ABSTRACT
The European Commission began preliminary work on the legal regulation of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in the early 1970s (see Cupei, 1986; Albert, 1997, 127-134). The intention was to initiate a process of rethinking in member states aimed at achieving equal treatment in decision making of environmental along with social and economic issues. The importance of taking into account the negative environmental impacts and/or external effects of planned projects had to be addressed by establishing rules for participation in the planning process and for the public provision of information. This would allow third parties, whether individuals, environmental groups or other relevant agencies to confront both planning authorities and developers with objections and suggestions for better solutions. In addition, public involvement was supposed to lead to wider public acceptance of the decisions made because the process had been an open one.
