Environmental Management Plan/Programme for Proposed Fuel Station in Durban
Our client, a successful Developer intended to construct a new petroleum filling station in eastern KwaZulu-Natal. The proposed activity does not require an Environmental Authorisation (EA) in terms of the regulatory requirements of the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998) (NEMA) and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2010, GN R. 543, R. 544 and R.546 as the site propose to store below the 80m3 dangerous goods trigger, the area is zoned industrial and contains existing warehouse buildings.
However as part of due diligence, license to operate the specific franchise and best environmental practice, an Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) is to be prepared for the pre-construction, construction, post-construction and closure phases. Khweza Environmental Consulting was appointed by the Developer, to compile the EMPr.
This EMPr was designed as site specific for the proposed development of a petroleum filling station. The final design has not been confirmed however the development will contain a fuel service station including petroleum and gas tanks, bowsers and a retail section. The site has no major environmental sensitivities and the closest natural watercourse is more than 500m away from the site. There is a piece of land demarcated as Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (D’MOSS) about 50m from the site however will not be impacted by the development.
The EMPr considered the impacts that are likely to arise from the implementation of the project and the mechanisms that are recommended to minimise the severity of these impacts. The EMPr covers the principles, responsibilities and requirements applicable in order to implement effective environmental management, during the construction activities. The purpose of the EMPr was to proactively address potential problems before they occur. This will ensure that unnecessary damage to the environment during the construction phase is avoided. Moreover, mitigation measures will be implemented to minimize environmental degradation.
The EMPr is in accordance with the Appendix 4 Content of Environmental Management Programme of the EIA Regulations 2014, as amended. The framework within which this EMPr is developed includes identifying various activities, their occurrence in the construction process and the likely impacts that are associated with those activities. It is therefore necessary to subcategorize the EMPr into Pre-Construction, Construction, Post-Construction and Closure/Rehabilitation.
The first category of the EMPr which deals with the pre-construction activities identifies the impacts and mitigation measures that will need to be employed before the construction of the proposed project commences. The second category deals with the construction activities and the mitigation measures that will need to be applied to reduce the severity of the impacts the proposed development may have on the surrounding environment. The third category discusses post construction mitigation measures to ensure that snag items are resolved prior to the commencement of the operation. The fourth category deals with the potential closure and the rehabilitation measures that will need to be implemented if the site had to cease or close.
It is important to note that the Site Supervisor/Project Manager/Engineer is responsible for ensuring the work crew complies with procedures, and for informing the work crew of any changes that may have been effected on the EMPr.
If the contractor cannot comply with any of the activities as described above, they should inform the ECO with reasons within 7 working days. The ECO must identify measures to ensure compliance with environmental laws. Where amendments to the EMPr are required, the process provided for in the Regulations must be followed.