| Review Of The Effectiveness And Efficiency of EIA |
| Monday, 24 May 2010 20:53 |
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The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has commissioned a study into the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental impact assessment (EIA) as a tool for managing environmental impacts in South Africa. In 1997, the department passed regulations regulating environmental impact assessments in terms of the Environment Conservation Act, 1989 (Act 73 of 1989). Since the regulations came into effect, several deficiencies and challenges have been highlighted and the department then promulgated the new EIA Regulations in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998) (as amended) which came into effect in July 2006. These regulations were implemented by both the provincial and national spheres of government and aimed amongst others to ensure that the environmental effects of activities are taken into consideration before decisions in this regard are taken; to promote sustainable development and to regulate the process and reports required to enable the Minister or his designated competent authority to make informed decisions on activities. Despite the strides made towards an improved efficient and effective EIA system, there are criticism and perceptions of inadequacy about the success of the current EIA system as a tool for environmental impact management, which prompted the department to launch a study to review the efficiency and effectiveness of EIAs as a tool for environmental management in South Africa. The outcomes of the study will highlight the successes and shortcomings of the tool, identify measures for improvement and identify and introduce other appropriate tools. The results of this study will subsequently also inform the development of a national environmental impact management strategy and action plan for South Africa. All interested parties are invited to participate in the study by registering (details below) as participant and to complete the general questionnaire. For more information regarding the project, please refer to the background information document. Please register at: Mosakong Management CC Tel: (012) 430 6581 Fax: (012) 430 6504 e-mail: mosakong@telkomsa.net Contact Ms. Hilda Mthimunye (012) 430 6581 or Ms. Chantal Matthys (012) 310 3158 should you have any enquiries regarding the projects. Background Information Document General Questionaire EIA Regulations |
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