Environmental Impact Assessment for the Establishment of the Proposed SAGIT Langhoogte Wind Farm, Western Cape Province

Environmental Impact Assessment for the Establishment of the proposed SAGIT Langhoogte Wind Farm, Western Cape Province Environmental Scoping Report FLORA & FAUNA SPECIALIST STUDY Dr David Hoare (Ph.D., Pr.Sci.Nat.) David Hoare Consulting cc 41 Soetdoring Ave Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria Date: 7 December 2012 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE I, David Hoare as duly authorised representative of David Hoare Consulting cc, hereby confirm my independence (as well as that of David Hoare Consulting cc) as the flora & fauna specialist for the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Establishment of the Langhoogte Wind Farm and declare that neither I nor David Hoare Consulting cc have any interest, be it business, financial, personal or other, in any proposed activity, application or appeal in respect of which Arcus GIBB was appointed as environmental assessment practitioner in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), other than fair remuneration for work performed in terms of the NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 and any specific environmental management Act) for the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Establishment of the Langhoogte Wind Farm. I further declare that I am confident in the results of the studies undertaken and conclusions drawn as a result of it. I have disclosed, to the environmental assessment practitioner, in writing, any material information that have or may have the potential to influence the decision of the competent authority or the objectivity of any report, plan or document required in terms of the NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 and any specific environmental management Act. I have further provided the environmental assessment practitioner with written access to all information at my disposal regarding the application, whether such information is favourable to the applicant or not. I am fully aware of and meet the responsibilities in terms of NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 and any other specific and relevant legislation (national and provincial), policies, guidelines and best practice. Signature: ______________________________ Full Name: David Barry Hoare Date: 7 February 2012 Title / Position: Director Qualification(s): PhD Experience (years/ months): 16 years Registration(s): Pr.Sci.Nat. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This flora and fauna Impact Assessment report provides a synthesis of potential ecological issues associated with development of a proposed wind farm on the site. The approach adopted for this study was to identify any critical biodiversity issues that may lead to the decision that the proposed project cannot take place, i.e. to specifically focus on red flags and/or potential fatal flaws, as well as identify and determine the significance of anticipated impacts on ecology. The methodology used to assess the potential impacts of the proposed project was to compile lists of plant and animal species of conservation concern from databases, published literature and lists provided by authorities. In addition, natural areas remaining on site were mapped in detail from aerial imagery. Information on the conservation value of habitats in the study area, in combination with the potential occurrence of plant and animal species of conservation concern, was used to derive an ecological sensitivity map of the site. Large parts of the site were found, from aerial imagery, to no longer be natural, having been converted by cultivation. Only fragments of natural vegetation still remain on site. These fragments fall within a vegetation type classified as Western Rûens Shale Renosterveld, listed as Critically Endangered and protected according to the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act. There is also some Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos in the western parts of the site, classified as Least Threatened, and some Western Coastal Shale Band Vegetation in bands within the Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, which is also classified as Least Threatened. The renosterveld fragments have been identified in detailed biodiversity assessments as having high conservation value. Other features of potential conservation concern identified in regional plans for the site are wetlands and a river corridor (the Botrivier). There are a small number of animal species of conservation concern that could potentially occur on site. The Water Rat and Yellow-bellied House Snake may possibly occur in habitats on site. Both species are widespread and the site does not constitute important habitat for either species. It is considered highly unlikely that activities on site associated with construction and/or operation of the wind energy facility would have any significant effect on either species. There is a small probability of Lesueur’s Wing-gland Bat occurring on site, but only as stray foraging individuals. The Natal Long-fingered Bat may migrate across the site during seasonal migrations, but will not occur there as a resident population. This latter species is the only one for which there is still some concern related to operation of the wind energy facility. There are a total of 257 plant species of conservation concern that have been previously recorded in the region. There is, therefore, a very high probability that plant species of concern will occur in remaining vegetation fragments on site. The sensitivity assessment rated the renosterveld fragments as having high sensitivity and conservation value, but this could be raised to very high if any plant species of conservation concern are found to occur there. They have been classified as “no go” zones for the proposed development. Potential impacts associated with the proposed development were identified and an impact assessment undertaken. The most significant potential impacts are on natural vegetation and on plant species of conservation concern. Other impacts of potential significance are loss of habitat for fauna of conservation concern, collision of bats with turbine blades, damage to wetlands, establishment and spread of alien invasive plants and change in ecological processes, especially fire. The report concludes that the proposed wind energy facility is considered acceptable on condition key mitigation measures are applied. The most important issue for the site is the presence of fragments of renosterveld vegetation that should be treated as “no go” areas. Impacts on these areas cannot be mitigated due to the fact that loss of any of these areas would be a loss of irreplaceable resources. There is one turbine (number 36) that occurs close to a small patch of renosterveld vegetation (40m away) and impacts at this site should be carefully controlled. There are also some internal access roads that are close to areas of renosterveld where impacts need to be carefully controlled. For overhead power lines, the Southern power line option S1 route or the Northern option were considered to be favourable, on condition the tower structure are positioned outside of natural vegetation areas. The southern power line options S2 and S3 are not considered to be favourable, especially option S3, due to the extended length within the bed of the Bot River. Unless this route is moved out of the areas within the bed of the Bot River, neither of these routes is considered to be ecologically acceptable. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROPOSED LANGHOOGTE WIND FARM, WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE: ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING REPORT CONTENTS Chapter Description Page 1 INTRODUCTION 7 1.1 Background 7 1.1.1 Scope of Work 7 1.1.2 Approach 7 1.1.3 Limitations 8 1.1.4 Exclusions 8 1.2 Legislative and Policy Context 8 1.2.1 Legislative requirements 8 1.2.2 Permit requirements 10 1.3 Assessment Methodology 11 1.3.1 Fauna of conservation concern 11 1.3.2 Flora of conservation concern 12 1.3.3 Protected trees 12 1.3.4 Habitat sensitivity assessment 12 1.3.5 Assessment of impacts 14 2 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE 19 2.1 Infrastructure 19 2.1.1 Turbines 19 2.1.2 Access roads and underground cables 19 2.1.3 On-site substation 20 2.1.4 Overhead power lines 20 3 DESCRIPTION OF AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 21 3.1 General Study Area 21 3.1.1 Location 21 3.1.2 Geology 22 3.1.3 Topography 22 3.1.4 Land-use / landcover 22 3.1.5 The Cape Floristic Region 23 3.1.6 General vegetation patterns 23 3.1.7 Conservation status of vegetation types 24 2 Proposed Langhoogte Windfarm Date: November 2012 Flora and Fauna Specialist EIA Study 3.1.8 Vegetation patterns on site 25 3.1.9 Conservation priorities in the study area 27 3.1.10 Fauna of conservation concern 31 3.1.11 Flora of conservation concern 33 3.1.12 Protected trees 33 3.1.13 Habitat sensitivity 34 4 IMPACTS AND ISSUES IDENTIFICATION 36 4.1 Potential impacts 36 4.1.1 Loss/fragmentation of natural vegetation 36 4.1.2 Loss/fragmentation of populations of plant species of conservation concern 36 4.1.3 Loss of habitat for animal species of conservation concern 36 4.1.4 Loss of individuals of protected trees 37 4.1.5 Establishment and spread of declared weeds and alien invader plants 37 4.1.6 Change in ecological processes maintaining vegetation (fire) 37 5 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS 38 5.1 Construction Phase 38 5.1.1 Loss/fragmentation of natural vegetation 38 (a) Assessment of impact 38 (b) Potential mitigation measures 42 5.1.2 Loss/fragmentation of populations of plant species of conservation concern 42 (a) Assessment of impact 42 (b) Potential mitigation measures 45 5.1.3 Loss of habitat for animal species of conservation concern 45 (a) Assessment

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