Case Decision - 189993

Interim Comment
While several omissions have been noted from both the Archaeological and Palaeontological components in the HIA, the Archaeology, Palaeontology and Meteorites (APM) Unit does not object to the proposed development. It must be emphasized that SAHRA can only comment on the section of the development located within the Northern Cape (Phase 1 Grid Connection and Phase 2 WEF). Comments from HWC must be sought regarding the areas of the proposed development located within the Western Cape Province. SAHRA APM unit promotes the recommendations in the HIA. The following additional recommendations must be included in the final EIA and EMPr for the project:

A Walk-Down of the final positions of the turbines and access road routes must be completed prior to construction by a qualified archaeologist and a qualified palaeontologist. The locations of construction camps and laydown yards must also be assessed as part of the walk-down report. The report must CLEARLY state which heritage resources are located within the Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces to allow the relevant Heritage Resource Authority (HRA) to provide comments. The report must also clearly state the distance between each proposed project activity and identified resources via detailed descriptions, photographs and a map;
A bufferzone of 50 m must be maintained from all identified heritage resources. A Conservation Management Plan (CMP) must be developed for all heritage resources that are to be retained in-situ. The CMP must include and is not limited to details regarding on-going monitoring and access controls for affected interested and affected parties i.e. family member related to the graveyards. This CMP must be submitted to SAHRA for comment;
Turbine placements must avoid areas underlain by the Lower Beaufort Group rocks. Should this not be possible, a Watching Brief must be conducted during the construction phase of the project. This must include the on-site presence of a qualified palaeontologist who will monitor excavations for turbine foundations, access roads and underground cables within the Lower Beaufort Group rocks. A Watching Brief Report detailing the results of the monitoring must be submitted to SAHRA for comment;
Chance Finds and Fossil Finds Procedures must be developed and implemented for the project. These procedures must include standard protocol, steps and reporting structures to be followed should any heritage and/or fossil heritage is uncovered during all phases of development;
Should comments from HWC require the re-alignment of the Phase 1 Transmission line and the route through the Northern Cape be amended, the revised Heritage report assessing the new route must also be submitted to SAHRA for comment; and
The applicant is responsible for ensuring that comments from HWC are received regarding the areas of the proposed development located in the Western Cape Province.

Final comments will be issued once the above requested reports have been submitted to SAHRA along with the Final EIA and EMP.