published_or_final_version / Real Estate and Construction / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The thesis explores the nature of public management of environmental impact assessments in South Africa. As concern for the environment and for the attainment of sustainable development has grown globally, so too has the adoption of environmental management systems in line with this goal. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) is regarded by many, as being an effective tool that, when used within and supported by these management systems, will advance the attainment of sustainable development. While the environmental impact assessment is an important tool, experience with it illustrates how its effectiveness is constrained by a number of factors. These range from shortcomings with the technical design of the procedure to shortcomings of an institutional nature. Research has shown that the technical soundness of design will be of little consequence to the effectiveness of the procedure if the political structures and decision-making processes are not taken into account. The technical constraints on EIA do not reflect a weakness of science rather they reflect the reality that environmental impact assessment has evolved as an ongoing political process within development planning. These issues will be explored in this thesis with particular reference to experience with the implementation of EIA in the United States under the National Environmental Protection Act of 1969. The issue of public management is considered by looking at South Africa's environmental management strategy in the Environmental Conservation Act 73 of 1989, and the provisions in the Constitution that directly impact on the three spheres of government's responsibilities towards the environment are highlighted. A case study ofthe provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal is also undertaken in an endeavour to illustrate the 'practical reality' versus the 'procedural ideal' of policy implementation. Provinces are constrained in their ability to effectively implement EIAs by financial and capacity constraints. The manner in which these two provinces have attempted to overcome these constraints in order to implement EIAs will be considered in this thesis. As research undertaken has shown and in conclusions drawn in this thesis, EIAs can be considered an important tool in the world move to sustainable development. But the are simply a tool and cannot be expected to operate in isolation if they are to be effective. They need to be supported by strong national policy, co-operative governance and the necessary budget allocation if they are to operate in the manner they were designed to and if they are to achieve sustainable development. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

The overall aim of the case study was to investigate the effectiveness of EIAs in NMB and to determine whether EIA legislation and implementation can lead to the promotion of sustainable development practices. The research made use of the qualitative research methodology and followed the inductive approach by critically evaluating the EIA process in the NMBM using the case study approach. This was supported by a survey which was administered to willing participants chosen at random whose extensive experience is relevant to this research topic. Interviews involved direct personal contact with participants who were asked to respond to questions relating to the research study. The research sample consisted of eight participants. The local authority was represented by two participants, the Environmental Assessment Practitioners were represented by five participants and the Non-Governmental Organization was represented by 1 participant. The first objective of the study was to evaluate the role of government during the EIA process. The results showed that EAPs in NMB municipality are relatively satisfied with how the municipality is handling the EIA process with regards to commenting on both internal and external applications. There was however a view that most municipalities lack sufficient capacity to be able to comment on EIA applications as required by legislation and that human resource issues were one of the contributing factors where skills are concerned. The second objective of the study was to examine and evaluate the role of civil society and NGOs during the EIA process. The results showed that NGOs are quite vocal and very much involved in driving the sustainable development agenda and that in South Africa NGOs are usually the ones that are responsible for getting the message across in the form of environmental education and awareness through the translation of environmental knowledge into practical on the ground conservation. 4 The third objective of the study was to analyze the responsibilities of Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs) in the EIA process. The EAPs had a very good knowledge of the EIA process and what was required of them in terms of the process. The fourth objective was to evaluate compliance to the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) by the applicant once Environmental Authorisation (EA) has been granted by the responsible authority. The results showed that all the participants were in agreement in terms of the need for EMPs but their lack of enforcement was highlighted as a very serious problem which is in need of urgent attention sooner rather than later. It was also highlighted that EMPs were generally not adhered to due to their lack of legal status and that many developers viewed EMPs as guideline documents rather than something that has legally enforceable provisions. The study concluded that EIAs are not effective in meeting the requirements of NEMA and promoting sustainable development agenda. The IEM planning process which has largely been focused on EIAs as a tool to support decision-making by specialists and hence promote sustainable development has its weaknesses and has not been successful in driving the sustainable development agenda in Nelson Mandela Bay

Forest biomass burned for energy purposes does not need to be accounted for under IPCC rules. This has led to a number of countries considering tree stump harvesting as a source of forest biomass. However there are concerns that the soil disturbance that this may entail could have adverse environmental effects, including the loss of sequestered carbon from the soil. Published results differ in the degree and nature of stump harvesting soil disturbance. Two widely used measures employed in stump harvesting soil disturbance studies are visual assessment of disturbance extent and bulk density measures of the nature of disturbance. Each of these has limitations. This study seeks to extend the insight into both the nature and extent of soil disturbance resulting from stump harvesting by the application of additional techniques. In this way the physical effects of soil disturbance by stump harvesting will be compared with those of other forestry practices. To overcome the two-dimensional and subjective nature of visual assessment, a radiometric approach was adopted, utilising residual Chernobyl 137Cs fallout to determine the degree of soil mixing. To complement bulk density measurements, micromorphological analyses of soil thin sections taken from field samples were carried out to investigate the impact of compressive force on pore space. Low-cost tracer devices were deployed in the soil around stumps prior to extraction to permit the monitoring of the lateral movement of soil during stump extraction. These methods were applied to a stump harvesting operation carried out under current UK guidance at a UPM Tilhill managed site in south west Scotland. The radiometric method demonstrated its capacity to recognise differing degrees of soil disturbance in an operational forest environment, including some disturbance that might escape visual assessment. Analysis of soil thin sections provided the evidence of a significant increase in the pore capacity of disturbed soil. The soil movement tracers developed for this project provided the capability to examine the various trajectories of soil during stump extraction as well as dimensioning the resulting disturbance crater. The study indicated that under current UK management and operational practice, stump harvesting generated a higher level of soil disturbance compared to ground preparation by trench mounding, with an estimated 1260 m3 ha-1 of soil disturbed by stump harvesting compared to 250 m3 ha-1 from trench mounding. Stump harvesting was found to generate a net reduction in soil bulk density in the affected areas, contrary to the findings of some other studies. This outcome is dependent on adhering to particular site management and operational procedures. The practice of raking over the site following stump harvesting is estimated to add a further 10% to the volume of soil disturbed, and is a questionable activity under soil sustainability guidance. This work was part-funded and actively supported by the UK Forestry Commission and UPM Tilhill.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Please refer to full text for abstract. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verwys asseblief na die volteks vir opsomming.

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

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

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

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

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning