Notice of Environmental and Water Use AuthorisationProcesses

PROPOSED UPGRADE OF THE BROOKSNEK GRAVEL ACCESS ROAD AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CULVERT BRIDGE IN THE UMZIMVUBU LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, EASTERN CAPE

Notice is hereby given in terms of the amended EIA Regulations published under the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA), as amended, of the Umzimvubu Local Municipality’s intention ofobtaining environmental authorisation, and the relevant permits and licences required for the proposed upgrade of the Brooksnekgravel access road and the construction of a culvert bridgelocated withinUmzimvubu Local Municipality, Eastern Cape. The proposed new and upgraded gravel road sections will serve to improve and provide where there was not before, access to the adjacent National Road 2 (N2). Therefore the proposed development will provide significant positive socio-economic impacts including increased safety and improved accessibility between the surrounding areas.

Environmental Assessment Practitioner: ACER (Africa) Environmental Consultants

Location of the Project

The construction of six sections of 5 m wide gravel access roads and one concrete causeway across the Mvalweni river (30°38'57.64"S / 29°29'9.48"E) approximately 5.5 m in length and 4.5 m wide, comprising of prefabricated pipes (10 x 600 mm diameter and 4 x 900 mm diameter pipes) within the Brooksnek settlements in the Umzimvubu Local Municipality.

Environmental Authorisation

In terms of the amended EIA Regulations published under the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA), as amended, the proposed development triggers a number of listed activities and requires environmental authorisation via the undertaking of a Basic Assessment.

Listed Activities
Listing Notice 1: No. R. 983 of December 2014 / Activities 12 and 19
Listing Notice 3: No. R. 985 of December 2014 / Activities 4, 12 and 14

The Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT)is the competent authority for the issuing of environmental authorisation for this proposed development.

Water Use Authorisation Application Process

The proposed development will also require a authorisation from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), for water uses in terms of Section 21 (c) and (i) of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No 36 of 1998) (NWA). The Water Use License Application will be submitted to the DWS in terms of “Chapter 4 of the NWA, in particular, Sections 40 and 41” for consideration.

Invitation to Participate

Interested and Affected Parties are requested to register with ACER and provide their comments. A Background Information and Notification Letter including a Registration and Comment Sheet can be obtained from the Public Participation Office.

For further information, please contact:

Jacques Blignaut or Mareike Straeuli

P O Box 503, Mtunzini, 3867

Tel: 0353402715; Fax: 0353402232

E-mail: xxxxxxxxxx