Case Decision - 360727

Interim Comment 

The SAHRA notes the submitted Heritage Report, however no EIA documents have been submitted to the case. 

A portion of the proposed development is located within an area of moderate Palaeontological Sensitivity 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/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.

Further comments will be issued upon receipt of the above requested reports. The applicant is advised to extend the EA process in terms of section 23(1)b of the NEMA EIA regulations in order to address this comment.