Basic Assessment Report - Transnet

Transnet LimitedProposed RO Plant: Port of SaldanhaFinal Basic Assessment Report9 Public Participation ProcessPublic participation is an integral aspect of any environmental impact assessmentprocess and should aim to engage stakeholders meaningfully at all levels throughoutthe project, to ensure that the views of the public on the project are taken intoconsideration by decision-makers. Public participation therefore involves consultationwith, amongst others, the general public, nearby communities, relevant authoritiesand community-based and non-governmental organisations.The aim of the public participation process undertaken as part of this BA process isto:• Promote a responsible and transparent approach to the proposed project; and• Ensure the consideration of I&APs input in the decision-making process.The public participation process commenced in June 2007, when PDNA/SRK JVreleased a Background Information Document (BID) (Appendix E2) and placed printadvertisements in the media (Appendix E4). These informed the public of the BasicAssessment process to be undertaken. As required by the EIA Regulations, allproperty owners within 100m of the site were notified of the proposed developmentin writing and notices of the proposed development were placed on the site(Appendix E1).The BID (and other relevant documentation) invited the public to register as I&APs.A list of registered I&APs has been included as Appendix E3.A 30-day comment period followed, during which I&APs could submit commentsand raise issues and concerns regarding the proposed development. The commentsand issues raised were addressed in the various specialist studies which wereundertaken for the Draft Basic Assessment Report (see Appendix E and G).In December 2007 an Update Newsletter (see Appendix E7) was released to allI&APs to provide an update for I&APs on the BA process for the proposed RO Plant.This is not a requirement in terms of the EIA Regulations, but was requested byTransnet in an attempt to improve communication between the EIA project team andI&APs. Comments received on the Update Newsletter are available in Appendix E8.The Draft Basic Assessment Report was released for public review and comment on18 February 2008. All registered I&APs were notified of the release of the documentby post, email or fax and a copy of the Executive Summary of the Draft BA Reportwas circulated to these I&APs. The release of the report was also advertised in theCape Times, Cape Argus, Die Burger, Swartland & Weskus Herald and Weslander.Hard copies of the Draft BA Report were placed at the following venues:47Prepared by the PDNA/SRK Joint Venture