EMA Appeals Judgement (reported Guardian Newspaper 8th July, 2009)

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has appealed the judgment of Justice Mira Dean-Armorer, which quashed the decision to grant a certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) to Alutrint for construction of an aluminium smelter in La Brea.

The notice was filed on Monday against the June 15 judgment. A release issued yesterday by the EMA said, “The EMA through a notice filed on July 6, has appealed against the decision by the EMA to grant a CEC to Alutrint for construction of an aluminium smelter in La Brea.”

The EMA said it was acting independently on behalf of the public by “balancing environmental considerations with economic ones.” It defended its decision to “grant the CEC after thorough and qualified review over a period of more than two years, involving consultation with the public.”

The EMA further stated that it was satisfied it had discharged its statutory duties, took appropriate precautionary measures to prevent serious and irreversible damage to the environment, “and the learned judge erred in reaching her conclusions.”