Question NW2867 to the Minister of Environmental Affairs
25 August 2015 - NW2867
Steenkamp, Ms J to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
Whether, with regard to the awarding of the tender for the development of Portions 87, 148, 149 and the remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Rietfontein 61 IR, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and the Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report Gaut: 002/13-14/E0153, where it is stated on page 65 that the area where the Trachyandra erythrorrhiza species was found is not a typical habitat for the species and therefore not regarded as crucial that the specific habitat be protected by the specified buffer (details furnished), she has found that it was not crucial to protect the specified habitat; if not, what action does she intend taking in this regard; if so, what is the basis of her finding?
Reply:
The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the Member of Executive Council is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.
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