National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998)

Notices

Procedures for the Assessment and Minimum Criteria for reporting on Identified Environmental Themes ito Sections 24 and 44 of the Act when applying for Environmental Authorisation

Schedule B : Environmental Themes

Biodiversity : Protocol for the Specialist Assessment and Minimum Report content requirements for Environmental Impacts on Terrestrial Biodiversity

2. Site Sensitivity Verification and Minimum Report content requirements

Purchase

Prior to commencing with a specialist assessment, the current use of the land and the potential environmental sensitivity of the site under consideration as identified by the screening tool must be confirmed by undertaking a site sensitivity verification.

2.1	The site sensitivity verification must be undertaken by an environmental assessment practitioner or a specialist.

2.2.	The site sensitivity verification must be undertaken through the use of:

(a)	a desk top analysis, using satellite imagery;

(b)	a preliminary on-site inspection; and

(c)	any other available and relevant information.

2.3.	The outcome of the site sensitivity verification must be recorded in the form of a report that:

(a)	confirms or disputes the current use of the land and environmental sensitivity as identified by the screening tool;

(b)	contains a motivation and evidence (e.g. photographs) of either the verified or different use of the land and environmental sensitivity; and

(c)	is submitted together with the relevant assessment report prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations.