| EIAs to be fast tracked |
| Monday, 24 May 2010 20:49 |
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The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) has confirmed that it is fast tracking the environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies of priority power-related projects, and that it is working on a guideline to identify and speed up the processes for strategically important developments. Engineering News quotes DEAT Acting Head of Communication Mava Scott as saying that the department and Eskom meet monthly, and that priority projects have been identified and are being fast-tracked. It was noted that under the National Environmental Management Act EIA regulations, 95% of all national applications were processed within the stipulated time frames – so no new backlog was being created. The DEAT believes, however, that too many development processes are subjected to the EIA process, and it is working on the multi-pronged approach to rationalise the use of EIA without compromising environmental quality. |
