Case Decision - 199353

The SAHRA remains satisfied with the recommended mitigation measures set out for archaeological heritage under section 5.4.1 and 7.8 of the DBAR. This section must however be updated to include the same mitigation measures for other forms of heritage, particularly relevant in this case are fossils, which have the potential of being accidentally disturbed whilst lying exposed on or just below the seabed. Once these have been incorporated, SAHRA has no reason to object to the proposed activities based on the mitigation measure for potential impacts to tangible heritage.The SAHRA is also pleased to see information on intangible cultural heritage (ICH) being incorporated into the report under section 4.3.6. Although no impacts to ICH are foreseen, the public participation process may reveal ICH impacts, and these must be addressed to ensure that the ICH is being safeguarded during the course of these proposed activities. Under section 1.4.3 of the accompanying Environmental Management Programme (EMPr), applicable international legislation relevant to Archaeology and Cultural Heritage must be updated to include the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Although South Africa is not yet state party to this convention, the process is underway, and South Africa has a National Policy on South African Living Heritage that speaks to this convention. 
Please note that all updates and/or changes to the project, supporting documentation, correspondence, reports, or any other work relating to the project must be uploaded to the case on SAHRIS to provide SAHRA with the opportunity to comment. SAHRA does not accept emailed documents or hard-copy documents received via post.