National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004)Chapter 4 : Air Quality Management MeasuresPart 1 : Priority areas19. Management of priority areas |
| (1) | If the Minister has in terms of section 18 declared an area as a priority area, the national air quality officer must— |
| (a) | after consulting the air quality officers of any affected province and municipality, prepare a priority area air quality management plan for the area; and |
| (b) | within six months of the declaration of the area, or such longer period as the Minister may specify, submit the plan to the Minister for approval. |
| (2) | If the MEC has in terms of section 18 declared an area as a priority area, the air quality officer of the relevant province must— |
| (a) | after consulting the national air quality officer and the air quality officer of any affected municipality, prepare a priority area air quality management plan for the area; and |
| (b) | within six months of the declaration of the area, or such longer period as the MEC may specify, submit the plan to the MEC for approval. |
| (3) | If the MECs in two or more adjoining provinces have by joint action in terms of section 18 declared an area as a priority area, the air quality officers of the relevant provinces must jointly— |
| (a) | after consulting the national air quality officer and the air quality officers of the affected municipalities, prepare a priority area air quality management plan for the area; and |
| (b) | within six months of the declaration of the area, or such longer period as the relevant MECs may specify, submit the plan to the MECs for approval. |
| (4) | Before approving a priority area air quality management plan, the Minister or the relevant MEC or MEC's— |
| (a) | must follow a consultative process in accordance with sections 56 and 57; |
| (b) | may require the relevant air quality officer to amend the plan within a period |
(5)
| (a) | The Minister or the relevant MEC or MECs must publish an approved plan in the Gazette within 90 days of approval. |
| (b) | The approved plan takes effect from the date of its publication. |
| (6) | A priority area air quality management plan must— |
| (a) | be aimed at co-ordinating air quality management in the area; |
| (b) | address issues related to air quality in the area; and |
| (c) | provide for the implementation of the plan by a committee representing relevant role-players. |
| (7) | A priority area air quality management plan lapses when the declaration of the area as a priority area is withdrawn in terms of section 18(5). |