Glossary

Development applications use a lot of technical language. Here are plain-language explanations of the terms you are most likely to meet. Definitions can vary between plans and documents, so each one names the source it is based on. Where a term appears in a specific application, the project page also lists the terms it uses.

Critical Biodiversity Area (CBA)

Land that should stay natural to meet biodiversity targets

Land identified as needing to stay in a natural or near-natural state to meet the area's biodiversity targets. CBA 1 is the highest flag, usually irreplaceable or the best remaining option, so development there faces the strongest scrutiny. CBA 2 is important too, with a little more site-selection flexibility.

Source: Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (ECBCP)

Ecological Support Area (ESA)

Land that supports the functioning of CBAs

Land that is not necessarily pristine but supports the functioning of Critical Biodiversity Areas or delivers ecosystem services such as water flow and habitat connectivity. ESA 1 is usually still largely natural; ESA 2 is often already degraded but still plays a supporting role and is frequently flagged for restoration.

Source: Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (ECBCP)

ECBCP

Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan

A provincial spatial biodiversity plan that maps the Eastern Cape by how important each area is for conserving ecosystems and ecological processes. It is a decision-support tool used by authorities and practitioners to judge whether a proposed land use is appropriate where it is proposed.

Source: Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan handbook

EAP (Environmental Assessment Practitioner)

The independent specialist who compiles the application

The independent professional appointed by the applicant to run the environmental assessment and public participation process and to compile the reports. The EAP must be objective, even though the applicant pays for the work.

Source: NEMA EIA Regulations 2014

Basic Assessment (BA) and Basic Assessment Report (BAR)

The assessment process and report for lower-impact activities

Basic Assessment is the shorter environmental assessment process used for lower-impact listed activities. The Basic Assessment Report (BAR) is the main document, describing the proposal, the receiving environment, the impacts, and the proposed mitigation.

Source: NEMA EIA Regulations 2014

EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)

The fuller assessment process for higher-impact activities

The more detailed assessment process (Scoping and Environmental Impact Reporting) used for larger or higher-impact activities. It usually runs in phases with more than one public comment period.

Source: NEMA EIA Regulations 2014

EMPr (Environmental Management Programme)

The plan of measures and monitoring for the development

The Environmental Management Programme sets out the practical measures, responsibilities, monitoring and penalties for how a development must be built and operated to manage its environmental impacts.

Source: NEMA EIA Regulations 2014

NEMA

National Environmental Management Act, 1998

South Africa's framework environmental law. It sets the principles and the process for environmental authorisation, including public participation and the right to comment before a decision is made.

Source: National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998

I&AP (Interested and Affected Party)

A person or body registered to take part in the process

Any person, group or organisation with an interest in, or that may be affected by, an application. Registering as an I&AP puts you on the process database, so you receive the reports, are notified of comment periods and the decision, and have standing to appeal.

Source: NEMA EIA Regulations 2014

Competent authority

The government body that decides the application

The authority empowered to decide the application. For most environmental authorisations in the Eastern Cape this is the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT).

Source: NEMA EIA Regulations 2014

Biodiversity offset

Compensating for unavoidable biodiversity loss elsewhere

A measure of last resort in which unavoidable, significant residual loss of biodiversity is compensated for by securing and managing an equivalent area elsewhere. Guidance may require an offset where development in a Critical Biodiversity Area is unavoidable.

Source: Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (ECBCP)

Public participation process (PPP)

The legally required chance for the public to comment

The steps the practitioner must follow to notify and involve the public, including site notices, advertisements, written notice to neighbours, and one or more comment periods, before the authority decides.

Source: NEMA EIA Regulations 2014