NOTIFICATION OF SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION AND AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR COMMENT: BASIC ASSESSMENT PROCESS (DEA&DP Ref No: 16/3/3/1/F2/3/2051/19) & MULTIPLE WATER USE LICENSE APPLICATION

The Applicant, Mouton Citrus (Pty) Ltd, proposes to enlarge the Ou Brakfontein Dam on Farm Klein Brakfontein No. 439, located approximately 13 km north of Citrusdal in the Western Cape. The existing dam would be enlarged from its current capacity of approximately 400 000 m3 to a capacity of approximately 2 300 000 m3. In order to achieve the desired capacity, it is estimated that the existing dam wall height would be raised by approximately 8.1 m. The enlarged dam would be fed by runoff from the Waterkloof River (in which it is located) and abstraction from the Olifants River. For this abstraction to take place, the existing pipeline (approx. 250 mm diameter) from the existing abstraction point on the Olifants River to the Ou Brakfontein Dam will require upgrading to a 630 mm diameter pipeline.

The main purpose of the proposed project is to allow the Applicant to be able to increase their water storage on the farm by making use of their existing lawful use (ELU) based on listed water rights, in order to achieve assurance of water supply to the relevant properties forming part of the scheme: i.e. Brakfontein Landgoed Farm No. 438; Sandhoogte Farm No. 595; Remainder of Farm Kweekkraal No. 591; Klein Brakfontein Farm No. 439; and Portion 1 of Farm Heksrivier No. 353 (Ingerop, 2017).

In terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (2014), as amended, enacted in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act No. 107 of 1998), as amended, the proposed project triggers a number of listed activities identified in GN No. 983 (as amended) (Listing Notice 1), namely:

  • Listing Notice 1 (i.e. GN R.983, as amended) activities triggered by the proposed development: 19, 27, 45, 48, 63 & 66.

Accordingly, the proposed activities will require environmental authorisation from the competent environmental authority, viz. the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) via the Basic Assessment process outlined in GN No. R982, as amended.

Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants has been appointed by Mouton Citrus (Pty) Ltd to undertake the requisite Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the proposed project (in this case, a Basic Assessment process) in accordance with the NEMA EIA Regulations (2014), as amended.

Further to the above, the proposed activities are also subject to the requirements of the National Heritage Resources Act (No. 25 of 1999) and the National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998). The requisite authorisations and/or comments will be obtained from the relevant competent authorities (i.e. Heritage Western Cape and Department of Water and Sanitation).

Note: A Multiple Water Use License Application (WULA) for the proposed project, in terms of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) (NWA), has been submitted to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). The following water uses as defined in Section 21 of the NWA are being applied for:

  • 21(b) storing 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.

HDL Consulting has been appointed by the Applicant to undertake the requisite Multiple Water Use License Application (WULA) in terms of the NWA for the project. A copy of the WULA is included in the BAR for I&AP review and comment in terms of Section 41(4) of the National Water Act and WULA Regulations (2017).

The Draft Basic Assessment Report has been made available to Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) for review for a 30 day comment period, and is downloadable via the link below. I&APs have 30 days, i.e.
12 November 2019 – 12 December 2019 to submit comments on the proposed project and Draft Basic Assessment Report. Once the comment period closes, comments received will be incorporated into a Comments and Response Report CRR(2) and will be included in the final BAR that will be submitted to DEA&DP for decision making.

Should you have any comments, issues or concerns regarding the proposed project or the findings of the Draft Basic Assessment Report, please provide your comments in writing to Nicole Holland of Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants, by email, fax or post (Fax: 086 762 6126, email: nicole@hollandandassociates.net or post: P.O. Box 31108, Tokai, 7966), on or before 12 December 2019.