Optimizing the Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL) Process as the Basis for Environmental Approval: A Policy Evaluation Study in Merauke Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA/AMDAL) is a mandatory public policy instrument for issuing Environmental Approval under Indonesia’s Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021. In Merauke Regency, AMDAL implementation is particularly important due to its unique socio-ecological characteristics and the presence of the indigenous Malind Anim community. However, a substantial gap exists between the maximum service standard of 63 working days and the actual average completion time of 162 working days. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the AMDAL process using William N. Dunn’s public policy evaluation framework, focusing on procedural accuracy, timeliness, document quality, inter-party coordination, and information disclosure and public participation. A descriptive quantitative approach with an evaluative survey was employed, involving 51 purposively selected stakeholders. Data were collected using a 3-point Likert scale questionnaire and complemented by thematic and gap analyses. The results show that the overall effectiveness of the AMDAL process reached 92.31%, categorized as very effective. Procedural accuracy (97.65%) and inter-party coordination (97.12%) were the strongest supporting dimensions, while timeliness (81.31%) remained the primary constraint. Delays were mainly associated with limited competence among AMDAL document preparers, repetitive revision cycles, and conventional public consultation practices that inadequately accommodate Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) principles. The study recommends strengthening consultant capacity, standardizing measurable RKL-RPL, institutionalizing localized FPIC protocols, and optimizing AMDALnet digitalization to improve efficiency and environmental governance.