Reference is made to the article entitled Despite Mepa conditions, Freeport dredging during bathing season – Birzebbuga Environmental Action Group (TMIS, 11 July).

The Authority wishes to point out that not all conditions in a planning and development permit are imposed by Mepa, in that certain conditions may be imposed by other agencies and regulators. Such additional conditions would be enforced by the agency or regulator that imposed the conditions.

This is the case with PA 7189/07, which was the subject of your article, in that the condition that no dredging work was to be carried out by the Malta Freeport during the bathing season was imposed by the Environment Health Directorate (EHD) within the Health Ministry. The Authority is, moreover, informed that EHD received a request from Malta Freeport to extend work throughout the bathing season.

This request was acceded to by the EHD, subject to a number of stringent conditions including, among others, that an Environmental Monitoring Plan is implemented and the data collected is forwarded to the EHD on a regular basis and that dredging work in the vicinity of Pretty Bay is to be carried out only at night, between 8pm and 6am.

The Authority is advised that the conditions imposed by the Environment Health Directorate are being complied with.

Peter Gingell

Mepa Communications Office