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Part 2 - Eskom

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ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED 40MW OPEN CYCLE GAS TURBINE POWER<br />

PLANT IN THE AMERSFOORT AREA, MPUMALANGA<br />

6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS<br />

Bohlweki-SSI Environmental<br />

6.1. Overview of the Public <strong>Part</strong>icipation Process undertaken during the<br />

Scoping Phase<br />

The primary aims of the public participation process are:<br />

• to inform interested and affected parties (I&APs) and key stakeholders of the<br />

proposed development.<br />

• to initiate meaningful and timeous participation of I&APs.<br />

• to identify issues and concerns of key stakeholders and I&APs with regards to the<br />

proposed development (i.e. focus on important issues).<br />

• to promote transparency and an understanding of the proposed project and its<br />

potential environmental (social and biophysical) impacts (both positive and<br />

negative).<br />

• to provide information used for decision-making.<br />

• to provide a structure for liaison and communication with I&APs and key<br />

stakeholders.<br />

• to ensure inclusivity (the needs, interests and values of I&APs must be<br />

considered in the decision-making process).<br />

• to focus on issues relevant to the project, and issues considered important by<br />

I&APs and key stakeholders.<br />

• to provide responses to I&AP queries.<br />

6.2. Authority Consultation<br />

6.2.1. Consultation with Decision-making Authorities<br />

The relevant authorities required to review the proposed project and provide<br />

Environmental Authorisation were consulted from the outset of this study, and have<br />

been engaged throughout the project process. These authorities included the<br />

Department of Water and Environmental Affairs (DW&EA), who are the lead decision<br />

making authority for this project, and the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture and<br />

Land Administration (MDALA) who are acting as the commenting authority.<br />

6.2.2. Consultation with other Relevant Authorities<br />

Consultation with non-DW&EA authorities has been undertaken through telephone<br />

calls, written correspondence and meetings in order to actively engage these<br />

authorities and provide background information to the proposed project during the<br />

Environmental Scoping Phase. The representatives from these Departments were<br />

requested to formally provide input into the EIA process. The other Authorities<br />

consulted include inter alia:<br />

• Department of Minerals<br />

• Pixley ka Seme Local Municipality;<br />

• Gert Sibande District Municipality;<br />

• South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) – Mpumalanga office;<br />

• South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL);<br />

• Department of Transport; and<br />

E02.JNB.000308<br />

ESKOM HOLDINGS LIMITED<br />

01<br />

34<br />

08/10/2009

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