8. What is an environmental impact report and what is its purpose?

An environmental impact report is a report issued by the State Agency on Environmental Protection and Forestry under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, certifying the project as environmentally sound after completing the review and appraisal of the FS for the HPP construction project. Each company wishing to construct an HPP must obtain an environmental impact report for each proposed project. The report is a prerequisite for obtaining a construction permit. The environmental impact report must also be publicized and endorsed by public opinion polls. If the report issued by the environmental protection authorities is negative, then construction of the HPP will be denied.