Assessment (EIA) regulations
12 April 2006
Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism will,
on Wednesday, 19 April 2006, be launching new draft Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) regulations. This follows a lengthy and comprehensive public
consultation process and aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
EIA's in South Africa. The regulations are also of critical importance in light
of government's commitment to the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative
(AsgiSA) and ensuring environmental sustainability.
Background
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) has embarked on a
process to develop and promulgate Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
regulations in terms of the provisions of the National Environmental Management
Act (NEMA) of 1998 (as amended) to replace the existing regulations in this
regard promulgated in terms of the Environment Conservation Act (ECA) of 1989
(as amended). The process to develop new regulations commenced in 2000 and
included consultation of inter alia affected authorities at various stages
through the development process. After a lengthy process including two rounds
of official public consultation (as opposed to the prescribed one) and numerous
focus group workshops, the research conducted and consultation process has
resulted in draft regulations that will be launched by the Minister on
Wednesday, 19 April 2006.
Time: 10h00 to 11h00
Date: Wednesday, 19 April 2006
Venue: Conference Room, Fourth Floor, Department of Environmental Affairs
and Tourism Offices, corner of Van der Walt and Pretorius Streets, Pretoria.
(Public Parking is available in the basement of the building - entrance in
Pretorius Street.)
Cape Town media - please note that there will be a video link up from our
DEAT offices at the Foretrust Building, Martin Hammerschlag way, Foreshore,
Cape Town
For parking details and confirmation of attendance please contact: Solly
Kganyago
Cell: 082 568 6122
Enquiries:
Mava Scott
Cell: 082 411 9821
Riaan Aucamp
Cell: 083 778 9923
Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
12 April 2006
