COVID-19: DIRECTIONS RELATING TO NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PERMITS AND LICENCES
Notice Title: Directions regarding measures to address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 relating to National Environmental Management Permits and Licences
Government Gazette Notice: GN 650 in GG 43412 on 5 June 2020
Commencing date: 5 June 2020
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment published directions under regulation 4(10) of the Regulations issued in terms of Section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 to provide directions to ensure fair licensing processes and public participation in respect of National Environmental Management Permits and Licences (“the Directions”). The Directions repeal the Directions published under GN R 439 in GG 43190 on 31 March 2020.
The Directions provide for the following:
- Extension of timeframes;
- Applications and actions undertaken in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations issued in terms of sections 24(5) and 44 of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (“NEMA”) published under GN R982 in GG 38282 on 4 December 2014;
- Applications and actions undertaken in terms of the National Environmental Management Waste Act 59 of 2008 (“NEMWA”) and Waste Tyre Regulations issued in terms of section 69 (1)(b), (e) and (ee) of the NEMWA published under GN 1064 in GG 41157 on 29 September 2017;
- Applications and actions undertaken in terms of the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act 39 of 2004; and
- Appeals as contemplated in terms of the National Appeals Regulations. issued in terms of section 44(1)(a), read with section 43(4) of the NEMA published under GN R993 in GG 38303 on 8 December 2014.
The Annexures to the Directions include a list of the activities and services that will be resumed by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (“the Department”) and the manner in which they will be dealt with by the Department. For a copy of the Government Gazette Notice click here.
For more information or assistance please contact Minnette Le Roux at minnette@shangoni.co.za
