid waste.
i. Hazardous waste (medical, radioactive, chemical).
j. Hazardous materials.
k. Chemical substances, management and storage.
l. Compressed/liquid gas.
m. Underground/above ground fuel storage tanks.
n. Discharges to land.
o. Discharges to surface water.
p. Discharges to groundwater.
3 Have you addressed onsite water usage? for example:
a. Irrigation.
b. Cleaning.
c. Drinking.
4 Have you provided the following information?
a. Operating hours.
b. Timescale for completion of construction works.
c. Planned timelines for construction and operation.
d. Risk assessment.
e. Environmental protection measures required.
f. Detailed Monitoring Schedule
g. Company contact details including 24-hour emergency phone
number.

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 Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Environmental Protection Agency
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4. Submission of the Environmental Assessment and Management Plan

Three hard copies and an electronic copy of the Environment Assessment and Management Plan should
be submitted to the Environment Protection Agency at:

Ganges Street, Sophia

Georgetown

Once the required copies of the document are submitted to the Agency, there will be a 30-day review
period, after which the Agency will communicate to the developer whether the EAMP is satisfactory or
any additional information is required. In such cases, three hard copies and an electronic copy of the
revised EAMP should be submitted to the Agency.
When the Agency is satisfied with the standard of the EAMP, it will provide an acceptance and approval
letter to the developer and the EAMP will be implemented as a condition of an Environmental
Authorization.

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 Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Environmental Protection Agency
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Appendix 1: Air Quality Monitoring Standards

Ambient Air Quality Standards

Pollutant Averaging Time WHO

Level (µg/m3 )

PM2.5 1 year 10
24 h (99th percentile) 25
PM10 1 year 20
24 h (99 percentile) 50
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 1 yr 40
1h 200
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) 24 h 20
10 min 500
Ozone 8 h, daily maximum 100
NAAQS
Carbon Monoxide (CO) 8h 9ppm
1h 35ppm
Lead (Pb) Rolling 3-month average 0.15 µg/m3

World Health Organisation Air Quality Guidelines, 2005

US EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

Stack Emissions Standards

Air Pollutant Maximum Pollutant Level

Carbon Monoxide CO 1000mg/m3
Hydrogen Sulphide H2S 5mg/m3
Particulate Matter 100 mg/m3
Sulphuric Acid or suphuric trioxide 100 mg/m3 as sulphur trioxide equivalent
Nitric acid or oxides of nitrogen 350 mg/m3
Chlorine or inorganic chlorine compounds 200mg/m3
Fluoride compounds 50 mg/m3

Australian Environment (Air Quality) Policy, 2016

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 Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Environmental Protection Agency
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Appendix 2:

Guidelines for Submission of Water Quality Analytical Data

(Wastewater)

1. EPA Requirements for Analytical Results

In order to ensure credibility, analytical results submitted by developers must:

i. For Wastewater Analysis:
• Be accompanied by a copy of the laboratory’s GNBS certification and or ISO
accreditation
• Indicate compliance with the 3rd Schedule of the Environmental Protection (Water
Quality) Regulations 2000, i.e., in accordance with “Standard Methods of
Examination of Water and Wastewater, U.S.A OR “Analysis of Raw,
Potable and Wastewaters, UK. Please see Appendix B
*GNBS certification would provide assurance that the laboratory is competent
in the analysis of wastewater for the parameters indicated in the GNBS
Interim guidelines for Industrial effluent discharge into the environment.

2. Required Sampling Protocol

• Sampling of wastewater for submission to the laboratory for analysis should be

done in keeping with “EPA’s Water Sampling Guideline Amended 2022” see
Appendix 4

For quicker reference, please note the following:

• Sampling bottles should be clean and dry.
• Water/Wastewater Samples must be kept on ice until arrival at Laboratory for
testing.

• When filling sample bottles face up stream and fill sample bottles to the top in one
smooth motion.

• Avoid touching the mouth of the sample bottle to avoid contamination.

• Oil and Grease samples must be taken in opaque glass bottles.
• For volatile organic compounds (VOCs), use clear or brown bottles or vials with
screw caps or stoppers lined with tetrafluoroethene resin films, or similar
products, which can be closed to provide a gas-tight seal.
• For semi-volatile or non-volatile organic compounds, e.g., oil and grease, use

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 Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Environmental Protection Agency
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clear or brown glass jars with a stoppers or Teflon lined screw caps.
• For inorganic compounds such as heavy metals, chlorides, ammonia etc. use
polyethylene or glass containers
• Temperature, pH, DO, Electrical Conductivity readings are to be taken in-situ.

•Ensure that the correct parameters are identified from the permit for testing at
the laboratory
3. How Sample Information should be presented

Date of Sampling:

Sample GPS Sample Point Weather Time Additional

Location Coordinates Description Conditions taken Comments

e.g. e.g. ground

Demerara water, surface
Outfall or water, marine
Willem water
Koker, or
Eastern
external
drain etc.

*NB. Please note that this data should be an appendage to the results
submitted

4. How Laboratory Results should be Presented

Name of Laboratory:

Date sample submitted to lab for analysis:

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 Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Environmental Protection Agency
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PARAMETERS TO BE TESTED (as per permit conditions)

pH Biological Chemical Total Oil and Add other
Oxygen Oxygen Suspended Grease parameters as per
Demand Demand Solids (TSS) permit conditions
Sample (5-9) (BOD)
Location (COD)
<50 mg/L <50 mg/L <10mg/L
e.g. <250
mg/L
Demerar
a Outfall
or Willem
Koker, or
Eastern
external
drain etc.

• Please attach copies of Lab results/report.

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 Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Environmental Protection Agency
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Appendix 3

Table of standards test methods for industrial effluent monitoring in keeping with the 3rd
Schedule of the Environmental Protection (Water Quality) Regulations 2000, i.e.
“Standard Methods of Examination of Water and Wastewater, U.S.A OR
“Analysis of Raw, Potable and Wastewaters, UK.

NAME OF STANDARD
STANDARD
NUMBER
2310 Determination of acidity

2310-1 Titration method

2320 Determination of alkalinity

2320-1 Titration method

2540 Determination of solids

2540-1 Total solids dried at 103- 1050 C.

2540-2 Total dissolved solids.

2540-3 Total suspended solids dried at 103 – 1050 C.

2540-4 Fixed and volume solids ignited at 5000C.

2540-5 Settle able solids.

2540-6 Total, fixed and volatile solids in solid and semisolid samples.

2250 Determination of temperature

2550-1 Laboratory and field methods.

STANDARD NAME OF STANDARD

NUMBER
4500 - NH3 Determination of ammonia

4500 - NH3 – 1 Preliminary distillation steps

4500 – NH3 -2 Nesslerization method (Direct and following distillation).

4500 – NH3 - 3 Phenate method

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 Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Environmental Protection Agency
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4500 – NH3 – 4 Titrimetric method.

4500 – NH 3 – 5 Ammonia-Selective electrode method

4500 – NH 3 – 6 Ammonia-Selective electrode method, using known addition.

4500 – NH 3 – 7 Automated phenate method.

4500 – CN Determination of cyanide.

4500 – CN – 1 Preliminary treatment of samples.

4500 – CN – 2 Total cyanide after distillation.

4500 – CN – 3 Titrimetric method.

4500 – CN – 4 Colorimetric method.

4500 – CN – 5 Cyanide-Selective electrode method.

4500 – CN – 6 Cryanides amenable to chlorination after distillation.

4500 – CN – 7 Cayandies amenable to chlorination without distillation

(Short-cut method).
4500 – CN – 8
Weak acid disasociable cyanide.
4500 – CN – 9
Cyanogen chloride.
4500 – CN – 10
Spot test for sample screening.
4500 – CN – 11
Cyanates.
4500 – CN – 12
Thiocyanate.

STANDARD NUMBER NAME OF STANDARD

4500 – Cl Determination of chloride.

4500 – Cl – 1
Argentometric method.
4500 – Cl- 2

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Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Environmental Protection Agency
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Mercuric nitrate method.

4500 – Cl – 3
Potentiometric method.
4500 – Cl – 4
Automated ferricyanide method.
4500 – Cl – 5
Ion chromatograpgy method.

Determination of phosphous
4500 – P
Sample preparation
4500 – P - 1
Vanadom olbdophosphoric acid colorimetric
4500 – P – 3
method

Stannous chloride method

4500 – P – 4
Authomated ascorbic acid reduction method

Determination of nitrogen
4500 –N org
Macro-Kjeldahl method
4500 – 1
Semi-marco –Kjeldahl method
4500 – 2

4500 - - Do Determination of dissolved oxygen (Do)

4500 – 0 – Do – 1 Iodometric method

5210 Determination of biochemical oxygen demand

(BOD)
5210-1
5 – day BOD test
5220 Determination of chemical oxygen demand (COD)

5220 - 1 Open reflux method

5220 – 2 Closed reflux-Titrimetric method

5220 – 3 Closed reflux-Colorimetric method

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Environmental Protection Agency
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STANDARD NUMBER NAME OF STANDARD

5520 Determination of oil and grease

5520 – 1 Partition-Gravimetric method

5520 – 2 Partition-Infrared method

5520 – 3 Soxhlet extraction method

5520 – 4 Extraction method for sludge sample

5520 – 5 Hydrocarbon
5540 Determination of surfactant

5540 – 1 Surfactant separation by sublation

5540 – 2 Anionic surfactants as methylene blue active substances

(MBAS)
5540 – 3
Nonionic surfactants as cobalt thiocyanante active
substances (CTAS)
9223 Determination of coliform

9223 – 1 Chromogenic substrate test

6420 Determination of phenols

6420 – 1 Liquid-Liquid extraction gas chromatographic method

6420 – 2 Liquid- Liquid extraction gas or mass spectrometric

method

Appendix 4 (see attached)

”EPA’s Water Sampling Guideline Amended 2022”

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