Case Decision - 197905

Final Comment
The SAHRA Archaeology, Palaeontology, and Meteorites (APM) Unit notes and accepts the submission of the draft BAR and HIA however SAHRA requires an additional survey of the development area after ground clearance due to the limited survey undertaken during the initial survey for the HIA. As such, SAHRA has no objections to the proposed development on the following conditions:
A watching brief during ground clearance and a walk down survey of the area after ground clearance must be conducted by a suitably qualified archaeologist. A report of the survey must be submitted to SAHRA for comments.
In the event that fossils are uncovered during construction then construction must cease within the immediate vicinity, a buffer of 30 m must be established, and a palaeontologist called in to inspect the finds. The palaeontologist must obtain a section 35(4) permit in terms of NHRA and Chapter IV NHRA Regulations, before any fossils are collected.
If there are any new heritages resources are discovered during construction and operation phases of the proposed development, then a professional archaeologist or palaeontologist, depending on the nature of the finds, must be contracted as soon as possible to inspect the findings at the expense of the developer.
If the newly discovered heritage resources prove to be of archaeological or palaeontological significance, a Phase 2 rescue operation may be required at the expense of the developer. Mitigation will only be carried out after the archaeologist or palaeontologist obtains a permit in terms of section 35 of the NHRA (Act 25 of 1999). You may contact SAHRA APM Unit for further details: (Nokukhanya Khumalo/Phillip Hine 021 202 8654).
If any unmarked human burials are uncovered and the archaeologist called in to inspect the finds and/or the police find them to be heritage graves, then mitigation may be necessary and the SAHRA Burial Grounds and Graves (BGG) Unit must be contacted for processes to follow (Thingahangwi Tshivase/Ngqalabutho Madida 012 320 8490).Please submit an amended .kml file to the palaeo-sensitivity map section of the case. Only a polygon of the Rikaka extention area must be mapped as separate cases for the other township developments have been created.
The Final BAR and its appendices must be submitted to the case and once a Record of Decision from the competent authority is issued, it must also be submitted to the case.