Proposed raising of the Keerom Dam

PROPOSED RAISING OF THE KEEROM DAM: NOTIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION

(DEA&DP Ref No: E12/2/4/1-B2/33-1023/12)

The Nuy Irrigation Board proposes to raise the existing Keerom Dam, approx. 22km north east of Worcester. The proposed raising will include raising the spillway by 3 m, to reclaim the loss in water storage capacity due to siltation. The dam was constructed in 1954 with a storage capacity of 8.4 Mm3. The dam was raised in 1989 to increase the storage capacity to 9.8 Mm3. However siltation has occurred, which reduced the storage capacity to approximately 9.1 Mm3 in 2006. The Nuy Irrigation Board would therefore like to regain the lost storage capacity by raising the spillway. The raising of the dam will result in the inundation of two existing low level bridges (one on the Koo River and the other on the Huiswater/ Raaswater tributary), and will therefore require the re-alignment of these access roads at the affected locations. Furthermore, approx. four sections of the access road to the dam (along the eastern bank of the dam) would need to be raised to accommodate the new Full Supply Level (FSL). The raising of these sections of road is anticipated to be limited to a few 100 mm, which can be done within the existing road width.

In terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (2010) enacted in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA), as amended, the proposed project triggers a number of listed activities identified in Government Notices R544 and R546.Accordingly, the proposed activities required authorisation from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) via the Basic Assessment Process outlined in GN No. R543.

All Interested and/or Affected Parties are hereby notified that DEA&DP has issued an Environmental Authorisation in terms of the NEMA (Act No. 107 of 1998) and the EIA Regulations (2010) for the proposed raising of the Keerom Dam. DEA&DP has granted environmental authorisation to the Applicant (i.e. the Nuy Irrigation Board) to undertake the following activities listed in terms of the NEMA EIA Regulations, i.e. activities 11, 18, 39, 40 & 55 of GN No. 544 and activities 4, 14 & 24 of GN No. 546 published in terms of NEMA. The Environmental Authorisation was dated and issued by DEA&DP on 3 January 2013.

We would like to draw your attention to your right to appeal against the decision to the Minister in terms of Chapter 7 of the EIA Regulations, 2010.  Any person who wishes to appeal must lodge a Notice of Intention to Appeal with the Minister within 20 calendar days of the date of DEA&DP’s decision.  The Appeal must be submitted within 30 days of the lodging of the Notice of Intention to Appeal.  All Notice of Intention to Appeal and Appeal Forms must be submitted by means of one of the following methods:

By post:  Western Cape Ministry of Local Government, Environment Affairs, and Development Planning, Private Bag X9186, Cape Town, 8000

By facsimile: (021) 483-4174; or

By hand: Attention: Mr Jaap de Villiers; Room 305A, 3rd floor Leeusig Building (Entrance at: Utilitas Building, 1 Dorp Street), Cape Town, 8001

A prescribed Notice of Intention to Appeal Form and Appeal Form, as well as assistance regarding the appeal process, is obtainable from the office of the Minister at: Tel. (021) 483 3721, email Jaap.deVilliers@westerncape.gov.za or URL http://www.westerncape.gov.za/eng/your gov/406/services/11537/10199.

For more information contact: Ms Nicole Holland, Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants, P.O. Box 31108, Tokai, 7966, tel: 083 4645246 & fax: 086 762 6126, e-mail: nicole@hollandandassociates.net.