Public Participation on the "Noise Exceptions" Authorization

The article deals with public participation in the “noise exceptions” authorization – a decision which authorizes an operator of a source of noise which is exceeding the maximum limits to continue with the operations for a limited period of time. Only an applicant (an operator) is a party of an administrative procedure on the request for the exception according to Public Health Protection Act (258/2000 Coll.).
There are various opinions to this legislation, particularly in relation to compliance or non-compliance with the Convention on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters (Aarhus Convention). This article summarizes attitudes to this issue from a perspective view of NGOs, Ministry of the Environment and Czech courts. Subsequently the article presents a short historical view to this issue which illustrates the general outline of this issue.
As a conclusion, the author summarizes the findings and presents a few comments on discussed issue.