The performance evaluation of environmental impact assessment in selected environmental improvement projects : enhancing and detracting factors

This dissertation presents a comparative analysis of two selected Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) of environmental improvement projects and evaluates the performance of this tool towards its overall goal of promoting sustainable development. Principles for EIA effectiveness are articulated in different countries in general and in South Africa in particular; which describe the current state of knowledge on EIA effectiveness. A framework for evaluation of the two cases is developed from the EIA literature which includes criteria such as contributing to project design, development control, and informing the planning process and decision making. Various perspectives on effective EIA and problems in South Africa informed the evaluation framework. The dissertation outlines legal and institutional arrangements including EIA regulation, administration and enforcement at different government levels, the extent of cooperation between the province and the local municipality, and the implications for EIA performance. In evaluating EIA, it is crucial to define the factors underlying a given EIA problem or strength and the consequences, rather than just outlining the problems. This requirement for in-depth analysis inspired the choice to conduct the study on the basis of case studies. Prevention of groundwater contamination of the Duikersvlei stream at the old Kynoch Factory site and proposed processing and disposal of sulphur produced at the Caltex Refinery are two selected EIAs of environmental improvement projects. They were both done under Environmental Conservation Act (ECA), 1997. For the record of decision, the scoping report was considered in the case of Duikersvlei project and for the Sulphur processing project a full EIA was done.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Environmental and Geographical Science

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Nyirabakwiye, Sophie

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Hill, Richard

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/4789

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/4789