Proposed Enlargement of Goreeshoogte Dams and Agricultural Expansion, Robertson

PROPOSED ENLARGEMENT OF GOREESHOOGTE DAMS AND AGRICULTURAL EXPANSION, ROBERTSON, WESTERN CAPE: NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FORM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORIZATION AND AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT AND INTEGRATED WATER USE LICENSE APPLICATION

SCOPING AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS: DEA&DP Ref No.: 16/3/3/2/B1/14/1071/20

Heritage Western Cape Ref No.: 19012120SB0124E

The applicant (Habata Boerdery (Pty) Ltd trading as Habata Agri, represented by Jan Rabie) proposes to increase existing water storage and irrigation areas on Goreeshoogte Farm, which is located approximately 4km west of Robertson, on the R60 in the Western Cape Province. It is proposed to increase the farm’s assurance of water supply by enlarging two existing dams, Goreeshoogte Dam 1 and Goreeshoogte Dam 2, to a combined storage capacity of 113 300 m³. The existing off-channel dams have a combined storage capacity of 44 600 m³ (Goreeshoogte Dam 1: 13 200 m³ and Goreeshoogte Dam 2: 31 400 m³). Both are homogeneous, earth-fill embankment dams constructed from soils excavated from within the dam basins. Currently, water gravitates into the existing dams from the Le Chasseur/Goree Canal and additional water is obtained from the Breede River and the Willem Nels River. The enlarged dams would be filled from an existing water allocation from the Central Breede River Water Users’ Association. Habata Agri also intends to clear 37.5 ha of virgin land for the cultivation and irrigation of crops – citrus, vines and vegetables.

The proposed project, includes the following:

• enlargement of Goreeshoogte Dam 1 from 13 200 m³ to 43 000 m³ storage capacity with a wall height increase from 3.5 m to 4 m and the;
• enlargement of Goreeshoogte Dam 2 from 31 400 m³ to 70 300 m³ storage capacity with a wall height increase of 4.5 m to 7 m and;
• expansion of agricultural areas for the cultivation and irrigation of 41.76ha ha of crops (citrus, vines and vegetables).

Notice is further given of an Integrated Water Use License Application (IWULA) in terms of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) (NWA). The following water uses as defined in Section 21 of the NWA will be applied for: 21(b) storing of water; 21(c) Impeding or diverting the flow of water in a watercourse and 21(i) altering the beds, banks, course or characteristics of a watercourse.

Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants has been appointed by Habata Boerdery (Pty) Ltd to undertake the requisite Environmental Impact Assessment process for the proposed project (in this case, a Scoping and Environmental Impact Reporting (S&EIR) process) in accordance with the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (No. 107 of 1998), as amended, EIA Regulations (2014).

The Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report and standalone Executive Summary have been made available to the public for review for a 30-day comment period, and are downloadable via the links below. Registered Interested & Affected Parties (I&APs) have 30 days, i.e. until 7 June 2021 to raise any issues or concerns related to the proposed project and the aforementioned documents. Any comments received from I&APs will be incorporated into a Comments and Response Report CRR(3) and included in the final Environmental Impact Assessment Report, which will be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) for decision making.

Should you have any comments, issues or concerns regarding the proposed project or the findings of the Draft EIA Report, please provide your comments in writing to Ross Holland of Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants, by email, fax or post (Fax: 086 653 1765, email: ross@hollandandassociates.net or post: PO Box 31108, Tokai, 7966), on or before 7 June 2021.