Guidance on development applications in terms of relevant legislation (EIA process)

Integrated environmental management (IEM) is an approach that is promoted under Chapter 5 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998, (NEMA). This approach is aims to ensure that environmental considerations are fully integrated into all stages of the development and decision-making processes. Implementation of this approach relies on the selection and application of appropriate tools to a particular proposal or activity.

The current environmental management (EM) system provided for under Chapter 5 of NEMA, and subsequent amendments, promotes Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) as the main compulsory tool to ensure Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) in South Africa, through a regulated environmental authorisation process. These processes are overseen by the Development Management Regions Directorates. 

These Directorates are administered regionally, within the jurisdiction of:

• Development Management Region 1: West Coast and City of Cape Town municipalities,
• Development Management Region 2: Cape Winelands and Overberg District municipalities,
• Development Management Region 3: Central Karoo and Eden District municipalities.

These Directorate then consist of three sub-directorates, namely,

• Regulatory Planning Advisory Services
• Land Use Regulatory Support Services
• Environmental Impact Management Advisory Services (EIMAS)

Services

Our teams are responsible for facilitating environmental impact prevention and mitigation to promote sustainable development and a safe, healthy and sustainable environment. They achieve this by implementing an Environmental Impact Management (EIM) system through various tools including Environmental Impact Assessments and land use management.