National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998)

Notices

Protocols and Procedures for Assessment and Minimum Criteria for reporting on Identified Environmental Themes ito Sections 24 and 44 of the Act when applying for Environmental Authorisation

Terrestrial plant species : Protocol for the Specialist Assessment and Minimum Report content requirements for Environmental Impacts on Plant Species

2. Site Sensitivity Verification and Minimum Report content requirements
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Prior to commencing with a specialist assessment, the current use of the land and the potential environmental sensitivity of the site under consideration, identified by the screening tool, must be confirmed by undertaking a site sensitivity verification2.

 

2.1 The site sensitivity verification must be undertaken by an environmental assessment practitioner or a specialist.

 

2.2 The site sensitivity verification must be undertaken through the use of:
(a) a desk top analysis, using satellite imagery;
(b) a preliminary on-site inspection; and
(c) any other available and relevant information.

 

2.3 The outcome of the site sensitivity verification must be recorded in the form of a report that:
(a) confirms or disputes the current use of the land and environmental sensitivity as identified by the screening tool, such as new developments or infrastructure, the change in vegetation cover or status etc.;
(b) contains a motivation and evidence (e.g. photographs) of either the verified or different use of the land and environmental sensitivity; and
(c) is submitted together with the relevant assessment report prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations.

 

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2 The site sensitivity verification is to confirm the actual use of the land on the ground versus that which has been identified by the screening tool. The site sensitivity verification will confirm or refute the need to employ the various specialists as identified in the screening report. The site sensitivity report does not form part of the specialist report, but is to be submitted together with the relevant assessment reports.

 

[Notice No. 1150 substituted by Section 1(a-n) and 2(a-l) of Notice No. 3717, GG 49028, dated 28 July 2023]