1. Environmental Impact Assessment, Basic Assessment & Other Statutory Environmental Processes.
Holland & Associates undertake the full suite of environmentally aligned regulatory processes. We have particular expertise in undertaking processes in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations published in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act 107 of 1998, as amended) as well as other related environmental legislation. We undertake Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA’s), Basic Assessments, Applications for the amendment of Environmental Authorizations, as well as applications for the rectification of illegal activities in terms of section 24G of NEMA.
Ross Holland has extensive experience in managing a wide variety of Environmental Assessment processes including housing, resort, and commercial developments, the expansion of educational facilities, new roads and road upgrades, water supply dams, municipal waste sites, and a shooting range.
2. Environmental Management Plans & Programs, Environmental Monitoring and Environmental Control Officer (ECO) Work.
Holland & Associates compile and produce Environmental Management Programs in compliance with the requirements of the EIA Regulations published in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act 107 of 1998, as amended). We also compile Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP’s) and Operational Environmental Management Plans (OEMP’s) for development projects, as well as Green Star SA compliant Environmental Management Plans for development projects targeting Green Star SA ratings.
Holland & Associates undertakes independent auditing of OEMPs and EMPs when required and offer Environmental Control Officer (ECO) and Environmental Site Officer (ESO) services for the environmental monitoring of construction projects.
Ross Holland has compiled EMPs and OEMPs for a wide variety of development projects and has audited a number of OEMPs. Ross Holland has acted as Environmental Control Officer for a wide variety of construction projects.
3. External / 3rd Party Review of Environmental Processes
Holland & Associates offer external review services for all environmental assessment processes. Such reviews are typically undertaken either as an out-sourced review function for other environmental consultancies, or as a specialist review on behalf of an Interested and Affected Party to a particular application. Ross Holland is experienced in undertaking both review scenarios.
4. Public Participation
Public Participation is a process by which potential interested and affected parties to an application are given an opportunity to comment on, or raise issues relevant to, that application. Public Participation is an imperative imposed by all South African post-constitutional legislative processes.
Holland & Associates run robust and defendable public participation processes in accordance with the relevant legal requirements, as well as established environmental best practice.
5. Environmental Risk Assessment
South African environmental law consists of a plethora of environmentally related statutes, many of which place onerous responsibilities on landowners and developers. It is therefore important that prudent landowners and developers appraise themselves of any environmentally related risk factors associated with current or future activities or acquisitions.
Holland and Associates offer Environmental Risk Assessment and Due Diligence environmental investigations which can be tailored to meet specific client needs. Our reporting can include both risk identification as well as risk mitigation advice.
6. Environmental Education
Holland & Associates undertake environmental education in the context of construction projects, industry, as well as academic institutions.
Ross Holland has extensive experience in undertaking basic environmental education within both the construction and film industry. Ross has also lectured various aspects of Environmental Management at academic institutions including the University of Cape Town, the University of the Western Cape and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
7. Environmental Opportunity and Constraints Analysis & Environmental Planning
Holland & Associates offer pre-development Environmental Opportunity and Constraints Analysis and Environmental Planning services. The incorporation of environmental opportunities and constraints information into the earliest planning stages of development projects, allows for the early identification of potential “red flag” issues that may arise during an application for Environmental Authorization, and require mitigation. Furthermore, a holistic approach to project planning which includes the consideration of environmental factors, assists in achieving sustainable development and enhances the efficiency with which applications for Environmental Authorization can be undertaken. In our experience an appropriately conceptualized development project which takes account of relevant environmental considerations and internalizes them into project design, stands a much greater chance of achieving a positive Environmental Authorization within a reasonable time frame.
8. Soil Erosion Control and Rehabilitation Consulting
Holland & Associates offer consulting advisory services on soil erosion control as well as the rehabilitation of soil erosion. We offer advice and practical solutions in the context of development projects, degraded farm and rangeland and any other context where soil erosion may require control or rehabilitation. Ross Holland’s MSc thesis (2000) was primarily focused on the problems of land degradation and soil erosion, specifically within the semi-arid environment of the Karoo. Ross is also the co-author of a paper published within the journal Catena, which focuses on mechanisms for badland and gully development. Ross has provided practical soil erosion control advice and supervised the successful implementation of soil erosion control initiatives on a number of construction projects.
9. Green Design/ Green Star SA
Holland & Associates consult on the incorporation of Green Design Initiatives into development projects, and can assist project teams in the integration of Green Star objectives and processes into the entire project life cycle. We also compile Green Star SA compliant Environmental Management Plans for development projects targeting Green Star SA ratings. Ross Holland is a Green Star SA accredited professional, and has experience as a member of the project team on a Green Star SA registered project.