While it is the MEPA Board which provides strategic guidance for the Planning Directorate and the Environment Protection Directorate, the Authority has a number of of Boards and Committees that assist the organisation to fulfill its functions and responsibilities efficiently and effectively, in line with its legal obligations. These Boards and Committees include:
The Environment and Planning Commissions (EPCs) carry out the function of determining development planning applications. These Commissions are delegated to take decisions based on the approved local plans and other policy documents that regulate and guide the Authority.
The Heritage Advisory Committee, which has two panels, one for natural heritage and another for cultural heritage provide professional and expert advise to the Authority on matters relating to the conservation of cultural and natural heritage in an integrated process. Each panel also provides advice on the application process in particular with regards to the conservation of property or areas that may be affected by an application for a development permission.
The Minerals Advisory Board is appointed by the Authority to review applications for development permission in connection with exploitation of minerals and advise on environmental standards to be adopted by the industry.
The IPPC Committee is legally constituted through Schedule 6 of LN 234/2002. The committee oversees the definitive establishment of IPPC installations, the inspection of installations and ensures that the necessary guidance in the legislation is carried out.
The Ornis Committee decides on issues such as the study on trapping, licensing and registration. It also co-ordinate the collation of the carnet de chasse (which is a note of the birds caught by each hunter) and it introduces any necessary controls on hunting and trapping in case of a serious decline in certain species. It also decides on new species which may be hunted.
The Biosafety Co-ordinating Committee (BCC) has as one of its core functions is to advise the Authority and the Minister responsible for Rural Affairs on environmental implications of GMOs.
The Planning Appeals Board is a quasi-judicial body independent of the Authority.
The Urban Improvement Fund (UIF) Committee evaluates and assesses proposed projects that would have been submitted to MEPA by a local council or by the government, by which a request for funding would have been made. The Committee evaluates these proposed projects against a number of criteria that establish whether a project can be funded or not. The full or partial funding of an approved project depends primarily on whether there are sufficient funds available for that praticular locality. The committee also ensure that once approved the project is completed in accordance with the agreed terms and conditions.