Sustainable development and the environment: lessons from the St Lucia Environmental Impact Assessment

摘要: The environmental impact assessment (EIA) on the effects of proposed mining Eastern Shores Lake St Lucia was arguably largest and most transparent yet undertaken African continent. It assessed consequences in coastal dune systems northern KwaZulu-Natal, an area regarded as very important for conservation. Public opposition to mining, participation EIA, reached unprecedented levels. EIA took place during a time profound political change South Africa, environment with differing cultures, making impacts their relevance different groups exacting. Our ability make clear meaningful recommendations regard adoption future options hampered by lack strategic regional planning framework, changing factors, rigorous scientific models which base prediction impacts. material produced reviewed panel eminent lay people, who turn made recommendation government Africa not allow mining. Their represents example application precautionary principle, both because perceived value ('the sense place') inability exact predictions magnitude expected degree they could be mitigated.