Responding to the shorter timeframes for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) introduced by the South African government last year, engineering firms wanting to stay ahead of the rest are developing extensive pre-EIA screening approach to turn this challenge into an opportunity. Using the correct procedures, a good consultant will have the ability to reduce developer frustrations inherent in the new, tighter deadlines.

According to senior environmental scientist Philippa Burmeister of environmental engineering consultancy SRK, screening developed at the company’s Durban branch allows clients to understand a project’s environmental implications before launching into the formal EIA process,  avoiding significant environmental impacts by accounting for them in the design and planning phases.

“This allows for the assessment of alternatives – such as project location, layout, technology, resource provision and access – and the integration of preliminary management measures into the design and project feasibility,” says Burmeister.

Planning for success

“Pre-EIA screening offers an opportunity to identify potential fatal flaws at prefeasibility and feasibility stages of a project, and to go into the EIA process with a clearer understanding of project layout, design, environmental constraints and controls, and the associated costs,” she adds.

The screening process also offers the prospect for capacity-building and skills transfer.

“SRK has identified the chance of creating working groups for specific aspects of the environment, for example in water-related issues,” says Burmeister. “Each working group would include an expert, an emerging professional, authority representatives and potentially even key stakeholders, improving communication and transferring skills required in later phases of the project,” she adds.

Early environmental planning

Burmeister argues that the outcome of the new time constraint in the formal process provides clients with the opening to incorporate environmental considerations into their project feasibility assessment – which is independent of regulatory requirements.

“While the screening process may be perceived as yet another environmental requirement, it could in fact streamline the EIA process and reduce overall costs and delays,” she says.

To further enhance the benefit of the early screening investigations, engineering firms such as SRK can use a combination of geographic information systems, mobile-mapping and data visualisation to store and present the significant amounts of information generated.