The Powerless of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA): A Case Studies of North Kendeng Mountain Area, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a new instrument of environmental management stipulated by Act 32 of 2009 regarding Environmental Protection and Management. This study observes the response of relevant government regarding the result of SEA studies. In August 2016, President Jokowi governed to conduct SEA for North Kendeng Mountain area due to the conflict between the government and investor preferring the utilization of this area for mining and local people demanding for conservation. North Kendeng mountain area is rich in limestone potentially utilized for cement, cosmetics, paint, and other commercial uses. However, this area is also storage for water that has been widely utilized for potable water and irrigation for local people. SEA is expected to mediate the conflict by recommending the area for exploitation and conservation. All relevant provincial governments: Central and East Java, and regencies: Grobogan, Pati, Rembang, Blora, Tuban, Bojonegoro and Lamongan agreed to follow up President's instruction. However, after the EIA studies finished, the provincial government of Central Java on their revision on spatial planning did not incorporate the EIA studies. The Regency government of Pati also refused to incorporate the EIA studies. Institutional and substantial arrangement are required to make SEA studies workable and implementable.