The recent exclusion of watchdog groups from the Silver Palms development approval process has raised significant questions from opposition parties. Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai addressed these concerns today, providing insights into how the project gained approval despite the absence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on the National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC). Mai explained that the Limited Level Study process, which was employed for this project, does not mandate NEAC involvement. Instead, it involves government agencies with specific permitting authority over various aspects of the project. These agencies included the Forest Department, Fisheries Department, Lands Department, Mining Unit, and the Department of the Environment (DOE). Each agency was tasked with assessing potential negative impacts and proposing mitigation strategies. Mai emphasized that decisions were not based on consensus but on majority agreement among the agencies. The Fisheries Department expressed concerns due to the project’s proximity to a marine protected area, but the majority recommendation to proceed was accepted by the DOE. This approach has sparked debate over transparency and the role of watchdog groups in environmental assessments.