Avoid Environmental Prosecution

7/28/2019 Avoid Environmental Prosecution

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AVOIDENVIRONMENTALPROSECUTION

MICHAELHANDS

PATRICKFORBESGARLICKE&BOUSFIELDINC


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Avoidingenvironmentalprosecutionquitesimplyentails

ensuringcompliancewiththeenvironmentallegislation.


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WHATISENVIRONMENTALLEGISLATION?

NEMA

(NationalEnvironmentalManagementAct)

NEMWA: NEMBA: NEMAQA: NEMPA: NEM:

WasteAct BiodiversityAct AQA ProtectedAreas ICMA


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Alsorelevantare:

WaterAct

ForestryAct

UrbanTransportAct

NationalBuildingRegulations&BuildingStandardsAct

SANS10400X

LandUseManagementSchemes

HazardousSubstancesAct


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CityofJohannesburgvGautengDevelopment

Tribunal

(Judgmentdeliveredon18June2010)


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LeSueur&AnothervEthekwiniMunicipality&

Others

(Judgmentdelivered29January2013)


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DMOSSoverlaycontrolinLUMS

Challengedonconstitutionalgrounds


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DrDebraRoberts:ThecosttotheCityofreplacingthenatural

assetsoftheenvironmentwouldbeoftheorderofR2billion

annually


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Thecourtagreedwiththeargumentthatplanningmust

necessarilyaddressenvironmentalissues


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Reasons for this: The Constitution enjoins municipalities toprovide a safeand healthy

environment.

Ignoringanddamagingthenatural featuresoftheenvironmentwould

endangertheachievementofthisobjective.

Municipalities would therefore be in breach of their constitutional

obligation.

Justasimportantly,theNEMAregulationswhichrequireenvironmental

impact assessments to be carried out have progressively been

amendedtolowerthebar.


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Asaresult,manysmalleractivitiesandprojects,justasinimicaltothe

preservationofimportantenvironmentalfeaturesasmanylargescale

activities

CUMULATIVELY,THESEACTIVITIESCOULDCAUSEASMUCH

POTENTIALDAMAGEASASINGLELARGEPROJECT


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Thereisanincreasinglikelihoodthatlandusemanagement

schemeswillcontainenvironmentalrequirementsthatmustbe

compliedwith


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BACK TO NEMAThefirstgreatcommandment:

(1A) Everyapplicantmustcomplywiththerequirementsprescribedinterms

ofthisActinrelationto

(a) Stepstobetakenbeforesubmittinganapplication,whereapplicable;

(b) Anyprescribedreport;

(c) Anyprocedurerelatingtopublicconsultationandinformationgathering;

(d) Anyenvironmentalmanagementprogramme;

(e) Thesubmissionofanapplicationforanenvironmentalauthorisationand

anyotherrelevantinformation;and

(f) Theundertakingofanyspecialistreport,whereapplicable.

(Section24(1A)ofNEMA)


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Adherencetotherequirementsofthissectionwillgenerally

keeppotentialtransgressorsoutoftrouble


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Andthesecondislikeuntoit:

(2) TheMinister,oranMECwiththeconcurrenceofthe

Minister,mayidentify

(a) activitieswhichmaynotcommencewithoutenvironmental

authorisationfromthecompetentauthority;

LISTEDACTIVTIES

NOTICES1,2&3


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(b) geographical areas based on environmental attributes, and

as specified in spatial development tools adopted in the

prescribed manner by the environmental authority, in which

specifiedactivitiesmaynotcommencewithoutenvironmental

authorisationfromthecompetentauthority


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(c) geographical areas based on environmental attributes, and

specified in spatial development tools adopted in the

prescribed manner by the environmental authority, in which

specifiedactivitiesmaybeexcludedfromauthorisationbythe

competentauthority;


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(d) Activities contemplated in paragraphs (a) and (b) that may

commence without an environmental authorisation, but that must

complywithprescribednormsorstandards:

Providedthatwhereanactivityfallsunderthejurisdictionofanother

MinsterorMEC;adecisioninrespectofparagraphs(a)and(d)must

betakenafterconsultationwithsuchotherMinisterorMEC.

(Section21(2)ofNEMA)


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COMPLIANCE LISTEDACTIVITIES

Notices1,2&3

SustainableDevelopment

GENERALDUTY

Section28NEMA

Widerapplication


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CRIMINAL//ADMINISTRATIVE

Sanctionsforgreenandbrownoffences.

Burdenofcriminalprosecution. Burdenofproof;(beyondreasonabledoubt)

Evidence;(chainofevidence)

Prosecutors;(workload)

Magistrates;(trainingandexpertise)

Criminalconvictionisafterthefact.

Criminallyprosecutingacorporation.


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ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE- Directive (command and control approach)

- ECA,NEMA,NWA,MPRDA- Notanoffenceifonedidnotcomply

Balancebetween:

Achievingbetterenvironmentalperformance;and/or

Preventionofpotentialharm

- Compliance Notice (2006 Amendment Act)- NoncompliancewithaSEMA,permit,authorisation

- Widerdiscretion(authoritiesgranted)- DirectOffence(strictermeasures)

- EnvironmentalManagementInspectors(EMIs)/GreenScorpions(betterapplication)


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Power to Issue Compliance Notice Sec31L(NEMA)

(a) iftherearereasonablegroundsforbelievingthatapersonhas

notcompliedwithaprovisionofthelawforwhichthat

inspectorhasbeendesignated..;

(b) orwithatermorconditionofapermit,authorisationorother

instrumentissuedintermsofsuchlaw.


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NEMA Act 107 of 1998 NEMASection2Principles

ThePolluterPaysprinciple4(p)

Section 28: Duty of care and remediation of EnvironmentalDamage

Everypersonwhocauses,hascausedormaycause significantpollution

or degradation of the environmentmust take reasonable measures to

prevent such pollution or degradation from occurring, continuing or

reoccurring

BeforethecommencementoftheAct(CourtsvsAcademics) [GencorvsChiefBereki2006(1)SA432

(T)]

Arisesorislikelytoariseatadifferenttimefromtheactualactivitythatcausedthe

contamination;

Arisesthroughanactoractivityofapersonthatresultsinachangetopre-existing

contamination.


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To whom does this duty extend?Section28(2)Owneroflandorpremises;(successorsintitlecosts)

Personincontroloflandorpremises;

Personwhohasrighttousepremises.

(CONTRACTUALTERMSANDCONDITIONS)

WHATISSIGNIFICANTPOLLUTION,DEGRADATION

HichangeInvestmentsvCapeProduceCompany2004(1)AllSA636

Thethresholdlevelofsignificancewillnotbeparticularlyhigh(atpage

655)Normsandstandardsbeingintroduced

WHATAREREASONABLEMEASURES

Typeofactivity,harm,measurestaken,negligence,efficacy,costs,

Section2Principles


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How far does this duty extenda) Investigate,assessandevaluatetheimpactontheenvironment;

b) Informandeducateemployeesabouttheenvironmentrisksoftheirwork

andthemannerinwhichtheirtasksmustbeperformedinordertoavoidcausingsignificantpollutionordegradation;

c) Cease,modifyorcontrolanyact,activityorprocesscausingthepollution

ordegradation;

d) Contain or prevent the movement of pollutants or the cause of the

degradation;

e) Eliminateanysourceofthepollutionordegradation;or

f) Remedytheeffectsofthepollutionordegradation


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Rand Carbide Silicon Smelters

Public outcry (environmental hotline)

Green Scorpions Inspections (EMIs)

NEM: Air Quality Act : Section 22

Metallugical Processes: Listed Activity

NO LICENCE!

NEMA: Sec 28 (Pollution)

Combustion of Coal

Smelting of Ores

SIGNIFICANT POLLUTION

Compliance Notice


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Mapungubwe Vele CollieryWorld Heritage SiteUNESCO

MiningOperationsCoalMining(MPRDA)

EnvironmentNGOsoppositionDEAissuedcompliancenotices

Section24GApplication:

Theconstructionsofroads,

Theabovegroundstorageofdangerousgoods,

Activitieswithinthe1:10floodlineoftheLimpopoRiver,

The construction of a sludge dam and the installation of a water

pipelinenetwork.

Interdict Procedures NGOs / Compliance Notice Issued by Dept

EnvAffairsirothecontraventionsofNEMA


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Compliance NoticeEasier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission

ComplianceNoticemustsetout:

A.Detailsoftheconductconstitutingnoncompliance;

B.Anystepswhichmustbetakenandtheperiodwithinwhichtheymust

betaken;

C.Activitiesonemaynotdoanddurationonemaynotdoitfor;

D.Procedureforlodginganobjectiontothenotice.

Proceduralobjectionswillbecomemoredifficult

Section24G:

(2A)mustpayanadministrativefine,whichmaynotexceed

R1Million(amendmentsinthepipeline)


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Compliance Notices

Issuedby:EnvironmentalManagementInspectors(EMIs)

Widerangingpower:reasonablesuspicion

Search&seizure;

Enteringpremises;

Routineinspections;

Questioningpersons,

Requestingdocuments.

NotonlyListedActivities

Inspectallpossiblesourcesofpollution/degradationthatmayexist.


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RESPITEAdministrative Justice Requirements

PAJA Requirement ofAdministrative Justice that a pre-compliance notice must be issued. This allows for a period of dialogue

with theDepartmentandrepresentationscanbemade.

EnvironmentManagementInspector:

Must have a Mandate in terms of the applicable Act given by the

Minister/MEC(Grades15)

Mustbeabletoproduceidentification;ObjectiontotheComplianceNotice:

InwritingtotheMinister/MECwithin30days(noticeandtermsthereofstillstand)

TakedecisiononreviewintermsofPAJA

FAILURETOCOMPLYWITHNOTICE

Sec31(N)R5Millionor10Years


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SANCTIONSRAND Carbide (smelters) : Criminal ConvictionNEM: AQA Fine R2 Million (no licence)NEMA: Fine R1 Million (pollution)R13 Million spent in upgrades to the Plant to bring it in line with the legislation.This spend will be related to the conditions and requirements set out in thecompliance notice.

Vele Colliery:NEMA Sec 24 G:

Administrative fine of R9.25 Million Potential Criminal charges still under investigation

Albi Modise: Spokesperson DEAGreen Scorpions are in the process of investigating a number of other largecompanies


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PENALTIESSec24G(Rectification):1Millionand/or1year(eachoffence)

Sec28(14)(15)(Pollution):1Millionand/or1Year(eachoffence)

Sec31N(ComplianceNotice):R5Millionor10years

ProposedAmendments:

5Millionand/or5years(1stoffence)

10Millionand/or10years(2ndoffence)


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Recommentations: (soft targets)Audit Procedures:

Safety, Health, Environmental (SHE) Awareness and Training (emlpoyees workplace) Modify existing processes Cradle to Cradle Regular audit procedures Awareness of the Legislation (amendments)

Listiing activities Pollution & Degradation activities

Awareness of the Processes for compliance enforecement Awareness of the Risks (bottom line cost, reputational damages) Contractual terms and conditions: T&Cs

Buying a business; Buying land

Suppliers

Employees

Customers


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SUGGESTIONS

Awareness of the Legislation (amendments) Listing activities; Pollution & Degradation activities and risks; Legal Assistance

Awareness of the Processes for complianceenforecement your rights Awareness of the Risks (bottom line cost,reputational damage, prosecution) Contractual terms and conditions: T&Cs

Buying a business; Buying / Leasing land and/or premises;


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EMIREPORT/STATISTICS2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Administrative Enforcement and Civil ActionsWarningletterswritten 827 176 49

Pre-directivesissued 249 60 86

Pre-compliancesnoticesissued 266 276

Directivesissued 172 95 49

Finalcompliancenoticesissued 126 110

Civilcourtapplicationslaunched 10 6 7

S24Gadministrativefinespaid

(totalamountandnumber)

R8,874,966 R8,364,870 R17,627,233

53 58 86


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AREAOFCOMPLIANCEENFORCEMENTFOCUS

REFINERIES;

CEMENTPRODUCTION;

FERROALLOY,IRON&STEEL;

PULP&PAPER; POWERGENERATION;

MINING-RELATEDACTIVITIES.


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THE WASTE ACT, 2008

businesswastemeanswastethatemanatesfrompremisesthatare

usedwhollyormainlyforcommercial,retail,wholesale,entertainment

orgovernmentadministrationpurposes;


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generalwastemeanswastethatdoesnotposeanimmediatehazard

orthreattohealthortotheenvironment,andincludes

a) Domesticwaste;

b) Buildinganddemolitionwaste;

c) Businesswaste;and

d) Inertwaste


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hazardouswastemeansanywastethatcontainsorganicorinorganic

elementorcompoundsthatmay,owingtotheinherentphysical,

chemicalortoxicologicalcharacteristicsofthatwaste,havea

detrimentalimpactonhealthandtheenvironment


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wastemeansanysubstance,whetherornotthatsubstancecanbe

reduced,re-used,recycledandrecovered

a) Thatissurplus,unwanted,rejected,discarded,abandonedor

disposedof;b) Whichthegeneratorhasnofurtheruseofforthepurposesof

production;

c) Thatmustbetreatedordisposedof;or

d) ThatisidentifiedasawastebytheMinisterbynoticeinthe

Gazette

Andincludeswastegeneratedbythemining,medicalorothersector,

but-


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(i) Aby-productisnotconsideredwasteand

(ii) Anyportionofwaste,oncere-used,recycledandrecovered,

ceasestobewaste;


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WastemustbetreatedinaccordancewiththerequirementsoftheAct

andregulations,generallybydisposalatalicensedlandfillsite.

NotethatundertheWasteActactivitiesarelicensedandarenotthesubjectofenvironmentalauthorisationsorapprovals


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NB-thatevenifyouemployawastedisposalcontractortoremove

yourwaste,yourresponsibilitydoesnotnecessarilyendthere.


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Ensurethatyouhaveanenvironmentallysafeandsecurefacility

forwastestorage(temporary)onsite

Ensurethatyourwasteremovalcontractorisproperlylicensed(audit)

Ensurethatyoucontractorisdisposingofthewasteataproperly

licenseddisposalsitee.g.h:h,H:h,H:H


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Section 16

Avoidthegenerationofwaste,alternatively

Minimisethegenerationofwaste

Re-use,re-cycleandrecoverwaste

Treatanddisposeofwasteinanenvironmentallysoundmanner

Managewastefortheprotectionofhealthandtheenvironment

PreventcontraventionsoftheAct

Preventtheuseofwasteforunauthorisedpurposes


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CONTAMINATED LAND(Section36)WASTEACT

36 Identificationandnotificationofinvestigationareas

(1) TheMinister,or theMEC in respectofanareawhichaffects

therelevantprovince,may,afterconsultationwiththeMinister

of Water Affairs and Forestry and any other organ of state

concerned, by notice in the Gazette, identify as investigation

areas-


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a) Landonwhichhigh-riskactivitieshavetakenplaceorare

takingplacethatarelikelytoresultinlandcontamination;

b) LandthattheMinisterorMEC,asthecasemaybe,on reasonablegroundsbelievestobecontaminated.


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Ifaninvestigationareaisidentified

TheMinisterorMECmayundertakeasiteassessment

or

Maydirecttheownertodoso


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Wherelandisfoundtobecontaminated,directivescanbeissuedto

remedythesituationorinextremecasesthelandcouldbesterilised

forfutureuse


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Thesesectionsarenotyetinforce

butthedeadlineislooming


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Draftregulationsstipultaingnormsandstandardsrelatingtothe

processforidentifyingcontaminatedgroundandthepowersofthe

Ministertocompelremediationmeasureshavebeengazettedforcomment


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Disposal of waste is multi-faceted

Liquideffluentrequiresamunicipalpermittodischargetoseweror

apermitfromDWAtodischargetoapublicstream

Liquid effluent may also require partial treatment on site prior to

discharge


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Certaintypesofwasterequiretobestoredinclosedcontainersor

silospendingremovalfromsite

Astoragedepotonsiteisregardedasatransferstationandneedsawastelicence

Vehiclesuseforwastetransportationneedtoberigorously

cleanedandtestedforpossiblecontamination


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THATSNOTALL!!!


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P.O.C.A.

YorkTimbers


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18 Confiscationorders(1)Wheneveradefendantisconvictedof

anoffencethecourtconvictingthedefendantmay,onthe

applicationofthepublicprosecutor,enquireintoanybenefit

whichthedefendantmayhavederivedfrom

a)Thatoffence;

b)Anyotheroffenceofwhichthedefendanthasbeenconvictedatthe

sametrial;and

c)Anycriminalactivitywhichthecourtfindstobesufficientlyrelatedto

thoseoffences


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and,ifthecourtfindsthatthedefendanthassobenefited,thecourt

may,inadditiontoanypunishmentwhichitmayimposeinrespectof

theoffence,makeanorderagainstthedefendantforthepaymentto

theStateofanyamountitconsidersappropriateandthecourtmay

makeanyfurtherordersasitmaydeemfittoensurethe

effectivenessandfairnessofthatorder.


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Thankyouforyourkindattention

MHands:[email protected]

PForbes:[email protected]:0315705300
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

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Avoid Environmental Prosecution