From:
Subject:
Date:
To:
Nardus du Plessis <[email protected]>
Registration as I&AP
10 March 2015 3:16:21 PM SAST
"[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Hi Shawn,
I would like to renew my status as I&AP
Regards
Nardus
Nardus du Plessis
Section Ranger
SANParks: Augrabies Falls National Park
Tel: +27 (0) 54 452 9207
Mobile: +27 (0) 76 193 3835
Fax: +27 (0) 54 451 5003
E-mail: [email protected]
www.sanparks.org
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/augrabies/
Disclaimer: 1) Confidentiality: This email communication and any attachments sent from [email protected] to [email protected] on 201503-10 15:17:57 are confidential and may contain privileged or copyright information. You may not present this message to another party without consent from the
sender. If you are not [email protected] please notify [email protected] and delete this email and you are notified that disclosing, copying,
distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. 2) Liability: This email is not a binding agreement and does not
conclude an agreement without the express confirmation by the sender's superior or relevant authorisation of SANParks. 3) Viruses: SANParks does not certify
that this email is free of viruses or defects. 4) Requested: SANParks does not consent to its employees sending un-asked for emails which contravene the law. In
the event that you feel this email is such, please notify SANParks in order for the appropriate corrective action to be taken. 5) Advice: Any views or opinions
presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of SANParks. Any actions taken on the basis of this email are at the
reader's own risk. 6) Other: The sender of this email is expressly required not make any defamatory statements. Any such communication is contrary to
SANParks policy and outside the scope of the employment of the individual concerned. SANParks will not accept any liability in respect of such communication,
and the employee responsible will be personally liable for any damages or other liability arising. Thank you. South African National Parks 643 Leyds Street,
Muckleneuk, Pretoria, South Africa
From:
Subject:
Date:
To:
Mercia Grimbeek <[email protected]>
Fwd: ACCESS TO THE PARK 09 APRIL 2015
02 April 2015 11:55:35 AM SAST
ShawnJohnston <[email protected]>
1 Attachment, 19 KB
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Lloyd Theunissen" <[email protected]>
To: "'Frans Van Rooyen'" <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>, "'Mercia Grimbeek'" <[email protected]>, "'Niel Theron'" <[email protected]>,
<[email protected]>
Subject: RE: ACCESS TO THE PARK 09 APRIL 2015
Date: 2 April 2015 09:38:16 GMT+2
Good morning Frans
1. I do not understand your e-‐mail.
2. This is not the first time that access is requested and granted.
3. Hydro-‐SA is in the process of applying to install a hydro power plant in this specific area and need to do the necessary inspections and comply with the necessary requirements as stipulated by the relevant Governmental Department.
4. As trustee of the Riemvasmaak Community Development Trust, I, Lloyd Wilfred Theunissen, on behalf of the trustees and the Riemvasmaak community, hereby give authorisation to Niel Theron and his team to gain access to the Melkbosrand area of the park on 09 April 2015. The time, gate of entry and period need for the day, Hydro-‐SA will communicate directly with you and or a designated member your team.
5. I hope and trust that the above request is clear and in order.
6. Kind regards and should you be travelling over the long weekend, please travel safely.
Lloyd Theunissen
From: Frans Van Rooyen [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 02/04/2015 07:52 AM
To: Lloyd Theunissen
Subject: RE: ACCESS TO THE PARK 09 APRIL 2015
Hi Lloyd,
I’ll need a request and you be specific where access is needed and the reason access is needed for also the amount of time they’ll spend.
Access to the Park will need to be approved by Park Manager.
I just need from you the OK that you give authorization to whoever to access Melkbosrant area.
Regards!
Regards!
Frans
From: Lloyd Theunissen [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 01 April 2015 05:47 PM
To: Frans Van Rooyen
Cc: 'Niel Theron'; 'Mercia Grimbeek'; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: ACCESS TO THE PARK 09 APRIL 2015
Disclaimer: 1) Confidentiality: This email communication and any attachments sent from
[email protected] to [email protected] on 2015-04-02 07:54:18 are confidential and
may contain privileged or copyright information. You may not present this message to another party
without consent from the sender. If you are not [email protected] please notify
[email protected] and delete this email and you are notified that disclosing, copying,
distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. 2)
Liability: This email is not a binding agreement and does not conclude an agreement without the express
confirmation by the sender's superior or relevant authorisation of SANParks. 3) Viruses: SANParks does
not certify that this email is free of viruses or defects. 4) Requested: SANParks does not consent to its
employees sending un-asked for emails which contravene the law. In the event that you feel this email is
such, please notify SANParks in order for the appropriate corrective action to be taken. 5) Advice: Any
views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent
those of SANParks. Any actions taken on the basis of this email are at the reader's own risk. 6) Other: The
sender of this email is expressly required not make any defamatory statements. Any such communication is
contrary to SANParks policy and outside the scope of the employment of the individual concerned.
SANParks will not accept any liability in respect of such communication, and the employee responsible
will be personally liable for any damages or other liability arising. Thank you. South African National
Parks 643 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria, South Africa
Mercia Grimbeek
Project Manager
Loft Office No.6
The Woodmill Lifestyle Centre, Vredenburg Rd
Stellenbosch, 7600
P.O. Box 428,
Tableview, 7439
Tel : +27 21 934 5501/3
Cell: +27 73 012 8762
Fax : +27 86 268 9711
Web: www.hydro-sa.com
" A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence." - Jim Watkins
Please consider the environment before printing my email. This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential, proprietary or legally
privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not keep, forward, disclose, adapt or copy the material and any such action
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From:
Subject:
Date:
To:
Mercia Grimbeek <[email protected]>
Fwd: ACCESS TO ENTER THE PARK
30 March 2015 9:36:13 AM SAST
ShawnJohnston <[email protected]>
2 Attachments, 2,5 MB
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Lloyd Theunissen" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Cc: "'Matthews & Partners'" <[email protected]>, "'Niel Theron'" <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>,
<[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, "'Davids Craig'" <[email protected]>
Subject: ACCESS TO ENTER THE PARK
Date: 17 March 2015 10:05:45 GMT+2
Good morning Frans van Rooyen
Please find attached the requested letter.
Your positive response will be highly appreciated.
Kind regards
Lloyd Theunissen
Mercia Grimbeek
Project Manager
Loft Office No.6
The Woodmill Lifestyle Centre, Vredenburg Rd
Stellenbosch, 7600
P.O. Box 428,
Tableview, 7439
Tel : +27 21 934 5501/3
Cell: +27 73 012 8762
Fax : +27 86 268 9711
Web: www.hydro-sa.com
" A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence." - Jim Watkins
Please consider the environment before printing my email. This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential, proprietary or legally
privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not keep, forward, disclose, adapt or copy the material and any such
action is unauthorised and prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately advise the sender by return email and delete
this e-mail and any attachments from your system.
From:
Subject:
Date:
To:
Mercia Grimbeek <[email protected]>
Fwd: RVM Hydro
30 March 2015 9:32:33 AM SAST
ShawnJohnston <[email protected]>
1 Attachment, 19 KB
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Mathew Ross" <[email protected]>
To: "'Mercia Grimbeek'" <[email protected]>
Subject: RVM Hydro
Date: 17 March 2015 05:08:29 GMT+2
Morning Mercia,
I contacted Frans van Rooyen at SANParks to notify that I was coming through. He told me that I require written permission from the community of Melkbosrant, who are the owners of the land that SAN Parks merely manage on their behalf as part of the reserve. SANParks will not grant me access without this. Would you know how I would go about doing this? I am booked to go through there tomorrow, so would like to get this done ASAP if possible.
Kind regards,
Mathew
_________________________________
Mathew Ross (Pr Sci Nat, MSc)
Environmental Specialist: EnviRoss CC
PO Box 369, Wendywood, 2144.
t/f: +27 (0)11 706 9753
c: +27 (0)82 293 5752
e: [email protected]
Mercia Grimbeek
Project Manager
Loft Office No.6
The Woodmill Lifestyle Centre, Vredenburg Rd
Stellenbosch, 7600
P.O. Box 428,
Tableview, 7439
Tel : +27 21 934 5501/3
Cell: +27 73 012 8762
Fax : +27 86 268 9711
Web: www.hydro-sa.com
" A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence." - Jim Watkins
Please consider the environment before printing my email. This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential, proprietary or legally
privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not keep, forward, disclose, adapt or copy the material and any such
action is unauthorised and prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately advise the sender by return email and delete
this e-mail and any attachments from your system.
From:
Subject:
Date:
To:
Cc:
Reply-To:
"KalahariB" <[email protected]>
RE: Augrabies hydro-electric power station.
11 March 2015 9:22:10 PM SAST
"'Gerhard Smit'" <[email protected]>, "'ShawnJohnston'" <[email protected]>
"'Kobus van Coppenhagen'" <[email protected]>
<[email protected]>
Hi Shawn, Dankie Gerhard
Please register me as an interested and affected party for this unsolicited proposal of a Hydro Electric Scheme in the
primitive and remote areas of the Augrabies Falls National Park and the Riemvasmaak Community Conservancy.
In order for a realistic assesmanty of the proposal I hereby request the documents from which this new set of consultants
will be referring to in making this assessment.
In particular:
Any document calculating the amount of water which could be available. Preferably from DWAF.
Any Geological data, in particular the Earthquake Risk assessment.
A fine scale contour map of the proposed Diversion Weir and Outtake structures, covering the full island, the island and in
particular the potential for the erosion of the entire island.
A n assessment of the noise pollution inevitability during construction covering all weather variations and wind directions.
Particularly important is the winter cold periods when any sound stays low and carries.
An assessment of the water quality as returned to the river just above the man made lake from Vredesvallei. Adding dead
water to dead water appears unadvisable.
Any research on the Cape Clawless Otter.
Thans and regards
Andrew Hockly
P.O.Box 20
Augrabies 8874
079 888 9502
From: Gerhard Smit [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 1:30 PM
To: ShawnJohnston
Subject: Re: Augrabies hydro-‐electric power station.
Thanks, appreciated.
From: ShawnJohnston
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 12:46 PM
To: Gerhard Smit
Subject: Re: Augrabies hydro-electric power station.
Dear Mr. Gerhard Smit,
Thank you for your e-‐mail dated 09 March 2015. I hereby confirm that you are registered as a interested and
affected party
for the proposed Riemvasmaak Hydro Project EIA.
The project is now in the environmental impact assessment phase. EOH Coastal & Environmental Services are the
new environmental impact assessment practitioners on the project. Their team are lead by Dr. Ted Avis and Dr. Bill
Rolston. EOH Coastal & Environmental Services are currently drafting the draft environmental impact assessment
report for release towards the end of April 2015. A copy of this document will be sent to you as soon as it becomes
available.
Sincerely,
Shawn Johnston
Process Specialist
Sustainable Futures ZA
P.O. Box 749 Rondebosch 7701
Cape Town, South Africa
Tel:++27 083 325 9965
Fax: 086 510 2537
E-mail: [email protected]
On 09 Mar 2015, at 2:34 PM, Ted Avis wrote:
Hi Shawn
See below and register Gerhard Smit as an IAP for the RVM project.
Thanks
Regards
Ted
Ted Avis – PhD, Pr.Sci.Nat, MRSSA, EAP
Managing Director: EOH Coastal & Environmental Services
<image001.jpg>
tel: +27 (21) 045 0900 | cell: +27 82 783 6393
mailto:[email protected] | www.eoh.co.za | www.cesnet.co.za
Consulting | Technology | Outsourcing
From: Gerhard Smit [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 09 March 2015 12:20 PM
To: Dr T Avis
Subject: Augrabies hydro-electric power station.
Good afternoon,
I watched the TV News last night and noticed that the Planned Hydro-‐electric power station in the
Orange River is still on-‐going.
I would herewith request to be registered as an I&AP for this project.
Please confirm to this email address receipt of this message and also that I have been registered as
requested.
Please also advise me at what stage the process is and also please forward all relevant documentation
to me.
Your kind co-‐operation in this matter is appreciated.
Kind regards
Gerhard Smit
0164283497
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Meeting minutes
Unique Identifier
240-54043701
Rev
Document Type
Next review date
Effective Date
Template
November 2015
22 November 2012
Meeting Name: Eskom and RVM Hydro SA Meeting
Date :
09 March 2015
Venue:
Eskom Brackenfell, Network
nd
Planning, 2 Floor Admin
Building
Meeting No.:
2015/03/09-001
Attendance Register
Name
Initials
Designation & Area represented
Mercia Grimbeek
MG
RVM - Project Manager
Tom Buizedenhout
TB
RVM
Robin Buske
RB
Eskom Network Planning
Disclosure Classification (e.g. Public)
No part of this document may be reproduced without the expressed consent of the copyright holder, Eskom Holdings SOC Limited, Reg No 2002/015527/06.
Hard copy printed on: 07 April 2015
Page 1 of 6
3
Meeting minutes
Item
Description
1.
Opening and Welcome
Unique Identifier
240-54043701
Document Type
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Template
November 2015
22 November 2012
Action
Responsi
ble
Person
Rev
Target
date
Meeting was coordinated between Eskom Network Planning and RVM Hydro SA
to discuss project and feedback from site visits
2.
Approval of agenda
No formal agenda set. Meeting was on ad-hoc basis to have a feedback session
regarding the connection option
3.1
Background
Summarized the project regarding RVM Hydro SA and the establishment of a
Hydro plant in the Northern Cape. This project will be bid in the REIPP
Programme with the Department of Energy.
3.2
Preferred Connection Option
Based on preliminary discussions, it has been proposed that for a viable
connection to be possible, a new 132/22kV substation would be required to be
established on the existing Distribution network in order to allow the Hydro facility
to connect. It would be preferred to connect this substation onto the existing
Disclosure Classification (e.g. Public)
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Meeting minutes
Item
Description
Unique Identifier
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Document Type
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Effective Date
Template
November 2015
22 November 2012
Action
Responsi
ble
Person
Rev
Target
date
Blouputs-Renosterkop 132kV line should a line route be possible.
It is recommended to connect via a 132kV Loop In Loop out, using a Chicadee
(minimum) or Kingbird (preferred) line. Kingbird would allow the network to be
rebuilt in future with a larger conductor without constraining the power throughput
between the Paulputs and future Solar Park MTS should the existing PaulputsTaaipit 132kV wolf lines be rebuilt in future on the.
Disclosure Classification (e.g. Public)
No part of this document may be reproduced without the expressed consent of the copyright holder, Eskom Holdings SOC Limited, Reg No 2002/015527/06.
Hard copy printed on: 07 April 2015
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3
Meeting minutes
Item
Description
Unique Identifier
240-54043701
Document Type
Next review date
Effective Date
Template
November 2015
22 November 2012
Action
Responsi
ble
Person
Rev
Target
date
Disclosure Classification (e.g. Public)
No part of this document may be reproduced without the expressed consent of the copyright holder, Eskom Holdings SOC Limited, Reg No 2002/015527/06.
Hard copy printed on: 07 April 2015
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3
Meeting minutes
Item
Description
3.3
Concern over Line Crossing for River clearance
Unique Identifier
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Document Type
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22 November 2012
Action
Responsi
ble
Person
Rev
Target
date
It is recommended that RVM Hydro SA engage with some structural experts to
examine the line crossing, in terms of the location and the technical specifications
of how. Until this is done, the feeling from all Eskom parties will be uncertainty
until RVM can provide some sort of report or analysis as to how they will cross the
river safely and that the mechanical integrity of the towers used for the crossing
will not be compromised under flood conditions or any other environmental factors
that could affect the line’s security.
Eskom Planning with consultation of Project Engineering indicates that this be
done by doing a feasibility study if you so wish in order to gather the relevant
information, this can be done later (closer to TEF might be too late) but if issues
arise, this could unnecessarily delay the project.
3.4
Use of the new 132/22kV Substation for RVM
Network Planning and Field Services has also suggested that should the new
substation be built, the Eskom Distribution network would possibly be able to
strengthen its 22kV supply in the area in future from this substation. Due to
current Capital constraints, Eskom cannot contribute or fund any part of this
Disclosure Classification (e.g. Public)
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Item
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Document Type
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22 November 2012
Action
Responsi
ble
Person
Rev
Target
date
substation; this will be a customer built project.
3.5
4.
Notes for the Meeting points discussed and way forward:
•
Eskom has been made aware of the project and supply requirements;
•
Initial discussions have taken place with Network Planning and Field
Services through multiple meetings and;
•
Options will only be agreed upon and quoted upon the receipt of an official
application and settlement of the quotation fee. At that point, Eskom will
issue Hydro-SA with a Cost Estimate Letter defining the scope of works.
Next meeting
As per customer’s need or requirement by Eskom, meeting will be arranged when
necessary
Minutes Submitted by:
Robin Buske – HV Network Planner – Eskom Distribution
Disclosure Classification (e.g. Public)
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Hard copy printed on: 07 April 2015
Page 6 of 6
3
From:
Subject:
Date:
To:
Lebohang Motoai <[email protected]>
RE: Proposed RVM1 Hydro Electric
07 April 2015 2:24:07 PM SAST
Mercia Grimbeek <[email protected]>
11 Attachments, 74 KB
Dear Mercia,
We do not write such letters to all IPP`S, We do not even have a template for such letters.
I am sorry cannot assist you with such letter.
REGARDS
Lebohang Motoai
Grid access Unit
Tel: +27 51404 2582
Email:[email protected]
Mobile: +27 72 537
Website: www.eskom.co.za
8285
Eskom Centre, 120 Henry Street,
Fax: +27 86 696 4070
Bloemfontein, South-‐Africa
From: Mercia Grimbeek [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 07 April 2015 02:18 PM
To: Lebohang Motoai
Subject: Proposed RVM1 Hydro Electric
Importance: High
Dear Lebogang,
I trust this finds you well.
As you are aware, Tom Bezuidenhout recently submitted the Grid Application for the proposed project. I
am currently finalising the Environmental Impact Assessment for the project and one of the conditions
imposed by the Department of Environmental Affairs (“DEA”) is that we obtain a letter from Eskom
expressing the need or desireability for such a project in the area. This is not a request usually imposed on an
IPP. Discussions with Robin Buske at the Brackenfell office have lead me to you.
For ease of reference I insert the clause from the letter received from DEA below. Given the current status
quo and the fact that the project would feed into the National Grid - a national rather than even provincial
shortage would be relevant.
Kindly advise if you would be able to assist with such a letter and if not would you kindly point me in the
direction of someone that could assist please.
Best regards
Mercia Grimbeek
Project Manager
Loft Office No.6
The Woodmill Lifestyle Centre, Vredenburg Rd
Stellenbosch, 7600
P.O. Box 428,
Tableview, 7439
Tel : +27 21 934 5501/3
Cell: +27 73 012 8762
Fax : +27 86 268 9711
Web: www.hydro-sa.com
" A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence." - Jim Watkins
Please consider the environment before printing my email. This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential, proprietary or legally
privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not keep, forward, disclose, adapt or copy the material and any such action
is unauthorised and prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately advise the sender by return email and delete this email and any attachments from your system.
I'm part of the 49Million initiative.
http://www.49Million.co.za
NB: This Email and its contents are subject to the Eskom Holdings SOC Limited EMAIL LEGAL NOTICE which can be viewed at
http://www.eskom.co.za/Pages/Email_Legal_Spam_Disclaimer.aspx
From:
Subject:
Date:
To:
Robin Buske <[email protected]>
RVM and Eskom Network Planning - Minutes of Meeting - 09 March 2015
07 April 2015 11:59:16 AM SAST
"[email protected]" <[email protected]>
2 Attachments, 307 KB
Good Day Mercia,
Please find a summary of our discussion for the meeting regarding Hydro SA’s RVM project.
Please note that the attached minutes do not bind or commit Eskom to anything but merely reflect a record our
discussion.
Formal commitment and costing for your connection is only done when you officially apply and pay for your CEL
and Eskom provides you with a CEL. I believe this has been done and Eskom GAU has received
your official application on the 2nd April 2015 as it was sent to me.
This discussion also ignores the preferred connection of any selected bidder approved in Round 4, for which no
announcement has been made yet by the DoE.
Regards,
Robin
-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐
Robin Buske
Network Development Planning Engineer
Network Planning
Asset Creation
Western Cape Operating Unit
Eskom Holdings SOC Limited | Distribution Division
Eskom Road, Brackenfell
Cape Town, Western Cape (RSA)
Tel: +27 21 980 3012
Cel: +27 83 616 4470
Fax: +27 86 547 5730
Pax: 8933 3012
Email: [email protected]
-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐
I'm part of the 49Million initiative.
http://www.49Million.co.za
NB: This Email and its contents are subject to the Eskom Holdings SOC Limited EMAIL LEGAL NOTICE which can be viewed at
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RVM and Es….pdf (275 KB)
From:
Subject:
Date:
To:
"Mantwa Gabaitumele (MA)" <[email protected]>
CAHS0170-15 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PHASE
19 March 2015 11:16:55 AM SAST
"[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Good Day Shawn
We acknowledge receipt of your application. Our reference is CAHS0170-‐15 for further enquiries in this regard.
Regards
Aletta Gabaitumele
Tel: 051 -‐401 6942
Fax: 088-‐051 4016238
e-‐mail: [email protected]
NIP: Wayleave Management
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This e-mail is subject to the Telkom SA SOC Ltd electronic communication legal notice,
available at : http://www.telkom.co.za/TelkomEMailLegalNotice.PDF
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From:
Subject:
Date:
To:
Frans Van Rooyen <[email protected]>
RE: Proposed HydroSA Riemvasmaak Hydro Project / Voorgestelde HydroSA Riemvasmaak Hidro Project
16 March 2015 3:58:35 PM SAST
ShawnJohnston <[email protected]>
2 Attachments, 123 KB
Hi Shawn,
Please register or re-‐register as per attached the 4 persons from SANParks side as I&EP. With any communications please send to all
4 of these persons.
Also find attached previous comments/concerns document of SANParks.
Regards!
Frans van Rooyen
Park Manager: Augrabies Falls National Park
South African National Parks (SANParks)
Tel: +27 (0)54 452 9200
Fax: +27 (0)54 451 5003
Cell: +27 (0)74 584 8487
e-mail: [email protected]
Web address: www.sanparks.org
From: ShawnJohnston [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 13 March 2015 04:07 AM
To: Shawn Johnston
Subject: Proposed HydroSA Riemvasmaak Hydro Project / Voorgestelde HydroSA Riemvasmaak Hidro Project
Dear Stakeholder,
Find attached the background information documents clarifying the proposed HydroSA Riemvasmaak Hydro Project
Environmental Impact Assessment Phase.
The document clarifies who the new environmental impact assessment practitioners are, provide and overview of the project
background and description. I further attached the site map indicating the infrastructure location for the proposed hydro
electric facility.
Attached documents include:
1. Stakeholder registration forms (Afrikaans & English);
2. Background Information documents (Afrikaans & English); and,
3. A map of the site location.
Please note all interested and affected parties who registered during the scoping process conducted by Aurecon remain active
registered interested and affected parties. Our team would like to encourage further registration of interested and affected
parties who would like to comment on the proposed project.
Sincerely,
Shawn Johnston
Geagte Belanghebende Party,
Vind aangeheg aan hiertoe e-pos die agtergrondsinligtings dokument wat die voorgestelde HydroSA Riemvasmaak Hidro
Projek Omgewingsimpakstudie uitklaar.
Die document stel die nuwe omgewingsimpakbeplanningspraktisyn voor, kyk na die projek agtergrond en die projek
beskrywing.
Aangehegde dokumentasie:
1. Registrasie vorms (Afrikaans & Engels);
2. Agtergrondinligting dokument (Afrikaans & Engels); en,
3. 'n Kaart van die voorgestelde projek ligging.
Let wel, alle belanghebende en geaffekteerde partye wat tydens die Aurecon bestekopname proses geregistreer het se
registrasie bly van krag. Ons wil graag nuwe belanghebende en geaffekteerde partye aanmoedig om te registreer.
Die uwe,
Disclaimer: 1) Confidentiality: This email communication and any attachments sent from [email protected] to [email protected] on
2015-03-16 16:00:07 are confidential and may contain privileged or copyright information. You may not present this message to another party without
consent from the sender. If you are not [email protected] please notify [email protected] and delete this email and you are notified
that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. 2) Liability: This email is not a
binding agreement and does not conclude an agreement without the express confirmation by the sender's superior or relevant authorisation of
SANParks. 3) Viruses: SANParks does not certify that this email is free of viruses or defects. 4) Requested: SANParks does not consent to its
employees sending un-asked for emails which contravene the law. In the event that you feel this email is such, please notify SANParks in order for the
appropriate corrective action to be taken. 5) Advice: Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent those of SANParks. Any actions taken on the basis of this email are at the reader's own risk. 6) Other: The sender of this email is expressly
required not make any defamatory statements. Any such communication is contrary to SANParks policy and outside the scope of the employment of the
individual concerned. SANParks will not accept any liability in respect of such communication, and the employee responsible will be personally liable for
any damages or other liability arising. Thank you. South African National Parks 643 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria, South Africa
Mail Attach….eml (103 KB) The destruc…docx (20 KB)
From:
Subject:
Date:
To:
Cc:
"Ted Avis" <[email protected]>
FW: Augrabies hydro-electric power station.
09 March 2015 2:34:31 PM SAST
"ShawnJohnston" <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>
"'Gerhard Smit'" <[email protected]>
1 Attachment, 2 KB
Hi Shawn
See below and register Gerhard Smit as an IAP for the RVM project.
Thanks
Regards
Ted
Ted Avis – PhD, Pr.Sci.Nat, MRSSA, EAP
Managing Director: EOH Coastal & Environmental Services
tel: +27 (21) 045 0900 | cell: +27 82 783 6393
[email protected] | www.eoh.co.za | www.cesnet.co.za
Consulting | Technology | Outsourcing
From: Gerhard Smit [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 09 March 2015 12:20 PM
To: Dr T Avis
Subject: Augrabies hydro-electric power station.
Good afternoon,
I watched the TV News last night and noticed that the Planned Hydro-‐electric power station in the Orange River is still on-‐going.
I would herewith request to be registered as an I&AP for this project.
Please confirm to this email address receipt of this message and also that I have been registered as requested.
Please also advise me at what stage the process is and also please forward all relevant documentation to me.
Your kind co-‐operation in this matter is appreciated.
Kind regards
Gerhard Smit
0164283497
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From:
Subject:
Date:
To:
Cc:
Kobus van Coppenhagen <[email protected]>
Fwd: Application for Hydroscheme in the Augrabies Falls National Park
11 March 2015 10:50:35 AM SAST
Shawn Johnston <[email protected]>
Hannecke van Coppenhagen <[email protected]>
Good day Shawn
Our telecon of this morning refers;
Mr G Smit forwarded contact details of EOH CES on 9 March, after this e-mail was sent.
Attached below is a copy of an e-mail which was sent to DEA on 5 March and which we redirected to the DG after discovering that M Gordon's portfolio did not
include environmental authorization, although his details have been listed since the launch of the application. The same was true of DWA where the name of an
official, which has retired years before the application, was used, but we cleared that issue up by ourselves and notified the EAP. We want to bring your attention
to the fact that documents should not be littered with obvious mistakes if you want to conduct a fair and transparent process. The trend of the document is self
explanatory and now that we have your contact info, you could share it with the applicant.
Regards
Kobus van Coppenhagen
0836564498
Begin forwarded message:
From: Kobus van Coppenhagen <[email protected]>
Date: 10 Maart 2015 3:23:25 nm. SAST
To: M Gordon <[email protected]>, Danie Smit <[email protected]>, A B Abrahams <[email protected]>, Nosipho Ngcaba
<[email protected]>
Cc: Howard Hendricks <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Application for Hydroscheme in the Augrabies Falls National Park
Good day
We are not sure whether this e-mail is actually meant for the office of Mr. Gordon although his name appears on the related documents. In order to remove any
ambiguity this e-mail is adressed to the Director General; Ms. Nosipho Ngcaba, for attention.
Regards
Kobus & Hannecke van Coppenhagen
0836564498
On 05 Mar 2015, at 5:06 nm., Kobus van Coppenhagen <[email protected]> wrote:
To whom it may concern
We have been informed several months ago by AURECON, that they are no longer acting as consultants for the above mentioned application and that they are
currently involved in litigation with the applicant. This follows more than 18 months of requests from us for a copy of the so called upgraded application form,
which they have refused to provide, citing invalid reasons.
We have come to the conclusion that the DEA is either indulging the applicants tardiness, for unknown reasons, or just don't care about our National Heritage,
both of which are intolerable situations. Failing a prompt response from this department in due course, we will have no option
but to approach the office of the Minister of Environmental Affairs directly, for relief. We are also putting on record the fact that it seems as if no water license
application has been submitted, because we have also requested that document, without success.
We want to re-iterate our prior concern that the application is procedurally and administratively flawed, because it seems as if the applicant is conducting this
"upgraded" procedure on their own Terms of Reference, i.e. without the proper directions/instructions of the DEA and without any deadline for conclusion of the
procedure and even without a consultant! If the DEA did issue a new set of instructions for this upgrade, after requesting the revised application on 18 June 2013,
we would like to receive a copy of the full documentation.
Regards
Kobus van Coppenhagen
0836564498
From:
Subject:
Date:
To:
"Central Reservations" <[email protected]>
Thankyou for your enquiry.
13 March 2015 4:09:33 AM SAST
ShawnJohnston <[email protected]>
We thankyou for showing ineterest in one of our amazing adventures. Our office will be in contact shortly to discuss your booking.
Please note we have recently moved servers and upgraded our website. If you have not had a response within 24 hours please contact us directly on
+27 (0)54 453 0001 or +27 (0)82 476 8213, alternatively [email protected]
We look forward to seeing in the Green Kalahari.
Kind Regards
The Kalahari Team.
From:
Subject:
Date:
To:
Cc:
Kobus van Coppenhagen <[email protected]>
Re: HydroSA RVM project near Augrabies.
17 March 2015 11:09:36 AM SAST
Ted Avis <[email protected]>
Shawn Johnston <[email protected]>, Danie Smit <[email protected]>, A B Abrahams <[email protected]>,
Howard Hendricks <[email protected]>, Frans Van Rooyen <[email protected]>, Andrew Hockley
<[email protected]>, Riaan Wolhuter <[email protected]>
Dr Avis
Subject: Proposed Augrabies Hydro Power Plant, Northern Cape.(2)
We believe that you need to be informed that we are not against any type of renewable energy project, as a matter of principle, but rather that
applications should only be launched in appropriate areas, which would exclude National Parks from the outset. We have been living in challenging
conditions, with no services (off-grid and brackish drinking water), for the last 7 years, with only our own resources to rely on. Thus, the need for the
generation of renewable energy from sustainable sources, weigh heavily on our minds. In that regard, the record will show that we have suggested to the
DEA and the applicant that the site alternatives to the Augrabies Falls National Park, being Neusberg and Boegoeberg, should be considered for
approval, since they are brownfield sites. It is also quite clear from authoritative documents that the development of conservation areas for non-aligned
activities, in biodiversity priority areas are unacceptable e.g.
1) Study Name: Orange River Integrated Water Resources Management Plan
Report Title: Environmental Considerations Pertaining to the Orange River (p61)
Authors: R Heath, C Brown
Date of issue: August 2007
"Due to electric power generation (that is between Gariep and Vanderkloof Dams and below Vanderkloof Dam for
some 200 km) loss of species diversity is severe. The river immediately below Vanderkloof has been described
above as an ecological desert. The creation of further "ecological deserts" would not be desirable. They would be
unacceptable in parts of the river of particular conservation importance."
2) Siyanda Environmental Management Framework Report 2008 (p76)
In the instance of the Lower Gariep Alluvial Vegetation, conservation is the only acceptable use of the area because it represents:
§ an endangered vegetation type with a conservation target that can already not be attained anymore due to the extent of transformation
that has already occurred; and
§ natural floodplain areas in the river system that is dynamic and subject to natural physical change over time due to the interaction
between the alluvial nature of the area and flood events.
3) We would also appreciate your comment on the legitimacy of this application against the background of the Park Management Plan and exactly how
the NEM: PAA and its regulations must be waived to allow for this installation, which would initiate the dismantling of our protected areas system, if
approved. The notion that the lease of a protected area can be negotiated for non-aligned activities (for up to 100 years, according to Mr Theron in
press), is fraught with unimaginable complications. Soon, applications for wind farms on Table Mountain National Park and Solar installations in other
National Parks would follow JUST BECAUSE THE POTENTIAL EXIST and a precedent would have been set for its approval.
As far as we are concerned one of the most important aspects of this project is the diversion of water away from the currently active river channel and
waterfall (over a distance of 9km) together with the impact of that proposal on the environment, which is a protected area. A water license have not been
applied for, according to your submission. Whenever this happens we would also want to register as an IAP for that process. We do also continue to
insist on receiving a copy of the "upgraded" application from the EAP/applicant (as provided for in the application form, note 8 on page 1)
You must please also check on the "RVM1" application document page 8, where it states:
Please note that any authorisation that may result from this application will only cover activities applied for
For your convenience we are recording the details of what is being applied for (page 8 of application form), etc. Please make your own conclusions,
considering the above statement. (Is it possible to entrust someone with the care of our National Heritage if they cannot grasp this most basic
information, even after 18 months of requests?)
3.0 OTHER AUTHORIZATIONS REQUIRED,
3.1 Do you need any authorizations in terms of any of the following laws?
3.1.1 National Environmental Management : Waste Act ....................applicant stated: No???
3.1.2 National Environmental Management : Air Quality Act .............applicant stated: No
3.1.3 National Environmental Management : Protected Areas Act ....applicant stated: No???
3.1.4 National Environmental Management : Biodiversity Act ...........applicant stated: No???
3.1.5 ........
3.1.6 National Water Act ......................................................................applicant stated: Yes
3.1.7 National Heritage Resources Act ............................................... applicant stated: Yes
3.1.8 ...
3.2 Have such applications been launched already?...........................applicant stated: N/A???
Notwithstanding note 5 on page one, which specifically warns against the use of N/A, because the application can be rejected if it relates to material
Notwithstanding note 5 on page one, which specifically warns against the use of N/A, because the application can be rejected if it relates to material
information, the applicant used the term N/A. We hope that the deficiencies in this "RVM 1"application are now apparent to you as the new EAP and that
our contentions in the next paragraph starts to make sense to you. It is clear that the applicant also wants to collect a water license without specifically
applying for it and following the licensing procedure. We have requested that an IWULA (integrated water use license application) procedure must be
conducted because of the impact on the Augrabies Falls National Park. This would require a full verification process by Department of Water Affairs,
to determine whether the quantity of water could be allocated. Thus, a (future) water balance determination is crucial, because of the quantity of water
applied for and the statement of the EAP (AURECON), that all future water allocations upstream, would have to consider the requirements
(power factor) of the proposed installation, which is a misconception and shows a lack of knowledge of the NWA and its regulations. This highlights
the general lack of a professional approach to this very controversial proposal in an area of the highest protected status in South Africa.
Another matter of concern is that investors might be led to believe that the schemes are viable because for example in the case of Neusberg, ENTURA
(a beneficiary) has been appointed to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed project. (CDM Validation Report, p18). IS THE EAP AWARE OF THIS
PRACTICE OF THE APPLICANT, APPOINTING ITS PARTNERS FOR VERIFICATION PURPOSES? The applicant has admitted in a meeting that they
have only considered historical records for the determination of the "dispatchability/power factor" of the proposed Hydro power installation, which is a
grave error in the case of the Lower Orange River, due to planned changes in the water balance upstream.
As far as our correspondence is concerned we need to inform you that AURECON published the FSR too late for all the comments to be submitted
timeously and was thus not incorporated into the FSR. (We have forwarded correspondence to that effect). It would be essential to receive a list of all our
correspondence (in your possession) in date order to determine whether you have all the documents. We are however convinced of the fact that the
"application" has lapsed or is invalid, at least due to the inadequate documentation, lack of ToR from DEA and that the starting point, for the Scoping
Report, should have been timeous rectification of this document. We are very concerned about DEA's tolerance/indulgence of the "tardiness" of the
applicant to revise and submit the application in due time, because the application lapses if an instruction is not complied within 6 months (21 months
have elapsed in the meantime). We are committed to the administrative process but then it MUST be fair and transparent. In the meantime we have
approached the office of the DG of DEA for action in this regard. Failing a proper response we would be forced to approach the office of the Minister of
Environmental Affairs in due course.
If the applicant was the owner of the land and it was situated outside of the protected area and its buffer zones, the scenario would be different (as far as
location is concerned) and we expect that the EAP must always keep this in mind.
Regards
Kobus & Hannecke van Coppenhagen
0836564498
On 10 Mar 2015, at 2:30 nm., "Ted Avis" <[email protected]> wrote:
Dear Mr van Coppenhagen
Many thanks for your email. As you note, we are the new EAP on the project, and assure you that we will execute the EIA in a fair
and transparent manner. Mr Bill Rowlston of CES is responsible for writing the EIA, as he has a large amount of expertise in this field,
and I act as study leader. Public consultation is undertaken by Shawn Johnston, who specialises in this field, and has worked
extensively in the area. I copy them both in. Further correspondence should be addressed to Shawn.
I wish to confirm that we have all previous information, reports, communications and data from Aurecon to enable us to complete
the EIA process. All of your previous comments were dealt with and incorporated into the Final Scoping Report, which we have
reviewed together with the specialist studies to ensure all issues have been or will be dealt with. Would you like Shawn to give you a
list of your communications we received from Aurecon, just to be certain?
Currently we are updating and finalising the specialist reports to ensure that they address all issues and concerns raised by IAP’s, and
that they deal with the single, 40 Mwatt project. We are currently initiating the drafting of the EIA report, and hope to circulate this
towards the end of April. Shawn will notify all registered IAP’s of the exact date, and will also circulate an email updating everyone
on the current status of the EIA phase. We will also schedule focus group meetings with key stakeholders during the EIA phase.
We are not involved in the WULA application but I will ask Mercia, the HydroSA environmental manager (and copied herein), to
send this to you when available.
The other documents you refer to will be available as part of the DEIR.
You will note that I have not copied all the parties you included in your email. In my experience the authorities and other officials
prefer not to be copied in, as all correspondence is codified and included in the EIA report and its annexures. You are, of course, free
to continue copying them in if you so choose. Regards
Ted
Ted Avis – PhD, Pr.Sci.Nat, MRSSA, EAP
Managing Director: EOH Coastal & Environmental Services
<image001.jpg>
tel: +27 (21) 045 0900 | cell: +27 82 783 6393
[email protected] | www.eoh.co.za | www.cesnet.co.za
Consulting | Technology | Outsourcing
From:
Subject:
Date:
To:
Cc:
Kobus van Coppenhagen <[email protected]>
PROPOSED AUGRABIES HYDRO POWER PLANT, NORTHERN CAPE (1)
13 March 2015 3:24:48 PM SAST
Shawn Johnston <[email protected]>, Ted Avis <[email protected]>
A B Abrahams <[email protected]>, Danie Smit <[email protected]>, Andrew Hockley <[email protected]>,
Angus Tanner <[email protected]>, Gene Visser <[email protected]>, Riaan Wolhuter <[email protected]>, "Dr. Hanneline SmitRobinson" <[email protected]>, Lucius Moolman <[email protected]>, Frans Van Rooyen
<[email protected]>, Howard Hendricks <[email protected]>
1 Attachment, 104 KB
Good day Shawn and Ted
The new BID which was forwarded for our attention refers;
Firstly, we do not want to have to correct you on certain aspects of this "application" on a constant basis. We have referred to the fact (to AURECON)
that the PROJECT TITLE was ambiguous, because the public would not know that the site is located within the Augrabies Falls National Park
(AFNP) and that the proposed activities would directly affect the status of this National Park, i.e. that the Park must be de-proclaimed in order
to give effect to an approval. This would be a major upheaval and quite similar to what the Tasman Government wanted to do in a Tasman National
Park in the recent past; to be able to conduct logging operations inside the National Park and then to re-proclaim it as a National Park again, afterwards.
In actual fact, there is another example where they did exactly that, in order to achieve their goals. The IUCN opposed their latest proposal and we have
also approached the IUCN in respect of this application inside the AFNP, but are still waiting for a response. (You must be aware that the Tasman
Government, via their wholly owned HYDRO ELECTRIC CORPORATION (HEC), which trades under the names Hydro Tasmania (HT) and Entura are
partners in this (and other) applications and that they would be benefiting heavily from these projects? This is probably the origin of the culture of
intolerance by the applicant to any form of objection, if you have investigated their modus operandi?). Anyway, the DEA accepted our objections
regarding the naming of the project and their suggestion is reflected in the letter below and we have also used it in the subject title above. We
propose that you confirm that this is the correct name in order to be able to move forward from the title page!
Secondly, the letter (below) dated 18/6/2013 requests that the RVM 1 Hydro Electric Power (Pty) Ltd, application document must be revised to reflect the
increased capacity applied for, which has to be done in order for the Department to confirm the ToR for the continuation of the application. (We have
asked for copies of this revised document for the last 18 months, with no success). However, this letter from DEA is silent regarding the activities applied
for by RVM 3 Hydro Electric Power (Pty) Ltd (weir and conveyance infrastructure) which the consultants are attempting to transfer to RVM 1Hydro
Electric Power (Pty) Ltd (a separate SPE) as it would become apparent in a letter of 3 June 2013, to DEA. A meeting between the applicant and DEA
was held on 7 May and followed up by a letter from AURECON, dated 3 June 2013, addressed to Mrs. Linda Poll-Jonker (DEA) where the EAP falsely
states on page 2 "Withdrawal of two application forms:
Initially RVM1 applied for 3 separate projects ......."
Which is patently false, because the notice dated 21/12/2012 (and many other docs) states on page one:
"1) Introduction:
RVM 1 Hydro Electric Power (Pty) Limited, RVM 2 Hydro Electric Power (Pty) Limited and RVM 3 Hydro Electric Power (Pty) Limited, (RVM 1, 2 and 3)
wishes to construct..........." Thus 3 separate legal entities(Special Project Vehicles/Entities as Mr Theron referred to it in the first public meeting) !!!!!!!!
This clearly demonstrates that the EAP/applicant made a false statement, but the contractual relationship between the three SEPARATE ENTITIES is
clearly illustrated in a Powerpoint presentation document titled: RVM Hydro Electric Project, Overview 30 July 2012, Kimberley on page 15, section 8.
This document can be forwarded if required.
Thus, the closure of the application which provides for the water conveyance infrastructure activities and weir, cannot be "revived/inherited immediately"
by another entity, according to the regulations. In a document to AURECON, titled Hydrology of the Orange river, we did allude to the fact that the old
Bophutatswana Government built a coal fired power station somewhere in what is now Northwest Province, but did not make allowance for the water
needed and thus the plant never started up. From a procedural/administrative point of view this is a fatal flaw and if approved the RVM 1 application will
have to be reviewed on this ground alone, because it has NEVER applied for the water conveyance infrastructure related activities, which also affects
other properties.
Thirdly, if your specialist investigations does not include a full water balance investigation this application would be useless, because we have already
shown (hydrology doc and others) that there would be a deficit of more than 660 million cumec per annum in the Lower Orange River Valley in the near
future, just because of Lesotho Highlands Water Scheme Phase II, which would transfer an additional 21 cumec/second to the Vaal Catchment Area.
There are other increases in consumption which we have also alluded to, which the EAP seemed to ignore, because the viability of the project and also
the rationale for the doubling of the capacity of the plant would have no scientific/reasonable basis. This was clearly demonstrated in a letter dated 2 July
2014, to AURECON by Dr. Riaan Wolhuter, who is an electrical engineer! On the other hand, it is possible that the applicant is only interested in the
construction phase profits and does not care if the investors and community are saddled with a non-profitable installation. Obviously, this would be valid
comments for the other planned installations too. Not a word has been mentioned by the EAP/applicant about the turbidity of the water of the Orange
River, which is the highest in Africa and 4th highest in the world, which would not be good news for a water driven turbine operator, especially for higher
elevation run-of-river type systems.
Fourthly, the height of the weir is now suddenly increased to 5 m again, according to the BID. Are you busy with a copy and paste exercise, because if
you are not serious, you might eventually regret becoming involved in this application!
For the moment this will suffice and we would expect a proper response to the above-mentioned issues, because skirting around the them will not make
it disappear?