Environmental Impact Assessment for the Proposed Upgrade of the Sani Pass Road (P318): Phase 2

 

The Department of Transport (DOT) proposes to continue with the upgrading of the existing Sani Pass Road (P318), which transects the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site (UDP WHS) near Himeville, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The proposed Phase 2 upgrade entails a complete re-grading and resurfacing of the Sani Pass from a gravel to a hardened surface, all-weather road. The upgrade will include road widening, re-alignment of sections, new bridges, stormwater control and attenuation systems, bank and slope stabilisation and road servitude rehabilitation.

 

In order to undertake the proposed upgrade, the KZNDOT is required to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), 1998 (Act 107 of 1998). Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd was appointed as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to conduct the EIA for the Upgrading of the Sani Pass Road (DEA Ref. No.: 12/12/20/1184).

 

This environmental authorisation process commenced with an Environmental Scoping Phase in January 2008. Following approval of the Final Scoping Report (FSR) and associated Plan of Study for the Impact Assessment Phase by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on 01 July 2009, the Impact Assessment Phase was undertaken. This document constitutes the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report (Draft EIAR), which documents the Impact Assessment process followed, the analysis undertaken and results reached. The Draft EIAR is now available for public review and comment prior to submission of the Final EIAR to the DEA for review and a decision.

 

Interested and Affected Parties are invited to review the Draft EIAR files below and return comments to GIBB. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Hard copies of the Draft EIAR are also available for public review at each of the following venues:

 

·                     Underberg Library

·                     Kwa Sani Municipal Offices

·                     Southern Drakensberg Tourist and Accommodation Centre

·                    Arcus GIBB office (Durban)

 

Please note that the Draft EIAR comprises three (3) Volumes namely; the main Report in Volume 1, Appendices A – D in Volume 2 and Appendices E – G in Volume 3.

 

The 40 day comment period begins on 17 October 2011 and will close on 25 November 2011.

 

Comments submitted must include the I&APs name, contact details and an indication of any direct business, financial, personal or other interest which they have in the application.  Please submit comments by post, fax or email to:

 

Sani Pass Public Involvement

c/o Ms Gisela Fechter                Tel:  (031) 267 8500

Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd                 Fax:  (031) 266 3310

PO Box 1365                            Email: Sani-phase2-EIA@gibb.co.za

Westville 3630