Proposed Enlargement of Rivierplaas and Suurlemoen Dams and Associated Pipeline Infrastructure, Near Citrusdal, Western Cape Province

PROPOSED ENLARGEMENT OF RIVIERPLAAS AND SUURLEMOEN DAMS AND ASSOCIATED PIPELINE INFRASTRUCTURE ON FARM NO. 602 AND PORTION 43 OF FARM KLEIN VALLEY NO. 481, NEAR CITRUSDAL, WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE: NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION AND AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT AND INTEGRATED WATER USE LICENCE APPLICATION

BASIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS:

DEA&DP Ref No.: 16/3/3/6/7/1/F2/3/2133/21

Heritage Western Cape Ref No.: 19120609SB1212E

The Applicant, M & M Trust, proposes the enlargement of the existing Rivierplaas and Suurlemoen Dams and associated pipeline infrastructure on Farm No. 602 and Portion 43 of Farm Klein Valley No. 481. The respective farms are farmed as a single farming unit and are located approximately 3.3km and 9.5km south of Citrusdal, in the Western Cape.

The proposed enlarged Rivierplaas Dam would have a storage capacity of 505 000m3 and an estimated wall height of 8.5m. The proposed enlarged Suurlemoen Dam would have a storage capacity of 470 000m3 and an estimated wall height of 11m. The proposed enlarged dams would be filled by pumping enlistment water from the Olifants River using existing infrastructure with the exception of a proposed 315mm diameter pipeline (approximately 0.2km long) to connect the existing pipeline infrastructure to the proposed enlarged Suurlemoen Dam. A proposed sand and general fill borrow area of approximately 1ha, that would be required for the enlargement of Rivierplaas Dam, has been identified to the north-west of Rivierplaas Dam.

The main purpose of the project is to increase the Applicant’s assurance of supply of irrigation water on the farms for existing cultivated areas. By storing a greater proportion of enlistment water, the Applicant is able to make more efficient use of their existing entitled water rights.

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 M & M Trust to undertake the requisite Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the proposed project (in this case a Basic Assessment process) in accordance with the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (No. 107 of 1998), as amended, EIA Regulations (2014), as amended.

The Draft Basic Assessment Report is being made available to I&APs for a 30 day comment period. Copies of the Draft Basic Assessment Report have been made available for viewing at the Citrusdal Public Library and on the Holland and Associates Environmental Consultants website (www.hollandandassociates.net) for public review from 6 November 2023 – 6 December 2023. Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) have 30 days, i.e., until 6 December 2023, to register as I&APs and submit written comments on the Draft Basic Assessment Report and project to Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants. Any comments received from I&APs will be collated and responded to in a Comments and Response Report CRR(2) and will be included in the final Basic Assessment Report 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 Ms Melanie van Niekerk of Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants, by email or post (email: rivierplaasandsuurlemoen.ppp@gmail.com or post: PostNet Suite #108, Private Bag X12, Tokai, 7966), on or before 6 December 2023.