JULY 2009

There have recently been a number of changes in the administration and laws relating to the environment. In this newsletter we highlight some of these and discuss interesting cases concerning the environment.

IN THIS NEWSLETTER
• Changes in Governmental Departments
• Mining Related Environmental Authorisations
• New Waste Act finally in force
• Liability for past pollution
• Obtain the correct environmental authorization
• Environmental information can be accessed
• Changes to the EIA Authorization Process

Changes in Governmental Departments
 

 

The new Government in South Africa has reconstituted cabinet and changed the scope of various Ministries which are involved in environmental matters. Read more...

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Mining Related Environmental Authorisations
  By Claire Tucker
 

The confusion regarding who the competent authority is in respect of mineral related environmental authorisations is close to a resolution with the commencement of the National Environmental Management Amendment Act 62 of 2008 (“NEMA Amendment Act”) on 1 May 2009. Read more...

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New Waste Act finally in force
  By Twaambo Muleza
 

After approximately ten years of debate and a long drafting process the National Environmental Management: Waste Management Act 59 of 2008 (“Waste Act”) commenced finally on 1 July 2009. Read more...

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 Liability for past pollution
  By Claire Tucker
 

 

New legislation seeks to make section 28 of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (“NEMA”), which is concerned with the duty of care and remediation of environmental damage, retrospective. This Act, (the Environment Laws Amendment Act) amends section 28 of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 NEMA. It was signed into law on 25 May 2009 but the commencement date has not yet been determined. Read more...

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 Obtain the correct environmental authorization
  By Wandisile Mandlana

 

The recent case of Tergniet and Toekoms Action Group v Outeniqua Kreosootpale (Pty) Ltd (1) highlights the importance of obtaining the correct environmental authorization. Read more...

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Environmental information can be accessed

  By Sandra Gore
 
The use of South Africa's Promotion of Access to Information Act 2000 (“PAIA”) to obtain environmental information was recently highlighted by the submission of an application for access to quality reports on drinking water to a local authority. Read more...

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Changes to the EIA Authorization Process
  By Wandisile Mandlana

Any commercial developer in South Africa will know that environmental authorisation is required for many projects and developments and should be familiar with the requirements of environmental authorisation. Read more...

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TEAM:

CLAIRE TUCKER

Partner
Tel
+27 11 669 9402
E-mail
c.tucker@bowman.co.za

__________________________

TWAAMBO MULEZA

Senior Associate
Tel
+27 11 669 9472
E-mail
t.muleza@bowman.co.za

__________________________

SANDRA GORE

Senior Associate
Tel
+27 11 669 9414
E-mail
s.gore@bowman.co.za

__________________________

WANDISILE MANDLANA

Associate
Tel
+27 11 669 9562
E-mail
w.mandlana@bowman.co.za

__________________________

 
   
www.bowman.co.za