Ecological Specialist Report for the Upgrade of Road D4407 Between Hluvukani and Timbavati (7.82 Km), Road D4409 at Welverdiend (6.88
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ECOLOGICAL SPECIALIST REPORT FOR THE UPGRADE OF ROAD D4407 BETWEEN HLUVUKANI AND TIMBAVATI (7.82 KM), ROAD D4409 AT WELVERDIEND (6.88 KM) AND ROAD D4416/2 BETWEEN WELVERDIEND AND _v001 ROAD P194/1 (1.19 KM) FOR THE ROAD D4416 DEVIATION 007 _ OPS IN THE EHLANZENI REGION OF THE MPUMALANGA PROVINCE PREPARED FOR: DATED: 22 January 2021 PREPARED BY: Ronaldo Retief Pr.Sci.Nat. Pr. EAPASA M · 072 666 6348 E · [email protected] T · +27 21 702 2884 26 Bell Close, Westlake Business Park F · +27 86 555 0693 Westlake 7945, Cape Town NCC Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd | Reg No: 2007/023691/07 | VAT No. 4450208915 REAL GROWTH FOR PEOPLE, PLANET AND BUSINESS www.ncc-group.co.za 1 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Specialist Name Nico-Ronaldo Retief Declaration of I declare, as a specialist appointed in terms of the National Environmental Management Independence Act (Act No 108 of 1998) and the associated 2014 Amended Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, that: • I act as the independent specialist in this application. • I will perform the work relating to the application in an objective manner, even if this results in views and findings that are not favourable to the applicant. • I declare that there are no circumstances that may compromise my objectivity in performing such work. • I have expertise in conducting the specialist report relevant to this application, including knowledge of the Act, Regulations and any guidelines that have relevance to the proposed activity. • I will comply with the Act, Regulations, and all other applicable legislation. • I have no, and will not engage in, conflicting interests in the undertaking of the activity. • I undertake to disclose to the applicant and the competent authority all material information in my possession that reasonably has or may have the potential of influencing - any decision to be taken with respect to the application by the competent authority; and - the objectivity of any report, plan, or document to be prepared by myself for submission to the competent authority. • All the furnished by me in this form are true and correct; and • I realise that a false declaration is an offence in terms of regulation 48 and is punishable in terms of section 24F of the Act. Signature Date 8 March 2021 NCC Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd Timbavati Biodiversity Report – Mar 2021 Page 2 of 83 Reg. No: 2007/023691/07 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In the case of this study site, the primary grasslands have been minimally disturbed by anthropogenic activities. • Anthropogenic impacts identified within the sub-quaternary catchment included alien vegetation, creation of district roads, vegetation removal along the road, erosion due to bare road surface and edge of road reserve, and instream sedimentation as well as illegal dumping around existing road upgrade and lastly a borrow pit to supply sediment for the road upgrade between Hluvhukani and Welverdiend. • A seasonal wetland system was identified within the study area. • The study site still has a functional role to play in regional ecological functioning and biological functions at the site even though it has been influenced by human-related impacts. The area for the proposed deviation has not been impacted by any antropogenic activity as yet and can be classified as near pristine bushveld. • A 32-m buffer around the wetlands has been allowed as prescribed by NEMA, 1998. These fulfil ecological functions and serve as natural corridors for fauna species and breeding grounds. • According to the DEFF Screening Tool for the proposed site, the plant species combined sensitivity was rated as Medium, while the Combined Terrestrial Biodiversity of the site is Very High. • The wetland was assigned High sensitivity as well as the vegetation sensitivity. • Ecological connectivity between the wetland and grasslands cannot be excluded and culverts should be utilised that allow movement of reptilian and mammalian species. • A water use license should be undertaken as part of the proposed development. Based on the results and conclusions presented in this report, and the outcomes of the field survey, it is the opinion of the specialists that the proposed project can be favourably considered. All mitigation measures provided in this report must nonetheless be adhered to. Even though the site falls within high sensitivity, the deviation if constructed correctly and mitigation measures followed for construction and operational phases will be limited or even negligible. NCC Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd Timbavati Biodiversity Report – Mar 2021 Page 3 of 83 Reg. No: 2007/023691/07 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ..................................................................................... 2 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... 3 3 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 8 3.1 PROJECT LOCATION ............................................................................................................................. 8 3.2 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT ................................................................................................................... 8 3.3 STUDY SITE ........................................................................................................................................... 9 3.3.1 Granite Lowveld .............................................................................................................................. 9 3.4 Scope of work and objectives ............................................................................................................ 12 3.4.1 Biodiversity Assessment ................................................................................................................ 12 3.5 Overview of the Specialist ................................................................................................................. 13 3.6 STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT ............................................................................................................. 14 4 LEGISLATION AND GUIDELINES ........................................................................................ 20 4.1 International Legislation and Policy .................................................................................................. 21 4.2 National Level .................................................................................................................................... 21 4.3 Provincial and Municipal Level .......................................................................................................... 23 5 METHODOLOGY .............................................................................................................. 24 5.1 Desktop assessment .......................................................................................................................... 24 5.2 Biodiversity Assessment Methodology ............................................................................................. 24 5.2.1 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Mapping .......................................................................... 24 5.2.2 Botanical Assessment.................................................................................................................... 25 5.2.3 Faunal Assessment (Mammals & Avifauna) .................................................................................. 26 5.2.4 Herpetology (Reptiles & Amphibians)........................................................................................... 26 5.3 Impact Assessment Methodology ..................................................................................................... 28 5.3.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 28 5.3.2 Identification of Mitigation Measures .......................................................................................... 31 NCC Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd Timbavati Biodiversity Report – Mar 2021 Page 4 of 83 Reg. No: 2007/023691/07 5.3.3 Ascribing Significance to Cumulative Impacts .............................................................................. 32 5.4 Biodiversity and conservation importance ........................................................................................ 32 5.4.1 Conservation Status ...................................................................................................................... 33 6 ASSUMPTIONS AND GAPS ............................................................................................... 34 7 FINDINGS AND RESULTS .................................................................................................. 35 7.1 Habitat and Vegetation Characteristics ............................................................................................. 35 7.2 Assessment of Plant Species of Conservation Concern ..................................................................... 36 7.3 Assessment of Vertebrate Species of Conservation Concern ........................................................... 42 7.3.1 Mammals of high conservation priority ........................................................................................ 42 7.3.2 Birds of high conservation priority ...............................................................................................