PROPOSED MZIMVUBU WATER PROJECT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT RELATING THERETO
Title: Invitation to submit written comments in terms of section 110 of the National Water Act 36 of 1998 on the proposed Mzimvubu Water Project and the Environmental Impact Assessment relating thereto
Government Gazette Notice: GN 856 in GG 40154 of 22 July 2016
Comment period: 22 July 2016 – 26 September 2016
“The Minister of Water and Sanitation intends constructing a government waterworks as contained in the Schedule to the notice. The Mzimvubu River catchment in the eastern part of the Eastern Cape Province, one of the poorest and least developed regions of South Africa, is endowed with untapped economic potential in the form of its abundant water resources. Development of the water resources of the Mzimvubu River catchment with the express purpose of accelerating socio-economic upliftment of communities in the region has been identified as a priority initiative of government. The Mzimvubu Water Project is a Strategic Integrated Project (SIP 3) and appears in the National Development Plan. A locality map of the scheme is appended to this notice.”
“The project entails a multi-purpose conjunctive scheme comprising a large dam at Ntabelanga on the Tsitsa River, a tributary of the Mzimvubu River, and a smaller dam at Lalini further downstream on the same Tsitsa River. In addition to supplying domestic and irrigated agriculture requirements, the upstream Ntabelanga Dam will regulate streamflow in the Tsitsa River for generating hydroelectric power at Lalini Dam. The two dams are designed to operate as one integrated scheme sustainable over its useful life.”
“Interested parties are invited to submit written comments on the proposed waterworks and the environmental impact assessment by 29 September 2016. Comments must be submitted to the Director-General, Department of Water and Sanitation, Private Bag X313, Pretoria; Fax: 012 336 7399 and marked for the attention of Mr Menard Mugumo, Chief Engineer: Options Analysis, SCHEDULE TO THE PROPOSED MZIMVUBU WATER PROJECT AS A GOVERNMENT WATERWORKS AND A SUMMARY OF THE ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSEMENT.”
