The historical framework and background to the process of approving quarries for construction materials in South Africa is examined in depth. In order to produce a proposed Environmental Evaluation System for the assessment of quarries in South Africa, the interrelationships of Quarries and the Environment are briefly examined philosophically. Environmental Impact terminology and Environmental Impact Assessment methodologies, techniques and procedures are also discussed.

Bibliography: pages 105-107. / This dissertation forms part of the requirements for the degree of MSc in Environmental Science and was supervised by Professor R Fuggle, Head of Department of the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science. The dissertation describes and examines the practical application of integrated environmental management (IEM) by analyzing a case study. IEM is a methodology developed in South Africa under the direction of the Council for the Environment, the purpose of which is to incorporate environmental considerations into all aspects of planning and development. A guideline document on the implementation of IEM was published in 1989 (Council for the Environment, 1989(A)), and later updated and a set of six guideline documents was published in 1992 (Department of Environment Affairs, 1992 (A) to (F)). The case study is the proposed development of a rock quarry in a peri-urban area near Johannesburg, South Africa. It was implemented in accordance with the original version of lEM. The availability of the updated guidelines and the experience gained in the case study provided potential for comparison between the original and updated procedures. Other points of relevance regarding the case study are that the site is situated in a rapidly developing area, and could therefore cause significant social impacts; the study was conducted at the most detailed level of the original IEM procedure (Class 1 ); and involved public participation, which has been emphasised in the updated IEM procedure.

No description available.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-91).

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-76).

Orientador: Leandro Eugenio da Silva Cerri / Banca: Fábio Augusto Gomes de Vieira Reis / Banca: Flávio Henrique Mingante Schlittler / Resumo: A avaliação da significância dos impactos ambientais continua a ser um importante componente crítico ainda mal compreendido da prática da avaliação de impactos ambientais. Este trabalho é um estudo sobre as conclusões de uma revisão bibliográfica sobre a avaliação e comunicação de avaliação do impacto ambiental praticada no Brasil. É dada especial atenção para a importância da utilização de critérios, padrões e métodos de avaliação de impactos ambientais que pretendendo incorporar mais eficiência nos estudos de impacto ambiental. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi a realização de uma proposta, incluindo o desenvolvimento de procedimentos e aplicar na avaliação de impactos ambientais situações relativas à sua formulação, aplicação e interpretação da significância dos critérios, conclusões e recomendações pertinentes para respeitar o objetivo da avaliação de impacto ambiental que é garantir a viabilidade ambiental das atividades humanas. / Abstract: The evaluation of the significance of environmental impacts remains an important critical yet poorly understood component of environmental impact assessment practice. This work is a study upon the findings of a bibliographic review about the evaluation and communication of environmental impact assessment in Brazil practice. Particular attention is given to the use of significance criteria, thresholds and EIA methodologies intending to incorporate more efficiency of environmental impact statement. Thus, the aim of this research was the accomplishment of a proposal including the development of procedures to apply in EIA issues surrounding the formulation, application and interpretation of significance criteria, conclusions and recommendations relevant to respect the aim of EIA that in provide environmental viability of men activities. / Mestre

In the United States, biodiversity impact assessment has historically received little attention. Responding in 1993, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released guidelines on incorporating biodiversity into environmental impact assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The objectives of the study here were to identify the level of documentation of biodiversity impact assessment in sample Environmental Impact Statements (EISs); identify whether in the years following the release of 1993 CEQ guidelines any significant changes have taken place in assessment of biodiversity; identify deficiencies, and if the need exists, formulate appropriate recommendations and approaches for addressing biodiversity in EISs. The study involved a systematic review of 30 EISs published since the release of CEQ guidelines, and five EISs published prior to it. The review involved answering a series of standard questions, which attempted to ascertain the level of biodiversity impacts included in each impact statement. Trends in approaches to biodiversity impact assessment were investigated and deficiencies summarized. The analysis resulted in a series of recommendations for improving the manner in which biodiversity impact assessment can be approached.

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2016. / This study evaluates the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) practice in the South African energy sector against a criteria developed by the researcher to determine the extent to which the EIAs contribute towards sustainable development. A questionnaire survey was conducted to gather information on the performance of the EIA practice of Eskom, which in this study represents the energy sector of South Africa. A review of the quality of a sample of EISs was also done against the modified Lee and Colley review package. The study revealed some strengths and weaknesses of EIA, as practiced by Eskom. The strengths include effective mitigation, public participation, training and the use of resources within ecological limits. The EISs were found to be generally of satisfactory quality. The weaknesses which limit EIA in the energy sector to reach its full potential in promoting sustainable development include inadequate monitoring, inadequate consideration of cumulative impacts and alternatives and inadequate engagement with community members directly affected by development projects on a personal level. Despite these weaknesses, the study concludes that EIA in the energy sector contributes, to some extent, towards the promotion of sustainable development. Key words: Environmental Impact Assessment, EIS, sustainable development, monitoring, mitigation, public participation, alternatives, ecological limits / LG2017

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2017. / Public participation in environmental impact assessments has been the subject of many studies around the world. The effectiveness of the public participation process in a South African context has however not been tackled by many authours. A study was conducted in order to assess the effectiveness of the public participation for environmental impact assessments in South Africa. In order to achieve this, 20 environmental impact reports were scrutinised, key informant interviews were conducted and analysis of legislation, regulation as well as applicable Guidelines was carried out. Results indicated that public participation in environmental impact assessment regulation fall short of addressing what the principles of the law states. Consequently, there is a need for the review of regulation to prescribe the involvement of marginalised groups through additional participation such as public meetings in the appropriate language as well as ensuring skills development to aid in effective participation. The inclusion of the monitoring of the implementation of the environmental management programmes as well as the inclusion of public participation in this process and therefore the life cycle of the project will aid in ensuring that the public has access to decision making. / XL2018