After AMDAL Approval: Environmental Monitoring Obligations and Government Supervision Under PP 22/2021

Executive Summary

Receiving an Environmental Feasibility Decision (Surat Keputusan Kelayakan Lingkungan Hidup) is not the end of the AMDAL process. Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021 (PP 22/2021) establishes extensive post-approval obligations that require project proponents to implement their Environmental Management Plan (RKL) and Environmental Monitoring Plan (RPL) throughout the operational life of their project. The government, through Environmental Supervision Officers (Pejabat Pengawas Lingkungan Hidup), maintains authority to verify compliance and enforce these obligations.

The regulation creates a dual accountability system. Project proponents must actively implement environmental management measures, conduct monitoring, and submit self-monitoring reports (swapantau) through the Environmental Information System. Meanwhile, government supervisors conduct both regular and incidental inspections, review compliance data, and can take immediate enforcement action when serious environmental threats are detected.

Understanding these post-approval requirements is critical for project proponents, environmental consultants, and compliance managers. Non-compliance can trigger administrative sanctions, civil liability, and criminal prosecution, making effective RKL-RPL implementation essential for operational continuity.

Background & Context

The AMDAL system establishes environmental conditions and management requirements before projects receive approval. However, environmental protection depends on actual implementation of these requirements throughout project operations. Without effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, approved environmental commitments could remain unfulfilled.

PP 22/2021 addresses this implementation challenge through a structured compliance framework. The Environmental Feasibility Decision document itself specifies proponent obligations and confirms that the decision remains valid only as long as the project operates according to the approved environmental management approach. This creates an ongoing compliance obligation rather than a one-time approval.

The regulation distributes supervision authority across three government levels: central, provincial, and district/city environmental agencies. Environmental Supervision Officers at each level possess broad powers to inspect facilities, take samples, request information, and stop violations. This distributed authority ensures that supervision capacity exists throughout Indonesia's decentralized administrative system.

Modern monitoring approaches also feature in the framework. The Environmental Information System enables indirect supervision through data analysis, and self-monitoring reports from project proponents feed into this system. When automated monitoring or self-reported data indicates violations, supervisors can trigger immediate direct inspections.

Key Provisions

Environmental Feasibility Decision Obligations

The Environmental Feasibility Decision is not merely an approval document. It contains specific obligations that proponents must fulfill throughout their project's operational life.

Pasal 49 Ayat 2:

"Surat Keputusan Kelayakan Lingkungan Hidup sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) huruf a, paling sedikit memuat: a. lingkup rencana Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan; b. ringkasan dampak yang dikelola; c. kewajiban penanggung jawab Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan; d. hal-hal lain yang harus diperhatikan penanggung jawab Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan dalam menjalankan Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan; e. persyaratan bagi penanggung jawab Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan untuk menjaga dan mengendalikan Pencemaran Lingkungan Hidup dan/atau Kerusakan Lingkungan Hidup yang bersumber dari dampak lalu lintas Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan; f. ketentuan bahwa penanggung jawab Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan wajib memberikan akses kepada Pejabat Pengawas Lingkungan Hidup untuk melakukan pengawasan sesuai dengan kewenangan; g. ketentuan masa berlaku Surat Keputusan Kelayakan Lingkungan Hidup..."

The decision document mandates supervisor access, specifies managed impacts, and establishes that validity continues throughout operations provided no unapproved changes occur. This creates a permanent compliance relationship between the proponent and environmental authorities.

Supervision Framework and Authority

Environmental supervision operates through a three-tier system of officers with comprehensive authority to verify compliance.

Pasal 495:

"(1) Pengawasan dilakukan terhadap ketaatan penanggung jawab Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan atas ketentuan yang ditetapkan dalam: a. Perizinan Berusaha; b. Persetujuan Pemerintah; dan c. peraturan perundang-undangan di bidang Perlindungan dan Pengelolaan Lingkungan Hidup. (2) Pengawasan sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) dilakukan oleh Pejabat Pengawas Lingkungan Hidup yang berada di lingkungan: a. kementerian yang menyelenggarakan urusan pemerintahan di bidang Lingkungan Hidup; b. instansi Lingkungan Hidup provinsi; dan c. instansi Lingkungan Hidup kabupaten/kota."

Supervision covers compliance with business permits, government approvals, and all environmental regulations. Officers at each government level possess full authority to conduct supervision within their jurisdiction.

Direct and Indirect Supervision Methods

The regulation establishes two complementary supervision approaches: direct site visits and indirect data analysis.

Pasal 496 Ayat 2-5:

"(2) Pengawasan dapat dilakukan dengan cara: a. pengawasan langsung; dan/atau b. pengawasan tidak langsung. (3) Pengawasan langsung sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (2) huruf a dilakukan dengan mendatangi lokasi Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan secara: a. reguler; atau b. insidental. (4) Pengawasan tidak langsung sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (2) huruf b dilakukan melalui penelaahan data laporan penanggung jawab Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan dan/atau data dari Sistem Informasi Lingkungan Hidup. (5) Dalam hal hasil pengawasan tidak langsung sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (4) menunjukkan pelanggaran yang berulang atau mengindikasikan timbulnya ancaman serius terhadap Lingkungan Hidup, Pejabat Pengawas Lingkungan Hidup segera melakukan pengawasan langsung."

Direct supervision includes both scheduled regular visits and responsive incidental visits. Indirect supervision analyzes proponent reports and Environmental Information System data. When indirect monitoring detects repeated violations or serious threats, it triggers immediate direct inspection.

Regular Supervision Planning

Regular supervision follows a structured annual planning process that prioritizes inspections based on permit data and risk assessment.

Pasal 497 Ayat 1-4:

"(1) Pengawasan reguler sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 496 ayat (3) huruf a dilaksanakan sesuai dengan perencanaan setiap tahun berdasarkan Perizinan Berusaha atau Persetujuan Pemerintah terkait Persetujuan Lingkungan dan/atau informasi lainnya. (2) Pengawasan reguler sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) dilakukan dengan tahapan: a. perencanaan pengawasan; b. pelaksanaan pengawasan; dan c. evaluasi pengawasan."

Annual planning identifies and prioritizes projects for direct inspection. The three-stage process ensures systematic supervision coverage while allowing flexibility to address emerging issues.

Incidental Supervision Triggers

Certain events trigger immediate unscheduled inspections, including complaints, detected violations, and reports from industrial estate managers.

Pasal 498 Ayat 1:

"(1) Pengawasan insidental sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 496 ayat (3) huruf b dilakukan apabila memenuhi kriteria: a. adanya indikasi pelanggaran berulang sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 496 ayat (5) dan indikasi pelanggaran yang terdeteksi; b. adanya pengaduan dari masyarakat terkait dugaan Pencemaran Lingkungan Hidup dan/atau Kerusakan Lingkungan Hidup; dan/atau c. adanya laporan dari pengelola kawasan atas pelanggaran pelaksanaan RKL-RPL rinci oleh Pelaku Usaha dalam kawasan."

The regulation specifically addresses RKL-RPL violations within industrial estates, where estate managers can report non-compliance by tenants. Detected violations from any source, including satellite imagery and self-monitoring reports, can trigger incidental inspections.

Violation Response and Enforcement

When serious environmental threats are detected, supervisors can take immediate enforcement action with 24-hour notice.

Pasal 499 Ayat 3-5:

"(3) Penghentian pelanggaran tertentu yang dilakukan oleh Pejabat Pengawas Lingkungan Hidup dapat berupa: a. penutupan saluran pembuangan Air Limbah; b. pembongkaran saluran pembuangan Air Limbah; c. penghentian operasi sumber Emisi; d. pembongkaran sumber Emisi; e. penghentian operasi alat yang menimbulkan Kerusakan Lingkungan Hidup; f. pembongkaran alat yang menimbulkan Kerusakan Lingkungan Hidup; g. penghentian kegiatan yang menimbulkan Pencemaran Lingkungan Hidup dan/atau Kerusakan Lingkungan Hidup; h. penghentian kegiatan pembuangan Limbah; dan/atau i. tindakan lain untuk menghentikan pelanggaran dan kerusakan Lingkungan Hidup. (4) Penghentian pelanggaran tertentu sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (3) dilakukan setelah dikeluarkan surat pemberitahuan paling lama 24 (dua puluh empat) jam."

The available enforcement actions range from closing wastewater channels to shutting down pollution-causing activities entirely. Proponents must comply with enforcement orders.

Supervisor Authority

Environmental Supervision Officers possess extensive powers to conduct effective inspections.

Pasal 502:

"Wewenang Pejabat Pengawas Lingkungan Hidup dalam melaksanakan pengawasan meliputi: a. memasuki tempat tertentu; b. memeriksa Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan; c. mengambil sampel; d. memeriksa peralatan; e. memeriksa instalasi dan/atau alat transportasi; f. menghentikan pelanggaran tertentu; g. meminta keterangan; h. membuat salinan dokumen dan/atau membuat catatan yang diperlukan; i. mendokumentasikan hasil pengawasan; j. meminta dukungan kepolisian dan/atau yang berwenang; dan k. wewenang lain sesuai dengan ketentuan peraturan perundang-undangan."

This comprehensive authority enables supervisors to gather evidence, verify compliance, and document violations. The ability to request police support ensures enforcement capability even in difficult situations.

Compliance Documentation and Consequences

Supervision results must be formally documented, and non-compliance triggers enforcement recommendations.

Pasal 500 Ayat 3-4:

"(3) Laporan hasil pengawasan sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) menyatakan status ketaatan Usaha dan/atau Kegiatan. (4) Dalam hal kesimpulan laporan hasil pengawasan sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (3) dinyatakan tidak taat, Pejabat Pengawas Lingkungan Hidup memberikan rekomendasi tindak lanjut penegakan hukum yang meliputi: a. administratif; b. perdata; dan/atau c. pidana, kepada Menteri, gubernur, atau bupati/wali kota sesuai dengan kewenangannya."

A finding of non-compliance leads to formal enforcement recommendations. The three enforcement pathways (administrative, civil, criminal) provide escalating responses depending on violation severity.

Implementation & Compliance

Project proponents should establish internal systems to implement RKL-RPL commitments from the first day of operations. The Environmental Management Plan specifies what measures must be taken, where, when, and by whom. The Environmental Monitoring Plan defines what parameters to measure, how frequently, and who conducts the monitoring. These commitments should be integrated into operational procedures and assigned to responsible personnel.

Self-monitoring reports (swapantau) must be submitted through the Environmental Information System according to the schedule specified in the RKL-RPL. These reports form part of the indirect supervision process, and irregularities in reported data can trigger incidental inspections. Accurate, timely reporting demonstrates compliance and builds credibility with environmental authorities.

When supervisors conduct inspections, proponents must provide access and cooperation. Obstructing supervision is prohibited, and proponents must permit entry, provide assistance, and make documentation available. Advance preparation of compliance records, monitoring data, and implementation documentation facilitates efficient inspections.

Non-compliance findings can trigger administrative sanctions, civil liability for environmental damage, or criminal prosecution for serious violations. Maintaining active compliance with RKL-RPL requirements is essential for operational continuity and for avoiding the significant consequences of enforcement action.

Conclusion

PP 22/2021 creates a comprehensive post-approval monitoring framework that extends environmental accountability throughout a project's operational life. The combination of proponent self-monitoring, government supervision, and enforcement authority ensures that approved environmental management commitments translate into actual environmental protection.

For project proponents, effective RKL-RPL implementation is not merely a compliance exercise but an operational necessity. The supervision framework's ability to detect violations through multiple channels, combined with enforcement powers ranging from equipment shutdown to criminal prosecution, creates strong incentives for maintaining continuous compliance.

Official Source

This article analyzes Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021 on Implementation of Environmental Protection and Management (PP 22/2021), specifically BAB II (Pasal 49) on Environmental Feasibility Decisions, BAB X (Pasal 495-504) on Supervision, and LAMPIRAN II on RKL-RPL Implementation.

The official regulation text can be accessed at:

Primary Source:
PP No. 22 Tahun 2021 - BPK Regulation Portal

Alternative Sources:
- JDIH Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan

Official Gazette: Lembaran Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 2021 Nomor 32

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