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Grid Connection Infrastructure for the Zonnequa Wind Farm

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Grid Connection Infrastructure for the Zonnequa Wind Farm GRID CONNECTION INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE ZONNEQUA WIND FARM, NORTHERN CAPE: FAUNA & FLORA SPECIALIST BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT PRODUCED FOR SAVANNAH ENVIRONMENTAL ON BEHALF OF GENESIS ZONNEQUA WIND (PTY) LTD BY [email protected] March 2019 Zonnequa Wind Farm Grid Connection Infrastructure CONTENTS Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................... 4 NEMA 2014 Checklist - Appendix 6 of the EIA Regulations, 2014 (as amended) ...................... 5 Short CV/Summary of Expertise – Simon Todd ................................................................................ 7 Specialist Declaration ............................................................................................................................ 8 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 9 1.1 Scope of Study ........................................................................................................................... 9 1.2 Assessment Approach ............................................................................................................. 10 1.3 Relevant Aspects of the Development .................................................................................. 13 2 Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 13 2.1 Data Sourcing and Review ..................................................................................................... 13 2.2 Site Visits & Field Assessment ............................................................................................... 14 2.3 Sensitivity Mapping & Assessment ........................................................................................ 15 2.4 Limitations & Assumptions ...................................................................................................... 16 3 Description of the Affected Environment- Baseline ........................................................ 16 3.1 Broad-Scale Vegetation Patterns .......................................................................................... 16 3.2 Listed Plant Species ................................................................................................................ 19 3.3 Critical Biodiversity Areas & Broad-Scale Processes ......................................................... 19 3.4 Cumulative Impacts ................................................................................................................. 21 3.5 Faunal Communities ................................................................................................................ 22 3.6 Zonnequa Grid Connection Site Description ........................................................................ 27 3.7 Zonnequa Grid Connection Sensitivity Assessment ........................................................... 30 4 Assessment & Significance Criteria ....................................................................................... 31 5 Assessment of Impacts .............................................................................................................. 33 5.1 Planning and Construction Phase Impacts .......................................................................... 33 5.2 Operation Phase Impacts ....................................................................................................... 37 5.3 Decommissioning Phase Impacts .......................................................................................... 40 5.4 Cumulative Impacts ............................................................................................................ 43 6 Conclusion & Recommendations ............................................................................................ 44 7 References ...................................................................................................................................... 45 8 Annex 1. List of Plant species .................................................................................................. 46 2 Terrestrial Fauna and Flora Specialist BA Study Zonnequa Wind Farm Grid Connection Infrastructure 9 Appendix 2 List of Mammals .................................................................................................... 53 10 Appendix 3. List of Reptiles .................................................................................................. 55 11 Appendix 4. List of Amphibians .......................................................................................... 57 3 Terrestrial Fauna and Flora Specialist BA Study Zonnequa Wind Farm Grid Connection Infrastructure EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Genesis Zonnequa Wind (Pty) Ltd proposes the construction and operation of a grid connection solution for the proposed Zonnequa Wind Farm, near Kleinsee, Northern Cape Province. The grid connection solution will include the development of a double-circuit 132kV power line (known as the Strandveld-Gromis 132kV double-circuit power line) and collector substation (known as the Strandveld Substation) to connect the proposed Zonnequa Wind Farm to the national grid. Savannah Environmental is conducting the required authorisation process and has appointed 3Foxes Biodiversity Solutions to provide a specialist terrestrial fauna and flora specialist impact assessment study of the proposed development as part of the BA process. The substation and the majority of the grid connection corridor consists of typical Namaqualand Strandveld considered to be of Low sensitivity. The development of the power line through these areas would generate low ecological impacts as this habitat is widely available in the area and has a generally low abundance of Species of Conservation Concern. The Strandveld on dunes is considered medium sensitivity and while large amounts of habitat loss in these habitats is undesirable, the footprint of the power line would be low and a significant impact on this habitat would not occur. The Buffels River in the north of the route, just before reaching the Gromis substation, is considered the most sensitive feature along the corridor. The river is however deeply incised and the existing power lines are able to span the river without directly impacting on the bed or the rocky sides of the river and the proposed power line is likely to do the same. As there are no highly sensitive features along the corridor which cannot be avoided, the overall impacts associated with the development of the power line and substation would be low and there are no high sensitivity habitats that would be significantly impacted by the development. Ecological Impact Statement: The grid connection corridor is considered to represent a broadly low sensitivity environment with no features of high concern that cannot be avoided. As a result, there are no specific long-term impacts associated with the grid connection infrastructure that cannot be reduced to an acceptable level through mitigation and avoidance. There are no high residual impacts or fatal flaws associated with the development and it can be supported from a terrestrial ecology perspective. It is therefore the reasoned opinion of the specialist that the grid connection infrastructure for the Zonnequa Wind Farm should be authorised, subject to the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures. 4 Terrestrial Fauna and Flora Specialist BA Study Zonnequa Wind Farm Grid Connection Infrastructure NEMA 2014 CHECKLIST - APPENDIX 6 OF THE EIA REGULATIONS, 2014 (AS AMENDED) Position in Section NEMA 2014 Regulations (as amended) for Specialist Studies check report (pg.) 1 1 A specialist report prepared in terms of these Regulations must contain— (a) details of- (i) the specialist who prepared the report; and 5 (ii) the expertise of that specialist to compile a specialist report including a 7 curriculum vitae; (b) a declaration that the person is independent in a form as may be 7 specified by the competent authority; (c) an indication of the scope of, and the purpose for which, the report was Section 1.1 prepared; (cA) an indication of the quality and age of base data used for the Section 1.3 specialist report; (cB) a description of existing impacts on the site, cumulative impacts of Section 3.4 the proposed development and levels of acceptable change (d) the duration, date and season of the site investigationand the relevance Section 1.3 of the season to the outcome of the assessment (e) a description of the methodology adopted in preparing the report or carrying out the specialised process inclusive of equipment and modelling Section 2 used; (f) details of an assessment of the specific identified sensitivity of the site related to the proposed activity or activities and its associated structures Section 3.7 and infrastructure, inclusive of a site plan identifying site alternatives; (g) an identification of any areas to be avoided, including buffers; Section 3.7 (h) a map superimposing the activity including the associated structures and infrastructure on the environmental sensitivities of the site including areas Section 3.7 to be avoided, including buffers; (i) a description of any assumptions made and any uncertainties or gaps in Section 1.3 knowledge; (j) a description of the findings and potential implications of such findings on Section 3 the impact of the proposed
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