The Proposed Expansion of Cultivated Areas on Farm De Wilgen (10/91) and Proposed Lining of The De Wilgen Bo Dam, Near Robertson

THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF CULTIVATED AREAS ON FARM DE WILGEN (10/91) AND PROPOSED LINING OF THE DE WILGEN BO DAM, NEAR ROBERTSON, WESTERN CAPE: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS: NOTIFICATION OF THE SUBMISSION OF THE APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION, AND AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT SCOPING REPORT FOR COMMENT

SCOPING AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS:
DEA&DP Ref No.: 16/3/3/6/7/2/B1/14/1105/24 (Pre-Application Phase Reference)

In process Reference Number: TBC
Heritage Western Cape Ref No.: 22101406AM1010E

De Wilgen Boere BK (hereafter referred to as “the Applicant”) wishes to expand their agricultural enterprise (the Preferred Alternative entails 41.19 ha of expansion) on Portion 10 of Farm De Wilgen No. 91, located approximately 15 km south west of Robertson, in the Western Cape Province. The proposed project includes the clearance of indigenous vegetation for the purpose of planting new citrus orchards and wine grapes, as well as the lining of the existing De Wilgen Bô Dam. The existing De Wilgen Bô Dam leaks extensively and can currently not be utilized to its full storage capacity, it is therefore proposed to undertake some remedial works on the existing dam as well as to line the dam, in order to provide sufficient (and water efficient) irrigation water storage on the site. The existing dam has a registered storage capacity of 562 200m 3 , however the proposed remedial works will result in a dam with a smaller footprint and a reduced storage capacity of 500 000m 3 . Following the completion of the proposed remedial works, the dam would continue to store water from the farms existing lawful allocation, for use on the proposed new agricultural areas. The proposed works to repair and line the dam will require a general authorization application to BOCMA, in terms of S21 (c) and (i) of the National Water Act, as a result of the existing dam being located within a non-perennial watercourse.

Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd has been appointed by the Applicant to undertake the requisite Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the proposed project (in this case, a Scoping and Environmental Impact Reporting (S&EIA) process) in accordance with the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (No. 107 of 1998) EIA Regulations (2014), as amended.

The draft Scoping Report has been made available to the public for review for a 30-day comment period and is downloadable via the link below. Interested & Affected Parties (I&APs) have 30 days, i.e. until 13 January 2025 (excluding 15 December 2024 – 5 January 2025, where no Public Participation takes place due to Regulation 3(3) of Government Notices (GN) R. 982, as well as Regulation 1(2) of the National Appeal Regulations, 2014, promulgated in terms of the NEMA), to submit their written comments on the Draft Scoping Report 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 Scoping Report that will be submitted to DEA&DP at the end of the Scoping Phase. The CRR2 will also be included in the draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report that will be circulated for I&AP comment in Phase 3 of the EIA process. All registered I&APs will be notified when the draft EIA Report (in Phase 3 of the Scoping & Environmental Impact Reporting process) is available for comment.

Should you have any comments, issues or concerns regarding the proposed project or the findings of the draft Scoping Report, please provide your comments in writing to Melanie Van Niekerk of Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants, by email or post (Email: dewilgen.ppp@hollandandassociates.net or post: PostNet Suite X108, Private Bag X12, Tokai, 7966), on or before 13 January 2025.