Karoo News
Fracking Control Proposal from Water Affairs
Aug
Words by Julienne du Toit
Photographs by Chris Marais
Edna Molewa, South Africa’s Minister of Water Affairs, intends declaring fracking a ‘controlled activity’.This means that anyone wanting to use the method of hydraulic fracturing during exploration for onshore oil and gas (or production) in South Africa will first have to apply for a water-use licence.
Obtaining the licence entails detailed geohydrological studies, environmental impact assessments, public participation, the development of Integrated Water and Waste Management Plans and monitoring programmes.
Interested and affected parties (I&APs) can challenge the process and the substance of the applications. Even if the licence is issued, an appeal can be lodged via the Water Tribunal.
Anyone wanting to comment must do so within 60 days of 23 August 2013, when the notice was published in the Government Gazette.
Comments can be sent in writing to Deborah Mochotlhi (the Department’s chief director of regulation) via email fracking@dwa.gov.za, fax number 012 308 3508 or the following address:
Department of Water Affairs
Sedibeng Building
185 Francis Baard Str
Private Bag X313
Pretoria 0001.
Any enquiries can be directed to Zacharia Maswuna on 012 336 8784 or Anet Muir on 012 336 8806.
- The proposal was published in notice 863 in Gazette 36760 on 23 August 2013.
Related posts:
Bundu Gas and Karoo Fracking
Six Reasons the Karoo Will Not be Fracked
Fracking U-Turn Professor Gerrit van Tonder Dies
Are the Frackers Fracked?
A Shell Game Falters: Fracking Update November 2013
Fracking: Groundwater Threats to Karoo Towns
Karoo Fracking Update – August 2013
Fracking Court Action Threatened
Hope this does not go ahead!
Anyone had success sending mail to fracking@dwa.gov.za yet?
Just got a reply from Linda Page at DWAF. They are attending the problem.
So sorry, the email address was misprinted. It’s right now: fracking@dwa.gov.za.
I understand that it requires a great deal of water
and also pollutes the water which is scarce in the Karoo.