19 July 2004

Interested and Affected Party / Property Owners

Dear Sir / Madam

PROPOSED UPGRADE, CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, AND RELOCATION OF PIPELINE WITHIN KUNGWINI AND EKURHULENI MUNICIPALITIES, GAUTENG

GAUTRANS proposes the following activities:

* The realignment and surfacing of District Road 781 on the Portions of farms Witkoppies 393 JR and Elandsfontein 412 JR, approximately 8.5 km south of the Rietvalei Dam;
* Construction of a road bridge over the Rietvlei Spruit; and
* Potential relocation of Petronet pipeline, in the vicinity of the Apollo Brickworks, within Kungwini and Ekurhuleni Municipalities, Gauteng.

According to Section 21 of the Environment Conservation Act, 1989 (Act No. 73 of 1989), a Scoping Report is required as the proposed developments are listed activities of the following Schedules:

* Schedule 1 (d), "the construction or upgrading of roads, railway, airfields and associated structures and activities outside the borders of the town planning schemes";
* Schedule 1 (c) "the construction or upgrading of transportation routes and structures, and manufacturing, storage, handling or processing facilities for any substance which is dangerous or hazardous and is controlled by national legislation"; and
* Schedule 1 (i) "canals and channels, including diversions of the normal flow of water in a river bed and water transfer schemes between water catchments and impoundments".

Part of the Integrated Environmental Management objectives, is the understanding that the development must not compromise the environmental integrity of the site and that interested and affected parties have sufficient opportunity to raise issues of concern.

Strategic Environmental Focus (SEF), as independent environmental managers and impact assessors, has been appointed to assess issues, manage the process and compile the Scoping Report.  The aim of this report is to ensure that the environmental and social impacts are taken into consideration, to ensure public participation, and provide decision makers with sufficient information to make an informed decision on the proposed activities.

Please read through the brief project outline and list any concerns you may have on the attached form.  We would also appreciate details of other interested and affected parties you think should be consulted.  Please return the form by post or fax to SEF by 23 August 2004.

You are welcome to contact us should you have any queries regarding the proposed development.

Yours sincerely
 
Ilse Blignaut   Telephone: 012-349-1307 Cell: 082-890-8040

SEF COMMUNICATION MANAGER

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
SEF Code: 1009

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: RE? ALIGNMENT OF DISTRICT ROAD 781, CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD BRIDGE OVER RIETVLEISPRUIT (BRIDGE 5517), POTENTIAL AND RELOCATION OF PETRONET PIPELINE, WITHIN KUNGWINI AND EKURHULENI MUNICIPALITIES, GAUTENG

 1. Introduction

GAUTRANS proposes the following activities:

* Realignment and surfacing of District Road 781 on the Portions of farms Witkoppies 393 JR and Elandsfontein 412 JR, approximately 8.5 km south of the Rietvalei Dam;
* Construction of a road bridge over the Rietvlei Spruit; and
* Potential relocation of Petronet pipeline, in the vicinity of the Apollo Brickworks, within Kungwini and Ekurhuleni Municipalities, Gauteng.

Strategic Environmental Focus (SEF) has been appointed to evaluate the effect that the proposed development may have on the environment. This includes impacts on the natural as well as social environments. SEF will facilitate the Integrated Environmental Management process and compile a report that will provide the relevant authority with sufficient information to make an informed decision.

2. Project description proposed developments

ß The realignment and surfacing of District Road 781, consisting of roads K 109, K 27 and K 62

The proposed re ? alignment and surfacing will take place on sections of District Road 781 (Refer to Figure 1, Section A).

ß Construct a road bridge over Rietvleispruit (Bridge 5517)

The project entails the construction of a road bridge over the Rietvleispruit, east of the Apollo brickworks. (Refer to Figure 2, Section B).

ß Relocate Petronet pipeline.

The project entails the potential relocation of the Petronet oil pipeline, which is situated east of the Apollo brickworks. (Refer to Figure 2, Section C). The pipeline is 323.8 mm diameter steel pipe with a length of 165 m.
 

3. Feasible Alternatives

Alternatives include the following: Method for constructing bridge 5517; scheduling of upgrading roads; layout and design of the proposed roads.

4. Presumed risks and key issues for proposed developments

ß Agricultural infrastructure; powerlines, telephone lines, soil disturbances, water pollution, oil and gas pipelines damages; and floral destruction; as well as faunal displacement.

5. A description of the task to be performed during the integrated environmental process

A scoping exercise will identify any concerns that interested and/or affected parties may have with the development.

ß The project has been registered with the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment (GDACE) that is to make the final decision as to whether the proposed project should proceed;
ß Interested and / or affected parties, including adjacent landowners and relevant residents associations, will be notified of the proposed developments;
ß Advertisements will placed in the Pretoria News and The Star newspapers on 19 July 2004, to notify the public of the proposed development. The public will be given 30 days to comment on the project, and
ß Notice boards advertising the application will be placed at visible locations on and in close proximity to the sites.

Strategic Environmental Focus will compile a report in which the identified risks and key issues will be discussed and evaluated.  Mitigation measures for the construction as well as the operational phases will be included in the report. The report will be submitted to GDACE for approval.

Every development has the potential to significantly affect the natural and social environment at, and surrounding the site. For this reason it is imperative that you as an interested and/or affected party comment on the proposed development and raise issues or concerns that you feel need to be considered. This can be done by completing the attached registration form.

 REGISTRATION FORM FOR INTERESTED
AND AFFECTED PARTIES - SEF code: 1009

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: RE? ALIGNMENT OF DISTRICT ROAD 781, CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD BRIDGE OVER RIETVLEISPRUIT (BRIDGE 5517), POTENTIAL AND RELOCATION OF PETRONET PIPELINE, WITHIN KUNGWINI AND EKURHULENI MUNICIPALITIES, GAUTENG

 Title    Name    Surname
 

Name of Organisation
 

Postal or Residential Address

       Postal Code
 

Tel (  )      Fax (  )
 

Email Address

Issues of concern regarding the proposed re? alignment of District Road 781 consisting of Roads K 109, K 27 and K 62

Issues of concern regarding the proposed construction of road bridge over Rietvleispruit (bridge 5517)

 
 Issues of concern regarding the proposed relocation of Petronet pipeline

I would like to suggest the following additional role players / organisations to be contacted regarding the proposed developments (Please supply details of contact person and contact numbers):
 

Title    Name   Surname
 

Name of Organisation

Tel (  )       Fax (  )

I need more information regarding proposed developments
(Please specify)

Signed        Date

Please fax or mail this registration form on or before 23 August 2004 to Ms Ilse Blignaut / Ms Mirenda Moremedi at Strategic Environmental Focus, P.O. Box 74785, Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria, 0040. 
Fax number: 012-349 1229 or
Email: ilse@sefsa.co.za / mirenda@sefsa.co.za
Telephone: 012-349-1307 Cell: 082-890-8040
 
Your comments are highly appreciated, and they will be taken into consideration, thanks