Browsing by Subject "Environmental impact analysis"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Environmental evaluation of proposed alternative roads to the Mohale dam
    (1993) Heydenrych, Reuben; Hill, Richard
    This is an academic report submitted in partial fulfilment of the degree Master of Environmental Science. It is written to demonstrate the competence of the writer in undertaking work in the field of Environmental Impact Assessment. The main purpose of the report is the comparative evaluation of two proposed alternative roads, the "Western Access Route" (WAR) and the "Least Cost Alternative Route" (LCAR). Since this is an academic report, it will not be used as a decision-making document and it will not be submitted to the proponent of the alternative roads.
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    Environmental impact assessment in the routing of high voltage overhead transmission lines : theory and practice in South Africa
    (1996) Lawson, Allan Brett; Hill, Richard
    This study resulted from a perception held by the author that more attention is afforded to complying with the procedural elements of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in South Africa, than to ensuring the validity of its technical content. The routing of high voltage overhead transmission lines provides a relevant field of study in which to address this perception. An initial literature review to contextualise the perceived problem showed that the questionable validity of the technical content of EIA was one of six shortcomings identified. To address the problem, an inductive approach was adopted to focus on the interpretation and prediction activities of EIA and two propositions, stated as research questions for discussion, were developed. These referred to the theoretical question of whether methods are specified for high voltage overhead transmission line EIAs, and to the practical question of whether the environmental impacts that are known to result from transmission line projects are effectively addressed in such EIAs in South Africa. Investigating these questions provides insights into whether the technical content of transmission line EIA is sufficiently rigorous in South Africa. The method of study takes the form of a sequentially more focused examination of the literature on EIA, from the strategic level, to the sectoral level and culminating at the project level. EIA methods specified for linear developments were identified at the sectoral level, while at the project level the known environmental impacts that result from high voltage overhead transmission lines were determined. A theoretical background was compiled in this way, which allowed for comparison with the practice as determined from benchmark and case study Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs).
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    Landscape evaluation of the Liesbeeck and Black River confluence area : a strategic planning framework
    (1994) Dalgliesh, Christopher; Dodson, Belinda
    This dissertation aims to evaluate the environmental factors within the Liesbeeck and Black River Confluence Area (CA) and on that basis present conclusions which will inform a land-use decision for the area. It has been undertaken in partial fulfilment of the academic requirements of the M. Phil (Environmental Science) course offered by the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science of the University of Cape Town (UCT). It also serves as a working document informing the Cape Town City Council's (CCC) land-use planning for the CA, and for that reason aims for a balance between academic rigour and the concise, pragmatic style of a report. It should also be noted that this study is almost wholly contingent on a baseline document prepared between January and March 1994 by the 1993/94 M. Phil class. That document identified the totality of environmental factors which might influence land-use planning in the CA and is the point of departure of this dissertation.
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    The practical application of theoretical concepts of integrated environmental management (IEM) : a case study of a proposed rock quarry in a peri-urban area
    (1993) Larsen, J; Fuggle, Richard Francis
    This dissertation forms part of the requirements for the degree of MSc in Environmental Science and was supervised by Professor R Fuggle, Head of Department of the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science. The dissertation describes and examines the practical application of integrated environmental management (IEM) by analyzing a case study. IEM is a methodology developed in South Africa under the direction of the Council for the Environment, the purpose of which is to incorporate environmental considerations into all aspects of planning and development. A guideline document on the implementation of IEM was published in 1989 (Council for the Environment, 1989(A)), and later updated and a set of six guideline documents was published in 1992 (Department of Environment Affairs, 1992 (A) to (F)). The case study is the proposed development of a rock quarry in a peri-urban area near Johannesburg, South Africa. It was implemented in accordance with the original version of lEM. The availability of the updated guidelines and the experience gained in the case study provided potential for comparison between the original and updated procedures. Other points of relevance regarding the case study are that the site is situated in a rapidly developing area, and could therefore cause significant social impacts; the study was conducted at the most detailed level of the original IEM procedure (Class 1 ); and involved public participation, which has been emphasised in the updated IEM procedure.
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    Social impact assessment of changing the water level in the Olushandja Dam
    (1995) Yates, Michelle Joan
    The Olushandja dam is located in the northern part of Namibia, in the Omusati region - one of the four regions into which the former Ovamboland was divided after independence. The Olushandja dam is part of a two-dam supply system comprising the Calueque dam, on the Cunene river in Angola and the Olushandja dam in Namibia. Construction on Olushandja dam was completed in 1975. It acts as a storage and balancing dam for water supplied from Calueque. Olushandja dam is 17, 7kms long and about 300m wide. For the last 20 years it has been managed at 30% as this is the capacity at which evaporation balances injection of water into the dam and seepage. As part of a plan to upgrade the pumping facilities at Calueque and Olushandja dams, upgrading at Olushandja was initiated early in 1995, and involved repairing the north wall pump station and pumps, and the repair of the sluice gates at the south wall. Upgrading of the Calueque facilities is envisaged for 1996. With upgrading virtually complete at Olushandja, the UCT team were commissioned to conduct a SIA on the effect of changing the water level in the dam on the rural communities living in the vicinity of the dam. The SIA forms part of a full EIA looking at the overall environmental effect of changing the water level at which the dam is currently managed. The impact of the SIA will therefore be in terms of management rather than construction.
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    Towards a model for environmental assessment and management of boreholes in communal areas in Namibia
    (1997) De Wet, Neil
    This was the final statement in a report, prepared for the Namibian Programme to Combat Desertification (NAPCOD), which researched the process, praxis and environmental impacts of borehole provision in communal areas in Namibia (ENGEO, 1997).¹ This dissertation is a response to this concluding statement. It presents a theoretical model which provides a comprehensive yet simple environmental assessment and management framework to inform, guide and manage the provision of boreholes in communal areas in Namibia. The model has been designed to be cost effective, appropriate for its context and 'user-friendly'. Most importantly, the model aims to present a system which would promote principles of sustainability and, consequently, sustainable development in terms of borehole provision in communal areas in Namibia.