Request For The Adoption Of A River Maintenance Management Plan (MMP) For Watercourse Related Maintenance Activities In The Doring, Hoeks, Ratal, Klip And Kiesie Rivers And Their Tributaries, Worcester, Western Cape Province

REQUEST FOR THE ADOPTION OF A RIVER MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT PLAN (MMP) FOR WATERCOURSE RELATED MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES IN THE DORING, HOEKS, RATAL, KLIP AND KIESIE RIVERS AND THEIR TRIBUTARIES, WORCESTER, WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE: NOTIFICATION OF AVAILABILITY OF THE MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR COMMENT

PUBLIC PARTICPATION PROCESS:
DEA&DP Ref No.: TBC

The Bossieveld Water Users’ Association is applying to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) for an adoption of a Maintenance Management Plan (MMP) for watercourse-related maintenance activities to be undertaken within the Doring, Hoeks, Ratal, Klip and Kiesies Rivers and their tributaries near Worcester in the Western Cape.

Widespread flood damages occurred during the winters of 2023 and 2024. Damages included erosion of riverbanks, damage to infrastructure in proximity to watercourses (such as abstraction infrastructure, roads, dams and agricultural areas) as well as siltation and sedimentation impacts in certain instances.

Extensive emergency maintenance work was required after both flooding events in order to repair the damage. The purpose of the MMP would be to create a framework and methodology that will enable lawful maintenance of both man-made and ecological infrastructure in the future. The MMP will contain approved maintenance methodologies for maintenance works to be undertaken within the riverbed, riparian zones or nearby wetland areas associated with Doring, Hoeks, Ratal, Klip and Kiesies Rivers and their tributaries.

Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants and BlueScience (Pty) Ltd have been appointed by the Applicant to undertake the requisite public participation process for the proposed Maintenance Management Plan in accordance with the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (No. 107 of 1998) EIA Regulations (2014), as amended.

The Maintenance Management Plan is 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 13 July 2026 to register as I&APs and raise any issues or concerns related to the proposed project and the aforementioned documents. Comments received from I&APs will be incorporated into a Comments and Response Report (CRR) and will be included in the MMP to be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning (DEA&DP) for adoption.

Should you have any comments, issues or concerns regarding the proposed project or the findings of the Maintenance Management Plan, please provide your comments in writing by 13 July 2026 to:
Ms Shannon Hyslop
Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants
E-mail: doring.ppp@hollandandassociates.net
Post: PostNet Suite #108, Private Bag X12, Tokai, 7966

An electronic copy of the Maintenance Management Plan, as well as its appendices, can be downloaded via the OneDrive link below: