NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION IN TERMS OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT 107 OF 1998, WATER USE LICENCE IN TERMS OF THE NATIONAL WATER ACT 36 OF 1998, AND HERITAGE PERMIT IN TERMS OF NATIONAL HERITAGE RESOURCES ACT NO. 25 OF 1999 FOR THE PROPOSED REPAIRS TO THE BANKS OF THE LOURENS RIVER AND OTHER REPAIRS DUE TO EXCESSIVE FLOODING OF THE WATERCOURSE ON FARM NO. 744, SOMERSET WEST IN THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE.
PROJECT ROLE-PLAYERS
- PROJECT ROLE-PLAYERS
- APPLICANT: Vergelegen Wines (Pty) Ltd.
- COMPETENT AUTHORITIES: Department of Water and Sanitation (“DWS”).
- Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (“DEADP”) and Heritage Western Cape (“HWC).
- ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT: NCC Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd (“NCC”).
Project Details
NCC Environmental Services (Pty) (Ltd) (“NCC”) was appointed by Vergelegen Wines (Pty) Ltd (the applicant) to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) for the proposed repairs to the banks of the Lourens River and other repairs due to excessive flooding of the watercourse on Farm No. 744, Somerset West in the Western Cape Province. The proposed development entails:
- Construction of a new weir within a watercourse
- Development of Groyne Structures on each of the four eroded sites as part of river repair work
- Alien vegetation to be removed from the river in the vicinity of the work.
- Rehabilitation of the riverbank with indigenous wetland vegetation
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
The proposed project will entail the Application for Environmental Authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998, Water Use Licence in terms of the National Water Act 36 of 1998, and Heritage Permit in terms of National Heritage Resources Act No. 25 of 1999.
An application for Environmental Authorisation (“EA”) will be lodged with the competent authority, Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. The listed activities applied for in respect of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2017 (as amended on 7 April 2017) include:
- GN R.327: Activity 12,19
- GN R.324: Activity 12
A Basic Assessment (“BA “) process will be followed which will require the investigation, assessment and communication of potential impacts as prescribed in regulations 19 and 20 of GN. R 326 (as amended). This entails Basic Assessment Reporting process inclusive of an Environmental Management Programme (“EMPr “) and relevant Specialist Studies in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (“NEMA”) and in accordance with EIA Regulations, 2017 (as amended).
Water Use Licence Application
An Integrated Water Use Licence Application (“IWULA”) will be conducted for water uses associated with Section 21 the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No.36 of 1998) (“NWA”).
Water Use Licence Authorisation in terms of the NWA
21(c) Impeding or Diverting the Flow of Water in a Watercourse,
21(i) Altering the Bed, Banks, Course or Characteristics of a Watercourse,
Heritage Permit
A Notice of Intent to Develop (“NID”) application will be submitted to the Heritage Western Cape (“HWC”) under Section 34 and 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act No. 25 of 1999.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
A Public Participation (“PP”) process will be undertaken to grant an opportunity for Organs of State, key stakeholders, members of the public and interested and affected parties (“I&APs”) to participate in the applications process and raise any comments, issues or objections. The documentation related to the application is available for review and download on the NCC website www.ncc-group.co.za under “Public Documents”.
Commenting timeframe
The process will have the legislated 30-day period for the EIA application and 60 -day for the WULA application.
Start date: 06 September 2024
End date: 07 October 2024.
Members of the public are invited to register as an I&AP and submit comments within the commenting timeframe related to the project. If you would like to register as an I&AP and comment on the draft Basic Assessment Report, please contact person below:
Contact Person: Jennipher Sakaunda
NCC Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd
26 Bell Close, Westlake Business Park, Westlake, Cape Town
Tel: 021 702 2884
Fax: 086 555 0693
Email: ppp@ncc-group.co.za
Website: https://ncc-group.co.za/public-participation-overview
DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
Appendices
- APPENDIX A1 Locality map
- APPENDIX B1 Vergelegen CBA Map
- APPENDIX C Photographs
- APPENDIX E1 NID
- APPENDIX E3 DWS proof of submission
- APPENDIX F1 Background information Document
- APPENDIX F2 Vergelegen data base
- APPENDIX F3 Onsite Notices
- APPENDIX F4 Vergelegen Wines Database-1-5
- APPENDIX F5 Proof of Consultation
- APPENDIX F6 Proof of sending &AP SMS
- APPENDIX F7 Pre-applicationBAR Comments
- APPENDIX F8 Responses to Comments Received
- APPENDIX F9 Commets Received from the I&AP
- APPENDIX F10 Commenat and Resposnse Sheet
- APPENDIX G1 Hydrological report
- APPENDIX G2 Heritage report
- APPENDIX G3 Terrestrial biodiversity report
- APPENDIX G4 Vergelegen Freshwater Report
- APPENDIX H Vergelegen EMPr
- APPENDIX H1 Alien Plant Management
- APPENDIX H2 Rehabilitation plan
- APPENDIX I1 Screening tool
- APPENDIX I2 Site sensitivity verification report
- APPENDIX K Need and Desirability