National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998)NoticesProcedures for the Assessment and Minimum Criteria for reporting on Identified Environmental Themes ito Sections 24 and 44 of the Act when applying for Environmental AuthorisationSchedule A : Site Sensitivity Verification requirements where a Specialist Assessment is required but no Protocol has been prescribed1. Site Sensitivity Verification and Minimum Report content requirements |
Prior to commencing with a specialist assessment, the current use of the land and the environmental sensitivity of the site under consideration identified by the national web based environmental screening tool (screening tool), where determined, must be confirmed by undertaking a site sensitivity verification.
The screening tool can be accessed at: https://screening.environment.gov.za/screeningtool .
| 1.1 | The site sensitivity verification must be undertaken by an environmental assessment practitioner or a specialist. |
| 1.2. | 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. |
| 1.3. | 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 the 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 Regulations1 (EIA Regulations). |
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1 The Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, as promulgated in terms of Section 24(5) of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998)