A draft Basic Assessment Report on the proposed Soutpansberg Wetland Rehabilitation Project is now available for the perusal and comment of interested and affected parties.
According to DA Ward 16 councillor, Jaco Terblanche, the purpose of the project is to preserve the wetland and to try make it neater.
“At the moment, an environmental impact study is being conducted to see how best to save the wetland without tampering with nature. In other words, what can be removed and what needs to stay on the piece of land,” Terblanche explained.
“Once the assessment has been finalised, the findings will be used to determine how to go about rehabilitating the wetland.”
A big issue that has been causing damage to the wetland is the church congregation that gathers there regularly. According to Terblanche, the members of the church make fires at night and in winter which damages the wetland.
“The issue has been going on for many years and the metro is working on having them removed because they are there illegally. Residents have also petitioned to have them removed.”
The draft document for the report will be available until March 8.
In order to be identified and registered as an Interested and Affected Party (which will also allow you to comment on the Draft Basic Assessment report), people should submit their names, contact details and comments, either telephonically or in writing. All submissions must be made to the EIMS (Environmental Impact Management Services) no later than March 8.
All input from the public with regards to the Draft Basic Assessment Report will be incorporated into the Comments and Responses Report that will form part of the Final Basic Assessment Report to be submitted to the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Copies of the report, once complete, will also be made available on the EIMS website (www.eims.co.za).
Following submission of the Final Basic Assessment Report, the Agriculture and Rural Development Department will make a decision to either accept or reject the application for environmental authorisation.
Send your information, objections, comments and/or concerns (including the reference number 1012) to:
Environmental Impact Management Services (Pty) Ltd P.O. Box 2083, Pinegowrie, 2123.
You can also phone Zizo Siwendu on 011-789-7170, send a fax to 011-787-3059 or send an email to zizo@eims.co.za.
