Case Decision - 190458

Final CommentBased on the discussion and site visit results summarised in the Gunstfontein Site Visit Report: 9-10 June 2016, the following final comment must apply to the proposed Gunstfontein Wind Energy Facility (WEF) and be included in the Environmental Management Programme (EMPr):

The closest two wind turbines (Turbine 1 and Turbine 2) to the R356 must be removed from the proposed layout in order to maintain a bufferzone of 1.6 km from the historical Verlatenkloof Pass (as proposed by ACED and agreed upon by SAHRA APM Unit through discussion);
Should the two turbines be relocated to another area, the access route and location of the turbines must be subjected to a walk-down by a qualified archaeologist and palaeontologist to ensure that no heritage resources are impacted by construction activities. A Walk-Down report must be completed and submitted to SAHRA for comment prior to construction. No construction may occur without comments from SAHRA;
Palaeontological Monitoring of the construction phase can be conducted by a suitable qualified Environmental Control Officer, punctuated by regular site visits by a qualified palaeontologist. Proof of training must be presented to SAHRA and regular monitoring reports must be submitted to SAHRA;
Previous comments issued on the 18 March 2016 pertaining to the 60m bufferzone from identified heritage and palaeontological resources, feature 4 and the development of a Conservation Management Plan are still valid and must apply to the proposed WEF.

This comment must be read in-conjunction with the SAHRA APM Unit site visit report attached to the case file on SAHRIS and previous comments issued on the 18 March 2016.