Public hearings

(1) The Department, on the recommendation of the Committee, may require a public hearing or public consultation in respect of any undertaking, project or activity in respect of which an environmental impact assessment is required pursuant to these regulations. (2) In order to determine whether an undertaking, project or activity requires a public hearing or public consultation, the Department shall take into account the following factors– (a) the magnitude and type of the environmental impact, the amount of investment, the nature of the geographical area, including Outstanding Universal Values ascribed to the area under a World Heritage Site designation, and the commitment of the natural resources involved in the proposed undertaking, project or activity; (b) the degree of interest in the proposed undertaking, project or activity by the public, the Department and other government agencies, as evidenced by the public participation in the proposed undertaking, project or activity; 24 Environmental Protection (c) the complexity of the problem and the possibility that information presented at a public hearing or public consultation may assist the developer to comply with its responsibilities regarding the proposed undertaking, project or activity.