The Department of Transport (DOT) proposes to continue with the upgrading of the existing Sani Pass Road (P318), which transects the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site (UDP WHS) near Himeville, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). This is the second phase of a twophase project. Phase 1 has been granted environmental authorisation and construction has commenced. The second phase, for which this EIA is being conducted, extends from km 14 at the old Good Hope Trading Post, which is also the eastern boundary of the UDP WHS, to km 33, the summit of the Sani Pass at the Lesotho Border post, a total distance of 19kms.

In order to undertake the proposed upgrade, DOT is required to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and compile an EMP in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), 1998 (Act 107 of 1998). Arcus GIBB (Pty), an independent company has been appointed to conduct the EIA for the Upgrading of the Sani Pass Road.

This environmental authorisation process commences with an Environmental Scoping Phase (hereafter referred to as the ‘Scoping Phase’). Following submission of the Final Scoping Report (FSR) (this document) and associated Plan of Study for the Impact Assessment Phase, to and approval by the DEAT, the Impact Assessment Phase will be completed. A prescribed Public Participation Process runs concurrently with the Scoping and Impact Assessment Phases.