Minister van Schalkwyk to Launch New EIA Regulations
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
WEDNESDAY, 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: 10:00 - 11:00 on 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 082 568 6122)
