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1 Introduction
1.1 Implementation of environmental impact assessment in Kuwait
The National Environmental Policy Act passed by the US Government in, 1969, intended to evaluate and manage industrial pollution in the USA, has become the benchmark for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) throughout the world ([25] Utzinger et al. , 2005). Many countries followed the USA in developing their own EIA rules and regulations. In fact, developing countries in Asia as well as China and Kuwait moved to the forefront in establishing EIA practices ([18] Momtaz, 2002).
Kuwait adopted EIAs in 1982, following recognition at the national level beginning in the 1970s of the importance of protecting the environment and conserving natural resources. According to article (8) of law No. 21/1995 on the establishment of the Kuwait Environment Public Authority ([13] EPA, 1996) and the law's amendment, No. 16/1996, an EIA is defined as a methodological outline for predicting the impact of development on society and humans. Through such assessments, more informed decisions can be made on whether to modify or deny development proposals ([6] Al-Sara'awi and Al-Tal, 2002). This definition adopted by the EPA in Kuwait agrees with the aim of EIAs in general, which has been articulated by [14] Fehr (1999), [17] Mindell et al. (2003) and [22] Steinemann (2000) "to assess, predict and monitor the potential impacts of policies, programmes and projects, and to propose measures for prevention or alleviation of their adverse environmental impacts". It also echoes the beliefs of [15] Glasson et al. (1999) and [19] Morgan (1998), who considered EIAs "a participatory practice employed to spot and appraise the probable environmental consequences of development proposals in order to facilitate informed decision-making and sustainable development". Kuwait has recognized that a well-managed EIA improves the likelihood of sustainable development, particularly when it also incorporates local expertise. [20] Morgan (2003), [8] Appiah-Opoku (2001) and [27] Zubair (2001) confirm this approach in the literature.
Article (8) of law No. 21/1995, and its amendment, require the developer, whether from the public or private sector, to submit a comprehensive environmental impact statement (EIS) for any major development project which should be reviewed by the EPA before given an environmental permit. The procedures currently followed in implementing the EIA system in Kuwait are shown in Figure 1...