South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd 720.01070.00024 Basic Assessment for the Proposed Upgrade of the National Route 1 () Section 4 January 2020

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. INTRODUCTION

This Executive Summary provides a synopsis of the Basic Assessment Report (BAR) prepared as part of the Basic Assessment process that is being undertaken for the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) proposed upgrade of Section 4 of National Route 1 (N1) between Monument River and Doornfontein in the (see Figure 1).

1.1 Purpose of the Report This report has been compiled in compliance with Appendix 1 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations 2014 and summarises the legal and policy framework; approach to the Basic Assessment and process followed; proposed project activities; key characteristics of the receiving environment; and potential impacts associated with the proposed upgrade of Section 4 of the N1.

The compilation of this report has, where applicable, been informed by comments received from interested and affected parties (I&APs) and authorities during the pre-application notification period and on the draft BAR.

It should be noted that all significant changes to the draft report are underlined and in a different font (Times New Roman) to the rest of the text.

This report is submitted to the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) for consideration as part of an application for Environmental Authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (No. 107 of 1998).

1.2. Project Background, Need and Desirability

In 2017, the project engineers completed an assessment of the existing condition of the road section. The study indicated the following:

• Approximately 50% of the existing pavement required rehabilitation, while the remaining 50% would require periodic maintenance within the next two years; • The vertical alignment approaching the intersection from is limiting sight distance for the intersection; • Heavy vehicle traffic has grown substantially on this route, which reduces the available passing opportunities considerably; • A significant number of heavy vehicles travel along this route during the night time; and • A high number of fatal and serious accidents have been recorded along this section of the route.

In terms of need and desirability, it is clear from the above findings that the proposed road upgrade is required in order to increase traffic capacity and improve road user safety. Upgrading of the Matjiesfontein intersection by improving site distance and reconfiguring turning lanes would significantly improve safety for vehicles accessing the historic town.

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South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd 720.01070.00024 Basic Assessment for the Proposed Upgrade of the National Route 1 (N1) Section 4 January 2020

R354 Sutherland Project Locality

N1

LEGEND

Proposed Section of Road to be upgraded

Existing Road

FIGURE 1: LOCALITY MAP INDICATING THE EXTENT OF THE PROPOSED UPGRADE OF SECTION 4 OF THE N1 BETWEEN MONUMENT RIVER AND DOORNFONTEIN.

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South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd 720.01070.00024 Basic Assessment for the Proposed Upgrade of the National Route 1 (N1) Section 4 January 2020

1.3 Summary of Authorisation Requirements

The EIA Regulations 2014 (as amended), promulgated in terms of Chapter 5 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA), as amended, provides for the control of certain listed activities. Such activities are prohibited from commencing until written authorisation is obtained from the competent authority, which in this case is the national DEFF. The proposed road upgrade triggers the need for a Basic Assessment process in order for DEFF to consider the application for Environmental Authorisation.

Registration of water uses in terms of the National Water Act, 1998 (No. 36 of 1998) is also required where the existing road crosses drainage lines.

Aurecon SA (Pty) Ltd has been appointed by SANRAL for the design of the road project. Aurecon has in turn appointed SLR to undertake the required Basic Assessment process and facilitate the registration of water uses.

2. APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY

2.1.1 Pre-Application Public Participation Process Although this step is not a legislated requirement of the EIA Regulations 2014 (as amended), a pre-application public notification process was undertaken. This provided an opportunity to notify affected landowners and other key stakeholders of the proposed project and for them to raise any initial issues or concerns regarding the proposed project. The pre-application public notification process included the following:

• Compilation of a preliminary I&AP database consisting of affected landowners, authorities (local and regional), community based organisations and other key stakeholders. To date 23 I&APs have been registered on the project database. • I&AP and authority notification through the distribution of a Notification Letter. • Placement of an advertisement in Die Burger on 18 April 2018. • Placement of site notices (April 2018) notifying potential I&APs of the proposed project at various locations along the proposed road section to be upgraded.

Four comments were received during the pre-application public notification process. These largely related to the proposed borrow pit developments for which a separate application process is being undertaken.

2.1.2 Compilation and Review of Basic Assessment Report

Based on a site visit and experience with similar road upgrade projects undertaken in the vicinity, the following specialist studies were undertaken as part of this Basic Assessment process: freshwater ecosystems and vegetation. With regards to heritage impacts, Heritage Western Cape confirmed that it did not believe the project would have any impacts on sites or artefacts of heritage significance and that no specialist heritage assessment would be required. The specialist information and other relevant information were integrated into this draft version of the BAR, which includes an Environmental Management Programme (EMPr). This BAR has been prepared in compliance with Appendix 1 of the EIA Regulations, 2014 (as amended).

A draft version of the BAR was prepared and distributed for a 30-day review and comment period from 7 October to 6 November 2019. Three written submissions were received during the formal review and

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South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd 720.01070.00024 Basic Assessment for the Proposed Upgrade of the National Route 1 (N1) Section 4 January 2020 comment period. All written comments received were collated, and responded to, in a Comments and Responses Report. Comments related to applicable listed activities and details regarding the project description.

2.1.3 Finalisation and Submission of the BAR

Taking into consideration comments received on the draft version of the BAR, the report has been updated to a final version and submitted to DEFF for decision-making. Once a decision is issued, it will be distributed to registered I&APs, followed by a statutory appeal period.

3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

SANRAL is proposing to upgrade 17 km of the National Route 1 (N1), Section 4 between Monument River (km 46.0) and Doornfontein (km 63.0), located within the Laingsburg Local , Western Cape. Currently, the road section comprises a two-lane single carriageway with 3.4 m wide lanes and 2 m wide shoulders. The total existing surfaced width of the road section is 10.8 m. At the Matjiesfontein intersection, the total surfaced width is about 18 m. The shoulder widths at this intersection are reduced to include the additional 3.1 m wide turning lane towards Matjiesfontein. The width of the current road reserve varies between 30 m and 40 m (in places of high fill).

The requirement for the proposed road upgrade is based on considerations of the future impact of freight vehicles (including abnormal loads) and increased traffic volumes, on the design and operation of the existing road and considerations of road safety. In light of these, the following is proposed:

• Widening the existing standard two lane single carriageway to a three-lane carriageway, consisting of two lanes in one direction and one lane in the other, alternating every few kilometres, and separated by a barrier (a 2+1 configuration). This would entail upgrading the existing surfaced width of the road from 10.8 m to 16.7 m and including a 2 m wide painted median. This would amount to a total surfaced width of 17.9 m; • Widening the existing road reserve by 20 - 30 m to a total of 60 m; • Improvement of the existing N1/Matjiesfontein intersection to allow for two exclusive turning lanes (left and right) for each approach and two lanes in each direction for vehicles continuing through the intersection (i.e. four lanes in total when approaching the intersection; see Figure 2); • Widening (or reconstruction) of two bridges and lengthening (or reconstruction) of eight existing major culverts; • Providing sections of temporary deviation to accommodate two-way traffic during construction; • Providing an underpass at km 48.46); and • Access management by closing some minor and major farm accesses and providing safer access points linking to internal farm service roads.

In addition to the above, it is also proposed that nine borrow pits and one quarry be established to provide a source of construction material for the proposed road upgrade. As the establishment of these proposed material sources also trigger activities listed in the EIA Regulations 2014 (as amended), a separate application for Environmental Authorisation for the proposed material sources will be submitted to the identified competent authority, this being the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), Western Cape. An additional Basic Assessment process is being undertaken in parallel for the borrow pits and quarry.

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South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd 720.01070.00024 Basic Assessment for the Proposed Upgrade of the National Route 1 (N1) Section 4 January 2020

N

Matjiesfontein

FIGURE 2: PROPOSED NEW MATJIESFONTEIN INTERSECTION ALIGNMENT WITH TWO EXCLUSIVE TURNING LANES IN EACH DIRECTION AND TWO THROUGH LANES

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South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd 720.01070.00024 Basic Assessment for the Proposed Upgrade of the National Route 1 (N1) Section 4 January 2020

4. DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Section 4 of the N1 is located in the Succulent Biome and the Cape Fold Mountain belt. The surrounding vegetation cover comprises largely of natural vegetation cover, dominated by low shrubs intermixed with grasses and succulents. To the north of the road section lies a series of low hills and to the south the Witberg Mountain Range.

The nearest urban areas are the towns of Matjiesfontein located immediately south of the approximate middle-point of the road section upgrade and Laingsburg approximately 18 km to the east.

The geology in the region comprises tillite, diamictite and subordinate shale of the Dwyka Formation as well as shale and siltstone of the Ecca Group with shale, siltstone and sandstone of the Witteberg Group. The ridges are generally quartzitic with very shallow, rocky soils. The lower-slopes and valley bottoms are largely underlain by shale, which may form loose gravel on the slopes or give rise to heavier clay soils on the flats.

The existing road crosses the Baviaans River, as well as various associated tributaries and a valley bottom wetland area. The largest tributaries of the Baviaans River that are crossed by the N1 in Section 4 include the Monument, Boelhouer and Doornfontein Rivers. The ecological habitat integrity of these rivers is largely natural to moderately modified. The riparian habitat is slightly more degraded as a result of direct habitat modification from adjacent farming activities. This has led to the removal of indigenous riparian vegetation and the subsequent growth of invasive alien plants in these disturbed areas. The Baviaans River, together with its larger tributaries described above, have a higher ecological importance (moderate) and sensitivity than the smaller tributaries/drainage features which are of a low ecological importance and sensitivity.

The regional conservation mapping indicates that the western section of the road upgrade (approximately the first kilometre) intersects a Critical Biodiversity Area (CBA1). The existing road alignment intersects several Ecological Support Areas (ESA) associated with the various drainage line crossings along the road section. Remaining natural vegetation along the road section has been mapped as Matjiesfontein Shale Renosterveld and Koedoesberg-Moordenaars Karoo, both rated as Least Threatened .

The majority of the natural vegetation that occurs in the road reserve to the south was found to be heavily disturbed along the entire section of the proposed road upgrade. Presumably, this disturbance was caused during the recent installation of a fibre optic line. Some sections of the northern road reserve were also deemed to be highly disturbed. The botanical specialist noted that sections of the northern side of the road reserve comprised natural vegetation which is only moderately disturbed. Overall, 90% of the remaining natural vegetation in the road reserve is considered to be highly disturbed, whereas the remaining 10% is considered to be moderately disturbed. The natural vegetation in the road reserve along the section of road that passes through the CBA mapped area is considered to be in a highly disturbed condition. There is some sensitive riverine vegetation in the CBA mapped area to the north of the proposed road widening footprint.

The road section falls within the Laingsburg Local Municipality, which is situated in the south-western portion of the Central Karoo District Municipality in the Western . The total population of the local municipality was 8 895 in 2016, with an average population growth of 1.41%. The largest part of the population falls within the age group of 15-35 years (36.6%) and is mostly unemployed or working on a seasonal basis. The total unemployment rate for the municipality was recorded to be 18.8%.

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South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd 720.01070.00024 Basic Assessment for the Proposed Upgrade of the National Route 1 (N1) Section 4 January 2020

The total number of households within the municipality was 2 862 with an average of 3.2 persons per household. Of the total number of households, 1 802 are located within urban areas, while the remainder (1 063) are located in rural areas. All the households located in urban areas have access to water, sanitation, electricity and refuse removal. However, basic service delivery in the rural areas requires intervention, with only 342 rural households having access to water, 13 to sanitation, 178 to electricity, and 480 to refuse removal.

The proposed road upgrade is not expected to impact on any archaeological, palaeontological or cultural heritage sites or features.

5. IMPACT ASSESSMENT CONCLUSIONS

The majority of impacts are expected to occur during the construction phase of the project. All negative impacts related to project activities (during both construction and operations) are rated as of VERY LOW to LOW significance after mitigation. Socio-economic benefits, such as employment opportunities (during construction) and improved safety and traffic flow, are rated as LOW (POSITIVE) and MEDIUM to HIGH (POSITIVE) significance after enhancement, respectively.

Implementation of the No-Go option would mean that the planned road upgrade would not proceed. Thus there would be no provision for the anticipated increase in future traffic along the road section and the related improvement of road user safety would not be realised. The No-Go option is not deemed feasible. A summary of the assessment of potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed project is provided in Table 1.

TABLE 1: OVERALL SUMMARY OF THE ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED PROJECT TO BE UPDATED IMPACT SIGNIFICANCE ISSUE / POTENTIAL IMPACT WITHOUT MITIGATION WITH MITIGATION CONSTRUCTION PHASE LAND USE Impacts on the land use of the surrounding area LOW VERY LOW FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS Impacts on aquatic habitats VERY LOW TO LOW NEGLIGIBLE TO VERY LOW Impacts on surface water quality VERY LOW VERY LOW Impacts of the impedance of flow VERY LOW VERY LOW VEGETATION Impacts on vegetation MEDIUM LOW CULTURAL HERITAGE Cultural heritage impacts NO IMPACT SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS Employment VERY LOW (POSITIVE) VERY LOW (POSITIVE) CONSTRUCTION-RELATED IMPACTS Noise, visual, dust, nuisance and temporary disruption of traffic flow VERY LOW VERY LOW

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South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd 720.01070.00024 Basic Assessment for the Proposed Upgrade of the National Route 1 (N1) Section 4 January 2020

IMPACT SIGNIFICANCE ISSUE / POTENTIAL IMPACT WITHOUT MITIGATION WITH MITIGATION OPERATIONAL PHASE FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS Impacts on all freshwater sources LOW VERY LOW SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS Road user safety and traffic accommodation MEDIUM TO HIGH MEDIUM TO HIGH (POSITIVE) (POSITIVE)

6. RECOMMENDATIONS

In light of the above, this study recommends that the proposed upgrade project be authorised with due consideration being given to the following recommendations. These measures are all considered to be feasible and have been included in the Environmental Management Programme for the proposed project.

The key recommendations are set out below: Construction phase Land Use

• Avoid as much land take outside the current road reserve during the detailed design; and • Ensure that all fencing, including game fencing, is reinstated along sections where the road reserve is to be widened.

Freshwater Ecosystems

• Limit the extent of work within the river channels or wetland areas, as far as possible; • Remove rubble and debris from construction activities after the completion of construction so as not to impede flow in the watercourses; • Rehabilitate the disturbed areas once construction has been completed to resemble that of the surrounding bed and banks; • Vegetate disturbed areas, where necessary, with locally occurring species, such as Vachellia karroo , Searsia lancea , Euclea undulata , Melianthus comosus , Lycium spp. and Asparagus striatus within the riparian zones and Phragmites australis , Stipagrostis namaquensis , Juncus kraussii within the instream habitat; • Clear all channels located upstream of the road crossings of any debris and sediment build-up, particularly at the culverts and bridge structures where flows may be impeded; • Remove any invasive alien plants occurring in the river channels at the river crossings and the road reserve on an ongoing basis; • Prevent the direct discharge of potentially contaminated runoff into the watercourses and wetland areas; • Store and handle all hazardous materials and waste in a suitable manner, and at least 30 m outside of the watercourses and wetlands; • Do not place laydown areas or stockpiles within 30 m of the watercourses and wetlands; and • Allow for a 30 m buffer between any new internal farm access roads and drainage lines.

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South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd 720.01070.00024 Basic Assessment for the Proposed Upgrade of the National Route 1 (N1) Section 4 January 2020

Vegetation

• Ensure that the sensitive riverine vegetation along the northern side of first 900 m of the road section is not disturbed. This area falls outside of the proposed road widening footprint and should be demarcated as a no-go area ; • Ensure that laydown areas, stockpile areas and temporary construction camps are not sited within areas of sensitive indigenous vegetation. A follow-up vegetation assessment might be required in this regard once the temporary construction areas have been identified; • Limit the removal of natural vegetation to the minimum; • Where possible, retain topsoil to a depth of 100 mm and stockpile locally for rehabilitation; and • Reshape and scarify disturbed areas and spread topsoil after project completion.

Cultural Heritage

• Implement the Fossil Finds Procedure included as part of the EMPr in the event that fossils are encountered at road cutting sections.

Socio-economic Aspects: Employment

• Establish a Project Liaison Committee (PLC), comprising of representatives of SANRAL, the main contractor and members of the local community (as elected by the community); and • Ensure that procurement specifications as stipulated in the SANRAL Procurement Policy are implemented, with a focus on project area specific local employment.

General Construction-related Impacts

• Ensure that safe and effective traffic control is implemented during construction; • Provide sufficient signage to warn road users of the presence of construction works and of traffic arrangements; • Ensure that the generation of dust is minimised and implement a dust control programme (with due consideration to conserving water); • Ensure that the exposed soil and material stockpiles are adequately protected against the wind; • Limit activities resulting in high noise levels (e.g. pile driving, grinding, road material loading/unloading, hammering, excavating, etc.) to the day time; and • Ensure compliance with conditions of the Construction EMPr.

Operational Phase Freshwater Ecosystems

• During routine road maintenance operations, clear all channels located upstream of the road crossings of any debris and sediment build-up, particularly at the culverts and bridge structures where flows may be impeded; and • Remove any invasive alien plants occurring in the river channels at the river crossings and the road reserve on an ongoing basis.

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South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd 720.01070.00024 Basic Assessment for the Proposed Upgrade of the National Route 1 (N1) Section 4 January 2020

Socio-economic Aspects: Road User Safety and Traffic Accommodation

• Ensure the safety and traffic accommodation measures as indicated in the proposed project design are implemented as planned; and • Ensure that a Routine Road Maintenance Programme is implemented along the proposed project route.

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