Proposed Rectification of The Unlawful Commencement of The Enlargement of Oakdene Farm Dams And Associated Infrastructure on Oakdene Farm (Portion 11 Of Farm 53), Near Greyton

PROPOSED RECTIFICATION OF THE UNLAWFUL COMMENCEMENT OF THE ENLARGEMENT OF OAKDENE FARM DAMS AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE ON OAKDENE FARM (PORTION 11 OF FARM 53), NEAR GREYTON, WESTERN CAPE: NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FORM IN TERMS OF SECTION 24G OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT (NEMA) (107 OF 1998) AND NOTIFICATION OF AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT S24G DOCUMENTATION FOR REVEW AND COMMENT AND INTEGRATED WATER USE LICENSE APPLICATION

NEMA S24G Rectification PROCESS: DEA&DP Ref No.: 14/2/4/1/E4/12/0014/20

Heritage Western Cape Ref No.: 191111301SB1120E

Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants have been appointed by Rickshaw Trade and Invest 10 (Pty) Ltd to compile and submit the NEMA S24G Application for the proposed rectification of unlawful activities, including inter alia, the unlawful preparation work for the enlargement of the proposed dams, pipelines and abstraction point upgrade included some maintenance work to the stream on the property (an unnamed tributary of the Riviersonderend River) that involved clearing and reshaping the stream and its banks as well as clearing areas below the existing dam walls of vegetation in preparation for the enlarged new embankments on 11/53, Greyton. The aforementioned property is referred to as “The Site” and is located within the Theewaterskloof Municipality, approximately 11km south west of Greyton.

In July 2019, Rickshaw Trade and Invest 10 (Pty) Ltd (the Applicant) commenced with preparation work for the enlargement of the two existing dams, Oakdene Dam and Oakdene Sy-Dam, pipelines and an abstraction point upgrade. These activities included some maintenance work to the stream on the property (an unnamed tributary of the Riviersonderend River) that involved clearing and reshaping the stream and its banks as well as clearing areas below the existing dam walls of vegetation in preparation for the enlarged new embankments. Since the aforementioned activities trigger Listed Activities in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, Act No. 107 of 1998 (NEMA), Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (2014, as amended), the activities on the site were undertaken in contravention of section 24F of NEMA, since no Environmental Authorisation was obtained, prior to commencement.

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 (increasing storage from 145 392m³ to 349 000m³); 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. The Integrated Water Use License Application will be synchronised with the application for Environmental Authorisation. Note in this regard that the Licence has been loaded onto the eWULA system on 15 July 2020 (e-WULAAS Reference No: WU 10166).

The Draft S24G Application Form (which includes specialist reports and an assessment of impacts) has been made available to the public for review for a 30 day comment period, and is downloadable via the link below. Potential Interested & Affected Parties (I&APs) have 30 days, i.e. until 17 May 2021 to register as I&APs and raise any initial issues or concerns related to the proposed project and the aforementioned documents. Any comments received from I&APs will be responded to and included in a Final S24G Application and report to be submitted to the DEA&DP for consideration.

Should you have any comments, issues or concerns regarding the proposed project or the findings of the Draft S24G EIA Form, please provide your comments in writing to Melanie van Niekerk of Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants, by email, fax or post (Fax: 086 653 1765, email: mvanniekerk@hollandandassociates.net or post: PO Box 31108, Tokai, 7966), on or before 17 May 2021.