Replaced policy and its location in the current framework

In developing its new policy framework, the EPA has replaced a number of environmental assessment guidelines (EAG), environmental protection bulletins (EPB), guidance statements (GS), and position statements (PS).

Much of the content of the previous documents has been incorporated into the new framework. The table below identifies the documents that have been replaced and how they link to the new guidelines and procedures framework.

To find out more about the EPA’s policy framework, download the EPA’s Policy Framework Manual.

Replaced policy Location of relevant content in new framework
Procedural documents
EAG 1 – Defining the key characteristics of a proposal Procedures Manual (and Instructions)
EAG 2 – Changes to a proposal after assessment - Section 45C Procedures Manual (and Instructions)
EAG 6 – Timelines for EIA Procedures Manual
EAG 10 – Scoping a proposal Procedures Manual (and Instructions)
EAG 11 – Recommending environmental conditions Procedures Manual
EAG 14 – Preparation of an API-A environmental review document Procedures Manual (and Instructions)
EAG 16 – Referral of a proposal under section 38 Procedures Manual (and Instructions)
EAG 17 - Preparation of environmental management plans Procedures Manual (and Instructions)
EPB 1 – Environmental Offsets Procedures Manual
EPB 11 – Consultation on conditions Procedures Manual
EPB 16 – Minor or preliminary works Procedures Manual (and Instructions)
EPB 17 – Strategic and derived proposals Procedures Manual
EPB 19 – EPA involvement in mine closure Procedures Manual
Environmental factor documents
EAG 3 – Protection of benthic primary producer habitats

Factor Guideline – Benthic communities and habitats

Technical Guidance – Protection of benthic communities and habitats

EAG 7 – Marine dredging proposals

Factor Guideline – Benthic communities and habitats

Technical Guidance – Environmental impact assessment of marine dredging proposals

EAG 8 – Environmental Principles, Factors and objectives Statement of Environmental Principles, Factors and Objectives
EAG 9 – Significance framework Statement of Environmental Principles, Factors and Objectives
EAG 13 – Noise Factor Guideline – Social surroundings
EAG 14 – Benthic primary producer habitat loss in and around Port Hedland Technical Guidance – Protection of benthic communities and habitats
EAG 15 – Protecting the quality of WA’s marine environment

Factor Guideline – Marine environmental quality

Technical Guidance – Protecting the quality of Western Australia’s marine environment

GS 10 – Level of assessment for natural areas within System 6 Factor Guideline – Flora and vegetation
GS 28 – Protection of Lake Clifton catchment Factor Guideline – Inland waters environmental quality
GS 49 – Assessment of development proposals - Shark Bay World Heritage area Procedures Manual
GS 51 – Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation surveys Technical Guidance – Flora and vegetation surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment
GS 55 – Implementing best practice in EIA Statement of Environmental Principles, Factors and Objectives, and some factor guidelines
EPB 2 – Port Hedland dust and noise Factor Guideline – Social surroundings
EPB 5 – Inland drainage proposals in the wheatbelt

Factor Guideline - Inland waters environmental quality

EPB 10 – Geraldton Regional flora and vegetation survey Technical Guidance – Flora and vegetation surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment
EPB 13 – Albany Regional vegetation survey Technical Guidance – Flora and vegetation surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment
EPB 18 – Sea level rise Factor Guideline – Coastal processes
EPB 21 – Guidance for wind farms Factor Guideline – Social surroundings
EPB 23 – Landforms Factor Guideline – Landforms
EPB 24 – Greenhouse Gas Emissions Factor Guideline – Air quality
PS 2 – Environmental Protection of Native Vegetation Factor Guideline – Flora and vegetation
PS 3 – Terrestrial Biological surveys

Factor Guidelines – Flora and vegetation, Terrestrial fauna

Technical Guidance – Flora and vegetation surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment

PS 4 – Environmental Protection of Wetlands Factor Guidelines – Flora and vegetation, Inland waters environmental quality, Terrestrial fauna
Government policies and guidance
Joint Guidelines for Preparing Mine Closure Plans (EPA & DMP, 2015)

Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s Statutory Guideline for Mine Closure Plans (March 2020) and Mine Closure Plan Guidance – how to prepare in accordance with the Statutory Guidelines (March 2020)