Ports: Public Consultation on the Environmental Regime

Resolution 57/2026 of the Argentine Ports and Navigation Agency (ANPyN), published in the Official Gazette on September 11, 2026, launches the Participatory Rulemaking procedure set out in Decree 1172/2003 to receive opinions and proposals on the draft environmental regime applicable to works and activities in ports and navigable waterways under the ANPyN’s jurisdiction (Draft Regime). This Draft Regime also covers the technical and methodological criteria applicable to dredging works.

Opinions and proposals must be submitted through the form available on the ANPyN’s website within 15 business days from the Resolution’s entry into force. The Technical Coordination Department was designated as the authority in charge of the procedure.

The Draft Regime proposes classifying works and activities into three categories according to their environmental impact: low, moderate, and high. The classification would be made using a polynomial environmental impact scoring formula that would consider, among other aspects, the type and scale of the activity, its location, the environmental sensitivity of the surrounding area, emissions, operational risks, and potential cumulative impacts.
 

The assigned category would determine the applicable assessment procedure:

1. low-impact activities would be subject to a simplified procedure;
2. moderate-impact activities, to an abbreviated procedure; and
3. high-impact activities, to the ordinary environmental impact assessment procedure, including the preparation of environmental impact studies and public participation mechanisms.
    

The Draft Regime also addresses pre-existing, permanent, or recurring works and activities that have approved environmental studies or authorized Environmental Monitoring and Management Plans (PMyGA). Under the Draft Regime, such works and activities would not need to undergo a new assessment procedure, unless substantial changes are made to their nature, scale, or location. Their holders, however, would have to adapt their PMyGA within one year of the entry into force of the regime that is ultimately approved.