These four presentations were prepared for the Society for Applied Anthropology's annual meeting in 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. These presentations present findings from the Solar PEIS Native American ethnographic study. / The Ethnographic Research team at BARA in the School of Anthropology, UofA has shifted to what we are calling “ethnography in bits and pieces” for situating American Indian cultural concerns. We wanted to provide essays that would more directly target the resources, places, and landscapes actually identified by tribal representatives during field work. We chose to negotiate the essays with the tribal representatives. We chose to have the essays follow the discussion of tribal cultural concerns and thus be directly responsive to those concerns. This session provides cases from three studies and assessment of this new methodology.

The traditional lands of the Southern Paiute people are bounded by more than 600 miles of Piapaxa (Colorado River) from the Kaiparowits Plateau in the north to Blythe, California in the south. According to traditional beliefs, Southern Paiute people were created in this traditional land and, through this creation, the Creator gave Paiute people a special supernatural responsibility to protect and manage this land including its water and natural resources. Puaxantu Tuvip (sacred land) is the term that refers to traditional ethnic territory. Within these lands no place was more special than Piapaxa 'uipi (Big River Canyon) where the Colorado River cuts through the Grand Canyon.

There is no doubt that the assessment of social impacts is as important, in some cases even more important, than the assessment of biophysical and economic impacts of development projects. Nonetheless, social impact assessment (SIA) has remained an "orphan" in the broader environmental impact assessment (EIA) context, both internationally and in South Africa, and is often neglected or treated as a less important aspect of an EIA. It was the aim of this study to measure perceptions of relative neglect of SIA in South Africa against the theory and practice of SIA as reflected in the literature. The basic hypothesis was that, whereas the theory and practice of SIA has reached a sophisticated level in the developed world, the practice of SIA in South Africa is not yet on a sound footing and that it does not receive the professional attention it deserves in a country beset by enormous social challenges. Thus the research problem was whether SIA is practiced at a satisfactory level of proficiency in South Africa. Social aspects of impact assessment in the North West Province of South Africa were investigated, with the aim to identify shortcomings and their possible causes and to make recommendations for improvement. The article format was used, and the main section of the study comprises two articles. The first article, a theoretical perspective based on a literature study, is a critical evaluation of SIA as part of the EIA process in South Africa against the background of international guidelines and best practices. The article includes sections on the historical background of the development of SIA in South Africa, the legal status and requirements of SIA in the country, and a critical evaluation of SIA regulation in South Africa. It was found that the persistent problems of SIA practice, experienced in other parts of the world, are also evident in South Africa. Apart from institutional, financial and professional constraints, there are also serious problems associated with approach and methods. The second article is an evaluation of and recommendations for the improvement of the practice of SIA in the North West Province. An empirical study of 26 EIAs, performed in the province between 1999 and 2002, was done. It was established that in terms of social baseline data, the identification of significant social impacts, specialist studies, public participation, recommended mitigation measures, and the attention paid to social impacts in records of decision (RODS) SIA practice in the North West Province is far from satisfactory. Apathy towards social impacts is associated with a general lack of SIA expertise. The following recommendations are made in the study to improve the level of SIA practice: a system of mandatory registration of SIA practitioners should be introduced; specialized SIA training programmes for SIA practitioners and officials should be developed and accredited; SIA specialists should be used to assess significant social impacts identified in EIAs; a policy framework and code of ethics for SIA practice should be developed; methodological guidelines for SIA should be supplied in or as a supplement to the new EIA guidelines; and the public participation process should be redesigned. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Darbe analizuojami atsinaujinančios elektros energijos ištekliai, pasirinkti remiantis atsinaujinančių išteklių energetikos įstatyme plačiausiai analizuojamais ir didžiausias perspektyvas turinčiais energijos ištekliais Lietuvoje. Išskirti trys pagrindiniai atsinaujinančios energetikos šaltiniai: vėjo energetika, biomasės deginimo metu gaunama elektros energija, bei hidroenergetika, pastarąją skirstome į didžiąsias hidroelektrines ir mažąsias hidroelektrines. Naujuoju atsinaujinančių išteklių energetikos įstatymu tikimasi elektros energijos dalį bendrajame šalies elektros energijos sunaudojime (pagamintos iš atsinaujinančių energijos išteklių), padidinti iki 20 procentų, kas reikštų sparčias AEI elektrinių statybas. Investicijų į atsinaujinančią energiją, taupų jos naudojimą ir naujas technologijas stiprinimas prisideda prie darnaus vystymosi ir padeda kurti naujas darbo vietas, skatinti ekonomikos augimą, stiprinti konkurencingumą ir plėtrą, kad Lietuva galėtų žengti į saugesnę, švaresnę ir konkurencingesnę ateitį. Todėl aplinkosauginiu požiūriu svarbu palyginti AEI elektrinių efektyvumo rodiklius bei atlikti poveikio aplinkai vertinimą, palyginant jų poveikį aplinkos komponentams. / This work analyzes the use of renewable energy resources (wind, hydro and biomass burning) and the effectiveness of their environmental impact. From the pending renewable energy sources in Lithuania we have the highest prospects for wind energy, especially offshore, and biomass burning. Hydropower development opportunities in Lithuania, the typical plains region, where the energy potential of rivers is small and flooding areas causes’ significant ecological damage, prospects are limited. Renewable energy resources impact to the environment is very different. The biggest environmental impacts of hydropower, the smallest - biomass burning derived electricity.

This research critically examines the process of public participation in the politically contested arena of environmental impact assessment (EIA) in two case studies: the Ekati diamond mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories and the Richards Bay Minerals project in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Each case offers the chance to examine and compare the potentialities of expanded public participation in EIA and the promise of deliberative environmental decision-making. The concept of deliberative public participation has become the new normative standard for citizen engagement in numerous planning and policy-making processes, including EIA. It calls for increased participation by previously disadvantaged communities in the decisions that affect them through multi-stakeholder dialogue. Addressing the need for a realistic assessment of deliberative democratic practice, this study explores the limits of deliberative process by looking at specific examples of EIA, bringing into focus political processes, power relations and the structural conditions affecting citizen engagement.

These four presentations were prepared for the Society for Applied Anthropology's annual meeting in March 2013 in Denver, CO. These presentations present findings from the Solar PEIS Native American ethnographic study. / The United States government is considering areas in the five states for the large-scale solar energy development. These solar energy zones (SEZs) contain important Native American resources ranging from traditional use plants, healing places, and trail networks. During the environmental impact assessment, Numic-speaking peoples shared with University of Arizona ethnographers their thoughts regarding cultural uses of the SEZ and associated resources and potential impacts. This session focuses on unique cultural resources and the cultural implications of solar energy development.

It is very unfortunate that despite laws that require adequate incorporation and integration of environmental concerns at all phases of the economic developmental projects in Zambia, the research findings of this dissertation show that they are not applied well. The dissertation consists of six chapters. The Introduction (Chapter One) gives a general overview of Zambia, its geographical position in relation to other African countries, its macro and micro economic policies and its economic needs for a sound transport infrastructure. It also gives a rationale for the Monze-Zimba road rehabilitation project. Chapter Two reviews and states existing policies, legal, strategies and the institutional framework for environmental management and protection in Zambia. It also states and identifies key institutions involved in administering the various environmental laws/regulations and briefly refers to applicable International Conventions. Chapter Three gives a descriptive overview of baseline information - particularly within the catchment area of the road - regarding the biophysical, socioeconomic and cultural environments. The baseline studies provide insights into the normal background environmental variability such that appropriate monitoring programmes can be designed. It is now abundantly and evidently clear that the despoiling of the environment has negative repercussions on the health and wellbeing, culture and economic opportunities of humans. Chapter Four, therefore, provides in-depth discussions of each of the major impacts identified, their nature and scale and appropriate practical measures for their mitigation. The measures are incorporated into an Environmental Management Plan. Chapter Five addresses the environmental monitoring of the impacts resulting from the activities of the road. The Conclusion (Chapter Six) gives substantiated opinions on the overall findings of the research. Recommendations are given to the government of Zambia and all stakeholders on the best ways that environmental issues should be handled at all levels of society. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2001.

An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) details mitigation measures and monitoring thereof as well management of the whole project implementation. As a management tool, the concept of an EMP was developed to ensure proper environmental management throughout the life-cycle of a development project. Despite EMPs having been in existence for quite some considerable period, environmental damage still persists. Furthermore, the environmental legislation of different countries and in particular South Africa does not use/make development of an EMP a specific requirement. This has implications on a number of issues such as EMP purpose, EMP implementation and the whole rationale behind an EMP. The motivation to investigate EMPs stemmed from a discussion I had with Dr Quinn, my supervisor, about my research proposal. He mentioned EMPs and encouraged me to investigate further. A review of literature about EMPs revealed the importance of EMPs in Integrated Environmental Management (IEM). A lot of questions arose as I was reading: • Are the provincial departments actually doing what is said in the literature? • Does the current use of EMPs achieve its purpose? • What is the whole rationale behind EMPs? • How are they implemented internationally and nationally? • What are the problems affecting EMP implementation? • How can the current situation be improved? As these questions came into my mind I thought the best way of discovering problems and solutions with respect to EMP implementation is to actually work with people whom I thought are knowledgeable about the subject. I then chose environmental authorities as the professionals who review EMPs and environmental consultants as the professionals who prepare EMPs as respondents. I hope some of the strategies suggested here will be implemented by the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs (DAEA) as the relevant authority in terms of section 22 of Environment Conservation Act (ECA) No. 73 of 1989. DAEA requests EMPs to be submitted as part of the conditions of approval when authorizing projects in terms of the ECA of 1989. If submitted, DAEA is also responsible for assessing and authorizing EMPs. I also hope that in the future there will be a study to investigate any improvements in the EMP implementation. This dissertation is presented in two parts, Component A and Component B. Component A includes the theoretical underpinnings for the results and Component B includes the analysis. Component A consists of the three chapters which are; the introduction, the literature review and the methods and conceptual framework used for the study. The referencing system used in this component complies with the Harvard System. Component B is written in preparation for submission to the Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal Journal but the format is in keeping with Component A. However, the referencing system used in this component complies with the journal requirements. The abstract has been placed at the beginning of component B as per the requirements of the journal. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004

The fundamental benefit of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in South Africa is the integration of the concept of sustainability into plans and programmes. This provides the means to incorporate the environmental and social objectives of districts and regions into their policy, planning and investment decision-making processes. At present, there is limited legislative support for SEA in South Africa, and there is little incentive for municipalities to pursue SEAs. All municipalities in South Africa are however, required by the Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000) to undertake an Integrated Development Planning (IDP) process to which SEA can add value, by providing a practical guide to integrating the concept of sustainability into the planning process. Furthermore, by integrating SEA with the IDP process, the ethos of sustainable development and the country's Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) policy and legislation can be effectively applied to local government development planning. The uMhlathuze Municipality embarked on an SEA linked to their IDP process in 2002. The City of uMhlathuze is unique in that it has a rapidly evolving industrial sector within a poor community base. Basic priorities include job creation and fostering a better quality of life, whilst allowing for further development in an already polluted environment. An attempt was made by the Municipality to integrate an SEA with the IDP process to allow for environmental and sustainability considerations to be reviewed against the prevailing environmental conditions. The CSIR was commissioned to undertake this study. In theory, SEA incorporated into the IDP process would ensure that the urban plan for the Municipality is along a sustainability trajectory. This study critically assesses SEA by reviewing its origins, logical connection to the IEM framework and, its application in South Africa. The study also critically evaluates the uMhlathuze Municipality's IDP reports, to determine whether there is value in SEAs integrated into the IDP process. The challenges faced and lessons learnt for the development of a common approach to the integration of SEA into the IDP process are highlighted. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu- Natal, Durban, 2005.

There is an increased need for PP in making decisions that affects their livelihood and the environment surrounding them. Rwanda continues to strive to initiate programs and projects to ensure improved living conditions for the citizens. It is important and necessary to ensure that the interested and affected community member take an active role in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) decision making process. Without consultation and meaningful participation of interested and affected parties (IAP’s), there is a serious danger of conflict of interests during project implementation. Such conflict of interests so often contributes to project delays through litigations, loss of invested resources and environmental degradation. The need for meaningful public involvement in the EIA process has been recognized by the World Bank, and the European Union Governments, the United Nations, and many governments around the world. There is also a large amount of research literature that supports the concept of the EIA process. This study has 4 key objectives, namely; 1) Determine the requirements for, and barriers to effective PP in the EIA implementation process; 2) review three EIA practical case studies in Rwanda in order to investigate the effectiveness in ensuring PP in practice; 3) explore the views of Interested and Affected Parties (Environmental consultants, NGOs, REMA and community representatives) with regard to the effectiveness of PP in EIA processes in Rwanda; 4) To consider the future for meaningful PP in the EIA process in Rwanda. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, a wide selection of literature on PP in the EIA process has been reviewed; document analysis, questionnaire interviews, and three case studies have been reviewed. The findings of this research reveal that, with specific reference to the cases studied, the current EIA implementation process in Rwanda is ineffective in ensuring meaningful public involvement. Some procedural challenges have been identified in the implementation process and these acts as a barrier to effective participation. They include: • inadequate follow-up of compliance, • absence of the PP guidelines, • late public involvement in the EIA process and • poor communication mechanisms. The following recommendations are made to enhance meaningful PP in the EIA process in Rwanda: • that there be a full exchange of information between developers and IAP’s involvement should be increased to ensure informed decision-making and meaningful input; • that there be early public involvement in the EIA Process to reduce manipulation and possible conflicts; • that PP guidelines should be established and formalized to ensure effective monitoring, enforcement and compliance. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.