Case Decision - 340623

Interim Comment 

As the proposed development is undergoing an EA Application process in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 107 of 1998 (NEMA) and NEMA Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, it is incumbent on the developer to ensure that a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is done as per section 38(3) and 38(8) of the National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999 (NHRA). This must include an archaeological component, palaeontological component and any other applicable heritage components. The HIA must be conducted as part of the EA Application in terms of NEMA and the NEMA EIA Regulations.

The archaeological component of the HIA should follow the SAHRA 2007 Minimum Standards: Archaeological Component of Impact Assessment Report. The quickest process to follow for the archaeological component would be to contract a qualified archaeologist (see www.asapa.co.za or www.aphp.org.za). The Minimum Standards refer to a Letter of Recommendation for Exemption for further studies should the specialist deem it appropriate. SAHRA reserves the right to insist on a field-based assessment should the Letter of Recommendation not provide ample information to make an informed comment.

The proposed development area is located mostly within an area of moderate sensitivity in terms of palaeontological resources 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 once the HIA including the PIA has been undertaken and the reports have been submitted to the SAHRIS development application.