Case Decision - 349805

Interim Comment

SAHRA Development Applications Unit (DAU) notes the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

The SAHRA requested a HIA must be undertaken by a suitably qualified archaeologist, and it must comply with section 38(3) of the National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999 (NHRA). A suitably qualified specialist must be appointed to assess the development area and from there submit a letter of exemption if their assessment of the development area determines it to be sufficient. Once the report/or letter is submitted to the case for commenting, SAHRA will provide further comments on this proposed development.

In terms of palaeontological heritage, the SA Palaeontological Sensitivity Map indicates that parts of the study area have Moderate fossil sensitivity, therefore a palaeontological desktop study is required. The SAHRA 2012 Minimum Standards: Palaeontological Component of Heritage Impact Assessments makes reference to a Letter of Recommendation for Exemption that is to be submitted if there is no likelihood that heritage sites will be impacted. SAHRA awaits the above palaeontological desktop study/ Letter of Recommendation for Exemption completed by a qualified palaeontologist to be submitted before further comments can be issued.