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National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998)

Notices

Procedures for the Assessment and Minimum Criteria for reporting on Identified Environmental Themes ito Sections 24 and 44 of the Act when applying for Environmental Authorisation

Schedule B : Environmental Themes

Defence : Protocol for the Specialist Assessment and Minimum Report content requirements for Environmental Impacts on Defence Installations

3. Specialist Assessment and Minimum Report content requirements

 

TABLE 1: ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING OF IMPACTS ON DEFENCE INSTALLATIONS

 

1. General information

 

1.1. An applicant intending to undertake an activity identified in the scope of this protocol for which a specialist assessment has been identified on the screening tool:
1.1.1. on a site identified as being of:
1.1.1.1. "very high ", "high" or "medium" sensitivity for defence, must submit a Defence Compliance Statement; or
1.1.1.2. "low" sensitivity, no further assessment requirements are identified.
1.1.2. on a site where the information gathered from the site sensitivity verification differs from the designation of "very high ", "high" or "medium" sensitivity on the screening tool and it is found to be of a low" sensitivity, no further assessment requirements are identified;
1.1.3. similarly, on a site where the information gathered from the initial site sensitivity verification differs from the designation of "low" sensitivity on the screening tool and it is found to be of a "very high", "high" or medium sensitivity, a Defence Compliance Statement must be submitted; and
1.1.4. If any part of the proposed development footprint falls within an area of "very high", "high" or "medium" sensitivity, the assessment and reporting requirements prescribed for the "very high", "high" and "medium" sensitivity apply to the entire footprint. In the context of this protocol, development footprint means the area on which the proposed development will take place and includes any area that will be disturbed.

 

VERY HIGH SENSITIVITY RATING - high likelihood for negative impacts on the defence installation. Indepth assessment of the potential impacts and mitigation measures are likely to be required before development can be considered in these areas.
2. Defence Compliance Statement

 

2.1. The compliance statement must be prepared by an environmental assessment practitioner or a specialist with expertise in radar.

 

2.2. The compliance statement must:
2.2.1. be applicable to the preferred site and the proposed development footprint;
2.2.2. confirm the sensitivity rating for the site; and
2.2.3. indicate whether or not the proposed development will have an unacceptable impact on defence installations.

 

2.3. The compliance statement must contain, as a minimum, the following information:
2.3.1. contact details of the environmental assessment practitioner or the specialist, their relevant qualifications and expertise in preparing the statement, and a curriculum vitae;
2.3.2. a signed statement of independence by the environmental assessment practitioner or specialist;
2.3.3. a map showing the proposed development footprint (including supporting infrastructure) overlaid on the defence sensitivity map generated by the screening tool;
2.3.4. a comment, in writing, from the Department of Defence confirming no unacceptable impact on military areas of interest; and
2.3.5. should the comment from the Department of Defence indicate the need for further assessment, a copy of the assessment report and mitigation measures is to be attached to the compliance statement and incorporated into the Basic Assessment Report or Environmental Impact Assessment Report with mitigation and monitoring measures identified included in the Environmental Management Programme. The assessment must be in accordance with the requirements stipulated by the Department of Defence.

 

2.4. A signed copy of the compliance statement must be appended to the Basic Assessment Report or Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

 

HIGH SENSITIVITY RATING - potential for negative impacts on the defence installation that can potentially be mitigated. Further assessment may be required to investigate potential impacts and mitigation measures.

MEDIUM SENSITIVITY RATING - low potential for negative impacts on the defence installation, and if there are impacts there is a high likelihood of mitigation. Further assessment of the potential impacts may not be required.

LOW SENSITIVITY RATING - No negative impacts on the defence installation are expected in low sensitivity areas. It is unlikely for further assessment and mitigation measures to be required.

No requirement identified.