In the past, when the Marine Department wanted to construct
detached breakwaters for coastal protection, it also carried out an
initial environmental examination (IEE) along with the engineering
design process. Foreseen impacts and related regulations were
included in a contract to control the contractor. However, the
adequacy of such an IEE was questioned by some environmental
activists since the Marine Department still had the authority to
approve its own construction projects and to conduct its own IEE.
The EIA legislation recently announced by ONEP cancels the
autonomy that once belonged to the Marine Department.