ONLINE WEBINAR

DFFE will be presenting the notices published for comment. There will be an opportunity to engage directly with DFFE and all comments will be captured for consideration.

The Minister is consulting on:

1. The intention to adopt the National web-based environmental screening tool in terms of regulation four in brackets one and seven of the regulations laying down the procedures to be followed for the adoption of special tools or environmental management instruments 2019. The National Web-based Environmental Screening Tool is a spatially enabled tool which has been developed to, among others, identify areas of "very high", "high", "medium", and "low" environmental sensitivities on a particular site. Environmental sensitivity ratings are intended to be used to exclude activities identified in terms of Section 24(2)(a) and (b) of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No107 of 1998) from the requirement to obtain environmental authorisation prior to commencement as contemplated in terms of Section 24(2)(c) and (e) of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No107 of 1998) when identified by the Minister in a Government Notice.
2. The intention to exclude the development and expansion of solar photovoltaic facilities, including any associated activity or infrastructure, from the requirement to obtain environmental authorisation. The exclusion is provided for in terms of section 24(2)(e) of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No.107 of 1998) subject to compliance with an adopted environmental management instrument as set out in the schedule.