For senators from the Northern Region, it is an initiative to make the studies necessary for exploration difficult; Minister said that Ibama is not delaying analyzes purposely and only ‘fulfills the law’
The Minister of the Environment, he stated that the creation of four conservation units in the equatorial margin in northern Brazilian does not prevent the economic exploitation of the region. At a public hearing in the Senate on the morning of Tuesday (27) said that, unlike notes made during the session, the It is not delaying analysis purposely. “Ibama does not facilitate or make it difficult, fulfills the law,” he said. The hearing at the Infrastructure Commission (CI) was called to discuss the acceleration of the creation of marine conservation units in the equatorial margin. For senators from the northern region, it is an initiative to make the studies necessary for exploration of the area difficult. According to the minister, however, the creation is not used to put itself as an obstacle, but to consolidate a process ongoing for 20 years.
“Conservation units are created within a plane, not isolated. They have a strategic role, in protection, sustainable use of biodiversity,” said Marina Silva. The minister showed a presentation sheet with a common stretch of the guidelines that accompany the proposals for the creation of the questioned units. “It is already established that pipelines, pipelines, ports what to do, this (the reserve) will not be impeding,” he said.
The highlight made by Marina Silva sought to answer questions such as Senator Lucas Barreto (PSD-AP). In speech directed at the minister, Barreto complained about the levels of poverty in the north of the country. “We are on richness, in poverty, contemplating nature. Looking at the tree, scenic beauty, does not fill a belly,” said the senator who, when listed his questions, required explanations about the delay of environmental analysis.
“It can be done (exploration) as long as licensing is done, obviously. With or without reservation you have to do the licensing,” said the Environment Minister. However, it has amended with a direct criticism of the new framework of environmental licensing (PL 2,159/2021) approved by the Senate last week Marina Silva said that the prior analysis will continue to be a premise “unless all setbacks that have been trying to do in the licensing process”.
The new milestone incorporated, at the initiative of the president of the House, David Alcolumbre (Union-AP), the creation of the “Special Environmental License (LAE)”. The device opens a simplified rite of single stage for works classified by a government council as “strategic”, although they have potential for environmental degradation. If it is maintained and becoming law, the new category will serve, for example, to unlock oil prospecting on the equatorial margin, flag of Senator Amapaense.
Another point questioned by the senators during Tuesday’s audience was the biggest difficulty imposed on oil prospecting in the northern region compared to the basins already explored in the country. “There is a government resolution that says new exploration fronts from 2008 should have environmental assessment for the entire basin area,” said the minister. According to her, the greatest caution is the result of the maturity of the country and will guarantee the necessary knowledge about the area.
*With information from Estadão Content
