The quality of EIA reports for housing developments in the Nkangala district of the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Abstract

South Africa and other countries are using Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as one of the Environmental management tools. The EIA process is reliant on the information presented in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The quality of information supplied by the developers in the EIR, plays an integral role in the whole decision making process done by the authorities; to approve and disapprove the EIR. If approved, a record of decision (ROD) is issued to the developers stipulating the conditions that they must adhere to, during the implementation of the project. Using the South African modified Lee Colley review package this dissertation presents the results of research done on the assessment of quality of the EIR's for housing development in the Nkangala district of Mpumalanga province. The results reveal that 73% of Environmental Impact Reports of housing developments in the Nkangala district are of satisfactory quality. However, there were some omissions and inadequacies on alternatives and mitigation which are discussed in detail in this dissertation. The dissertation ends with a conclusion and recommendations.