UNLAWFUL CONSTRUCTION AND EXPANSION OF DAMS ON TWEE HEUWELS FARM, SLANGHOEK, RAWSONVILLE, 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 PRE-APPLICATION FORM FOR COMMENT
S24G ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS:
DEA&DP Ref No.: 14/2/4/1/B2/21/0011/22
Heritage Western Cape Ref No.: 21042104AM0426E
The applicant, Mr Theuns G Le Roux initiated (and did not as yet complete) a project to increase the efficiency of water use via increasing the water storage capacity for irrigation on its farm properties. Whilst the activities themselves are permitted within the current land use rights of the individual properties involved (Agriculture 1 Zoning), some of the activities were commenced without an environmental authorisation and thus were in contravention of section 24F(1) of NEMA. The applicant intends to rectify these unlawful activities which occurred on three farm portions of Twee Heuwels Farm. The activities included (1) the enlargement of two dams, (2) the construction of one dam, (3) the incomplete enlargement of a further dam and (4) the clearing of vegetation and removal of sediment from watercourse areas. Between 2004 and 2010, two existing dams (Perdekamp Dam and Huis Dam) were enlarged, and a new dam (Gat Dam) was constructed on the farm. In July 2019, the enlargement of Rooiwal Dam commenced. In 2021, the applicant initiated the clearing of vegetation and removal of sediment from certain watercourse areas on the farm.
Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants has been appointed by Mr T G Le Roux to undertake the requisite Environmental Impact Assessment process for the project (in this case a Section 24G process) in accordance with the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (No. 107 of 1998), as amended, EIA Regulations (2014), as amended.
The Pre-Application S24G Application Form has been made available to the public for review for a 60 day comment period from 17 November 2022 – 7 February 2023, and is downloadable via the link below. Potential Interested & Affected Parties (I&APs) have 60 days, i.e. until 7 February 2023, 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 incorporated into a Comments and Response Report CRR(1) and included in the updated S24G Application Form, following which the Application will be submitted to the DEA&DP.
Should you have any comments, issues or concerns regarding the proposed project or the findings of the Pre-Application S24G Application Form, please provide your comments in writing to Ms. Kelli Ross, of Holland & Associates Environmental Consultants, by email, sms or post (email: tweeheuwels.ppp@gmail.com, sms: 083 704 6075, or post: PostNet Suite #108, Private Bag X12, Tokai, 7966), on or before 7 February 2023.