Case Decision - 196908

Interim Comment The SAHRA APM Unit acknowledges receipt of the dBAR and HIA Screener, the outcomes and recommendations provided therein. SAHRA's APM request has noted the potential impact of project activities on palaeontological resources as articulated by Rossouw (2011) and supported in the submitted Heritage Screen and request that the following is undertaken in terms of section 38(3) of the National Heritage Resources Act (25 of 1999) as part of the EA Amendment application. Given the recommendations of a desktop assessment of the potential impact of the project on palaeontological resources, SAHRA request that a field-based PIA be submitted by a qualified palaeontologist in support of the Amendment application.  The report must comply with section 38(3) of the NHRA and the SAHRA 2006 Minimum Standards: Archaeological and Palaeontological Component of Impact Assessments, and the 2012 Minimum Standards: Palaeontological Component of Heritage Impact Assessments. The Minimum Standards provides allowance for a Letter of Recommendation for Exemption that can be submitted by a qualified palaeontologist should they deem it appropriate.
Further comments will be issued upon receipt of the above. The applicant is advised to extend the EA process in terms of section 19(1)b of the NEMA EIA regulations to comply with this comment.