Environmental Laws Rationalisation Act 51 of 1997

 

Summary

 

The Environmental Laws Rationalisation Act 51 of 1997 is a South African legislative document designed to unify environmental regulations across the countryΓs modern borders. This Act officially extends the application of specific national laws, including the Sea-Shore Act and the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act, to regions that previously functioned as independent or self-governing territories. By doing so, it ensures that a standardized legal framework for environmental management and tourism is followed in all "affected areas." Additionally, the document outlines various amendments to existing statutes to update terminology and shift administrative duties to the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. In instances where older regional regulations conflict with these updated national standards, this Act mandates that the newly extended laws prevail. Ultimately, the source serves as a critical tool for administrative consistency in the post-apartheid era.