ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Development projects are an inevitable certainty, especially in a developing country. Such development should however, occur in a controlled and environmentally and socially sustainable manner.

In order to ensure that decisions regarding development projects do not disregard environmental considerations, Basic Assessments (BA) or Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessments (S&EIA), are mandatory for the undertaking of identified activities by way of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998.

OVERARCHING OBJECTIVE OF IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

The overarching objective of an impact assessment is to provide the competent authority with relevant and objective information pertaining to the anticipated positive and negative environmental, economic and social impacts associated with the project, together with appropriate management and mitigation measures in order to enable decision-makers to promote environmentally sound and sustainable development and to give effect to the general objectives of integrated environmental management (IEM).

Zone Land Solutions have the expertise to ensure that the impact assessment considers the strategic context of a development proposal along with broader societal needs, the natural resources based, and the public interest as required by the National Environmental Management Act.

BASIC ASSESSMENTS

A Basic Assessment is required before any activity listed in Listing Notice 1 (GN R R544) and Listing Notice 3 (GN R546) may be undertaken.

In general a Basic Assessment is a shorter process with a minimum number of interactions with the competent authority. The potential for significant detrimental social, environmental and economic impacts associated with activities for which a Basic Assessment is to be undertaken are generally not so high. Impact assessments by various specialists will therefore not be necessary, although desktop studies covering the most significant sectors may be required in order to understand the receiving environment and the potential impacts associated with the proposed activity.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

A Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (S&EIA) is required before any activity listed in Listing Notice 2 (GN R R545) may be undertaken.

S&EIA entails a comprehensive process of collecting, organising, analysing, interpreting and communicating information that is relevant to the consideration of the proposed development. The potential for significant detrimental social, environmental and economic impacts associated with activities for which an EIA is to be undertaken are generally high. The input of various specialists will therefore be necessary.

An S&EIR is characterised by two distinct phases

• Scoping Phase – During the scoping phase potential impacts and key issues are identified to be assessed during the EIA phase and a detailed Plan of Study for EIA is drafted to determine the scope of the environmental impact assessment.

  Four key purposes of Scoping (Department of Environmental Affairs, 2010):

  • To determine the scope of work for the EIA, namely the issues and alternatives that need to be investigated and assessed;
  • To initiate a public participation process to inform I&APs about the project and to obtain their input on issues and concerns that they may have about the project;
  • To identify, based on existing information and knowledge, whether there are any potential negative environmental impacts that could preclude the development proceeding; and
  • To determine, based on existing information and knowledge, what changes should be made to the project design or plan to resolve (i.e. avoid) or reduce potential negative environment impacts or to enhance potential positive impacts.
  
  
• Environmental Impact Assessment Phase – Issues identified during the scoping phase and aspects listed in the Plan of Study for EIA is assess during the environmental impact assessment phase. Draft environmental management plans must also be drafted during this stage. An Environmental Impact Report is submitted to the competent authority for their consideration.