Background Information Document:
Proposed Removal of Obstructions in the Lower Floodplain of the Klein
Brak River Estuary, Mossel Bay Municipality
Application Reference: 16/3/1/1/D6/25/0043/14
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION, SUBJECT TO BASIC ASSESSMENT PROCESS, IN TERMS OF
THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT, 1998 EIA REGULATIONS, 2010 (AS AMENDED)
PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This Background Information Document (BID) is
intended to provide information about the Basic
Assessment (BA) process being undertaken by
FutureWorks, which has been appointed by the Mossel
Bay Municipality as the Independent Environmental
Assessment Practitioner (EAP) for the proposed removal
of obstructions in the lower floodplain of the Klein Brak
River Estuary, located within the Mossel Bay Municipal
Area (see Figure 1).
A flood event in November 2007 resulted in the flooding
of a number of residential properties in the Riverside
suburb of Klein Brak Rivier. The affected residents
blamed various artificial features, including roads,
pipelines, defunct infrastructure and reed beds for the
flooding of their properties and the subsequent
damages incurred.
In preparing the Estuary Management Plan for the Klein
Brak River Estuary, SSI Engineers (now RHDHV)
undertook a preliminary assessment, based largely on
observations, of the features that are considered by the
residents as contributing to flood damage. Initially 17
potential obstructions were identified.
This document includes the following sections:
o Project description;
o Overview of the legal context and description of the
BA process;
o How you can get involved in the process; and
o Contact details of the Environmental Assessment
Practitioner (EAP) to whom you may submit your
comments and concerns regarding the proposed
developments.
The Mossel Bay Municipality now wishes to remove a
number of the identified obstructions in the lower
floodplain of the Klein Brak River Estuary in order to
alleviate the flooding concerns of the local residents.
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Environmental Authorisation is therefore being sought
for the removal of the following 10 of the 17 identified
obstructions (see Figure 2) that are deemed to be most
problematic with respect to increasing flooding risk:
Klein Brak Water Works and old Power Station are
located to the west of the affected area.
The affected area is located in the lower reaches of the
Klein Brak River catchment and includes the floodplain
of the Klein Brak River Estuary. The Klein Brak is fed by
two rivers, the Moordkruilrivier and Brandwagriveier,
which join the Klein Brak River approximately 1.5 km
upstream of the affected area.
2) Removal of Berm across floodplain of the secondary
channel near the N2;
6) Removal / burying / elevation of Pipeline to the
Power Town community across secondary channel
near the N2;
7) Removal of Berm from water works to Power Town;
10) Removal of Berm in front of old road culverts west
of Eden Country Inn;
11) Removal of Berm between N2 and old road;
13) Removal of the old pump station;
14) Removal of road at channel crossing of the road
from Power Station to pump station;
15) Removal of / upgrading of culvert capacity at
channel crossing of road to the old Power Station;
16) Removal of concrete / steel pillars below the railway
bridge;
17) Removal of concrete slab under the railway bridge.
The affected area has a very gentle gradient, being
located on the lower floodplain of the Klein Brak River.
The affected area has been identified as Critical
Biodiversity Area (CBA) in terms of the Mossel Bay
Critical Biodiversity Areas plan, and as such the
remaining natural areas must be protected, and
degraded areas rehabilitated. There are no Protected
Areas in or within a distance of 5 km of the affected
area.
It is unclear at this stage how these obstructions will be
removed. It is proposed that through the Basic
Assessment Process, various options for dealing with the
identified obstructions will be assessed.
Furthermore, Environmental Authorisation will also be
sought for the proposed maintenance of the gravel road
that provides recreational access along the eastern edge
of the estuary.
APPLICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION
In terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Regulations (2010) as promulgated under the National
Environmental Management (Act No. 107 of 1998)
(NEMA), the proposed removal of obstructions and
grading of the recreational access road on the eastern
side of the estuary are listed activities requiring
Environmental Authorisation in terms of the following
activities listed in Government Notices R544 and R546 of
2010:
The identified obstructions occur on numerous
properties / sites. These properties are owned / under
the jurisdiction / management of several landowners,
including the Mossel Bay Municipality, Western Cape
Department of Transport & Water Works (DTWW),
PetroSA, SANRAL, and Transnet.
The entire study area in which the 10 obstructions are
located is approximately 141 ha in extent. This study
area includes the main channel of the Klein Brak River,
the secondary channel, and small channel on the
eastern side of 7th Avenue, as well as the Riverside
suburb. There are approximately 168 houses within
Riverside which are at risk from flooding.
GN R 544, Activity 14
GN R 544, Activity 16
GN R 544, Activity 17
GN R 544, Activity 18
GN R 544, Activity 56
GN R 546, Activity 12
GN R 546, Activity 13
GN R 546, Activity 16
GN R 546, Activity 26
The affected area is a mixed land use area containing
commercial, institutional and residential land uses. The
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Figure 1: Locality Map
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Figure 2: Location of obstructions proposed to be removed
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•
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BASIC ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Due to the nature of the proposed activities, a Basic
Assessment (BA) process is required. The EIA regulations
(GNR 543 of 2010) outline the legal requirements for the
BA process, which is shown in Figure 3.
Incorporating comments from IAPs in the final BAR;
And providing copies of the final BAR for review.
The following have been identified to date as key
stakeholders in the project:
• Mossel Bay Local Municipality;
• Eden District Municipality;
• Western Cape Department of Transport & Water
Works (DTWW);
• PetroSA;
• SANRAL;
• Transnet;
• Cape Nature;
• Department of Water Affairs;
• Klein Brak River Estuary Forum;
• Local residents.
Through the BA process and associated Public
Participation Process (PPP), potential environmental
issues will be identified and assessed. The results of this
assessment will be presented in a Draft Basic
Assessment Report (BAR). All registered Interested /
Affected Parties (IAPs) will be afforded an opportunity to
comment on this report before the report is finalised
and submitted to the relevant environmental authorities
for review.
Additional IAPs will be identified during the course of the
PPP. Feedback will be provided to IAPs via letters or
direct communication, if requested, and in the BAR.
The objectives of the BA process are to:
• Develop an understanding of the project area;
• Develop an understanding of the proposed project
and how its related activities may potentially impact
on the environment;
• Identify potential issues and environmental impacts;
• Assess the significance of the potential
environmental impacts identified;
• Describe and investigate alternatives that have been
and or could be considered; and
• Provide feasible mitigation measures to address any
significant impacts identified.
Your comments/ concerns can be submitted by fax,
email, post or telephonic submission (contact details
below).
ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION
Following receipt of IAP comments on the Draft BAR, the
Final BAR and associated documentation will be lodged
with the Western Cape Department of Environmental
Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) for a
decision on the Application for Environmental
Authorisation. Once the decision has been issued by
DEA&DP, all registered IAPs will be notified, as well as of
the appeal procedure.
HOW CAN YOU BECOME INVOLVED?
Public involvement is an integral part of the BA and aims
to include IAPs in the process by providing information
on the proposed developments and encouraging them
to raise their issues and concerns. The public
participation process (PPP) involves:
• Preparing and maintaining a database of IAPs;
• Placing an advertisement in local newspapers;
• Placing site notices on the site;
• Distributing BIDs (this document) to IAPs;
• Providing draft copies of the BAR for review;
CONTACT DETAILS
Should you require additional information or wish to
comment on the proposed development, please contact:
Ms NICCI DIERDERICHS - FUTUREWORKS
Southern Right, Brenton on Sea, Knysna
Tel: +27 82 492 6804
[email protected]
PO Box 2984, Knysna, 6570
Fax: +27 86 569 5554
www.futureworks.co.za
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Figure 3: BA Process
REGISTRATION
Application form to
DEA&DP,
Reference number
(14 days)
Conduct Public
Participation process
HOW YOU CAN BE
INVOLVED?
Register as an IAP
Read and comment on BID, site
notice, or advertisement in local
newspapers
Prepare Draft Basic
Assessment Report
Review & comment on draft
reports
(40 days)
Finalise BAR
Review & comment on final
reports
(21 days)
ASSESSMENT
PHASE
Finalise BAR and lodge
with DEA&DP
Acceptance of reports
by DEA&DP
(30 days)
REVIEW AND
AUTHORISATION
Issue of Record of
Decision
(45 days)
Notify IAPs of Decision
& Appeal process
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Appeal Period
(20 days)