On February 14, the Public Information Bulletin mentioned the outcome of the previously announced competition. It was won by Piotr Otawski, who will occupy the position of General Director of Environmental Protection. Meeting the requirements set by the IOC was not easy. The choice is to ensure professional management of the institution.
Competition announced by the Ministry of the Economy
The Ministry of Climate and Environment announced the recruitment for the position of General Director of Environmental Protection at a press briefing in early January this year. At the time, Deputy Minister of the Ministry Anita Sowinska conveyed:
Today we announce recruitment for the positions of Chief Environmental Inspector and General Director of Environmental Protection. These are very responsible functions, and the requirements are considerable. These are competency requirements in terms of knowledge of environmental law, but not only – we also require knowledge of finance and public procurement law. She added that candidates with managerial competence should apply for the position, as professional management of the GIOŚ and GDOŚ will depend on it, which will translate into A higher level of quality in environmental management in Poland.
Results of the competition for General Director of Environmental Protection
According to information posted two days ago on the BIP website, Piotr Otawski – a doctor of legal sciences and legal advisor – has been selected in the competition for General Director of Environmental Protection. In 2014-2015, he served as Undersecretary of the Ministry of the Environment and Chief Nature Conservator. In recent years, he has been a partner in a Warsaw law firm and co-owner of a consulting company, on whose website we can read: Long-time lecturer in law, administration and European studies in the area of public law – Polish and European environmental law and environmental policy. Author of dozens of publications in the field of environmental law, especially in relation to urban planning and the investment process.
General Directorate of Environmental Protection and subordinate units
The General Directorate of Environmental Protection (GDOŚ) is the institution responsible for nature conservation and participation in environmental investment processes. The basis for its activities is defined primarily by the Law of October 3, 2008. On sharing information about the environment and its protection, public participation in environmental protection and environmental impact assessments, and a number of implementing acts. According to the statute, the GDOŚ is an office of government administration. The General Director appoints and dismisses Regional Directors, performing their tasks in the areas of each province.
The main tasks of the General Director of Environmental Protection include. Control of the investment process in the environmental part, including strategic environmental impact assessments and proceedings on transboundary environmental impact; performing a number of tasks related to the Natura 2000 network, EMAS auditing or conducting Central Register of Nature Conservation Forms. On the other hand, according to the GDOŚ website, the main tasks of the Regional Environmental Directorates include:
- Issuance of decisions and stipulations under the Law on Nature Protection;
- Creation and elimination of forms of nature protection;
- transfer of data to the database on environmental impact assessments of projects, maintained by the General Directorate of Environmental Protection;
- Participation in strategic environmental impact assessments;
- Management of Natura 2000 sites and other forms of nature conservation;
- conducting environmental impact assessments of projects or taking part in them;
- Performing tasks related to the organization’s participation in the EMAS eco-management and audit scheme;
- Conducting proceedings and performing other tasks under the Law on Environmental Damage Prevention and Remediation;
- Cooperation with local governments on matters relating to environmental impact assessments of investments and nature conservation;
- Cooperation with environmental organizations.
At the moment, it remains to wait for the appointment of a new General Director of Environmental Protection.