C.1. Minutes of meeting with DWS

Transcription

1 C.1. Minutes of meeting with DWS G038_REP-01_r2_TH_MvZ_Bokpoort GW abstract Jones & Wagener (Pty) Ltd Engineering & Environmental Consultants

2 Jones & Wagener Engineering & Environmental Consultants 59 Bevan Road PO Box 1434 Rivonia 2128 South Africa tel: GREENWAY FARMS (PTY) LTD Distribution Date: 8 May, 2017 BOKPOORT OPERATIONS Job No: G038 WULA FOR GROUNDWATER ABSTRACTION Our Ref: g038_min_r0_th_dws meeting_4apr2017.docx MINUTES OF MEETING WITH DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND SANITATION Held at DWS Offices, Polokwane on 4 April 2017 PRESENT: NAME: COMPANY: CELL Mpho Ntshagove DWS ntshagovhem@dws.gov.za Zipho Khoza DWS Khozaz2@dwa.gov.za Rendani Maugana DWS Mauganar@dws.gov.za Vincent Sequeira GWF vincent@greenwayfarm.co.za Khuthadzo Manyatsha KSHED (Pty)Ltd kmanyatsha@gmail.com Tolmay Hopkins J&W tolmay@jaws.co.za APOLOGIES: NAME: COMPANY: CELL David Nethengwe DWS NethengweM@dws.gov.za Willem du Toit DWS Geohydrology DISTRIBUTION: NAME: COMPANY: CELL All above MINUTES OF MEETING 1. INTRODUCTION Mpho Ntshagove (MN) welcomed all attendees to the meeting. A round of introduction followed. Apologies was noted as indicated above. 2. PURPOSE OF MEETING Tolmay Hopkins (TH) indicated that the purpose of the meeting is to provide a description of the water uses to be included in application, discuss the requirements for the application with the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), as well as the application process and timeframes (refer to the presentation attached in Appendix A). Action DATE Jones & Wagener (Pty) Ltd G038_MIN_r0_th_DWS meeting_4apr2017.docx Engineering & Environmental Consultants

3 2 3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 3.1 TH provided an overview of the project as outlined in the attached presentation. The intention is to apply for the abstraction of groundwater from six (6) boreholes to supply in the domestic water needs of the farm workers and personnel, for the watering of cattle, as well as crop spraying (i.e. the application of fertiliser, pesticides and herbicides using a tractor and sprayer). Water pumped from the boreholes is stored in tanks, from where it is used for the above. Overflow from the tanks discharges into the Bokpoort Dam. 3.2 MN requested confirmation of whether the abstracted groundwater will be used for irrigation. There has been uncertainty at the Department regarding this in the past and it was not certain what the water is used for and the legal status of the abstraction. Vincent Sequeira (VS) indicated that the water will be used for the purposes as indicated above. Flow meters have been installed to measure the abovementioned water uses, as well as to measure water pumped from the Bokpoort Dam to the pivots for irrigation. The only place where water flow is not currently measured, is at the overflow from the tanks referred to above. About two years of data is available. Investigations done to date has indicated that five of the boreholes can be used for 6 months of the year only. One borehole may be sustainable for a 12 month period. TH indicated that in terms of the old General Authorisations (GA), 72 m 3 /ha/annum could be abstracted within quaternary catchment A61H. MacRobert Incorporated confirmed in a response to a predirective that the groundwater abstraction at the Bokpoort operations falls within these limits and therefore groundwater abstraction was taking place in terms of the GA. However, when the GA was replaced at the end of 2016, groundwater abstraction in catchment A61H in terms of the GA was reduced to zero. Therefore the only mechanism through which groundwater abstraction may take place is in terms of a water use license. 4. APPLICATION PROCESS 4.1 TH indicated that it has been assumed that the application will have to be done in terms of Government Notice Regulation (GNR) 267 published on 24 March MN confirmed that this is the case since the Regulations are effective as of 1 April MN discussed the process and timeframes according to the summary in the Regulations, as also reflected in the attached presentation. The intention of the submission of the application in terms of Regulation 1, is to provide a summary of the details of water uses to be included in the technical report. This will entail the completion of a new application form. The form is not yet available as far as MN is aware. Existing DW application forms may likely be used to commence with the process in the interim. Based on the DWS previous involvement and site visits to the Bokpoort operations, it is not foreseen that a site visit will be needed. The Regulations provides for a site visit where the application necessitates an inspection. Action DATE G038_MIN_r0_th_DWS meeting_4apr2017.docx Jones & Wagener (Pty) Ltd Engineering & Environmental Consultants

4 3 4.3 MN indicated that a groundwater specialist study will be required, including information on the geology and aquifer characteristics at the site, expected recharge, the sustainable yield of the boreholes based on pump tests, and a hydro-census. The report must indicate what can be abstracted sustainably from the boreholes per annum. TH enquired whether the geohydrologist provided any guidance on the level of investigation required based on the Department s guidelines on these type of studies, e.g. would a groundwater model be needed. MN indicated that a study outlining the information listed above, should be sufficient Zipho Khoza (ZK) asked whether the volume that is required for irrigation will also be indicated. VS re-iterated that the groundwater is not required for irrigation. The purpose of the application for the permanent transfer of the existing lawful allocation from the Lephalale River to the Bokpoort operations, was to ensure that sufficient water is available for crop irrigation. VS stated that he is concerned about the perception that has been created about illegal water use by Greenway. The intention of the application is to obtain the required authorisation (i.e. a water use license) for the groundwater abstraction. 4.5 ZK asked whether Greenway Farm is limiting their surface water abstraction to their lawful allocation. VS confirmed that they are and as indicated, meter readings are available. 4.6 MN indicated that a water supply and demand table will be required as part of the technical motivation in support of the application. TH stated that this can be accurately provided since data is available since September The issue of the potential integration of the application for groundwater abstraction with the application for the permanent transfer of the surface water allocation between properties, was discussed. It was agreed that the applications will not be integrated. MN however indicated that an indication has to be provided in the new application of all the water uses at the Bokpoort operations and it needs to be made clear what has been authorised and what is the subject of the new application. 4.8 MN confirmed that the public participation process as outlined in GNR 267 has to be followed. The Department requires a consultation period of 60 days with stakeholders. MN stated that the public consultation documents must be clear in terms of what the new application entails and it should be divorced from the transfer application. 4.9 MN indicated that cognisance must be taken of the timeframes in the Regulations. Should the specialist study and preparation of the technical report take longer than allowed for, the application should rather be lodged later, after the studies have commenced. Action DATE G038_MIN_r0_th_DWS meeting_4apr2017.docx Jones & Wagener (Pty) Ltd Engineering & Environmental Consultants

5 TH enquired about the Agriculture Technical Report that is required in terms of GNR 267. MN indicated that this will be required and ZK stated that some of the information required for this report, will also form part of the Section 27 motivation MN indicated that the timeframes for the process will be reduced in this instance, since a site inspection will more than likely not be required. MN will confirm the following in writing after the meeting: The need for a site inspection The technical requirements for the application based on the discussions at the meeting; Form(s) to be used to commence with the application process. 5. DISCUSSION 5.1 In addition to the discussions outlined above about the new application for groundwater abstraction, a brief discussion was held on the status of the application for the permanent transfer of the surface water abstraction allocation from the Lephalale River to the Bokpoort operations. MN indicated that the only outstanding aspect is the Reserve Determination. MN will provide guidance on the level of engagement with the Department regarding this to ensure that the application is not jeopardised. According to his knowledge, there is not a Reserve Determination available for the quaternary catchment in question. TH enquired whether the urgency of the application has been conveyed to them (i.e. the temporary transfer that has been granted to Greenway Farms lapses in October 2017), as well as the extent of the application (i.e. this is the transfer of an existing awful allocation between properties). MN indicated that it has been. 5.2 MN indicated that there has been a recommendation from the licencing committee that the water that is transferred be conveyed via pipeline for the entire length. This will likely be included as a license condition. 5.3 MN enquired whether the transfer is still required after the good rainy season. VS confirmed that it is needed, since storage at Bokpoort Dam is limited to m 3 and that the current allocation for abstraction from the Bokpoortspruit is not sufficient. Action DATE Minuted by: Tolmay Hopkins for Jones & Wagener Document source: C:\Alljobs\G038_GreenwayS21aWULA\Meetings\G038_MIN_r0_th_DWS meeting_4apr2017.docx Document template: corminutes_17r0.dotx G038_MIN_r0_th_DWS meeting_4apr2017.docx Jones & Wagener (Pty) Ltd Engineering & Environmental Consultants

6 APPENDIX A COPY OF PRESENTATION G038_MIN_r0_th_DWS meeting_4apr2017.docx Jones & Wagener (Pty) Ltd Engineering & Environmental Consultants

7 Greenway Farms Bokpoort Operations WULA: Abstraction of groundwater Pre-application Enquiry Meeting with DWS 4 April 2017 Agenda 1. Welcome and Introduction 2. Purpose of meeting 3. Project description 4. Application process 5. Discussion 1

8 1. Welcome and Introductions Applicant: Greenway Farms (Pty) Ltd Vincent Sequeira Jacintha Rule Environmental Consultant: Jones & Wagener DWS Case Officer: Tolmay Hopkins Mpho Ntshagovhe 2. Purpose of meeting Provide description of water uses to be undertaken and to be included in application Confirm the technical requirements for the WULA Confirm relevant timeframes Confirm the requirements for the public participation process Obtain comments and inputs from the DWS 2

9 3. Project description Greenway Farms (Pty) Ltd supply over 40% of South Africa s carrots Operations in Mookgophong consist of Bokpoort and Phalala operations Lawful abstraction from Bokpoortspruit and Lephalala River Temporary transfer of lawful allocation from Lephalala River to Bokpoort farm Applied for water use license for permanent transfer Water used for irrigation is stored in Bokpoort Dam Locality map To Mookgophong 3

10 Project description (continued) Abstraction of groundwater from 6 boreholes ~ m 3 /month Water abstracted to be used for: Domestic supply (~ 183 m 3 /month) Cattle watering (~ 456 m 3 /month) Crop spraying (~ 864 m 3 over growing season) Water stored in tanks from where it is used for the above Overflow from tanks discharges into Bokpoort Dam Position of boreholes 4

11 4. Application process GNR 267 dated 24 March 2017, Procedural Requirements for Water Use Licence Applications and Appeals Reg Steps in application process Max # days Cumulative days Responsibility 0 Pre-application enquiry 0 0 Applicant / RA* 1 Application submitted (= forms) 1 1 Applicant 2 RA acknowledge receipt RA 3 Applicant confirms arrangements for site inspection 4 Site inspection to confirm water uses, determine info requirement & need for PPP** 5 Confirm requirements for technical report based on site visit & meeting 6 Compilation, consultation and submission of technical report by applicant 5 16 Applicant RA / Applicant 5 41 RA Applicant 7 Reject/Accept technical report RA 8 Assessment RA / Applicant 9 Decision & communication to applicant RA * RA: Responsible authority ** PPP: Public Participation Process 5

12 Reg Steps in application process Max # days Cumulative days Responsibility 0 Pre-application enquiry 0 0 Applicant / RA* 1 Application submitted (= forms) 1 1 Applicant 2 RA acknowledge receipt RA 3 Applicant confirms arrangements for site inspection 4 Site inspection to confirm water uses, determine info requirement & need for PPP** 5 Confirm requirements for technical report based on site visit & meeting 6 Compilation, consultation and submission of technical report by applicant 5 16 Applicant RA / Applicant 5 41 RA Applicant 7 Reject/Accept technical report RA 8 Assessment RA / Applicant 9 Decision & communication to applicant Where an application necessitates an inspection RA * RA: Responsible authority ** PPP: Public Participation Process Supporting information Content of Agriculture Technical Report as per Regulations: Project area Water and waste management framework Agricultural development and production plan Water resources development plan Technical design (irrigation/drainage/animal facilities) plan Facility planning Financing plan Supporting specialist studies 6

13 Public Participation Process Site notice Written notices to: Adjacent landowner Municipal councilor Any relevant organ of state Advertisement in local newspaper Comment period not more than 60 days after publication of notice Register of I&APs PPP report 5. Discussion Confirmation of technical process and PPP to be followed Confirmation of timeframes Information requirements Integration of license applications 7

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