1. INTRODUCTION A key outcome of the environmental assessment process is Environmental Management Plans (World Bank, n.d.). Environmental Management Plans are one of twenty-two commonly used tools to be used in the process of implementing integrated environmental management principles, as established by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT (a), 2004).1.1. Definitions1.1.1. EnvironmentThe National Environmental Management Act (1998) refers to the environment as the “surrounding environment in which humans exist and which consists of:i. the earth, water and atmosphere of the earth; ii. microorganisms, plant and animal life; iii. any part or combination of (i) and (ii) and the interrelationships between them; and iv. the physical, chemical, aesthetic and cultural properties and conditions of the foregoing that affect human health and well-being”. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT (a), 2004) instead defines the environment as “the biophysical, social and economic whole, as well as the connections within and between these components”.1.1.2. ManagementManagement refers to the “process of dealing with or controlling things or people” as defined by (Google, n.d.). Furthermore, this process involves “the initiation, planning, implementation, control and closure of a business, including associated responsibilities and obligations” (DEAT (a), 2004). In environmental management the environment is not managed directly. In this case, management focuses more on people and processes. For example, the interaction that man has with the environment (biophysical, social and economic).1.1.3. PlanThe Oxford Dictionary (nd) defines 'p...... half of the document......Malaysia Environmenta Journal, 2011. Understanding an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) [WWW Document]. URL http://envscientist.blogspot.com/2011/03/understanding-environmental-management.html (accessed 5.20.14). National Environmental Management Act, 1998. . Official Journal, South Africa.Oxford Dictionary, nd No Title [WWW document]. URL http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/plan (accessed 5.20.14). World Bank, Web Definitions [WWW Document]. URL https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CC0QkA4oADAA&url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTOED ... jbExFTA&sig2=LIctGoN3DYDSk4KiRK0M8Q&bvm=bv.67229260,d.ZGU (access 5.20.14).