Case Decision - 200402

Interim Comment
SAHRA requests that section 38(8) of the National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999 (NHRA) must be complied with. To this end, an assessment of the impact on heritage resources must form part of the EA application.
The assessment must include an assessment of the impact on archaeological and historical resources. The field-based assessment of archaeological resources must be conducted by a qualified archaeologist and the report comply with the SAHRA 2007 Minimum Standards: Archaeological and Palaeontological Components of Impact Assessment Reports (see www.asapa.co.za or www.aphp.org.za for a list of qualified archaeologists). 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 is located within an area of high Palaeontological Sensitivity as per the SAHRIS PalaeoSensitivity map. As such, desktop based Palaeontological Impact Assessment (PIA) is requested to 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. 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.
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 upon receipt of the draft EIA documents inclusive of appendices.