Dear Clients and subscribers

This July EnviroMac update is filled to the brim with far reaching legislative changes and declarations in respect of various environmental laws. Take specific note of the already implemented changes in accordance with the National Environmental Laws Amendment Act No. 14 of 2013. This Act effected various changes to biodiversity, air quality, waste and protected areas legislation. Apart from these implemented changes, there were numerous proposed changes published during July, including the proposed regulation of mining residue Stockpiles and Deposits (as defined in the MPRDA) in terms of the NEM:Waste Act and other envisaged changes to the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, the NEM: Biodiversity Act as well the NEM: Air Quality Act, amongst others.

The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) is poised to take over the function of environmental authorisation at mines in terms of the NEMA as of December 2014. This will effectively place the DMR in complete control of all elements of environmental regulation at mines. This move was probably tolerated by interest groups exclusively based on the legislated premise that all environmental regulation at mines will revert to the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs during June 2016. However, we note that the Environmental Laws Amendment Bill (GNR 736 on 18 July 2013) seeks, amongst others, to ensure that environmental regulation of mines will no longer revert back to the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs in 2016, and will thus stay with the Department of Mineral Resources indefinitely. This will no doubt raise some constitutional eyebrows.

Our August update will follow soon.

Regards
Kenneth Cameron
(kcameron@macrobert.co.za)

environmental law

1. National Legislation

Draft Conservation of Agricultural Resources Amendment Bill, 2013: Invitation for public comments
Published under GNR 673 on 2 July 2013
» Read more

Marine Living Resources Act (18/1998): Recognition of organisations as interest groups in terms of section 8 of the Act
Published under GNR 701 on 08 July 2013
» Read more

National Water Act (36/1998): Proposal for the establishment of the Breede-Gouritz catchment management agency
Published under GNR 481 on 12 July 2013
» Read more

National Water Act (36/1998): Disestablishment of the Gouritz catchment management agency in Western Province
Published under GNR 482 on 12 July 2013
» Read more

World Heritage Convention Act (49/1999): Notice of intention to declare a management authority for the Robben Island Museum World Heritage Site
Published under GNR 704 on 12 July 2013
» Read more

World Heritage Convention Act (49/1999): Notice of Intention to declare a Management Authority for the Makapan Valley World Heritage Site which is a component of the fossil hominid sites of South Africa
Published under GNR 705 on 12 July 2013
» Read more

World Heritage Convention Act (49/1999): Notice of Intention to declare a management authority for Taung Skull Fossil World Heritage Site which is a component of the fossil hominid sites of South Africa
Published under GNR 706 on 12 July 2013
» Read more

World Heritage Convention Act (49/1999): Notice of Intention to declare a management authority for the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical landscapes world heritage site
Published under GNR 707 on 12 July 2013
» Read more

World Heritage Convention Act (49/1999): Notice of Intention to declare a management authority for Ukhahlamba / Drakensberg Park world heritage site
Published under GNR 708 on 12 July 2013
» Read more

National Environmental Management : Air Quality Amendment Bill, 2013: Explanatory Summary.
Published under GNR 735 on 18 July 2013.
» Read more

National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Bill, 2013: Explanatory Summary.
Published under GNR 736 on 18 July 2013
» Read more

National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Bill, 2013: Explanatory Summary
Published under GNR 737 on 18 July 2013
» Read more

Nuclear Energy Act (49/1999): Invitation to comment on measures determined by the Minister of Energy regarding the fulfilment of responsibilities referred to in section 33(1) read with section 33(2) of the Act
Published under GNR 739 on 19 July 2013
» Read more

National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (10/2004): Alien and Invasive Species Regulations.
Published under GNR 506 on 19 July 2013.
» Read more

National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (10/2004): Publication of National List of Invasive Species.
Published under GNR 507 on 19 July 2013.
» Read more

National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (10/2004): Publication of Prohibited Alien Species.
Published under GNR 508 on 19 July 2013
» Read more

National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (10/2004): Publication of exempted alien species.
Published under GNR 509 on 19 July 2013
» Read more

Act No. 14 of 2013: National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act, 2013
Published under GNR 530 on 24 July 2013
» Read more

National Water Act (36/1998): Proposal for the Establishment of the Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency
Published under GNR 523 on 26 July 2013
» Read more

National Water Act (36/1998): Disestablishment of the Usuthu-Mhlathuze Catchment Management Agency in Kwa-Zulu Natal Province
Published under GNR 524 on 26 July 2013
» Read more

National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Amendment Bill, 2013
Published under GNR 756 on 26 July 2013.
» Read more

National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (10/2004): Draft Biodiversity Management Plan for Gypaetus Barbatus Meridionalis
(Bearded Vulture)
Published under GNR 763 on 26 July 2013
» Read more

2. Provincial Legislation

Eastern Cape Province

Municipal Structures Act (117/1998): By-Law Relating to the control of Waste Disposal Sites: Waste Disposal Sites By-law.
Published under PN 28 on 09 July 2013
» Read more

Gauteng Province

Environmental Management Framework Regulations, 2010: The Adoption of the Dinokeng Environmental Management Framework
Published under PN 1864 on 22 July 2013
» Read more

Environmental Management Framework Regulations, 2010: The Adoption of the South Western Tshwane and North Western Johannesburg Environmental Management Framework
Published under PN 1865 on 22 July 2013
» Read more

Free State Province

Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements Notice: Mantsopa Local Municipality: By-laws relating to Commonage, Electricity Supply, Property Rates, Refuse Removal, Water Restrictions, Informal Settlements, Impoundment of Animals, Water Services
Published on 26 July 2013
» Read more

Kwa-Zulu Natal Province

KZN Heritage Act (4/2008): Amafa/Heritage/Erfenis Kwa-Zulu Natal is considering Permit Applications for Actions on certain properties
Published under PN 114 on 4 July 2013
» Read more

KZN Heritage Act (4/2008): Notice is given that Amafa/Heritage/Erfenis Kwa-Zulu Natal is considering Permit Applications for Actions for Properties/Sites
Published under PN 115 on 11 July 2013
» Read more

KZN Heritage Act (4/2008): AMQAFA/Heritage/Erfenis KwaZulu-Natal.
Published under PN 122 on 25 July 2013.
» Read more

Constitution (108/1996) and Local Government: Municipal Systems Act (32/2000): Umhlatuze Municipality: Amendment to the Water Services
By-Laws
Published under PN 86 on 29 July 2013
» Read more

Limpopo Province

Municipal Systems Act (32/2000):Makhado Municipality: By-Laws Relating to the control of Inflammable Liquids and Substances
Published under PN 101 on 26 July 2013
» Read more

Municipal Systems Act (32/2000): Makhado Municipality: Refuse Removal
Published under PN 101 on 26 July 2013
» Read more

Western Cape Province

Western Cape Nature Conservation Board: Notice
Published under PN 215 on 5 July 2013
» Read more

Western Cape Nature Conservation Board: Notice
Published under PN 216 on 5 July 2013
» Read more

Overstrand Municipality: Integrated Waste Management By-Law
Published on 12 July 2013
» Read more

Western Cape Nature Conservation Board: Notice
Published under PN 226 on 19 July 2013
» Read more