CSIR hits back at critics over environmental study

Review reveals that legal requirements were met RAY SMUTS IN A surprise move last week, (August 31) the Council for Scientific and Industrial research, contracted by the National Ports Authority to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the port of Cape Town, came forth with its own version of events - this after a lambasting from environmental affairs minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk 15 months ago. The minister dropped a bombshell by reversing his department’s approval of the EIA, sending the National Ports Authority to undertake further studies on the impact of the terminal on the marine ecology and on coastal processes and, in addition, investigating the feasibility of inland (terminal) solutions. Van Schalkwyk said in his drubbing that “non-disclosure by the CSIR of the concerns and recommendations highlighted by their expert renders the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) flawed and reflects a serious breach of responsibility”. He added that if the project were to go ahead in its present form, it would amount to “an unmitigated national disaster”. The CSIR conceded it had launched its own internal investigation into the matter as the criticism impacted negatively on the integrity of its work and science. “After reviewing all relevant processes, procedures and documentation, the CSIR can confirm that the EIA study conducted on the Cape Town Port met all legal requirements and was diligent in its approach to the project,” the statement said.