ESKOM DISTRIBUTION DIVISION
Basic Environmental Assessment for the Construction of 132kV distribution lines from Dieprivier to Kareedouw, Cacadu District
DRAFT
Report date: 19 July 2012 J29225
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
Basic Environmental Assessment for the Construction of 132kV distribution lines from Dieprivier to Kareedouw, Cacadu District
DRAFT
CONTENTS
Chapter Description Page
Section A: Activity Information 4
Section B: Site/Area/Property Description 29
Section C: Public Participation 35
Section D: Impact Assessment 39
Section E: Recommendations of Practitioner 55
References 57
Section F: Appendices 58
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Site plans A1: Site map A2: Route coordinates at 250 m intervals A3: Landowner details Appendix B: Photographs Appendix C: Illustrations of the proposed development site and infrastructure Appendix D: Specialist reports D1: Avifauna Impact Assessment D2: Vegetation Impact Assessment D3: Heritage Impact Assessment Appendix E: PPP and Issues and Response Report Appendix F: Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) Appendix G: Details of EAP and declaration of interest
NOTE: Additions are highlighted grey
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 2 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
(For official use only) File Reference Number: Application Number: Date Received:
Basic assessment report in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010, promulgated in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), as amended.
Kindly note that:
1. This basic assessment report is a standard report that may be required by a competent authority in terms of the EIA Regulations, 2010 and is meant to streamline applications. Please make sure that it is the report used by the particular competent authority for the activity that is being applied for.
2. The report must be typed within the spaces provided in the form. The size of the spaces provided is not necessarily indicative of the amount of information to be provided. The report is in the form of a table that can extend itself as each space is filled with typing.
3. Where applicable tick the boxes that are applicable in the report.
4. An incomplete report may be returned to the applicant for revision.
5. The use of “not applicable” in the report must be done with circumspection because if it is used in respect of material information that is required by the competent authority for assessing the application, it may result in the rejection of the application as provided for in the regulations.
6. This report must be handed in at offices of the relevant competent authority as determined by each authority.
7. No faxed or e-mailed reports will be accepted.
8. The report must be compiled by an independent environmental assessment practitioner.
9. Unless protected by law, all information in the report will become public information on receipt by the competent authority. Any interested and affected party should be provided with the information contained in this report on request, during any stage of the application process.
10. A competent authority may require that for specified types of activities in defined situations only parts of this report need to be completed.
11. Should a specialist report or report on a specialised process be submitted at any stage for any part of this application, the terms of reference for such report must also be submitted.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 3 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
SECTION A: ACTIVITY INFORMATION
Has a specialist been consulted to assist with the completion of this YES NO X section? If YES, please complete the form entitled “Details of specialist and declaration of interest” for appointment of a specialist for each specialist thus appointed: Any specialist reports must be contained in Appendix D.
1. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
Describe the activity, which is being applied for, in detail1: BACKGROUND
Eskom’s core business is in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. Eskom generates approximately 95% of the South African electricity in accordance with supply and demand requirements. Reliable provision of electricity by Eskom is critical for industrial and sustainable development in South Africa, which inevitably provides and sustains job opportunities for jobseekers. As electricity cannot be stored, power is generated and delivered over long distances as it is required. This is achieved through thousands of kilometres of high voltage transmission, and distribution lines which transmit this power from power stations located around the Country, to Eskom’s major substations. At these major substations, the voltage loading is reduced and distributed to smaller substations. From here the voltage is further reduced for distribution to industry, businesses, farms and homes. In order to maintain a reliable power supply within the entire network, the voltages at all substations are required to be within certain desired limits.
If the network is operated at voltages below these limits, power outages may be experienced, which results in unreliable electricity supply. In order to avoid this, the distribution network must have the capacity to supply the electricity required by the customers at all times. The network must therefore be designed with reserve distribution capacity in order to ensure an uninterruptable supply of electricity.
The electricity network in the Humansdorp area is already operating close to capacity, thus increasing the risk that the entire network could be interrupted. Furthermore, the Eskom Distribution network is increasing rapidly due to vigorous electrification plans. Eskom has identified the Patensie, Humansdorp and Kareedouw areas of the Eastern Cape as locations where strengthening of the network is required to meet current and future demands for electricity. Eskom proposes to construct infrastructure to strengthen and upgrade the network in the Patensie, Humansdorp and Kareedouw areas. The objective of the proposed installation of 132kV distribution lines is thus to increase the reserve capacity on the existing lines, while providing spare capacity for the future electricity needs of the growing local economy.
GIBB (Pty) Ltd was appointed by ESKOM Distribution Division to undertake an environmental authorisation process in terms of Section 24 of the National Environmental Management Act, (Act 107 of 1998) for the construction of electrical distribution infrastructure, which will comprise a new 132 kV overhead distribution line and an extension to the existing substation outside Kareedouw. Several listed activities will be triggered through implementation of the proposed activities. A list of the proposed
1 Please note that this description should not be a verbatim repetition of the listed activity as contained in the relevant Government Notice, but should be a brief description of activities to be undertaken as per the project description.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 4 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT activities in the new EIA regulations (2010) triggered by the project are included in Table 1 below.
Table 1. Listed activities triggered by the proposed activities, including a description of the project specific activities triggered (in italics). Government Activity Listed activity and description relevant to activities notice: no. 544, 18 June 10 (i) The construction of facilities or infrastructure for the transmission and 2010 distribution of electricity – (i) outside urban areas or industrial complexes with a capacity of more than 33 but less than 275 kilovolts. The proposed activities include the construction of a 132kV distribution line between Dieprivier and Kareedouw, and the extension of the existing substation outside Kareedouw. 544, 18 June 11 (iii) The construction of (iii) bridges, where such construction occurs within a 2010 watercourse or within 32 metres of a watercourse, measured from the edge of a watercourse, excluding where such construction will occur behind the development setback line. Routing of the distribution lines close to the R62 or close to watercourses is likely to require construction of a bridge/s across a watercourse. 544, 18 June 18 The infilling or depositing of any material of more than 5 cubic metres into, or 2010 the dredging, excavation, removal or moving of soil, sand, shells, shell grit, pebbles or rock from (i) a watercourse. The construction of access road across a water course may be required where the distribution line will occur inland of a natural depression in which water flows regularly or intermittently. 546, 18 June 3 (a), (b) The construction of masts or towers of any material or type used for 2010 ii telecommunication broadcasting or radio transmission purposes where the mast (a) is to be placed on a site not previously used for this purpose, and (b) will exceed 15 metres in height, but excluding attachments to existing buildings and masts on rooftops. (a) In the Eastern Cape province (ii) outside urban areas. Where the need arise, masts for telecommunication may be constructed at the existing or proposed sub-stations. 546, 18 June 12 (b) The clearance of an area of 300 square metres or more of vegetation where 2010 75% or more of the vegetative cover constitutes indigenous vegetation, (b) within critical biodiversity areas identified in bioregional plans. Clearing of vegetation along each route within the servitude will likely occur, which will impact on some of the CBAs occurring along the route as identified in the Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (ECBCP). 546, 18 June 13 (a), The clearance of an area of 1 hectare or more of vegetation where 75% or 2010 (c) ii more of the vegetative cover constitutes indigenous vegetation, (exclusion clauses not applicable): (c) In the eastern Cape (ii) outside urban areas. Clearing of vegetation along each route within the servitude will likely occur, which will impact on some of the CBAs occurring along the route as identified in the Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (ECBCP).
PROPOSED ACTIVITIES
Study area. The study area where the proposed activity is to take place is located in close proximity to the small town of Kareedouw in the Kou-Kamma Local Municipality (Cacadu District Municipality), Eastern Cape. The Cacadu District is the largest producer of agricultural goods in the Eastern Cape. Agriculture is centred on the citrus industry with a smaller scale production of other products including vegetables and flowers.
The proposed power line would run from the proposed Dieprivier substation to the existing Kareedouw substation, which will be upgraded to support the new distribution lines. Once the proposed infrastructure has been installed it may be necessary to decommission redundant infrastructure. Where
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 5 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT decommissioning takes place it will be necessary for a thorough rehabilitation process to be undertaken to ensure protection of the receiving environment.
The total length of the proposed power lines amounts to approximately 35 km and will involve the construction of: Dieprivier / Kareedouw 132kV line
The existing substation outside Kareedouw will be upgraded to accommodate the additional distribution lines, however the upgrade itself does not trigger any listed activities.
Figure 1: Location of the proposed 132kV distribution line in the Kou-Kamma municipality
Power lines. Servitudes are generally cleared of all wooded species and any other protruding alien vegetation so as to reduce fire risks, to ensure access for maintenance purposes and to prevent shortages with vegetation. Tower steel is usually delivered on a 24-ton truck to their required position in the field, terrain permitting, else on smaller vehicles, which is used to deliver steel in rough terrain. In areas where the vehicles are not able to drive, other means of delivery of tower structures/steel and other infrastructure will be employed, e.g. the use of a helicopter. An 8-ton crane truck is generally used to erect the structures. A foundation of 1.5 x 1.5 x 2.5 m will be required for each supporting and load- bearing structure. Although the proposed power lines follow existing servitudes and roads, access roads for minor vehicles may be created during the construction phase and during periodic maintenance.
132 kV Towers. The size of the foundation footprint depends on the type of structure to be used and ranges from 0,36 m3 to 2,35 m3, with the larger footprint associated with the angle strain structures. The average span between two towers would be approximately 200 m, but can vary between 250 m
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 6 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT and 375 m depending on the ground profile and the terrain to be spanned. The guyed suspension structure is typically used along the straight sections of the power line, while the self-supporting angle strain structures are used where there is a bend in the power line alignment. The tower structures to be installed in this project include the 273 guyed-lattice series (Figure 2), 255 self-supporting series (Figure 3), and 248 self-supporting series (terminal position) (Figure 4).
Figure 2. Guyed lattice tower (273A)
The guyed lattice tower capability includes a 440 m windspan and 660 m weightspan using kingbird conductor and 7/3.35 earthwire. The lattice mast is aesthetically pleasing and enhanced line performance due to multi-path earthing. Advantages of the guyed lattice mast are that it can use screw anchors as foundations for stay assembly with a steel-concrete interface. Necking normally occurs at steel-ground interface (silted foundations). Structure performance is good under impulse loading conditions and foundations are easily adaptable to different soil types. The 273C and 273E towers look similar to the 273A tower as they are all guyed towers.
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Figure 3. Self-supporting strain tower (255D) The rest of the 255 series structures are all similar to the 255D structure in Figure 3.
Figure 4. Self-supporting terminal tower (248C).
Tower illustrations of the tower types to be used are provided in Appendix C.
Servitude Requirements and Clearances. The servitude width for a 132 kV distribution line is 31 m (15.5 m on either side of the centre line of the power line). The minimum vertical clearance to buildings, poles and structures not forming part of the power line must be 3.8 m, while the minimum vertical clearance between the conductors and the ground is 6.7 m. The minimum distance of a 132 kV distribution line running parallel to proclaimed public roads is 95 m from the centreline of the distribution line servitude to the centreline of the road servitude. The minimum distance between any part of a tree or shrub and any bare phase conductor of a 132 kV distribution line must be 3.8 m to allow for the possible lateral movement of this vegetation that could be a potential hazard for distribution lines that are operational and energised. The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993)
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 8 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT provides for statutory clearances. Error! Reference source not found. summarizes some of the key clearances relevant to the proposed 132 kV power line.
Table 2. Clearance specifications (Eskom, 2007). Clearances Minimum Clearance Distance (m) Ground clearance 6.7 Building structures not part of power line 3.8 Above roads in townships, proclaimed roads 7.5 Telkom telephone lines 2.0 Spoornet tracks 10.9
Should the preferred distribution line corridor receive environmental authorization from DEA, and following on from successful negotiations with landowners, the final delineation of the centreline for the distribution line and co-ordinates of each bend in the line will be determined. Optimal tower sizes and positions will be identified and verified through comprehensive ground survey of the preferred route and these positions will be reflected, and appropriate management actions incorporated into the continuously and periodically updated Environmental Management Programme (EMPr).
Trees and large shrubs that will cause clearance issues will be trimmed or cleared, while a narrow footpath for workers will be cleared down the centre of the distribution line servitude for stringing purposes. If any tree or shrub in other areas will interfere with the operation and/or reliability of the distribution line it will be trimmed or cleared. In areas where distribution lines cross existing orchards or agricultural lands in use the footprint of the structures will be minimised and full scale clearing of the servitude avoided to allow continued use of the arable land, unless otherwise negotiated with the affected farmer/s. The clearing of vegetation will take place, with the aid of a surveyor, along approved profiles and in accordance with the approved EMPr and minimum standards to be used for vegetation clearing for the construction of the proposed new 132 kV distribution lines as listed in Table 3 (Eskom, 2000).
Foundations. The type of terrain encountered, as well as the underlying geotechnical conditions determines the choice of foundation. The actual size and type of foundation to be installed will depend on the soil bearing capacity (actual sub-soil conditions).
Strain structures require more extensive foundations for support than in-line suspension structures, which contribute to the cost of the construction of the line. Foundations will be mechanically excavated where access to the site is readily available. The same applies to the pouring of concrete required for the setting of the foundations. In areas where access to the structure position prohibits the use of concrete mixing trucks, uphill pumping or gravity feeding of concrete up to distances of 200 m will be implemented. Prior to erecting the structures and infilling of the foundations, the excavated foundations will be covered/fenced-off in order to safeguard unsuspecting animals and people from injury. All foundations are back-filled, stabilised through compaction, and capped with concrete at ground level.
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Table 3. Minimum standards to be used for vegetation clearing for the construction of a new 132 kV distribution line.
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Insulators. Composite insulators have a glass-fibre core with silicon sheds for insulation and are used to connect the conductors to the towers. Glass and porcelain have been used to connect the conductors for many years, and is the most common. These products are, however, heavy and susceptible to breakage by vandals, as well as contamination by pollution. Composite insulators are lightweight and resistant to both vandalism and pollution. Composite (Long rod type) insulators with silicone based weathershed material will be used.
Access. Access is required during both the construction and operation/maintenance phases of lines life cycle. Where possible, existing access roads and tracks will be used to gain access to construction sites and the servitude. Where no access roads/tracks exist, the access points and roads will be negotiated with the relevant landowner, and are to be established during the construction phase. Access roads will enable the transportation of construction material as well as construction teams to the site and facilitate maintenance activities once the power line has been constructed.
Ongoing Maintenance. During the life span of the power lines, which is approximately 25 years, ongoing maintenance is required to be performed from time to time. Eskom maintenance staff and contractors employed by Eskom will undertake the maintenance works as required.
Construction Process for distribution lines and substations. Power lines are constructed in the following simplified sequence:
Step 1: Determination of technically feasible distribution line alternatives; Step 2: EIA input into route selection and obtaining of relevant environmental permits; Step 3: Negotiation of final route with affected landowners; Step 4: Survey of the route; Step 5: Selection of best-suited structures and foundations; Step 6: Final design of distribution line and placement of towers; Step 7: Issuing of tenders and award of contract to construction companies; Step 8: Vegetation clearance and construction of access roads (where required); Step 9: Pegging of structures; Step 10: Construction of foundations; Step 11: Assembly and erection of structures; Step 12: Stringing of conductors; Step 13: Rehabilitation of disturbed area and protection of erosion sensitive areas; Step 14: Testing and commissioning; Step 15: Continued maintenance.
Substation are constructed in the following simplified sequence:
Step 1: Survey of the site; Step 2: EIA and site-specific EMPr; Step 3: Design of substation; Step 4: Issuing of tenders and award of contract; Step 5: Establishment of construction camp, vegetation clearance and construction of access roads (where required); Step 6: Construction of terrace and foundations; Step 7: Assembly and erection of equipment; Step 8: Connection of conductors to equipment; Step 9: Rehabilitation of any disturbed areas and protection of erosion sensitive areas; Step 10: Testing and commissioning;
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Step 11: Continued maintenance.
Stringing of Conductors. A pilot cable is used to string the conductors between towers. This can be undertaken mechanically (see Figure 5) or by hand. The line is strung in sections (from bend to bend). Cable drums are placed at 5 km intervals (depending on the length of the conductor) during this stringing process. In order to minimise any potential negative impacts on the surrounding area, these cable drums should be placed within the servitude.
Figure 5. Mechanical stringing of the conductors.
Telecommunications Mast. A communications mast may be required at the proposed substation sites. The mast is required to receive communication from surrounding towers. Full functioning of the substation will be reliant on these telecommunications masts, as its exclusion may result in the limited electrification of the surrounding areas.
Construction Period. An estimated construction period of 9 months is envisaged. The construction period will however depend on the season and environmental conditions in which construction is undertaken.
Job opportunities. Although the number of staff employed (skilled and unskilled) depends on the contractor, teams are generally made up according to the following table. Unskilled labour is usually trained by the contractors and is usually sourced from local communities.
Table 4: Likely Staffing Structure for the Construction of the Proposed Works OPERATION SKILLED UNSKILLED Bush Clearing 20% 80% Gate installation 20% 80% Excavations 80% 20% Stay installation 80% 20% Tower installation 50% 50% Stringing 80% 20% Excavation 20% 80% Steel erection 50% 50% Electrical Work 90% 10%
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USE OF SERVICES AND RESOURCES
Water. Water will be required for potable use and in the construction of the foundations for the towers. The water will be sourced from approved water use points at locations closest to the area of construction.
Sewage. No sewage flow is anticipated during the construction or operational phase of the project. Chemical toilets will be made available for use by project staff, which will be serviced periodically by the supplier and will be stipulated in the EMPr.
Storm water. Storm water will be managed in line with the Eskom Guidelines for Erosion Control and Vegetation Management, and the EMPr, which will be compiled for the proposed works.
Solid waste disposal. All solid waste will be collected at strategic locations along the distribution line route and substation construction site and will be stored temporarily until removed to an appropriately permitted landfill site near the construction site.
Electricity. Diesel generators will be utilized for the provision of electricity, where required.
GENERARAL DESCRIPTION OF THE RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT
Topography. The linear activity in the study area runs in a westerly to easterly direction. Because the topography in the area steepens from south to north, the proposed line will not vary greatly with regards to altitude.
Geology and soils. The proposed line is to be located upon the Cape Supergroup and is expected to pass through the Sandstones and Shales of the Table Mountain Group. Because the dominant lithology is comprised of Sandstones and Shales the soils are generally highly erodible. Mismanagement of rivers and agricultural land can therefore expose the area to erosion degrade rivers to a moderate or high degree.
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Figure 6: Biodiversity status and protected areas within the vicinity of the proposed distribution line.
Hydrology. The Kromme River splits into the Diep River and the Geelhout River, which passes through the western half of the project area. The Kromme is dammed at two points, namely the Churchill Dam and the Impofu Dam. The falls within the Fish to Tsitsikamma Water Management Area. There are no rivers or tributaries within 200 m of the Dieprivier Substation site. Rivers in the vicinity of the study site are classified as critically endangered, with the Kromme being good examples of such degradation.
Local Climate. The Humansdorp area has a sub-tropical climate with rain falling throughout the year, with peaks in autumn and spring. Mean Annual Precipitation is between 650 and 400 mm and varies seasonally, annually and spatially. Dominant winds in the Humansdorp area are from the South West and can reach gale force strengths, especially during the winter months.
Biodiversity. Critical Biodiversity Areas are terrestrial and aquatic features in the landscape which are considered as critical in conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem functioning. The proposed route does not cross large CBA 1 areas (Figure 6). The majority of the route passes through areas identified as CBA 2. Areas classified as CBA 2 are considered as untransformed and used for livestock grazing. These units are however often of lower biodiversity value due to incorrect veld management practices such as overstocking and continuous grazing.
Vegetation. The proposed power line is situated within the Fynbos Biome. Fynbos can be easily recognised by the occurrence of the families Proteacea (33 species), Ericacacae, the heathers (52 species) and Restionaceac, the Cape reeds (28 species). All life in the Fynbos has evolved with, and is adapted to, fire. Grassy Fynbos, which dominates the Kouga LM, incorporates 2 endemic Proteaceae species. The Kouga Local Municipality is therefore deemed a centre of endemism. Dominant plant
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 14 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT families include Daisy (Asteraceae), Protea (Proteaceae), Pea (Fabaceae) and Orchid (Orchidaceae). Renosterveld is characterised by the abundance of shrubs, especially one species, Renosterbos (Elytropappus rhinocerotis). Dominant plant families include Daisy Family (Asteraceae), the Pea Family (Fabaceae), the Gardenia Family (Rubiaceae), the Cocoa Family and the Thyme Family (Thymelaeaceae). Grasses are also abundant and it is believed that a lack of grasses is evidence of extensive grazing.
Vegetation Impact Assessment
The presence of potential endangered vegetation in the study area prompted the need to conduct a vegetation impact study. GIBB appointed the vegetation specialist, Mr Jamie Pote to conduct a terrestrial ecological assessment. A summary of the findings of the assessment report is provided below.
According to Mucina and Rutherford (2006), the dominant vegetation types present along the majority of the route is Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos (Least Threatened). The line traverses some narrow bands of Eastern Inland Shale Band Vegetation and Kouga Sandstone Fynbos (both Least Threatened), along its route. On the western side, the powerline traverses a band Langkloof Shale Renosterveld (Critically Endangered) and Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos (Endangered), with the substation situated in Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos. On the Eastern (Dieprivier) side the line traverses through and ends at a proposed substation situated in Langkloof Shale Renosterveld (Critically Endangered). Assessment of the habitat sensitivity indicate that areas scoring an overall LOW vulnerability include the portions of the site that are completely transformed or severely degraded, that have a low conservation status, or where there is very dense alien infestation. Loss of these areas will not significantly compromise the current conservation status of the vegetation unit at a regional level, nor is its loss likely to compromise the ecological functioning of surrounding areas. Areas scoring an overall MODERATE vulnerability include the intact portions of vegetation tend to have a moderate sensitivity score. Areas scoring an overall HIGH to VERY HIGH vulnerability include areas having a Critically Endangered or Endangered conservation status, or critical ecological process and critical biodiversity areas.
The proposed development is likely to have a number of impacts on the plants and plant communities within the site. The three key impacts are: (a) loss of habitat; (b) loss of species of special concern or SSC habitat and (c) reduction or changes to ecological processes/functioning. These can be further subdivided into sub-impacts as follows: A. Issue 1: Direct loss of natural vegetation habitat as a result of vegetation clearing for servitude; 1. Direct loss of habitat; 2. Direct loss of rocky refugia; 3. Direct loss of thicket or forest vegetation in drainage lines 4. Direct loss of riparian vegetation along drainage lines 5. Direct loss of seep/wetland/seasonal pan vegetation B. Issue 2: Direct loss of Species of Special Concern and associated habitat: 6. Loss of habitat for species of special concern; 7. Loss of Species of Special Concern C. Issue 3: Ecological process changes 8. Increased risk of alien invasion in drainage lines; 9. Clearing of alien invasives from within the servitude and drainage lines. 10. Disruptions to ecological processes as a result of habitat fragmentation
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In summary, the overall the development of the project is predicted to result in a negative impact of very low to medium significance.
The following key conclusions are reached regarding impacts on flora: In general the servitude passes through degraded and transformed vegetation, with segments passing through areas of intact and near intact vegetation; Only Langkloof Shale Renosterveld is present within the power line servitude, which has a NBA (2011) conservation status of Critically Endangered; The proposed activity will NOT result in the clearing of greater than 300 square meters of Critically Endangered Langkloof Shale Renosterveld and a permit in terms of section 57(1) of NEMBA is NOT required to carry out 'restricted activities' (including uprooting, damaging, destroying specimens) of listed threatened or protected species (as listed in terms of section 56 of NEMBA). As part of the EMPr, an ECO/ESO should be appointed to manage the identification and relocation of Species of Special Concern and management of vegetation clearing and subsequent revegetation and rehabilitation. A detailed EMPr should be compiled to address these issues before construction commences. It is recommended that individual screening is undertaken as part of the construction phase EMPr for the areas identified as having elevated sensitivities, including drainage lines and river crossings with intact Thicket and areas with intact Langkloof Shale Renosterveld to micro-site the pylons in order to minimise impact. Some ephemeral/temporary wetlands, pans and dams occur within or adjacent to the power line servitude. No power line pylons should be sited within wetlands, pans and dams and a 32 m exclusion buffer should be placed around these features. Suitable management of these must be addressed in the EMPr to minimise impacts during the construction phase, relating particularly to siltation due to soil erosion and permanent changes to drainage lines that may alter wetland processes. Care should be taken that no power line pylons are sited in wetlands and temporary seasonal pans (32 m exclusion zone around these features). Should it be unavoidable, relevant permissions will need to be obtained from DWEA. Power lines passing through riverine thicket/forest patches should be sited such that impacts to this vegetation is minimised. The substations must avoid any wetland areas (including seasonal wetlands, pans and seeps), other sensitive vegetation (thicket and forest), drainage lines and riparian vegetation along river banks. Should it be unavoidable, relevant permissions will need to be obtained from DWEA. No power line pylons should be placed within the 1:50 year flood line or on flood plains that may be susceptible to future flooding.
Fauna. Caracal and leopard are the main predators in the area, although very rarely seen. Cape clawless otter, bushpig, aardvark and a host of other smaller mammals are still reasonably common despite being seldom seen. Four tortoise species, including the large leopard tortoise and tent tortoise, occur within the area. Twenty four snake species found in the area with 4 of these being South African endemics. Common species likely to be seen include Cape cobra, puffadder, boomslang, rhombic skaapsteker, Karoo and montane grass snakes and the brown water snake. Two of the 28 lizard species present in the area are newly discovered species (dwarf chameleon Bradypodion sp. and flat gecko Afroedura sp.). A further 7 species are Cape endemics and 7 others are South African endemics. Most of these occur in the mountainous parts. In summer the Nile monitor is commonly seen near water. The ubiquitous Southern rock agama is also common.
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Avifauna. Species generally found in Fynbos and grassy plateaus includes Cape sugarbirds, Stone chats, Orange-throated longclaw, Greyling francolin, Black harrier, and even Cape rockjumper. Pale chanting goshawk, Karoo korhaan, Namaqua dove, Mountain chat, Pririt batis and Black-breasted snake eagle are also present in the area. The area boasts 25 number of raptor species, including the Little Sparrowhawk, Martial eagle, Crowned eagle and Black Sparrowhead. Eight sunbirds occur in the area. The Orange-breasted sunbird is the characteristic species in the fynbos, while the Greater double-collard and Black sunbirds will usually be found in the low-lying bushy parts. Some threatened and near-threatened species inhabit the area at certain times of the year. These include Blue crane, African marsh harrier, Striped fluff tail, Stanley's bustard, Black harrier, Protea canary, Black stork and Peregrine falcon.
Avifaunal Impact Assessment
The nature of the proposed activity, being distribution lines, prompted the need for an avifaunal specialist study. GIBB appointed Indwe Environmental Consulting to conduct an avifaunal impact assessment. A summary of their finding are provided below.
The proposed power line runs west to east down the Krom River valley. For the western half of its route it runs close to the river itself, but in the east it is slightly further away from the river course. The land use in the area is predominantly farming, with small arable areas cultivated to pastures. To the north of the route is the ‘Suuranysberge’ range, and to the south the ‘Kareedouwberge’. Up to approximately 181 bird species could be expected in the study area, based on data recorded by the Southern African Bird Atlas Project 2, six of which are Red Listed species according to Barnes (2000). The most important of these are the Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus, Denham’s Bustard Neotis denhamii, and Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus. The White Stork Ciconia ciconia is also considered as threatened since it is protected internationally under the Bonn Convention on Migratory Species. The Hamerkop Scopus umbretta has also been considered as important, as recent SABAP2 data has revealed that the species’ range has contracted in recent years. The Blue Crane and Denham’s Bustard are relatively abundant in the broader area and are likely to frequent this site. The Martial Eagle is not common in the area but could visit occasionally. In addition, Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreaux is common in the area and therefore represents large eagles.
The impacts of disturbance of birds, and destruction or alteration of habitat are determined to be of relatively low significance for the proposed project. A relatively small amount of habitat will be affected, and the area is already impacted by other existing power lines, farming activities, roads and other infrastructure. Where the line passes through natural Fynbos this will impact on some of the smaller bird species frequenting this micro habitat, but this is not believed to be a significant impact. The impact of collision of birds with certain sections of the proposed line is considered to be of high significance and warrants mitigation measures. This includes the need for an avifaunal walk down to determine the exact spans of line requiring marking with anti‐ collision marking devices. Whilst electrocution is possible on 132kV lines, the proposed tower structures (lattice structure with phase‐phase of 2000mm and cross arm of 2550mm) should be safe for the birds in area. Vultures do not occur in the area, so the only species large enough to be at risk of electrocution on a 132kV line are the eagles, which are generally solitary. Electrocution of birds in the substation is judged to be of low significance due to the fact that sensitive species are not likely to frequent the substation yard.
Three alternative routes have been proposed for the power line. This includes a Preferred Alternative and Alternatives A and B. There is little difference between these routes for avifauna and so there is no preferred route for avifauna. The power line may be constructed on any of the 3 routes. On the basis of avifaunal impacts, the proposed power line and substation can be allowed to proceed,
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Population. ECSECC (2009) indicates that the Kou-Kamma Local Municipality, in which the study area lies, has a total population in the order of 42,662 and the number of households is said to be in the order of 12,677. The Kou-Kamma Local Municipality constitutes approximately 11% of the total population of the Cacadu District Municipality. Households contain average family sizes of up to four people. The lack of energy resources within rural areas of South Africa is recognised as a major factor retarding socio-economic development. ECSECC (2009) states that approximately 76% of households in the Kou-Kamma LM are electrified, however unreliable this supply may be.
Land Use and Tenure. Land use within the study area is in the form of commercial agriculture, and urban settlement. The Kou-Kamma municipality is characterised by competing land use between agriculture, forestry and human settlements. A large portion of the area is taken up with forestry activities; especially state forests. Land use in the area is mainly agricultural in nature.
2. FEASIBLE AND REASONABLE ALTERNATIVES
“alternatives”, in relation to a proposed activity, means different means of meeting the general purpose and requirements of the activity, which may include alternatives to— (a) the property on which or location where it is proposed to undertake the activity; The proposed activity is to be constructed across a number of erven located from Dieprivier to Kareedouw as indicated in Appendix A. A preferred location and routing for the proposed distribution line has been developed by the proponent, with the aid of the designing engineers and land surveyors, and in consultation with landowners willing to allow erection of distribution lines across their property. This alternative is referred to the “Preferred Alternative” throughout this document. Two other routing alternatives have also been considered in this assessment, and although they are considered feasible and reasonable alternatives, they cannot be considered as some landowners along these routes have been reluctant to allow distribution lines across their properties. Nonetheless, these routes have been assessed in fulfilment of the EIA regulations (2010).
ESKOM employs a standard set of criteria in the selection of substation sites. These include the proximity to existing road transport infrastructure, site topography, proximity to human habitation and community facilities, location of infrastructure services (particularly those with above ground components) and land, which is not actively utilised or developed, or is disturbed. All these aspects were considered when the location of the new substation was conceptualised and the proposed locations presented in this environmental assessment were considered most feasible from an environmental, social and economic perspective. No other site alternatives were thus considered.
(b) the type of activity to be undertaken; Alternative activity types have not been considered as the applicant’s sole business is the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.
(c) the design or layout of the activity; The design of substations is relatively standard, as they form part of the national electricity supply network and must fit in with the existing network systems, technology and infrastructure. Alternatives cannot be considered.
(d) the technology to be used in the activity; Alternative technologies have not been considered as the technology to be used is already considered as the most appropriate technology, and in some cases has been specifically designed for the existing
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(e) the operational aspects of the activity; and No alternative operational aspects have been considered as the operation is standard for all distribution substations and power lines.
(f) the option of not implementing the activity. This option refers to the “No-Go Alternative”. Although the no-go alternative has been considered, it is not a practical project alternative in terms of providing stable electricity supply in the Kareedouw area. However, in terms of supporting informed decision making and the assessment of environmental impacts associated with bulk electricity supply in the area it is discussed here as it is required by the EIA legislation. By not increasing the supply to the greater area, development will be constrained as the existing networks are operating at near-capacity already. A new 132kV overhead powerline is required to strengthen the grid supply in the Kareedouw area.
Describe alternatives that are considered in this application. Alternatives should include a consideration of all possible means by which the purpose and need of the proposed activity could be accomplished in the specific instance taking account of the interest of the applicant in the activity. The no-go alternative must in all cases be included in the assessment phase as the baseline against which the impacts of the other alternatives are assessed. The determination of whether site or activity (including different processes etc.) or both is appropriate needs to be informed by the specific circumstances of the activity and its environment. After receipt of this report the competent authority may also request the applicant to assess additional alternatives that could possibly accomplish the purpose and need of the proposed activity if it is clear that realistic alternatives have not been considered to a reasonable extent.
Paragraphs 3 – 13 below should be completed for each alternative.
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Description of alternatives
The preferred routing option indicated below was identified during extensive site and routing investigations undertaken by Eskom representatives, appointed land surveyors, designing engineers and Environmental Assessment Practitioner. Topography, hydrology, land ownership and servitude negotiation, line maintenance, line constructability, access, economic, social and environmental aspects were considered during the viability assessment of each routing alternative. Based on this assessment the Preferred Alternative was identified as the most viable routing option. Assessment of Alternatives A and B indicated that land ownership and the unwillingness of land owners to entertain line routing options across their properties was the major influencing factor leading to elimination of these alternatives. Advantages and disadvantages of each of the alternatives are presented in the Table 5 below.
Alternative A
Alternative B
Preferred Alternative
Figure 7: Alternative distribution line route alignments.
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Table 5. Advantages and disadvantages of the identified routing options. Preferred Alternative Alternative A Alternative B All land owners has agreed to allow Some land owners have refused to Some land owners have refused to construction of power lines across allow construction of power lines allow construction of power lines their property. across their property. across their property. The length of the three proposed lines The length of the three proposed lines The length of the three proposed lines are very similar, therefore the cost to are very similar, therefore the cost to are very similar, therefore the cost to construct based on construction cost construct based on construction cost construct based on construction cost per km of line will be similar (approx. per km of line will be similar (approx. per km of line will be similar (approx. 35 km) 35 km) 35 km) Most expensive to construct based on Less expensive compared to the Least expensive compared to the the need for more strain structures Preferred Alternative to construct Preferred Alternative to construct (approx. 20 turn angles), and more based on the need for less strain based on the need for strain expensive foundations per structure structures (approx. 19 turn angles) structures (approx. 15 turn angles) Access and maintenance will be more Access and maintenance will be less Access and maintenance will be the difficult/ expensive as the routing is difficult/ expensive as the routing is least difficult/ expensive as the routing located away from the main road for located closer to the main road. is located in close proximity to the most of the route. main road for the most part. Visual impact in relation to proximity Visual impact in relation to proximity Visual impact in relation to proximity to the main road and Kruisfontein / to the main road and Kruisfontein / to the main road and Kruisfontein / Humansdorp communities will be less Humansdorp communities will be Humansdorp communities will be significant than expected for least significant than expected for most significant. Alternative B. Alternative B. Conclusion: Conclusion: Conclusion: The preferred option is clearly the Although less expensive to From a construction and most expensive option to construct construct, maintenance will prove maintenance cost perspective, this and maintain, however this option more difficult. Some land owners, alternative proves to be favoured. has a relatively low visual impact especially owners of the game Visual impacts may be potentially and all land owners along the route farms have rejected Eskom’s significant and some land owners has agreed to allow erection of the proposal to cross their property. have rejected Eskom’s proposal to power lines across their properties. Land owner requirements have cross their property. Land owner Land owner requirements have proven the most telling factor in requirements have proven the most proven the most telling factor in concluding that this option is NOT telling factor in concluding that this concluding that this alternative is preferred, and resultantly the option is NOT preferred, and preferred. option has been eliminated. resultantly the option has been eliminated.
No-go alternative
The no development alternative in the context of this project implies that the power line and Dieprivier substation would not be constructed and the Kareedouw substation extension would not be completed. If the project does not proceed the negative impacts such as risk of collisions of birds, clearing of vegetation and soil erosion would be avoided, however if the project does not commence the region would be negatively affected by an inadequate and unreliable electricity supply, which would inhibit future developments in the area. The need for stable and reliable power supply to meet current and future demand will likely outweigh the potential impacts to the surrounding environment, which is expected to be of low to medium significance, at best, and can be proactively mitigated to an acceptable level. The no-go alternative is therefore not recommended.
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3. ACTIVITY POSITION
Indicate the position of the activity using the latitude and longitude of the centre point of the site for each alternative site. The co-ordinates should be in degrees and decimal minutes. The minutes should have at least three decimals to ensure adequate accuracy. The projection that must be used in all cases is the WGS84 spheroid in a national or local projection. List alternative sites, if applicable.
Latitude (S): Longitude (E): Alternative: Alternative S12 (preferred or only site o ‘ o ‘ alternative) Alternative S2 (if any) o ‘ o ‘ Alternative S3 (if any) o ‘ o ‘ In the case of linear activities: Alternative: Latitude (S): Longitude (E): Preferred alternative Starting point of the activity (Kareedouw 33o 55.658’ 24o 12.788’ SS) Middle/Additional point of the activity 33o 56.935’ 24o 23.140’ End point of activity (new Dieprivier SS) 34o 00.260‘ 24o 33.479‘ Alternative A(if any) Starting point of the activity (Kareedouw 33o 55.658’ 24o 12.788’ SS) Middle/Additional point of the activity 33o 56.942’ 24o 23.319’ End point of activity (new Dieprivier SS) 34o 00.260‘ 24o 33.479‘ Alternative B (if any) Starting point of the activity (Kareedouw 33o 55.658’ 24o 12.788’ SS) Middle/Additional point of the activity 33o 57.500’ 24o 23.418’ End point of activity(new Dieprivier SS) 34o 00.260‘ 24o 33.479‘
For route alternatives that are longer than 500m, please provide an addendum with co-ordinates taken every 250 meters along the route for each alternative alignment. A table with coordinates for each alternative every 250m is attached in Appendix A2
4. PHYSICAL SIZE OF THE ACTIVITY
Indicate the physical size of the preferred activity/technology as well as alternative activities/technologies (footprints): Alternative: Size of the activity: Alternative A13 (preferred activity alternative) m2 Alternative A2 (if any) m2 Alternative A3 (if any) m2 or, for linear activities: Length of the
2 “Alternative S..” refer to site alternatives. 3 “Alternative A..” refer to activity, process, technology or other alternatives.
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activity:
Alternative: Preferred Alternative 35 307 m Alternative A 35 412 m Alternative B 34 982 m
Indicate the size of the alternative sites or servitudes (within which the above footprints will occur): Size of the Alternative: site/servitude: Preferred Alternative 1 094 517 m2 Alternative A 1 097 772 m2 Alternative B 1 084 442 m2
5. SITE ACCESS
Does ready access to the site exist? YES NO Existing roads and tracks to each of the tower structures and substations will X be used during construction and maintenance; however some new access roads will have to be constructed where no tracks exist. If NO, what is the distance over which a new access road will be built Unknown at this stage
Describe the type of access road planned:
Ready access to the Kareedouw substation exists. Access to an existing small substation at Dieprivier exists, but existing track will need to be upgraded and a short section of new road will need to be constructed to allow access to the new substation, which will contain infrastructure that will support the transmission of higher energy voltage. Access to the power line route will be from existing rural access roads and tracks where these exist. Where no access route exists in close proximity to the proposed power line route it will be necessary to construct access tracks. These tracks will as far as possible follow the power line servitude and not entail construction of a formal road/s.
Include the position of the access road on the site plan and required map, as well as an indication of the road in relation to the site.
6. SITE OR ROUTE PLAN
A detailed site or route plan(s) must be prepared for each alternative site or alternative activity. It must be attached as Appendix A to this document. Due to the large scale of the linear activity 1:500 scale site plans is impractical.
The site or route plans must indicate the following: 6.1 the scale of the plan which must be at least a scale of 1:500; 6.2 the property boundaries and numbers of all the properties within 50 metres of the site; 6.3 the current land use as well as the land use zoning of each of the properties adjoining the site or sites; 6.4 the exact position of each element of the application as well as any other structures on the site;
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6.5 the position of services, including electricity supply cables (indicate above or underground), water supply pipelines, boreholes, street lights, sewage pipelines, storm water infrastructure and telecommunication infrastructure; 6.6 all trees and shrubs taller than 1.8 metres; 6.7 walls and fencing including details of the height and construction material; 6.8 servitudes indicating the purpose of the servitude; 6.9 sensitive environmental elements within 100 metres of the site or sites including (but not limited thereto): . rivers; . the 1:100 year flood line (where available or where it is required by DWA); . ridges; . cultural and historical features; . areas with indigenous vegetation (even if it is degraded or invested with alien species); 6.10 for gentle slopes the 1 metre contour intervals must be indicated on the plan and whenever the slope of the site exceeds 1:10, the 500mm contours must be indicated on the plan; and 6.11 the positions from where photographs of the site were taken.
7. SITE PHOTOGRAPHS
Colour photographs from the centre of the site must be taken in at least the eight major compass directions with a description of each photograph. Photographs must be attached under Appendix B to this form. It must be supplemented with additional photographs of relevant features on the site, if applicable.
8. FACILITY ILLUSTRATION
A detailed illustration of the activity must be provided at a scale of 1:200 as Appendix C for activities that include structures. The illustrations must be to scale and must represent a realistic image of the planned activity. The illustration must give a representative view of the activity.
9. ACTIVITY MOTIVATION
9(a) Socio-economic value of the activity Preferred Alternative A Alternative B alternative What is the expected capital value of the activity R 54 174 982 Not assessed Not assessed on completion? What is the expected yearly income that will be R R R generated by or as a result of the activity? Unknown Unknown Unknown Will the activity contribute to service YES X NO YES X YES X infrastructure? Is the activity a public amenity? YES X NO YES X YES X How many new employment opportunities will Limited (2 or 3) Limited (2 or 3) Limited (2 or 3) be created in the development phase of the activity? What is the expected value of the employment R R R opportunities during the development phase? Unknown Unknown Unknown
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What percentage of this will accrue to previously Eskom BEE Eskom BEE Eskom BEE disadvantaged individuals? and and and Affirmative Affirmative Affirmative action action action policies will be policies will be policies will be enforced enforced enforced How many permanent new employment Unknown at Unknown at Unknown at this opportunities will be created during the this stage. this stage. stage. operational phase of the activity? What is the expected current value of the R R R employment opportunities during the first 10 Unknown Unknown Unknown years? What percentage of this will accrue to previously % % % disadvantaged individuals? Unknown Unknown Unknown
9(b) Need and desirability of the activity (Need and desirability in this section is the same for all alternatives)
Motivate and explain the need and desirability of the activity (including demand for the activity):
NEED: 1. Was the relevant provincial planning department involved in the YES NO application? X 2. Does the proposed land use fall within the relevant provincial planning YES NO framework? X 3. If the answer to questions 1 and / or 2 was NO, please provide further motivation / explanation: N/A
DESIRABILITY: 1. Does the proposed land use / development fit the surrounding area? YES NO X 2. Does the proposed land use / development conform to the relevant YES NO structure plans, SDF and planning visions for the area? X 3. Will the benefits of the proposed land use / development outweigh the YES NO negative impacts of it? X 4. If the answer to any of the questions 1-3 was NO, please provide further motivation / explanation: N/A
5. Will the proposed land use / development impact on the sense of place? YES NO X 6. Will the proposed land use / development set a precedent? YES NO X 7. Will any person’s rights be affected by the proposed land use / YES NO development? X
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8. Will the proposed land use / development compromise the “urban edge”? YES NO X 9. If the answer to any of the question 5-8 was YES, please provide further motivation / explanation. N/A
BENEFITS: 1. Will the land use / development have any benefits for society in general? YES NO X 2. Explain: The potential benefit of the proposed power line and substation to the Eastern Cape lies in the stimulation of the local economy through the supply of a reliable electricity supply, which will increasingly benefit the provision of services. Improving network reliability may furthermore decrease the number of residents within the Eastern Cape who are still reliant on domestic fires, which in turn negatively impact the environment through uncontrolled harvesting of woodlands and air quality.
3. Will the land use / development have any benefits for the local YES NO communities where it will be located? X 4. Explain: The provision of electricity may promote local economic development and investment in the Kareedouw-Humansdorp-Hankie-Patensie area. Electricity provision is critical for economic development, related employment and sustainable development in South Africa. In the context of the project improvement of the 132kV supply is critical to the improvement of provision of household electricity.
10. APPLICABLE LEGISLATION, POLICIES AND/OR GUIDELINES
List all legislation, policies and/or guidelines of any sphere of government that are applicable to the application as contemplated in the EIA regulations, if applicable:
Title of legislation, policy or guideline: Administering authority: Date: Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act No. South African 1996 108 of 1996 Government National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) DEA 1998 No. 107 0f 1998 Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations DEA 2010 (Government Notice No. R. 543 and 544) National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA) No. 25 of SAHRA 1999 1999 National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) DWA 1998
Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (43 of DoA 1983 1983) Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) No. 85 Department of Labour 1993 of 1993
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National Environmental Management Biodiversity DEA 2004 Act (Act 10 of 2004) Electricity Regulations Act (4 of 2006) NERSA 2006
National Energy Bill (2008) 2008
Expropriation Act (63 of 1975) 1975
Kou-kamma LM Integrated Development Plan Koukamma LM 2007-2012
Cacadu DM Integrated Development Plan Cacadu DM 2007-2012
Cape Nature and Environmental Conservation 1974 Ordinance (No. 19 of 1974) Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan DEA 2007
11. WASTE, EFFLUENT, EMISSION AND NOISE MANAGEMENT
11(a) Solid waste management Will the activity produce solid construction waste during the YES NO construction/initiation phase? X If yes, what estimated quantity will be produced per month? Approx. 5 m3 How will the construction solid waste be disposed of (describe)? All solid waste which is not reusable will be collected at a central location and will be stored temporarily until removed to a recognised landfill site Where will the construction solid waste be disposed of (describe)? Recognised landfill site Will the activity produce solid waste during its operational phase? YES NO X If yes, what estimated quantity will be produced per month? m3 How will the solid waste be disposed of (describe)? N/A Where will the solid waste be disposed if it does not feed into a municipal waste stream (describe)? N/A If the solid waste (construction or operational phases) will not be disposed of in a registered landfill site or be taken up in a municipal waste stream, then the applicant should consult with the competent authority to determine whether it is necessary to change to an application for scoping and EIA. Can any part of the solid waste be classified as hazardous in terms of the YES NO relevant legislation? X If yes, inform the competent authority and request a change to an application for scoping and EIA. Is the activity that is being applied for a solid waste handling or treatment YES NO facility? X If yes, then the applicant should consult with the competent authority to determine whether it is necessary to change to an application for scoping and EIA.
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11(b) Liquid effluent
Will the activity produce effluent, other than normal sewage, that will be YES NO disposed of in a municipal sewage system? X If yes, what estimated quantity will be produced per month? m3 Will the activity produce any effluent that will be treated and/or disposed of on Yes NO site? X If yes, the applicant should consult with the competent authority to determine whether it is necessary to change to an application for scoping and EIA. Will the activity produce effluent that will be treated and/or disposed of at YES NO another facility? X If yes, provide the particulars of the facility: Facility name: Contact person: Postal address: Postal code: Telephone: Cell: E-mail: Fax: Describe the measures that will be taken to ensure the optimal reuse or recycling of waste water, if any:
11(c) Emissions into the atmosphere
Will the activity release emissions into the atmosphere? YES NO X If yes, is it controlled by any legislation of any sphere of government? YES NO X If yes, the applicant should consult with the competent authority to determine whether it is necessary to change to an application for scoping and EIA. If no, describe the emissions in terms of type and concentration: During the construction phase, it is expected that there will be minor dust generation and emissions from vehicles and machinery. However the dust and emissions will have short term duration and have a limited negligible impact on the areas immediately surrounding the substation and tower structure sites.
11(d) Generation of noise
Will the activity generate noise? YES NO X If yes, is it controlled by any legislation of any sphere of government? YES NO X If yes, the applicant should consult with the competent authority to determine whether it is necessary to change to an application for scoping and EIA. If no, describe the noise in terms of type and level:
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Noise control regulations and SANS 10103: Short term noise impacts are anticipated during the construction phase of the project. It is however anticipated that the noise will be localised and contained within the construction site. The applicant must adhere to the relevant provincial noise control legislation (if any) as well as SANS 10103.
12. WATER USE
Please indicate the source(s) of water that will be used for the activity by ticking the appropriate box(es) Municipal water board groundwater river, stream, Other: the activity will not X dam or lake X water use water tanker X If water is to be extracted from groundwater, river, stream, dam, lake or any other natural feature, please indicate the volume that will be extracted per month: litres Does the activity require a water use permit from the Department of Water YES NO Affairs? X If yes, please submit the necessary application to the Department of Water Affairs and attach proof thereof to this application if it has been submitted.
13. ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Describe the design measures, if any, that have been taken to ensure that the activity is energy efficient: N/A Describe how alternative energy sources have been taken into account or been built into the design of the activity, if any: N/A
SECTION B: SITE/AREA/PROPERTY DESCRIPTION
Important notes: 1. For linear activities (pipelines, etc) as well as activities that cover very large sites, it may be necessary to complete this section for each part of the site that has a significantly different environment. In such cases please complete copies of Section C and indicate the area, which is covered by each copy No. on the Site Plan.
Section C Copy No. (e.g. A):
2. Paragraphs 1 - 6 below must be completed for each alternative.
3. Has a specialist been consulted to assist with the completion of YES NO X this section? If YES, please complete the form entitled “Details of specialist and declaration of interest” for each specialist thus appointed: All specialist reports must be contained in Appendix D.
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Property The proposed distribution lines traverse a number of farm portions and erven description/physical between the existing Kareedouw substation and the proposed Dieprivier substation. address: All farm portions and erven crossed by the proposed distribution lines are presented in Appendix A. (Farm name, portion etc.) Where a large number of properties are involved (e.g. linear activities), please attach a full list to this application. See Appendix A3 for a complete list of all farm portions and erven traversed. In instances where there is more than one town or district involved, please attach a list of towns or districts to this application. Current land-use zoning: Agriculture In instances where there is more than one current land-use zoning, please attach a list of current land use zonings that also indicate which portions each use pertains to , to this application.
Is a change of land-use or a consent use application required? YES NO X Must a building plan be submitted to the local authority? YES NO X
Locality map: An A3 locality map must be attached to the back of this document, as Appendix A. The scale of the locality map must be relevant to the size of the development (at least 1:50 000. For linear activities of more than 25 kilometres, a smaller scale e.g. 1:250 000 can be used. The scale must be indicated on the map.) The map must indicate the following: an indication of the project site position as well as the positions of the alternative sites, if any; road access from all major roads in the area; road names or numbers of all major roads as well as the roads that provide access to the site(s); all roads within a 1km radius of the site or alternative sites; and a north arrow; a legend; and locality GPS co-ordinates (Indicate the position of the activity using the latitude and longitude of the centre point of the site for each alternative site. The co- ordinates should be in degrees and decimal minutes. The minutes should have at least three decimals to ensure adequate accuracy. The projection that must be used in all cases is the WGS84 spheroid in a national or local projection)
1. GRADIENT OF THE SITE
Indicate the general gradient of the site. Preferred alternative Flat X 1:50 – 1:20 – 1:15 – 1:10 1:10 - 1:7,5 1:7,5 – 1:5 Steeper than 1:20 1:15 1:5 Alternative A Flat X 1:50 – 1:20 – 1:15 – 1:10 1:10 – 1:7,5 – 1:5 Steeper than 1:20 1:15 1:7,5 1:5 Alternative B: Flat X 1:50 – 1:20 – 1:15 – 1:10 1:10 – 1:7,5 – 1:5 Steeper than 1:20 1:15 1:7,5 1:5
2. LOCATION IN LANDSCAPE
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Indicate the landform(s) that best describes the site:
2.1 Ridgeline 2.2 Plateau 2.3 Side slope of hill/mountain 2.4 Closed valley 2.5 Open valley 2.6 Plain X 2.7 Undulating plain / low hills X 2.8 Dune 2.9 Seafront
3. GROUNDWATER, SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL STABILITY OF THE SITE
Is the site(s) located on any of the following (tick the appropriate boxes)? Preferred Alternative A Alternative B alternative: Shallow water table (less YES NO X YES NO X YES NO X than 1.5m deep) Dolomite, sinkhole or doline YES NO X YES NO X YES NO X areas
Seasonally wet soils (often YES NO X YES NO X YES NO X close to water bodies) Unstable rocky slopes or YES NO X YES NO X YES NO X steep slopes with loose soil Dispersive soils (soils that YES NO X YES NO X YES NO X dissolve in water) Soils with high clay content YES NO X YES NO X YES NO X (clay fraction more than 40%) Any other unstable soil or YES NO X YES NO X YES NO X geological feature An area sensitive to erosion YES NO X YES NO X YES NO X
If you are unsure about any of the above or if you are concerned that any of the above aspects may be an issue of concern in the application, an appropriate specialist should be appointed to assist in the completion of this section. (Information in respect of the above will often be available as part of the project information or at the planning sections of local authorities. Where it exists, the 1:50 000 scale Regional Geotechnical Maps prepared by the Council for Geo Science may also be consulted).
4. GROUNDCOVER
Indicate the types of groundcover present on the site:
The location of all identified rare or endangered species or other elements should be accurately indicated on the site plan(s).
Natural veld - good Natural veld Natural veld with Veld Gardens conditionE with scattered heavy alien dominated by
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aliensE infestationE alien speciesE Building or Sport field Cultivated land Paved surface Bare soil other structure
If any of the boxes marked with an “E “is ticked, please consult an appropriate specialist to assist in the completion of this section if the environmental assessment practitioner doesn’t have the necessary expertise.
5. LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA
Indicate land uses and/or prominent features that does currently occur within a 500m radius of the site and give description of how this influences the application or may be impacted upon by the application:
5.1 Natural area X 5.2 Low density residential X 5.3 Medium density residential 5.4 High density residential 5.5 Informal residential 5.6 Retail commercial & warehousing 5.7 Light industrial X 5.8 Medium industrial AN 5.9 Heavy industrial AN 5.10 Power station 5.11 Office/consulting room 5.12 Military or police base/station/compound 5.13 Spoil heap or slimes damA 5.14 Quarry, sand or borrow pit 5.15 Dam or reservoir 5.16 Hospital/medical centre 5.17 School 5.18 Tertiary education facility 5.19 Church 5.20 Old age home 5.21 Sewage treatment plantA 5.22 Train station or shunting yard N 5.23 Railway line N X 5.24 Major road (4 lanes or more) N 5.25 Airport N 5.26 Harbour 5.27 Sport facilities 5.28 Golf course 5.29 Polo fields 5.30 Filling station H 5.31 Landfill or waste treatment site 5.32 Plantation 5.33 Agriculture X 5.34 River, stream or wetland X 5.35 Nature conservation area 5.36 Mountain, koppie or ridge X 5.37 Museum
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5.38 Historical building 5.39 Protected Area X (non-statutory, boundary of a game farm within 500m) 5.40 Graveyard 5.41 Archaeological site 5.42 Other land uses (describe)
If any of the boxes marked with an “N “are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? The power line will cross a railway line. There will be no direct impact on the railway line.
If any of the boxes marked with an "An" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? N/A If YES, specify and explain: If YES, specify:
If any of the boxes marked with an "H" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity. N/A If YES, specify and explain: If YES, specify:
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6. CULTURAL/HISTORICAL FEATURES
Are there any signs of culturally or historically significant elements, as YES NO defined in section 2 of the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999, (Act X No. 25 of 1999), including Archaeological or palaeontological sites, on or close (within 20m) to the Uncertain site? If YES, The Langkloof and R62 scenic route, which has high local and regional explain: significance for its aesthetic and economic (tourism) values. If uncertain, conduct a specialist investigation by a recognised specialist in the field to establish whether there is such a feature(s) present on or close to the site. Briefly GIBB Engineering and Science appointed eThembeni Cultural Heritage to explain the undertake a Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment of a proposed distribution findings of power line and substation site in the Eastern Cape Province, in terms of the the specialist: National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 as amended, in compliance with Section 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999, as amended.
eThembeni identified the recognised scenic routes, including the R62 and the Langkloof. These scenic routes have high local and regional significance for their aesthetic and economic (tourism) values. The unmanaged potential impact on these landscapes is medium.
The proposed electrical infrastructure between Kareedouw and Patensie is underlain by potentially fossiliferous bedrocks of Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Caenozoic age that crop out within the Cape Fold Belt, Southern coastal plain and Gamtoos River Valley of the Eastern Cape. The Dieprivier- Kareedouw sector runs along the grain of the Cape Fold Belt and is partially underlain by Early Devonian sediments of the Baviaanskloof and Gydo Formations that may contain early land plants and marine invertebrates respectively. However, given the tight folding here, it is quite likely that most of the original fossil content of these rocks has been destroyed by tectonism. The unmanaged potential impact on palaeontological remains is low to medium.
Conclusion: eThembeni recommend that the development proceed with the proposed heritage mitigation and have submitted this report to SAHRA in fulfilment of the requirements of the NHRA. The complete HIA is included in Appendix D for reference. Will any building or structure older than 60 years be affected in any way? YES NO X Is it necessary to apply for a permit in terms of the National Heritage YES NO X Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999)? If yes, please submit or, make sure that the applicant or a specialist submits the necessary application to SAHRA or the relevant provincial heritage agency and attach proof thereof to this application if such application has been made.
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SECTION C: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
See Appendix E (PPP Comments & Response Report) for details of Public Participation undertaken.
1. ADVERTISEMENT
The person conducting a public participation process must take into account any guidelines applicable to public participation as contemplated in section 24J of the Act and must give notice to all potential interested and affected parties of the application which is subjected to public participation by—
(a) fixing a notice board (of a size at least 60cm by 42cm; and must display the required information in lettering and in a format as may be determined by the competent authority) at a place conspicuous to the public at the boundary or on the fence of— (i) the site where the activity to which the application relates is or is to be undertaken; and (ii) any alternative site mentioned in the application; (b) giving written notice to— (i) the owner or person in control of that land if the applicant is not the owner or person in control of the land; (ii) the occupiers of the site where the activity is or is to be undertaken or to any alternative site where the activity is to be undertaken; (iii) owners and occupiers of land adjacent to the site where the activity is or is to be undertaken or to any alternative site where the activity is to be undertaken; (iv) the municipal councillor of the ward in which the site or alternative site is situated and any organisation of ratepayers that represent the community in the area; (v) the municipality which has jurisdiction in the area; (vi) any organ of state having jurisdiction in respect of any aspect of the activity; and (vii) any other party as required by the competent authority; (c) placing an advertisement in— (i) one local newspaper; or (ii) any official Gazette that is published specifically for the purpose of providing public notice of applications or other submissions made in terms of these Regulations; (d) placing an advertisement in at least one provincial newspaper or national newspaper, if the activity has or may have an impact that extends beyond the boundaries of the metropolitan or local municipality in which it is or will be undertaken: Provided that this paragraph need not be complied with if an advertisement has been placed in an official Gazette referred to in subregulation 54(c)(ii); and (e) using reasonable alternative methods, as agreed to by the competent authority, in those instances where a person is desiring of but unable to participate in the process due to— (i) illiteracy; (ii) disability; or (iii) any other disadvantage.
2. CONTENT OF ADVERTISEMENTS AND NOTICES
A notice board, advertisement or notices must:
(a) indicate the details of the application which is subjected to public participation; and
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(b) state— (i) that the application has been submitted to the competent authority in terms of these Regulations, as the case may be; (ii) whether basic assessment or scoping procedures are being applied to the application, in the case of an application for environmental authorisation; (iii) the nature and location of the activity to which the application relates; (iv) where further information on the application or activity can be obtained; and (iv) the manner in which and the person to whom representations in respect of the application may be made.
3. PLACEMENT OF ADVERTISEMENTS AND NOTICES
Where the proposed activity may have impacts that extend beyond the municipal area where it is located, a notice must be placed in at least one provincial newspaper or national newspaper, indicating that an application will be submitted to the competent authority in terms of these regulations, the nature and location of the activity, where further information on the proposed activity can be obtained and the manner in which representations in respect of the application can be made, unless a notice has been placed in any Gazette that is published specifically for the purpose of providing notice to the public of applications made in terms of the EIA regulations.
Advertisements and notices must make provision for all alternatives.
4. DETERMINATION OF APPROPRIATE MEASURES
The practitioner must ensure that the public participation is adequate and must determine whether a public meeting or any other additional measure is appropriate or not based on the particular nature of each case. Special attention should be given to the involvement of local community structures such as Ward Committees, ratepayers associations and traditional authorities where appropriate. Please note that public concerns that emerge at a later stage that should have been addressed may cause the competent authority to withdraw any authorisation it may have issued if it becomes apparent that the public participation process was inadequate.
5. COMMENTS AND RESPONSE REPORT
The practitioner must record all comments and respond to each comment of the public before the application is submitted. The comments and responses must be captured in a comments and response report as prescribed in the EIA regulations and be attached to this application. The comments and response report must be attached under Appendix E.
6. AUTHORITY PARTICIPATION
Please note that a complete list of all organs of state and or any other applicable authority with their contact details must be appended to the basic assessment report or scoping report, whichever is applicable.
Authorities are key interested and affected parties in each application and no decision on any application will be made before the relevant local authority is provided with the opportunity to give input.
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List of authorities informed: Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs Department of Roads Eastern Cape South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) Councillors, Municipality Managers and Mayors for Kouga and Koukamma
List of authorities from whom comments have been received:
Acceptance of the application (form) for environmental authorisation has been received from the DEA. See Appendix H for copy of the acceptance letter. No other comments have been received
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7. CONSULTATION WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
Note that, for linear activities, or where deviation from the public participation requirements may be appropriate, the person conducting the public participation process may deviate from the requirements of that subregulation to the extent and in the manner as may be agreed to by the competent authority. Proof of any such agreement must be provided, where applicable. YES NO Has any comment been received from stakeholders? X If “YES”, briefly describe the feedback below (also attach copies of any correspondence to and from the stakeholders to this application):
See Appendix E for details of Public Participation undertaken
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SECTION D: IMPACT ASSESSMENT
The assessment of impacts must adhere to the minimum requirements in the EIA Regulations, 2010, and should take applicable official guidelines into account. The issues raised by interested and affected parties should also be addressed in the assessment of impacts.
1. ISSUES RAISED BY INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES
List the main issues raised by interested and affected parties. Issues and concerns that were raised by I&APs have been grouped under common headings:
Land use A number of farmers already have powerlines crossing their properties and were unwilling to allow additional lines. The spacing of towers must be consistent with existing towers. When placing towers future wind farms must be considered.
Roads Power lines must not be constructed within 20 m of a national road reserve fence. The vertical clearance of power lines must not be less than 6,5 meters measured from the crown of the national road to the lowest wire.
Wetlands The proposed route crosses wetlands which are rich in flora and fauna, construction work will permanently damage the wetlands.
Avifauna Power lines will decimate populations of endangered birds.
Planted pastures The powerline route crosses over highly productive pastures, the line should be routed across adjacent natural veld with a lower carrying capacity.
Visual impact The lines will be visible from the R62 road so impacting upon the sense of place.
Response from the practitioner to the issues raised by the interested and affected parties (A full response must be given in the Comments and Response Report that must be attached to this report as Annexure E): Land use Power lines do exist in the study area, however new power lines will only be constructed on properties where permission to construct tower structures has been successfully negotiated with the land owners. The spacing of towers will be done according to the specifications of the tower structures used and existing Eskom best practice guidelines. No wind generation projects or developments have been proposed within a distance of 5 km from the proposed power line route.
Roads The minimum vertical clearance between the power line conductors and the ground is 6.7 m,
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 39 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT while the minimum distance of a 132 kV distribution line running parallel to proclaimed public roads is 95 m from the centreline of the distribution line servitude to the centreline of the road servitude.
Wetlands No tower structures will be placed in any existing wetlands occurring in the study site. A Water Use License Application (WULA) will be launched for any construction work occurring within 500 m of any existing wetland. The WULA will investigate and propose mitigation for all identified potential impacts that may result from the activities.
Avifauna An avifauna specialist was appointed to conduct a bird specialist study. The specialist report concluded that the impacts on birds are of relatively low significance for the proposed project, provided that the recommended mitigation measures are implemented. The complete avifauna specialist report is included in Appendix D1.
Planted pastures The impact of the placement of tower structures in arable land will be negligible Farming practises on the impacted erven will continue as normal, and placement of the tower structures has been negotiated with the affected land owners.
Visual impact Power lines already exist along the R62. Furthermore, new power line infrastructure will be placed away from the R62. A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) found the visual impact of the power lines on the R62 and Langkloof Scenic Route to be of low significance provided that the mitigations measures proposed by the HIA practitioner are implemented. The complete HIA is included in Appendix D3.
2. IMPACTS THAT MAY RESULT FROM THE PLANNING AND DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATIONAL, DECOMMISSIONING AND CLOSURE PHASES AS WELL AS PROPOSED MANAGEMENT OF IDENTIFIED IMPACTS AND PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES
List the potential direct, indirect and cumulative property/activity/design/technology/operational alternative related impacts (as appropriate) that are likely to occur as a result of the planning and design phase, construction phase, operational phase, decommissioning and closure phase, including impacts relating to the choice of site/activity/technology alternatives as well as the mitigation measures that may eliminate or reduce the potential impacts listed.
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The impacts are assessed (rated) in terms of their significance (high, medium, low), status and confidence through a synthesis of the criteria in the table below. The criteria in the impact table is represented by the abbreviations for each criteria presented in brackets and bold italics.
Table 6: Criteria used to determine the significance ratings Criteria Description Spatial extent The extent of impact describes the region in which the impact will be experienced: Site specific, (S) Local, (L): < 2km from site Regional, (R): within 30km of the site National, (N) Duration The duration is the time frame in which the impact will be experienced: Temporary, (T): <1 year Short term, (ST): 1 to 6 years Medium term, (MT): 6 to 15 years Long term, (LT): 15 - 30 years Permanent, (P) Intensity or Magnitude The intensity describes the magnitude or size of the impact: of impact High, (H): Natural and/or social functions and/or processes are severely altered Medium, (M): Natural and/or social functions and/or processes notably altered Low, (L): Natural and/or social functions and/or processes are negligibly altered Probability The probability of the impact occurring: Improbable, (I): Little or no chance of occurring Probable, (P): < 50% chance of occurring Highly probable, (HP): 50% - 90% chance of occurring Definite, (D): >90% chance of occurring
Method for Rating of Impacts Class Description Significance High, (H): impacts of high magnitude locally for longer than 6 years and/or regionally and beyond. The impact results in major alterations to the environment even if effective mitigation measures are implemented and will have an influence on decision-making. Medium, (M): impacts of moderate magnitude locally to regionally in the short term. The impact results in medium alterations to the environment and can be reduced or eliminated by the implementation of effective mitigation measures. Low to very low, (L): impacts will be localised and temporary. Impacts result in minor alterations to the environment and can easily be alleviated by the implementation of effective mitigation measures. No impact, (NI): a potential concern or impact, which, upon evaluation, is found to have no significant impact at all. Status The status is the overall effect on the environment: Positive - a 'benefit' Negative - a 'cost' Neutral Confidence The degree of confidence in predictions based on available information and specialist knowledge: Low, (L) Medium, (M) High, (H)
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All impacts significance rating given presume implementation of mitigation as suggested.
Description of impacts during planning, construction, operational and decommissioning phase.
Planning phase
Minor damage to roads (Direct): Minor damage to roads in the study area could potentially result from continued travelling of vehicles on minor and gravel roads by land surveyors, engineers and Eskom staff during route and site investigations, and land owner negotiations. It is unlikely that damage to the roads will be noticeable over the short to medium term. * Mitigation: Plan to build access roads on a flat surface as far as possible. Restrict construction vehicle speed on access tracks to 20 km/h.
Construction phase
Impacts identified by EAP
Increased stormwater runoff (Direct): Removal of vegetation along the route servitude may result in increased runoff of stormwater and potential associated erosion. Erosion could be further exacerbated by poor design of infrastructure, such as road or tracks, and unmanaged activities such as improper monitoring of tracks regularly used by construction vehicles. * Mitigation: Undertake vegetation clearing during the dry season. Vegetation clearing must be weather dependent in short term.
Loss of stockpiled topsoil (Direct): Soil excavated and stockpiled during the preparation of the distribution line tower foundations may be exposed to wind and rain during the construction period, resulting in the erosion and loss of a proportion of the stockpiled topsoil. * Mitigation: Cover stock piles with heavy duty shade cloth to prevent run off and loss of topsoil. Remove all stockpiles once construction is complete.
Disturbance of fauna during construction activities (Direct): Fauna inhabiting the natural vegetation in the corridor that is to be cleared is very likely to be disturbed, injured or killed by the bush-clearing activities during the construction phase. Fauna more vulnerable to disturbance and stress are the slow moving or breeding vertebrates (e.g. tortoise) and invertebrates. * Mitigation: Vegetation clearance should be conducted systematically from the start to end of the route. Avoid strip clearing.
Noise pollution (Direct): Minor noise pollution is likely to occur at the construction site for the tower structures and substation construction. Though unlikely, drilling and blasting may be necessary where bedrock is encountered, which will result in a more significant noise impact in these areas. * Mitigation: Plant and vehicles must be in good working order and inspected daily. Drilling and blasting must be done according to accepted method statements and best practice guidelines and standards.
Air (dust) pollution (Direct): Construction activities and road construction/upgrade is likely to cause some dust pollution at the construction site. This impact is generally exacerbated by strong winds. * Mitigation: Apply appropriate dust suppression methods. Water to be used sparingly, and only where no water restrictions are in effect.
Fires (Direct): Fires may be caused through a number of actions or reasons, such as defective equipment, cigarette butts, and spilled fuels and oils. Fires are generally the result of bad or ineffective
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 42 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT management, or negligence. * Mitigation: Employ a fire officer for onsite control. Fire fighting equipment to be kept on site and serviced regularly.
Damage to roads by construction vehicles (Direct): Damage to roads in the study area could potentially result from continued travelling of vehicles on minor and gravel roads by contractors, engineers and Eskom staff during the construction phase. It is unlikely that damage to the roads will occur or be noticeable over the short to medium term. * Mitigation: Limit construction vehicles to 20 km/h on access roads and keep to the speed limit on public roads.
Increase in traffic (Direct): Traffic volumes are likely to increase during the construction period due to the movement of transport and construction vehicles to and from the construction site. * Mitigation: Arrange road travel outside peak traffic periods.
Impacts on visual aesthetics (Direct): Negative impacts on the visual aesthetics of the surrounding environment can occur when construction sites close to roads are not managed effectively, resulting in an untidy appearance in a scenic natural environment. * Mitigation: Follow requirements and management actions in EMPr to keep construction site presentable.
Spillage of hazardous substances (Direct): Several activities can cause the spillage of hazardous substances, causing contamination of receiving environment at the construction site. These include spillages from unmanaged ablution facilities, spillages of fuels and oils, spillage of concrete and cement and runoff of contaminated cement wastewater. All these different types of hazardous spillages are considered under this impact. * Mitigation: Store fuels and chemicals in a bunded area. Provide staff with hazardous materials training.
Impacts from unmanaged non-hazardous solid waste (Direct): General waste left unmanaged onsite may attract vermin and result in the environmental contamination. Incorrect storage may result in wind strewn litter and a negative visual impact, and may result in bad odour. * Mitigation: Keep waste in vermin proof bins with lids. Waste to be removed from site regularly.
Impacts on vegetation
Loss of vegetation cover (Direct): The proposed servitude will result in the removal of intact Fynbos and Renosterveld habitat from the servitude during construction. * Mitigation: Mitigation will not be possible for the loss of intact vegetation where pylon and access road construction footprints are required.
Loss of Rocky Refugia (Direct): The proposed servitude may result in the disturbance of Rocky Refugia habitat from the servitude where pylon construction coincides with outcropping. * Mitigation: Rocky Refugia should be avoided as far as reasonably possible.
Loss of thicket or forest vegetation in drainage lines (Direct): The proposed servitude could result in the clearing of Forest or Thicket vegetation along the length of the servitude where pylon construction, access road construction and laying of overhead cables require bush clearing. * Mitigation: Clearing must be kept to the minimum necessary. Appropriate permits must be obtained
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 43 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT from DAFF for removal of protected tree species if necessary.
Loss of riparian vegetation along drainage lines (Direct): The servitude may result in the loss of some peripheral riparian vegetation, particularly at road crossings, where necessary. * Mitigation: Riparian areas must be avoided as far as possible and pylons should not be constructed in riparian areas.
Loss of seep/wetland/seasonal pan vegetation (Direct): The servitude may, but is unlikely to result in the loss of some peripheral seeps/wetland and or seasonal pan vegetation which commonly occur in the area. * Mitigation: No pylons and access roads should be constructed within 32 m of a seep, wetland and/or seasonal pan, unless no alternative is possible.
Loss of habitat for Species of Special Concern (Direct): The power line is likely to result in the loss of necessary habitat for species of special concern through the servitude vegetation clearance activities. * Mitigation: Should species of special concern be identified, all reasonable measures should be implemented to minimise loss or destruction of habitat.
Loss of Species of Special Concern (Direct): The power line is likely to result in loss of species of special concern, due to destruction of their habitat and physical removal of these species where they occur. * Mitigation: Search and Rescue of any Species of Special Concern to be implemented before any construction commences.
Increased risk of alien invasion (Direct): Riparian areas and drainage lines already tend to be infested with alien species, although clearing has been undertaken through the Working for Water programme. Without management re-invasion is likely. Additional species may be introduced that may invade riparian habitat. * Mitigation: An alien management plan must be implemented and long-term monitoring conducted.
Clearing of alien invasives (Direct): The proposed power line will result in the removal of existing alien vegetation from within the servitude and drainage lines, which will reduce propagules production that may be spreading into adjacent areas. * Mitigation: Must be conducted in accordance with the EMPr.
Disruptions to ecological processes as a result of habitat fragmentation (Direct): The proposed power line will result in the removal of existing alien vegetation from within the servitude, which will reduce propagules production that may be spreading into adjacent areas. * Mitigation: Vegetation clearance must be conducted in accordance with the EMPr.
Impacts on avifauna
Disturbance of birds (Direct): Construction activities impact on birds and bird communities through disturbance, particularly during bird breeding activities. Disturbance of birds is anticipated to be of low significance in this study area since it is already fairly impacted. * Mitigation: Strict control should be maintained over all activities during construction, in particular heavy machinery and vehicle movements, and staff. Construction to be done according to environmental best practice standards.
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Habitat destruction (Direct): Habitat destruction is not anticipated to be a significant impact in this study area, as most of the natural vegetation has been removed already. * Mitigation: Strict control should be maintained over all activities during construction, in particular heavy machinery and vehicle movements, and staff. Construction to be done according to environmental best practice standards.
Impacts of heritage resources
Impact on R62 and Langkloof Scenic Route (Direct): The proposed electrical infrastructure is located along the R62 and Langkloof Scenic Route, which has high local and regional significance for its aesthetic and tourism values. If tower structures are placed on hilltops, visible against the skyline, it is likely to impact on the scenic surrounding landscapes. * Mitigation: Where possible towers should be located such that they do not interrupt skylines, and are not overly visible from scenic routes.
Impact on Palaeontological Heritage Resources (Direct): Geological formations in the Diepriver - Kareedouw sector might contain early terrestrial plant and marine invertebrate fossils, which might be disturbed or destroyed during the preparation and construction of tower structure foundations. * Mitigation: A heritage practitioner should complete a ‘walk-through’ of the final selected power line route and all other activity areas prior to the start of any construction activities.
Impact on conservation status of vegetation (Indirect): The loss of vegetation and biodiversity may cause a change in the conservation status of a vegetation type, e.g. changing the conservation status from endangered to critically endangered. * Mitigation: Minimise destruction of intact vegetation along the power line route.
Erosion (Indirect): The increased stormwater runoff along servitude sections where vegetation has been removed may lead to erosion of the topsoil. Erosion can be prevented if cleared areas are effectively managed. * Mitigation: Construction site and cleared areas should be monitored on an ongoing basis. Apply appropriate erosion protection measures where erosion identified.
Impacts on agriculture potential and expansion (Indirect): Placement of the tower structures in existing and future arable land may result in a minor loss of arable land or potential expansion of farming activities by affected farmers. The significance of the impact is expected to be negligible. The loss of very minor parts of arable land is possibly offset by compensation by the client as agreed upon with affected farmers. Eskom has engaged affected landowners and discussed compensation which does possible offset these impacts to some extent. * Mitigation: Use self-supporting monopole structures in farming areas to minimise loss or disruption of farming activities or production.
Establishment of side tracks (Indirect): Damage to access roads/tracks or unmanaged access roads may cause the establishment of additional tracks next to existing tracks when these tracks become difficult to navigate or become inaccessible. * Mitigation: Maintain access roads to prevent vehicles using alternative routes.
Inhibition of vegetation re-establishment (Indirect): The compacting of soils during construction may inhibit the re-establishment of vegetation at the construction site during the construction and operational phase. * Mitigation: Soil should be deeply ripped to loosen compacted layers. Re-vegetation should be done if
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 45 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT necessary.
Creation of temporary jobs (Cumulative): The creation of temporary jobs is likely to be the net effect of implementing the proposed project. This impact is likely to be a positive impact on the local workforce. * Mitigation: Ensure jobs created during construction phase are given to local people where possible.
Operational phase
Strengthening of electrical supply (Direct): The current power distribution system in the area is overloaded and therefore strengthening of the network will ensure that the supply to current connections is more stable, and that growth of residential and commercial areas in this region is not compromised. This is a positive impact. * Mitigation: No mitigation required.
Electrocution of avifauna (Direct): Electrocution of avifaunal species may lead to loss of local biodiversity or loss of endangered species. * Mitigation: If the lattice structures proposed are installed no further mitigation is required. In the case of monopole structures the standard Eskom Perching Bracket should be used.
Collisions (Direct): Collision of certain bird species, particularly Blue Crane, Denham’s Bustard, White‐bellied Korhaan and White Stork is highly probable in the study area, and may result in a loss of biodiversity or endangered/critically endangered species. * Mitigation: Identified high risk sections of the power line to be installed with a suitable anti bird collision marking device approved by Eskom, and as per Eskom standards.
Breeding habitat for birds (Direct): Power lines may provide breeding habitat in the absence of large trees in the study area. This impact is likely to have a positive impact on smaller bird species with low electrocution risk. * Mitigation: No mitigation required.
Impact on Langkloof R62 Scenic Route (Direct): The proposed electrical infrastructure is located along the R62 and Langkloof Scenic Route, which has high local and regional significance for its aesthetic and economic (tourism) values. If tower structures are placed on hilltops, visible in the skyline, it is likely to impact on the scenic landscape of the Langkloof area. * Mitigation: Towers should, where possible, be located such that they do not interrupt skylines, and are not visible from scenic routes.
Fires (Direct): Fires may result from a lack of maintenance of the powerline * Mitigation: Regular inspections and maintenance of the power line.
Damage to roads (Direct): Damage to roads in the study area could potentially result from continued travelling of vehicles on minor and gravel roads by engineers and Eskom staff during maintenance. * Mitigation: Maintenance vehicles to use existing roads. Vehicle speeds to be restricted to 20 km/h on access roads.
Theft and vandalism: Theft and vandalism of distribution line infrastructure leads to potential deaths, interruption in electricity supply and increased maintenance intervals. * Mitigation: Install anti-climb wires. Erect warning signs, and restrict access to the servitude. Ensure access control at substations must be maintained.
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Increase in crime: Increased access to private land may lead to a potential increase in crime * Mitigation: Restrict access to the servitude by keeping all gates locked.
Erosion (Indirect): Vegetation clearance and deterioration of access roads can lead to erosion in the surrounding environment. Erosion can be prevented if cleared areas and access roads are effectively managed. * Mitigation: Construction site and cleared areas should be monitored on an ongoing basis. Apply appropriate erosion protection measures where erosion identified.
Loss of property value (Indirect): The visual impact of the distribution lines across or adjacent to some properties may cause the loss of property value as potential buyers may view the presence of the power lines as a negative contributing factor in their decision to purchase resulting in a lower purchase offer. The notion of loss of property is however difficult to quantify as is based on subjective decision- making. * Mitigation: The fact that the power line routes are proposed in a farming community in itself offsets the potential loss of property value.
Decommissioning phase
Loss of stable electricity supply (Direct): Dismantling of the distribution line infrastructure may result in a temporary loss of electricity to the region if new infrastructure has not been erected to replace the loss of decommissioned infrastructure. * Mitigation: Only decommission if suitable infrastructure to replace this infrastructure is already in place to avoid disruption to the supply.
Waste generation (Direct): The decommissioning activity will result in the generation of metal and concrete waste. * Mitigation: Waste generation must be managed according to international best practice. Waste must be recycled where possible.
Erosion (Direct): Decommissioning activities may result in minor erosion at the decommissioning sites. * Mitigation: Construction site and cleared areas should be monitored on an ongoing basis. Apply appropriate erosion protection measures where erosion identified.
No-Go Option
Landscape remains untouched. If the distribution line is not constructed the natural areas where the proposed servitude will be located and the site for expansion or construction of sub-stations will remain intact. * Mitigation: No mitigation required.
No additional job opportunities created. With the No-Go option no additional jobs will be created during the construction, and possibly during the operational phase. * Mitigation: Implement the construction of the distribution lines as proposed.
Current supply likely to inhibit economic development. The current unstable supply of electricity to the local area is likely to inhibit economic growth and development in the region in the medium to long term. * Mitigation: Implement the construction of the distribution lines as proposed.
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Access to electricity by non-serviced households will not be achieved. The delivery of basic services such as electricity to non-services households will be seriously delayed or not achieved at all. * Mitigation: Implement the construction of the distribution lines as proposed
* Mitigation measures stated here represent the most important mitigation, but must be considered together with all specifications and mitigations provided in the Environmental Management Programme developed for the proposed activities of the project.
3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Taking the assessment of potential impacts into account, please provide an environmental impact statement that summarises the impact that the proposed activity and its alternatives may have on the environment after the management and mitigation of impacts have been taken into account, with specific reference to types of impact, duration of impacts, likelihood of potential impacts actually occurring and the significance of impacts.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 48
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B SUBSTATION/S
SPACIAL SCALE SIGNIFICANCE * SPACIAL SCALE SIGNIFICANCE * SPACIAL SCALE SIGNIFICANCE * SPACIAL SCALE SIGNIFICANCE *
CONFIDENCE CONFIDENCE CONFIDENCE CONFIDENCE
PROBABILITY PROBABILITY PROBABILITY PROBAB
DURATION INTENSITY DURATION INTENSITY DURATION INTENSITY DURATION INTENSITY IMPACT IMPACT STATEMENT
ILITY ASPECT
PLANNING AND DESIGN PHASE DIRECT IMPACT
The impact of deterioration of roads as a result of visiting famers during the Minor damage to roads L MT I L L - H L MT I L L - H L MT I L L - H L MT I L L - H planning phase is unlikely to occur.
Accordingly the impact significance is
surveying during field during
Use of vehicles of Use regarded as very low.
INDIRECT IMPACT No impacts identified N/A N/A N/A N/A CUMULATIVE IMPACT No impacts identified N/A N/A N/A N/A CONSTRUCTION PHASE DIRECT IMPACT
Increased stormwater S T P M-L L - H S T P M-L L - H S T P M-L L - H S T P M L - H runoff The impact associated with the clearing of vegetation in general can be managed and mitigated easily through effective management of construction Loss of stockpiled topsoil S T P M-L L - H S T P M-L L - H S T P M-L L - H S T P M-L L - H activities and the construction site. Resultantly, these impacts have been
Vegetation clearing Vegetation rated as low assuming mitigation. Disturbance of fauna during construction S T P L L - H S T P L L - H S T P L L - H S T P L L - H activities
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report
BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
S P E C T A IMPACT PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B SUBSTATION/S IMPACT STATEMENT
Noise pollution L T P L L - H L T P L L - H L T P L L - H L T P L L - H The impact associated with the use of Air (dust ) pollution S T P L L - H S T P L L - H S T P L L - H S T P L L - H construction plant and vehicles can be managed and mitigated easily through effective management of the plant and Fires L ST I M L - H L ST I M L - H L ST I M L - H L ST I M L - H the construction site. These impacts have therefore been rated as low Damage to roads by L MT I L L - H L MT I L L - H L MT I L L - H L MT I L L - H assuming mitigation. These impacts will construction vehicles have no significant influence on any of the proposed alternatives.
Usage of construction plant/vehicles of Usage Increase in traffic L T P L L - H L T P L L - H L T P L L - H L T P L L - H
Impacts on visual S T P L L - H S T P L L - H S T P L L - H S T P L L - H aesthetics Impact associated construction site and waste can be managed and mitigated Spillage of hazardous easily through effective management of S T P M L - H S T P M L - H S T P M L - H S T P M L - H substances the construction site. These impacts have been rated as low assuming mitigation. These impacts will have no Impacts from significant influence on any of the unmanaged non- S T P L L - H S T P L L - H S T P L L - H S T P L L - H proposed alternatives.
hazardous solid waste Construction site management Construction
Loss of vegetation cover S P D L L - H S P D L L - H S P D L L - H S P D L L - H A vegetation specialist was appointed to conduct an analysis and assessment of potential impacts associated with the Loss of Rocky Refugia S P D M L - H S P D M L - H S P D M L - H S P D M L - H proposed activities. The specialist found Loss of Thicket or Forest that impacts relating to pylon Vegetation along L P HP M L - H L P HP M L - H L P HP M L - H L P HP M L - H construction are likely to be highly drainage lines reversible, while impacts relating to road construction are likely to be moderately Loss of riparian reversible. L P HP M L - H L P HP M L - H L P HP M L - H L P HP M L - H Impacts on vegetation on Impacts vegetation If the recommendations of the Loss of seep / wetland / vegetation specialist is implemented L P HP M L - H L P HP M L - H L P HP M L - H L P HP M L - H seasonal pan vegetation where the vegetation clearance along
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 50
BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
S P E C T A IMPACT PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B SUBSTATION/S IMPACT STATEMENT the servitude is restricted to the tower Loss of habitat for structure footprint, the impact on the Species of Special S P HP L L - H S P HP L L - H S P HP L L - H S P HP L L - H loss of endangered vegetation type will Concern be low. In summary, the overall the development of the project is predicted Loss of Species of S P HP M L - H S P HP M L - H S P HP M L - H S P HP M L - H to result in a negative impact of very low Special Concern to medium significance. Increased risk of alien L P P M L - M L P P M L - M L P P M L - M L P P M L - M invasion
Clearing of alien ST- ST- L ST-P HP L L + M L ST-P HP L L + M L HP L L + M L HP L L + M invasives P P
Disruptions to ecological L P P M L - M L P P M L - M L P P M L - M L P P M L - M processes An avifauna specialist was appointed to
assess the impact of the proposed Disturbance of birds L LT P M-L L - H L LT P M-L L - H L LT P M-L L - H L LT P M-L L - H power line on affected bird communities. The impacts on birds during construction were rated as low negative. All the proposed alternatives were found to be acceptable in terms of Habitat destruction L P P M-L L - H L P P M-L L - H L P P M-L L - H L P P M-L L - H impacts mitigated and no preferred Impacts of Avifauna of Impacts alternative was suggested by the specialist. A heritage practitioner was appointed to Impact on R62 and L LT HP M L - H L LT HP M L - H L LT HP M L - H L LT HP M L - H conduct a HIA for the proposed Langkloof Scenic Route development. Identified impacts were rated as low significance. The specialist recommended commencement of the Impact on Resources project given the recommendation made Palaeontological S P HP M-L L - H S P HP M-L L - H S P HP M-L L - H S P HP M-L L - H in the assessment report is Impacts on Heritage on Impacts Heritage Resources implemented.
INDIRECT IMPACT
Indirect impact associated with Impact on conservation R LT I M L - H R LT I M L - H R LT I M L - H R LT I M L - H vegetation clearance can be managed status of vegetation
and mitigated easily through effective
clearance Vegetation Vegetation
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 51
BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
S P E C T A IMPACT PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B SUBSTATION/S IMPACT STATEMENT management of clearance activity. These impacts have been rated as low assuming mitigation, and will have no Erosion L ST P L L - H L ST P L L - H L ST P L L - H L ST P L L - H significant influence on any of the proposed alternatives. Low growing vegetation should be leaved untouched. The potential loss of arable land or agriculture potential is judged to be Impacts on agriculture S LT I L L - H S LT P I L - H S LT I L L - H S LT P L L - H significantly low if the recommended
potential and expansion Farming potential structures and mitigation is implemented.
The establishment of side tracks will by Establishment of side unlikely, and thus judged as significantly L ST P M-L L - H L ST P M-L L - H L ST P M-L L - H L ST P M-L L - H tracks low, if the EMPr is adhered to and
vehicles implemented. Construction Construction Rehabilitation of the disturbed areas along the power line route is expected Inhibition of vegetation to be successful as individual disturbed S ST I L L - H S ST I L L - H S ST I L L - H S ST I L L - H
re-establishment footprints will be small enough to allow hardening Catchment Catchment recolonisation from the surrounding fringe vegetation. CUMULATIVE IMPACT
The construction of the tower structures, and especially the sub-stations will Creation of temporary L T P M L + H L T P M L + H L T P M L + H L T HP M M + H create temporary jobs for unskilled jobs during construction
labour. This results in a significant low Economic Economic
development to medium positive impact on the area.
OPERATIONAL PHASE DIRECT IMPACT
The current power distribution system in Improved reliability of the area is overloaded. Strengthening of electrical supply and the network will ensure that the supply increased supply to R LT D H H+ H R LT D H H+ H R LT D H H+ H R LT D H H+ H to current connections is more stable, region and resulting and that growth of residential and
economic growth. commercial areas in this region is not
electricalsupply Strengthening of Strengthening compromised. This is a positive impact.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 52
BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
S P E C T A IMPACT PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B SUBSTATION/S IMPACT STATEMENT During the operational phase, the most Electrocution of avifauna N P P M-L NI H N P P M-L NI H N P P M-L NI H N P P M-L NI H notable impact is the potential loss of individual birds or endangered/ critically endangered species. If the proposed Collisions N P P H L - H N P P H L - H N P P H L - H N P P H L - H mitigations are implemented successfully, the impacts on birds will be significantly low. The proposed structure type will further minimize collision and electrocution risks.
Impacts on avifauna on Impacts Breeding habitat for birds S LT HP M-L L + H S LT HP M-L L + H S LT HP M-L L + H S LT P M-L L + H All the proposed alternatives were found to be acceptable in terms of impacts mitigated and no preferred alternative was suggested by the specialist.
If the recommendations of the heritage Impact on Gamtoos practitioner are implemented the L LT HP M L - H L LT HP M L - H L LT HP M L - H L LT HP M L - H
Scenic Route impacts of the power line on the
Heritage Heritage Impact on on Impact
Resources Langkloof Scenic Route is low.
Fires L T I M L - H L T I M L - H L T I M L - H L T I M L - H The potential impacts related to maintenance, or a lack thereof, is Damage to access unlikely to occur, resulting in a low
L LT I L L - H L LT I L L - H L LT I L L - H L LT I L L - H impact on the environment. maintenance Infrastructure roads/tracks
Theft and vandalism S T P M L - H S T P M L - H S T P M L - H S T P H L - H The potential impact of crime during the construction phase is considered Crime Increase in crime L T P M L - H L T P M L - H L T P M L - H L T P M L - H significantly low if properly mitigated.
INDIRECT IMPACT
The impact of indirect erosion occurring has been rated as low assuming Erosion L LT I L L - H L LT I L L - H L LT I L L - H L LT I L L - H mitigation, and will have no significant influence on any of the proposed
Maintenance alternatives.
The indirect potential loss of property value is considered to be low as power lines are already a landscape feature in Loss of property value L LT I M L - M L LT I M L - M L LT I M L - M L LT I M L - M the area. The area also contains well- established farmers thus regular change in ownership is unlikely to occur in the
Infrastructurelocation long term.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 53
BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
S P E C T A IMPACT PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B SUBSTATION/S IMPACT STATEMENT
DECOMMISIONING PHASE
DIRECT IMPACT
Loss of stable electricity R T I H L - H R T I H L - H R T I H L - H R T I H L - H The loss of stable electricity supply due supply to decommissioning of infrastructure is the most concerning potential impact during this phase. However, with Waste generation S T HP L L - H S T HP L L - H S T HP L L - H S T HP L L - H following best practice guidelines this risk will be completely mitigated. Anticipation of all potential impacts is however impossible Decommissioning activity Decommissioning Erosion L ST I L L - H L ST I L L - H L ST I L L - H L ST I L L - H
PREFEREED ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B SUBSTATION/S
SPACIAL SCALE SIGNIFICANCE * SPACIAL SCALE SIGNIFICANCE * SPACIAL SCALE SIGNIFICANCE * SPACIAL SCALE SIGNIFICANCE *
CONFIDENCE CONFIDENCE CONFIDENCE CONFIDENCE
PROBABILITY PROBABILITY PROBABILITY PROBABILITY
DURATION INTENSITY DURATION INTENSITY DURATION INTENSITY DURATION INTENSITY
IMPACT PRIMARY MITIGATION MEASURES ASPECT
NO GO OPTION
Landscape remains If the infrastructure is not constructed S LT HP L L + H S LT HP L L + H S LT HP L L + H S LT HP L L + H
untouched the landscape will remain untouched.
activities Agriculture
No additional job The most significant impact to be L T P M L - H L T P M L - H L T P M L - H L T P M L - H opportunities created considered is the inhibition of economic Current supply likely to growth that could ultimately result in the inhibit economic R LT P H H - H R LT P H H - H R LT P H H - H R LT P H H - H interruption or loss of electricity supply. development This will further impact on social and economic upliftment of poor or
economic aspects economic Access to electricity by - non-serviced disadvantaged communities. As a R LT P H H - H R LT P H H - H R LT P H H - H R LT P H H - H
households will not be consequence the significance of the Socio achieved. impact is regarded as low to medium. * All significance ratings provided in the tables above assumes that recommended and appropriate mitigation has been implemented.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 54 SECTION E. RECOMMENDATION OF PRACTITIONER
Is the information contained in this report and the documentation attached YES NO hereto sufficient to make a decision in respect of the activity applied for (in the X view of the environmental assessment practitioner)?
If “NO”, indicate the aspects that should be assessed further as part of a Scoping and EIA process before a decision can be made (list the aspects that require further assessment):
If “YES”, please list any recommended conditions, including mitigation measures that should be considered for inclusion in any authorisation that may be granted by the competent authority in respect of the application: In consideration of the specialist assessment reports, systematic comparisons of the preferred and alternative route options and assessment of all identified impacts the Environmental Assessment Practitioner has come to the following conclusions for each routing alternative:
Route Alternative A: This option is less expensive to construct compared to the Preferred Alternative, but maintenance will prove more difficult. Due to the fact that some land owners have rejected Eskom’s proposal to cross their properties, the proposed route must be redirected to satisfy land owner requirements. The resultant route where all land owners have agreed to allow construction of power line infrastructure on their properties is thus proposed as the Preferred Alternative. This alternative has not been flagged as fatally flawed with environmental, social and heritage impacts and significance overall being rated as low. Land owner requirements have proven to be the most influential factor in concluding that this option cannot be implemented. Environmental impacts associated with this route alternative can be successfully mitigated if the recommended mitigation measures in the EMPr are adhered to.
Route Alternative B: From a construction and maintenance cost perspective, this alternative proves to be favoured. Environmental impacts associated with this route alternative can be successfully mitigated given mitigation measures in the EMPr are adhered to. Visual impacts may be potentially significant as the distribution line would run fairly close to the road for a notable distance. This alternative has not been flagged as fatally flawed with environmental, social and heritage impacts and significance overall being rated as low. As in the Alternative A some land owners, especially owners of the game farms, have rejected Eskom’s proposal to cross their property. Land owner requirements have thus proven the most influential factor in concluding that this option cannot be considered or further investigated.
Preferred Alternative: The preferred alternative is clearly the most expensive option to construct and maintain. However, this option has a relatively low visual impact and environmental impacts associated with this preferred route can be successfully mitigated if the recommended mitigation measures in the EMPr are adhered to. Bird collisions with the tower structures were raised as a potential significant impact. The avifauna specialist however identified high risk sections of the power line to be installed with a suitable anti-bird collision marking device approved by Eskom, and as per Eskom standards. It is recommended that when micro-siting of tower structures and detailed design has been completed, an avifaunal walk through is done to identify the exact spans requiring marking before construction commences. No fatal flaws were identified by the EAP or any of the specialists. Further, all land owners whose property the proposed route will cross has agreed to allow erection of the power lines across their properties. Therefore, although not the most cost-effective or maintenance-friendly line to construct, the route is preferred as all environmental impacts can be mitigated to acceptable
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT levels and collective landowner consent has been obtained which will ensure construction of tower structures on the identified properties.
The EAP therefore recommends that the Preferred Alternative as described and assessed in this Basic Assessment Report be considered for implementation.
Further, it is recommended that the proposed construction of the substation and distribution lines continue only if all recommendations and mitigation measures stipulated in the EMPr and specialist reports are implemented and that an Environmental Control officer be employed throughout the duration of construction. Is an EMPr attached? YES NO X The EMPr must be attached as Appendix F.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 56 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
References
Eskom 2007 Building Line Restrictions, Servitude Widths, Line Separators and Clearances From Powerlines.
Eskom 2000 Standards for Bush Clearance and Maintenance Within Overhead Powerline Servitudes.
Eastern Cape Socio Economic Consultative Council. Statistics At Your Fingertips Database.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 57 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
SECTION F: APPENDIXES
The following appendixes must be attached as appropriate:
Appendix A: Site plan(s)
Appendix B: Photographs
Appendix C: Facility illustration(s)
Appendix D: Specialist reports (including terms of reference)
Appendix E: Comments and responses report
Appendix F: Environmental Management Programme (EMPr)
Appendix G: Other information
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 58 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
APPENDIX A1
Site plans
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 59
Figure 8: Map of route alignment and erven affected.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report
APPENDIX A2
Route coordinates at 250 m intervals
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
Table 7. Route coordinates at 250 m intervals along the Preferred Alternative from Kareedouw substation to the new Dieprivier substation.
Point no Longitude (D°DM') Latitude (D°DM') Point no Longitude (D°DM') Latitude (D°DM')
1 24°12.8350' E 33°55.6263' S 87 24°23.2694' E 33°56.9399' S
2 24°12.9680' E 33°55.6443' S 88 24°23.4040' E 33°56.9448' S
3 24°13.1010' E 33°55.6623' S 89 24°23.5386' E 33°56.9497' S
4 24°13.2340' E 33°55.6804' S 90 24°23.6732' E 33°56.9547' S
5 24°13.3670' E 33°55.6984' S 91 24°23.8078' E 33°56.9596' S
6 24°13.5000' E 33°55.7164' S 92 24°23.9424' E 33°56.9645' S
7 24°13.5939' E 33°55.6437' S 93 24°24.0771' E 33°56.9694' S
8 24°13.7026' E 33°55.6207' S 94 24°24.2116' E 33°56.9747' S
9 24°13.8304' E 33°55.6563' S 95 24°24.3448' E 33°56.9920' S
10 24°13.9622' E 33°55.6766' S 96 24°24.4779' E 33°57.0092' S
11 24°14.0962' E 33°55.6880' S 97 24°24.6111' E 33°57.0265' S
12 24°14.2303' E 33°55.6995' S 98 24°24.7442' E 33°57.0437' S
13 24°14.3573' E 33°55.6958' S 99 24°24.8774' E 33°57.0610' S
14 24°14.4403' E 33°55.6107' S 100 24°24.9867' E 33°57.1212' S
15 24°14.4177' E 33°55.5000' S 101 24°25.0886' E 33°57.1946' S
16 24°14.3950' E 33°55.3893' S 102 24°25.1906' E 33°57.2680' S
17 24°14.3724' E 33°55.2785' S 103 24°25.2925' E 33°57.3414' S
18 24°14.4246' E 33°55.1775' S 104 24°25.3945' E 33°57.4148' S
19 24°14.4865' E 33°55.0777' S 105 24°25.5160' E 33°57.4592' S
20 24°14.6071' E 33°55.0977' S 106 24°25.6444' E 33°57.4932' S
21 24°14.7351' E 33°55.1328' S 107 24°25.7728' E 33°57.5273' S
22 24°14.8631' E 33°55.1679' S 108 24°25.9012' E 33°57.5613' S
23 24°14.9881' E 33°55.2093' S 109 24°26.0296' E 33°57.5954' S
24 24°15.1112' E 33°55.2551' S 110 24°26.1580' E 33°57.6295' S
25 24°15.2342' E 33°55.3009' S 111 24°26.2864' E 33°57.6635' S
26 24°15.3572' E 33°55.3467' S 112 24°26.4148' E 33°57.6976' S
27 24°15.4803' E 33°55.3926' S 113 24°26.5432' E 33°57.7317' S
28 24°15.6033' E 33°55.4384' S 114 24°26.6716' E 33°57.7657' S
29 24°15.7263' E 33°55.4842' S 115 24°26.8000' E 33°57.7998' S
30 24°15.8493' E 33°55.5300' S 116 24°26.9284' E 33°57.8338' S
31 24°15.9752' E 33°55.5678' S 117 24°27.0568' E 33°57.8679' S
32 24°16.1085' E 33°55.5840' S 118 24°27.1852' E 33°57.9020' S
33 24°16.2418' E 33°55.6002' S 119 24°27.3136' E 33°57.9360' S
34 24°16.3752' E 33°55.6165' S 120 24°27.4420' E 33°57.9701' S
35 24°16.5085' E 33°55.6327' S 121 24°27.5704' E 33°58.0041' S
36 24°16.6379' E 33°55.6613' S 122 24°27.6988' E 33°58.0382' S
37 24°16.7637' E 33°55.7017' S 123 24°27.8272' E 33°58.0723' S
38 24°16.8894' E 33°55.7422' S 124 24°27.9555' E 33°58.1063' S
39 24°17.0151' E 33°55.7826' S 125 24°28.0839' E 33°58.1404' S
40 24°17.1408' E 33°55.8230' S 126 24°28.2123' E 33°58.1744' S
41 24°17.2665' E 33°55.8634' S 127 24°28.3407' E 33°58.2085' S
42 24°17.3922' E 33°55.9039' S 128 24°28.4691' E 33°58.2425' S
43 24°17.5086' E 33°55.8859' S 129 24°28.5975' E 33°58.2766' S
44 24°17.6356' E 33°55.9235' S 130 24°28.7259' E 33°58.3107' S
45 24°17.7625' E 33°55.9612' S 131 24°28.8543' E 33°58.3447' S
46 24°17.8895' E 33°55.9988' S 132 24°28.9827' E 33°58.3788' S
47 24°18.0164' E 33°56.0365' S 133 24°29.1111' E 33°58.4128' S
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 62 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
Point no Longitude (D°DM') Latitude (D°DM') Point no Longitude (D°DM') Latitude (D°DM')
48 24°18.1462' E 33°56.0658' S 134 24°29.2373' E 33°58.4520' S
49 24°18.2778' E 33°56.0903' S 135 24°29.3618' E 33°58.4949' S
50 24°18.4093' E 33°56.1147' S 136 24°29.4864' E 33°58.5377' S
51 24°18.5408' E 33°56.1391' S 137 24°29.6109' E 33°58.5806' S
52 24°18.6723' E 33°56.1635' S 138 24°29.7354' E 33°58.6234' S
53 24°18.8038' E 33°56.1880' S 139 24°29.8600' E 33°58.6663' S
54 24°18.9354' E 33°56.2124' S 140 24°29.9845' E 33°58.7092' S
55 24°19.0665' E 33°56.2382' S 141 24°30.1091' E 33°58.7520' S
56 24°19.1975' E 33°56.2646' S 142 24°30.2336' E 33°58.7949' S
57 24°19.3284' E 33°56.2911' S 143 24°30.3581' E 33°58.8378' S
58 24°19.4586' E 33°56.3198' S 144 24°30.4827' E 33°58.8806' S
59 24°19.5870' E 33°56.3540' S 145 24°30.6072' E 33°58.9235' S
60 24°19.7154' E 33°56.3881' S 146 24°30.7317' E 33°58.9663' S
61 24°19.8437' E 33°56.4222' S 147 24°30.8563' E 33°59.0092' S
62 24°19.9721' E 33°56.4564' S 148 24°30.9808' E 33°59.0521' S
63 24°20.1005' E 33°56.4905' S 149 24°31.1054' E 33°59.0949' S
64 24°20.2288' E 33°56.5246' S 150 24°31.2299' E 33°59.1378' S
65 24°20.3572' E 33°56.5588' S 151 24°31.3544' E 33°59.1806' S
66 24°20.4856' E 33°56.5929' S 152 24°31.4790' E 33°59.2235' S
67 24°20.6140' E 33°56.6270' S 153 24°31.6035' E 33°59.2664' S
68 24°20.7423' E 33°56.6612' S 154 24°31.7280' E 33°59.3092' S
69 24°20.8707' E 33°56.6953' S 155 24°31.8526' E 33°59.3521' S
70 24°20.9991' E 33°56.7295' S 156 24°31.9771' E 33°59.3949' S
71 24°21.1288' E 33°56.7596' S 157 24°32.1017' E 33°59.4378' S
72 24°21.2599' E 33°56.7855' S 158 24°32.2262' E 33°59.4807' S
73 24°21.3910' E 33°56.8114' S 159 24°32.3507' E 33°59.5235' S
74 24°21.5223' E 33°56.8364' S 160 24°32.4753' E 33°59.5664' S
75 24°21.6566' E 33°56.8455' S 161 24°32.5956' E 33°59.6165' S
76 24°21.7909' E 33°56.8547' S 162 24°32.7133' E 33°59.6711' S
77 24°21.9252' E 33°56.8638' S 163 24°32.8310' E 33°59.7257' S
78 24°22.0595' E 33°56.8730' S 164 24°32.9488' E 33°59.7803' S
79 24°22.1938' E 33°56.8821' S 165 24°33.0665' E 33°59.8349' S
80 24°22.3281' E 33°56.8913' S 166 24°33.1842' E 33°59.8896' S
81 24°22.4624' E 33°56.9004' S 167 24°33.3019' E 33°59.9442' S
82 24°22.5967' E 33°56.9096' S 168 24°33.4196' E 33°59.9988' S
83 24°22.7310' E 33°56.9187' S 169 24°33.5373' E 34°00.0534' S
84 24°22.8655' E 33°56.9251' S 170 24°33.5658' E 34°00.1301' S
85 24°23.0001' E 33°56.9300' S 171 24°33.5029' E 34°00.2293' S
86 24°23.1347' E 33°56.9350' S
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 63 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
Table 8. Route coordinates at 250 m intervals along Alternative A from Kareedouw substation to the new Dieprivier substation.
Point no Longitude (D°DM') Latitude (D°DM') Point no Longitude (D°DM') Latitude (D°DM')
1 24°12.9062' E 33°55.5082' S 72 24°23.5072' E 33°56.9492' S
2 24°12.9462' E 33°55.3772' S 73 24°23.6693' E 33°56.9553' S
3 24°12.9863' E 33°55.2462' S 74 24°23.8314' E 33°56.9613' S
4 24°13.0873' E 33°55.1433' S 75 24°23.9935' E 33°56.9673' S
5 24°13.1992' E 33°55.0453' S 76 24°24.1556' E 33°56.9734' S
6 24°13.3110' E 33°54.9474' S 77 24°24.3165' E 33°56.9894' S
7 24°13.4229' E 33°54.8495' S 78 24°24.4768' E 33°57.0102' S
8 24°13.5515' E 33°54.8075' S 79 24°24.6371' E 33°57.0311' S
9 24°13.7056' E 33°54.8499' S 80 24°24.7975' E 33°57.0519' S
10 24°13.8596' E 33°54.8923' S 81 24°24.9462' E 33°57.0937' S
11 24°14.0136' E 33°54.9346' S 82 24°25.0692' E 33°57.1819' S
12 24°14.1676' E 33°54.9770' S 83 24°25.1921' E 33°57.2701' S
13 24°14.3217' E 33°55.0194' S 84 24°25.3151' E 33°57.3583' S
14 24°14.4757' E 33°55.0617' S 85 24°25.4426' E 33°57.4399' S
15 24°14.6297' E 33°55.1041' S 86 24°25.5972' E 33°57.4809' S
16 24°14.7838' E 33°55.1465' S 87 24°25.7518' E 33°57.5220' S
17 24°14.9370' E 33°55.1906' S 88 24°25.9065' E 33°57.5630' S
18 24°15.0851' E 33°55.2457' S 89 24°26.0611' E 33°57.6041' S
19 24°15.2332' E 33°55.3008' S 90 24°26.2157' E 33°57.6451' S
20 24°15.3814' E 33°55.3559' S 91 24°26.3703' E 33°57.6861' S
21 24°15.5295' E 33°55.4110' S 92 24°26.5250' E 33°57.7272' S
22 24°15.6777' E 33°55.4660' S 93 24°26.6796' E 33°57.7682' S
23 24°15.8258' E 33°55.5211' S 94 24°26.8343' E 33°57.8092' S
24 24°15.9769' E 33°55.5677' S 95 24°26.9889' E 33°57.8502' S
25 24°16.1374' E 33°55.5872' S 96 24°27.1436' E 33°57.8912' S
26 24°16.2980' E 33°55.6067' S 97 24°27.2982' E 33°57.9322' S
27 24°16.4585' E 33°55.6261' S 98 24°27.4529' E 33°57.9732' S
28 24°16.6163' E 33°55.6541' S 99 24°27.6075' E 33°58.0142' S
29 24°16.7677' E 33°55.7028' S 100 24°27.7622' E 33°58.0553' S
30 24°16.9190' E 33°55.7515' S 101 24°27.9168' E 33°58.0962' S
31 24°17.0703' E 33°55.8002' S 102 24°28.0715' E 33°58.1372' S
32 24°17.2217' E 33°55.8489' S 103 24°28.2262' E 33°58.1782' S
33 24°17.3730' E 33°55.8976' S 104 24°28.3808' E 33°58.2192' S
34 24°17.5155' E 33°55.8883' S 105 24°28.5355' E 33°58.2602' S
35 24°17.6684' E 33°55.9335' S 106 24°28.6902' E 33°58.3012' S
36 24°17.8213' E 33°55.9787' S 107 24°28.8448' E 33°58.3422' S
37 24°17.9742' E 33°56.0239' S 108 24°28.9995' E 33°58.3831' S
38 24°18.1294' E 33°56.0625' S 109 24°29.1542' E 33°58.4241' S
39 24°18.2877' E 33°56.0919' S 110 24°29.3046' E 33°58.4750' S
40 24°18.4460' E 33°56.1213' S 111 24°29.4546' E 33°58.5266' S
41 24°18.6044' E 33°56.1507' S 112 24°29.6046' E 33°58.5783' S
42 24°18.7627' E 33°56.1801' S 113 24°29.7546' E 33°58.6299' S
43 24°18.9211' E 33°56.2095' S 114 24°29.9046' E 33°58.6816' S
44 24°19.0795' E 33°56.2389' S 115 24°30.0546' E 33°58.7332' S
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 64 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
Point no Longitude (D°DM') Latitude (D°DM') Point no Longitude (D°DM') Latitude (D°DM')
45 24°19.2378' E 33°56.2683' S 116 24°30.2046' E 33°58.7849' S
46 24°19.3962' E 33°56.2977' S 117 24°30.3546' E 33°58.8365' S
47 24°19.5545' E 33°56.3271' S 118 24°30.5047' E 33°58.8882' S
48 24°19.7129' E 33°56.3565' S 119 24°30.6547' E 33°58.9398' S
49 24°19.8713' E 33°56.3859' S 120 24°30.8047' E 33°58.9914' S
50 24°20.0296' E 33°56.4152' S 121 24°30.9547' E 33°59.0431' S
51 24°20.1880' E 33°56.4446' S 122 24°31.1048' E 33°59.0947' S
52 24°20.3439' E 33°56.4807' S 123 24°31.2548' E 33°59.1463' S
53 24°20.4946' E 33°56.5307' S 124 24°31.4049' E 33°59.1979' S
54 24°20.6454' E 33°56.5807' S 125 24°31.5549' E 33°59.2495' S
55 24°20.7961' E 33°56.6307' S 126 24°31.7049' E 33°59.3012' S
56 24°20.9469' E 33°56.6807' S 127 24°31.8550' E 33°59.3528' S
57 24°21.0976' E 33°56.7307' S 128 24°32.0050' E 33°59.4044' S
58 24°21.2491' E 33°56.7789' S 129 24°32.1551' E 33°59.4560' S
59 24°21.4063' E 33°56.8124' S 130 24°32.3052' E 33°59.5076' S
60 24°21.5649' E 33°56.8391' S 131 24°32.4552' E 33°59.5592' S
61 24°21.7266' E 33°56.8502' S 132 24°32.6114' E 33°59.5758' S
62 24°21.8883' E 33°56.8612' S 133 24°32.7688' E 33°59.5823' S
63 24°22.0500' E 33°56.8723' S 134 24°32.9169' E 33°59.6378' S
64 24°22.2117' E 33°56.8833' S 135 24°33.0649' E 33°59.6933' S
65 24°22.3734' E 33°56.8944' S 136 24°33.2130' E 33°59.7487' S
66 24°22.5352' E 33°56.9054' S 137 24°33.3610' E 33°59.8042' S
67 24°22.6969' E 33°56.9164' S 138 24°33.5091' E 33°59.8597' S
68 24°22.8588' E 33°56.9250' S 139 24°33.6572' E 33°59.9152' S
69 24°23.0209' E 33°56.9310' S 140 24°33.6335' E 34°00.0249' S
70 24°23.1830' E 33°56.9371' S 141 24°33.5669' E 34°00.1483' S
71 24°23.3451' E 33°56.9432' S
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 65 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
Table 9. Route coordinates at 250 m intervals along the Alternative B from Kareedouw substation to the new Dieprivier substation.
Point no Longitude (D°DM') Latitude (D°DM') Point no Longitude (D°DM') Latitude (D°DM')
1 24°13.0264' E 33°55.6620' S 71 24°23.5722' E 33°57.5509' S
2 24°13.1832' E 33°55.6968' S 72 24°23.7230' E 33°57.6008' S
3 24°13.3399' E 33°55.7316' S 73 24°23.8811' E 33°57.6256' S
4 24°13.4967' E 33°55.7664' S 74 24°24.0426' E 33°57.6386' S
5 24°13.6534' E 33°55.8013' S 75 24°24.2042' E 33°57.6516' S
6 24°13.8102' E 33°55.8361' S 76 24°24.3657' E 33°57.6646' S
7 24°13.9669' E 33°55.8709' S 77 24°24.5272' E 33°57.6776' S
8 24°14.1237' E 33°55.9057' S 78 24°24.6888' E 33°57.6906' S
9 24°14.2804' E 33°55.9405' S 79 24°24.8503' E 33°57.7035' S
10 24°14.4372' E 33°55.9753' S 80 24°25.0119' E 33°57.7165' S
11 24°14.5940' E 33°56.0101' S 81 24°25.1734' E 33°57.7295' S
12 24°14.7507' E 33°56.0449' S 82 24°25.3349' E 33°57.7425' S
13 24°14.9075' E 33°56.0797' S 83 24°25.4810' E 33°57.7184' S
14 24°15.0643' E 33°56.1145' S 84 24°25.5978' E 33°57.6245' S
15 24°15.2210' E 33°56.1493' S 85 24°25.7146' E 33°57.5307' S
16 24°15.3460' E 33°56.0916' S 86 24°25.8636' E 33°57.5516' S
17 24°15.4568' E 33°55.9928' S 87 24°26.0182' E 33°57.5927' S
18 24°15.5675' E 33°55.8940' S 88 24°26.1728' E 33°57.6337' S
19 24°15.6783' E 33°55.7952' S 89 24°26.3275' E 33°57.6747' S
20 24°15.7891' E 33°55.6964' S 90 24°26.4821' E 33°57.7158' S
21 24°15.8999' E 33°55.5977' S 91 24°26.6367' E 33°57.7568' S
22 24°16.0430' E 33°55.5757' S 92 24°26.7914' E 33°57.7978' S
23 24°16.2035' E 33°55.5952' S 93 24°26.9460' E 33°57.8388' S
24 24°16.3640' E 33°55.6147' S 94 24°27.1007' E 33°57.8799' S
25 24°16.5246' E 33°55.6342' S 95 24°27.2553' E 33°57.9209' S
26 24°16.6786' E 33°55.6742' S 96 24°27.4100' E 33°57.9619' S
27 24°16.8300' E 33°55.7229' S 97 24°27.5646' E 33°58.0029' S
28 24°16.9813' E 33°55.7716' S 98 24°27.7193' E 33°58.0439' S
29 24°17.1326' E 33°55.8203' S 99 24°27.8739' E 33°58.0849' S
30 24°17.2840' E 33°55.8690' S 100 24°28.0286' E 33°58.1259' S
31 24°17.4353' E 33°55.9177' S 101 24°28.1833' E 33°58.1669' S
32 24°17.5784' E 33°55.9069' S 102 24°28.3379' E 33°58.2079' S
33 24°17.7313' E 33°55.9521' S 103 24°28.4926' E 33°58.2488' S
34 24°17.8842' E 33°55.9973' S 104 24°28.6473' E 33°58.2898' S
35 24°18.0371' E 33°56.0425' S 105 24°28.8019' E 33°58.3308' S
36 24°18.1945' E 33°56.0746' S 106 24°28.9566' E 33°58.3718' S
37 24°18.3529' E 33°56.1040' S 107 24°29.1113' E 33°58.4127' S
38 24°18.5112' E 33°56.1334' S 108 24°29.2630' E 33°58.4607' S
39 24°18.6696' E 33°56.1628' S 109 24°29.4130' E 33°58.5123' S
40 24°18.8279' E 33°56.1922' S 110 24°29.5630' E 33°58.5640' S
41 24°18.9863' E 33°56.2216' S 111 24°29.7130' E 33°58.6156' S
42 24°19.1447' E 33°56.2510' S 112 24°29.8630' E 33°58.6673' S
43 24°19.3030' E 33°56.2804' S 113 24°30.0130' E 33°58.7189' S
44 24°19.4614' E 33°56.3098' S 114 24°30.1630' E 33°58.7706' S
45 24°19.6197' E 33°56.3392' S 115 24°30.3130' E 33°58.8222' S
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 66 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
Point no Longitude (D°DM') Latitude (D°DM') Point no Longitude (D°DM') Latitude (D°DM')
46 24°19.7781' E 33°56.3686' S 116 24°30.4630' E 33°58.8738' S
47 24°19.9365' E 33°56.3980' S 117 24°30.6131' E 33°58.9255' S
48 24°20.0948' E 33°56.4273' S 118 24°30.7631' E 33°58.9771' S
49 24°20.2532' E 33°56.4567' S 119 24°30.9131' E 33°59.0287' S
50 24°20.4060' E 33°56.5013' S 120 24°31.0632' E 33°59.0804' S
51 24°20.5567' E 33°56.5513' S 121 24°31.2132' E 33°59.1320' S
52 24°20.7074' E 33°56.6013' S 122 24°31.3632' E 33°59.1836' S
53 24°20.8582' E 33°56.6513' S 123 24°31.5133' E 33°59.2352' S
54 24°21.0089' E 33°56.7013' S 124 24°31.6633' E 33°59.2868' S
55 24°21.1597' E 33°56.7513' S 125 24°31.8134' E 33°59.3385' S
56 24°21.3105' E 33°56.8013' S 126 24°31.9634' E 33°59.3901' S
57 24°21.4612' E 33°56.8513' S 127 24°32.1135' E 33°59.4417' S
58 24°21.6120' E 33°56.9013' S 128 24°32.2635' E 33°59.4933' S
59 24°21.7628' E 33°56.9513' S 129 24°32.4136' E 33°59.5449' S
60 24°21.9135' E 33°57.0013' S 130 24°32.5666' E 33°59.5797' S
61 24°22.0643' E 33°57.0512' S 131 24°32.7278' E 33°59.5669' S
62 24°22.2151' E 33°57.1012' S 132 24°32.8758' E 33°59.6224' S
63 24°22.3659' E 33°57.1512' S 133 24°33.0239' E 33°59.6779' S
64 24°22.5166' E 33°57.2012' S 134 24°33.1719' E 33°59.7334' S
65 24°22.6674' E 33°57.2511' S 135 24°33.3200' E 33°59.7888' S
66 24°22.8182' E 33°57.3011' S 136 24°33.4680' E 33°59.8443' S
67 24°22.9690' E 33°57.3511' S 137 24°33.6161' E 33°59.8998' S
68 24°23.1198' E 33°57.4010' S 138 24°33.6520' E 33°59.9907' S
69 24°23.2706' E 33°57.4510' S 139 24°33.5854' E 34°00.1141' S
70 24°23.4214' E 33°57.5009' S
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 67 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
APPENDIX A3
Land owner details
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 68 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
Table 10: Affected landowner details Name Farm name Farm/Erf no Ptn Deca Familietrust HUMANSDORP RD 891 Transnet Ltd DIEP RIVIERS MOND 358 6 Deca Familietrust HUMANSDORP RD 891 Deca Familietrust DIEP RIVER HOTEL 357 3 Poza Real Estate Pty Ltd DIEP RIVER HOTEL 357 17 Poza Real Estate Pty Ltd DIEP RIVER HOTEL 357 1 Poza Real Estate Pty Ltd TWEEFONTEINEN 362 4 Laagte Familie Trust TWEEFONTEINEN 362 3 Michael Muller Familie Trust TWEEFONTEINEN 362 Antonie Michael Muller TWEEFONTEINEN 362 2 Antonie Michael Muller FARM 285 285 Antonie Michael Muller DIE ERF 283 5 Nico Herselman Family Trust ESSENBOSCH 278 Helgard Muller Terblanche ESSENBOSCH 278 18 Andries Hercules du Preez ESSENBOSCH 278 16 Daniel Theodorus du Preez ESSENBOSCH 278 15 Daniel Theodorus du Preez SCHOLTZ BOSCH 276 Daniel Theodorus du Preez FARM 271 271 1 S G Muller Familietrust FARM 271 271 2 S G Muller Familietrust FARM 271 271 3 Johan Meyer Familie Trust KROMME RIVER 269 S G Muller Familietrust KROMME RIVER 269 28 Verberg Boerdery Trust FARM 271 271 Paul Joubert Familietrust FARM 271 271 4 Verberg Boerdery Trust ASSEGAAIBOSCH 267 Michael Bain PLATTE KLOOF 255 1 Transnet Ltd MELKHOUTE KRAAL 254 1 Audie Glenn Claassen MELKHOUTE KRAAL 254 23 Handrie van der Watt MELKHOUTE KRAAL 254 7 Transnet Ltd MELKHOUTE KRAAL 254 11 Handrie van der Watt MELKHOUTE KRAAL 254 37 Matthys Stephanus de Jager MELKHOUTE KRAAL 254 19 Andreas Johannes Hamman MELKHOUTE KRAAL 254 2 Gedeelte 324 Melkhout Kraal CC MELKHOUTE KRAAL 254 59 Gert Johan van Huyssteen JAGERSBOSCH 249 Anthony Sisson JAGERSBOSCH 249 10 Transnet Ltd JAGERSBOSCH 249 2 Substation JAGERSBOSCH 249 11
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 69 APPENDIX B
Photographs
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
Photographs in cardinal directions around the Kareedouw substation
North Northeast
East Southeast
South Southwest
West Northwest
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 71 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
APPENDIX C
Facility Illustrations
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 72
Figure 9: Guyed lattice tower structure 248A.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report
Figure 10: Lattice tower structure 248C.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report
Figure 11: Guyed lattice mast tower 273A.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
Figure 12: Lattice tower structure 255A.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 76 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
Figure 13: Lattice tower structure 255C.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 77 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
Figure 14: Site plan for the extension of the Kareedouw substation.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 78
APPENDIX D
Specialist reports
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 1
APPENDIX D1
Avifauna Impact Assessment
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 2
Terms of Reference: Avifaunal Assessment
1. Mapping of sensitive sites: The bird sensitive sections of the study area will be mapped and attached as an annexure to the main document. 2. Describe affected environment and determine status quo: The existing environment will described and the bird communities most likely to be impacted will be identified. Different bird micro‐habitats will be described as well as the species associated with those habitats. 3. Indicate how a resource or community will be affected. Typical impacts that could be expected from the development will be listed as well as the expected impact on the bird communities. Impacts will be quantified (if possible) and a full description of predicted impacts (direct and indirect) will be provided. 4. Gaps in baseline data. Gaps in baseline data will be highlighted and discussed. An indication of the confidence levels will be given. The best available data sources will be used to predict the impacts, and extensive use will be made of local knowledge. 5. Assessment of impacts: The potential impact on the birds will be assessed and evaluated according to the magnitude, spatial scale, timing, duration, reversibility, probability and significance. Propose and explain mitigation measures. Practical mitigation measures will be recommended and discussed. 6. Summarise residual impacts after mitigation. An impact summary table will be provided, discussing expected impacts before and after mitigation. 7. Indicate a monitoring programme. If a need for a monitoring programme is evident, it will be highlighted and a programme proposed. 8. Draft an impact statement of the proposed development on the identified avifauna communities.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 3
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 4
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 5
DIEPRIVIER KAREEDOUW 132KV
BASIC ASSESSMENT
Avifaunal Impact Assessment
April 2012
J2012‐09
• Indwe Environmental Consulting CC • 9 Tainton Avenue • Bonnie Doon • East London • 5241 • • Tel: 043 735 1890 • Cell: 083 766 7514 • Fax: 086 513 9734 • Email: [email protected] • • Company Registration No.: 2006/074394/23 • www.indwecon.co.za Table of contents
Executive summary 3
Declaration of independence 4
1. Introduction 6 2. Methods 9 3. Description of affected environment 9 4. Assessment of impacts 15 5. Comparison of alternatives 20 6. Impact statement 20 7. References 21 Appendix 1 23 Appendix 2 26
2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Eskom is proposing to construct a new 132kV overhead power line from the existing Kareedouw Substation near Kareedouw, to a planned substation at Dieprivier, a distance of approximately 35km. Arcus Gibb (Gibb) has been appointed to undertake the necessary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) investigations for the planned infrastructure. Gibb subsequently contracted Indwe Environmental Consulting (Indwe) as avifaunal specialists. A site visit was conducted during March 2012.
The proposed power line runs west to east down the Krom River valley. For the western half of its route it runs close to the river itself, but in the east it is slightly further away from the river course. The land use in the area is predominantly farming, with small arable areas cultivated to pastures. To the north of the route is the ‘Suuranysberge’ range, and to the south the ‘Kareedouwberge’. Up to approximately 181 bird species could be expected in the study area, based on data recorded by the Southern African Bird Atlas Project 2 (SABAP2 http://sabap2.adu.org.za), six of which are Red Listed species according to Barnes (2000). The most important of these are the Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus, Denham’s Bustard Neotis denhamii, and Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus. The White Stork Ciconia ciconia is also considered as threatened since it is protected internationally under the Bonn Convention on Migratory Species. The Hamerkop Scopus umbretta has also been considered as important, as recent SABAP2 data has revealed that the species’ range has contracted in recent years. The Blue Crane and Denham’s Bustard are relatively abundant in the broader area and are likely to frequent this site. The Martial Eagle is not common in the area but could visit occasionally. In addition, Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreaux is common in the area and therefore represents large eagles.
The impacts of disturbance of birds, and destruction or alteration of habitat are determined to be of relatively low significance for the proposed project. A relatively small amount of habitat will be affected, and the area is already impacted by other existing power lines, farming activities, roads and other infrastructure. Where the line passes through natural Fynbos this will impact on some of the smaller bird species frequenting this micro habitat, but this is not believed to be a significant impact. The impact of collision of birds with certain sections of the proposed line is considered to be of high significance and warrants mitigation measures, which have been detailed in the report. This includes the need for an avifaunal walk down to determine the exact spans of line requiring marking with anti‐ collision marking devices. Whilst electrocution is possible on 132kV lines, the proposed tower structures (lattice structure with phase‐phase of 2000mm and cross arm of 2550mm) should be safe for the birds in area. Vultures do not occur in the area, so the only species large enough to be at risk of electrocution on a 132kV line are the eagles, which are generally solitary. Electrocution of birds in the substation is judged to be of low significance due to the fact that sensitive species are not likely to frequent the substation yard.
Three alternative routes have been proposed for the power line. This includes a preferred option and Alternatives A and B. There is little difference between these routes for avifauna and so there is no preferred route for avifauna. The power line may be constructed on any of the 3 routes.
On the basis of avifaunal impacts, the proposed power line and substation can be allowed to proceed, subject to the mitigation measures recommended in this report.
3 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDANCE
Specialist Investigator
The Natural Scientific Professions Act of 2003 aims to “Provide for the establishment of the South African Council of Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) and for the registration of professional, candidate and certified natural scientists; and to provide for matters connected therewith.”
“Only a registered person may practice in a consulting capacity” – Natural Scientific Professions Act of 2003 (20(1)‐pg 14)
Investigator: Jon Smallie (Pri.Sci.Nat) Qualification: BSc (hons) Wildlife Science Affiliation: South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions Registration number: 400020/06 Fields of Expertise: Ecological Science Registration: Professional Member
Declaration of Independence
All specialist investigators specified above declare that: We act as independent specialists for this project. We consider ourselves bound by the rules and ethics of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions. We do not have any personal or financial interest in the project except for financial compensation for specialist investigations completed in a professional capacity as specified by the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2006. We will not be affected by the outcome of the environmental process, of which this report forms part of. We do not have any influence over the decisions made by the governing authorities. We do not object to or endorse the proposed developments, but aim to present facts and our best scientific and professional opinion with regard to the impacts of the development. We undertake to disclose to the relevant authorities any information that has or may have the potential to influence its decision or the objectivity of any report, plan, or document required in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2006. Should we consider ourselves to be in conflict with any of the above declarations, we shall formally submit a Notice of Withdrawal to all relevant parties and formally register as an Interested and Affected Party.
Terms and Liabilities
This report is based on a short term investigation using the available information and data related to the site to be affected. No long term investigation or monitoring was conducted. The Precautionary Principle has been applied throughout this investigation.
4 Additional information may become known or available during a later stage of the process for which no allowance could have beeen made at the time of this report. The specialist investigator withholds the right to amend this report, recommendations and conclusions at any stage should additional information become available. Information, recommendations and conclusions in this report cannot be applied to any other area without proper investigation. This report, in its entirety or any portion thereof, may not be altered in any manner or form or for any purpose without the specific and written consent of the specialist investigator as specified above. Acceptance of this report, in any physical or digital form, serves to confirm acknowledgment of these terms and liabilities.
Signed on the 20 April 2012 by Jon Smallie in his capacity as specialist investigator.
5 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Eskom is proposing to construct a new 132kV overhead power line from the new proposed Dieprivier Substation to the existing Kareedouw Substation at Kareedouw, a distance of approximately 35km. Arcus Gibb (Gibb) has been appointed to undertake the necessary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) investigations for the planned infrastructure. Gibb subsequently contracted Indwe Environmental Consulting (Indwe) as avifaunal specialists. A site visit was conducted during March 2012.
Up to approximately 181 bird species can be expected in the area, of which the most important of these species for this study are the Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus, Denham’s Bustard Neotis denhamii, White Stork Ciconia ciconia, Martial Eagle Polemaeetus bellicosus and Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreaux. These species are all fairly abundant in the area (except for the Martial Eagle) and are hugely vulnerable to collision with (cranes, bustards and storks), and electrocution (eagles) on overhead power lines in South Africa. These species are the focus of most of this study as explained elsewhere in this report.
In general terms, the impacts that could be associated with a project of this nature include: collision of birds with the overhead cables; electrocution of birds whilst perched on the tower structures or in the substation; destruction of habitat; and disturbance of birds.
1.2 Terms of reference
The following terms of reference were utilized for this study:
A desktop review of all existing literature. Describe the current state of avifauna in the study area, outlining important characteristics which may be influenced by the proposed infrastructure or which may influence the proposed infrastructure during construction and operation. Identify Red Listed species potentially affected by the proposed power lines and substation. Assess the avifaunal status of the study area with the view to identifying sensitive areas and areas that may be considered as “no‐go”. If appropriate deviations can be suggested, please do so, and provide supporting reasons for the choice. Map all relevant aspects. Identify potential impacts (positive and negative, including cumulative impacts if relevant) of the proposed development on avifauna during construction and operation. Particular attention should be paid to bird collisions and preventative measures. Pay particular attention to wetlands. Identify mitigation measures for enhancing benefits and avoiding or mitigating negative impacts and risks (to be implemented during design, construction and operation of proposed distribution lines. Identify and address any other aspects related to avifauna in the study area that should be incorporated into the reports.
1.3 Description of proposed activities
The following are the proposed project activities (see Figure 1):
Construction of a 132kV overhead power line from the new proposed Dieprivier Substation to the existing Kareedouw Substation, a distance of approximately 35km. Three route alternatives exist for the alignment of the power line, the preferred option and Alternatives A and B. Whilst electrocution is possible on 132kV lines, the proposed tower structures (lattice structure with phase‐phase of 2000mm and cross arm of 2550mm) should be safe for the birds in area. Vultures do not occur in the area, so the only species large enough to be at risk of electrocution on a 132kV line are the eagles, which are generally solitary
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Figure 1. The layout of the Dieprivier Kareedouw 132kV line. Map supplied by Arcus Gibb. 2. METHODS
2.1. Methodology
In predicting impacts of a proposed power line on birds, a combination of science, field experience and common sense is required. More specifically the methodology used to predict impacts in the current study was as follows:
The various data sets discussed below under “sources of information” were collected and examined. The data was examined to determine the location and abundance of power line sensitive Red Listed species as well as non-Red Listed power line sensitive species in the study area. The area was visited to obtain a first-hand perspective of the proposed route (and substation site) and birdlife and to determine which bird micro-habitats are present and relevant to the study. This involved driving the study area to see as much as possible of the proposed routes for the power line. The impacts of the proposed power line on birds were predicted on the basis of experience in gathering and analysing data on wildlife impacts with power lines throughout southern Africa since 1996 (see van Rooyen & Ledger 1999 for an overview of methodology), supplemented with first hand data.
2.2 Sources of information
The study made use of the following data sources:
Bird distribution data of the second Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP2 – http://sabap2.adu.org.za) for the relevant pentads 3355_2410, 3355_2415, 3355_2420, 3355_2425, 3355_2430, and 3400_2430. The conservation status of all bird species occurring in the aforementioned degree squares was then determined with the use of The Eskom Red Data book of birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (Barnes, 2000). A classification of the vegetation types in the study area was obtained from Mucina et al (2005). Information on the micro‐habitat level was obtained through visiting the area and obtaining a first hand perspective. Electronic 1:50 000 maps were obtained from the Surveyor General.
2.3 Limitations & assumptions
This study made the assumption that the above sources of information are reliable. Predictions in this study are based on experience of these and similar species in different parts of South Africa. Bird behaviour can not be reduced to formulas that will hold true under all circumstances. However, power line impacts can be predicted with a fair amount of certainty, based on experience gained by the author through the investigation of hundreds of localities in southern Africa where birds have interacted with power lines since 1999.
3. DESCRIPTION OF AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
3.1 Study area vegetation
The study area is relatively complex in terms of vegetation. The three alternative routes pass predominantly through “Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos”, but do also pass through “Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos”, “Kouga Sandstone Fynbos” and “Langkloof Shale Renosterveld” (see Figure 2). It is widely agreed in ornithological circles that vegetation structure is more important than species composition, in determining bird species presence and abundance. Taking this into account then the most important aspect of the above mentioned vegetation types for avifauna is that they are all short, Fynbos type vegetation types. This means that we can expect bird species associated with Fynbos. Interestingly, the botanical diversity of Fynbos is not matched by the avifauna associated with it. The diversity of avifauna associated with Fynbos is normally relatively low. In addition, due to its dense nature most the species that are attracted to Fynbos are physically small species, for which predator detection at long distances is not as important as for large terrestrial species such as cranes and bustards. Various raptors also utilise Fynbos, such as harriers and Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreaux.
Figure 2. The vegetation classification for the Dieprivier Kareedouw 132kV power line study area (Mucina & Rutherford, 2005)
3.2 Bird micro habitats
In addition to the description of vegetation, it is important to understand the habitats available to birds at a smaller spattial scale, i.e. micro habitats. Micro habitats are shaped by factors other than vegetation, such as topography, land use, food sources and man made factors.
Investigation of this study area revealed the following bird micro habitats:
Arable lands: Arable or cultivated land represents a significant feeding area for many bird species in any landscape for the following reasons: through opening up the soil surface, land preparation makes many insects, seeds, bulbs and other food sources readily accessible to birds and other predators; the crop or pasture plants cultivated are often
10 eaten themselves by birds, or attract insects which are in turn eaten by birds; during the dry season arable lands often represent the only green or attractive food sources in an otherwise dry landscape. Arable lands exist in this study area, mostly planted to pastures of some type at the time of site visit. Relevant bird species that will be attracted to these areas include most importantly the Blue Crane, Denham’s Bustard and White Stork.
Dams: Artificially constructed dams have become important attractants to various bird species in the South African landscape. Several small dams exist in the study area. Various waterfowl frequent these areas and are vulnerable to collision with power lines. More importantly, one of the main focus species of this study, the Blue Crane, uses dams to roost in communally. This means that large numbers of these birds enter the roost at last light and exit it at first light, both times when power lines are even less visible and the chances of collisions is greater. Therefore dams are a key element of this study, and power line passing close to them will require mitigation as detailed elsewhere in this report.
Rivers or drainage lines: Most rivers in southern Africa are in the east and extreme south, in the higher rainfall areas. Various species of water bird are mostly restricted to riverine habitat in southern Africa. The map distribution of these species correlates with the river courses in southern Africa. Many of these species, particularly the larger ones, are known to interact with power lines through collision. These rivers also form significant flight paths for many of these species. The proposed power line runs close to the Krom River for approximately half of its route.
Fynbos: This micro habitat is the only remaining natural vegetation in the study area and has been described adequately above.
Table 1 below shows the micro habitats that each Red Listed bird species typically frequents in the study area. It must be stressed that birds can and will, by virtue of their mobility, utilise almost any areas in a landscape from time to time. However, the analysis below represents each species’ most preferred or normal habitats. These locations are where most of the birds of that species will spend most of their time – so logically that is where impacts on those species will be most significant.
Table 1 makes use of the authors’ extensive experience gained through personal observations.
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(a) (b)
(c) (d)
(e) Figure 3. Examples of available micro habitats in the study area. A – river; b – arable land, c – wetland, d – Fynbos, e – dam.
12 3.3 Relevant bird populations
The data source used to determine the distribution and abundance of bird species in the study area was the Southern African Bird Atlas Project 2 data (SABAP2 – http://sabap2.adu.org.za). Fortunately for this study area, reasonable coverage by counters has already been achieved. This is shown with the number of cards in Table 1, ranging from 3 to 17 for the six relevant pentads. This data was collected on the basis of pentads. The species recorded in the relevant pentads could have been recorded anywhere within these pentads and not necessarily in the exact study area for the proposed developments. It does however provide a good indication of what could be found in the study area. Reporting rates (as per Table 1) are an expression (%) of the number of times a species was seen in a pentad divided by the number of times that pentad was counted.
Up to approximately 181 bird species could be expected in the study area, based on what has been recorded by this project so far. Across the six pentads a total of 6 Red Listed species were recorded, comprising 5 Vulnerable and 1 Near‐threatened. In addition, the White Stork Ciconia ciconia is included in Table 1 as it is protected internationally under the Bonn Convention on Migratory Species. The Hamerkop Scopus umbretta is also considered as important since recent atlas data points to its range contracting significantly. The most important of these species for this study are the Blue Crane, Denham’s Bustard and White Stork. These species are all abundant in the area and are hugely vulnerable to collision with overhead power lines in South Africa. These species are thus the main focus of most of this study.
The nearest Important Bird Area (IBA – Barnes 1998) IBA SA093‐Baviaanskloof, lies approximately 20km north of the proposed power line route. This is sufficiently far from the site to have little effect. It is likely that most large threatened raptors (such as Martial Eagle) in particular would use this area as their primary range, perhaps venturing further south towards the power line site only occasionally.
The eastern parts (close to Dieprivier Substation) of the area within which the project is situated (from the mountains down to the coast) is particularly well known as a stronghold of the Denham’s Bustard and White‐ bellied Korhaan, and this is reflected in the report rates in Table 1. The Co‐ordinated Avifaunal Roadcount (CAR – Young et al, 2003) project has several routes in this area, and has recorded the highest density of these two species of any routes in South Africa. The proposed power line route passes through the north of this core area. The habitats that these species favour are the mixture of pastures, natural vegetation and dams and wetlands. All of these are present on the proposed route, particularly in the areas close to Dieprivier Substation. The Denham’s Bustard has proven highly vulnerable to collision with overhead power lines throughout South Africa. Additional mortality due to this unnatural cause should be prevented where possible. Although few records of collisions of White‐bellied Korhaan exist, other korhaan species have been recorded colliding with power lines and it stands to reason that White‐bellied Korhaan would also be at risk. These are probably then the two most important species for this study. Although not its core range, the Blue Crane is also common in this area, and is probably the species recorded colliding with power lines most frequently in South Africa. This species, South Africa’s national bird, and also a near endemic to South Africa should also be protected from additional mortality as far as possible.
In terms of large raptors in the area, Martial Eagle is probably the most likely Red Listed species to occur, although it is certainly not abundant in the area. This species utilizes massive territories, and so it is possible that just one pair exists in the broader area. This species will certainly utilise power line poles to perch on, and will therefore be at risk of electrocution if incorrect pole structures are used. Although not Red Listed, the Verreaux’s and African
13 Fish Eagle are also large raptors likely to occur in the area. Verreaux’s Eagle would be more towards the mountainous areas north of the proposed line, whilst African Fish Eagle would frequent the Krom River and farm dams in the area. The presence of these three large eagles is sufficient grounds to ensure that a bird friendly pole structure is used for the proposed power line, as has been discussed elsewhere in this report.
It must be noted that many “non‐Red Listed” bird species also occur in the study area and could be impacted on by the power line. Although this impact assessment focuses on Red Listed species, the impact on non‐Red Listed species is also assessed, albeit in less detail. Furthermore, much of the mitigation recommended for Red Listed species will also protect non Red Listed species in the study area. It could be argued that if impact assessment does not focus on non‐threatened species these species will make their way onto threatened status thus making our list of species to conserve even greater. Whilst this argument does hold some merit, the limited resources available for most impact assessments make it necessary to prioritise species on the basis of their conservation status.
14 Table 1. Data from the Southern African Bird Atlas Project 2 (http://sabap2.adu.org.za) for the Red Listed species likely to occur in the study area. Preferred Likelihood Relative micro habitat of occurring importance of 3355 3355 3355 3355 3355 3400 on site site for national Conservation _241 _241 _242 _242 _243 _243 populations of Common name Scientific name status 0 5 0 5 0 0 species Total species 101 84 75 97 91 181 Number of 7 6 3 5 17 cards submitted 5 African Marsh‐Harrier Circus ranivorus V 28.6 16.7 11.8 Wetland, Possible Low % % % grassland, Fynbos Blue Crane Anthropoides V 14.3 100.0 20.0 40.0 58.8 Wetland, Definite – Medium paradiseus % % % % % grassland, recorded on arable land, site visit dam Denham's Bustard Neotis denhami V 16.7 66.7 40.0 40.0 64.7 Grassland, Probable Medium % % % % % arable land Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus V 20.0 11.8 All – Possible Low % % generalist, natural vegetation White‐bellied Eupodotis senegalensis V 40.0 23.5 Grassland Possible Low Korhaan % % Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus NT 11.8 Grassland, Possible Low % Fynbos, arable land White Stork Ciconia ciconia Bonn 66.7 40.0 29.4 Arable land, Probable Low % % % wetland, Hamerkop Scopus umbretta ** 57.1 33.3 20.0 11.8 Riverine Probable Low % % % % V = Vulnerable; NT = Near‐threatened; Bonn = Protected Internationally under the Bonn Convention on Migratory Species; ** Species of recent conservation concern.
4. ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS
4.1. General description of impacts of power lines on birds
Because of its’ size and prominence, electrical infrastructure constitutes an important interface between wildlife and man. Negative interactions between wildlife and electricity structures take many forms, but two common problems in southern Africa are electrocution of birds (and other animals) and birds colliding with power lines. (Ledger & Annegarn 1981; Ledger 1983; Ledger 1984; Hobbs & Ledger 1986a; Hobbs & Ledger 1986b; Ledger, Hobbs & Smith, 1992; Verdoorn 1996; Kruger & Van Rooyen 1998; Van Rooyen 1998; Kruger 1999; Van Rooyen 1999; Van Rooyen 2000). Other problems are electrical faults caused by bird excreta when roosting or breeding on electricity infrastructure, (Van Rooyen & Taylor 1999) and disturbance and habitat destruction during construction and maintenance activities.
Electrocutions Electrocution of birds on overhead lines is an important cause of unnatural mortality of raptors and storks. It has attracted plenty of attention in Europe, USA and South Africa (APLIC 1994; van Rooyen & Ledger 1999). Electrocution refers to the scenario where a bird is perched or attempts to perch on the electrical structure and causes an electrical short circuit by physically bridging the air gap between live components and/or live and earthed components (van Rooyen 2004).
The proposed tower/pylon structure is the 7611 monopole, with Perching Bracket. This pole design has a phase‐ phase clearance of 2200mm and the phase‐earth clearance is 1554mm. Since vultures don’t occur in the area, the largest bird that could perch on the pole are Martial and Verreaux’s Eagles. These are both ‘solitary species’ which will perch on the top of the pole well clear of the dangerous hardware (as opposed to gregarious vultures which will try to perch multiple birds on one structure). This structure should therefore be for birds in terms of electrocution, particularly when used with the Eskom Bird Perching Bracket.
Collisions Collisions are the biggest single threat posed by overhead power lines to birds in southern Africa (van Rooyen 2004). Most heavily impacted upon are bustards, storks, cranes and various species of water birds. These species are mostly heavy‐bodied birds with limited manoeuvrability, which makes it difficult for them to take the necessary evasive action to avoid colliding with power lines (van Rooyen 2004, Anderson 2001).
Unfortunately, many of the collision sensitive species are considered threatened in southern Africa. The Red Listed species vulnerable to power line collisions are generally long living, slow reproducing species under natural conditions. Some require very specific conditions for breeding, resulting in very few successful breeding attempts, or breeding might be restricted to very small areas. These species have not evolved to cope with high adult mortality, with the results that consistent high adult mortality over an extensive period could have a serious effect on a population’s ability to sustain itself in the long or even medium term. Many of the anthropogenic threats to these species are non‐discriminatory as far as age is concerned (e.g. habitat destruction, disturbance and power lines) and therefore contribute to adult mortality, and it is not known what the cumulative effect of these impacts could be over the long term.
Habitat destruction During the construction phase and maintenance of power lines and substations some habitat destruction and alteration inevitably takes place. This happens with the construction of access roads, and the clearing of servitudes. Servitudes have to be cleared of excess vegetation at regular intervals in order to allow access to the line for maintenance, to prevent vegetation from intruding into the legally prescribed clearance gap between the ground and the conductors and to minimize the risk of fire under the line which can result in electrical flashovers. These activities have an impact on birds breeding, foraging and roosting in or in close proximity of the servitude through modification of habitat.
Disturbance Similarly, the above mentioned construction and maintenance activities impact on bird through disturbance, particularly during bird breeding activities.
4.2 Description of impacts of this proposed project
The impacts of the proposed power lines and substation were rated in the tables below. The criteria used for this rating can be seen in Appendix 1.
Electrocutions Whilst electrocution is possible on 132kV lines, the proposed tower structures (lattice structure with phase‐phase of 2000mm and cross arm of 2550mm) should be safe for the birds in area. Vultures do not occur in the area, so the only species large enough to be at risk of electrocution on a 132kV line are the eagles, which are generally solitary.
Mitigation: None required.
Collisions Collision of certain bird species, particularly Blue Crane, Denham’s Bustard and White Stork is highly probable on the proposed power line.
Mitigation: Certain sections of the power line will need to be marked with an Eskom approved anti‐collision marking device according to Eskom standards. These sections of line have been identified on a preliminary basis in this report (Figure 4), but this will need to be refined and finalised once the final route and pylon positions are surveyed and pegged. It is recommended that at this stage an avifaunal walk through is done to identify the exact spans requiring marking.
Habitat destruction Habitat destruction is not anticipated to be a significant impact in this study area, as a relatively small amount of habitat will be affected, much of the area is already transformed, and the broader area is already relatively disturbed by other infrastructure.
Mitigation: Strict control should be maintained over all activities during construction, in particular heavy machinery and vehicle movements, and staff. It is difficult to mitigate properly for this as some habitat destruction is inevitable.
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Disturbance Disturbance of birds is anticipated to be of low significance in this study area, for the reasons described above for habitat destruction.
Mitigation: Strict control should be maintained over all activities during construction, in particular heavy machinery and vehicle movements, and staff. It is difficult to mitigate properly for this as some disturbance is inevitable. The Krom River and associated riparian habitat is particularly sensitive in this regard.
18 Table 2. Assessment of the operational phase impacts of the proposed project. GENERAL AND SPATIAL TEMPORAL CERTAINTY SEVERITY/ SIGNIFICANCE MITIGATION MEASURES SIGNIFICANCEAF SPECIALIST STUDY SCALE SCALE SCALE BENEFICIAL PRE‐MITIGATION TER MITIGATION IMPACTS (DURATION) (LIKELIHOOD) SCALE
ISSUE: Avifauna IMPACT: Bird collision with overhead power line, particularly earth wire, Impact on Red Listed and other species DIRECT IMPACTS National – Permanent Probable Severe Moderate Mark certain sections of the Low negative populations negative line with anti collision of Red Listed marking devices on the earth species wire (as per Eskom affected guidelines) to increase the visibility of the line and reduce likelihood of collisions. These sections of line will need to be identified by an avifaunal walk through/site specific EMP once the final route is selected and tower positions are finalised. A preliminary indication of the areas of the line that pose a concern are shown in Figure 4. IMPACT: Bird electrocution, Impact on Red Listed and other species DIRECT IMPACT National – Permanent Possible Slight Moderate Whilst electrocution is Insignificant populations negative possible on 132kV lines, the of Red Listed proposed tower structures species (lattice structure with phase‐ affected phase of 2000mm and cross arm of 2550mm) should be safe for the birds in area. Vultures do not occur in the area, so the only species large GENERAL AND SPATIAL TEMPORAL CERTAINTY SEVERITY/ SIGNIFICANCE MITIGATION MEASURES SIGNIFICANCEAF SPECIALIST STUDY SCALE SCALE SCALE BENEFICIAL PRE‐MITIGATION TER MITIGATION IMPACTS (DURATION) (LIKELIHOOD) SCALE
enough to be at risk of electrocution on a 132kV line are the eagles, which are generally solitary
20 Table 3. Assessment of the construction phase impacts of the project. GENERAL AND SPATIAL TEMPORAL CERTAINTY SEVERITY/ SIGNIFICANCE MITIGATION MEASURES SIGNIFICAN SPECIALIST STUDY SCALE SCALE SCALE BENEFICIAL PRE‐MITIGATION ITIGATION IMPACTS (DURATION) (LIKELIHOOD) SCALE
ISSUE: Avifauna IMPACT: Disturbance of birds, Impact on Red Listed and other species DIRECT IMPACTS Localised Short term Possible Slight Low negative Strict control should be Low negative maintained over all activities during construction, in particular heavy machinery and vehicle movements, and staff. It is difficult to mitigate properly for this as some disturbance is inevitable. The Krom River and associated riparian habitat is particularly sensitive in this regard IMPACT: Destruction or alteration of bird habitat, Impact on Red Listed and other species INDIRECT IMPACTS: Localised permanent probable Slight – area Low negative Strict control should be Low negative already highly maintained over all activities impacted on during construction, in particular heavy machinery and vehicle movements, and staff. It is difficult to mitigate properly for this as some habitat destruction is inevitable
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Figure 4. Preliminary identification of high collision risk sections of the proposed power line (green circles)
Figure 4 above shows the likely areas of high bird collision risk along the proposed route. These areas are, in order from left to right: the Krom River crossing – a likely flight path for various bird species; two small valleys coming down towards the Krom River from the north – also possible flight paths; a congregation of arable lands – which may concentrate birds; and a complex of arable land, wetland and dams which will attract birds. These areas will need to be refined on the basis of the site specific avifaunal walk through.
5. COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES
The three alternatives presented for the power line route make very little difference in terms of avifaunal impacts. No preference is therefore evident. Either of the alternatives can be used for the construction of the power line.
6. IMPACT STATEMENT
In conclusion, the proposed power line can be built provided that the various mitigation measures recommended in this report are implemented. Of particular concern is the collision mitigation. Provided that an avifaunal walk down is done to identify the exact spans requiring collision mitigation in the form of marking devices installed on the earth wires, this impact should hopefully be contained. 7 REFERENCES
Barnes, K.N. (ed.) 1998. The Important Bird Areas of southern Africa. BirdLife South Africa: Johannesburg.
Barnes, K.N. (ed.) 2000. The Eskom Red Listed Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. BirdLife South Africa: Johannesburg.
Harrison, J.A., Allan, D.G., Underhill, L.G., Herremans, M., Tree, A.J., Parker, V & Brown, C.J. (eds). 1997. The atlas of southern African birds. Vol. 1&2. BirdLife South Africa: Johannesburg.
Mucina & Rutherford. 2006. The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelitzia 19. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Young, D.J., Harrison, J.A., Navarro, R.A., Anderson, M.D., & Colahan, B.D. (Eds). 2003. Big Birds on Farms: Mazda CAR report 1993‐2001. Avian Demography Unit, Cape Town.
APPENDIX 1 Description of criteria
Table 1. Significance Rating Table
Significance Rating Table
Temporal Scale (The duration of the impact) Short term Less than 5 years (Many construction phase impacts are of a short duration).
Medium term Between 5 and 20 years. Long term Between 20 and 40 years (From a human perspective almost permanent).
Permanent Over 40 years or resulting in a permanent and lasting change that will always be there. Spatial Scale (The area in which any impact will have an affect) Individual Impacts affect an individual.
Localized Impacts affect a small area of a few hectares in extent. Often only a portion of the project area. Project Level Impacts affect the entire project area.
Surrounding Areas Impacts that affect the area surrounding the development
Municipal Impacts affect either BCM, or any towns within them.
Regional Impacts affect the wider district municipality or the province as a whole.
National Impacts affect the entire country.
International/Global Impacts affect other countries or have a global influence.
Will definitely occur Impacts will definitely occur.
Degree of Confidence or Certainty (The confidence with which one has predicted the significance of an impact) Definite More than 90% sure of a particular fact. Should have substantial supportive data.
Probable Over 70% sure of a particular fact, or of the likelihood of that impact occurring.
Possible Only over 40% sure of a particular fact or of the likelihood of an impact occurring.
Unsure Less than 40% sure of a particular fact or of the likelihood of an impact occurring.
Table 2. Impact Severity Rating
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Impact severity (The severity of negative impacts, or how beneficial positive impacts would be on a particular affected system or affected party) Very severe Very beneficial An irreversible and permanent change to the affected A permanent and very substantial benefit to the system(s) or party(ies) which cannot be mitigated. For affected system(s) or party(ies), with no real example the permanent loss of land. alternative to achieving this benefit. For example the vast improvement of sewage effluent quality. Severe Beneficial Long term impacts on the affected system(s) or party(ies) A long term impact and substantial benefit to the that could be mitigated. However, this mitigation would affected system(s) or party(ies). Alternative ways of be difficult, expensive or time consuming, or some achieving this benefit would be difficult, expensive or combination of these. For example, the clearing of forest time consuming, or some combination of these. For vegetation. example an increase in the local economy. Moderately severe Moderately beneficial Medium to long term impacts on the affected system(s) A medium to long term impact of real benefit to the or party (ies), which could be mitigated. For example affected system(s) or party(ies). Other ways of constructing the sewage treatment facility where there optimising the beneficial effects are equally difficult, was vegetation with a low conservation value. expensive and time consuming (or some combination of these), as achieving them in this way. For example a ‘slight’ improvement in sewage effluent quality. Slight Slightly beneficial Medium or short term impacts on the affected system(s) A short to medium term impact and negligible benefit or party(ies). Mitigation is very easy, cheap, less time to the affected system(s) or party(ies). Other ways of consuming or not necessary. For example a temporary optimising the beneficial effects are easier, cheaper fluctuation in the water table due to water abstraction. and quicker, or some combination of these. No effect Don’t know/Can’t know The system(s) or party(ies) is not affected by the In certain cases it may not be possible to determine proposed development. the severity of an impact.
Table 3. Overall Significance Rating
Overall Significance (The combination of all the above criteria as an overall significance) VERY HIGH NEGATIVE VERY BENEFICIAL These impacts would be considered by society as constituting a major and usually permanent change to the (natural and/or social) environment, and usually result in severe or very severe effects, or beneficial or very beneficial effects. Example: The loss of a species would be viewed by informed society as being of VERY HIGH significance. Example: The establishment of a large amount of infrastructure in a rural area, which previously had very few services, would be regarded by the affected parties as resulting in benefits with VERY HIGH significance. HIGH NEGATIVE BENEFICIAL These impacts will usually result in long term effects on the social and/or natural environment. Impacts rated as HIGH will need to be considered by society as constituting an important and usually long term change to the (natural and/or social) environment. Society would probably view these impacts in a serious light. Example: The loss of a diverse vegetation type, which is fairly common elsewhere, would have a significance rating of HIGH over the long term, as the area could be rehabilitated. Example: The change to soil conditions will impact the natural system, and the impact on affected parties (such as people growing crops in the soil) would be HIGH. MODERATE NEGATIVE SOME BENEFITS These impacts will usually result in medium to long term effects on the social and/or natural environment. Impacts rated as MODERATE will need to be considered by society as constituting a fairly important and usually medium term change to the (natural and/or social) environment. These impacts are real but not substantial. Example: The loss of a sparse, open vegetation type of low diversity may be regarded as MODERATELY significant. LOW NEGATIVE FEW BENEFITS
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These impacts will usually result in medium to short term effects on the social and/or natural environment. Impacts rated as LOW will need to be considered by the public and/or the specialist as constituting a fairly unimportant and usually short term change to the (natural and/or social) environment. These impacts are not substantial and are likely to have little real effect. Example: The temporary changes in the water table of a wetland habitat, as these systems are adapted to fluctuating water levels. Example: The increased earning potential of people employed as a result of a development would only result in benefits of LOW significance to people who live some distance away. NO SIGNIFICANCE There are no primary or secondary effects at all that are important to scientists or the public. Example: A change to the geology of a particular formation may be regarded as severe from a geological perspective, but is of NO significance in the overall context. DON’T KNOW In certain cases it may not be possible to determine the significance of an impact. For example, the primary or secondary impacts on the social or natural environment given the available information. Example: The effect of a particular development on people’s psychological perspective of the environment.
26
Appendix 2. Data from the second bird atlas project (SABAP2 – http://sabap2.adu.org.za)
Conser vation 3355_24 3355_24 3355_24 3355_24 3355_2 3400_24 Common name Scientific name status 10 15 20 25 430 30 Acacia Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas 14.3% African Black Duck Anas sparsa 42.9% 5.9% African Black Swift Apus barbatus 14.3% 16.7% 20.0% 5.9% African Darter Anhinga rufa 42.9% 60.0% 11.8% African Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer 100.0% 60.0% African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus 17.6% African Hoopoe Upupa africana 28.6% 16.7% 33.3% 20.0% 52.9% African Jacana Actophilornis africanus 5.9% African Marsh-Harrier Circus ranivorus V 28.6% 16.7% 11.8% African Olive-Pigeon Columba arquatrix 17.6% African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis 11.8% African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp 40.0% 40.0% 5.9% African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus 85.7% 40.0% 40.0% 82.4% African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus 47.1% African Snipe Gallinago nigripennis 11.8% African Spoonbill Platalea alba 17.6% African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus 42.9% 83.3% 66.7% 80.0% 40.0% 88.2% Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba 14.3% 33.3% 20.0% 20.0% 23.5% Amethyst Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina 71.4% 50.0% 33.3% 60.0% 41.2% Amur Falcon Falco amurensis 17.6% Anteating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora 11.8% Banded Martin Riparia cincta 17.6% Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 14.3% 50.0% 66.7% 20.0% 60.0% 35.3% Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thoracica 16.7% 66.7% 60.0% 40.0% 47.1% Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris 85.7% 20.0% 5.9% Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus 66.7% Black Saw-wing Psalidoprocne 28.6% 16.7% 66.7% 40.0% 20.0% 23.5% holomelaena Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus 5.9% Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla 5.9% Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus 14.3% 16.7% 66.7% 20.0% 20.0% 11.8% Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala 85.7% 16.7% 66.7% 64.7% Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus 42.9% 33.3% 100.0% 20.0% 58.8% Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus 57.1% 33.3% 40.0% 47.1% Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus 85.7% 50.0% 100.0% 20.0% 40.0% 64.7% Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis 14.3% Black-winged Lapwing Vanellus melanopterus 17.6% Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus V 14.3% 100.0% 20.0% 40.0% 58.8% Bokmakierie Telophorus zeylonus 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% Booted Eagle Aquila pennatus 20.0% Brimstone Canary Crithagra sulphuratus 50.0% 40.0% 20.0% Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris 42.9% 50.0% 66.7% 20.0% 23.5%
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Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola 71.4% 50.0% 20.0% 11.8% Burchell's Coucal Centropus burchellii 42.9% 17.6% Cape Batis Batis capensis 16.7% 40.0% Cape Bulbul Pycnonotus capensis 100.0% 83.3% 66.7% 60.0% 60.0% 35.3% Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis 20.0% 20.0% Cape Canary Serinus canicollis 71.4% 16.7% 33.3% 60.0% 52.9% Cape Clapper Lark Mirafra apiata 66.7% 40.0% 35.3% Cape Crow Corvus capensis 100.0% 66.7% 33.3% 80.0% 80.0% 64.7% Cape Glossy Starling Lamprotornis nitens 14.3% 60.0% 35.3% Cape Grassbird Sphenoeacus afer 71.4% 16.7% 33.3% 80.0% 60.0% 82.4% Cape Longclaw Macronyx capensis 85.7% 33.3% 60.0% 40.0% 76.5% Cape Robin-Chat Cossypha caffra 100.0% 83.3% 100.0% 100.0% 20.0% 70.6% Cape Rock-Thrush Monticola rupestris 71.4% 33.3% 33.3% 60.0% 40.0% 5.9% Cape Shoveler Anas smithii 20.0% 23.5% Cape Siskin Crithagra totta 28.6% 20.0% 40.0% Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus 57.1% 33.3% 11.8% Cape Sugarbird Promerops cafer 28.6% 16.7% 60.0% 40.0% 23.5%
Cape Teal Anas capensis 5.9% Cape Turtle-Dove Streptopelia capicola 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 60.0% 40.0% 82.4% Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 60.0% 20.0% 82.4% Cape Weaver Ploceus capensis 100.0% 83.3% 100.0% 80.0% 100.0 88.2% % Cape White-eye Zosterops virens 85.7% 50.0% 100.0% 60.0% 41.2% Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens 14.3% Caspian Tern Sterna caspia 20.0% Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 85.7% 66.7% 20.0% 64.7% Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi 20.0% 5.9% Cloud Cisticola Cisticola textrix 33.3% 20.0% 40.0% 82.4% Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris 14.3% Common Fiscal Lanius collaris 100.0% 100.0% 66.7% 80.0% 100.0 100.0% % Common House-Martin Delichon urbicum Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 66.7% 20.0% 17.6% Common Ostrich Struthio camelus 20.0% 20.0% 11.8% Common Peacock Pavo cristatus 20.0% Common Quail Coturnix coturnix 29.4% Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 100.0% 66.7% 33.3% 20.0% 80.0% 52.9% Common Swift Apus apus 16.7% Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild 85.7% 16.7% 60.0% 40.0% 64.7% Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus 71.4% 50.0% 33.3% 20.0% 20.0% 64.7% Denham's Bustard Neotis denhami V 16.7% 66.7% 40.0% 40.0% 64.7% Diderick Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius 20.0% 17.6% Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus 100.0% 83.3% 100.0% 80.0% 100.0 88.2% % Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris 85.7% 100.0% 100.0% 60.0% 100.0 17.6% % Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis 28.6% Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens 85.7% 83.3% 60.0% 80.0% 35.3%
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Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 80.0% 100.0 88.2% % Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maximus 14.3% 16.7% 20.0% Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris 17.6% Great Egret Egretta alba 5.9% Greater Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris afer 85.7% 33.3% 100.0% 40.0% 20.0% 64.7% Greater Striped Swallow Hirundo cucullata 28.6% 50.0% 100.0% 40.0% 40.0% 82.4% Green Wood-Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus 33.3% Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura 42.9% Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 57.1% 33.3% 11.8% Grey Sunbird Cyanomitra veroxii 5.9% Grey-backed Cisticola Cisticola subruficapilla 66.7% 40.0% 40.0% 47.1% Hadeda Ibis Bostrychia hagedash 100.0% 83.3% 100.0% 60.0% 80.0% 70.6% Hamerkop Scopus umbretta ** 57.1% 33.3% 20.0% 11.8% Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris 85.7% 66.7% 20.0% 20.0% 82.4% Horus Swift Apus horus 16.7% 33.3% 11.8% House Sparrow Passer domesticus 85.7% 83.3% 20.0% 41.2% Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus 85.7% 83.3% 80.0% 80.0% 58.8% Karoo Prinia Prinia maculosa 85.7% 66.7% 66.7% 80.0% 100.0 29.4% % Karoo Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas coryphoeus 57.1% 16.7% 20.0% 11.8% Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus 5.9% Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius 11.8% Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas 33.3% Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus NT 11.8% Large-billed Lark Galerida magnirostris 23.5% Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 85.7% 100.0% 33.3% 60.0% 70.6% Lazy Cisticola Cisticola aberrans 20.0% 5.9% Lesser Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica 66.7% 20.0% 5.9% Lesser Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris 14.3% 40.0% 17.6% Levaillant's Cisticola Cisticola tinniens 14.3% 20.0% 20.0% 29.4% Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 60.0% 23.5% Little Rush-Warbler Bradypterus baboecala 14.3% 20.0% 17.6% Little Swift Apus affinis 14.3% 33.3% 20.0% 11.8% Long-tailed Widowbird Euplectes progne 17.6% Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata 5.9% Malachite Sunbird Nectarinia famosa 71.4% 50.0% 66.7% 80.0% 80.0% 64.7% Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus V 20.0% 11.8% Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapilla 57.1% 83.3% 100.0% 100.0% 80.0% 94.1% Olive Bush-Shrike Telophorus olivaceus 66.7% 11.8% Olive Thrush Turdus olivaceus 42.9% 16.7% 29.4% Orange-breasted Sunbird Anthobaphes violacea 16.7% 80.0% 40.0% 5.9% Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata 5.9% Pied Crow Corvus albus 57.1% 66.7% 20.0% 5.9% Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 28.6% 20.0% 11.8% Pied Starling Spreo bicolor 14.3% 40.0% 5.9%
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Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura 14.3% 66.7% 60.0% Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys 14.3% 5.9% Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 5.9% Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea 11.8% Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha 16.7% 66.7% 20.0% 47.1% Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea 66.7% 40.0% 41.2% Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius 100.0% 40.0% 5.9% Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 60.0% 60.0% 82.4% Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus 28.6% Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata 60.0% Red-necked Spurfowl Pternistis afer 100.0% 16.7% 20.0% 20.0% 11.8% Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio 100.0% 100.0% 33.3% 60.0% 20.0% 23.5% Reed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus 28.6% 16.7% 66.7% 60.0% 60.0% 58.8% Rock Dove Columba livia 33.3% 5.9% Rock Kestrel Falco rupicolus 57.1% 16.7% 20.0% Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula 85.7% 83.3% 80.0% 60.0% 29.4% Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana 66.7% 20.0% 40.0% 82.4% Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunus 42.9% 33.3% 100.0% 80.0% 20.0% 29.4% Southern Black Korhaan Afrotis afra 5.9% Southern Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus 28.6% 33.3% 100.0% 60.0% 47.1% Southern Double-collared Cinnyris chalybeus 20.0% 5.9% Sunbird Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus 57.1% 33.3% 100.0% 40.0% 20.0% 41.2% Southern Masked-Weaver Ploceus velatus 33.3% 17.6% Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix 57.1% 66.7% 40.0% 41.2% Southern Tchagra Tchagra tchagra 20.0% Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus 71.4% 50.0% 60.0% 40.0% 58.8% Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 80.0% 60.0% 76.5% Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis 20.0% 5.9% Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus 28.6% 16.7% 33.3% Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis 33.3% 11.8% Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis 57.1% 16.7% 20.0% 60.0% 100.0% Steppe Buzzard Buteo vulpinus 16.7% 66.7% 40.0% 35.3% Streaky-headed Seedeater Crithagra gularis 60.0% 40.0% 5.9% Swee Waxbill Coccopygia melanotis 28.6% 20.0% 17.6% Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris 100.0% 33.3% 33.3% 20.0% 41.2% Verreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxii 28.6% 33.3% 20.0% Victorin's Warbler Cryptillas victorini 14.3% 16.7% Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus 5.9% Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea 5.9% White Stork Ciconia ciconia Bonn 66.7% 40.0% 29.4% White-bellied Korhaan Eupodotis senegalensis V 40.0% 23.5% White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 33.3% 20.0% White-faced Duck Dendrocygna viduata 11.8% White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis 100.0% 100.0% 66.7% 60.0% 40.0% 29.4%
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White-rumped Swift Apus caffer 42.9% 66.7% 100.0% 40.0% 60.0% 52.9% White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis 28.6% 66.7% 66.7% 20.0% 20.0% 35.3% Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 11.8% Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis 14.3% 100.0% 40.0% 20.0% 94.1%
Yellow Canary Crithagra flaviventris 20.0% Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata 71.4% 33.3% 100.0% 20.0% 60.0% 52.9% Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius 20.0% 17.6% Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 20.0% 40.0% 52.9%
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APPENDIX D2
Vegetation Impact Assessment
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 6
Terms of Reference: Ecological Assessment
1. Carry out fieldwork to locate and describe the terrestrial vegetation on the study area, key focus on the impact footprint(s) for sensitive site(s). No faunal assessments will be undertaken within the scope of this study. 2. Determine the species present and localities within each vegetation types. 3. Determine whether the study area falls wholly or partially within the distribution range of species listed as Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Protected, IUCN Red Listed or Endemic. 4. Provide a description of the current state of the vegetation on site supported by relevant photographs. 5. Identify and describe the conservation value and conservation planning frameworks relevant to this site (Regional Planning) for represented vegetation units. 6. Describe the areas where indigenous vegetation has been transformed. 7. Determine alien species present; their distribution within the study area and recommended management actions. 8. Note and record the position of unusually large specimens of trees, where applicable. 9. Provide a detailed vegetation sensitivity map of the site, including mapping of disturbance and transformation on site. 10. Identify and rate potential impacts, outline mitigatory measures and outline additional management guidelines. 11. Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) recommendations relating to flora and vegetation, including generic rehabilitation and revegetation guideline will be provided in the report. 12. Draft an impact statement of the proposed development on the identified vegetation units.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 7
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 8
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 9
Draft Botanical Assessment for Proposed Karreedouw to Dieprivier Eskom 132 kV Powerline
Client Arcus Gibb/Eskom
Port Elizabeth
Author
Jamie Pote
Postnet Suite 177, Private Bag X0002 Fig Tree, Port Elizabeth, 6033 Email: [email protected] Cell: 083 743 9353, Fax: 0866 503 506
24 May 2012
i
Executive Summary Mr Jamie Pote was sub-contracted by Arcus Gibb to undertake a terrestrial ecological assessment of the proposed Kareedouw to Dieprivier 132 kV powerline in the Kouga Municipality. Site visits were conducted during March 2012.
Vegetation Regional Biodiversity Planning Frameworks: Vegetation units/types and conservation status.
BIODIVERSITY PLANNING RESOURCE Vegetation Unit Status
Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos Vulnerable Langkloof Shale Renosterveld Endangered The Vegetation of South Africa Lesotho and Swaziland (VegMap; Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos Least threatened Mucina & Rutherford, 2006) Kouga Sandstone Fynbos Least threatened Eastern Inland Shale band Vegetation Least threatened
Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos Vulnerable Langkloof Shale Renosterveld Endangered National Spatial Biodiversity Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos Least threatened Assessment (NSBA, 2004) Kouga Sandstone Fynbos Least threatened Eastern Inland Shale band Vegetation Least threatened
Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos Vulnerable Langkloof Shale Renosterveld Critically Endangered National Biodiversity Assessment Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos Least threatened (2011) Kouga Sandstone Fynbos Least threatened Eastern Inland Shale band Vegetation Least threatened
National Environmental Management Langkloof Shale Renosterveld Critically Endangered Act: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA)
Langkloof Fynbos Vulnerable Subtropical Thicket Ecosystem Project Humansdorp Grassy Fynbos Currently NOT Vulnerable (STEP) Kromme Fynbos/Renosterveld Mosaic Vulnerable
Langkloof Fynbos / Renosterveld Mosaic Cape Action for People and the Humansdorp Grassy Fynbos N/A Environment (CAPE) Kromme Fynbos / Renosterveld Mosaic
Eastern Cape Biodiversity CBA 2 T3 Conservation Plan (ECBCP) Jumanji Game Farm Pvt Game Res.
According to Mucina and Rutherford (2006; Figure 2.1), the dominant vegetation types present along the majority of the route is Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos (Least Threatened). The line traverses some narrow bands of Eastern Inland Shale Band Vegetation and Kouga Sandstone Fynbos (both Least Threatened), along its route. On the western (Melkhoutbos) side, the powerline traverses a band Langkloof Shale Renosterveld (Critically Endangered) and Tsitsikamma Sandstone
ii Fynbos (Endangered), with the substation situated in Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos. On the Eastern (Dieprivier) side the line traverses through and ends at a proposed substation situated in Langkloof Shale Renosterveld (Critically Endangered).
Habitat Sensitivity Areas scoring an overall LOW vulnerability include the portions of the site that are completely transformed or severely degraded, that have a low conservation status, or where there is very dense alien infestation. Loss of these areas will not significantly compromise the current conservation status of the vegetation unit at a regional level, nor is its loss likely to compromise the ecological functioning of surrounding areas. Areas scoring an overall MODERATE vulnerability include the intact portions of vegetation tend to have a moderate sensitivity score. Areas scoring an overall HIGH to VERY HIGH vulnerability includes areas having a Critically Endangered or Endangered conservation status, or critical ecological process and critical biodiversity areas.
Vegetation and Flora Impacts The proposed development is likely to have a number of impacts on the plants and plant communities within the site. The three key impacts are: (a) loss of habitat; (b) loss of species of special concern or SSC habitat and (c) reduction or changes to ecological processes/functioning. These can be further subdivided into sub-impacts as follows: A. Issue 1: Direct loss of natural vegetation habitat as a result of vegetation clearing for servitude; 1. Direct loss of habitat; 2. Direct loss of Rocky Refugia; 3. Direct loss of Thicket or Forest vegetation in drainage lines 4. Direct loss of Riparian vegetation along drainage lines 5. Direct loss of seep/wetland/seasonal pan vegetation B. Issue 2: Direct loss of Species of Special Concern and associated habitat: 6. Loss of habitat for species of special concern; 7. Loss of Species of Special Concern C. Issue 3: Ecological Process Changes 8. Increased risk of alien invasion in drainage lines; 9. Clearing of alien invasives from within the servitude and drainage lines. 1. Disruptions to Ecological Processes as a result of habitat fragmentation
Conclusions In summary, the overall the development of the project is predicted to result in a negative impact of low to medium significance. The following key conclusions are reached regarding impacts on flora: In general the servitude passes through degraded and transformed vegetation, with segments passing through areas of intact and near intact vegetation; Only Langkloof Shale Renosterveld is present within the Powerline servitude, which has a NBA (2011) conservation status of Critically Endangered; The proposed activity will NOT result in the clearing of greater than 300 square meters of Critically Endangered Langkloof Shale Renosterveld and a permit in terms of section 57(1) of
iii NEMBA is NOT required to carry out 'restricted activities' (including uprooting, damaging, destroying specimens) of listed threatened or protected species (as listed in terms of section 56 of NEMBA). As part of the EMP, an ECO/ESO should be appointed to manage the identification and relocation of Species of Special Concern and management of vegetation clearing and subsequent revegetation and rehabilitation. A detailed EMP should be compiled to address these issues before construction commences. It is recommended that individual screening is undertaken as part of the construction phase EMP for the areas identified as having elevated sensitivities, including drainage lines and river crossings with intact Thicket and areas with intact Langkloof Shale Renosterveld to micro-site the pylons in order to minimise impact. Some ephemeral/temporary wetlands, pans and dams occur within or adjacent to the powerline servitude. No powerline pylons should be sited within wetlands, pans and dams and a 32 m exclusion buffer should be placed around these features. Suitable management of these must be addressed in the EMP to minimise impacts during the construction phase, relating particularly to siltation due to soil erosion and permanent changes to drainage lines that may alter wetland processes. Care should be taken that no power line pylons are sited in wetlands and temporary seasonal pans (32 m exclusion zone around these features). Should it be unavoidable, relevant permissions will need to be obtained from DWAF. Powerlines passing through riverine thicket/forest patches should be sited such that impacts to this vegetation is minimised. The substations must avoid any wetland areas (including seasonal wetlands, pans and seeps), other sensitive vegetation (thicket and forest), drainage lines and riparian vegetation along river banks. Should it be unavoidable, relevant permissions will need to be obtained from DWAF. No powerline pylons should be placed within the 1:50 year flood line or on flood plains that may be susceptible to future flooding.
iv Indemnity and conditions relating to this project The findings, results, observations, conclusions and recommendations given in this report are based on the author’s best scientific and professional knowledge as well as available information. The report is based on survey and assessment techniques which are limited by time and budgetary constraints relevant to the type and level of investigation undertaken and the author reserves the right to modify aspects of the report including the recommendations if and when new information may become available from ongoing research or further work in this field, or pertaining to this investigation. Although the author exercises due care and diligence in rendering services and preparing documents, he accepts no liability, and the client, by receiving this document, indemnifies the author against all actions, claims, demands, losses, liabilities, costs, damages and expenses arising from or in connection with services rendered, directly or indirectly by the author and by the use of this document.
Copyright This report must not be altered or added to without the prior written consent of the author. This also refers to electronic copies of this report which are supplied for the purposes of inclusion as part of other reports, including main reports. Similarly, any recommendations, statements or conclusions drawn from or based upon this report must make reference to this report. If these form part of a main report relating to this investigation or report, this report must be included in its entirety as an appendix or separate section to the main report.
Limitations of the study A number of limitations affect the compilation of the report including: No assessment has been made of ecological aspects relating to wetlands, pans and rivers/seeps outside of the scope of this botanical report. Botanical Assessments based on a limited sampling time may not reflect species composition completely, but has been supplemented with desktop based distribution data.
v Definitions and terminology used in this report: Annual: Completing the cycle from seed to death in one year or season. Arboreal: Living in trees Biennial: Completing the cycle from seed to death in two years or seasons. Boundary: Landscape patches have a boundary between them which can be defined or fuzzy (Sanderson and Harris 2000). The zone composed of the edges of adjacent ecosystems is the boundary. Composition: refers to the number of patch types (see below) represented on a landscape, and their relative abundance. Connectivity: the measure of how connected or spatially continuous a corridor, network, or matrix is. For example, a forested landscape (the matrix) with fewer gaps in forest cover (open patches) will have higher connectivity. Corridors: have important functions as strips of a particular type of landscape differing from adjacent land on both sides. Disturbance: an event that significantly alters the pattern of variation in the structure or function of a system, while fragmentation is the breaking up of a habitat, ecosystem, or land-use type into smaller parcels. Disturbance is generally considered a natural process. ECO/ESO: Environmental Site/Control Officer – person responsible for the Day-to-Day Environmental Management on-site during construction. Ecocline: a type of landscape boundary, with a gradual and continuous change in environmental conditions of an ecosystem or community. Ecoclines help explain the distribution and diversity of organisms within a landscape because certain organisms survive better under certain conditions, which change along the ecocline. They contain heterogeneous communities which are considered more environmentally stable than those of ecotones. Ecological processes: Ecological processes are the interactions between plants, animals and the non-living components of the environment like climate or rocks. These processes are crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting the long-term persistence of biodiversity. Ecosystem: All of the organisms of a particular habitat, such as a lake or forest, together with the physical environment in which they live Ecotone: the transitional zone between two communities. Ecotones can arise naturally, such as a lakeshore, or can be human-created, such as a cleared agricultural field from a forest. The ecotonal community retains characteristics of each bordering community and often contains species not found in the adjacent communities. Classic examples of ecotones include fencerows; forest to marshlands transitions; forest to grassland transitions; or land- water interfaces such as riparian zones in forests. Characteristics of ecotones include vegetational sharpness, physiognomic change, and occurrence of a spatial community mosaic, many exotic species, ecotonal species, spatial mass effect, and species richness higher or lower than either side of the ecotone. Edge: the portion of an ecosystem near its perimeter, where influences of the adjacent patches can cause an environmental difference between the interior of the patch and its edge. This edge effect includes a distinctive species composition or abundance in the outer part of the landscape patch. For example, when a landscape is a mosaic of perceptibly different types, such as a forest adjacent to a grassland, the edge is the location where the two types adjoin. In a continuous landscape, such as a forest giving way to open woodland, the exact edge location is fuzzy and is sometimes determined by a local gradient exceeding a threshold, such as the point where the tree cover falls below thirty-five percent. Emergent trees: Trees that grow above the top of the canopy Endemic: Referring to a species that is native to a particular place and found nowhere else.
vi Exotic: Non-indigenous; introduced from elsewhere, may also be a weed or invasive species. Fragmentation: causes land transformation, an important current process in landscapes as more and more development occurs. Function: refers to how each element in the landscape interacts based on its life cycle events. Heterogeneity: A landscape with structure and pattern implies that it has spatial heterogeneity or the uneven, non-random distribution of objects across the landscape. Indigenous: Native; naturally occurring. Invasive: a non-indigenous plant or animal species that adversely affect the habitats it invades economically, environmentally or ecologically. Matrix: the “background ecological system” of a landscape with a high degree of connectivity. Network: an interconnected system of corridors while mosaic describes the pattern of patches, corridors and matrix that form a landscape in its entirety. Patch: a term fundamental to landscape ecology, is defined as a relatively homogeneous area that differs from its surroundings. Patches are the basic unit of the landscape that change and fluctuate, a process called patch dynamics. Patches have a definite shape and spatial configuration, and can be described compositionally by internal variables such as number of trees, number of tree species, height of trees, or other similar measurements. Pattern: is the term for the contents and internal order of a heterogeneous area of land. Refuge: a location of an isolated or relict population of a once widespread animal or plant species Rill: A very small stream of water Riparian: pertaining to, situated on or associated with a river bank Shrub: A woody plant that produces no trunk but branches from the base. STEP: Sub-Tropical Ecosystem Planning. Structure: is determined by the composition, the configuration, and the proportion of different patches across the landscape. Sustainable: The term ‘sustainable’ in relation to biological resources is defined as ‘sustainable’ in relation to the use of a biological resource, means the use of such resource in a way and at a rate that: o would not lead to its long term decline o would not disrupt the ecological integrity of the ecosystem in which it occurs and o would ensure its continued use to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations of people. Tributary/Drainage line: A small stream or river flowing into a larger one. Weed: an indigenous or non-indigenous plant that grows and reproduces aggressively, usually a ruderal pioneer of disturbed areas. Weeds may be unwanted because they are unsightly, or they limit the growth of other plants by blocking light or using up nutrients from the soil. They also can harbour and spread plant pathogens.
vii Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND 1
1.1 TERMS OF REFERENCE 1
1.2 DESCRIPTION OF ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT POTENTIALLY COULD CAUSE IMPACTS ON THE VEGETATION AND FLORA 1
1.3 LAWS AND POLICIES RELATING TO THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 2 1.3.1 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108, 1996), article 24 (b) – (c) 2 1.3.2 National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act 107 of 1998) 2 1.3.3 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 3 1.3.4 National Environmental Management Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 3 1.3.5 National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (NBSAP) (DEAT 2005) 4 1.3.6 Draft National Strategy for Sustainable Development (DEAT 2006) 4 1.3.7 Provincial Growth and Development Strategy Green Paper (Department of the Premier 2006) 4 1.3.8 National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment (NSBA) 2004 (Driver et al 2005) 5 1.3.9 Environment Conservation Act and Regulations GN154 5 1.3.10 Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983 and Conservation of Agricultural Resources Regulations. 6 1.3.11 Forest Act 122 of 1984 6 1.3.12 National Forests Act 84 of 1998 6 1.3.13 Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance (PNCO) of 1974 6 1.3.14 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, (NEMBA) 6
1.4 RELEVANT AFFECTED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS 7 1.4.1 National list of ecosystems that are threatened and in need of protection according to National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (act no. 10 of 2004) 7
1.5 DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 7 1.5.1 Site Location 7 1.5.2 Site Topography 8
CHAPTER 2: REGIONAL PLANNING FRAMEWORKS 8
2.1 REGIONAL PLANNING FRAMEWORK 8 2.1.1 Vegetation of Southern Africa 9
viii 2.1.2 National Biodiversity Assessment (2011) 15 2.1.3 Bioregional Plans, Critical Biodiversity Areas and Ecological Process Areas 15 2.1.4 Biodiversity offsets 15
2.2 PROTECTED PLANTS 16
CHAPTER 3: VEGETATION DESCRIPTION AND FLORAL COMPOSITION 16
3.1 ECOLOGICAL STATE AND SENSITIVITY OF VEGETATION 16 3.1.1 Perceived Reference State (PRS) 16 3.1.2 Present Ecological State (PES) 16 3.1.3 Terrestrial Vegetation Vulnerability Assessment 20 3.1.4 Protection status and Species of Special Concern 26 3.1.5 Alien Invasive Plant species 27 3.1.6 Potential Trade-offs and Biodiversity Offsets 27
CHAPTER 4: PREDICTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 28
4.1 INTRODUCTION 28
4.2 NATURAL HABITATS AND BIODIVERSITY THREATS 28
4.3 EXISTING IMPACTS 28
4.4 PROPOSED PROJECT ACTIONS 28
4.5 GENERAL IMPACT RATING SCALE FOR SPECIALISTS/ BASELINE DATA 29 4.5.1 The Severity/ Beneficial Scale 29 4.5.2 Spatial and Temporal Scales 30 4.5.3 The Degree of Certainty and the Likelihood Scale 31 4.5.4 The Environmental Significance Scale 31 4.5.5 Absence of Data 32
4.6 IDENTIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 32 4.6.1 Direct loss of habitat 32 4.6.2 Direct loss of Rocky Refugia; 33 4.6.3 Direct loss of Thicket or Forest Vegetation along drainage lines; 33 4.6.4 Direct loss of Riparian vegetation along drainage lines 33 4.6.5 Direct loss of seep/wetland/seasonal pan vegetation 33 4.6.6 Loss of habitat for species of special concern 34 4.6.7 Loss species of special concern 34
ix 4.6.8 Increased risk of alien invasion in drainage lines and along cleared servitude34 4.6.9 Clearing of alien invasives from within the site and drainage lines 35 4.6.10 Disruptions to Ecological Processes as a result of habitat fragmentation 35 4.6.11 Cumulative Impacts 35 4.6.12 Assessment of the reversibility of impact 35 4.6.13 Assessment of the degree to which the impact causes irreplaceable loss of resources 35
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 37
5.1 RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES 37
5.2 REHABILITATION POTENTIAL AND PROCESSES 38 5.2.1 Rehabilitation Objective 38 5.2.2 Rehabilitation Plan 38 5.2.3 Monitoring and Reporting 39
5.3 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 39 5.3.1 No Go Areas 39 5.3.2 Alien vegetation clearing 39 5.3.3 River crossings 40 5.3.4 Search and Rescue of SSC 40
CHAPTER 6: REFERENCES 41
CHAPTER 7: MAPS 42
List of Tables Table 3.1: Summary of Present Ecological State indicators of the study area...... 23 Table 3.2: Species having protection status under PNCO, NFA or IUCN occurring in the area...... 26 Table 3.3: Alien Invasive plants and common weeds present and CARA classification...... 27 Table 4.1: Impact summary table...... 36
List of Figures Figure 1-1: Powerline Route between the western Melkhoutkraal and eastern Dieprivier substations...... 8 Figure 2.1: Vegetation units and conservation status (Mucina and Rutherford, 2006)...... 10 Figure 3.1: Intact Sandstone Fynbos near Kareedouw...... 17
x Figure 3.2: Intact Sandstone Fynbos along route near Kareedouw...... 17 Figure 3.3: Intact Sandstone Fynbos on slopes near existing powerline...... 17 Figure 3.4: Existing Pylon in intact Sandstone Fynbos along route...... 17 Figure 3.5: Powerline traversing lower slopes near Dieprivier...... 17 Figure 3.6: Pylon in transformed vegetation...... 17 Figure 3.7: Existing servitude passing through clumps of exotic trees (Gum and Wattle)...... 18 Figure 3.8: Site of Dieprivier substation in transformed vegetation...... 18 Figure 3.9: Area where route crosses the Kromme River...... 18 Figure 3.10: Typical disturbed riparian vegetation around Kromme River...... 18 Figure 3-11: Drainage lines Crossings with Forest/Thicket. Note cut line through pocket on left...... 19 Figure 3-12: Large Exotic Trees (e.g. Bluegums) may require removal near homesteads...... 19 Figure 3-13: Narrow Band of Langkloof Shale Renosterveld surrounding Kromme River...... 19 Figure 3-14: Transformed Langkloof Shale Renosterveld at Dieprivier substation...... 19 Figure 3.15: Overall terrestrial vegetation habitat and vulnerabilities for the servitude...... 22
List of Maps Map 1: Map indicating vegetation composition of the powerline route based on the Vegetation of Southern Africa classification (Overview)...... 43 Map 2: Map indicating vegetation composition of the powerline route based on the Vegetation of Southern Africa classification (West)...... 44 Map 3: Map indicating vegetation composition of the powerline route based on the Vegetation of Southern Africa classification (Central)...... 45 Map 4: Map indicating vegetation composition of the powerline route based on the Vegetation of Southern Africa classification (East)...... 46 Map 5: Map indicating vegetation composition of the powerline route based on the Subtropical Ecosystem Planning (STEP) unit classification...... 47 Map 6: Topographical map with land use indicated...... 48 Map 7: Topographical map with land use indicated (West)...... 49 Map 8: Topographical map with land use indicated (Central)...... 50 Map 9: Topographical map with land use indicated (East)...... 51 Map 10: Map showing rivers and estuaries along the route...... 52 Map 11: Aerial photo indicating Powerline route relative to wetlands and dams...... 53 Map 12: Aerial photo indicating Powerline route Vulnerability and river, wetland and dam crossings (West)...... 54 Map 13: Aerial photo indicating Powerline route Vulnerability and river, wetland and dam crossings (Central)...... 55 Map 14: Aerial photo indicating Powerline route Vulnerability and river, wetland and dam crossings (East)...... 56
xi
CHAPTER 1: Background
Mr Jamie Pote was sub-contracted by Arcus Gibb to undertake a terrestrial ecological assessment of the proposed Eskom Kareedouw to Dieprivier 132 kV powerline in the Kouga Municipality. Site visits were conducted during March 2012. 1.1 TERMS OF REFERENCE 1. Identify and describe the conservation value and conservation planning frameworks relevant to this site (Regional Planning) for represented vegetation units. 2. Carry out fieldwork to locate and describe the terrestrial vegetation on the study area, key focus on the impact footprint(s) for sensitive sites. No faunal assessments will be undertaken within the scope of this study. 3. Determine the species present and localities within each vegetation types. 4. Determine whether the study area falls wholly or partially within the distribution range of species listed as Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Protected, IUCN Red Listed or Endemic. 5. Provide a description of the current state of the vegetation on site supported by relevant photographs and maps. 6. Provide a detailed vegetation sensitivity map of the site, including mapping of disturbance and transformation on site. 7. Describe the areas where indigenous vegetation has been transformed. 8. Determine alien species present; their distribution within the study area and recommended management actions. 9. Note and record the position of unusually large specimens of trees, where applicable. 10. Identify and rate potential impacts, outline mitigatory measures and outline additional management guidelines. 11. Environmental Management Plan (EMP) recommendations relating to flora and vegetation, including generic rehabilitation and revegetation guideline will be provided in the report.
1.2 DESCRIPTION OF ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT POTENTIALLY COULD CAUSE IMPACTS ON THE VEGETATION AND FLORA The key components of the project and their respective impacts upon the terrestrial vegetation and floral environment are as follows:
Component Ecological impacts
Powerline
Powerline construction will require clearing of The terrestrial environment will be impacted vegetation within the development footprint where vegetation clearing is required
Pylons
The installation of pylons will require The terrestrial environment will be impacted footprint clearing during installation where vegetation clearing is required for hard
1 Component Ecological impacts standing areas, resulting in removal of habitat, associated fauna and flora
Roads
Unsurfaced access roads to pylon structures The terrestrial environment will be impacted will be required, where existing roads are not where vegetation clearing is required for road present construction, resulting in loss of habitat and associated fauna and flora
Temporary activities during construction
Construction related lay down or storage The terrestrial environment will be impacted areas, including work areas around the where vegetation clearing is required for any servitude, and other infrastructure related temporary hard-standing areas. This may be of a activities temporary nature and post construction rehabilitation may be possible
1.3 LAWS AND POLICIES RELATING TO THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Relevant administrative, legal and policy requirements which the developer will be responsible for carrying out during the construction and operation of the development:
1.3.1 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108, 1996), article 24 (b) – (c) “everyone has the right to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that prevent pollution and ecological degradation; promote conservation; and secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development”
1.3.2 National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act 107 of 1998) The National Environmental Management Act (Act 107, 1998) states in s2(4)(k) that "the environment is held in public trust for the people, the beneficial use of resources must serve the public interest and the environment must be protected as the people’s common heritage." Section 2(4)(a) specifies that sustainable development requires the consideration of all relevant factors including the following: that the disturbance of ecosystems and loss of biological diversity are avoided, or, where they cannot be altogether avoided, are minimised and remedied; that the development, use and exploitation of renewable resources and the ecosystems of which they are part do not exceed the level beyond which their integrity is jeopardised; that a risk-averse and cautious approach is applied, which takes into account the limits of current knowledge about the consequences of decisions and actions
2 that negative impacts on the environment and on people’s environmental rights be anticipated and prevented, and where they cannot be altogether prevented, are minimised and remedied; that equitable access to environmental resources, benefits and services be pursued to meet basic human needs and ensure well-being. Special measures may be taken to ensure access by categories of persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination Section 28 imposes a ‘duty of care’ obligation for the environment on every person with regard to taking reasonable measures to prevent pollution or degradation of the environment or, where unavoidable, to minimize and rectify such pollution or degradation.
1.3.3 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 The objectives of this Act are within the framework of the National Environmental Management Act, include: The management and conservation of biological diversity within the Republic of South Africa and the components of such biological diversity The use of indigenous biological resources in a sustainable manner; and The fair and equitable sharing among stakeholders of benefits arising from bio prospecting involving indigenous biological resources; and Giving effect to ratified international agreements relating to biodiversity which are binding on the Republic. The Act, amongst others, provides the framework for biodiversity management and planning. Section 52 provides for the listing of threatened (critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable) and protected ecosystems (of high conservation value or of high national or provincial importance although not listed as threatened) and for activities or processes within those ecosystems to be listed as ‘threatening processes’, thus triggering the need to comply with the NEMA EIA regulations. The Act establishes the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), with a range of functions and powers (Chapter 2 Part 1). It also provides for the listing, control and eradication of invasive species (currently the responsibility of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983).
1.3.4 National Environmental Management Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 The objectives of this Act within the framework of the National Environmental Management Act, include the protection and conservation of ecologically viable areas representative of South Africa’s biological diversity and its natural landscapes and seascapes in order to: Protect areas with significant natural features or biodiversity Protect areas in need of long-term protection for the provision of environmental goods and services Provide for sustainable flow of natural products and services to meet the needs of a local community; involvement of private landowners. The Act provides for the involvement of parties other than organs of State in the declaration and management of protected areas.
3 1.3.5 National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (NBSAP) (DEAT 2005) Five main strategic objectives have been identified, namely: Strategic Objective 1: An enabling policy and legislative framework integrates biodiversity management objectives into the economy. Strategic Objective 2: Enhanced institutional effectiveness and efficiency ensures good governance in the biodiversity sector. Strategic Objective 3: Integrated terrestrial and aquatic management across the country minimizes the impacts of threatening processes on biodiversity, enhances ecosystem services and improves social and economic security. Strategic Objective 4: Human development and well-being is enhanced through sustainable use of biological resources and equitable sharing of the benefits. Strategic Objective 5: A network of protected areas conserves a representative sample of biodiversity and maintains key ecological processes across the landscape and seascape.
1.3.6 Draft National Strategy for Sustainable Development (DEAT 2006) This Strategy stems from Section 24 (b) of the Constitution and particular the phrase “secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development”. Although still in development, the final product is set to be used by government and stakeholders to enhance South Africa’s long term planning capacity. It would specifically influence national and provincial development strategies, such as the National Spatial Development Perspective, the Provincial Growth and Development Strategies and other cross-sectoral development programmes. The draft National Strategy notes that the nation’s biodiversity provides critical ecosystem services on which socioeconomic systems depend. Our ecosystems are the basis of our society and our economy; they provide vital services and are of great use and non-use value to society.
1.3.7 Provincial Growth and Development Strategy Green Paper (Department of the Premier 2006) Economic growth is a prerequisite for boosting job creation, better quality human settlement and improved human well-being. The PGDS notes that: Environmental integrity is 1 of 4 key pillars of the ‘shared growth and integrated development’ path to 2014, with growth, equity and empowerment. Biodiversity embraces the richness in species as well as the wealth in endemic plants and animals. Protecting the natural resource base is essential to any economic and socially sustainable system, even when the full economic value of natural resources has not yet been calculated. Biodiversity protection and the protection of ecological hot spots are internationally recognized imperatives governed by specific international agreements. Land cover change is the most significant driver or decline in ecosystem health. The Strategy aims for a 50% improvement in environmental condition by 2014 (through urban edge and other guidelines, target is to reduce biodiversity loss and urban/agricultural land encroachment).
4 1.3.8 National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment (NSBA) 2004 (Driver et al 2005) The NSBA establishes status for terrestrial, inland water, estuarine and marine ecosystems, protection levels and conservation priorities at a 1: 250000 scale nationally and suggested implementation options for priority areas. It provides the national context for development of biodiversity plans at the sub-national and local scale. For each vegetation type a defensible target has been determined, based on protecting 75% of species occurring in that vegetation type. Ecosystem status is thus based on the percentage of the original area remaining untransformed in relation to the biodiversity target, and a threshold for ecosystem functioning. Conservation priority areas indicate where there is a need for finer scale planning, expansion of the protected area system and integration of biodiversity-compatible development and resource management across the landscape and seascape, including on private and communal land.
1.3.9 Environment Conservation Act and Regulations GN154 Development must be environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. Sustainable development requires the consideration of inter alia the following factors: o that pollution and degradation of the environment is avoided, or, where they cannot be altogether avoided, are minimised and remedied; o that waste is avoided, or where it cannot be altogether avoided, minimised and re-used or recycled where possible and otherwise disposed of in a responsible manner; o that the use and exploitation of non-renewable natural resources is responsible and equitable, and takes into account the consequences of the depletion of the resource; o that the development, use and exploitation of renewable resources and the eco-systems of which they are part do not exceed the level beyond which their integrity is jeopardised; and o that negative impacts on the environment and on peoples’ environmental rights be anticipated and prevented, and where they cannot be altogether prevented are minimised and remedied. Environmental management must place people and their needs at the forefront of its concern, therefore any environmental impacts resulting from the development activities are not distributed in such a manner as to unfairly discriminate against any persons, particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged persons. In terms of section 20, the developer is required to obtain a permit from DWAF in order to establish, provide or operate any waste disposal site within the boundaries of the property. Where medical, hazardous or domestic wastes are to be removed from the site by contractors, the developer needs to place a contractual obligation on the contractor to dispose of the waste at a licensed site and to ensure that this is properly done. The developer is required to undertake Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for all projects listed as a Schedule 1 activity in the EIA regulations in order to control activities which might have a detrimental effect on the environment. Such activities will only be permitted with written authorisation from a competent authority.
5 1.3.10 Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983 and Conservation of Agricultural Resources Regulations. In terms of section 6 of the Act, the Minister may prescribe control measures with which all land users have to comply. The control measure may relate to the following: the regulating of the flow pattern of run-off water; the control of weeds and invader plants; the restoration or reclamation of eroded land or land which is otherwise disturbed or denuded;
1.3.11 Forest Act 122 of 1984 Protected trees The Forest Act provided for the protection of trees on private land by providing that ‘no person may cut, damage, destroy, disturb or remove any protected tree from the land in question, or collect, remove, transport, export, purchase, sell, donate or in any other manner acquire or dispose of any part or produce thereof’. The Minister was authorised, in respect of any land not forming part of a State forest, to declare a particular tree, a particular group of trees, or trees belonging to a particular species occurring on that land, to be a protected tree or trees (Appendix 6) Regulations published under the Act list 58 species of protected trees to which these prohibitions apply. Although the NFA has repealed the old Forest Act, the majority or regulations promulgated under the Act still remain in force until such time they are replaced by new regulations under the NFA.
1.3.12 National Forests Act 84 of 1998 Protected trees The Minister may declare a tree, group of trees, woodland or a species of trees as protected. The Minister is required to publish a list of all species protected under this Act, an appropriate warning of the prohibitions set out and the consequences of its infringements, annually in the Government Gazette. The prohibitions provide that ‘ no person may cut, damage, disturb, destroy or remove any protected tree, or collect, remove, transport, export, purchase, sell, donate or in any other manner acquire or dispose of any protected tree, except under a licence granted by the Minister’.
1.3.13 Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance (PNCO) of 1974 Protected indigenous plants in general are controlled under the relevant provincial Ordinances or Acts dealing with nature conservation. In the Eastern Cape the relevant statute is the 1974 Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance. In terms of this Ordinance, a permit must be obtained from Department of Economic Affairs Environment and Tourism (DEAET) to remove or destroy any plants listed in the Ordinance.
1.3.14 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, (NEMBA) The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) provides a suite of legal tools for biodiversity conservation outside protected areas, including listing of threatened or protected ecosystems, listing of threatened or protected species, bioregional plans and biodiversity management plans for ecosystems or species, and biodiversity management agreements. NEMBA provides for listing of threatened or protected ecosystems in one of the following categories:
6 critically endangered (CR) ecosystems, being ecosystems that have undergone severe degradation of ecological structure, function or composition as a result of human intervention and are subject to an extremely high risk of irreversible transformation; endangered (EN) ecosystems, being ecosystems that have undergone degradation of ecological structure, function .or composition as a result of human intervention, although they are not critically endangered ecosystems; vulnerable (VU) ecosystems, being ecosystems that have a high risk of undergoing significant degradation of ecological structure, function or composition as a result of human intervention, although they are not critically endangered ecosystems or endangered ecosystems; protected ecosystems, being ecosystems that are of high conservation value or of high national or provincial importance, although they are not listed as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable A schedule of national list of ecosystems that are threatened and in need of protection was gazetted on 9 December 2011, as per section 52(1)(a) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) based on the National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA) 2011, which supersedes the terrestrial ecosystem status results in the NSBA 2004. 1.4 RELEVANT AFFECTED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS
1.4.1 National list of ecosystems that are threatened and in need of protection according to National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (act no. 10 of 2004) The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act no. 10 of 2004), lists a single vegetation type as being affected: Langkloof Shale Renosterveld (Critically Endangered) The Langkloof Shale Renosterveld is present along the Kromme River floodplain is largely degraded and transformed as a result of cultivation. A few intact and semi-intact pockets remain, the only potentially being affected is a small portion on the western side of the route, where it is the traversed by the powerline. GN R546: Activity 12. The clearance of an area of 300 square metres or more of vegetation where 75% or more of the vegetative cover constitutes indigenous vegetation. (a) Within any critically endangered or endangered ecosystem listed in terms of section 52 of NEMBA or prior to the publication of such a list, within an area that has been identified as critically endangered in the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004; The proposed activity will NOT result in the clearing of greater than 300 square meters of Critically Endangered Langkloof Shale Renosterveld and a permit in terms of section 57(1) of NEMBA is NOT required to carry out 'restricted activities' (including uprooting, damaging, destroying specimens) of listed threatened or protected species (as listed in terms of section 56 of NEMBA). 1.5 DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
1.5.1 Site Location The powerline runs from the Melkhoutkraal substation (slightly north-west of Kareedouw) to the Dieprivier substation between Kareedouw and Humansdorp within the Kouga Municipality.
7 1.5.2 Site Topography Starting from the Melkhoutkraal substation, the route crosses northward from the Kareedouwberge over the Kromme River and runs east along the southern slopes of the Suuranysberge to the Dieprivier substation, which is south of the Dieprivier. In general the topography is gently undulating to mountainous along the western portion, becoming flatter in the eastern section towards Dieprivier substation.
Figure 1-1: Powerline Route between the western Melkhoutkraal and eastern Dieprivier substations.
CHAPTER 2: Regional Planning Frameworks
The Eastern Cape Province has highly diverse vegetation since it occupies an area where the biomes of South Africa converge (Rutherford and Westfall, 1994). As a result, the Eastern Cape vegetation is a mosaic of vegetation types, many of which have become severely threatened by development (Lubke et al., 1988, Low and Rebelo, 1996 2.1 REGIONAL PLANNING FRAMEWORK Current conservation status of the vegetation units at national, regional and local levels are as follows:
BIODIVERSITY PLANNING RESOURCE Vegetation Unit Status
The Vegetation of South Africa Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos Vulnerable Lesotho and Swaziland (VegMap; Mucina & Rutherford) Langkloof Shale Renosterveld Endangered
8 BIODIVERSITY PLANNING RESOURCE Vegetation Unit Status
NSBA Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos Least threatened Kouga Sandstone Fynbos Least threatened Eastern Inland Shale band Vegetation Least threatened
Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos Vulnerable Langkloof Shale Renosterveld Endangered National Spatial Biodiversity Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos Least threatened Assessment Kouga Sandstone Fynbos Least threatened Eastern Inland Shale band Vegetation Least threatened
Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos Vulnerable Langkloof Shale Renosterveld Critically Endangered National Biodiversity Assessment () Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos Least threatened Kouga Sandstone Fynbos Least threatened Eastern Inland Shale band Vegetation Least threatened
National Environmental Management Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos Endangered Act: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) Langkloof Shale Renosterveld Critically Endangered
Langkloof Fynbos Vulnerable Subtropical Thicket Ecosystem Project Humansdorp Grassy Fynbos Currently NOT Vulnerable (STEP) Kromme Fynbos/Renosterveld Mosaic Vulnerable
Langkloof Fynbos / Renosterveld Mosaic Cape Action for People and the Humansdorp Grassy Fynbos N/A Environment (CAPE) Kromme Fynbos / Renosterveld Mosaic
Eastern Cape Biodiversity CBA 2 T3 Conservation Plan (ECBCP) Jumanji Game Farm Pvt Game Res.
2.1.1 Vegetation of Southern Africa According to Mucina and Rutherford (2006; Figure 2.1), the dominant vegetation types present along the majority of the route is Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos (Least Threatened). The line traverses some narrow bands of Eastern Inland Shale Band Vegetation and Kouga Sandstone Fynbos (both Least Threatened), along its route. On the western (Melkhoutbos) side, the powerline traverses a band Langkloof Shale Renosterveld (Critically Endangered) and Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos (Endangered), with the substation situated in Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos. On the Eastern (Dieprivier) side the line traverses through and ends at a proposed substation situated in Langkloof Shale Renosterveld (Critically Endangered).
9
Figure 2.1: Vegetation units and conservation status (Mucina and Rutherford, 2006).
Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos Description of conservation status from NSBA: Least threatened Distribution: Western and Eastern Cape Provinces: Between Uniondale and Uitenhage, generally surrounding FFs 27 Kouga Sandstone Fynbos at lower altitudes and often on northerly aspects. Along the lower flanks of the Kouga Mountains in the Langkloof north of Joubertina and the northern and lower slopes of the Suuranysberge to the low mountains and flats north of Humansdorp. Along the lower slopes of the Kouga and Baviaanspoort Mountains in Baviaanspoort as well as the northern slopes of the Baviaanspoort Mountains and the northern and lower slopes of the Groot Winterhoekberge, Elandsberge and Van Stadensberg including the valleys of the upper reaches of the Elands and Kwa-Zunga Rivers. Also on various ridges embedded in FRs 16 Uniondale Shale Renosterveld south to east of Willowmore including Antoniesberg and Witberg. Altitude: 220–1 220 m, mainly 300–900 m (concentrated around 480–560 m). Geology and Soils: Acidic lithosols derived from sandstones of the Table Mountain Group as well as quartzitic sandstones of the Witteberg Group (Nardouw subgroup). Glenrosa and Mispah forms prominent. Vegetation & Landscape Features: Low shrubland with sparse, emergent tall shrubs and dominated by grasses in the undergrowth, or grassland scattered ericoid shrubs. The lower dry slopes, where leaching is less severe and nutrient levels are higher, support a higher grassy cover. Conservation: Least threatened. Target 23%. About 20% conserved in wilderness and conservation areas including the Baviaanskloof, Berg Plaatz, Groendal, Guerna, Kouga, Welbedacht State Forest, and in Mierhoopplaat and Stinkhoutsberg Nature Reserves. About 2% in addition enjoy protection in private reserves such as Jumanji Game Farm, Rooi Banke Forest Reserve, Paardekop Game Farm, Thaba Manzi Game Farm, and in Beakosneck, Kouga and Sepree River Private Nature Reserves. Some
10 9% transformed (cultivation) but in addition much transformed to grassy pasture by too frequent burning. Notable aliens include Pinus pinaster, Acacia cyclops and A. mearnsii. Erosion: very low and low, but also high in some areas. Important Taxa: Small tree: Protea nitida. Succulent Tree: Aloe ferox. Tall Shrubs: Aspalathus kougaensis, A. nivea, Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia. Low shrubs: Agathosma mucronulata, A. pilifera, A. puberula, A. spinosa, Aspalathus fourcadei, Cliffortia drepanoides, Clutia alaternoides, C. polifolia, Diosma prama, D. rourkei, Disparago ericoides, Erica demissa, E. pectinifolia, E. sparsa, E. thamnoides, Euryops euryopoides, Helichrysum teretifolium, Leucadendron salignum, Leucospermum cuneiforme, Otholobium carneum, Passerina obtusifolia, P. pendula, Phylica axillaris, P. lachneaeoides, Polygala myrtifolia, Protea foliosa, Pteronia incana, Stoebe plumosa, Tephrosia capensis. Herbs: Alepidea capensis, Centella virgata, Gazania krebsiana subsp. krebsiana, Helichrysum felinum, Knowltonia. Geophytic herbs: Bobartia orientalis subsp. orientalis, Geissorhiza roseoalba, Watsonia meriana. Graminoids: Anthochortus crinalis, Brachiaria serrata, Cannomois scirpoides, C. virgata, Cymbopogon marginatus, Digitaria eriantha, Diheteropogon filifolius, Eragrostis curvula, Heteropogon contortus, Hypodiscus albo-aristatus, H. striatus, H. synchroolepis, Ischyrolepis capensis, I. gaudichaudiana, Mastersiella purpurea, Melinis repens subsp. repens, Merxmuellera papposa, M. stricta, Pentameris distichophylla, Pentaschistis eriostoma, P. pallida, Restio triticeus, Rhodocoma fruticosa, Tetraria capillacea, T. cuspidata, T. fourcadei, T. involucrata, Thamnochortus fruticosus, Themeda triandra, Trachypogon spicatus, Tristachya leucothrix. Endemic Taxa: Tall Shrub: Freylinia crispa. Low Shrubs: Argyrolobium parviflorum, A. trifoliatum, Cullumia cirsioides, Eriocephalus tenuipes, Euchaetis vallis-simiae, Sutera cinerea. Succulent Shrub: Lampranthus lavisii. Herbs: Annesorhiza thunbergii, Aster laevigatus, Centella didymocarpa, Peucedanum dregeanum. Geophytic Herbs: Cyrtanthus flammosus, C. labiatus, C. montanus, Gladiolus uitenhagensis. Succulent Herb: Gasteria glauca. Graminoid: Restio vallis-simius. Suitability for powerline in terms of NSBA Vegetation of this type is categorized as Least Threatened, and is most suited for activities ‘of limited extent' and powerline construction will have a limited and acceptable impact. Existing roads and disturbances should preferably be selected and roads should not be constructed perpendicular to slopes, where erosion risk may be elevated.
Kouga Sandstone Fynbos NSBA Conservation Status: Least threatened Distribution: Western and Eastern Cape. Main areas from the Dieprivier and the ridge of the Bak se Baken in the west, through Uniondale, eastwards along the main chain of the Kouga Mountains (and continuous with some small ridges such as Ouposberg and Dwarsberg to the northwest), interrupted by the thicket ogf the Kouga River, and terminating in the vicinity of the Blouberg. A narrower band occurs along the upper and generally south-facing parts of the Baviaanskloofberge on the northern side of Baviaanskloof from the Winterhoekberge in the west and continuing up to the gorge of the Groot Rivier. The unit is found at high altitudes (with a southerly aspect) on the main ridge of the Groot Winterhoekberge to the high mountain parts above Uitenhage (e.g. Vermaakskop) and also occurs on some subsidiary high ridges in the south. Also found along the higher and south-facing parts of the Elandsberg as well as on the Van Stadensberg to near Fitches corner. A narrow band occurs on the Suuranysberge on the northern side of the lower Langkloof Valley, Kareedouw. Altitude: 400 - 1 758 m Geology and Soils: Acidic lithosols derived from sandstones of the Table Mountain Group as well as quartzitic sandstones of the Witteberg Group (Nardouw Subgroup)
11 Vegetation and Landscape Features: Mainly long, rounded mountain chains with moderately steep to gentle slopes. The high-altitude slopes support communities dominated by low fynbos, the intermediate slopes support three strata, with Proteaceae shrubs forming the dominant tall shrub stratum. Wet, mesic and dry variations occur. Conservation: Least Threatened. Target 23 %. About 40% statutorily conserved in Wildnerness areas such as the Kouga, Guerna, Groendal, Baviaanskloof and Berg Plaatz as well as in other nature reserves such as Stinkhoutberg and Lady Slipper and in Longmore State Forest. AN additional 4 % protected in private conservation areas such as Hankey Forest Reserve, Kouga, Sepree RIver, Sustersdal and Van Stadenberg. About 8 % transformed (pine plantations, cultivation). Pinus pinaster, Hakea sericea and Acacia saligna are the main woody plants of concern. Much transformed by conversion to grassy pasture by too frequent burning. Erosion: mostly low to very low. Important taxa: Small tree: Protea nitida, Widdringtonia schwarzii. Tall shrubs: Euryops virgineus, Leucadendron eucalyptifolium, L. loeriense, L. uliginosum subsp. glabratum, Metalasia trivialis, Passerina falcifolia, Protea lorifolia, P. mundii, P. neriifolia, P. punctata, P. repens, Rhus lucida, Smelophyllum capense. Low shrubs: Leucadendron comosum subsp. comosum, Agathosma capensis, A. kougaense, Anisodontea scabrosa, Anthospermum galioides subsp. galioides, Aspalathus collina subsp. collina, Cliffortia arcuata, Diosma prama, D. rourkei, Erica angulata, E. copiosa, E. cordata, E. demissa, E. hispidula, E. nabea, E. newdigateae, E. pectinifolia, E. simulans, E. strigilifolia, E. thamnoides, E. umbelliflora, Euryops munitus, E. rehmannii, E. spathaceus, Leucadendron pubibracteolatum, L. salignum, Leucospermum cuneiforme, Metalasia strictifolia, Otholobium pictum, Passerina obtusifolium, P. pendula, Penaea cneorum subsp. ovata, Phylica axillaris, P. lachneaeoides, Protea foliosa, P. vogtsiae, Pteronia teretifolia, Stoebe spiralis. Herb: Senecio pauciflosculosus. Succulent Herbs: Quaqua pillansii, Stapelia obducta, S. paniculata. Graminoids: Anthochortus crinalis, Brachiaria serrata, Elegia vaginulata, Ficinia gracilis, Hypodiscus aristatus, H. striatus, Ischyrolepis gaudichaudiana, Mastersiella purpurea, Merxmuellera arundinacea, M. stricta, Pentameris distichophylla, P. macrocalycina, Restio triticeus, Rhodocoma fruticosa, Tetraria cuspidata. Endemic taxa: Tall Shrub: Cyclopia longifolia. Low shrubs: Agathosma martiana. unicarpellata, Aspalathus lanceicarpa, Cyclopia filiformis, Erica abelii, E. affinis, E. bolusanthus, E. flocciflora, E. harveyana, E. humansdorpensis, E. kougabergensis, E. Sagitta, E. saptouensis, Euryops integrifolius, E. ursinoides, Leucadendron orientale, L. sorocephalodes, Paranomus esterhuyseniae, p. reflexus, Senecio oederiifolius. Suitability for powerline in terms of NSBA Vegetation of this type is categorized as Least Threatened, and is most suited for activities ‘of limited extent' and powerline construction will have a limited and acceptable impact. Existing roads and disturbances should preferably be selected and roads should not be constructed perpendicular to slopes, where erosion risk may be elevated.
Langkloof Shale Renosterveld NSBA Conservation Status: Endangered (Critically Endangered: NBA, 2011) Distribution: Western and Eastern Cape. Narrow belt from Herold on the northern side of the Outenique Mountains to Kykoe, then descending along the upper reaches of the Keurbooms River, south of the Prince Alfred Pass, to Vleitjis se Berg; in the Langkloof Valley from Harmonie via Avontuuur to Haarlem and furhter from Krakeelrivier via Joubertina and Kareedouw to Salielaagte. Small outlier at Brandhoek northeast of Joubertina. Altitude: 22 - 950 m.
12 Geology and Soils: A very narrow east-west distribution of clays and loams derived from shales of the Nardouw Subgroup of the Table Mountain Group as well as the Ceres Subgroup of the Bokkeveld Group. Prismacutanic and pedocutanic and Glenrosa and Mispah forms are prominent. Vegetation and Landscape Features: Intermontane valleys and lower slopes with low, medium and dense graminoid, dense cupressoid-leaved shrubland, dominated by renosterbos and surrounded by fynbos. Conservation: Endangered. Target 29%. None conserved in statutory or private conservation areas. Some 61 % transformed (mainly fruit orchards and pastures). Important woody aliens are Hakea sericea and Pinus pinaster. Erosion: Very Low and Low. Important taxa: Tall Shrubs: Metalasia densa, Passerina corymbosa. Low shrubs: Anthospermum aethiopicum, A. galioides subsp. galioides, Argyrolobium pauciflorum, Aspalathus nigra, Chaetacanthus setiger, Eriocephalus africanus, Helichrysum anomalum, H. teretifolium, Hermannia flammea, Indigofera denudata, Passerina rubra, Pentzia dentata, Selago mediocris, Senecio hollandii. Herb: Hibiscus pusillus, Herbaceous Climber: Thunbergia capensis. Graminoids: Brachiaria serrata, Cymbopogon marginatus, Cynodon dactylon, Ehrharta calycina, E. capensis, Festuca scabra, Ficinia tristachya, Helictotrichon hirtulum, Merxmuellera stricta, Pentaschistis angustifolia, Sporobolus africanus, Themeda triandra. Endemic taxa: Herb: Senecio euryopoides
Suitability for powerline in terms of NSBA Vegetation of this type is categorized as Endangered (NBA: Critically Endangered), and any disturbance relating to powerline construction must be limited to unavoidable requirements. Proposed disturbance must occur on sites which have already undergone disturbance or impacts rather than on sites that are undisturbed. Where possible, existing roads servicing the current servitude must be used and pylon footprints must be kept to a minimum and preferably target transformed or disturbed areas. Where unavoidable, extreme care must be taken and any disturbance kept to an absolute minimum and post construction measures must be implemented ensure rapid and successful rehabilitation.
Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos NSBA Conservation Status: Vulnerable Distribution: Western and Eastern Cape Provinces: Tsitsikamma Mountains from Uniondale to Cape St Francis, north of the Keurbooms River and south of Langkloof. Altitude: 100–1 675 m (at the highest Peak Formosa). Geology and soils: Acidic lithosol soils derived from Ordovician sandstones of the Table Mountain Group (Cape Supergroup), plinthic catenas prominent. Vegetation and Landscape Features: A relatively low mountain range with gentle to steep northern and southern slopes over 140 km, with a few high peaks and moderately undulating plains. Relatively broad compared to the other coastal mountain ranges varying from 10 - 20 km in width. Vegetation is a medium dense, tall proteoid shrubland over a dense moderately tall ericoid-leaved shrubland - mainly proteoid, restioid and ericoid fynbos, with fynbos thicket in wetter areas.
13 Conservation: Vulnerable. Target 23%. Statutorily conserved (about 40%) in the proposed Garden Route National Park (including Tsitsikamma and Soetkraal). Some 33% transformed (cultivation, pine plantations). With scattered alien Pinus pinaster and Hakea sericea. Erosion: very low. Important taxa: Tall shrubs: Cliffortia serpyllifolia, Leucadendron conicum, L. eucalyptifolium, L. uliginosum subsp. glabratum, Leucospermum glabrum, Metalasia densa, M. trivialis, Mimetes pauciflorus, Passerina corymbosum, P. falcifolia, Protea eximia, P. mundii, P. neriifolia, Pterocelastrus tricuspidatus. Low shrubs: Erica discolor, E. sparsa, Ursinia scariosa subsp. scariosa, Agathosma ovata, Anisodontea scabrosa, Aspalathus ciliaris, Berzelia intermedia, Carpacoce vaginellata, Erica diaphana, E. glandulosa, E. rosacea subsp. rosacea, E. uberiflora, Euryops munitus, E. pinnatipartitus, Helichrysum teretifolium, Indigofera flabellata, Leucadendron salignum, L. spissifolium subsp. phillipsii, Leucospermum cuneiforme, Metalasia pulcherrima, Otholobium carneum, Passerina pendula, Penaea cneorum subsp. gigantea, Phylica axillaris, P. imberbis, Protea cynaroides, Stoebe plumosa. Herbs: Commelina africana, Gazania krebsiana. Geophytic Herbs: Geissorhiza fourcadei, G. inconspicua, Romulea pratensis. Graminoids: Restio triticeus, Tetraria capillacea, Diheteropogon filifolius, Elegia juncea, Epischoenus adnatus, Heteropogon contortus, Hypodiscus synchroolepis, Tetraria robusta, Thamnochortus fruticosus, T. glaber, Themeda triandra, Tristachya leucothrix. Endemic taxa: Low shrubs: Aspalathus teres subsp. thodei, Erica trachysantha, E. zitzikammensis, Felicia tsitsikamae and Helichrysum outeniquensis. Suitability for powerline in terms of NSBA Vegetation of this type is categorized as Vulnerable, and ‘can withstand only limited loss of natural area or limited disturbance through human activities and developments’. Proposed disturbance should preferably take place on sites which have undergone disturbance or impacts rather than on sites that are undisturbed. It is identified as being suited for activities ‘of limited extent' and powerline construction will have a limited and acceptable impact.
Eastern Inland Shale band Vegetation NSBA Conservation Status: Least threatened Geology and Soils: Clays derived from shale of the Cedarberg Formation. Vegetation and Landscape Features: Western and Eastern Cape Provinces: Shale bands in the eastern Outeniqua (often also bearing forest patches), Langkloof, Tsitsikamma and Kareedouw Mountains and along the southern Cape coastal plains to around Oyster Bay with the most seaward belt reaching the coast at, for example, Clinton’s Bank south of Bloukrans Pass. Altitude: 0–1 100 m. See also Figure 4.78 featuring the simplified distribution of this unit. Conservation: Endangered. Target 27%. Statutorily conserved (16%) in the proposed Garden Route National Park (including Tsitsikamma National Park), Koomans Bush State Reserve as well as in Lottering Forest Reserve, Plaatbos Nature Reserve, Kwaaibrand and Langebosch Forest Reserves and several other private conservation areas. Some 65% transformed, with cultivation accounting for most of the transformation, followed by pine plantations. Alien Pinus pinaster and Hakea sericea occur as scattered. Erosion: very low. Important taxa: Small tree: Protea nitida. Tall shrubs: Protea neriifolia, P. repens, Leucadendron eucalyptifolium, Protea punctata. Low shrubs: Elytropappus rhinocerotis, Lachnaea glomerata,
14 Leucadendron salignum, Leucospermum cuneiforme, Protea intonsa, P. tenax. Herb: Hebenstretia integrifolia. Graminoid: Themeda triandra. Endemic taxa: Low shrub: Aspalathus incana Suitability for powerline in terms of NSBA Vegetation of this type is categorized as Least Threatened, and is most suited for activities ‘of limited extent' and powerline construction will have a limited and acceptable impact. Existing roads and disturbances should preferably be selected and roads should not be constructed perpendicular to slopes, where erosion risk may be elevated.
2.1.2 National Biodiversity Assessment (2011) The NBA 2011 assesses the state of South Africa’s biodiversity, across terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine and marine environments, emphasising spatial (mapped) information for both ecosystems and species. It synthesises key aspects of South Africa’s biodiversity science, making it available in a useful form to policymakers, decision-makers and practitioners in a range of sectors. The NBA is central to fulfilling SANBI’s mandate in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) to monitor and report regularly on the state of biodiversity, and includes two headline indicators that are assessed across all environments: ecosystem threat status and ecosystem protection level. The NBA 2011 also deals with species of special concern and invasive alien species, presents new work on geographic areas that contribute to climate change resilience, and provides a summary of spatial biodiversity priority areas that have been identified through systematic biodiversity plans at national, provincial and local scales.
Implications The only vegetation unit indicated in the NBA as needing special attention is Langkloof Shale Renosterveld (Critically Endangered) will be affected by the proposed powerline where it will be traversed by the route. Langkloof Shale Renosterveld will only be impacted upon near the Melkhoutkraal and Dieprivier substations, and it tends to be transformed in these areas so the impact will be negligible.
2.1.3 Bioregional Plans, Critical Biodiversity Areas and Ecological Process Areas No Bioregional Plans have yet been compiled for this area, and no designated Critical Biodiversity Areas or Ecological Process Areas are affected by the proposed powerline. Ecological process areas represent areas that, when functioning ecologically, will serve to sustain evolutionary processes.
2.1.4 Biodiversity offsets Where land uses are proposed that will have a negative impact on biodiversity, such impacts must be assessed, minimised via a "planning with nature" approach, and mitigated to the greatest extent possible. Mitigation measures are extensively utilised in order to reduce the biodiversity impacts of developments or change in land use from a natural state. However, in many instances the impacts on biodiversity will be such that mitigatory measures will be inadequate. Under such conditions the application of biodiversity offsets is generally the most appropriate response. To date, biodiversity offsets have only been used in a few, isolated cases in the municipality, but due to the extent of habitat loss during the last five years, the utilisation of biodiversity offsets is expected to increase substantially (Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, 2007).
15 Biodiversity off sets are "conservation actions intended to compensate for the residual, unavoidable harm to biodiversity caused by development projects, so as to ensure 'no net loss' of biodiversity". The key issue is that biodiversity offsets should only be triggered if residual impacts of a medium or higher significance are identified. No Biodiversity offset triggers are indicated in this case 2.2 PROTECTED PLANTS In terms of the National Forests Act, 1998 (Act No 84 of 1998) and Government Notice 1339 of 6 August 1976 (promulgated under the Forest Act, 1984 (Act No 122 of 1984) for protected tree species), the removal, relocation or pruning of any protected plants will require a license (Refer relevant Appendix) from DAFF. DAFF must be involved in the EIA application process. Protected indigenous plants in general are controlled under the relevant provincial Ordinances or Acts dealing with nature conservation. In the Eastern Cape the relevant statute is the 1974 Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance no 19 (PNCO). In terms of this Ordinance, a permit must be obtained from the DEDEA to remove or destroy any plants listed in the Ordinance. Threatened or Protected Species (T.o.P.S.): Permits must be obtained from DEDEA or respective conservation office.
CHAPTER 3: VEGETATION DESCRIPTION AND FLORAL COMPOSITION
Within the servitude, a number of distinct vegetation communities were observed, with some variation, at a community level. 3.1 ECOLOGICAL STATE AND SENSITIVITY OF VEGETATION
3.1.1 Perceived Reference State (PRS) Most of the route traverses Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos but passes through narrow bands described as having Kouga Sandstone Fynbos, Inland Shale Band Vegetation, Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos, and Langkloof Shale Renosterveld. The route also passed over a number of wetlands and streams as well as the Kromme River at various points. The perceived reference state of the vegetation is intact natural vegetation, as per Vegetation of Southern Africa (Mucina and Rutherford, 2006) described above.
3.1.2 Present Ecological State (PES) Present Ecological State has been assessed for the key vegetation types found within the route. A summary of factors assessed is provided in Table 3.1. Historical agriculture related land-use have resulted in degradation of portions of the route, most notably as a result of crop and pasture cultivation in flat lower lying areas, and to some extent from regular burning of grazing areas on mountain and hill slopes (refer to Figure 3.1 to Figure 3.10).
16
Figure 3.1: Intact Sandstone Fynbos near Figure 3.2: Intact Sandstone Fynbos along route near Kareedouw. Kareedouw.
Figure 3.3: Intact Sandstone Fynbos on slopes near Figure 3.4: Existing Pylon in intact Sandstone Fynbos existing powerline. along route.
Figure 3.5: Powerline traversing lower slopes near Figure 3.6: Pylon in transformed vegetation. Dieprivier.
17
Figure 3.7: Existing servitude passing through Figure 3.8: Site of Dieprivier substation in clumps of exotic trees (Gum and Wattle). transformed vegetation.
Figure 3.9: Area where route crosses the Kromme Figure 3.10: Typical disturbed riparian vegetation River. around Kromme River.
Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos The predominant vegetation unit along the servitude, largely intact as a result of it occurring on mountain slopes where intense agricultural disturbances have been excluded due to shallower soils and steep slopes. Incised drainage lines fragment the hilly terrain periodically and these tend to be vegetated with either a taller Fynbos or where protected from fire a thicket/forest community often becomes established (Figure 3-11 & Figure 3-12). Regular burning has altered composition in some areas which could be described as near- natural, but large parts still relatively natural and intact. Working for water has been very active in recent years in the Kromme River catchment, and large areas have been successfully cleared of dense alien infestations. Remnant invasion tends to be scattered and at low densities. Some isolated dense clumps of exotic trees (such as Bluegums and Wattle) are present along the proposed route and will require removal before the powerline can be installed. NBA (2011) Conservation Status: Least Threatened Implications: Due to the low conservation status of the unit and the presence of the existing powerline servitude directly adjacent to the proposed route, the impact to the vegetation unit,
18 which encompass the majority of the proposed powerline route, will be negligible. In drainage lines, where forest and thicket has developed, the lines must be strung over without clearing of vegetation, especially trees and riparian vegetation. Unless existing roads already cross these areas, they should not be traversed by vehicles during construction or operational maintenance.
Figure 3-11: Drainage lines Crossings with Figure 3-12: Large Exotic Trees (e.g. Bluegums) may Forest/Thicket. Note cut line through pocket on left. require removal near homesteads. .
Langkloof Shale Renosterveld A narrow band stretching along the Kromme River Valley, largely transformed where it coincides with the powerline route. A narrow band will be traversed, on the south side of the Kromme River, where the route crosses en route towards the Melkhoutkraal substation. NBA (2011) Conservation Status: Critically Endangered Implications: The route traverses this unit perpendicularly and impact will be minimal and limited to a potential loss or disturbance where pylon footprints and access roads are present (Figure 3-13 & Figure 3-14).
Figure 3-13: Narrow Band of Langkloof Shale Figure 3-14: Transformed Langkloof Shale Renosterveld surrounding Kromme River. Renosterveld at Dieprivier substation.
19 Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos Largely degraded and transformed bisected by the powerline near the Melkhoutkraal substation. NBA (2011) Conservation Status: Vulnerable Implications: No intact or natural Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos likely to be impacted by the proposed activity.
Kouga Sandstone Fynbos A dominant vegetation unit on the mountain slopes, but only affected by the proposed powerline in a few sections. Also largely intact as a result of it occurring on mountain slopes where intense agricultural disturbances have been excluded due to shallower soils and steep slopes. Regular burning has altered composition in some areas which could be described as near- natural, but large parts still relatively natural and intact. NBA (2011) Conservation Status: Least Threatened Implications: Impact to this unit will be negligible, where the route crosses the narrow bands.
Eastern Inland Shale band Vegetation Occurs in narrow bands where geological conditions are favourable. NBA (2011) Conservation Status: Least Threatened Implications: Impact to this unit will be negligible, where the route crosses the narrow bands.
3.1.3 Terrestrial Vegetation Vulnerability Assessment An overall vulnerability assessment, incorporating key vegetation and ecological indicators (summarised in Table 3.1) was made and includes the following key criteria: relative levels of intactness i.t.o. overall loss of indigenous vegetation cover; presence, diversity and abundance of species of special concern (weighted in favour of local endemic species); extent of invasion (severity and overall ecological impact), as well as the degree to which successful rehabilitation could take place; overall degradation incorporating above factors; relative importance of the vegetation communities relative to regional conservation status - indicated as vulnerability of the area as a result of loss.
Intactness Three basic classes are differentiated as follows: Low: < 25 % of original vegetation has been removed or lost; and/or no species of special concern present that are critically endangered, endangered or highly localised endemicity. Moderate: 25 - 75 % of original vegetation has been removed/lost; and or presence of species of special concern but not having high conservation status or high levels of endemicity. High: > 75 % of original vegetation has been removed or lost; and or presence of species with a highly endemicity and or high conservation status (endangered or critically endangered).
20 Alien Invasion Three classes are differentiated as follows: Low: no or few scattered individuals; Moderate: individual clumps of invasives present, but cover less than 50% or original area; High: dense, impenetrable stands of invasives present, or cover > 50 % of area with substantial loss functioning. Rehabilitation will most likely require specialised techniques over an extended time period (> 5 years).
Degradation Overall Degradation is determined from the above alien invasion and intactness scores, according to the following matrix: Invasion Intactness Low Moderate High Low Pristine Near Pristine Moderately Degraded Moderate Near Pristine Moderately Degraded Severely Degraded High Moderately Degraded Severely Degraded Transformed
Overall Vulnerability score Overall vulnerability (or Sensitivity) of the vegetation within the site is calculated according to the following matrix which combines degradation and overall conservation status of the vegetation units of the site (Figure 3.15 and Error! Reference source not found.). Conservation Status Degradation Least Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Severely degraded/ Low Low Moderate Moderate - High Transformed Moderately Low Moderate High High degraded Ecologically Pristine Moderate - Moderate High Very High (No-Go area) or near Pristine High
Areas scoring an overall LOW Vulnerability are those areas that are: includes areas that have a low conservation status (Least Threatened). highly degraded or transformed and it is unlikely that they could be rehabilitated to a normal functioning ecological state without extreme effort and expense. Includes the predominant Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos, Eastern Inland Shale band Vegetation and Kouga Sandstone Fynbos areas. This includes the portions of the site that are associated with extensive blanket vegetation clearing for agriculture, or where there is very dense alien infestation. Loss of these areas are unlikely to significantly compromise the current conservation status of the vegetation unit, unless part of a designated critical biodiversity or ecological support area. Powerline portions that pass through areas that are degraded or are non-restorable such as agricultural lands and adjacent to road servitudes.
21 Areas scoring an overall MODERATE Vulnerability are those areas that: have moderate, low or no alien infestation, or where forest/thicket occurs across drainage lines; contain intact (pristine) to moderately intact (near pristine) habitat with a Vulnerable or lower conservation score and minimal disruptions to ecological functioning. On site the areas where drainage lines are crossed and wetlands as tends to have a moderate sensitivity score. Powerline portions that pass through intact or partially degraded vegetation with an elevated conservation status, where impacts to vegetation will be restricted to pylon footprints; or areas where species of special concern may be present and some loss of habitat may occur. Areas scoring an overall High and Very Vulnerability are those having: an important ecological function (including ephemeral wetland pans), having specialized habitats (rocky outcrops with associated specialised flora and/or fauna) or erosion prone steep slopes; a critically endangered or an endangered conservation status where ecological processes have NOT been irreversibly compromised (intact Langkloof Shale Renosterveld). Powerline portions that pass through intact thicket or woody vegetation and on major drainage line crossings where clearing of vegetation may be required between pylons; as well as vegetation deemed to be more sensitive (Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos) or likely to have species of special concern present are classed as High. Intact Areas with Langkloof Shale Renosterveld are classed as very High, and only consists of the are where the Line spans the Kromme River near the Melkhoutkraal substation.
Figure 3.15: Overall terrestrial vegetation habitat and vulnerabilities for the servitude.
22 Table 3.1: Summary of Present Ecological State indicators of the study area.
Aspect Description
Landscape Description
Aspect, Slope, Variable, mountainous in the west becoming hilly and flat towards the east and Topography along the Kromme River.
Substrate Generally rocky Sandstone and Shale.
Community Description
Predominantly Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos and Kouga Sandstone Fynbos, with bands of Eastern Inland Shale band Vegetation and Langkloof Shale Renosterveld, with Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos relatively extensive south of Vegetation units the area. Transformed vegetated with common grasses, ruderal weeds and pioneer thicket species.
Total Cover (%) > 90 %
Tree Canopy Cover < 10 % (small fynbos trees and forest/thicket along drainage lines (%)
Shrub Cover (%) > 75 % (Intact Fynbos)
Herb Cover (%) ± 5 % (Intact Fynbos)
Grass Cover (%) ± 25 % (Cultivated and disturbed areas and grassy fynbos communities)
Bare soil/rock (%) ± 10 % (Roads and other cleared areas)
Estimated Tree Predominantly < 5 m, but may be taller in drainage lines Height (m)
Disturbances, current land uses and sources of degradation
Human Present but tending to be localised, relating to historical farming activities, access disturbances/impa roads and fence lines. cts
Habitat Minimal at present, excluding some access roads and fence lines fragmentation
Invasive Alien Prickly Pear and Rooikranz extensive in the general area but localised throughout Plants the site.
Relative remaining Area with substantial remaining habitat outside of cultivated portions along the intact habitat: Kromme River
Grazing (livestock) Some historical livestock grazing evident, no substantial livestock noted during
23 Aspect Description the site visit.
Hunting None evident during the site visits.
No formalised conservation, private game farm (Jumanji) will be traversed in the Conservation vicinity of the Dieprivier substation. Outside of heavily cultivated areas, the (flora) general area is conducive to conservation farming.
Wetlands Numerous wetland features along the route.
Recreational None noted, but hiking and similar activities common in the general area. (sport)
Sensitivities
A moderate to high conservation importance for Langkloof Shale Renosterveld Conservation and Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos, Low to Moderate for the remaining importance vegetation units
Topography Topography variable from flat to undulating and mountainous
Rehabilitation High for disturbed and invaded areas, Low for cultivated and transformed areas. potential
Community Variable depending on level of degradation and land use, where intact structure structure typical of fynbos and Renosterveld communities.
Patterns of Biodiversity
Natural indigenous vegetation contains a number of flora species endemic to the Flora region as discussed in relevant section of the report.
Provides habitat for a range of faunal species, a number of which are endemic to Fauna the region.
Indigenous Species A number of endemic and protected species present (see Flora SSC tables) of Special Concern
The temporary loss of habitat has occurred where infestation occurs but would Alien invasion likely recover should removal and management be sustained in the short to medium term. Large areas have been cleared by working for water programme.
Ecological Processes
The erection of fences and roads may have prevented the movement of some Barriers to gene fauna and hence plant propagules (i.e. as their agents of dispersal). Thicket tends dispersal to be bird-dispersed, so fences would not necessarily be a barrier.
Corridors for gene Fences and utility structures (e.g. transmission lines, telephone lines) that act as dispersal perches for birds may be viewed as corridors for bird mediated seed dispersal (Thicket species). These may not follow the dispersal routes in the PRS (e.g.
24 Aspect Description ridges, drainage lines).
Coastal dunes None present within the site. (mobile)
Climatic gradients None
Drainage Lines/ Important from an ecological process perspective within the Kromme River Riparian catchment and associated drainage lines. Numerous wetlands present in the Vegetation area.
Exposed rocky outcrops abundant within the area, and provide fire refuge for Refugia numerous Fynbos and Renosterveld species.
The frequency of fires has probably changed significantly in relation to the PRS. The frequency of fires in the study area is unknown, but probably moderate in Fire Fynbos and Renosterveld. Forest and Thicket along drainage lines is known to be fire resistant.
Ecotones/Tension Ecotones are present and important habitat for fauna and particularly fauna zones between tree clumps and fynbos areas.
Erosion Largely absent, except along roads on sloped areas.
Carbon storage In general Fynbos and Renosterveld is a low Carbon Accumulator.
Some medicinal plant species are present, but use/harvesting unknown. Medicinal plants Numerous species in the area are known for their medicinal properties and some informal collecting is likely.
The value of the study area as a source of food is expected to be insignificant, Food with food plants being limited to a few tree species.
Fuelwood No collection observed, although some alien clearing activities would have (availability) generated wood which may have been collected for fuelwood.
None observed, but historical use of large trees may have occurred for fencing Building materials and homestead construction in the area.
Grazing Grazing historically prevalent and likely to persist, mostly at low densities.
Conservation importance
Current Langkloof Shale Renosterveld has a limited distribution, Other units tend to have Distribution a greater regional distribution (extent)
Relative Langkloof Shale Renosterveld has a limited distribution, and hence has a high Conservation regional conservation status. importance
25 3.1.4 Protection status and Species of Special Concern Within the study area a number of Protected flora are present: Table 3.2: Species having protection status under PNCO, NFA or IUCN occurring in the area. Regional Distribution/ Botanical Name* Family Status** Endemism+
*Highlighted Species are cited as being endemic to the vegetation units or region ** PNCO Protected by the Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance; NFA Protected by the National Forests Act of 1998
+EC - Eastern Cape, WC - Western Cape, KZN - Kwazulu-Natal,
26
Obtaining permission for the destruction or removal of protected species It is recommended that before the clearing of the proposed site is authorized, the appropriate permission be obtained from the Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs (DEDEA) for the destruction of species protected by the Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1974 (PNCO). In order to obtain permission to remove or destroy species occurring under the Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance a letter needs to be drafted and sent to DEDEA together with an application form. This letter must list the species that will be removed or destroyed and the reason for their removal or destruction. These permits may be subject to certain conditions, for example allowing various nurseries to collect plants before vegetation clearance commences; the removal of certain species for rehabilitation purposes etc. These conditions will be drafted after the application has been received by DEDEA and a site visit has been undertaken. All individuals of the protected indigenous species should firstly be avoided if possible, if not then secondly translocated or utilized during rehabilitation and landscaping. If this is not possible permits will be required to either trim or remove individuals.
3.1.5 Alien Invasive Plant species Alien Invasive Plants require removal according to the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983 (CARA).
Eradication protocol Specific eradication and management procedures must be stipulated in the EMP as to the methods to be implemented to remove and control the various alien invasive species as they tend to require species specific techniques. Introduced weed species do not require removal but management is advised to prevent proliferation as a result of disturbance (i.e. within servitude and in disturbed areas). Table 3.3: Alien Invasive plants and common weeds present and CARA classification. Common Botanical Name Family Category1 Extent name Eucalyptus sp Gum Tree Myrtaceae CARA 2 In surrounding areas Pennisetum Introduced Kikuyu Grass Poaceae Scattered, uncommon clandestinum weed Hakea sericea Proteaceae CARA 1 Pinus pinaster Pine CARA 1 Acacia mearnsii Black Wattle Fabaceae CARA 2
3.1.6 Potential Trade-offs and Biodiversity Offsets No trade-offs or Biodiversity offsets are required if mitigation measures and guidelines are implemented.
1 CARA: Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Category 1, 2 or 3)
27 CHAPTER 4: Prediction of environmental impacts
An evaluation and prediction of the likely impacts of the proposed development on the receiving environment has been performed. This report focuses on Botanical Impacts that may result from activities that will affect the flora within the study area and immediate surrounds. 4.1 INTRODUCTION The proposed powerline servitude will result in some vegetation trimming and pruning along the servitude route, including associated access roads and complete removal of vegetation cover limited to the pylon footprints. 4.2 NATURAL HABITATS AND BIODIVERSITY THREATS Effects to natural habitats and biodiversity will be related to changes in flora and direct loss of habitat. Key issues are to do with habitat loss or alteration, direct or indirect mortality (death) of locally endemic (native), threatened or endangered species and fragmentation of natural habitats. Proposed powerline will impact terrestrial flora during construction as a result of the direct linear loss and of habitats, with a consequent loss of biodiversity and possibly loss of a few individuals of species of special concern. This may result from direct land clearance, or occur indirectly via loss or changes in habitats due to consequent changes in drainage patterns, increased fire risk in retained areas, or secondary impacts associated socio-economic factors. Mitigation measures include translocation of rare plant species and habitat to ecosystem reconstruction sites or for use in Public Open Space, and avoidance of areas that may be conservation worthy. 4.3 EXISTING IMPACTS Existing anthropogenic impacts within the study area include: 1. Disturbances relating to agricultural activities including crops and livestock grazing; 2. Alien invasion in disturbed areas, particularly along drainage lines and within riparian zones. 3. Disturbances relating to excessive fire; 4.4 PROPOSED PROJECT ACTIONS The project will consist of the following infrastructure, requiring direct removal of vegetation: 1. Temporary pruning and clearing of vegetation associated with pylon construction and associated lay-down areas for powerline construction; 2. Permanent clearing of vegetation where access roads are required; 3. Long term pruning of vegetation where growth may interfere with powerline operations;
28 4.5 GENERAL IMPACT RATING SCALE FOR SPECIALISTS/ BASELINE DATA To ensure a direct comparison between various specialist studies, six standard rating scales are defined and used to assess and quantify the identified impacts. This is necessary since impacts have a number of parameters that need to be assessed. These scales are: 1. The Severity/ Benefit Scale, which assesses the importance of the impact from a purely technical perspective. 2. The Spatial Impact Scale, which assesses the extent or magnitude of the impact (the area that will be affected by the impact). 3. The Temporal Impact Scale, which assesses how long the impact will be felt. Some impacts are of a short duration, whereas others are permanent. 4. The Degree of Certainty Scale, which provides a measure of how confident the author feels about their prediction. 5. The Likelihood Scale, which provides an indication of the risk or chance of an impact taking place. 6. The Environmental Significance Scale, which assesses the importance of the impact in the overall context of the affected system or party.
To ensure integration of social and ecological impacts, to facilitate specialist assessment of impact significance, and to reduce reliance on value judgments, the severity of the impact within the scientific field in which it takes place (e.g. vegetation, fauna etc.) was assessed first. Thereafter, each impact was assessed within the context of time and space, and the probability of the impact occurring was quantified using the degree of certainty scale. The impact was then assessed in the context of the whole environment to establish the “environmental significance” of the impact to the flora and vegetation. The scales are described in detail below.
4.5.1 The Severity/ Beneficial Scale The severity scale was used in order to scientifically evaluate how severe negative impacts would be, or how beneficial positive impacts would be on a particular affected system (for ecological impacts) or a particular affected party. This methodology attempts to remove any value judgments from the assessment, although it relies on the professional judgment of the specialist. Negative Impact Positive Impact Very severe Very Beneficiary An irreversible and permanent change to the A permanent and very substantial benefit to the affected system(s)) which cannot be mitigated. affected system(s) with no alternative to achieve For example, change in topography resulting this benefit. from a quarry.
29 Negative Impact Positive Impact Severe Beneficial Long-term impacts on the affected system(s) A long-term impact and substantial benefit to the that could be mitigated. However, this affected system(s). Alternative ways of achieving mitigation would be difficult, expensive or time this benefit would be difficult, expensive or time consuming or some combination of these. consuming, or some combination of these.
Moderately severe Moderately beneficial Medium- to long-term impact on the affected A medium- to long-term impact of real benefit to system(s) that could be mitigated. the affected system(s) Other ways of optimising are equally difficult, expensive and time consuming ( or a combination of these), as achieving them in this way. Slight Slightly beneficial Medium- to short term impacts on the affected A short- to medium-term impact and negligible system(s) Mitigation is very easy, cheap, less benefit to the affected system(s) Other ways of time consuming or not necessary. optimising the beneficial effects are easier, cheaper and quicker, or some combination of these. No effect Don’t know/Can’t know The system(s) is not affected by the proposed In certain cases it may not be possible to development. determine the severity of the impact. The severity of impacts can be evaluated with and without mitigation order to demonstrate how serious the impact is when nothing is done about it. For beneficial impacts, optimisation means anything that can enhance the benefits. However, mitigation or optimisation must be practical, technically feasible and economically viable.
4.5.2 Spatial and Temporal Scales Two additional factors were considered when assessing the impacts, namely the relationship of the impact to Spatial and Temporal Scales. The spatial scale (shown in italics) defines the impact at the following scales. Spatial Scale Explanation at a localised scale (i.e. few hectares in extent). The specific area to which this scale Localised - refers is defined for the impact to which it refers. Study Area - the site, or length of the powerline servitude District - Kouga Municipality Regional - Eastern Cape Province. National - South Africa International
30 The temporal scale (shown in italics) defines the impact at the following scales. Temporal Scale Explanation Short Term Less than 5 years. Many construction phase impacts will be of a short duration Medium Term Between 5 and 20 years Long Term Between 20 and 40 years, and from a human perspective essentially permanent. Permanent Over 40 years, and resulting in a permanent and lasting change.
4.5.3 The Degree of Certainty and the Likelihood Scale It is also for each specialist to state the degree of certainty or the confidence attached to their prediction of significance. For this reason, a ‘degree of certainty’ scale (shown in bold) must be used. Degree Description More than 90% sure of particular fact. To use this one will need to substantial Definite: supportive data. Probable: Between 70% and 90% sure of particular fact. Possible: Between 40% and 70% sure of particular fact. Unsure: Less than 40% sure of particular fact.
The risk or likelihood (shown in normal font) of impacts being manifested differs. There is no doubt that some impacts would occur, but certain other (usually secondary data) impacts are not as likely, and may or may not result. Although these impacts maybe severe, the likelihood of them occurring may affect their overall significance and must therefore be taken into account. It is therefore necessary for the author to state his estimate of the likelihood of an impact occurring, using the following likelihood scale: Degree Description The chance of these impacts occurring is extremely slim, e.g. natural Very unlikely forces destroying a dam wall. Unlikely The risk of these impacts occurring is slight. May occur The risk of these impacts is more likely, although it is not definite. Very Likely Slight chance that this impact will not occur. Definite There is no chance that this impact will not occur.
4.5.4 The Environmental Significance Scale The environmental significance scale is an attempt to evaluate the significance of a particular impact, the severity or benefit of which has already been assessed. This evaluation needs to be assessed in the relevant context, as an impact can either be ecological or social, or both. Since the severity of impacts with and without mitigation will already have been assessed, significance was only evaluated after mitigation. In many cases, this mitigation will take place, as it has been incorporated into project design. A six point significance scale must be applied been. Significance Description Impacts considered to have a major and permanent change to natural Very High environment and are rate as VERY HIGH, usually resulting to severe or very
31 Significance Description severe/ beneficial to very beneficial effects. Long term change and are rated as HIGH resulting to severe or moderately High severe effects/ beneficial to moderately beneficial. Medium to long-term effects. Impacts are rated as MODERATE with Moderate moderately severe or moderately beneficial effects. Medium to short term effects. Impacts are rated as MODERATE resulting in Low moderately severe or moderately beneficial effects. No Significance No primary or secondary effects, resulting in NO SIGNIFICANT impact. Don’t Know Not possible to determine the significance of impacts
4.5.5 Absence of Data In certain instances, an assessment has to b produced in the absence of all the relevant and necessary data, due to paucity or lack of scientific information on the study area. It is more important to identify all the likely environmental impacts than to precisely evaluate the more obvious impacts. It is important to be on the conservative side in reporting likely environmental impacts. Due to the fact that assessing impacts with a lack of data is more dependent on scientific judgment, the rating on the certainty scale cannot be too high. It is for these reasons that a degree of certainty scale has been provided, as well as the categories DON’T KNOW or CAN’T KNOW.
4.6 IDENTIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Four issues have been identified, relating to 11 environmental impacts and deemed important, as follows: D. Issue 1: Direct loss of natural vegetation habitat as a result of vegetation clearing for servitude; 10. Direct loss of habitat; 11. Direct loss of Rocky Refugia; 12. Direct loss of Thicket or Forest vegetation in drainage lines 13. Direct loss of Riparian vegetation along drainage lines 14. Direct loss of seep/wetland/seasonal pan vegetation E. Issue 2: Direct loss of Species of Special Concern and associated habitat: 15. Loss of habitat for species of special concern; 16. Loss of Species of Special Concern F. Issue 3: Ecological Process Changes 17. Increased risk of alien invasion in drainage lines; 18. Clearing of alien invasives from within the servitude and drainage lines. 19. Disruptions to Ecological Processes as a result of habitat fragmentation
Issue 1: Direct loss of natural vegetation habitat as a result of vegetation clearing for powerline servitude;
4.6.1 Direct loss of habitat
Cause and Comments The proposed servitude will result in the removal of intact Fynbos and
32 Renosterveld habitat from the servitude during construction Mitigation Mitigation will not be possible for the loss of intact vegetation where pylon and access road construction footprints are required Residual Impact Fynbos and Renosterveld lost to servitude will be permanent, but limited to pylon footprints and access roads and intact vegetation will be retained for the remainder of the servitude (i.e. between pylons)
4.6.2 Direct loss of Rocky Refugia;
Cause and Comments The proposed servitude may result in the disturbance of Rocky Refugia habitat from the servitude where pylon construction coincides with outcropping Mitigation Rocky refugia should be avoided as far as reasonably possible Residual Impact Rocky refugia lost to servitude will be permanent, but limited in extent
4.6.3 Direct loss of Thicket or Forest Vegetation along drainage lines;
Cause and Comments The proposed servitude could result in the clearing of Forest or Thicket vegetation along the length of the servitude where pylon construction, access road construction and laying of overhead cables requires bush clearing Mitigation Clearing must be kept to the minimum necessary; Appropriate permits must be obtained from DWAF for removal of protected tree species if necessary. Residual Impact If powerline is strung over such areas without clearing, residual impact will be negligible
4.6.4 Direct loss of Riparian vegetation along drainage lines
Cause and Comments The servitude may result in the loss of some peripheral riparian vegetation, particularly at road crossings, where necessary. Mitigation Riparian areas must be avoided as far as possible and pylons should not be constructed in riparian areas (must be sited at least 32 m from edge of riparian vegetation). Where absolutely necessary, appropriate specialist input must be obtained before activities commence and appropriate measure implemented. Residual Impact None if riparian areas are avoided
4.6.5 Direct loss of seep/wetland/seasonal pan vegetation
Cause and Comments The servitude may but is unlikely to result in the loss of some peripheral seeps/wetland and or seasonal pan vegetation which commonly occur in the area. Mitigation No pylons and access roads should be constructed within 32 m of a seep,
33 wetland and/or seasonal pan, unless no alternative is possible. Where necessary, appropriate specialist input must be obtained before activities commence and appropriate measure implemented. Residual Impact Residual impact is likely to be nil if all such areas are avoided. Issue 2: Direct loss of Species of Special Concern and associated habitat:
4.6.6 Loss of habitat for species of special concern
Cause and Comments Powerline is likely to result in loss of habitat containing species of special concern Mitigation Should species of special concern be identified, all reasonable measures should be implemented to minimise destruction of localised populations that may occur; Where unavoidable, permits must be obtained from respective departments (DEDEA); Residual Impact Dependant on effectiveness of relocation plan, will be negligible if successful relocation plan is implemented
4.6.7 Loss species of special concern
Cause and Comments Powerline will result in loss of habitat containing species of special concern Mitigation Rocky refugia (such as along ridges) should be avoided where possible during pylon positioning. Where unavoidable, permits must be obtained from respective departments (DEDEA); Search and Rescue to be implemented before any construction commences. Residual Impact Residual impact will be of negligible significance at regional level. Issue 3: Ecological Process Changes
4.6.8 Increased risk of alien invasion in drainage lines and along cleared servitude
Cause and Comments Riparian areas already tend to be infested with alien species, although clearing has been undertaken by Working for Water. Without management re-invasion is likely. Additional species may be introduced that may invade riparian habitat. Mitigation An alien management plan must be implemented and long-term monitoring conducted Residual Impact Some aliens are likely to persist in the long-term, but can be kept to manageable levels with appropriate control measures, through implementation of a long-term alien management plan
34 4.6.9 Clearing of alien invasives from within the site and drainage lines
Cause and Comments The proposed powerline will result in the removal of existing alien vegetation from within the servitude, which will reduce propagules production that may be spreading into adjacent areas Mitigation Clearing of alien vegetation must be conducted as per the recommendations of an Environmental Management Plan to ensure that the spread of seed into surrounding areas is prevented Residual Impact Some residual re-infestation is likely to occur as a result of the seed bank and result in the persistence of scattered individuals
4.6.10 Disruptions to Ecological Processes as a result of habitat fragmentation
Cause and Comments The proposed powerline will result in the removal of existing alien vegetation from within the servitude, which will reduce propagules production that may be spreading into adjacent areas Mitigation Clearing of alien vegetation must be conducted as per the recommendations of an Environmental Management Plan to ensure that the spread of seed into surrounding areas is prevented Residual Impact Some residual re-infestation is likely to occur as a result of the seed bank and result in the persistence of scattered individuals
4.6.11 Cumulative Impacts Potential cumulative impacts are likely to fall into the following groups: Cumulative regional loss of Rocky Refugia:- Negligible, limited to pylon footprints and access roads; Cumulative regional loss of Fynbos and Renosterveld:- Negligible, limited to pylon footprints and access roads; Cumulative loss of Thicket/Forest along drainage lines:- Negligible to low if excessive additional servitudes are not cleared adjacent to existing cleared areas.
4.6.12 Assessment of the reversibility of impact Impacts relating to pylon construction are likely to be highly reversible. Impacts relating to road construction are likely to be moderately reversible.
4.6.13 Assessment of the degree to which the impact causes irreplaceable loss of resources Intact or natural areas having a high conservation statues (Langkloof Shale Renosterveld) have a high irreplaceability, but these are limited in extent and number. Irreplaceability of habitat is low for the remaining servitude area.
35
Table 4.1: Impact summary table.
Degree Severity Significance Severity Significance Risk/ Temporal Spatial Impact of without without with with Likelihood Scale Scale Certainty Mitigation Mitigation Mitigation Mitigation Issue 1: Direct loss of natural vegetation habitat as a result of vegetation clearing for powerline; Moderately 1. Direct loss of Fynbos and Renosterveld Definite Permanent Site Definite Slight Moderate Low severe Moderately Moderately 2. Direct loss of Rocky Refugia Definite Permanent Site Definite Moderate Low severe severe 3. Direct loss of Riparian vegetation along Moderately Moderately Very likely Permanent Localised Definite Moderate Low drainage lines severe severe 4. Direct loss of seep/wetland/seasonal pan Moderately Moderately Very likely Permanent Localised Definite Moderate Low vegetation severe severe 5. Disruptions to Ecological Processes as a result Moderately Moderately Very likely Permanent Localised Definite High Low of habitat fragmentation severe severe Issue 2: Direct loss of habitat for Species of Special Concern:
5. Loss of habitat for species of special concern Very likely Permanent Site Definite Slight Moderate Slight Low
Moderately Moderately 6. Loss Species of Special Concern Very likely Permanent Site Definite Moderate Low severe severe Issue 3: Impacts relating to Ecological Process 9. Increased risk of alien invasion in drainage Moderately May occur Permanent Localised Possible Moderate Slight Low lines and Servitude severe Short term 10. Clearing of alien invasives from within the Very likely to Localised Probable Beneficial Low (-ve) Beneficial Low (+ve) site and drainage lines (positive impact) permanent Moderately Disruptions to Ecological Processes May occur Permanent Localised Possible Moderate Slight Low severe
36
CHAPTER 5: Conclusions and Recommendations
In general the servitude passes through degraded and transformed vegetation, with segments passing through areas of intact and near intact vegetation; Only Langkloof Shale Renosterveld is present within the Powerline servitude, which has a NBA (2011) conservation status of Critically Endangered; The proposed activity will NOT result in the clearing of greater than 300 square meters of Critically Endangered Langkloof Shale Renosterveld and a permit in terms of section 57(1) of NEMBA is NOT required to carry out 'restricted activities' (including uprooting, damaging, destroying specimens) of listed threatened or protected species (as listed in terms of section 56 of NEMBA). As part of the EMP, an ECO/ESO should be appointed to manage the identification and relocation of Species of Special Concern and management of vegetation clearing and subsequent revegetation and rehabilitation. A detailed EMP should be compiled to address these issues before construction commences. It is recommended that individual screening is undertaken as part of the construction phase EMP for the areas identified as having elevated sensitivities, including drainage lines and river crossings with intact Thicket and areas with intact Langkloof Shale Renosterveld to micro-site the pylons in order to minimise impact. Some ephemeral/temporary wetlands, pans and dams occur within or adjacent to the powerline servitude. No powerline pylons should be sited within wetlands, pans and dams and a 32 m exclusion buffer should be placed around these features. Suitable management of these must be addressed in the EMP to minimise impacts during the construction phase, relating particularly to siltation due to soil erosion and permanent changes to drainage lines that may alter wetland processes. Care should be taken that no power line pylons are sited in wetlands and temporary seasonal pans (32 m exclusion zone around these features). Should it be unavoidable, relevant permissions will need to be obtained from DWAF. Powerlines passing through riverine thicket/forest patches should be sited such that impacts to this vegetation is minimised. The substations must avoid any wetland areas (including seasonal wetlands, pans and seeps), other sensitive vegetation (thicket and forest), drainage lines and riparian vegetation along river banks. Should it be unavoidable, relevant permissions will need to be obtained from DWAF. No powerline pylons should be placed within the 1:50 year flood line or on flood plains that may be susceptible to future flooding.
5.1 RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES A number of risks and uncertainties relating to the powerline and associated substations and access roads have been identified for the purpose of this report: Intact Thicket along drainage lines may require clearing during powerline construction. This could lead to loss of vegetation cover and associated removal of both protected and endemic species of special concern as well as potential long-term erosion risk and elevated erosion risk. Where this is heavily invaded, clearing may be beneficial IF alien species ONLY are removed
37 during construction, and natural vegetation is allowed to re-establish. Where thicket/forest is composed of indigenous species, the powerline must be hung without removing trees, unless in areas where a cleared servitude already exists. Intact rocky refugia may provide niche habitat for a number of species of special concern and local endemics present, and should be avoided during pylon micro-siting and construction.
5.2 REHABILITATION POTENTIAL AND PROCESSES
5.2.1 Rehabilitation Objective The overall objective of the rehabilitation plan is to minimize adverse environmental impacts associated with the activity whilst maximizing the future utilization of the property. Additional broad rehabilitation strategies / objectives include the following: Rehabilitating the post construction areas to take place concurrently within prescribed framework established in the EMP. All infrastructure, equipment, plant and other items used during the construction period will be removed from the site Waste material of any description, including scrap, rubble and tyres, will be removed entirely from the construction area and disposed of at a recognised landfill facility. It will not be permitted to be buried or burned on site. Final rehabilitation shall be completed within a specified period.
5.2.2 Rehabilitation Plan The overall revegetation plan will be as follows: Ameliorate the aesthetic impact of the site; Minimize surface erosion and consequent siltation of natural water courses located along the servitude; Enhance the physical properties of the soil where necessary; Re-establish a stable ecological system, through implementing a revegetation plan where necessary.
Drainage and Erosion Control To control the drainage and erosion at site the following procedures will be adopted: Existing vegetation must be retained as far as possible to minimize erosion problems. Adequate measures must be implemented in steep areas where erosion could be a problem through consultation with engineer and/or ECO. No graded roads should traverse steep slopes, as per Eskom road construction Guidelines, where unavoidable a two-track type road to be used.
Topsoil and Subsoil Replacement Where topsoil has been removed (around pylon and substation construction, sited, it should be spread over disturbed areas and a suitable cover crop (local grasses) planted.
38 5.2.3 Monitoring and Reporting Adequate management, maintenance and monitoring will be carried out annually by the applicant to ensure successful rehabilitation of the property until a closure certificate is obtained. To minimise adverse environmental impacts associated with the activity it is intended to adopt a progressive rehabilitation programme, which will entail carrying out the proposed rehabilitation procedures concurrently with activities.
Inspecting and Monitoring Regular monitoring of all the environmental management measures and components shall be carried out to ensure that the provisions of this programme are adhered to. Ongoing and regular reporting of the progress of implementation of this programme will be done. An environmental audit shall be carried out by an independent consultant on an annual/biannual basis. Inspections and monitoring shall be carried out on both the implementation of the programme and the impact on plant life. 5.3 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN A detailed Environmental Management Plan (EMP) must be compiled to address the following key elements, some guidelines for which are provided in this report: a. Comprehensive rescue and storage in a suitable constructed nursery and storage area of plants deemed to be requiring either rescue for replanting and plants that will be useful during rehabilitation or alternatively a relocation plan should be implemented; b. Construction Action Plan for clearing of vegetation where construction activities are to commence; c. Detailed Revegetation and Rehabilitation Plan to be conducted during construction and operation as outlined above.
5.3.1 No Go Areas 1. No go areas must be clearly demarcated (using fencing and appropriate signage where applicable) before any construction commences. 2. Contractors and construction workers must be clearly informed of such no-go areas and held accountable for any infringements that may occur. 3. No access to the demarcated areas should be permitted during the construction phase and contractors must be clearly informed of these areas. A suitable control measure (such as a fine system) must be implemented to discourage infringement by contractors. 4. Activities including but not restricted to the following must not be permitted in designated no-go areas: a. Dumping of any material during and after construction; b. Turning of vehicles; c. Trampling and urination by construction workers.
5.3.2 Alien vegetation clearing 1. An alien removal program must be implemented to remove alien vegetation from within the servitude during construction phase and for the lifespan of the powerline operation;; 2. Cleared alien vegetation must not be dumped on adjacent intact vegetation during clearing but should be temporarily stored in a demarcated area (in consultation with the relevant botanical specialist;
39 3. Cleared vegetation must be either removed from site or burned in-situ in the temporary storage area, where appropriate; 4. Any seed bearing material should be removed from the drainage areas to prevent the spread of seed. 5. Chopped brushwood can be used to stabilise steep areas that may be susceptible to erosion during clearing activities; 6. A suitable revegetation or rehabilitation plan must be implemented after alien vegetation clearing. 7. A long-term alien maintenance plan must be designed and implemented in conjunction with a suitably qualified expert.
5.3.3 River crossings 1. Powerline siting must be such that it minimises impact to the riparian areas with minimal alterations to riparian vegetation and must be permeable to movement of fauna and flora; 2. River crossing construction must be completed as timeously as possible and efforts must be in place to minimise erosion risk and sedimentation of the stream during the construction phase, especially during high rainfall events.
5.3.4 Search and Rescue of SSC 1. A suitable timeframe must be allowed before construction commences to undertake the plant rescue and relocation operation; 2. Plants that can be used during rehabilitation should be identified and stored appropriately off- site for use after construction and alien vegetation clearing; 3. Plants identified as being suitable for relocation listed above can either be removed from the site or replanted within the proposed buffer areas.
40 CHAPTER 6: References
Cowling, R., Lombard, A., Rouget, M., Kerley, G., Wolf, T., Sims-Castley, R., et al. (2003). A conservation assessment for the subtropical thicket biome. University of Port Elizabeth.
Golding, J. (2002). Workshop Proceedings: Revision of the national list of protected trees as per section 12, National Forests Act of 1998. Roodeplaat. Pretoria.
Kemper, N. P. (2001). Riparian Vegetation Index. Water Research Commission.
Klein, H. (2002). Legislation regarding harmful plants in South Africa. PPRI Leaflet Series: Weeds Biocontrol , 12, 1-4.
Kleynhans, C. (2000). Desktop estimates of the ecological importance and sensitivity categories (EISC), default ecological management classes (DEMC), present ecological status categories (PESC), present attainable EMC (present AEMC), and best AEMC for quat. catchments in SA. Institute for Water Quality Studies.
Lombard, A., Wolf, T., & Cole, N. (2003). GIS coverages and spatial analysis for the Subtropical Ecosystem Planning (STEP) project. Port Elizabeth: University of Port Elizabeth.
Low, A., & Rebelo, A. (1996). Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Pretoria: Department of Environemtal Affairs and Tourism.
Mucina, L., & Rutherford, M. (2006). The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Pretoria: South African Biodiversity Institute.
Pierce, S. (2003). The STEP Mapbook: Integrating the natural environment into land use decisions at the municipal level: towards sustainable development. Port Elizabeth: University of Port Elizabeth.
Stewart, W., Cowling, R., Martin, A., du Preez, D., & Lombard, A. (2004). A Biodiversity Conservation Assessment and Framework for an Open Space System for the Nelson Mandela Metropole,Cape Floristic Region, South Africa. A report of the C.A.P.E. Project for the Table Mountain Fund (WWF- SA).
Victor, J., & Dold, A. (2003). Threatened plants of the Albany centre of floristic endemism, South Africa. South Africa Journal of Science , 99, 437-446.
Vlok, H., & Euston-Brown, D. (2002). The patterns within, and the ecological proceses that sustain the subtropical thicket vegetation in the planning domain for the Subtropical Thicket Ecosystem, South Africa. Port Elizabeth: University of Port Elizabeth.
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CHAPTER 7: Maps
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Map 1: Map indicating vegetation composition of the powerline route based on the Vegetation of Southern Africa classification (Overview).
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Map 2: Map indicating vegetation composition of the powerline route based on the Vegetation of Southern Africa classification (West).
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Map 3: Map indicating vegetation composition of the powerline route based on the Vegetation of Southern Africa classification (Central).
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Map 4: Map indicating vegetation composition of the powerline route based on the Vegetation of Southern Africa classification (East).
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Map 5: Map indicating vegetation composition of the powerline route based on the Subtropical Ecosystem Planning (STEP) unit classification.
48
Map 6: Topographical map with land use indicated.
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Map 7: Topographical map with land use indicated (West).
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Map 8: Topographical map with land use indicated (Central).
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Map 9: Topographical map with land use indicated (East).
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Map 10: Map showing rivers and estuaries along the route.
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Map 11: Aerial photo indicating Powerline route relative to wetlands and dams.
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Map 12: Aerial photo indicating Powerline route Vulnerability and river, wetland and dam crossings (West).
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Map 13: Aerial photo indicating Powerline route Vulnerability and river, wetland and dam crossings (Central).
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Map 14: Aerial photo indicating Powerline route Vulnerability and river, wetland and dam crossings (East).
APPENDIX D3
Heritage (Archaeology and Palaeontology Impact Assessment
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 10
Terms of Reference: Heritage Assessment (Archaeology and Palaeontology)
The emphasis of the HIA is on resources that are sensitive to visual change, and the disruption of archaeological artefacts/finds at the proposed sites. Visual resources are usually places, structures and landscapes that are or could be publicly celebrated as heritage.
1. Conduct a desktop study within a 100 metre wide servitude over various potential corridors and deviations over a distance of 90 kilometres. 2. Conduct a site visit to verify potential sites or areas that may be of heritage importance. 3. Describe and report on any site or area that may contain potential heritage resources that must be considered. 4. Assessed and evaluated the potential impact on identified heritage resources according to the magnitude, spatial scale, timing, duration, reversibility, probability and significance. 5. Propose and explain mitigation measures 6. Summarise residual impacts after mitigation. An impact summary table will be provided, discussing expected impacts before and after mitigation. 7. Draft an impact statement of the proposed development on the potential heritage resources.
Other factors to be considered:
Electronic databases of visually sensitive heritage resources do not exist for the study area, and paper versions are extremely limited. In palaeontological terms the Dieprivier – Kareedouw sector is unproblematic (mainly Table Mountain Group) but the other two sections transect rock units of high palaeontological sensitivity (e.g. Early Devonian Lower Bokkeveld Group, Early Cretaceous Kirkwood Formation) and the stratigraphy is quite complex in terms of the number of rock units concerned (Dr John Almond, email communication 14 November 2011). In open landscape during daylight hours, transmission lines on self-supporting towers are visible (but not necessarily intrusive) from a distance of 2 to 5km. Guidelines for the development of wind energy facilities in the Western Cape have suggested that a buffer zone of 1km be established around significant visually sensitive heritage resources to minimise the change to the ‘sense of place’. The point at which a transmission line may be perceived as intrusive or offensive is subjective. The presence of an existing transmission line in an area serves as a mitigatory factor rather than a cumulative negative impact, in terms of establishing new transmission lines in the same area (within a distance of 1km of the existing line). Electrical infrastructure is therefore best confined to an existing area or corridor of vertical visual disturbance, rather than introducing new infrastructure to an undisturbed landscape. Transmission power line routes should be chosen to minimise the requirements for new infrastructure such as access roads, which have the greatest permanent direct and indirect impact on the landscape. This factor supports the previous observation in that new transmission lines located close to existing lines can share access and maintenance roads. The linear nature of the project where tower positions can be altered (within limits) to avoid direct impacts on heritage resources such as archaeological and palaeontological sites that may have high heritage significance due to their scientific values, but are generally not publicly celebrated as resources sensitive to visual change.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 11
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 12
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 13
Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment Report: 132kV Power Line and Substation Infrastructure, Dieprivier-Kareedouw, Kouga Local Municipality, Cacadu District Municipality,
Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Prepared for
Arcus GIBB Engineering and Science 2nd Floor, Greyville House, Cnr Greyville & Cape Roads, Greenacres, Port Elizabeth 6001 Box 63703, Greenacres 6057 Telephone Mathys Vosloo 084 748 3018; 041 392 7518 Fax 041 363 9300; 086 545 8835 [email protected]
Prepared by
eThembeni Cultural Heritage Len van Schalkwyk and Elizabeth Wahl Box 20057 Ashburton 3213 Pietermaritzburg Telephone 033 326 1136 / 082 655 9077 / 082 529 3656 Facsimile 086 672 8557 [email protected]
30 May 2012
PHASE 1 HIA OF DIEPRIVIER-KAREEDOUW 132KV POWER LINE AND SUBSTATION SITE, EASTERN CAPE
Management Summary eThembeni Cultural Heritage was appointed by Arcus GIBB Engineering and Science to undertake a Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment of a proposed transmission power line and substation site in the Eastern Cape Province, in terms of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 as amended, in compliance with Section 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999, as amended.
Heritage resource descriptions, significance and development impacts
Landscapes The proposed electrical infrastructure is located along recognised scenic routes, including the R62 and the Langkloof. These scenic routes have high local and regional significance for their aesthetic and economic (tourism) values. The unmanaged potential impact on these landscapes is medium.
Palaeontology The proposed electrical infrastructure between Kareedouw and Patensie is underlain by potentially fossiliferous bedrocks of Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Caenozoic age that crop out within the Cape Fold Belt, Southern coastal plain and Gamtoos River Valley of the Eastern Cape. The Dieprivier-Kareedouw sector runs along the grain of the Cape Fold Belt and is partially underlain by Early Devonian sediments of the Baviaanskloof and Gydo Formations that may contain early land plants and marine invertebrates respectively. However, given the tight folding here, it is quite likely that most of the original fossil content of these rocks has been destroyed by tectonism. The unmanaged potential impact on palaeontological remains is low to medium.
Recommended mitigation
Landscapes Towers should be located such that they do not interrupt skylines, and are not visible from scenic routes.
General, including palaeontology A heritage practitioner should complete a ‘walk-through’ of the final selected power line route and all other activity areas (access roads, construction camps, materials’ storage areas, etc.) prior to the start of any construction activities and assess direct impacts on discrete resources such as traditional burial places, and archaeological and palaeontological sites.
Recommended monitoring
None at present.
Conclusion
We recommend that the development proceed with the proposed heritage mitigation and have submitted this report to SAHRA in fulfilment of the requirements of the NHRA. Relevant staff members may be contacted at the SAHRA Cape Town head office (Mariagrazia Galimberti telephone 021 462 4502; [email protected]). If permission is granted for development to proceed, the client is reminded that the NHRA requires that a developer cease all work immediately and follow the protocol contained in Section 10 of this report should any heritage resources, as defined in the Act, be discovered during the course of development activities.
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Contents Page
1 Introduction 4 2 Terms of reference 4 3 Project description 5 4 Project location and environmental description 6 5 Method and approach 7 6 Heritage resources and significance 10 7 Assessment of impacts 10 8 Recommended mitigation 11 9 Recommended monitoring 11 10 Protocol for the identification, protection and recovery of heritage resources during construction and operation 12 11 Conclusion 13 12 Bibliography 13
Appendix A Statutory requirements 14 Appendix B Coordinates of site infrastructure 19 Appendix C Archaeological and historical context of the study area 21 Appendix D Criteria for determination of significance of and impacts on heritage resources 25 Appendix E Palaeontological Impact Assessment 29 Appendix F Specialist competency and Declaration of independence 31
List of figures
Figure 1 Patensie-Kareedouw power line, Eastern Cape. 6
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1 Introduction eThembeni Cultural Heritage was appointed by Arcus GIBB Engineering and Science to undertake a Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment of a proposed transmission power line and substation site in the Eastern Cape Province, in terms of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 as amended (NEMA), in compliance with Section 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999, as amended (NHRA) (refer to Appendix A).
South Africa’s heritage resources are both rich and widely diverse, encompassing sites from all periods of human history. Resources may be tangible, such as buildings and archaeological artefacts, or intangible, such as landscapes and living heritage. Their significance is based upon their aesthetic, architectural, historical, scientific, social, spiritual, linguistic, economic or technological values; their representivity of a particular time period; their rarity; and their sphere of influence.
The integrity and significance of heritage resources can be jeopardized by natural (e.g. erosion) and human (e.g. development) activities. In the case of human activities, a range of legislation exists to ensure the timeous identification and effective management of heritage resources for present and future generations.
This report represents compliance with a full Phase 1 HIA for the proposed development, including a specialist desktop palaeontological study.
2 Terms of reference
An HIA must address the following key aspects:
the identification and mapping of all heritage resources in the area affected; an assessment of the significance of such resources in terms of heritage assessment criteria set out in regulations; an assessment of the impact of the development on heritage resources; an evaluation of the impact of the development on heritage resources relative to the sustainable social and economic benefits to be derived from the development; the results of consultation with communities affected by the proposed development and other interested parties regarding the impact of the development on heritage resources; if heritage resources will be adversely affected by the proposed development, the consideration of alternatives; and plans for mitigation of any adverse effects during and after completion of the proposed development.
In addition, the HIA should comply with the requirements of NEMA, including providing the assumptions and limitations associated with the study; the details, qualifications and expertise of the person who prepared the report; and a statement of independence.
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3 Project description1
New 132 kV overhead transmission power lines are proposed to strengthen and upgrade the grid supply in the Patensie, Humansdorp and Kareedouw area of the Eastern Cape in order to support the recent and planned growth and development in the area. An upgrade of the existing electrical distribution network is therefore required to accommodate the new supply. This involves the construction of new 132 kV infrastructure, new substations as well as the decommissioning of certain facilities. The construction of new and upgrading of existing substations will further aid in strengthening of the local network. The total length of the proposed power lines amounts to approximately 90km. Project 3 entails the following:
Construction of approximately 35km of overhead 132kV power line from Dieprivier to Kareedouw Substations. Decommissioning of existing power lines made redundant by new lines. Construction of new substation at Dieprivier and decommission of existing substation. Extension of the existing Kareedouw substation. Construction of new or maintenance of existing minor roads.
1 Information obtained from Background Information Document prepared by the client.
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4 Project location and environmental description
The proposed power line extends from east of the town of Kareedouw to a point west of the town of Humansdorp in the Kouga Local Municipality of the Cacadu District in the Eastern Cape (Figure 1). The relevant Surveyor-General 1:50 000 maps for the entire route are 3324CC Witelsbos, 3324CD Kareedouw, 3324DC Andrieskraal and 3324DD Hankey. Given the length of the power line and the inadequacy of printed maps in this report to indicate the proposed infrastructure we direct the reader to Appendix B and the following file to access the proposed routes in Google Earth: Dieprivier-Kareedouw.kmz
Figure 1 Patensie-Kareedouw power line, Eastern Cape, with the Dieprivier-Kareedouw section indicated in green.
Much of the proposed power line is located along or close to the Langkloof and R62 Scenic Routes. The Eastern Cape gets progressively wetter from west to east2. The west is mostly semi-arid Karoo, except in the far south, which is temperate rainforest in the Tsitsikamma region. In the east rainfall is more plentiful and humidity increases, becoming more subtropical along the coast with summer rainfall. The landscape is extremely diverse, but most of the province is hilly to very mountainous. The western interior is largely arid Karoo, while the east is well-watered and green.
2 http://en.wikipedia.org/
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5 Method and approach
The methodology used for HIAs of transmission lines is unlike that for projects where impacts primarily involve physical landscape disturbance. The greatest change invoked by transmission lines is typically above the ground surface; therefore the emphasis of the HIA is on resources that are sensitive to visual change. Such resources are usually places, structures and landscapes that are or could be publicly celebrated as heritage. Accordingly, the purpose of this HIA is to identify a preferred transmission line route based on the occurrence of, and potential impact on visually sensitive categories of heritage resource. However, SAHRA also requested a Palaeontological Impact Assessment; a desktop report by independent specialist Dr John Almond is included in full as Appendix E. eThembeni staff members drove along the proposed power line route option from 7 to 9 March 2012. The significance of and potential impact on heritage resources were evaluated using the criteria in Appendix D. During the assessment of the potential impacts of the project on heritage resources, the following factors were taken into consideration:
The constraints of fieldwork and a desktop study of a 100 metre wide servitude over the 35km long corridor. The constraints of identifying an exact route using maps at a scale of 1:50 000, or even Google Earth files. Electronic databases of visually sensitive heritage resources do not exist for the study area, and paper versions are extremely limited. In open landscape during daylight hours, 400kV transmission lines on self-supporting towers are visible (but not necessarily intrusive) from a distance of 2 to 5km. Guidelines for the development of wind energy facilities in the Western Cape3 have suggested that a buffer zone of 1km be established around significant visually sensitive heritage resources to minimise the change to the ‘sense of place’. The point at which a transmission line may be perceived as intrusive or offensive is subjective. The presence of an existing transmission line in an area serves as a mitigatory factor rather than a cumulative negative impact, in terms of establishing new transmission lines in the same area (within a distance of 1km of the existing line). Electrical infrastructure is therefore best confined to an existing area or corridor of vertical visual disturbance, rather than introducing new infrastructure to an undisturbed landscape. Transmission power line routes should be chosen to minimise the requirements for new infrastructure such as access roads, which have the greatest permanent direct and indirect impact on the landscape4. This factor supports the previous observation in that new transmission lines located close to existing lines can share access and maintenance roads. The linear nature of the project where tower positions can be altered (within limits) to avoid direct impacts on heritage resources such as archaeological and palaeontological sites that may have high heritage significance due to their scientific values, but are generally not publicly celebrated as resources sensitive to visual change. A heritage practitioner should complete a ‘walk-through’ of the final selected power line route and all other activity areas (access roads, construction camps, materials’ storage areas, etc.) prior to the start of any construction activities and assess direct impacts on discrete resources such as archaeological and palaeontological sites. Mitigation can usually be achieved by micro-adjustment of tower positions, the exclusion of sensitive areas, basic recording and/or obtaining a permit for alteration, destruction or removal from SAHRA.
3 Developed by Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, 2006. 4 Guideline on the application of the EIA Regulations to structures associated with communication networks. Developed by the Western Cape Department of Environment and Cultural Affairs and Sport, September 2001
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A guideline issued by the Western Cape Department of Environment and Cultural Affairs and Sport (2001) on the application of the EIA Regulations to structures associated with communication networks5 explicitly recognises that:
The power supply services as well as access routes can have greater impacts on biophysical elements than the communication structure itself (noted above); and Masts and access routes can have significant visual impacts which can be out of character with the surrounding area.
This guideline document supports the following decision-making principles that are relevant to this HIA:
Structures associated with communication networks that are proposed where they will be out of character or disruptive of the sense of place will be discouraged or completely avoided. Structures associated with communication networks, which are proposed where they will break the skyline on a scenic landscape, will be discouraged or completely avoided. Structures associated with communication networks, which are proposed along scenic tourist routes will be discouraged or completely avoided. Structures associated with communication networks, which are proposed in a sensitive environment as listed in Annexure A (see below) of the guideline document will be strongly discouraged or completely avoided. Structures associated with communication networks which are proposed in any area, property, adjacent to sites of cultural or social importance such as historical sites proclaimed in terms of the NHRA, graveyards, public open spaces and visual corridors or gateways will be strongly discouraged or completely avoided.
Annexure A of the guideline provides a list of potentially sensitive environmental features/areas that includes the following:
Properties subject to any statutory conservation status or similar, including, but not restricted to, World Heritage Sites, National Parks, Provincial, Local Authority or Private nature reserves, Wilderness Areas, State Forests, Protected Natural Environments, or adjoining properties in so far as the activity or structure may affect the ecosystem function or aesthetic value of those conservation areas. This therefore includes locations for communication structures where such structures may be visible from sites of conservation significance (i.e. statutory conservation status). Natural Heritage Sites or adjoining properties in so far as the activity or structure may affect the ecosystem function or aesthetic value of those sites. This therefore includes locations for communication structures where such structures may be visible from Natural Heritage Sites. Any area, property or adjacent property that is of cultural or social importance e.g. historical sites, as proclaimed by the NHRA, graveyards, public open spaces and visual corridors or gateways. Any areas identified as areas of natural or conservation significance in statutory or non-statutory land use or development planning documents (structure plans, integrated development frameworks etc.) and/or maps, including the core areas of biosphere reserves or in close proximity thereto. Routes of tourism or scenic significance or locations visible from such routes.
With due consideration of the above factors, we evaluated the following visually sensitive categories of heritage resource:
Places to which oral traditions are attached or which are associated with living heritage. Historical settlements and townscapes.
5 Developed by the Western Cape Department of Environment and Cultural Affairs and Sport, September 2001.
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Landscapes and natural features of cultural significance (including places defined as a site, area or region; (groups of) buildings and open spaces). Battlefields.
The assumptions and limitations of this HIA are as follows:
The description of the proposed project, provided by the client, is accurate. The public consultation process undertaken as part of the EIA is sufficient and adequate, and does not require repetition as part of the HIA. Soil surface visibility was moderate. Heritage resources might be present below the surface or in areas of dense vegetation and we remind the client that the NHRA requires that a developer cease all work immediately and follow the protocol in Section 10 of this report should any heritage resources, as defined in the Act, be discovered during the course of development activities. No subsurface investigation (including excavations or sampling) were undertaken, since a permit from SAHRA is required to disturb a heritage resource. A key concept in the management of heritage resources is that of non-renewability: damage to or destruction of most resources, including that caused by bona fide research endeavours, cannot be reversed or undone. Accordingly, management recommendations for heritage resources in the context of development are as conservative as possible, according to the precautionary principle. Human sciences are necessarily both subjective and objective in nature. eThembeni strives to manage heritage resources to the highest standards in accordance with national and international best practice, but recognise that our opinions might differ from those of other heritage practitioners. Staff members involved in this project have no vested interest in it; are qualified to undertake the tasks as described in the terms of reference (refer to Appendix F); and comply at all times with the Codes of Ethics and Conduct of the Association of Southern African Professional Archaeologists. eThembeni staff members take no personal or professional responsibility for the misuse of the information contained in this report, although they take all reasonable precautions against such misuse.
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6 Heritage Resources and Significance
Appendix C summarises the archaeological and historical context of the study area.
Landscapes
The proposed electrical infrastructure is located along the R62 and the Langkloof Scenic Routes. These scenic routes have high local and regional significance for their aesthetic and economic (tourism) values.
Palaeontology6
The proposed electrical infrastructure between Kareedouw and Patensie is underlain by potentially fossiliferous bedrocks of Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Caenozoic age that crop out within the Cape Fold Belt, Southern coastal plain and Gamtoos River Valley of the Eastern Cape. The Dieprivier-Kareedouw sector runs along the grain of the Cape Fold Belt and is partially underlain by Early Devonian sediments of the Baviaanskloof and Gydo Formations that may contain early land plants and marine invertebrates respectively. However, given the tight folding here, it is quite likely that most of the original fossil content of these rocks has been destroyed by tectonism.
7 Assessment of Impacts
Landscapes Criteria Unmanaged Managed Nature Negative Neutral Extent Medium Low Duration High High Intensity Medium Low Potential impact on irreplaceable Low Low resources Consequence Medium Low Probability Medium to high Low Significance Medium Low
Palaeontology Criteria Unmanaged Managed Nature Neutral to negative Neutral Extent Low Low Duration High High Intensity Low to medium Low Potential impact on irreplaceable Low Low resources Consequence Low to medium Low Probability Medium Low Significance Low to medium Low
6 Refer to Appendix E for the full report.
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8 Recommended mitigation
Landscapes
It is evident that that the location of the proposed electrical infrastructure potentially conflicts with the aforementioned guideline of the Western Cape Department of Environment and Cultural Affairs and Sport on the application of the EIA Regulations to structures associated with communication networks in the following respects:
Structures associated with communication networks, which are proposed where they will break the skyline on a scenic landscape, will be discouraged or completely avoided. Structures associated with communication networks, which are proposed along scenic tourist routes will be discouraged or completely avoided.
However, it is not clear whether either the Eastern Cape provincial government structures or SAHRA support this guideline. Furthermore, route location is constrained significantly by valuable agricultural land and centre pivot farming in the Gamtoos River valley. Accordingly, route location is a compromise between the imperative of improving electrical supply to farmers and other residents, and possible visual impacts on the scenic route. In fact, it appears that most of the power line alongside scenic routes has been routed sensitively in a landscape with a high absorption capacity.
In summary, we recommend strongly that towers are located such that they do not interrupt skylines, and are not visible from scenic routes.
General, including palaeontology
A heritage practitioner should complete a ‘walk-through’ of the final selected power line route and all other activity areas (access roads, construction camps, materials’ storage areas, etc.) prior to the start of any construction activities and assess direct impacts on discrete resources such as traditional burial places, and archaeological and palaeontological sites. Mitigation can usually be achieved by micro-adjustment of tower positions, the exclusion of sensitive areas, basic recording and/or obtaining a permit for alteration, destruction or removal from SAHRA.
9 Recommended monitoring
None at present.
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10 Protocol for the identification, protection and recovery of heritage resources during construction and operation
It is possible that sub-surface heritage resources will be encountered during the construction phase of this project. The Project Engineer, Environmental Control Officer and all other persons responsible for site management and excavation should be aware that indicators of sub-surface sites could include:
Ash deposits (unnaturally grey appearance of soil compared to the surrounding substrate); Bone concentrations, either animal or human; Ceramic fragments, including potsherds; Stone concentrations that appear to be formally arranged (may indicate the presence of an underlying burial); and Fossilised remains of fauna and flora, including trees.
In the event that such indicator(s) of heritage resources are identified, the following actions should be taken immediately:
All construction within a radius of at least 20m of the indicator should cease. This distance should be increased at the discretion of supervisory staff if heavy machinery or explosives could cause further disturbance to the suspected heritage resource. This area must be marked using clearly visible means, such as barrier tape, and all personnel should be informed that it is a no-go area. A guard should be appointed to enforce this no-go area if there is any possibility that it could be violated, whether intentionally or inadvertently, by construction staff or members of the public. No measures should be taken to cover up the suspected heritage resource with soil, or to collect any remains such as bone or stone. If a heritage practitioner has been appointed to monitor the project, s/he should be contacted and a site inspection arranged as soon as possible. If no heritage practitioner has been appointed to monitor the project, Dr Mariagrazia Galimberti at SAHRA’s Cape Town head office should be contacted (telephone 021 462 4502). The South African Police Services should be notified by a SAHRA staff member or an independent heritage practitioner if human remains are identified. No SAPS official may disturb or exhume such remains, whether of recent origin or not. All parties concerned should respect the potentially sensitive and confidential nature of the heritage resources, particularly human remains, and refrain from making public statements until a mutually agreed time. Any extension of the project beyond its current footprint involving vegetation and/or earth clearance should be subject to prior assessment by a qualified heritage practitioner, taking into account all information gathered during this initial heritage impact assessment.
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11 Conclusion
We recommend that the development proceed with the proposed heritage mitigation and have submitted this report to SAHRA in fulfilment of the requirements of the NHRA. According to Section 38(4) of the Act the report shall be considered timeously by the Council which shall, after consultation with the person proposing the development, decide –
whether or not the development may proceed; any limitations or conditions are to be applied to the development; what general protections in terms of this Act apply, and what formal protections may be applied to such heritage resources; whether compensatory action shall be required in respect of any heritage resources damaged or destroyed as a result of the development; and whether the appointment of specialists is required as a condition of approval of the proposal.
Relevant staff members may be contacted at the SAHRA Cape Town head office (Mariagrazia Galimberti telephone 021 462 4502; [email protected]).
If permission is granted for development to proceed, the client is reminded that the NHRA requires that a developer cease all work immediately and follow the protocol contained in Section 10 of this report should any heritage resources, as defined in the Act, be discovered during the course of development activities.
12 Bibliography
Binneman, J. N. F. 1985. Research along the south eastern Cape coast. In: Hall, S. L. & Binneman, J. N. F. Guide to archaeological sites in the eastern and north eastern Cape: 117-134. Grahamstown: Albany Museum. Binneman, J. N. F. 1996. The symbolic construction of communities during the Holocene Later Stone Age in the south-eastern Cape. Unpublished D.Phil. University of the Witwatersrand. Binneman, J. N. F. 1999. Results from a test excavation at Groot Kommandokloof Shelter in the Baviaanskloof / Kouga region, Eastern Cape Province. Southern African Field Archaeology 8: 100- 107. Deacon, H. J. 1976. Where hunters gathered: a study of Holocene Stone Age people in the eastern Cape. Claremont: South African Archaeological Society Monograph 1. Prins, F. E. 1994-95. Climate, vegetation and early agriculturist communities in Transkei and KwaZulu-Natal. Azania 29-30: 179-186. Prins, F. E. and Granger, J. E. 1993. Early farming communities in northern Transkei: the evidence from Ntsitsana and adjacent areas. Southern African Humanities 5: 153-174. Whitelaw, G. 1991. Precolonial iron production around Durban and in southern Natal. Natal Museum Journal of Humanities 3: 29-39. Whitelaw, G. 1997. What Da Gama missed on his way to Sofala. Natalia 27: 30-41. Whitelaw, G. 2009. An Iron Age fishing tale. Southern African Humanities 21: 195-212.
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Appendix A
Statutory Requirements
General
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996 is the source of all legislation. Within the Constitution the Bill of Rights is fundamental, with the principle that the environment should be protected for present and future generations by preventing pollution, promoting conservation and practising ecologically sustainable development. With regard to spatial planning and related legislation at national and provincial levels the following legislation may be relevant: Physical Planning Act 125 of 1991 Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998 Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 Development Facilitation Act 67 of 1995 (DFA) KwaZulu-Natal Planning and Development Act 6 of 2008.
The identification, evaluation and management of heritage resources in South Africa is required and governed by the following legislation: National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA) KwaZulu-Natal Heritage Act 4 of 2008 (KZNHA) National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999 (NHRA) Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 (MPRDA)
National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999 (NHRA)
The NHRA established the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) together with its Council to fulfill the following functions:
co-ordinate and promote the management of heritage resources at national level; set norms and maintain essential national standards for the management of heritage resources in the Republic and to protect heritage resources of national significance; control the export of nationally significant heritage objects and the import into the Republic of cultural property illegally exported from foreign countries; enable the provinces to establish heritage authorities which must adopt powers to protect and manage certain categories of heritage resources; and provide for the protection and management of conservation-worthy places and areas by local authorities.
Heritage Impact Assessments
Section 38(1) of the NHRA may require a Heritage Impact Assessment in case of: the construction of a road, wall, power line, pipeline, canal or other similar form of linear development or barrier exceeding 300m in length; the construction of a bridge or similar structure exceeding 50m in length; any development or other activity which will change the character of a site— (i) exceeding 5 000m² in extent; or (ii) involving three or more existing erven or subdivisions thereof; or (iii) involving three or more erven or divisions thereof which have been consolidated within the past five years; or (iv) the costs of which will exceed a sum set in terms of regulations by SAHRA or a provincial heritage resources authority;
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the re-zoning of a site exceeding 10 000m² in extent; or any other category of development provided for in regulations by SAHRA or a provincial heritage resources authority.
Reports in fulfilment of NHRA Section 38(3) must include the following information:
the identification and mapping of all heritage resources in the area affected; an assessment of the significance of such resources in terms of the heritage assessment criteria set out in regulations; an assessment of the impact of the development on such heritage resources; an evaluation of the impact of the development on heritage resources relative to the sustainable social and economic benefits to be derived from the development; the results of consultation with communities affected by the proposed development and other interested parties regarding the impact of the development on heritage resources; if heritage resources will be adversely affected by the proposed development, the consideration of alternatives; and plans for mitigation of any adverse effects during and after completion of the proposed development.
It is incumbent upon the developer or Environmental Practitioner to approach the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) or Amafa to ascertain whether an HIA is required for a project; what categories of heritage resource must be assessed; and request a detailed motivation for such a study in terms of both the nature of the development and the nature of the environment. In this regard we draw your attention to Section 38(2) of the NHRA which states specifically that 'The responsible heritage resources authority must … if there is reason to believe that heritage resources will be affected by such development, notify the person who intends to undertake the development to submit an impact assessment report'. In other words, the heritage authority must be able to justify a request for an Archaeological, Palaeontological or Heritage Impact Assessment. The Environmental Practitioner may also submit information to the heritage authority in substantiation of exemption from a specific assessment due to existing environmental disturbance, for example.
Definitions of heritage resources
The Act defines a heritage resource as any place or object of cultural significance i.e. of aesthetic, architectural, historical, scientific, social, spiritual, linguistic or technological value or significance. This includes, but is not limited to, the following wide range of places and objects:
living heritage as defined in the National Heritage Council Act 11 of 1999 (cultural tradition; oral history; performance; ritual; popular memory; skills and techniques; indigenous knowledge systems; and the holistic approach to nature, society and social relationships); ecofacts (non-artefactual organic or environmental remains that may reveal aspects of past human activity; definition used in KwaZulu-Natal Heritage Act 2008); places, buildings, structures and equipment; places to which oral traditions are attached or which are associated with living heritage; historical settlements and townscapes; landscapes and natural features; geological sites of scientific or cultural importance; archaeological and palaeontological sites; graves and burial grounds; public monuments and memorials; sites of significance relating to the history of slavery in South Africa; movable objects, but excluding any object made by a living person; and
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battlefields.
Furthermore, a place or object is to be considered part of the national estate if it has cultural significance or other special value because of—
its importance in the community, or pattern of South Africa’s history; its possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of South Africa’s natural or cultural heritage; its potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of South Africa’s natural or cultural heritage; its importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of South Africa’s natural or cultural places or objects; its importance in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics valued by a community or cultural group; its importance in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period; its strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons; and its strong or special association with the life or work of a person, group or organisation of importance in the history of South Africa.
Archaeological means – material remains resulting from human activity which are in a state of disuse and are in or on land and are older than 100 years, including artefacts, human and hominid remains and artificial features and structures; rock art, being any form of painting, engraving or other graphic representation on a fixed rock surface or loose rock or stone, which was executed by human agency and is older than 100 years including any area within 10m of such representation; wrecks, being any vessel or aircraft, or any part thereof, which was wrecked in South Africa, whether on land, in the internal waters, the territorial waters or in the culture zone of the Republic, as defined respectively in sections 3, 4 and 6 of the Maritime Zones Act 15 of 1994, and any cargo, debris or artefacts found or associated therewith, which is older than 60 years or which SAHRA considers to be worthy of conservation; features, structures and artefacts associated with military history which are older than 75 years and the sites on which they are found.
Palaeontological means any fossilised remains or fossil trace of animals or plants which lived in the geological past, other than fossil fuels or fossiliferous rock intended for industrial use, and any site which contains such fossilised remains or trace.
A place is defined as: a site, area or region; a building or other structure which may include equipment, furniture, fittings and articles associated with or connected with such building or other structure; a group of buildings or other structures which may include equipment, furniture, fittings and articles associated with or connected with such group of buildings or other structures; an open space, including a public square, street or park; and in relation to the management of a place, includes the immediate surroundings of a place.
Public monuments and memorials means all monuments and memorials: erected on land belonging to any branch of central, provincial or local government, or on land belonging to any organisation funded by or established in terms of the legislation of such a branch of government; or
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which were paid for by public subscription, government funds, or a public-spirited or military organisation, and are on land belonging to any private individual.
Structures means any building, works, device or other facility made by people and which is fixed to land, and includes any fixtures, fittings and equipment associated therewith.
Management of Graves and Burial Grounds
Graves younger than 60 years are protected in terms of Section 2(1) of the Removal of Graves and Dead Bodies Ordinance 7 of 1925 as well as the Human Tissues Act 65 of 1983. Such graves are the jurisdiction of the National Department of Health and the relevant Provincial Department of Health and must be submitted for final approval to the Office of the relevant Provincial Premier. This function is usually delegated to the Provincial Member of the Executive Council for Local Government and Planning, or in some cases the MEC for Housing and Welfare.
Authorisation for exhumation and reinterment must also be obtained from the relevant local or regional council where the grave is situated, as well as the relevant local or regional council to where the grave is being relocated. All local and regional provisions, laws and by-laws must also be adhered to. In order to handle and transport human remains the institution conducting the relocation should be authorised under Section 24 of the Human Tissues Act 65 of 1983.
Graves older than 60 years situated outside a formal cemetery administered by a local authority are protected in terms of Section 36 of the NHRA as well as the Human Tissues Act of 1983. Accordingly, such graves are the jurisdiction of SAHRA. The procedure for Consultation Regarding Burial Grounds and Graves (Section 36(5) of NHRA) is applicable to graves older than 60 years that are situated outside a formal cemetery administrated by a local authority. Graves in the category located inside a formal cemetery administrated by a local authority will also require the same authorisation as set out for graves younger than 60 years over and above SAHRA authorisation.
If the grave is not situated inside a formal cemetery but is to be relocated to one, permission from the local authority is required and all regulations, laws and by-laws set by the cemetery authority must be adhered to.
The protocol for the management of graves older than 60 years situated outside a formal cemetery administered by a local authority is detailed in Section 36 of the NHRA:
(3) (a) No person may, without a permit issued by SAHRA or a provincial heritage resources authority— (a) destroy, damage, alter, exhume or remove from its original position or otherwise disturb the grave of a victim of conflict, or any burial ground or part thereof which contains such graves; (b) destroy, damage, alter, exhume, remove from its original position or otherwise disturb any grave or burial ground older than 60 years which is situated outside a formal cemetery administered by a local authority; or (c) bring onto or use at a burial ground or grave referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) any excavation equipment, or any equipment which assists in the detection or recovery of metals. (4) SAHRA or a provincial heritage resources authority may not issue a permit for the destruction or damage of any burial ground or grave referred to in subsection (3)(a) unless it is satisfied that the applicant has made satisfactory arrangements for the exhumation and re-interment of the contents of such graves, at the cost of the applicant and in accordance with any regulations made by the responsible heritage resources authority. (5) SAHRA or a provincial heritage resources authority may not issue a permit for any activity under subsection (3)(b) unless it is satisfied that the applicant has, in accordance with regulations made by the responsible heritage resources authority— (a) made a concerted effort to contact and consult communities and individuals who by tradition have an interest in such grave or burial ground; and
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(b) reached agreements with such communities and individuals regarding the future of such grave or burial ground. (6) Subject to the provision of any other law, any person who in the course of development or any other activity discovers the location of a grave, the existence of which was previously unknown, must immediately cease such activity and report the discovery to the responsible heritage resources authority which must, in co-operation with the South African Police Service and in accordance with regulations of the responsible heritage resources authority— (a) carry out an investigation for the purpose of obtaining information on whether or not such grave is protected in terms of this Act or is of significance to any community; and (b) if such grave is protected or is of significance, assist any person who or community which is a direct descendant to make arrangements for the exhumation and re-interment of the contents of such grave or, in the absence of such person or community, make any such arrangements as it deems fit.
The Vermillion Accord on Human Remains7
Adopted in 1989 at WAC Inter-Congress, South Dakota, USA
1. Respect for the mortal remains of the dead shall be accorded to all, irrespective of origin, race, religion, nationality, custom and tradition.
2. Respect for the wishes of the dead concerning disposition shall be accorded whenever possible, reasonable and lawful, when they are known or can be reasonably inferred.
3. Respect for the wishes of the local community and of relatives or guardians of the dead shall be accorded whenever possible, reasonable and lawful.
4. Respect for the scientific research value of skeletal, mummified and other human remains (including fossil hominids) shall be accorded when such value is demonstrated to exist.
5. Agreement on the disposition of fossil, skeletal, mummified and other remains shall be reached by negotiation on the basis of mutual respect for the legitimate concerns of communities for the proper disposition of their ancestors, as well as the legitimate concerns of science and education.
6. The express recognition that the concerns of various ethnic groups, as well as those of science are legitimate and to be respected, will permit acceptable agreements to be reached and honoured.
7 http://www.worldarchaeologicalcongress.org/
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Appendix B
Project Infrastructure Co-ordinates
Dieprivier-Kareedouw
Point no Longitude (D°DM') Latitude (D°DM') Point no Longitude (D°DM') Latitude (D°DM') 1 24°12.8350' E 33°55.6263' S 87 24°23.2694' E 33°56.9399' S 2 24°12.9680' E 33°55.6443' S 88 24°23.4040' E 33°56.9448' S 3 24°13.1010' E 33°55.6623' S 89 24°23.5386' E 33°56.9497' S 4 24°13.2340' E 33°55.6804' S 90 24°23.6732' E 33°56.9547' S 5 24°13.3670' E 33°55.6984' S 91 24°23.8078' E 33°56.9596' S 6 24°13.5000' E 33°55.7164' S 92 24°23.9424' E 33°56.9645' S 7 24°13.5939' E 33°55.6437' S 93 24°24.0771' E 33°56.9694' S 8 24°13.7026' E 33°55.6207' S 94 24°24.2116' E 33°56.9747' S 9 24°13.8304' E 33°55.6563' S 95 24°24.3448' E 33°56.9920' S 10 24°13.9622' E 33°55.6766' S 96 24°24.4779' E 33°57.0092' S 11 24°14.0962' E 33°55.6880' S 97 24°24.6111' E 33°57.0265' S 12 24°14.2303' E 33°55.6995' S 98 24°24.7442' E 33°57.0437' S 13 24°14.3573' E 33°55.6958' S 99 24°24.8774' E 33°57.0610' S 14 24°14.4403' E 33°55.6107' S 100 24°24.9867' E 33°57.1212' S 15 24°14.4177' E 33°55.5000' S 101 24°25.0886' E 33°57.1946' S 16 24°14.3950' E 33°55.3893' S 102 24°25.1906' E 33°57.2680' S 17 24°14.3724' E 33°55.2785' S 103 24°25.2925' E 33°57.3414' S 18 24°14.4246' E 33°55.1775' S 104 24°25.3945' E 33°57.4148' S 19 24°14.4865' E 33°55.0777' S 105 24°25.5160' E 33°57.4592' S 20 24°14.6071' E 33°55.0977' S 106 24°25.6444' E 33°57.4932' S 21 24°14.7351' E 33°55.1328' S 107 24°25.7728' E 33°57.5273' S 22 24°14.8631' E 33°55.1679' S 108 24°25.9012' E 33°57.5613' S 23 24°14.9881' E 33°55.2093' S 109 24°26.0296' E 33°57.5954' S 24 24°15.1112' E 33°55.2551' S 110 24°26.1580' E 33°57.6295' S 25 24°15.2342' E 33°55.3009' S 111 24°26.2864' E 33°57.6635' S 26 24°15.3572' E 33°55.3467' S 112 24°26.4148' E 33°57.6976' S 27 24°15.4803' E 33°55.3926' S 113 24°26.5432' E 33°57.7317' S 28 24°15.6033' E 33°55.4384' S 114 24°26.6716' E 33°57.7657' S 29 24°15.7263' E 33°55.4842' S 115 24°26.8000' E 33°57.7998' S 30 24°15.8493' E 33°55.5300' S 116 24°26.9284' E 33°57.8338' S 31 24°15.9752' E 33°55.5678' S 117 24°27.0568' E 33°57.8679' S 32 24°16.1085' E 33°55.5840' S 118 24°27.1852' E 33°57.9020' S 33 24°16.2418' E 33°55.6002' S 119 24°27.3136' E 33°57.9360' S 34 24°16.3752' E 33°55.6165' S 120 24°27.4420' E 33°57.9701' S 35 24°16.5085' E 33°55.6327' S 121 24°27.5704' E 33°58.0041' S 36 24°16.6379' E 33°55.6613' S 122 24°27.6988' E 33°58.0382' S 37 24°16.7637' E 33°55.7017' S 123 24°27.8272' E 33°58.0723' S 38 24°16.8894' E 33°55.7422' S 124 24°27.9555' E 33°58.1063' S 39 24°17.0151' E 33°55.7826' S 125 24°28.0839' E 33°58.1404' S 40 24°17.1408' E 33°55.8230' S 126 24°28.2123' E 33°58.1744' S 41 24°17.2665' E 33°55.8634' S 127 24°28.3407' E 33°58.2085' S 42 24°17.3922' E 33°55.9039' S 128 24°28.4691' E 33°58.2425' S 43 24°17.5086' E 33°55.8859' S 129 24°28.5975' E 33°58.2766' S 44 24°17.6356' E 33°55.9235' S 130 24°28.7259' E 33°58.3107' S 45 24°17.7625' E 33°55.9612' S 131 24°28.8543' E 33°58.3447' S 46 24°17.8895' E 33°55.9988' S 132 24°28.9827' E 33°58.3788' S 47 24°18.0164' E 33°56.0365' S 133 24°29.1111' E 33°58.4128' S 48 24°18.1462' E 33°56.0658' S 134 24°29.2373' E 33°58.4520' S 49 24°18.2778' E 33°56.0903' S 135 24°29.3618' E 33°58.4949' S
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50 24°18.4093' E 33°56.1147' S 136 24°29.4864' E 33°58.5377' S 51 24°18.5408' E 33°56.1391' S 137 24°29.6109' E 33°58.5806' S 52 24°18.6723' E 33°56.1635' S 138 24°29.7354' E 33°58.6234' S 53 24°18.8038' E 33°56.1880' S 139 24°29.8600' E 33°58.6663' S 54 24°18.9354' E 33°56.2124' S 140 24°29.9845' E 33°58.7092' S 55 24°19.0665' E 33°56.2382' S 141 24°30.1091' E 33°58.7520' S 56 24°19.1975' E 33°56.2646' S 142 24°30.2336' E 33°58.7949' S 57 24°19.3284' E 33°56.2911' S 143 24°30.3581' E 33°58.8378' S 58 24°19.4586' E 33°56.3198' S 144 24°30.4827' E 33°58.8806' S 59 24°19.5870' E 33°56.3540' S 145 24°30.6072' E 33°58.9235' S 60 24°19.7154' E 33°56.3881' S 146 24°30.7317' E 33°58.9663' S 61 24°19.8437' E 33°56.4222' S 147 24°30.8563' E 33°59.0092' S 62 24°19.9721' E 33°56.4564' S 148 24°30.9808' E 33°59.0521' S 63 24°20.1005' E 33°56.4905' S 149 24°31.1054' E 33°59.0949' S 64 24°20.2288' E 33°56.5246' S 150 24°31.2299' E 33°59.1378' S 65 24°20.3572' E 33°56.5588' S 151 24°31.3544' E 33°59.1806' S 66 24°20.4856' E 33°56.5929' S 152 24°31.4790' E 33°59.2235' S 67 24°20.6140' E 33°56.6270' S 153 24°31.6035' E 33°59.2664' S 68 24°20.7423' E 33°56.6612' S 154 24°31.7280' E 33°59.3092' S 69 24°20.8707' E 33°56.6953' S 155 24°31.8526' E 33°59.3521' S 70 24°20.9991' E 33°56.7295' S 156 24°31.9771' E 33°59.3949' S 71 24°21.1288' E 33°56.7596' S 157 24°32.1017' E 33°59.4378' S 72 24°21.2599' E 33°56.7855' S 158 24°32.2262' E 33°59.4807' S 73 24°21.3910' E 33°56.8114' S 159 24°32.3507' E 33°59.5235' S 74 24°21.5223' E 33°56.8364' S 160 24°32.4753' E 33°59.5664' S 75 24°21.6566' E 33°56.8455' S 161 24°32.5956' E 33°59.6165' S 76 24°21.7909' E 33°56.8547' S 162 24°32.7133' E 33°59.6711' S 77 24°21.9252' E 33°56.8638' S 163 24°32.8310' E 33°59.7257' S 78 24°22.0595' E 33°56.8730' S 164 24°32.9488' E 33°59.7803' S 79 24°22.1938' E 33°56.8821' S 165 24°33.0665' E 33°59.8349' S 80 24°22.3281' E 33°56.8913' S 166 24°33.1842' E 33°59.8896' S 81 24°22.4624' E 33°56.9004' S 167 24°33.3019' E 33°59.9442' S 82 24°22.5967' E 33°56.9096' S 168 24°33.4196' E 33°59.9988' S 83 24°22.7310' E 33°56.9187' S 169 24°33.5373' E 34°00.0534' S 84 24°22.8655' E 33°56.9251' S 170 24°33.5658' E 34°00.1301' S 85 24°23.0001' E 33°56.9300' S 171 24°33.5029' E 34°00.2293' S 86 24°23.1347' E 33°56.9350' S
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Appendix C
Archaeological and Historical Context of the Study Area
The Stone Age8
No systematic Early and Middle Stone Age research has been undertaken in the proposed development area, hence the general nature of this section. Open air scatters of stone artefacts, probably with low heritage significance, could be expected in areas with minimal environmental disturbance.
South Africa’s prehistory has been divided into a series of phases based on broad patterns of technology. The primary distinction is between a reliance on chipped and flaked stone implements (the Stone Age) and the ability to work iron (the Iron Age). Spanning a large proportion of human history, the Stone Age in Southern Africa is further divided into the Early Stone Age, or Paleolithic Period (about 2 500 000–150 000 years ago), the Middle Stone Age, or Mesolithic Period (about 150 000–30 000 years ago), and the Late Stone Age, or Neolithic Period (about 30 000–2 000 years ago). The simple stone tools found with australopithecine fossil bones fall into the earliest part of the Early Stone Age.
o The Early Stone Age Most Early Stone Age sites in South Africa can probably be connected with the hominin species known as Homo erectus. Simply modified stones, hand axes, scraping tools, and other bifacial artifacts had a wide variety of purposes, including butchering animal carcasses, scraping hides, and digging for plant foods. Most South African archaeological sites from this period are the remains of open camps, often by the sides of rivers and lakes, although some are rock shelters, such as Montagu Cave in the Cape region.
o The Middle Stone Age The long episode of cultural and physical evolution gave way to a period of more rapid change about 200 000 years ago. Hand axes and large bifacial stone tools were replaced by stone flakes and blades that were fashioned into scrapers, spear points, and parts for hafted, composite implements. This technological stage, now known as the Middle Stone Age, is represented by numerous sites in South Africa.
Open camps and rock overhangs were used for shelter. Day-to-day debris has survived to provide some evidence of early ways of life, although plant foods have rarely been preserved. Middle Stone Age bands hunted medium-sized and large prey, including antelope and zebra, although they tended to avoid the largest and most dangerous animals, such as the elephant and the rhinoceros. They also ate seabirds and marine mammals that could be found along the shore and sometimes collected tortoises and ostrich eggs in large quantities.
o The Late Stone Age Basic toolmaking techniques began to undergo additional change about 40 000 years ago. Small finely worked stone implements known as microliths became more common, while the heavier scrapers and points of the Middle Stone Age appeared less frequently. Archaeologists refer to this technological stage as the Late Stone Age. The numerous collections of stone tools from South African archaeological sites show a great degree of variation through time and across the subcontinent.
The remains of plant foods have been well preserved at such sites as Melkhoutboom Cave, De Hangen, and Diepkloof in the Cape region. Animals were trapped and hunted with spears and arrows on which were mounted well-crafted stone blades. Bands moved with the seasons as they followed game into higher lands in the spring and early summer months, when plant foods could also be found. When available, rock
8 http://www.britannica.com; article authored by Colin J. Bundy, Julian R. D. Cobbing, Martin Hall and Leonard Monteath Thompson
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Dating from this period are numerous engravings on rock surfaces, mostly on the interior plateau, and paintings on the walls of rock shelters in the mountainous regions, such as the Drakensberg and Cederberg ranges. The images were made over a period of at least 25 000 years. Although scholars originally saw the South African rock art as the work of exotic foreigners such as Minoans or Phoenicians or as the product of primitive minds, they now believe that the paintings were closely associated with the work of medicine men, shamans who were involved in the well-being of the band and often worked in a state of trance. Specific representations include depictions of trance dances, metaphors for trance such as death and flight, rainmaking, and control of the movement of antelope herds.
Iron Age9
Archaeological evidence shows that Bantu-speaking agriculturists first settled in southern Africa around AD 300. Bantu-speakers originated in the vicinity of modem Cameroon from where they began to move eastwards and southwards, some time after 400 BC, skirting around the equatorial forest. An extremely rapid spread throughout much of sub-equatorial Africa followed: dating shows that the earliest communities in Tanzania and South Africa are separated in time by only 200 years, despite the 3 000 km distance between the two regions. It seems likely that the speed of the spread was a consequence of agriculturists deliberately seeking iron ore sources and particular combinations of soil and climate suitable for the cultivation of their crops.
The earliest agricultural sites in KwaZulu-Natal date to between AD 400 and 550. All are situated close to sources of iron ore, and within 15 km of the coast. Current evidence suggests it may have been too dry further inland at this time for successful cultivation. From 650 onwards, however, climatic conditions improved and agriculturists expanded into the valleys of KwaZulu-Natal, where they settled close to rivers in savanna or bushveld environments. There is a considerable body of information available about these early agriculturists.
Seed remains show that they cultivated finger millet, bulrush millet, sorghum and probably the African melon. It seems likely that they also planted African groundnuts and cowpeas, though direct evidence for these plants is lacking from the earlier periods. Faunal remains indicate that they kept sheep, cattle, goats, chickens and dogs, with cattle and sheep providing most of the meat. Men hunted, perhaps with dogs, but hunted animals made only a limited contribution to the diet in the region.
Metal production was a key activity since it provided the tools of cultivation and hunting. The evidence indicates that people who worked metal lived in almost every village, even those that were considerable distances from ore sources.
Large-scale excavations in recent years have provided data indicating that first-millennium agriculturist society was patrilineal and that men used cattle as bridewealth in exchange for wives. On a political level, society was organised into chiefdoms that, in our region, may have had up to three hierarchical levels. The villages of chiefs tended to be larger than others, with several livestock enclosures, and some were occupied continuously for lengthy periods. Social forces of the time resulted in the concentration of unusual items on these sites. These include artefacts that originated from great distances, ivory items (which as early as AD 700 appear to have been a symbol of chieftainship), and initiation paraphernalia.
This particular way of life came to an end around AD 1000, for reasons that we do not yet fully understand. There was a radical change in the decorative style of agriculturist ceramics at this time, while the preferred
9 Whitelaw (1997). See also Prins and Granger (1993), Whitelaw (1991, 2009).
eThembeni Cultural Heritage for Arcus GIBB Engineering and Science Page 22 PHASE 1 HIA OF DIEPRIVIER-KAREEDOUW 132KV POWER LINE AND SUBSTATION SITE, EASTERN CAPE village locations of the last four centuries were abandoned in favour of sites along the coastal littoral. In general, sites dating to between 1050 and 1250 are smaller than most earlier agriculturist settlements. It is tempting to see in this change the origin of the Nguni settlement pattern. Indeed, some archaeologists have suggested that the changes were a result of the movement into the region of people who were directly ancestral to the Nguni-speakers of today. Others prefer to see the change as the product of social and cultural restructuring within resident agriculturist communities.
Whatever the case, it seems likely that this new pattern of settlement was in some way influenced by a changing climate, for there is evidence of increasing aridity from about AD 900. A new pattern of economic inter-dependence evolved that is substantially different from that of earlier centuries, and is one that continued into the colonial period nearly 500 years later.
Colonial rule10
By the closing decades of the 18th century, South Africa had fallen into two broad regions: west and east. Colonial settlement dominated the west, including the winter rainfall region around the Cape of Good Hope, the coastal hinterland northward toward the present-day border with Namibia, and the dry lands of the interior. Trekboers took increasingly more land from the Khoekhoe and from remnant hunter-gatherer communities, who were killed, were forced into marginal areas, or became labourers tied to the farms of their new overlords. Indigenous farmers controlled both the coastal and valley lowlands and the Highveld of the interior in the east, where summer rainfall and good grazing made mixed farming economies possible.
A large group of British settlers arrived in the eastern Cape in 1820; this, together with a high European birth rate and wasteful land usage, produced an acute land shortage, which was alleviated only when the British acquired more land through massive military intervention against Africans on the eastern frontier. Until the 1840s the British vision of the colony did not include African citizens (referred to pejoratively by the British as “Kaffirs”), so, as Africans lost their land, they were expelled across the Great Fish River, the unilaterally proclaimed eastern border of the colony.
The first step in this process included attacks in 1811–12 by the British army on the Xhosa groups, the Gqunukhwebe and Ndlambe. An attack by the Rharhabe-Xhosa on Graham’s Town in 1819 provided the pretext for the annexation of more African territory, to the Keiskamma River. Various Rharhabe-Xhosa groups were driven from their lands throughout the early 1830s. They counterattacked in December 1834, and Governor Benjamin D’Urban ordered a major invasion the following year, during which thousands of Rharhabe-Xhosa died. The British crossed the Great Kei River and ravaged territory of the Gcaleka-Xhosa as well; the Gcaleka chief, Hintsa, invited to hold discussions with British military officials, was held hostage and died trying to escape. The British colonial secretary, Lord Glenelg, who disapproved of D’Urban’s policy, halted the seizure of all African land east of the Great Kei. D’Urban’s initial attempt to rule conquered Africans with European magistrates and soldiers was overturned by Glenelg; instead, for a time, Africans east of the Keiskamma retained their autonomy and dealt with the colony through diplomatic agents.
However, after further fighting with the Rharhabe-Xhosa on the eastern frontier in 1846, Governor Colonel Harry Smith finally annexed, over the next two years, not only the region between the Great Fish and the Great Kei rivers (establishing British Kaffraria) but also a large area between the Orange and Vaal rivers, thus establishing the Orange River Sovereignty. These moves provoked further warfare in 1851–53 with the Xhosa (joined once more by many Khoe), with a few British politicians ineffectively trying to influence events.
Between 1811 and 1858 colonial aggression deprived Africans of most of their land between the Sundays and Great Kei rivers and produced poverty and despair. From the mid-1850s British magistrates held political power in British Kaffraria, destroying the power of the Xhosa chiefs. Following a severe lung sickness
10 http://www.britannica.com; article authored by Colin J. Bundy, Julian R. D. Cobbing, Martin Hall and Leonard Monteath Thompson
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Under apartheid blacks were treated like “tribal” people and were required to live on reserves under hereditary chiefs except when they worked temporarily in white towns or on white farms. The government began to consolidate the scattered reserves into 8 (eventually 10) distinct territories, designating each of them as the “homeland,” or Bantustan, of a specific black ethnic community. The government manipulated homeland politics so that compliant chiefs controlled the administrations of most of those territories. Arguing that Bantustans matched the decolonization process then taking place in tropical Africa, the government devolved powers onto those administrations and eventually encouraged them to become “independent.” Between 1976 and 1981 four accepted independence—Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda, and Ciskei— though none was ever recognized by a foreign government. Like the other homelands, however, they were economic backwaters, dependent on subsidies from Pretoria.
Conditions in the homelands continued to deteriorate, partly because they had to accommodate vast numbers of people with minimal resources. Many people found their way to the towns; but the government, attempting to reverse this flood, strengthened the pass laws by making it illegal for blacks to be in a town for more than 72 hours at a time without a job in a white home or business. A particularly brutal series of forced removals were conducted from the 1960s to the early ’80s, in which more than 3.5 million blacks were taken from towns and white rural areas (including lands they had occupied for generations) and dumped into the reserves, sometimes in the middle of winter and without any facilities.
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Appendix D
Criteria for Determination of Significance of and Impacts on Heritage Resources
Assessment of heritage resource value and significance Heritage resources are significant only to the extent that they have public value, as demonstrated by the following guidelines for determining site significance developed by Heritage Western Cape in 2007 and utilised during this assessment.
Grade I Sites (National Heritage Sites) Regulation 43 Government Gazette no 6820. 8 No. 24893 30 May 2003, Notice No. 694 states that: Grade I heritage resources are heritage resources with qualities so exceptional that they are of special national significance should be applied to any heritage resource which is a) Of outstanding significance in terms of one or more of the criteria set out in section 3(3) of the NHRA; b) Authentic in terms of design, materials, workmanship or setting; and is of such universal value and symbolic importance that it can promote human understanding and contribute to nation building, and its loss would significantly diminish the national heritage.
1. Is the site of outstanding national significance? 2. Is the site the best possible representative of a national issue, event or group or person of national historical importance? 3. Does it fall within the proposed themes that are to be represented by National Heritage Sites? 4. Does the site contribute to nation building and reconciliation? 5. Does the site illustrate an issue or theme, or the side of an issue already represented by an existing National Heritage Site – or would the issue be better represented by another site? 6. Is the site authentic and intact? 7. Should the declaration be part of a serial declaration? 8. Is it appropriate that this site be managed at a national level? 9. What are the implications of not managing the site at national level?
Grade II Sites (Provincial Heritage Sites) Regulation 43 Government Gazette no 6820. 8 No. 24893 30 May 2003, Notice No. 694 states that: Grade II heritage resources are those with special qualities which make them significant in the context of a province or region and should be applied to any heritage resource which - a) is of great significance in terms of one or more of the criteria set out in section 3(3) of the NHRA; and (b) enriches the understanding of cultural, historical, social and scientific development in the province or region in which it is situated, but that does not fulfil the criteria for Grade 1 status.
Grade II sites may include, but are not limited to – (a) places, buildings, structures and immovable equipment of cultural significance; (b) places to which oral traditions are attached or which are associated with living heritage; (c) historical settlements and townscapes; (d) landscapes and natural features of cultural significance; (e) geological sites of scientific or cultural importance; (f) archaeological and palaeontological sites; and (g) graves and burial grounds.
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The cultural significance or other special value that Grade II sites may have, could include, but are not limited to – (a) its importance in the community or pattern of the history of the province; (b) the uncommon, rare or endangered aspects that it possess reflecting the province’s natural or cultural heritage (c) the potential that the site may yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the province’s natural or cultural heritage; (d) its importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of the province’s natural or cultural places or objects; (e) its importance in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics valued by a community or cultural group in the province; (f) its importance in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period in the development or history of the province; (g) its strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons; and (h) its strong or special association with the life or work of a person, group or organization of importance in the history of the province.
Grade III (Local Heritage Resources) Regulation 43 Government Gazette no 6820. 8 No. 24893 30 May 2003, Notice No. 694 states that: Grade III heritage status should be applied to any heritage resource which (a) fulfils one or more of the criteria set out in section 3(3) of the NHRA; or (b) in the case of a site contributes to the environmental quality or cultural significance of a larger area which fulfils one of the above criteria, but that does not fulfill the criteria for Grade 2 status.
Grade IIIA This grading is applied to buildings and sites that have sufficient intrinsic significance to be regarded as local heritage resources; and are significant enough to warrant any alteration being regulated. The significances of these buildings and/or sites should include at least some of the following characteristics: Highly significant association with a o historic person o social grouping o historic events o historical activities or roles o public memory Historical and/or visual-spatial landmark within a place High architectural quality, well-constructed and of fine materials Historical fabric is mostly intact (this fabric may be layered historically and/or past damage should be easily reversible) Fabric dates to the early origins of a place Fabric clearly illustrates an historical period in the evolution of a place Fabric clearly illustrates the key uses and roles of a place over time Contributes significantly to the environmental quality of a Grade I or Grade II heritage resource or a conservation/heritage area
Such buildings and sites may be representative, being excellent examples of their kind, or may be rare: as such they should receive maximum protection at local level.
Grade IIIB This grading is applied to buildings and/or sites of a marginally lesser significance than grade IIIA; and such marginally lesser significance argues against the regulation of internal alterations. Such buildings and sites
eThembeni Cultural Heritage for Arcus GIBB Engineering and Science Page 26 PHASE 1 HIA OF DIEPRIVIER-KAREEDOUW 132KV POWER LINE AND SUBSTATION SITE, EASTERN CAPE may have similar significances to those of a grade IIIA building or site, but to a lesser degree. Like grade IIIA buildings and sites, such buildings and sites may be representative, being excellent examples of their kind, or may be rare, but less so than grade IIIA examples: as such they should receive less stringent protection than grade IIIA buildings and sites at local level and internal alterations should not be regulated (in this context).
Grade IIIC This grading is applied to buildings and/or sites whose significance is, in large part, a significance that contributes to the character or significance of the environs. These buildings and sites should, as a consequence, only be protected and regulated if the significance of the environs is sufficient to warrant protective measures. In other words, these buildings and/or sites will only be protected if they are within declared conservation or heritage areas.
Assessment of development impacts A heritage resource impact may be defined broadly as the net change, either beneficial or adverse, between the integrity of a heritage site with and without the proposed development. Beneficial impacts occur wherever a proposed development actively protects, preserves or enhances a heritage resource, by minimising natural site erosion or facilitating non-destructive public use, for example. More commonly, development impacts are of an adverse nature and can include: destruction or alteration of all or part of a heritage site; isolation of a site from its natural setting; and / or introduction of physical, chemical or visual elements that are out of character with the heritage resource and its setting.
Beneficial and adverse impacts can be direct or indirect, as well as cumulative, as implied by the aforementioned examples. Although indirect impacts may be more difficult to foresee, assess and quantify, they must form part of the assessment process. The following assessment criteria have been used to assess the impacts of the proposed development on identified heritage resources:
Criteria Rating Scales Notes Positive An evaluation of the type of effect the construction, operation and Nature Negative management of the proposed development would have on the Neutral heritage resource. Low Site-specific, affects only the development footprint. Local (limited to the site and its immediate surroundings, including Extent Medium the surrounding towns and settlements within a 10 km radius); High Regional (beyond a 10 km radius) to national. Low 0-4 years (i.e. duration of construction phase). Duration Medium 5-10 years. High More than 10 years to permanent. Where the impact affects the heritage resource in such a way that its Low significance and value are minimally affected. Intensity Where the heritage resource is altered and its significance and value Medium are measurably reduced. Where the heritage resource is altered or destroyed to the extent High that its significance and value cease to exist. Low No irreplaceable resources will be impacted. Potential for impact on Medium Resources that will be impacted can be replaced, with effort. irreplaceable resources There is no potential for replacing a particular vulnerable resource High that will be impacted. A combination of any of the following: - Intensity, duration, extent and impact on irreplaceable resources Low are all rated low. Consequence - Intensity is low and up to two of the other criteria are rated medium. a combination of extent, - Intensity is medium and all three other criteria are rated low. duration, intensity and the Intensity is medium and at least two of the other criteria are rated Medium potential for impact on medium. irreplaceable resources). Intensity and impact on irreplaceable resources are rated high, with any combination of extent and duration. High Intensity is rated high, with all of the other criteria being rated medium or higher.
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Low It is highly unlikely or less than 50 % likely that an impact will occur. Probability (the likelihood Medium It is between 50 and 70 % certain that the impact will occur. of the impact occurring) It is more than 75 % certain that the impact will occur or it is definite High that the impact will occur. Low consequence and low probability. Low Low consequence and medium probability. Low consequence and high probability. Significance Medium consequence and low probability. (all impacts including Medium consequence and medium probability. potential cumulative Medium Medium consequence and high probability. impacts) High consequence and low probability. High consequence and medium probability. High High consequence and high probability.
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Appendix E
Desktop Palaeontological Impact Assessment
NATURA VIVA cc Natur Attention: Elizabeth Wahl and Len van Schalkwyk eThembeni Cultural Heritage Box 20057 Ashburton 3213 Pietermaritzburg Date: 28 May 2012
KAREEDOUW – PATENSIE NEW 132 kV OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINE, EASTERN CAPE:
PALAEONTOLOGICAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT
The proposed new 132 kV overhead transmission line (c. 90 km) and associated new substation developments between Kareedouw and Patensie are underlain by potentially fossiliferous bedrocks of Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Caenozoic age that crop out within the Cape Fold Belt, Southern coastal plain and Gamtoos River Valley of the Eastern Cape (1: 250 000 geological map 3324 Port Elizabeth).
The Kareedouw – Dieprivier sector (35 km) runs along the grain of the Cape Fold Belt and is partially underlain by Early Devonian sediments of the Baviaanskloof and Gydo Formations that may contain early land plants and marine invertebrates respectively. However, given the tight folding here, it is quite likely that most of the original fossil content of these rocks has been destroyed by tectonism.
The potentially fossiliferous Baviaanskloof Formation and Lower Bokkeveld Group (Ceres Subgroup) are also represented in the Dieprivier – Melkhout sector (26 km) of the proposed new 132 kV line. Previous fieldwork in the Humansdorp region suggests that the former are usually poorly exposed, but might contain well-preserved plant material, while the Bokkeveld mudrocks are deeply weathered and cleaved, reducing the likelihood of well-preserved fossil biotas.
The Melkhout – Patensie sector (28 km) traverses a wide range of geological units. Table Mountain Group sediments in the southwest are generally poorly fossiliferous, as are Jurassic conglomerates of the Enon Formation (Uitenhage Group) on the southwestern side of the Gamtoos River Valley. Early Cretaceous Kirkwood Formation beds near Patensie may contain important fossils of dinosaurs and other terrestrial vertebrates as well as petrified wood, while older alluvial sediments of the Gamtoos drainage system are also potentially fossil-bearing.
Since likely impacts on fossil heritage along the proposed new 132 kV transmission line are mainly associated with excavations for the pylon footings, as well as the construction of new substations, it is recommended that a Phase 1 palaeontological field assessment of the final transmission line route be undertaken once the pylon positions have been finalized and before construction commences.
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The resulting report should make recommendations regarding any necessary mitigation during the construction phase of the transmission line and associated infrastructure (e.g. recording, sampling of fossil assemblages, field monitoring of selected pylon positions).
John E. Almond
Palaeontologist (Natura Viva cc)
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Appendix F
Specialist Competency and Declaration of Independence
Specialist competency
Len van Schalkwyk is accredited by the Cultural Resources Management section of the Association of Southern African Professional Archaeologists (ASAPA) to undertake AIAs in South Africa. He is also a member of the ASAPA Cultural Resources Management Committee for 2011 and 2012. Mr van Schalkwyk has a master’s degree in archaeology (specialising in the history of early farmers in southern Africa) from the University of Cape Town and 25 years’ experience in heritage management. He has worked on projects as diverse as the establishment of the Ondini Cultural Museum in Ulundi, the cultural management of Chobe National Park in Botswana and various archaeological excavations and oral history recording projects. He was part of the writing team that produced the KwaZulu-Natal Heritage Act 1997. He has worked with many rural communities to establish integrated heritage and land use plans and speaks good Zulu.
Mr van Schalkwyk left his position as assistant director of Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali, the provincial heritage management authority, to start eThembeni in partnership with Elizabeth Wahl, who was head of archaeology at Amafa at the time. Over the past decade they have undertaken almost 1000 heritage impact assessments throughout South Africa, as well as in Mozambique.
Elizabeth Wahl has a BA Honours in African Studies from the University of Cape Town and has completed various Masters courses in Heritage and Tourism at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is currently studying for an MPhil in the Conservation of the Built Environment at UCT. She is also a member of ASAPA.
Ms Wahl was an excavator and logistical coordinator for Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division’s heritage programme at Isandlwana Battlefield; has undertaken numerous rock painting surveys in the uKhahlamba/Drakensberg Mountains, northern KwaZulu-Natal, the Cederberg and the Koue Bokkeveld in the Cape Province; and was the principal excavator of Scorpion Shelter in the Cape Province, and Lenjane and Crystal Shelters in KwaZulu-Natal. Ms Wahl compiled the first cultural landscape management plan for the Mnweni Valley, northern uKhahlamba/Drakensberg, and undertook an assessment of and made recommendations for cultural heritage databases and organisational capacity in parts of Lesotho and South Africa for the Global Environment Facility of the World Bank for the Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Area. She developed the first cultural heritage management plan for the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, following UNESCO recommendations for rock art management in southern Africa.
Declaration of independence
We declare that Len van Schalkwyk, Elizabeth Wahl, eThembeni Cultural Heritage, Dr John Almond and Natura Viva have no financial or personal interest in the proposed development, nor its developers or any of its subsidiaries, apart from in the provision of heritage impact assessment and management consulting services.
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APPENDIX E
Public Participation Process (PPP) and Issues and Response Report (IRR)
EIA for the construction of 132kV distribution lines from Kareedouw to Dieprivier, Cacadu District
Public Participation Process: Draft Comments and Response Report (Draft)
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 14
INSTALLATION OF 132KV DISTRIBUTION LINES FROM DIEPRIVIER TO KAREEDOUW
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS COMMENTS AND RESPONSE REPORT
CONTENTS
Chapter Description Page
1 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION METHODOLOGY 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Methodology overview 1
1.3 Newspaper advertisement 1
1.4 Site notices 4
1.5 Background Information Documents 5
1.6 Notification of Authorities 5
1.7 Public meeting 5
1.8 I&AP Registration and Comments 5 1.8.1 Initial registration and comment period 5 1.8.2 Draft Basic Assessment Report comment period Error! Bookmark not defined.
2 COMMENTS AND RESPONES 6
2.1 Introduction 6
2.2 Comments received subsequent to notifying landowners 6
2.3 Comments received during initial I&AP registration period (40 days) 7
2.4 Comments received during the draft BAR review period (40 days)Error! Bookmark not defined.
3 CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD 1
4 REFERENCES ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 15
APPENDICES
Addendum 1: Background Information Document Addendum 2: Notification letters sent to landowners Addendum 3 Site notice Addendum 4: Public meeting attendance register and minutes Addendum 5: Comments Received from Authorities Addendum 6: Comments received on the draft BAR Addendum 7: I&AP database
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
BAR Basic Assessment Report BID Background Information Document DEA Department of Environmental Affairs EAP Environmental Assessment Practitioner EMPr Environmental Management Programme HIA Heritage Impact Assessment I&APs Interested & Affected Parties PPP Public Participation Process SAHRA South African Heritage Resource Agency
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This report describes the Public Participation Process (PPP) undertaken as part of the Basic Environmental Assessment as required in terms of chapter 5 of the National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998), as amended, for the proposed network strengthening and upgrade in the Humansdorp, Patensie, and Kareedouw area. It describes the methodology of the PPP, and presents the issues and comments raised by Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs), as well as responses provided by the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to these queries.
Methodology overview
The following main activities were undertaken as part of the PPP: An advertisement was placed in two newspapers: The Herald in English and Die Burger in Afrikaans, notifying and inviting any I&AP or key stakeholder that may have an interest in the proposed project to register as an I&AP and submit comments. Site notices were erected at one location along the route. A poster was erected at the Humansdorp Public Library Background Information Documents (BIDs) were distributed. Comments from all key stakeholders and I&APs were received and collated.
The following have yet to be undertaken: The draft Basic Assessment Report (BAR) will be made available for public review. Comments on the draft BAR will be incorporated into a revised version of the dBAR. The final BAR will be made available to the public.
Newspaper advertisement
Newspapers adverts were placed in two newspapers, The Herald in English and Die Burger in Afrikaans on 02 April 2012.
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 1
Figure 15: Newspaper advertisement as placed in The Herald on 02 April 2012
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 2
Figure 16: Newspaper advertisement as placed in Die Burger on 02 April 2012
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report 3
Site notices
Site notices were printed onto A1 correx boards and displayed at two points along the proposed power line route at the following locations on 02 April 2012: Existing Kareedouw substation (33°55.318’ S, 24°12.996’ E); An A3 poster was put up at the Kareedouw post office (33°57.099’ S, 24°17.444’ E).
See Addendum 3 for details of the Site Notice. Photographic evidence of erection of the above site notices is provided below.
.
Site notice at existing Kareedouw substation
Poster placement at Kareedouw post office
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Background Information Documents
The background information document (BID) was distributed by e-mail to councillors, authorities and stakeholders on 04 April 2012. The BID is attached as Addendum 1.
Notification of Authorities
The applicant in this case is Eskom. Authorities were notified as follows:
Cacadu District Municipality - A background information document was sent to Ms Lyn Nance, Senior Administration Officer at the Cacadu office of the Executive Mayor and Municipal Manager from where it was sent to all nine local municipalities for distribution to the councillors. Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) - Mr Coenrad Agenbach, Assistant Director. South African Heritage Resource Agency - Ms Mariagrazia Galimeberti. Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs (DEDEA) - Mr Dayalan Govender. Department of Roads, Eastern Cape - Ms Wilma Snyman. Kouga Municipality - Mr Aubrey Marais.
Responses from all these authorities are presented in Addendum 5.
Public meeting
A public meeting will be held during the BAR review period.
I&AP Registration and Comments
Initial registration and comment period
Landowners were automatically recognised as I&APs, letters notifying the landowners of the EIA process were delivered on 19 March 2012. Site notices were erected and two newspaper advertisements published on the 2nd April with a 21 day registration period for additional I&APs running until 25th April. BIDs were distributed to councillors, authorities and stakeholder with a 21 day registration period ending on 11th May.
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COMMENTS AND RESPONES
Introduction
The following sections present comments received during the initial public participation period (section 2.2) as well as comments received during the draft BAR review period (section 2.3).
Comments received subsequent to notifying landowners
Respondent & Issue/concern Date Means of Comment/query Response organisation communication Mr P. Ferreira Power lines 28/03/2012 Fax I do not grant permission for The construction of all crossing the power line to cross my proposed power lines property property, there are already will be subject to 3 power lines across my negotiations between property. There is enough Eskom and land space south or north of the owners. No work will existing power line or south commence on the of the tarred road available, power lines until the north of the rail line EIA process is complete. Mrs N. Gouws. Placement of 12/04/2012 E-mail For 22 kV overhead power Best practice SANRAL power lines in lines no pole or stay shall standards as well as relation to be erected closer than 20 Eskom guidelines and roads. Vertical meters from the national standards will be clearance of road reserve fence strictly adhered to with power lines For 40 kV and higher regards to clearances. overhead power lines no The clearances to be pole or stay shall be erected implemented are closer than 60 meters from discussed in the Basic the national road reserve Assessment Report. fence No work will A vertical clearance of not commence on the less than 6,5 meters power lines until the measured from the crown of EIA process is the national road to the complete. lowest wire shall be observed Mr K.Reichert Public 26/04/2012 E-mail Mr Reichert is concerned A Heritage Impact participation the public participation Assessment (HIA) for cultural process is not adequate to found that impacts on issues deal with cultural issues. Mr heritage along the Reichert also requested a route were of low copy of the Heritage Impact significance provided Assessment Report that the mitigation measures proposed by the HIA practitioner are implemented. Heritage Impact Assessment Reports sent to Mr Reichert on 06/06/2012
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Comments received during initial I&AP registration period (21 days)
A number of I&APs registered during this process but no comments were received.
Comments received during draft BAR review period (40 days) and public meetings
The following table presents the comments received during the draft BAR review period and public meetings. Comments have been grouped according to topic, and summarised. The table also indicates the reference numbers for the different I&APs which raised particular issues.
The draft BAR review and public meeting is yet to commence thus no comments can be presented here prior to the release of the dBAR for review.
Respondent & Issue/concern Date Means of Comment/query Response organisation communication To be completed
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CONCLUSIONS and WAY FORWARD
This draft IRR will be updated as the BAR undergoes various phases of review. These will include the following:
Draft BAR: The draft BAR will be made available to the public for a review period of 40 days. Any comments on the report are to be forwarded to GIBB. Final BAR: The final BAR will be made available to the public for a review period of 21 days. Any comments on the report are to be forwarded to GIBB. Final submitted BAR: The final submitted BAR will be submitted to the DEA and made available to the public for a review.
The outcome of DEA’s decision will be communicated to all I&APs once it has been issued.
Addendum 1
Background Information Document
Addendum 2
Notification letters sent to landowners
Postage receipt for the notification of Environmental Authorisation Process for the construction of the power lines. Notification letters were sent out recorded delivery on 19 March 2012
Addendum 3
Site notice
Site notice as displayed at a total of three locations along the length of the proposed power line.
Addendum 4
Comments Received from Authorities
Diepriver to Kareedouw dBAR
Addendum 5
Comments received on the draft BAR
Dieprivier to Kareedouw dBAR
Addendum 6
I&AP Database
Dieprivier to Kareedouw dBAR
Group Company / Organisation Name Registered? Councillor Kouga councillor Benjamin Fredeman Rheeder Councillor Kou-Kamma councillor Brendan Jantjies Councillor Kouga councillor Bulelwa Cynthia Koliti Councillor Kou-Kamma councillor Cila Reeders Councillor Kouga councillor David Ernesr Aldendorff Councillor Kouga councillor David Lulamele Ntshiza Councillor Kouga councillor Earl Deon Hill, ANC Councillor Kouga councillor Eugene Daniel Groep Councillor Kou-Kamma councillor Francois Strydom Councillor Kouga councillor Frederick Jacobus Campher Councillor Kouga councillor Julius Zolani Mayoni Councillor Kou-Kamma councillor Lawrence Nelson Councillor Kouga councillor Mercia Ungerer Councillor Kougs councillor Mzukisi Eric Mahlathini Councillor Kou-Kamma councillor Niqualanus Pottie Councillor Kou-Kamma councillor Nomawabo Mntambo Councillor Kou-Kamma councillor Pamela Goni Councillor Kouga councillor Patrick Kota Councillor Kouga councillor Phumzile Joseph Oliphant Councillor Kou-Kamma councillor Richard Krige Councillor Kou-Kamma Mayor Samuel Vuso Councillor Kouga councillor Sophia Hendrina Thiart Councillor Kou-Kamma councillor Susie Jacobs Councillor Kou-Kamma councillor Teritus Mohr Councillor Kouga councillor Timothy Ncedile Meleni Councillor Kouga councillor Vuyelwa Nathalia Matodlana Government DEA, Assistant Director: Environmental Impact Evaluation Coenrad Agenbach Government DEDEA Dayalan Govender Government DEA, Director: Environmental Impact Evaluation Dumisani Mthembu Government SAHRA APM Impact Assessor Mariagrazia Galimberti Government Department of Roads Eastern Cape Wilma Snyman Landowner Albert Strydom Landowner Anton Le Roux Landowner Aubrey Marais Landowner Charl v d Heever Landowner Clive Bramwell Y Landowner Douglas Shone Landowner Gilbert Nortier Y Landowner Hennie Anderson Landowner Johan Pienaar Landowner John Peacock Landowner John Strydom Y Landowner Migo Meyer Landowner Nana Gouws Y Landowner Nap Heynes Landowner Nic Heynes Landowner Paul Ferreira Y Landowner Siegfried Naude Local Municipality Koukamma Municipality manager Sidney Fadi Local Municipality Cacadu Senior Office Administration Lyn Nance Local Municipality Cacadu Executive Mayor PA Clarissa Paul Local Municipality Kou-Kamma Mayor PA Pumelela Mgwetyana Local Municipality Kouga Executive Mayor PA Ria Griebenow Stakeholder Surplan Bertus Smuts
Dieprivier to Kareedouw dBAR
Group Company / Organisation Name Registered? Stakeholder Surplan Chere Munro Stakeholder Eskom, Snr Supervisor Environmental Management, EC Lusanda Ngesi Stakeholder WESSA Morgan Griffitha Stakeholder The Blacksmith Plover Trust Neil Lurie Stakeholder Bird Club Ria Bestbier Stakeholder Tourism Office, general manager Warren Manser Stakeholder Eskom, snr supervisor tech surveying Richard Frank Stakeholder Eskom Tebogo Jonker Stakeholder Eskom Tom Smith Stakeholder Indwe Environmental Consultants, Avifauna specialist Brendon Steytler Stakeholder Trans-Africa Projects, line design engineer Graeme Louw Stakeholder Heritage specialist, Palaeontology John Almond Stakeholder Eastern Cape Heritage Kobus Reichert Y Stakeholder Heritage specialist, eThembeni Cultural Heritage Len van Schlkwyk & Elizabeth Wahl Stakeholder Trans-Africa Projects, National Manager Pierre Marais Stakeholder Trans-Africa Projects, Project engineer Stefan Greyling Vegetation specialist, Environmental Rehabilitation. GIS & Stakeholder Botanical Specialist Consultant Jamie Pote
Dieprivier to Kareedouw dBAR APPENDIX F
Environmental Management Programme
Eskom Dieprivier - Kareedouw 132kV Basic Assessment Report
APPEDIX G
Details of EAP and declaration of interest
Dieprivier to Kareedouw dBAR
Dieprivier to Kareedouw dBAR
Dieprivier to Kareedouw dBAR
Dieprivier to Kareedouw dBAR
DOCUMENT CONTROL SHEET (FORM IP180/B)
CLIENT : ESKOM Distribution Division PROJECT NAME : Dieprivier to Kareedouw distribution line BA PROJECT No. : J29225 TITLE OF DOCUMENT : Basic Environmental Assessment for the installation of 132kV distribution lines from Dieprivier to Kareedouw, Cacadu District (Draft) ELECTRONIC LOCATION : P:\J29225_Eskom_Diepriver-Kareedouw_PPP (EL project)\3-Tasks\Reports\BAR\Dieprivier- Kareedouw_dBAR_v1.doc
Approved By Reviewed By Prepared By ORIGINAL NAME NAME NAM M Oliver W Fyvie M Vosloo
DATE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE 03/07/2012
Prepared by Prepared By Prepared By ORIGINAL NAME NAME NAME
DATE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE
Approved By Reviewed By Prepared By REVISION NAME NAME NAME
DATE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE
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Dieprivier to Kareedouw dBAR