Case Decision - 197799

Interim Comment
The SAHRA Archaeology, Palaeontology and Meteorites (APM) Unit does not accept the submitted HIA and requests that an application specific assessment of the impact to heritage resources be conducted as part of the EA process that complies with section 38(3) of the NHRA as required by section 38(8) of the NHRA and section 24(4)b(iii) of NEMA.
The assessment must include an assessment of the impact to archaeological and palaeontological resources. The assessment of archaeological resources must be conducted by a qualified archaeologist and the report comply with the SAHRA 2007 Minimum Standards: Archaeological and Palaeontological Components of Impact Assessment Reports (see www.asapa.co.za or www.aphp.org.za for a list of qualified archaeologists).
The proposed development is located within an area of unknown and high Palaeontological Sensitivity as per the SAHRIS PalaeoSensitivity map. As such, a desktop Palaeontological Impact Assessment (PIA) must be undertaken by a qualified palaeontologist. (See https://www.palaeosa.org/heritage-practitioners.html for a list of qualified palaeontologists). The report must comply with the 2012 Minimum Standards: Palaeontological Components of Heritage Impact Assessments.
Any other heritage resources as defined in section 3 of the NHRA that may be impacted, such as built structures over 60 years old, sites of cultural significance associated with oral histories, burial grounds and graves, graves of victims of conflict, and cultural landscapes or viewscapes must also be assessed.
Further comments will be issued upon receipt of the draft EIA documents inclusive of appendices.