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Ref: 02/1/5/2
MINISTER
QUESTION NO. 1065 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
A draft reply to Mr G R Morgan (DA) to the above-mentioned question is
enclosed for your consideration.
Ms Nosipho Ngcaba
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DATE:
DRAFT REPLY APPROVED/AMENDED
MRS B E E MOLEWA, MP
MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
DATE:
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
(For written reply)
QUESTION NO. 1065
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 9 NW1183E
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 24 March 2011
Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether, regarding the current applications for gas exploration,
she or her department has had any formal interactions with (a)
Petroleum Agency SA (Pasa) or (b) the Department of Mineral
Resources; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,
what are the relevant details;
(2) whether her department has formally registered as an interested
and affected party in any of the public consultation processes
attached to applications for gas exploration rights; if not, why
not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether her department has undertaken any further studies into
the use of hydraulic fracking in the oil and gas industry and
its possible effects on the availability and quality of water;
if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Mr G R Morgan (DA)
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT
HANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS
1065. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
1) The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has had no formal
interaction with Petroleum Agency SA (PASA) or Department of Mineral
Resources (DMR) regarding the gas exploration matter. The DEA has
however been requested by PASA to comment on an Environmental
Management Programme Report (EMPR) for a seismic survey to determine
the viability of further exploration for shale gas deposits in the
Karoo.
2) The DEA, being a competent authority in respect of authorisation of
activities listed in terms of the Regulations 2010, GN R. 544, 545
and 546, does not register as an interested and affected party in
any applications for authorisation in terms of National
Environmental Management Act (NEMA). In terms of cooperative
governance, other organs of State may however request comments from
DEA on specific applications.
3) The Departments of Water and Environmental Affairs have not
undertaken any further studies into the use of hydraulic fracking in
the oil and gas industry and its possible effects on the
availability and quality of water. However, the department of Water
Affairs is concerned about the impact the fracking process will have
on both the quality and quantity of groundwater in the Karoo which
is the sole source of water for the users in this dry part of the
country. We will therefore look at this matter as Water Affairs when
the licence for water is applied for.
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