Cape Environmental Assessment Practitioners (Pty) Ltd

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1 Cape Environmental Assessment Practitioners (Pty) Ltd Reg. No. 2008/004627/07 Telephone: (044) st Floor Eagles View Building Facsimile: (044) Progress Street, George Web: PO Box 2070, George 6530 FINAL 24G ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT For TURA KINA DAM UPGRADE & EXPANSION Portion 1 of 169, Tura Kina In terms of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998, as amended) & 2010 Environmental Impact Regulations Prepared for Applicant: K.R.R. Trust By: Cape EAPrac Report Reference: DEA&DP Reference: 14/2/1/3/D2/30/0035/14 Case Officer: Ziyaad Allie Date: 24 February 2015 D.J. Jeffery Directors L. van Zyl

2 APPOINTED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER: Cape EAPrac Environmental Assessment Practitioners PO Box 2070 George 6530 Tel: Fax: Report written & compiled by: Melissa Mackay (BTech & ND Nature Conservation), who has eight years experience as an environmental practitioner. PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT: Application for 24G Environmental Authorisation APPLICANT: K.R.R. Trust CAPE EAPRAC REFERENCE NO: SUBMISSION DATE 24 February 2015

3 FINAL 24G ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), as amended & Environmental Impact Regulations 2010 Tura Kina Dam Upgrade & Expansion Submitted for: Stakeholder Review & Comment Portion 1 of 169 Tura Kina This report is the property of the Author/Company, who may publish it, in whole, provided that: Written approval is obtained from the Author and that Cape EAPrac is acknowledged in the publication; Cape EAPrac is indemnified against any claim for damages that may result from any publication of specifications, recommendations or statements that is not administered or controlled by Cape EAPrac; The contents of this report, including specialist/consultant reports, may not be used for purposes of sale or publicity or advertisement without the prior written approval of Cape EAPrac; Cape EAPrac accepts no responsibility by the Applicant/Client for failure to follow or comply with the recommended programme, specifications or recommendations contained in this report; Cape EAPrac accepts no responsibility for deviation or non-compliance of any specifications or recommendations made by specialists or consultants whose input/reports are used to inform this report; and All figures, plates and diagrams are copyrighted and may not be reproduced by any means, in any form, in part or whole without prior written approved from Cape EAPrac. Report Issued by: Cape Environmental Assessment Practitioners Tel: PO Box 2070 Fax: Progress Street Web: George 6530 Cape EAPrac Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

4 ORDER OF REPORT 24G Environmental Impact Report Declaration Forms Appendix A : Location Map Appendix B : Site Plans Appendix C : Photographs Appendix D : Biodiversity Overlays Appendix E : Permits / Licenses Appendix E1 : Water Registration Appendix F : Public Participation Appendix F1 : Stakeholder List Appendix F2 : Adverts & Site Notices Appendix F3 : Initial Notification Appendix F4 : DEIR Comments Received ( Received) Appendix F5 : FEIR Notifications Appendix F6 : FEIR Comments Received (Not Applicable) Appendix F7 : Comments & Responses Table Appendix G : Specialist Reports Appendix G1 : Water Use License Application (WULA) Appendix G2 : Heritage Specialist Opinion Appendix H : Environmental & Maintenance Management Programme Appendix I : Additional Information Appendix I1 : Authority Correspondence Appendix I2 : Windeed Property Report Appendix J : Certified Copy of ID Cape EAPrac Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

5 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 DETAILS OF APPLICANT DETAILS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER (EAP)... 5 SECTION A: ACTIVITY INFORMATION PROJECT TITLE ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION PHYSICAL SIZE OF THE ACTIVITY SITE ACCESS SITE PHOTOGRAPHS APPLICABLE LEGISLATION, POLICIES AND/OR GUIDELINES... 9 SECTION B: DESCRIPTION OF RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT SITE/AREA DESCRIPTION GRADIENT OF THE SITE LOCATION IN LANDSCAPE GROUNDWATER, SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL STABILITY OF THE SITE Groundwater, Soil and Geological stability of the site (PRE- COMMENCEMENT) Groundwater, Soil and Geological stability of the site (POST- COMMENCEMENT) SURFACE WATER Surface Water (PRE-COMMENCEMENT) Surface Water (POST-COMMENCEMENT) VEGETATION AND/OR GROUNDCOVER Vegetation and/or Groundcover (PRE-COMMENCEMENT) Vegetation and/or Groundcover (POST-COMMENCEMENT) Vegetation / Groundcover Management LAND USE OF THE SITE (PRE-COMMENCEMENT) LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA (PRE-COMMENCEMENT) LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA (POST-COMMENCEMENT) 22 Cape EAPrac Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

6 SECTION C: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS TO BE FOLLOWED SECTION D: NEED & DESIRABILITY REGIONAL PLANNING CONTEXT SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT (PRE-COMMENCEMENT) SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT (POST-COMMENCEMENT) HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS SECTION E: ALTERNATIVES SECTION F: PRELIMINARY IMPACT ASSESSMENT, MANAGEMENT, MITIGATION AND MONITORING MEASURES DEVELOPMENT IMPACTS GEOGRAPHICAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS: BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS: SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS: CULTURAL AND HISTORIC ASPECTS: WASTE AND EMISSIONS WATER USE POWER SUPPLY ENERGY EFFICIENCY DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACTS PRIOR TO AND AFTER MITIGATION SPECIALIST INPUTS/STUDIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS IMPACT ASSESSMENT IMPACT SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY OTHER MANAGEMENT, MITIGATION AND MONITORING MEASURES SECTION G: ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGIES AND CRITERIA, GAPS IN KNOWLEDGE, UNDERLAYING ASSUMPTIONS AND UNCERTAINTIES Cape EAPrac Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

7 SECTION H: RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EAP SECTION I: MOTIVATION FOR RESPONSE TO AN EMERGENCY SECTION J: APPENDICES DECLARATIONS THE APPLICANT THE INDEPENDENT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER ( EAP ) THE INDEPENDENT PERSON WHO COMPILED A SPECIALIST REPORT OR UNDERTOOK A SPECIALIST PROCESS PHOTOGRAPHS Photo 1: The northern portion of the new dam with reeds and other riparian vegetation emerging Photo 2: The gentle slope of the overflow prevents erosion...20 FIGURES Figure 1: Existing dam in July 2003 (Google Earth Pro)... 6 Figure 2: Existing dam in January 2010 (Google Earth Pro)... 7 Figure 3: New dam at August 2012 (Google Earth Pro)... 7 Figure 4: New dam as at October 2014 (Google Earth Pro)... 8 Cape EAPrac Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

8 NEMA-Section 24G Application Cape EAPrac 1 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

9 Section 24G Application Form for the rectification of unlawful commencement or continuation of listed activity/ies in terms of the: National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), ( NEMA ); Environment Conservation Act, 1989 (Act No. 73 of 1989) ( ECA ); Specific Environmental Management Acts ( SEMAs ) July 2012 Form Number: S24GEIAR/07/2012 Kindly note that: 1. This section 24G Environmental Impact Assessment ( EIA ) report must be completed for all section 24G applications in terms of the above Acts, by an independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner ( EAP ). 2. This EIA report is current as of July It is the responsibility of the Applicant/EAP to ascertain whether subsequent versions of the EIA report have been published or produced by the competent authority. Contents: Section A: Section B: Section C: Section D: Section E: Section F: Activity Information Description of Receiving Environment Public Participation Information Need and Desirability Alternatives Preliminary Impact Assessment, Management, Mitigation and Monitoring Section G: Assessment Methodologies and Criteria, Gaps in Knowledge, under laying Assumptions and Uncertainties Section H: Section I: Section J: Recommendations of the EAP Motivation for response to an emergency Appendices 3. An Independent EAP must be appointed to complete the section 24G EIA report on behalf of the applicant; the declaration of independence must be completed by the independent EAP and submitted with this EIA report. If a specialist report is required, the specialist will also be required to complete the declaration of independence. 4. Two hard copies and one electronic copy (CD/DVD) of this report must be submitted. 5. The required information must be typed within the spaces provided. The sizes of the spaces provided are not necessarily indicative of the amount of information to be provided. The space provided extend as each space is filled with typing. A legible font type and size must be used when completing the report. The font size should not be smaller than 10pt (e.g. Century Gothic 10). A digital copy of the Section EIA Report is available on the Department s website (details below). 6. The use of not applicable in the EIA report must be done with circumspection. 7. No faxed or ed EIA reports will be accepted. 8. Unless protected by law, all information contained in and attached to this EIA report will become public information on receipt by the competent authority. Upon request, any Interested and Affected Party ( I&AP ) should be provided with the information contained in and attached to this EIA report. During any stage of the application process, the information contained in and attached to it must be provided by the applicant / EAP. Cape EAPrac 2 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

10 9. This EIA report must be submitted to the Department at the postal address given below or by delivery thereof to the Registry Office of the Department. Unnecessary delays will be incurred should the application and attached information not be submitted to the correct address. 10. PROCESS TO BE FOLLOWED: a) A section 24G Application Form constitutes the initiation of the Section 24G application process. If you have failed to submit an application form, you may not proceed with the compilation and submission of this EIA report until such time that a section 24G application form has been submitted to the Department and subsequently acknowledged. b) Once the information requirements in respect of the application have been met, a draft EIA report, which must include an Environmental Management Programme ( EMP ), must first be made available to the I&APs, including all the relevant State Departments that administer laws relating to a matter affecting the environment, for comment for a period of 40 (forty) calendar days. Unless otherwise indicated by the Department, a commenting period of at least 21 (twenty-one) days must be provided to I&APs, including the relevant State Departments, to comment on any additional information, documentation or reports (including the final EIR), other than the draft EIR. c) The draft EIA report must be submitted to the Department in order to meet the requirements of section 24O of the NEMA. The Department will notify the State Departments of the 40 (forty) day commenting after receipt of the draft EIA report. d) Upon submission of the final EIA report, the competent authority will reconsider the application and may undertake a site inspection or request such additional information as the competent authority may require from the Applicant/EAP. e) The Department will consider the final EIA report/additional information (if required) to determine the administrative fine (not exceeding R1 million) and inform the applicant accordingly. The fine must be paid within 60 days from the date of the fine notice. The applicant is required to provide proof of payment of the fine to the Department. f) In accordance with section 24G(2), the competent authority will then: direct the applicant to cease the activity, either wholly or in part, and to rehabilitate the environment within such time and subject to such conditions as the Department may deem necessary; or issue an environmental authorisation to the applicant subject to such conditions as the Department may deem necessary. 11. Note, failure to comply with a directive calling for information to be submitted within a specified period may result in the institution of appropriate legal action as is deemed necessary by this Department and as provided for in the legislation. 12. A person failing to comply with a directive or contravening or failing to comply with a condition of. environmental authorisation is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to a penalty of a fine not exceeding R5 million or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten years, or to both such fine and such imprisonment. Cape EAPrac 3 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

11 DEPARTMENTAL DETAILS DEPARTMENTAL REFERENCE NUMBER(S) (for official use) Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Directorate: Environmental Compliance & Enforcement, Attention: Sub-directorate: Section 24G Applications Private Bag X9086 Cape Town, 8000 Registry Office 1 st Floor Utilitas Building 1 Dorp Street, Cape Town File Reference number (S24G) File Reference number (Enforcement), if applicable File reference number (EIA), if applicable: File reference number (Waste), if applicable: File reference number (Other): Queries should be directed to the Subdirectorate: Section 24G Applications at: ENV number: Tel: (021) Fax: (021) View the Department s website on for the latest version of the documents 1 DETAILS OF APPLICANT Applicant Name: K.R.R. Trust Contact Person Mr Karl Reitz RSA Identity Number/ Passport Number: Trading name (if any): K.R.R. Trust Company Registration Number: Registration No: 2579/99 Postal address: P.O. Box 61 Wilderness Postal code: 6560 Telephone: (044) Cell: karl@etraco.co.za Fax: (044) Cape EAPrac 4 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

12 2 DETAILS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER (EAP) Environmental Assessment Practitioner ( EAP ): Cape Environmental Assessment Practitioners (Cape EAPrac) Contact person: Melissa Mackay (Snr Consultant)/ Louise-Mari van Zyl (Director) Postal address: P.O. Box 2070 George Postal code: 6530 Telephone: (044) Cell: mel@cape-eaprac.co.za Fax: (044) EAP Qualifications BTech & ND Nature Conservation / MA Geography and Environmental Science Director certified as an Environmental Assessment Practitioners with the EAP Registrations/Associations Interim Certification Board for Environmental Assessment Practitioners of South Africa (EAPSA). SECTION A: ACTIVITY INFORMATION 1 PROJECT TITLE Tura Kina Dam Upgrade & Expansion 2 ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION (Cross out the appropriate box and provide a description where required). Is/are the activity(ies) complete or is/are the activity(ies) still to be completed? Completed Incomplete (a) Is/was the project a new development or an upgrade of an existing development? Also indicate the date (e.g. 2 August 2010) when the activity commenced as well as the original date of commencement if the application is an upgrade. New Upgrade (b) Clearly describe the activity and associated infrastructure commenced with, indicating what has been completed and what still has to be completed. The applicant was experiencing severe problems with the integrity of the overflow and the wall of Cape EAPrac 5 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

13 the existing dam, especially after the 2009 floods in the southern Cape. In order to secure the dam, the applicant moved the dam wall downstream of the existing wall to a portion of the watercourse that was narrower. This coincided with the property boundary and a servitude for the Eskom power lines. This relocation of the dam wall increased the surface area of the dam by approximately 2.8ha. A survey has been completed as part of the Water Use License Application (WULA) to determine the increase in the volume of water stored. The WULA is being undertaken to amend the existing water registration which is in place. According to the survey the upgraded dam has the following dimensions: Maximum wall height of 8.5m; Crest length of the wall is 120m (previously ±70m); Gross storage capacity of m³ (previous volume as per registration m³); Length of 428m (previously ±135m); Width at widest point of 116m (previously ±60m); Water surface area at full supply level of 3.34ha (previously ±0.54ha); and Water depth at full supply of 10.7m. The upgraded dam has been completed since Figure 1: Existing dam in July 2003 (Google Earth Pro) Cape EAPrac 6 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

14 Figure 2: Existing dam in January 2010 (Google Earth Pro) Note the damaged overflow on the south eastern corner of the dam. The overflow was changed to the south western corner. Note also the dam wall that required ongoing maintenance to stop leaks. Figure 3: New dam at August 2012 (Google Earth Pro) Cape EAPrac 7 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

15 Figure 4: New dam as at October 2014 (Google Earth Pro) The overflow located on the south western corner of the new dam extends onto Portion 10 of 166 which is rented out by Tura Kina Farms cc. There is an existing water registration certificate for the dam which requires amendment, and the new dam must go through a Water Use License Application (WULA) in terms of the National Water Act. (c) Please provide details of all components of the activity and attach diagrams (e.g. architectural drawings or perspectives, engineering drawings, process flow charts etc.). Buildings YES NO Provide brief description: Infrastructure (e.g. roads, power and water supply/ storage) YES NO Provide brief description: The previously existing dam of approximately 0.54ha was increased by approximately 2.8ha to a total surface area of 3.34ha. According to the survey the upgraded dam has the following dimensions: Maximum wall height of 8.5m; Crest length of the wall is 120m (previously ±70m); Gross storage capacity of m³ (previous volume as per registration m³); Length of 428m (previously ±135m); Width at widest point of 116m (previously ±60m); Water surface area at full supply level of 3.34ha (previously ±0.54ha); and Water depth at full supply of 10.7m. Cape EAPrac 8 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

16 Processing activities (e.g. manufacturing, storage, distribution) YES NO Provide brief description: Storage facilities for raw materials and products (e.g. volume and substances to be stored) Provide brief description YES NO Storage and treatment facilities for solid waste and effluent generated by the project YES NO Provide brief description (d) Other activities (e.g. water abstraction activities, crop planting activities) YES NO Provide brief description The dam provides irrigation water for approximately 63ha of grassland (mostly kikuyu) for fodder for the 1500 cattle on the farm. 3 PHYSICAL SIZE OF THE ACTIVITY Indicate the physical spatial size of the activity as well as associated infrastructure (footprints): Original size m 2 Indicate the area that has been transformed / cleared to allow for the activity as well as associated infrastructure Upgraded area m 2 Total area: m 2 4 SITE ACCESS Was there an existing access road? YES NO If NO, what was the distance over which the new access road was built? m Describe the type of access road constructed: Please Note: indicate the position of the access road on the site plan (See Section 5 below) 5 SITE PHOTOGRAPHS Colour photographs of the site and its surroundings (taken of the site and from the site), both before (if available) and after the activity commenced, with a description of each photograph, must be attached to this application. The vantage points from which the photographs were taken must be indicated on the site plan, or locality plan as applicable. If available, please also provide past and recent aerial photographs. It should be supplemented with additional photographs of relevant features on the site. Date and source of photographs must be included. Photographs must be attached as an appendix to this form. 6 APPLICABLE LEGISLATION, POLICIES AND/OR GUIDELINES Please list all legislation, policies and/or guidelines that were or are relevant to this activity. Cape EAPrac 9 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

17 TYPE DATE LEGISLATION ADMINISTERING AUTHORITY Permit/ license/ (if already authorization/comment obtained): National Environmental Management (NEMA) Act Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning (DEA&DP) Environmental Authorisation Pending NEM Laws Department of Environmental Amended regulations for Amendment Act (25 Affairs & Development the Public Participation of 2014) Planning (DEA&DP) Process. Regulations promulgated NEM 2014 EIA Regulations Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning (DEA&DP) on the 8 th December 2014 have been considered as per the Transitional Agreements (see below for Pending applicable activities). National Water (NWA) Act Department of Water Affairs (DWA) Amended Water Use License / Water Registration Submitted Not National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA) Heritage Western Cape (HWC) Record of Decision Required see Appendix G2. Government Notice No. R Activity No(s): Describe the relevant Activity in writing as per GN No of 1997 Describe the portion of the development as per the project description that relates to the applicable listed activity. State the date of commencement of each activity Government Notice No. R386 Activity No(s): Describe the relevant Basic Assessment Activity(ies) in writing as per GN No. R. 386 of 2006 Describe the portion of the development as per the project description that relates to the applicable listed activity. State the date of commencement of each activity Cape EAPrac 10 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

18 Government Notice No. R387 Activity No(s): Describe the relevant Scoping/EIA Activity(ies) in writing as per GN No. R. 387 of 2006 Describe the portion of the development as per the project description that relates to the applicable listed activity. State the date of commencement of each activity GN No. R. 544 Activity No(s): Describe the relevant Basic Assessment Activity(ies) in writing as per Listing Notice 1 (GN No. R. 544 of 2010) Describe the portion of the development as per the project description that relates to the applicable listed activity. State the date of commencement of each activity 11 The construction of (iv) dams where such construction occurs within a watercourse or within 32m of a watercourse. The applicant upgraded and expanded an existing instream dam The infilling or depositing of any 18 material of more than 5m³ into, or the dredging, excavation, removal or moving of soil, sand, shells, shell grit, pebbles or rock or more than 5m³ from: The construction of the new dam wall within the watercourse would have required the infilling of more than 5m³ (i) A watercourse. GN No. R. 545 Activity No(s): Describe the relevant Scoping/EIR in writing as per Listing Notice 2 (GN No. R. 545 of 2010) Describe the portion of the development as per the project description that relates to the applicable listed activity. State the date of commencement of each activity GN No. R. 546 Activity No(s): Describe the relevant Basic Assessment Activity(ies) in writing as per Listing Notice 3 (GN No. R. 546 of 2010) Describe the portion of the development as per the project description that relates to the applicable listed activity. State the date of commencement of each activity GN No. R. 983 Activity No(s): Describe the relevant Basic Assessment Activity(ies) in writing as per Listing Notice 1 (GN No. R. 983 of 2014) Describe the portion of the development as per the project description that relates to the applicable listed activity. State the date of commencement of each activity Cape EAPrac 11 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

19 The development of (iv) dams, where the dam, including infrastructure and water surface area, exceeds 100m² in size; Upgrade and expansion of 12 Where such development occurs (a) within a watercourse an existing dam by approximately 2.8ha and (c) if no development setback line exists, within 32m of a watercourse, measured from the edge of a watercourse. The infilling or depositing of any 19 material of more than 5m³ into, or the dredging, excavation, removal or moving of soil, sand, shells, shell grit, pebbles or rock of more than 5m³ from The construction of the new dam wall within the watercourse would have required the infilling of more than 5m³ (i) A watercourse. The expansion of (iv) dams, where the dam, including infrastructure and water surface area, is 48 expanded by 100m² or more in size; Where such development occurs (a) within a watercourse Upgrade and expansion of an existing dam by approximately 2.8ha and (c) if no development setback line exists, within 32m of a watercourse, measured from the edge of a watercourse. GN No. R. 984 Activity No(s): Describe the relevant Scoping/EIR in writing as per Listing Notice 2 (GN No. R. 984 of 2014) Describe the portion of the development as per the project description that relates to the applicable listed activity. State the date of commencement of each activity Cape EAPrac 12 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

20 GN No. R. 985 Activity No(s): Describe the relevant Scoping/EIR in writing as per Listing Notice 2 (GN No. R. 985 of 2014) Describe the portion of the development as per the project description that relates to the applicable listed activity. State the date of commencement of each activity POLICY/ GUIDELINES ADMINISTERING AUTHORITY Guideline for Environmental Management Plans (2005) DEA Integrated Environmental Management Guideline Series 2: NEMA 24G (2005) Integrated Environmental Management Series 1.6: Best Practise Specifications: Operation (2005) Guideline for Public Participation (March 2013) Guideline on Alternatives (March 2013) Guideline on Need & Desirability (March 2013) DEA DEA DEA&DP DEA&DP DEA&DP SECTION B: DESCRIPTION OF RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT 1 SITE/AREA DESCRIPTION For linear activities (pipelines, etc.) as well as activities that cover very large sites, it may be necessary to complete copies of this section for each part of the site that has a significantly different environment. In such cases please complete copies of Section C and indicate the area which is covered by each copy No. on the site plan. Section C Copy No. (e.g. 1, 2, or 3): 1.1 GRADIENT OF THE SITE Indicate the general gradient of the site(s) (cross out the appropriate box). Flat Flatter than 1:10 1:10 1:5 Steeper than 1:5 1.2 LOCATION IN LANDSCAPE Indicate the landform(s) that best describes the site (cross out ( ) the appropriate box(es). Ridgeline Plateau Side slope of hill/mountain Closed valley Open valley Plain Undulating plain/low hills Dune Seafront Other Cape EAPrac 13 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

21 If other, please describe 1.3 GROUNDWATER, SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL STABILITY OF THE SITE Groundwater, Soil and Geological stability of the site (PRE- COMMENCEMENT) Is the site(s) located on or near any of the following (cross out ( ) the appropriate boxes)? Shallow water table (less than 1.5m deep) YES NO UNSURE Seasonally wet soils (often close to water bodies) YES NO UNSURE Unstable rocky slopes or steep slopes with loose soil YES NO UNSURE Dispersive soils (soils that dissolve in water) YES NO UNSURE Soils with high clay content YES NO UNSURE Any other unstable soil or geological feature YES NO UNSURE An area sensitive to erosion YES NO UNSURE Soils with a marked clay accumulation, strongly structured and a non-reddish colour. They may occur associated with one or more of vertic, melanic and plinthic soils. Texture contrast soils often poorly drained. (SANB BGIS & AGIS, 2014) Groundwater, Soil and Geological stability of the site (POST- COMMENCEMENT) Shallow water table (less than 1.5m deep) YES NO UNSURE Seasonally wet soils (often close to water bodies) YES NO UNSURE Unstable rocky slopes or steep slopes with loose soil YES NO UNSURE Dispersive soils (soils that dissolve in water) YES NO UNSURE Soils with high clay content YES NO UNSURE Any other unstable soil or geological feature YES NO UNSURE An area sensitive to erosion YES NO UNSURE If any of the answers to the above are YES or unsure, specialist input may be requested by the Department. (Information in respect of the above will often be available at the planning sections of local authorities. Where it does not exists, the 1: scale Regional Geotechnical Maps prepared by Geological Survey may also be used). Cape EAPrac 14 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

22 1.4 SURFACE WATER Surface Water (PRE-COMMENCEMENT) Indicate the surface water present on and or adjacent to the site and alternative sites (cross out ( ) the appropriate boxes)? Perennial River YES NO UNSURE Non-Perennial River YES NO UNSURE Permanent Wetland YES NO UNSURE Seasonal Wetland YES NO UNSURE Artificial Wetland YES NO UNSURE Estuarine / Lagoonal wetland YES NO UNSURE The stream that feeds the dam is perennial although it does not flow during dry periods. The presence of the dam, and other dams further upstream ensure that some leakage remains in the watercourse as subsurface flow and creates a wetland between dams Surface Water (POST-COMMENCEMENT) Indicate the surface water present on and or adjacent to the site and alternative sites (cross out ( ) the appropriate boxes)? Perennial River YES NO UNSURE Non-Perennial River YES NO UNSURE Permanent Wetland YES NO UNSURE Seasonal Wetland YES NO UNSURE Artificial Wetland YES NO UNSURE Estuarine / Lagoonal wetland YES NO UNSURE 1.5 VEGETATION AND/OR GROUNDCOVER Please note: The Department may request specialist input/studies depending on the nature of the biodiversity occurring on the site and potential impact(s) of the activity/ies. To assist with the identification of the biodiversity occurring on site and the ecosystem status consult or BGIShelp@sanbi.org. Information is also available on compact disc ( cd ) from the Biodiversity-GIS Unit, Ph (021) This information may be updated from time to time and it is the applicant/ EAP s responsibility to ensure that the latest version is used. A map of the relevant biodiversity information (including an indication of the habitat conditions as per (b) below) and must be provided as an overlay map to the property/site plan as an appendix to this form. Cape EAPrac 15 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

23 1.5.1 Vegetation and/or Groundcover (PRE-COMMENCEMENT) Cross out ( ) the block and describe (where applicable) the vegetation types / groundcover present on the site before commencement of the activity. Indigenous Vegetation - good condition Indigenous Vegetation with scattered aliens Indigenous Vegetation with heavy alien infestation Describe the vegetation type Describe the vegetation type above: above: Describe the vegetation type above: Garden Route Shale Fynbos is identified in the area of the new dam. Garden Route Granite Fynbos is identified on the eastern portion of the property. Provide ecosystem status for above: Provide ecosystem status for above: Provide Ecosystem status for above: Garden Route Granite Fynbos listed by Mucina (2006) as Endangered and remaining so in terms of the 2011 NEM:BA Listings. Garden Route Shale Fynbos listed by Mucina (2006) as Endangered but downscaled to Vulnerable in terms of NEM:BA Indigenous Vegetation in an ecological corridor or along a soil boundary / interface Veld dominated by alien species Distinctive soil conditions (e.g. Sand over shale, quartz patches, limestone, alluvial deposits, termitaria etc.) describe Bare soil Building or other structure Sport field Other (describe below) Cultivated land Paved surface Please see Biodiversity Overlays in Appendix B for more detail on the vegetation types. (a) Highlight the applicable pre-commencement biodiversity planning categories of all areas on site and indicate the reason(s) provided in the biodiversity plan for the selection of the specific area as part of the specific category. Systematic Biodiversity Planning Category If CBA or ESA, indicate the reason(s) for its selection in biodiversity plan Cape EAPrac 16 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

24 Critical Biodiversity Area (CBA) Ecological Support Area (ESA) Other Natural Area (ONA) No Natural Area Remaining (NNR) The drainage lines within which the dam is located has been identified as an ESA in terms of the Garden Route Biodiversity Planning. (b) Highlight and describe the habitat condition on site. Percentage of Description and additional Comments and Observations habitat condition Habitat Condition (including additional insight into condition, e.g. poor land management class (adding up practises, presence of quarries, grazing/harvesting regimes etc). to 100%) % Natural Near Natural (includes areas with low to moderate level of alien invasive plants) Degraded (includes areas heavily invaded by alien plants) Transformed (includes cultivation, dams, urban, plantation, roads, etc) 20% There is evidence of blackwood, black wattle and bugweed in the drainage line. Some natural vegetation within the riparian areas has re-established where it is undisturbed by cattle. % 80% The majority of the area has been transformed by cultivation for the production of fodder for cattle. The farm is a dairy farm and runs up to 1500 cattle. The dam wall doubles up as a road which acts as a servitude for the Eskom power lines which run along the property s southern boundary. (c) Complete the table to indicate: (i) the type of vegetation, including its ecosystem status, that was previously present on the site; and (ii) whether an aquatic ecosystem was previously present on site. YES NO UNSURE YES NO YES NO (d) Please provide a description of the vegetation type and/or aquatic ecosystem present on site, including any important biodiversity features/information identified on site (e.g. threatened species and special habitats) The vegetation on the site of the dam upgrade and expansion is identified in the regional biodiversity plans as Garden Route Shale Fynbos which is listed as Vulnerable in terms of NEM:BA The watercourse that feeds the dam forms part of an ESA but is not identified as one of the NFEPA rivers. The NFEPA identifies the dams as artificial wetlands in their classification, with no status attached. Terrestrial Ecosystems Ecosystem threat status as per the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004) Critical Endangered Vulnerable Least Threatened Wetland (including rivers, depressions, channelled and unchanneled wetlands, flats, seeps pans, and artificial wetlands) Aquatic Ecosystems Estuary Coastline Vegetation and/or Groundcover (POST-COMMENCEMENT) Cross out ( ) the block and describe (where required) the vegetation types / groundcover present on the site after commencement of the activity. Indigenous Vegetation - good condition Indigenous Vegetation with scattered aliens Indigenous Vegetation with heavy alien infestation Cape EAPrac 17 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

25 Describe the vegetation type above: Describe the vegetation type above: Describe the vegetation type above: Garden Route Shale Fynbos is identified in the area of the new dam. Garden Route Granite Fynbos is identified on the eastern portion of the property. Provide ecosystem status for above: Provide ecosystem status for above: Provide Ecosystem status for above: Garden Route Granite Fynbos listed by Mucina (2006) as Endangered and remaining so in terms of the 2011 NEM:BA Listings. Garden Route Shale Fynbos listed by Mucina (2006) as Endangered but downscaled to Vulnerable in terms of NEM:BA Indigenous Vegetation in an ecological corridor or along a soil boundary / interface Veld dominated by alien species Distinctive soil conditions (e.g. Sand over shale, quartz patches, limestone, alluvial deposits, termitaria etc.) describe Bare soil Building or other structure Sport field Other (describe below) Cultivated land Paved surface Please see Biodiversity Overlays in Appendix B for more detail on the vegetation types. (a) Highlight and describe the post-construction habitat condition on site. Habitat Condition Natural Percentage of habitat condition class (adding up to 100%) % Description and additional Comments and Observations (including additional insight into condition, e.g. poor land management practises, presence of quarries, grazing/harvesting regimes etc). Near Natural (includes areas with low to moderate level of alien invasive plants) Degraded (includes areas heavily 20% There is evidence of blackwood, black wattle and bugweed in the drainage line. Some natural vegetation within the riparian areas has re-established where it is undisturbed by cattle. % Cape EAPrac 18 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

26 invaded by alien plants) Transformed (includes cultivation, dams, urban, plantation, roads, etc) 80% The majority of the area has been transformed by cultivation for the production of fodder for cattle. The farm is a dairy farm and runs up to 1500 cattle. The dam wall doubles up as a road which acts as a servitude for the Eskom power lines which run along the property s southern boundary. (b)how have the vegetation and/or aquatic ecosystem(s) present on site (including any important biodiversity features identified on site (e.g. threatened species and special habitats)) been affected by the commencement of the listed activity(ies)? The expansion of the dam led to the clearing of a large stand of black wood that was located downstream of the old dam. The portion of kikuyu that was lost by the expanded surface area of the dam has led to the re-establishment of reeds and other riparian vegetation in the shallow waters of the dam. Photo 1: The northern portion of the new dam with reeds and other riparian vegetation emerging. The effect of the expansion has not affected any important biodiversity features on the site as the area was completely under kikuyu grass for animal feed Vegetation / Groundcover Management (a) Describe any mitigation/management measures that were adopted and the adequacy of these: The overflow for the new dam was chosen for it slope in order to minimise damage caused to the dam wall and downstream areas during times of heavy flooding. Cape EAPrac 19 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

27 Photo 2: The gentle slope of the overflow prevents erosion Removal of alien vegetation in the watercourse has been identified as a priority and the applicant has commenced with replanting indigenous tree species on the property. 1.6 LAND USE OF THE SITE (PRE-COMMENCEMENT) Please note: The Department may request specialist input/studies depending on the nature of the land use character of the area and potential impact(s) of the activity/ies. Untransformed area density residential Medium density residential High density residential Informal residential Retail Commercial & warehousing Light industrial Medium industrial Heavy industrial Power station Office/consulting room Military or police base/station/compound Casino/entertainment complex Tourism & Hospitality facility Open cast mine Underground mine Spoil heap or slimes dam Quarry, sand or borrow pit Dam or reservoir Hospital/medical center School Tertiary education facility Church Old age home Sewage treatment plant Train station or shunting yard Railway line Major road (4 lanes or more) Airport Harbour Sport facilities Golf course Polo fields Filling station Landfill or waste treatment site Plantation Agriculture River, stream or wetland Nature conservation area Cape EAPrac 20 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

28 Mountain, koppie or ridge Museum Historical building Graveyard Archaeological site Other land uses (describe): (a) Please provide a description. The existing dam was located on a viable, active dairy farm with approximately 1500 cattle on site. The existing dam has been instream for many years, but damage to the overflow and leakages in the dam wall prompted the applicant to construct a new dam wall approximately 120m downstream at a point where the watercourse was narrower and a better spillway could be implemented. The dam is used to store water for the irrigation of approximately 63ha of kikuyu and cropland. 1.7 LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA (PRE-COMMENCEMENT) Cross out ( ) the block that reflects the past land uses and/or prominent features that occur/red within +/- 500m radius of the site and neighbouring properties if these are located beyond 500m of the site. Please note: The Department may request specialist input/studies depending on the nature of the land use character of the area and impact(s) of the activity/ies. Untransformed area density residential Medium density residential High density residential Informal residential Retail Commercial & warehousing Light industrial Medium industrial Heavy industrial Power station Office/consulting room Military or police base/station/compound Casino/entertainment complex Tourism & Hospitality facility Open cast mine Underground mine Spoil heap or slimes dam Quarry, sand or borrow pit Dam or reservoir Hospital/medical center School Tertiary education facility Church Old age home Sewage treatment plant Train station or shunting yard Railway line Major road (4 lanes or more) Airport Harbour Sport facilities Golf course Polo fields Filling station Landfill or waste treatment site Plantation Agriculture River, stream or wetland Nature conservation area Mountain, koppie or ridge Museum Historical building Graveyard Archaeological site Cape EAPrac 21 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

29 Other land uses (describe): 1.8 LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA (POST-COMMENCEMENT) Cross out ( ) the block that reflects the current land uses and/or prominent features that occur(s) within +/- 500m radius of the site and neighbouring properties if these are located beyond 500m of the site. Please note: The Department may request specialist input/studies depending on the nature of the land use character of the area and impact(s) of the activity/ies. Untransformed area density residential Medium density residential High density residential Informal residential Retail Commercial & warehousing Light industrial Medium industrial Heavy industrial Power station Office/consulting room Military or police base/station/compound Casino/entertainment complex Tourism & Hospitality facility Open cast mine Underground mine Spoil heap or slimes dam Quarry, sand or borrow pit Dam or reservoir Hospital/medical center School Tertiary education facility Church Old age home Sewage treatment plant Train station or shunting yard Railway line Major road (4 lanes or more) Airport Harbour Sport facilities Golf course Polo fields Filling station Landfill or waste treatment site Plantation Agriculture River, stream or wetland Nature conservation area Mountain, koppie or ridge Museum Historical building Graveyard Archaeological site Other land uses (describe): The expansion of the dam took place on a viable, active dairy farm with approximately 1500 cattle on site. The existing dam has been instream for many years, but damage to the overflow and leakages in the dam wall prompted the applicant to construct a new dam wall approximately 120m downstream at a point where the watercourse was narrower and a better spillway could be implemented. The new dam wall acts as a road over which cattle cross to reach the eastern portions of the farm, as well as proving servitude access for the Eskom powerlines that run along the property s southern boundary. Cape EAPrac 22 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

30 SECTION C: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 1 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS TO BE FOLLOWED Please highlight the appropriate box to indicate whether the specific requirement will be undertaken or whether deviation from such a requirement has been requested. Has any public participation been done prior to this application, which the Applicant/EAP feels can be considered to have fulfilled the requirements outlined in the NEMA EIA Regulations, 2010? YES NO Please provide a description. A meeting was held with the DEA&DP: Law Enforcement (George) officers and the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) Licensing officer on the 14 th May The following was consented to by all parties: The Water Use License Application (WULA) must form part of the documentation to be submitted as part of the 24G Rectification Application; The dam must be surveyed; Law Enforcement requires confirmation of the submission of the 24G Application; In terms of the WULA, the current registration must be amended and updated to reflect the current status and must include the updated property ownership information and addresses. Which State Departments were consulted? Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning (DEA&DP): Law Enforcement Mr Johan Oelofse; and Ms Nolutando Ndlumbini. Department of Water Affairs: Licensing Ms Hester Lyons Please highlight the appropriate box below to indicate the public participation process that will be followed to give notice to all potential interested and affected parties of the application: Details of Public Participation to be conducted in terms of the NEMA EIA Regulations, 2010: 1. Will all potential interested and affected parties be notified of the application by (a) fixing a notice board at a place conspicuous to the public at the boundary or on the fence of - (i) the site where the activity to which the application relates is or is to be undertaken; and YES DEVIATE (ii) any alternative site mentioned in the application YES DEVIATE (b) giving written notice to (i) the owner or person in control of that land if the applicant is not the owner or person in control of the land; YES N/A (ii) the occupiers of the site where the activity is or is to be undertaken or to any alternative site where the activity is to be undertaken; YES DEVIATE (iii) owners and occupiers of land adjacent to the site where the activity is or is to be undertaken or to any alternative site where the activity is to be undertaken; YES DEVIATE (iv) the municipal councillor of the ward in which the site or alternative site is situated and any organisation of ratepayers that represent the community in the area; YES DEVIATE (v) the municipality which has jurisdiction in the area; YES DEVIATE Cape EAPrac 23 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

31 (vi) any organ of state having jurisdiction in respect of any aspect of the activity; and YES DEVIATE (vii) any other party as required by the competent authority; YES DEVIATE (c) placing an advertisement in - YES DEVIATE (i) one local newspaper; or YES DEVIATE (ii) any official Gazette that is published specifically for the purpose of providing public notice of applications or other submissions made in terms of these Regulations; (d) placing an advertisement in at least one provincial newspaper or national newspaper, if the activity has or may have an impact that extends beyond the boundaries of the metropolitan or local municipality in which it is or will be undertaken. 2. What other Public Participation will be done? YES DEVIATE N/A YES DEVIATE N/A The following public participation was be conducted as per the 2010 EIA Regulations: Registration of stakeholders identified; Draft 24G EIR was made available to all registered I&APs for a period of 30 days as per the NEMA Laws Amendment Act of 2014 extending from 19 th January to 17 th February 2015; DEA&DP issued 24O Notifications to the relevant state departments on 22 January 2015 giving effect to section 24O (2) and (3) of NEMA; No comments were received during the comment period and as such there are no significant changes required for the Final 24G EIR; The Final 24G EIR has been submitted to DEA&DP and will be made available to all registered I&APs for information purposes. Provide a list of all the state departments that will be consulted. Department of Water Affairs; Department of Agriculture; CapeNature. Please note: A list of all the potential interested and affected parties, including the organs of State must be opened, maintained and made available to any person requesting access to the register, in writing. All comments of interested and affected parties on the Application Form and Additional Information must be recorded, responded to and included in the Comments and Responses Report attached as Appendix F to the report. The Comments and Responses Report must also include a description of the Public Participation Process followed. The minutes of any meetings held by the EAP with interested and affected parties and other role players which record the views of the participants must also be submitted as part of the public participation information to be attached to the additional information/environmental Impact Report as Appendix F. Proof of all the notices given as indicated, as well as of notice to the interested and affected parties of the availability of the draft Environmental Impact Report/Additional Information must be submitted as part of the public participation information to be attached to the report as Appendix F. Please be advised that the draft Environmental Impact Report/Additional Information must first be submitted to the Department whereafter it must be made available to the public and all State Departments that administer laws relating to a matter affecting the environment for comment for a period of 40 days. The applicant/eap is required to inform this Department in writing upon submission of the draft Environmental Impact Report/Additional Information to the relevant State Departments. Upon receipt of this confirmation, this Department will in accordance with Section 24 O (2) & (3) of the NEMA inform the relevant State Departments of the commencement date of the 40 day commenting period or 60 days in the case of the Department of Water Affairs for waste management activities which also require a license in terms of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998). Please be further advised that a commenting period of 21 days will apply to Cape EAPrac 24 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

32 all requests for comment on any information, documentation or reports (including the final Environmental Impact Report/Additional Information) other than the draft report, unless an alternative commenting period is specified by this Department. Cape EAPrac 25 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

33 SECTION D: NEED & DESIRABILITY 1 REGIONAL PLANNING CONTEXT Is the activity permitted in terms of the property s existing land use rights? YES NO Please explain The expanded dam provides water storage for pivot irrigation for the production of kikuyu and crops to support a dairy on Portion 1 of 169 Tura Kina. This is an agricultural practise which is in line with the existing rights of the property. Will the activity be in line with the following? Provincial Spatial Development Framework (PSDF) YES NO Please explain The PSDF supports the implementation of agricultural activities on land zoned Agriculture. Urban edge / Edge of Built environment for the area YES NO Please explain Since the activities proposed are agricultural on agriculturally zoned property, the Urban Edge does not apply in this case. Integrated Development Plan of the Local Municipality YES NO Please explain The IDP for George municipality supports the growth of agriculture on agricultural properties. Spatial Development Framework of the Local Municipality YES NO Please explain The decline of agriculture within the George Municipal area has been identified as a weakness that requires attention. Intensive agriculture is to be encouraged on properties that meet the Spatial Planning Categories (SPC) requirements as specified in the SDF. Portion 1 of 169 falls within the area designated for Intensive Agriculture in the May 2013 SDF. Approved Structure Plan of the Municipality YES NO Please explain The Local Structure Plan for the area is still in a draft format. However the following statement has been abstracted from the plan: All land that is currently irrigated or cultivated should be regarded as intensive agriculture and should be protected from development as provided for in the PSDF; Agriculture must be protected as the dominant land use in the rural landscape; An Environmental Management Framework (EMF) adopted by the Department YES NO Please explain The Garden Route EMF is in its final stages of adoption. Portion 1 of 169 falls within an area designated in the EMF as agriculture / cultivated land. Any other Plans YES NO Please explain Is a Guide Plan Amendment required? YES NO Please explain 3. Was the land use (associated with the activity for which rectification is sought) considered within the timeframe intended by the existing approved Spatial Development Framework (SDF) agreed to by the relevant environmental authority (i.e. was the development in line with the projects and programmes identified as priorities within the relevant IDP)? YES NO Please explain The expanded dam provides water storage for pivot irrigation for the production of kikuyu and crops to support a dairy on Portion 1 of 169 Tura Kina. This is an agricultural practise which is in line with the existing rights of the property. 4. Should development, or if applicable, expansion of the town/area concerned in terms of this land use (associated with the activity being YES NO Please explain Cape EAPrac 26 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

34 applied for) have occurred here when activities commenced? The expanded dam provides water storage for pivot irrigation for the production of kikuyu and crops to support a dairy on Portion 1 of 169 Tura Kina. This is an agricultural practise which is in line with the existing rights of the property. 5. Did the community/area need the activity and the associated land use concerned (was it a societal priority)? (This refers to the strategic as well as local level (e.g. development is a national priority, but within a specific local context it could be inappropriate.) YES NO Please explain The decline of agriculture within the George Municipal area has been identified as a weakness that requires attention. Intensive agriculture is to be encouraged on properties that meet the Spatial Planning Categories (SPC) requirements as specified in the SDF. Portion 1 of 169 falls within the area designated for Intensive Agriculture in the May 2013 SDF. 6. Were the necessary services with adequate capacity available (at the time of commencement), or was additional capacity created to cater for the development? (Confirmation by the relevant Municipality in this regard must be attached to the Application Form / additional information as an appendix, where applicable.) YES NO Please explain Not Applicable. 7. Is/was this development provided for in the infrastructure planning of the municipality, and if not what was/will the implication be on the infrastructure planning of the municipality (priority and placement of services and opportunity costs)? (Comment by the relevant Municipality in this regard must be attached to the Application Form / additional information as an appendix, where applicable.) YES NO Please explain Not Applicable. 8. Was this project part of a national programme to address an issue of national concern or importance? YES NO Please explain The decline of agriculture within the George Municipal area has been identified as a weakness that requires attention. Intensive agriculture is to be encouraged on properties that meet the Spatial Planning Categories (SPC) requirements as specified in the SDF. Portion 1 of 169 falls within the area designated for Intensive Agriculture in the May 2013 SDF. 9. Did location factors favour this land use (associated with the activity applied for) at this place? (This relates to the contextualisation of the land use on this site within its broader context.) YES NO Please explain The dam is located on property zoned for Agriculture and is associated with agricultural activities. Furthermore the property is in an area identified by the SDF for intensive agriculture. 10. How did/does the activity or the land use associated with the activity applied for, impact on sensitive natural and cultural areas (built and YES NO Please explain Cape EAPrac 27 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

35 rural/natural environment)? The activity does not impact on sensitive natural and cultural areas. 11. How did/does the development impact on people s health and wellbeing (e.g. in terms of noise, odours, visual character and sense of place, etc)? YES NO Please explain The activity has no negative impact on people s health and wellbeing. 12. Did/does the proposed activity or the land use associated with the activity applied for, result in unacceptable opportunity costs? YES NO Please explain The activity does not result in unacceptable opportunity costs. 13. What were the cumulative impacts (positive and negative) of the land use associated with the activity applied for? YES NO Please explain Improved storage capacity for irrigation water to sustain an existing agricultural business; Improved agricultural opportunities in an area identified for intensive agriculture; Improved opportunities for employment by securing agricultural potential; Restriction of base flow in the watercourse. 14. Is/was the development the best practicable environmental option for this land/site? YES NO Please explain The integrity of the existing dam wall was failing and the damage to it and the overflow were creating scouring and erosion downstream. The failing wall led to less volume capacity for irrigation which was affecting the sustainability of the agricultural business. 15. What are/were the benefits to society in general and to the local communities? Please explain Employment opportunities; Sustainable agriculture. 16. Any other need and desirability considerations related to the activity? Please explain 17. Please describe how the general objectives of Integrated Environmental Management as set out in section 23 of NEMA were taken into account: 23. (1) The purpose of this Chapter is to promote the application of appropriate environmental management tools in order to ensure the integrated environmental management of activities, (2) The general objective of integrated environmental management is to: (a) promote the integration of the principles of environ-mental management set out in section 2 Cape EAPrac 28 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

36 into the making of all decisions which may have a significant effect on the environment: (b) identify, predict and evaluate the actual and potential impact on the environment, socioeconomic conditions and cultural heritage, the risks and consequences and alternatives and options for mitigation of activities, with a view to minimizing negative impacts, maximizing benefits and promoting compliance with the principles of environmental management set out in section 2; This report follows the edicts to identify, predict and evaluate the actual and potential impacts associated with this development. (c) ensure that the effects of activities on the environment receive adequate consideration before actions are taken in connection with them; The 24G process is one of rectification in order to retrospectively consider the effects of the development. (d) ensure adequate and appropriate opportunity for public participation in decisions that may affect the environment; This process follows the requirements of the 2010 EIA Regulations and the NEMA Amendment Laws Act (Act 25 of 2014) for conducting a Public Participation Process. (e) ensure the consideration of environmental attributes in management and An Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) has been included to ensure that the operation of the dam in the future is managed in line with environmental requirements. (f) decision-making which may have a significant effect on the environment; and identify and employ the modes of environmental management best suited to ensuring that a particular activity is pursued in accordance with the principles of environmental management set out in section 2. This process is being undertaken in terms of Section 2 of NEMA. (3) The Director-General must coordinate the activities of organs of state referred to in section 24(1) and assist them in giving effect to the objectives of this section and such assistance may include training, the publication of manuals and guidelines and the co-ordination of procedures. 18. Please describe how the principles of environmental management as set out in section 2 of NEMA were taken into account: Environmental management must place people and their needs at the forefront of its concern, and serve their physical, psychological, developmental, cultural and social interests equitably. The upgrade of the existing dam on Portion 1 of Farm 169 was undertaken in order to improve the integrity of the dam wall and prevent damage to the environment and other Cape EAPrac 29 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

37 infrastructure (ESKOM transmission lines, irrigation pivots and pipelines, pumps). Collapsing of dam walls can be hazardous to both people and animals, and the upgraded included an improvement of the safety of the dam. The upgraded also improves the sustainability of the agricultural industry that supports 4 families on the property. Development must be socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. The upgraded dam improves the sustainability of the employment opportunities, safety and security of personnel on site, does not jeopardise the environment and improves the agricultural business. Sustainable development requires the consideration of all relevant factors including the following: That the disturbance of ecosystems and loss of biological diversity are avoided, or, where they cannot be altogether avoided, are minimised and remedied; The upgrade and expansion of the dam took place on existing footprint and land used for the production of kikuyu. that pollution and degradation of the environment are avoided, or, where they cannot be altogether avoided, are minimised and remedied; The upgrade and expansion of the dam has not increased the existing impacts on the environment. CSIR monitoring of the dams on Portion 1 of 169 show that the water quality has not been adversely affected and the dams act as sinks for some of the chemical and biological constituents. that the disturbance of landscapes and sites that constitute the nation s cultural heritage is avoided, or where it cannot be altogether avoided, is minimised and remedied; The upgrade and expansion of the dam does not affect cultural heritage, nor will it change the landscape from its existing use. that waste is avoided, or where it cannot be altogether avoided, minimised and re-used or recycled where possible and otherwise disposed of in a responsible manner; Not applicable. that the use and exploitation of non-renewable natural resources is responsible and equitable, and takes into account the consequences of the depletion of the resource; Not applicable. that the development, use and exploitation of renewable resources and the ecosystems of which they are part do not exceed the level beyond which their integrity is jeopardised; The dam has a spillway in order to allow base flow to continue when the dam is full. The watercourse is a perennial system and it has adapted to interrupted flow during dry periods. Because the dam is an earthen construction, there is continuous subsurface flow. Cape EAPrac 30 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

38 that a risk-averse and cautious approach is applied, which takes into account the limits of current knowledge about the consequences of decisions and actions; and The DWA supports increased storage capacity for agricultural activities based on knowledge of the catchments and the monitoring that takes place on the rivers in the area. that negative impacts on the environment and on people s environmental rights be anticipated and prevented, and where they cannot be altogether prevented, are minimised and remedied. The upgrade to the dam does not increase the existing, known impacts by any large degree, nor does it adversely affect the rights of people. General environmental management on the site can be encouraged to improve overall sustainability during the operation period. Environmental management must be integrated. Acknowledging that all elements of the environment are linked and interrelated, and it must take into account the effects of decisions on all aspects of the environment and all people in the environment by pursuing the selection of the best practicable environmental option. The upgrade and expansion of the dam on Portion 1 of 169 Tura Kina is within the rights of the applicant as inferred by the dam safety requirements and the inclusion of the property into an area designated for intensive agriculture. The best practicable environmental option for was to reuse the existing footprint and place the new dam wall in an area that is more safe and has a narrower base footprint. Environmental justice must be pursued so that adverse environmental impacts shall not be distributed in such a manner as to unfairly discriminate against any person, particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged persons. Not applicable. Equitable access to environmental resources, benefits and services to meet basic human needs and ensure human well-being must be pursued and special measures may be taken to ensure access thereto by categories of persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination. Not applicable. Responsibility for the environmental health and safety consequences of a policy, programme, project, product, process, service or activity exists throughout its life cycle. The consideration for the environment must be considered by the applicant for the duration of the life span of the dam. This includes the ongoing removal of alien vegetation within the watercourse. The participation of all interested and affected parties in environmental governance must be promoted, and all people must have the opportunity to develop the understanding, skills and Cape EAPrac 31 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

39 capacity necessary for achieving equitable and effective participation, and participation by vulnerable and disadvantaged persons must be ensured. This process meets the requirements for participation by interested and affected parties. Decisions must take into account the interests, needs and values of all interested and affected parties, and this includes recognizing all forms of knowledge, including traditional and ordinary knowledge. The DEA&DP will take into account the inputs from all interested and affected parties obtained during this process. Community wellbeing and empowerment must be promoted through environmental education, the raising of environmental awareness, the sharing of knowledge and experience and other appropriate means. The sharing of the information obtained during this investigation, as well as the input from interested and affected parties is aimed at ensuring that all relevant parties have access to all information and are able to improve their awareness of the impacts associated with this development. The social, economic and environmental impacts of activities, including disadvantages and benefits, must be considered, assessed and evaluated and decisions must be appropriate in the light of such consideration and assessment. This Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been developed to ensure that all relevant information can be considered, assessed and evaluated in order for DEA&DP to make their decision. The right of workers to refuse work that is harmful to human health or the environment and to be informed of dangers must be respected and protected. The integrity of the existing dam was failing and could have led to a harmful work environment. Decisions must be taken in an open and transparent manner, and access to information must be provided in accordance with the law. All correspondence with and information provided to the competent authority is available to anyone who requests it. The decision by DEA&DP will consider all relevant information and the reasons for any decision will be communicated to all interested and affected parties. There must be intergovernmental co-ordination and harmonisation of policies, legislation and actions relating to the environment. Inclusion of all relevant state departments and organs of state encourages intergovernmental strategies. Cape EAPrac 32 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

40 Actual or potential conflicts of interest between organs of state should be resolved through conflict resolution procedures. Not currently applicable but will be addressed if it becomes necessary. Global and international responsibilities relating to the environment must be discharged in the national interest. Not applicable. The environment is held in public trust for the people, the beneficial use of environmental resources must serve the public interest and the environment must be protected as the people s common heritage. The upgrade and expansion of the dam on Portion 1 of 169 Tura Kina was undertaken by a private landowner on private land within an area designated for intensive agricultural development. Although private property, the agricultural production has provincial and national implications. The costs of remedying pollution, environmental degradation and consequent adverse health effects and of preventing, controlling or multiplier pollution, environmental damage or adverse health effects must be paid for by those responsible for harming the environment. The applicant is subject to an administrative fine for commencing with the activity unlawfully. Interested and affected parties will be provided with notification of the fine and its quantum once it is issued. The vital role of women and youth in environment management and development must be recognised and their full participation therein must be promoted. Not applicable. Sensitive, vulnerable, highly dynamic or stressed ecosystems, such as coastal shores, estuaries, wetlands and similar systems require specific attention in management and planning procedures, especially where they are subject to significant human resource usage and development pressure. The dam is located instream of an unnamed watercourse. The watercourse is a perennial stream which has supported agricultural industries in the area for many decades. This 24G Rectification process has commenced because the legal requirements for assessment valid at the time of the development included listed activities designed to consider aquatic environments. Cape EAPrac 33 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

41 2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT 2.1 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT (PRE-COMMENCEMENT) Describe the pre-commencement social and economic characteristics of the community in order to provide baseline information. Potion 1 of 169 Tura Kina is an active dairy farm with 1500 cows on site. Approximately 63ha are under pivot irrigation which obtains water from dams on the property. The company employs 40 permanent staff (including management), as well as a number of seasonal staff. The milk produced on site is sold to Parmalat as per the contracts in place. 2.2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT (POST-COMMENCEMENT) Describe the post commencement social and economic characteristics of the community in order to determine any change. Where differences between pre- and post-commencement exist, state which are as a result of the activity(ies) for which rectification is being applied for. The upgrade and expansion of the dam has provided surety for the storage of water in the dam as it has secured the dam wall which was previously leaking and damaged by floods. There are no other differences in the socio economic status of the farm and the community. 3 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS (a) Please be advised that if section 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999), is applicable to your development, then you are requested to furnish this Department with written comment from Heritage Western Cape as part of your public participation process. Section 38 of the Act states as follows: 38. (1) Subject to the provisions of subsections (7), (8) and (9), any person who intends to undertake a development categorised as- (a) the construction of a road, wall, power line, pipeline, canal or other similar form of linear development or barrier exceeding 300m in length; (b) the construction of a bridge or similar structure exceeding 50m in length; I any development or other activity which will change the character of a site- (i) exceeding m 2 in extent; or (ii) involving three or more existing erven or subdivisions thereof; or or (iii) involving three or more erven or divisions thereof which have been consolidated within the past five years; (iv) the costs of which will exceed a sum set in terms of regulations by SAHRA or a provincial heritage resources authority; (d) the re-zoning of a site exceeding m 2 in extent; or (e) any other category of development provided for in regulations by SAHRA or a provincial heritage resources authority, must at the very earliest stages of initiating such a development, notify the responsible heritage resources authority and furnish it with details regarding the location, nature and extent of the proposed development. (b) The impact on any national estate referred to in section 3(2), excluding the national estate contemplated in section 3(2)(i)(vi) and (vii), of the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999), must also be investigated, assessed and evaluated. Section 3(2) states as follows: 3(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the national estate may include (a) places, buildings, structures and equipment of cultural significance; Cape EAPrac 34 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

42 (b) places to which oral traditions are attached or which are associated with living heritage; (c) historical settlements and townscapes; (d) landscapes and natural features of cultural significance; (e) geological sites of scientific or cultural importance; (f) archaeological and palaeontological sites; (g) graves and burial grounds, including (i) ancestral graves; (ii) royal graves and graves of traditional leaders; (iii) graves of victims of conflict; (iv) graves of individuals designated by the Minister by notice in the Gazette; (v) historical graves and cemeteries; and (vi) other human remains which are not covered in terms of the Human Tissue Act, 1983 (Act No. 65 of 1983); (h) sites of significance relating to the history of slavery in South Africa; (i) movable objects, including (i) objects recovered from the soil or waters of South Africa, including archaeological and palaeontological objects and material, meteorites and rare geological specimens; (ii) objects to which oral traditions are attached or which are associated with living heritage; (iii) ethnographic art and objects; (iv) military objects; (v) objects of decorative or fine art; (vi) objects of scientific or technological interest; and (vii) books, records, documents, photographic positives and negatives, graphic, film or video material or sound recordings, excluding those that are public records as defined in section 1(xiv) of the National Archives of South Africa Act, 1996 (Act No. 43 of 1996). Is section 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999, applicable to the development? YES UNCERTAIN NO The upgrade and expansion of the existing dam triggers the activity in Section 38 (c) the construction of any development or other activity which will change the character of a site (i) exceeding m2 in extent. If YES, explain: However, Stefan de Kock from Perception Planning has confirmed that although the extent of the new dam exceeds 5 000m², the expansion does not change the character of the site, nor does it alter the cultural landscape in any way. Please see attached letter in Appendix G2. Did/does the development impact on any national estate referred to in section 3(2) of the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999? If YES, explain: YES UNCERTAIN NO Was any building or structure older than 60 years affected in any way? YES NO UNCERTAIN If YES, explain: Please Note: If uncertain, the Department may request that specialist input be provided. Cape EAPrac 35 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

43 SECTION E: ALTERNATIVES Please Note: Before completing this section, first consult this Department s Guideline on Alternatives (October 2011) available on the Department s website ( Alternatives, in relation to a activity, means different means of meeting the general purposes and requirements of the activity, which may include alternatives to (a) the property on which, or location where, it is to undertake the activity/the activity was undertaken; (b) the type of activity to be undertaken; (c) the design or layout of the activity; (d) the technology to be used in the activity; (e) the operational aspects of the activity; and (f) the option of not implementing the activity. The NEMA prescribes that the procedures for the investigation, assessment and communication of the (potential) consequences or impacts of activities on the environment must, inter alia, with respect to every application for environmental authorisation ensure that the general objectives of integrated environmental management laid down in NEMA and the National Environmental Management Principles set out in NEMA are taken into account; and include an investigation of the potential consequences or impacts of the alternatives to the activity on the environment and assessment of the significance of those potential consequences or impacts, including the option of not implementing the activity. The general objective of integrated environmental management is, inter alia, to identify, predict and evaluate the actual and potential impact on the environment, socio-economic conditions and cultural heritage, the risks and consequences and alternatives and options for mitigation of activities, with a view to minimising negative impacts, maximising benefits, and promoting compliance with the principles of environmental management set out in NEMA. 1. In the sections below, please provide a description of any considered alternatives and alternatives that were found to be feasible and reasonable. Please note: Detailed written proof of the investigation of alternatives must be provided and motivation if no reasonable or feasible alternatives exist. Alternatives considered for a Section 24G application are used to determine if the development was the best practicable alternative (environmentally, socially, economically) for the property. (a) Property and location/site alternatives to avoid negative impacts, mitigate unavoidable negative impacts and maximise positive impacts, or detailed motivation if no reasonable or feasible alternatives exist: No property or site alternatives were considered as the activity took place to expand an existing dam on a property owned by the applicant. (b) Activity alternatives to avoid negative impacts, mitigate unavoidable negative impacts and maximise positive impacts, or detailed motivation if no reasonable or feasible alternatives exist: The existing dam wall integrity was failing and the activity required the upgrade and expansion of the dam in order to prevent similar failures. Thus the activity of construction of the dam in a watercourse has no alternatives. Cape EAPrac 36 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

44 (c) Design or layout alternatives to avoid negative impacts, mitigate unavoidable negative impacts and maximise positive impacts, or detailed motivation if no reasonable or feasible alternatives exist: No design or layout alternatives were considered as the building of a dam wall has strict specifications in terms of dam safety and integrity. The upgrade utilised the narrowest part of the watercourse as part of the upgrade. (d) Technology alternatives (e.g. to reduce resource demand and resource use efficiency) to avoid negative impacts, mitigate unavoidable negative impacts and maximise positive impacts, or detailed motivation if no reasonable or feasible alternatives exist: Dam construction follows set requirements in order to ensure safety and sustainability, therefore no technology alternatives are considered. The size of the dam is also relevant to the technology and therefore the use of earth walls as opposed to concrete walls for example was in keeping and relevant to the dam capacity. (e) Operational alternatives to avoid negative impacts, mitigate unavoidable negative impacts and maximise positive impacts, or detailed motivation if no reasonable or feasible alternatives exist: No operational alternatives exist as the dam is located within a perennial watercourse. Operational management requirements will be implemented but could not feasibly constitute alternatives. (f) The option of ceasing the activity (the refusal of the activity(ies) and/or rehabilitation of the site): The option of ceasing the activity supports the status quo, which was an existing instream dam with a capacity of approximately m³ volume. Since this dam wall was damaged due to heavy rainfall events and required upgrading to sustain the integrity of the wall, this alternative cannot be considered to be feasible or reasonable. It will however be assessed as a baseline comparison with the completed activity. (g) Other alternatives to avoid negative impacts, mitigate unavoidable negative impacts and maximise positive impacts, or detailed motivation if no reasonable or feasible alternatives exist: DWA has indicated support for improving storage capacity on agricultural land and as such there are no other alternatives investigated. (h) Please provide a summary of the alternatives investigated and the outcomes of such investigation: Cape EAPrac 37 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

45 Please note: If no feasible and reasonable alternatives exist, the description and proof of the investigation of alternatives, together with motivation of why no feasible or reasonable alternatives exist, must be provided. This assessment considers the following alternatives only as no other feasible and reasonable alternatives to improving the integrity of the existing dam wall can be implemented. Alternative 1 (completed activity) The applicant was experiencing severe problems with the integrity of the overflow and the wall of the existing dam, especially after the 2009 floods in the southern Cape. In order to secure the dam, the applicant moved the dam wall downstream of the existing wall to a portion of the watercourse that was narrower. This coincided with the property boundary and a servitude for the Eskom power lines. This relocation of the dam wall increased the surface area of the dam by approximately 2.8ha. A survey has been completed as part of the Water Use License Application (WULA) to determine the increase in the volume of water stored. The WULA is being undertaken to amend the existing water registration which is in place. According to the survey the upgraded dam has the following dimensions: Maximum wall height of 8.5m; Crest length of the wall is 120m (previously ±70m); Gross storage capacity of m³ (previous volume as per registration m³); Length of 428m (previously ±135m); Width at widest point of 116m (previously ±60m); Water surface area at full supply level of 3.34ha (previously ±0.54ha); and Water depth at full supply of 10.7m. The upgraded dam has been completed since The upgraded dam increased on vegetation that was already modified to form kikuyu grazing lands. Alternative 2 No go options The previously existing irrigation dam consisted of the following: Maximum wall height of ±5m; Crest length of the wall is ±70m; Gross storage capacity of m³; Length of ±135m; Width at widest point of ±60m; Water surface area at full supply level of ±0.54ha; and Water depth at full supply of ±10m. The water registration for this dam is dated 1998 and it can be seen in existence in 2003 on Google Earth images, as well as being shown on the 1: Topographical diagrams from Cape EAPrac 38 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

46 SECTION F: PRELIMINARY IMPACT ASSESSMENT, MANAGEMENT, MITIGATION AND MONITORING MEASURES Please note, the impacts identified below refer to general impacts commonly associated with development activities. The list below is not exhaustive and may need to be supplemented. Where required, please append the information on any additional impacts to this application. Please note: The information in this section must be duplicated for all the feasible and reasonable alternatives (where relevant). 1 DEVELOPMENT IMPACTS PLEASE DESCRIBE THE MANNER IN WHICH THE DEVELOPMENT HAS IMPACTED ON THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS: 1.1 GEOGRAPHICAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS: The expansion of the existing dam increased the surface area from approximately 0.54h to 3.34ha, an area of approximately 2.8ha. The dam is located instream. The previous dam required the upgrade due to the impact on the edges created by damage to the spillway and a leaking dam wall. The erosion that took place previously has been improved by the rebuilding and relocation of the dam wall and spillway, thus the impacts have improved. Since the existing impacts have been in effect for several decades, the improvement to the drainage line by securing the wall and constructing a spillway with a flatter slope have only improved the physical aspects of the dam. 1.2 BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS: Has the development impacted on critical biodiversity areas (CBAs) or ecological support areas (CSAs)? YES NO If yes, please describe: The watercourse, including the existing dam and the upgraded dam are located within an ESA. The impacts have not changed with the upgrade of the dam from that experience in the watercourse over the previous few decades that the existing dam was in operation. Has the development impacted on terrestrial vegetation, or aquatic ecosystems (wetlands, estuaries or the coastline)? YES NO If yes, please describe: Cape EAPrac 39 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

47 Has the development impacted on any populations of threatened plant or animal species, and/or on any habitat that may contain a unique signature of plant or animal species? YES NO If yes, please describe: Please describe the manner in which any other biological aspects were impacted: 1.3 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS: What was the capital value of the activity on completion? ±R What is the (expected) yearly income or contribution to the economy that is/will be generated by or as a result of the activity? ±R Has/will the activity contributed to service infrastructure? YES NO How many new employment opportunities were/will be created in the construction phase of the activity? ±8 What was the value of the employment opportunities during the construction phase? ±R What percentage of this accrued to previously disadvantaged individuals? 100% How was this ensured and monitored (please explain): Wage sheets How many permanent new employment opportunities were/will be created during the operational phase of the activity? What is the current/expected value of the employment opportunities during the first 10 years? What percentage of this accrued/will accrue to previously disadvantaged individuals? % How was/will this be ensured and monitored (please explain): Any other information related to the manner in which the socio-economic aspects was/will be impacted: K.R.R. Trust is a level 2 BEE company. 1.4 CULTURAL AND HISTORIC ASPECTS: No cultural and historic aspects have been impacted on. Cape EAPrac 40 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

48 2 WASTE AND EMISSIONS (a) Waste (including effluent) management Did the activity produce waste (including rubble) during the construction phase? YES NO If yes, indicate the types of waste (actual type of waste, e.g. oil, and whether hazardous or not) and estimated quantity per type? M 3 Does the activity produce waste during its operational phase? YES NO If yes, indicate the types of waste (actual type of waste, e.g. oil, and whether hazardous or not) and estimated quantity per type? M 3 Where and how was/will the waste be treated / disposed of (describe)? Has the municipality or relevant authority confirmed that sufficient capacity exist for treating / disposing of the waste (to be) generated by this activity(ies)? If yes, provide written confirmation from Municipality or relevant authority YES NO Does/will the activity produce waste that is/will be treated and/or disposed of at another facility other than into a municipal waste stream? YES NO If yes, has this facility confirmed that sufficient capacity exist for treating / disposing of the waste (to be) generated by this activity(ies)? Provide written confirmation from the facility and provide the following particulars of the facility: YES NO Does the facility have an operating license? (If yes, please attach a copy of the license.) YES NO Facility name: Contact person: Postal address: Postal code: Telephone: Cell: Fax: Describe the measures that were/will be taken to reduce, reuse or recycle waste: Cape EAPrac 41 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

49 (b) Emissions into the atmosphere Does/will the activity produce emissions that will be disposed of into the atmosphere? YES NO If yes, does it require approval in terms of relevant legislation? YES NO Describe the emissions in terms of type and concentration and how it is/will be treated/mitigated: 3 WATER USE Please indicate the source(s) of water for the activity by ticking the appropriate box(es) Municipal Water board Groundwater River, Stream, Dam or Lake Other The activity did/does/will not use water Tura Kina has a water registration certificate for m³ from 5 dams on Portion 1 of 169. The existing dam had an expected storage capacity of m³. According to DWA, the applicant must apply for an amendment to the existing registration in order to update the contact details and company names currently provided. In addition, surveys have been undertaken to ascertain the storage capacity of all five dams, including the dam considered in this report. A Water Use License Application (WULA) is required for the new dam wall and increased dam size. If water was extracted from a groundwater source, river, stream, dam, lake or any other natural feature, please indicate the volume that was extracted per month: m 3 Please provide proof of assurance of water supply (eg. Letter of confirmation from municipality / water user associations, yield of borehole) Did/does the activity require a water use permit / license from DWA? YES NO If yes, please submit a certified copy of the water use permit/license or submit the necessary application to Department of Water Affairs and attach proof thereof to this application, whichever is applicable.. Describe the measures that were/ will be taken to reduce water demand, and measures to reuse or recycle water: Irrigation Water Management Irrigation infrastructure should be developed in such a way that the right amount of water is applied to the crop at the right time so that energy is used as efficiently as possible, production is optimized and as little water as possible is lost to non-beneficial consumption. Technology and good agricultural practices should be used to optimize irrigation water management. include: These Cape EAPrac 42 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

50 Remove invasive alien plants and replace with indigenous vegetation. Invasive alien plants that establish in watercourse are spread downstream. Restore and protect watercourses (remove alien plants, control burning and grazing, do not cultivate). Build up soil organic matter to reduce evaporative water loss and maximise the soil s waterholding capacity. Use more efficient irrigation systems. Ensure efficient irrigation techniques that take into account soil type, crop type, soil water status and weather conditions. Implementing and monitoring soil moisture to determine correct irrigation schedules. Implementing and monitoring flow rates to provide correct and up to date data on water usage. Record actual water use to compare against registered use. Implement water-harvesting and water-recycling techniques where possible. Use drought-resistant crop and livestock varieties. Planting of crops in correct soil types to ensure optimal growth with efficient water usage. Implement and monitoring of water pressure in pipes. Ensuring that all equipment (pumps, pipes and irrigation mechanisms) are maintained and in good working order. This will minimise leaks and other water loss and ensure a longer life cycle for equipment. Use of cut off valves on storage facilities (where applicable) to prevent overflow. Efficient use of energy by means of timing and control devices. 4 POWER SUPPLY Please indicate the source of power supply eg. Municipality / Eskom / Renewable energy source Eskom. If power supply is not available, where will power be sourced from? 5 ENERGY EFFICIENCY Describe the design measures, if any, that have been taken to ensure that the activity is energy efficient: Cape EAPrac 43 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

51 Describe how alternative energy sources have been taken into account or been built into the design of the activity, if any: 6 DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACTS PRIOR TO AND AFTER MITIGATION Please note: While sections are provided for impacts on certain aspects of the environment and certain impacts, the sections should also be copied and completed for all other impacts. Mitigation measures that were implemented and mitigation measures that are to be implemented should be clearly distinguished. (a) Impacts that resulted from the planning, design and construction phases (briefly describe and compare the impacts (as appropriate), significance rating of impacts, proposed mitigation and significance rating of impacts after mitigation that occurred as a result of the planning, design and construction phases. Impacts on geographical and physical aspects: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Erosion during construction; Sedimentation downstream during construction. Damage and collapse of existing dam wall during high rainfall events. Extent and duration of impact: Site specific, short term. Site specific, long term. Probability of occurrence: Highly probable Definite, these impacts did occur. can be reversed: High may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Medium Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Localised downstream sedimentation Downstream sedimentation and erosion each heavy rainfall event. Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Medium can be mitigated: High Cape EAPrac 44 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

52 Proposed mitigation: Upgrade dam wall and improve safety and integrity. Cumulative impact post mitigation: Improved water quality and safety of dam wall. Improved water quality and safety of dam wall. Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Impact on biological aspects: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Disruption of base flow (negative); Larger surface area as habitat (positive). Disruption of base flow (negative); Surface area as habitat (positive). Extent and duration of impact: Site specific. Base flow and habitat area impacts dependant on rainfall events. Site specific Base flow and habitat area impacts dependant on rainfall events. Probability of occurrence: Highly probable Highly probable can be reversed: High High may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Negligible Negligible Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Improve integrity of dam wall to prevent damage to base flow and habitat. Cumulative impact post mitigation: Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, Negligible Cape EAPrac 45 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

53 High, or Very-High) Impacts on socio-economic aspects: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Construction of new dam wall economic value of work undertaken (positive) Existing dam Extent and duration of impact: Region, temporary Probability of occurrence: Definite Definite can be reversed: High may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Improved economic development in the area Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Cumulative impact post mitigation: Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Impacts on cultural-historical aspects: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Expansion and upgrade of the dam within the agrarian landscape. Existing dam within the agrarian landscape. Extent and duration of impact: Site specific, long term Site specific, long term Cape EAPrac 46 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

54 Probability of occurrence: Definite Definite can be reversed: may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Cumulative impact post mitigation: Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Noise impacts: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Noise during construction Existing dam Extent and duration of impact: Site specific, temporary Probability of occurrence: Definite Definite can be reversed: High may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Significance rating of impact Negligible Negligible Cape EAPrac 47 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

55 prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Cumulative impact post mitigation: Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Negligible Negligible Visual impacts / Sense of Place: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Upgraded and expanded dam. Existing dam Extent and duration of impact: Site specific, long term Site specific long term Probability of occurrence: Definite Definite can be reversed: High High may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Negligible Negligible can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Cumulative impact post mitigation: Cape EAPrac 48 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

56 Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Negligible Negligible (b) Impacts that result from the operational phase (briefly describe and compare impacts (as appropriate), significance rating of impacts, proposed mitigation and significance rating of impacts after mitigation that are likely to occur as a result of the operational phase. Impacts on the geographical and physical aspects: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Use of narrower part of the watercourse to improve dam wall integrity and provide for a longer, less steep spillway: Less erosion downstream (positive); Grassed spillway catches / slows sediment (positive); Dam wall is stable for use of vehicles for ESKOM servitude (positive); Increased surface area of dam covering vegetation (kikuyu). Existing dam wall built across a wider part of the watercourse with a steep spillway: Erosion downstream and on the spillway (negative); Sedimentation (negative); Unsafe access on ESKOM servitude (negative). Extent and duration of impact: Site specific, long term. Site specific, long term. Probability of occurrence: Highly probable Definite, these impacts did occur. can be reversed: Impacts are positive thus. High may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Medium Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Improved water resource management Downstream sedimentation and erosion each heavy rainfall event. Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Medium can be mitigated: High Proposed mitigation: Upgrade dam wall and improve safety and integrity. Cumulative impact post Improved water quality and safety of dam Improved water quality and safety of dam Cape EAPrac 49 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

57 mitigation: wall. wall. Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Impact on biological aspects: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Disruption of base flow (negative); Larger surface area as habitat (positive). Disruption of base flow (negative); Surface area as habitat (positive). Extent and duration of impact: Site specific. Base flow and habitat area impacts dependant on rainfall events. Site specific Base flow and habitat area impacts dependant on rainfall events. Probability of occurrence: Highly probable Highly probable can be reversed: High High may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Negligible Negligible Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Improve integrity of dam wall to prevent damage to base flow and habitat. Cumulative impact post mitigation: Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Negligible Impacts on the socio- Completed Activity No Go Option Cape EAPrac 50 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

58 economic aspects: Nature of impact: Sustainable access to water for irrigation (positive); Secure access for ESKOM servitude (positive); Viability of agricultural business (positive); BBEEE (positive). Insecure, unsustainable existing dam (negative); Costly repairs to flood damage (negative); Safety to personnel (negative); Unsecure access to ESKOM servitude (negative). Extent and duration of impact: Region, long term Region, long term Probability of occurrence: Definite Definite can be reversed: High High may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Medium (positive) Medium (negative) can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Upgrade and expand existing dam Cumulative impact post mitigation: Improved socio economic development in an area designated for intensive agriculture. Improved socio economic development in an area designated for intensive agriculture. Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Medium (positive) Impacts on the culturalhistorical aspects: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Expansion and upgrade of the dam within the agrarian landscape. Existing dam within the agrarian landscape. Extent and duration of Site specific, long term Site specific, long term Cape EAPrac 51 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

59 impact: Probability of occurrence: Definite Definite can be reversed: may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Cumulative impact post mitigation: Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Noise impacts: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Upgraded and expanded dam Existing dam Extent and duration of impact: Probability of occurrence: can be reversed: may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Cape EAPrac 52 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

60 Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Cumulative impact post mitigation: Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Visual impacts / Sense of Place: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Upgraded and expanded dam. Existing dam Extent and duration of impact: Site specific, long term Site specific long term Probability of occurrence: Definite Definite can be reversed: High High may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Negligible Negligible can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Cumulative impact post mitigation: Cape EAPrac 53 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

61 Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Negligible Negligible (c) Impacts that may result from the decommissioning and closure phase (briefly describe and compare the potential impacts (as appropriate), significance rating of impacts, proposed mitigation and significance rating of impacts after mitigation that are likely to occur as a result of the decommissioning and closure phase. Decommissioning is not likely to occur in the near future as changes in climate will lead to more capacity requirements for storage of water. The assessments below are based on the impacts associated with construction activities. Potential impacts on the geographical and physical aspects: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Erosion during decommissioning; Sedimentation downstream during construction. Erosion during decommissioning; Sedimentation downstream during construction. Extent and duration of impact: Site specific, short term. Site specific, short term. Probability of occurrence: Highly probable Highly probable can be reversed: may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Localised downstream sedimentation Localised downstream sedimentation Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Cumulative impact post mitigation: Significance rating of impact after mitigation Cape EAPrac 54 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

62 (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Potential impact on biological aspects: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Disruption of base flow (negative); Larger surface area as habitat (positive). Disruption of base flow (negative); Surface area as habitat (positive). Extent and duration of impact: Site specific. Base flow and habitat area impacts dependant on rainfall events. Site specific Base flow and habitat area impacts dependant on rainfall events. Probability of occurrence: Highly probable Highly probable can be reversed: High High may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Negligible Negligible Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Improve integrity of dam wall to prevent damage to base flow and habitat. Cumulative impact post mitigation: Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Negligible Potential impacts on the socio-economic aspects: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Unknown Unknown Cape EAPrac 55 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

63 Extent and duration of impact: Probability of occurrence: can be reversed: may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Cumulative impact post mitigation: Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Potential impacts on the cultural-historical aspects: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Expansion and upgrade of the dam within the agrarian landscape. Existing dam within the agrarian landscape. Extent and duration of impact: Site specific, long term Site specific, long term Probability of occurrence: Definite Definite can be reversed: may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Cape EAPrac 56 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

64 Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Cumulative impact post mitigation: Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Potential noise impacts: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Noise during construction Existing dam Extent and duration of impact: Site specific, temporary Probability of occurrence: Definite Definite can be reversed: High may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Negligible Negligible can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Cape EAPrac 57 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

65 Cumulative impact post mitigation: Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Negligible Negligible Potential visual impacts: Completed Activity No Go Option Nature of impact: Upgraded and expanded dam. Existing dam Extent and duration of impact: Site specific, long term Site specific long term Probability of occurrence: Definite Definite can be reversed: High High may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Negligible Negligible can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Cumulative impact post mitigation: Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Negligible Negligible (d) Any other impacts: Potential impact: Cape EAPrac 58 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

66 Nature of impact: Extent and duration of impact: Probability of occurrence: can be reversed: may cause irreplaceable loss of resources: Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) can be mitigated: Proposed mitigation: Cumulative impact post mitigation: Significance rating of impact after mitigation (, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Please note: If any of the above information is not available, specialist input may be requested. 7 SPECIALIST INPUTS/STUDIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS Please note: Specialist inputs/studies that will be undertaken as part of this application. These specialist inputs/studies must take into account the Department s relevant Guidelines on the Involvement of Specialists in EIA Processes available on the Department s website ( A summary of all the specialist inputs/studies must be provided with the additional information / Environmental Impact Report. Specialist inputs/studies and recommendations: The dam surveys and WULA was conducted by Mr Allan Atkinson. No recommendations for additional management activities was provided. The WULA has been included in Appendix G1. Cape EAPrac 59 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

67 8 IMPACT ASSESSMENT Briefly describe the impacts (as appropriate), significance rating of impacts, mitigation and significance rating of impacts of the activity. This must include an assessment of the significance of all impacts. Please note: This is a preliminary impact statement. The Department may request specialist input/studies depending on the type and nature of the impact(s) of the activity/ies. Impacts Significance rating of impacts after mitigation (, Medium, Medium- High, High, Very High): Erosion during construction Sedimentation downstream during construction Disruption of base flow (negative) Negligible Larger surface area as habitat (positive) Negligible Construction of new dam wall economic value of work undertaken (positive) Expansion and upgrade of the dam within the agrarian landscape. Noise during construction Negligible Visual impacts (construction & operation) Negligible Less erosion downstream (positive) Grassed spillway catches / slows sediment (positive) Dam wall is stable for use of vehicles for ESKOM servitude (positive); Increased surface area of dam covering vegetation (kikuyu). Sustainable access to water for irrigation (positive) Medium (positive) Secure access for ESKOM servitude (positive); Medium (positive) Viability of agricultural business (positive) Medium (positive) BEE (positive) Medium (positive) Cape EAPrac 60 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

68 9 IMPACT SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY Please fill in the table below, by crossing out ( ) the appropriate box(es): 9.1 Socio-Economic Benefit Index (e.g. Municipal Infrastructure) The development provides no direct social service to the affected community and /or will have little, or no, positive impact on job creation and/or poverty alleviation in the area; or The development provides little direct social service to the affected community and/or will have little, or minor, positive impacts on job creation and/or poverty alleviation in the area; or The development provides some social service to the affected community and/or will have a possible positive impacts on job creation and/or poverty alleviation in the area; or X The development provides a social service and/or will have a possible positive impact on job creation and/or poverty alleviation in the area; or The development provides an important social service and/or will have a measurable positive impact on job creation and/or poverty alleviation in the area; or The development provides an essential social service (immediately required/ emergency) and will have a measurable positive impact on job creation and/or poverty alleviation in the area Please provide motivation for the impact rating of the above impact index: The upgraded dam provides security and sustainability to the agricultural business by ensuring water storage for irrigation. This ensures security of employment and growth of intensive agriculture in an area designated as such by the George Municipality. 9.2 Socio Economic Impact Index The development will not give rise to any significant negative socio-economic impacts; or X The development could give rise to negative socio-economic, but highly localised, impacts The development could give rise to significant negative socio-economic, and regionalized impacts The development could result in wide-scale socio-economic hardship. Please provide motivation for the impact rating of the above impact index: The upgraded dam provides security and sustainability to the agricultural business by ensuring water storage for irrigation. This ensures security of employment and growth of intensive agriculture in an Cape EAPrac 61 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

69 area designated as such by the George Municipality. 9.3 Biodiversity Impact Index The development will give rise to insignificant impacts on biodiversity; or X The development could give rise to significant, but localised biodiversity impacts The development could give rise to significant, but regional biodiversity impacts The development is likely to permanently/ irreversibly transform/ destroy a recognised biodiversity hot-spot or threaten the existence of a species or sub-species. Please provide motivation for the impact rating of the above impact index: The upgraded dam has no additional negative biodiversity impacts as compared to that of the existing dam. 9.4 Sense of Place (including visual) Impact Index The development is in keeping with the surrounding environment X The development is not in keeping with the surrounding environment and will have a significant localised impact on the affected area's sense of place The development is not in keeping with the surrounding environment, but will have a significant regionalised impact on the affected area's sense of place The development is completely out of keeping with the surrounding environment and will have a significant impact on the affected area's sense of place Please provide motivation for the impact rating of the above impact index: The upgraded dam has no different sense of place than the existing dam. Both are in keeping with the agrarian landscape of the property. 9.5 Noise Impact Index The development is unlikely to give rise to any significant noise X Cape EAPrac 62 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

70 9.5.2 The development may lead to significant noise pollution, limited to the site The development will give rise to significant noise pollution, affecting the surrounding community Please provide motivation for the impact rating of the above impact index: The upgraded dam will have no significant noise impacts associated with it. The normal day to day operations of the agricultural business will remain the same. 9.6 Pollution and Waste Impact Index The development will not give rise to any significant quantities of waste or pollution; or X The development could give rise to quantities of pollution or waste that could have significant, but localised (immediate community and environment)impacts The development could give rise to quantities of pollution or waste that could have significant, but regional (beyond immediate environment and community) impacts The development is likely to give rise to a significant quantity of prioritised pollutants or waste streams (e.g. greenhouse gases, hazardous substances, radioactive waste, etc.). Please provide motivation for the impact rating of the above impact index: The storage of water will not give rise to any waste pollution. Please note: Section 9 is to be completed after all specialist studies and input from Interested and Affected Parties have been obtained. 10 OTHER MANAGEMENT, MITIGATION AND MONITORING MEASURES (a) Over and above the mitigation measures described above, please indicate any additional management, mitigation and monitoring measures. (b) Describe the ability of the applicant to implement the management, mitigation and monitoring measures. The applicant has been managing the property as an intensive agricultural entity for decades and is competent to implement any management requirements that are required. Please note: A draft ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME must be attached this report as appendix H. Cape EAPrac 63 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

71 SECTION G: ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGIES AND CRITERIA, GAPS IN KNOWLEDGE, UNDERLAYING ASSUMPTIONS AND UNCERTAINTIES (a) Please describe adequacy of the assessment methods used. The adequacy of assessing impacts retrospectively is somewhat questionable, yet also provides an opportunity to observe how the impacts have developed. In this case, the impacts of the construction phase have stabilised and are relatively low, especially when compared with the ongoing impacts associated with the weak dam wall integrity of the previous dam. Using this hindsight, the assessment given here is considered adequate for a decision on this matter to be taken. (b) Please describe the assessment criteria used. Criteria for Assessment These criteria are drawn from the EIA Regulations, published by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (April 1998) in terms of the Environmental Conservation Act No. 73 of These criteria include: Nature of the impact This is an appraisal of the type of effect the construction, operation and maintenance of a development would have on the affected environment. This description should include what is to be affected and how. Extent of the impact Describe whether the impact will be: local extending only as far as the development site area; or limited to the site and its immediate surroundings; or will have an impact on the region, or will have an impact on a national scale or across international borders. Duration of the impact The specialist should indicate whether the lifespan of the impact would be short term (0-5 years), medium term (5-15 years), long term (16-30 years) or permanent. Intensity The specialist should establish whether the impact is destructive or benign and should be qualified as low, medium or high. impacts and outline the rationale used. Probability of occurrence The specialist study must attempt to quantify the magnitude of the The specialist should describe the probability of the impact actually occurring and should be described as improbable (low likelihood), probable (distinct possibility), highly probable (most likely) or definite (impact will occur regardless of any prevention measures). The impacts should also be assessed in terms of the following aspects: Legal requirements Cape EAPrac 64 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

72 The specialist should identify and list the relevant South African legislation and permit requirements pertaining to the development proposals. He / she should provide reference to the procedures required to obtain permits and describe whether the development proposals contravene the applicable legislation. Status of the impact The specialist should determine whether the impacts are negative, positive or neutral ( cost benefit analysis). The impacts are to be assessed in terms of their effect on the project and the environment. For example, an impact that is positive for the proposed development may be negative for the environment. It is important that this distinction is made in the analysis. Accumulative impact Consideration must be given to the extent of any accumulative impact that may occur due to the proposed development. Such impacts must be evaluated with an assessment of similar developments already in the environment. Such impacts will be either positive or negative, and will be graded as being of negligible, low, medium or high impact. Degree of confidence in predictions The specialist should state what degree of confidence (low, medium or high) is there in the predictions based on the available information and level of knowledge and expertise. Based on a synthesis of the information contained in the above-described procedure, you are required to assess the potential impacts in terms of the following significance criteria: No significance: the impacts do not influence the proposed development and/or environment in any way. significance: the impacts will have a minor influence on the proposed development and/or environment. These impacts require some attention to modification of the project design where possible, or alternative mitigation. Moderate significance: the impacts will have a moderate influence on the proposed development and/or environment. The impact can be ameliorated by a modification in the project design or implementation of effective mitigation measures. High significance: the impacts will have a major influence on the proposed development and/or environment and will result in the no-go option on the development or portions of the development regardless of any mitigation measures that could be implemented. This level of significance must be well motivated. (c) Please describe the gaps in knowledge. Gaps in knowledge include the following: Exact capacity of the existing dam as no previous surveys were undertaken and volumes were estimated by DWA with the 1998 Registration. (d) Please describe the underlying assumptions. This section provides a brief overview of specific assumptions and limitations having an impact on Cape EAPrac 65 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

73 this environmental application process: It is assumed that the information on which this report is based (project information as well as existing information) is correct, factual and truthful. The proposed development is in line with the statutory planning vision for the area and thus it is assumed that issues such as the cumulative impact of development in terms of character of the area and its resources, have been taken into account during the strategic planning for the area. It is assumed that all the relevant mitigation measures and agreements specified in this report will be implemented in order to ensure minimal negative impacts and maximum environmental benefits. It is assumed that Stakeholders and Interested and Affected Parties notified during the initial public participation process will submit all relevant comments within the designated review and comment period. (e) Please describe the uncertainties. The following uncertainties may be applicable: Impacts on the watercourse due to climate change in the future. SECTION H: RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EAP In my view (EAP), the information contained in this Application Form and the documentation attached hereto is sufficient to make a decision in respect of the activity applied for. YES NO If NO, list the aspects that should be further assessed through additional specialist input/assessment: If YES, please indicate below whether in your opinion the applicant should be directed to cease the activity or if it should be authorised: Applicant should be directed to cease the activity: YES NO Please provide reasons for your opinion The existing dam had been in operation since at least 1964 and the integrity of the dam wall and spillway was not sufficient. The expanded and upgraded dam does not have any significant negative impacts on the environment but does provide economic sustainability for the agricultural business. The property also falls within the area designated by the George Municipality for intensive agriculture and this is further supported by the DWA. Cape EAPrac 66 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

74 If you are of the opinion that the activity should be authorised, then please provide any conditions, including mitigation measures that should in your view be considered for inclusion in an authorisation. The EMPr must be implemented and any recommendations / mitigations provided by DWA should be incorporated. SECTION I: MOTIVATION FOR RESPONSE TO AN EMERGENCY This section is only applicable to instances where Section 24F (3) of NEMA applies. Please list all steps that where taken in response to the emergency. Not Applicable. Please note: Section 30 of NEMA deals with the procedures to be followed for the control of emergency incidents. Cape EAPrac 67 Final 24G Environmental Impact Report

75 SECTION J: APPENDICES The following appendices must, where applicable, be attached to this form: Appendix Tick the box if Appendix is attached Appendix A: Locality map Appendix B: Site plan(s) Appendix C: Photographs Appendix D: Biodiversity overlay map Appendix E: Permit(s) / license(s) from any other organ of state including service letters from the municipality Appendix F: Public participation information: including a copy of the register of interested and affected parties, the comments and responses report, proof of notices, advertisements and any other public participation information as required in Section C above. Appendix G: Specialist Report(s) Appendix H: Environmental Management Programme Appendix I: Any Other (if applicable) (describe) Appendix J: Certified copy of Identity Document of Transgressor / Applicant Cape EAPrac 68 Draft 24G Environmental Impact Report

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