REC Services | Services

PTY LTD

Our services are focused on the application for environmental authorization process in terms of NEMA, through the steps of Basic Environmental Assessments, Environmental Scoping Reports, Environmental Impact Assessment Reports, Environmental Management Programmes, Environmental Management Plans, Mining Right and Permit applications, Waste License Applications and Environmental Monitoring Reports. Our services also include Section 24G applications where rectification of unlawful projects is requested and required. Through the years, a wide range of project fields have been covered in environmental management such as:

Feedlot establishment Orchard and crop field establishment Agri-industrial industries e.g. Abbattoirs Road Planning (Route Determination, Preliminary and detail design stages) Pipeline reservoir construction and water network provision Facilities for the concentration of livestock e.g. pork production and chicken farms Relocation or establishment of high power lines in rural areas Electrical substation establishments Solar Energy Plants (PV & CSP) Telecommunication infrastructure e.g. Fibre Optic cables on long haul networks Golf estates and other sport and recreation facilities Township establishment e.g. Commercial & Residential and Industrial Rehabilitation plans for degraded riparian environments Resort developments and game farm development Filling station licensing: EMP compilation Fuel tank installations Filling stations with associated land uses Public storage facilities Housing schemes in rural and residential areas Regional shopping complexes Environmental monitoring on construction sites e.g. roads & sewage treatment works Sewage and water purification plants Storage of dangerous goods in tanks or other containers

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR:

THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

AGRI-INDUSTRIAL SECTOR

LAND AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT SECTOR

OTHER COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS

ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORIZATION APPLICATIONS IN THE ABOVE SECTORS THROUGH BASIC AND FULL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

PLUS ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PHASES AS ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL OFFICER

The Legal Requirement base is the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998) as amended

Our 30 years of experience based in Environmental Management spans across a broad range of developmental projects. Our clients are involved in assignments in the urban and rural environments and include private land developers, filling station developers, local authorities, livestock farmers, industrial developers, mining enterprises and other parastatal organizations. We form part of the project team which usually consist of Civil Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Land Surveyors, Town and Regional Planners, Property Developers, and Architects etc.

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REC Services assist in the application for environmental authorization process from the inception of the planning of the project up to the receipt of the Environmental Authorization (EA). The basic components of the application process consist of: Acknowledgment of appointment and communicate with the client on practical and technical matters along with the establishment of lines of communication. Visit to the proposed development site and terrain assessment. Communication with the relevant environmental department on provincial level and or local authority level, to determine possible issues and hurdles in the process. Compilation of the EIA documentation (Basic Assessment reports, Scoping reports or EIA report) which include Public participation, Specialist studies, Impact assessment and significant ratings. Compilation of the Environmental Management Plans (EMP). Receipt of the Environmental Authorization (Approval or non-approval) of the project. Environmental Monitoring during construction. Early in the planning process we determine, based on the environmental regulations, whether Basic Environmental Assessment or a full EIA is required. We strive to promote good teamwork amongst the project team members and the specialist involved. In the majority of cases, REC Services provide opinions and assist in determining objectives and resolving conflicts between relevant parties regarding Environmental matters. In addition, we assist in resolving and addressing identified non-compliances or directives served upon enterprises or persons related to environmental impact issues. We assist our clients in conducting a screening of the proposed development site to establish the best lay-out and technical options from an environmental impact perspective.

Our team of experts assist our clientele with the application for Prospecting Rights, Mining Permits and Mining Rights applications. We facilitate the application compilation and collation of all supporting documentation in accordance with the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act. (Act No. 28 of 2002) and the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998) as amended.

In light of the relatively recent waste management legislation, as contemplated in the National Environmental Management Waste Act, (Act No. 59 of 2008), our firm assists in the application for waste permits in terms of handling, storage, disposal, treatment and recycling of waste and the submission of the applications to the relevant authorities. Within a relatively short period since the promulgation of the Act, a considerable number of waste permit applications were lodged to the authorities on behalf of a variety of clients from the mining, public and private sector. These include, amongst others, waste related to the agricultural industry and the recycling and re-use of waste tyres. The application for waste permits or licenses require close communication with the client / applicant to ensure that sufficient detail is obtained and recorded in the waste license application process. REC Services remain fully committed to serve this industry in all its aspects and challenges.

WATER USE LICENCE APPLICATIONS (WULA) IN TERMS OF SECTION 21 OF THE NATIONAL WATER ACT (ACT 36 OF 1998)

In the midst of an ever-growing awareness of the importance of water use and water management in South Africa, our services include Water Use Licensing applications which is required in terms of Section 21 of the National Water Act, 1998. (Act no. 36 of 1998). The activities listed in Section 21 are: Taking water from a water resource. Storing Water. Impeding or diverting the flow of water in a water course. Engaging in a stream flow activity. Engaging in a controlled activity. Discharging of a waste of water containing waste into a water resource through a pipe canal sewer or other conduit. Disposing of waste in a manner which may detrimentally impact on a water resource. Disposing of any waste from of which has been heated in any industrial or power generation process. Altering the bed, banks, course or characteristics of a watercourse. Removing discharging or disposing of water found underground for the continuation of any activity or for the safety of persons. Using water for recreational purposes. Our client base for Water Use License Applications varies from irrigation and livestock farmers, civil engineering companies, developers, construction firms, municipalities,mines and road agencies. Depending on the project characteristics, there are other components that form part of the Water Use License Application. Water Use License Applications are lodged through an on-line system of the Department of Water and Sanitation. In this respect, close communication with the Regional officials and Head office of DWS is essential. This implies communication through all the Phases (Phase 1, 2 and 3) of the WULA process. Integrated Waste Water Management Programmes from part of the WULA in cases where waste water of effluent handling and disposal is part of the project. There are specialized aspects such aquatic ecological studies and surface water studies, geohydrological studies and wetland studies that are done by specialists and which are attached to the application. Once Water Use Licenses for projects are approved, Water Use License Audits are conducted by our office as it forms part of the Water Use License Conditions. The Water Use License process is integrated with many aspects and the application time frame is 300 days from commencement of the application until DWS reach a decision.

The practice of environmental consulting requires close integration with various specialists in the field of ecological (terrestrial and aquatic) . In this regard the firm makes use of several and various specialists. Secondly, virtually all environmental impact assessments require Heritage Impact Assessments. This is conducted by a Heritage specialist appointed and a sub-consultant to the team. Various specialists are available for this function. We also interact and integrate with Geotechnical engineers, Geo-hydrologists, Noise specialists, Air quality specialists, Visual impact assessment specialists and river study specialists.

In recent years conditions in the Environmental Authorization include that an independent control officer be appointed once construction has commences. REC Services developed a practical method and format for monitoring environmental conditions during the construction stage. We've furthered our experience in the complexities of construction activities and its impact on the environment, acknowledging that the environment requires continuous protection against adverse impacts throughout period of construction. The diagram below serves as a framework of how this is conducted.

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