Phase 1 HIA for vineyard development on Farm Uitdraai in Prieska

Digital Soils Africa (Pty) LTD (DSA) was tasked by Uitdraai Boerdery (Pty) Ltd to conduct environmental investigations and complete the Environmental Authorisation Application for the authorisation of clearing 185Ha of vegetation on Portion 18 (Ptn of Ptn 15) of the Farm Uitdraai No. 33, Prieska in the Northern Cape.
DSA was appointed by Uitdraai Boerdery (Pty) Ltd as the independent environmental assessment practitioner (EAP) to undertake the Environmental Authorisation Application for the commencement of a listed activity in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2014, as amended in 2017.
Uitdraai Boerdery (Pty) Ltd would like to clear vegetation to establish a vineyard. Currently the site host intact vegetation with some evidence of overgrazing. Soil samples were taken and analysed to investigate if the soil is suitable for establishing a vineyard on a 174Ha area. The soil study indicated that about 145Ha were suitable for the cultivation of vineyards according to the norms and standards provided by the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture.
However upon further investigation, it was found that only 111.22Ha is suitable.
A HIA was completed to comply with the Heritage act, since more than 1Ha will be disturbed.