Poland Aims to Streamline Project Approvals With New Environmental Assessment Office

摘要

The Polish government approved formation of an office of environmental protection to accelerate implementation of construction projects, chiefly highways, that require clearance via impact assessment procedures required by the European Commission, Environment Minister Maciej Nowicki said July 23. "It is a vital moment for Poland," Nowicki said at a news conference, eight days after the government approved formation of the Chief Office for Environmental Protection (GDOS). The new office will be headquartered in Warsaw at the Environment Ministry and will start operations Jan. 1, 2009. GDOS will have branch offices in 16 Polish provinces and will employ a total of about 1,000 experts on impact assessment procedures.