Section 43: Joint review panel

(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, where the referral of a project to a review panel is required or permitted by this Act and a jurisdiction referred to in subsection (1) (e) or (f) of this section, has a responsibility or an authority to conduct an assessment of the environmental effect of the project or any part of it, the Council and the Minister of External Affairs may establish a review panel jointly with that jurisdiction.
(2)
The Council shall not establish a review panel jointly with a jurisdiction referred to in section 42 of this Act unless the Council is satisfied that-
(a) the Council may appoint or approve the appointment of the chairman or a co-chairman and one or more other members of the panel;
(b) the Council may fix or approve the terms of reference for the panel;
(c) the public shall be given an opportunity to participate in the assessment conducted by the panel;
(d) on completion of the assessment, the report of the panel shall be submitted to the Council; and
(e) the panel's report shall be published.
(3)
Where the Council establishes a review panel jointly with a jurisdiction referred to in section 42 of this Act, the assessment conducted by that panel shall be deemed to satisfy any requirements of this Act, respecting assessment by a review panel.