Case Decision - 360702

Interim Comment

The SAHRA Development Applications Unit (DAU) notes the submitted Heritage Scoping Report. 

The SAHRA DAU requests that an assessment of the impact to heritage resources that complies with section 38(3) of the NHRA as required by section 38(8) of the NHRA must be conducted as part of the EA process. The HIA must include an archaeological and palaeontological component. 

The field-based archaeological component of the HIA must be conducted by a qualified archaeologist and must 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.

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.

Since the development is located in an area of Very High palaeontological sensitivity a field-based PIA is required. The assessment must be undertaken by a qualified palaeontologist and the report must comply with the 2012 Minimum Standards: Palaeontological Components of Heritage Impact Assessments. 

Further comments will be issued upon the submission of the draft Basic Assessment Report (DBAR), Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), and Palaeontological Impact Assessment (PIA).