Basic Assessment Proposed N3 Road Upgrades Between Durban and Cedara Kwazulu-Natal Capacity Upgrades to the N2

Home , EB Cloete Interchange, N3 (South Africa)

SANRAL

BASIC ASSESSMENT

PROPOSED N3 ROAD UPGRADES BETWEEN DURBAN AND CEDARA KWAZULU-NATAL

CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

PRELIMINARY DESIGN CONTRACT: PARADISE VALLEY TO CEDARA NRA N003 -023 -2010/1ES

DETAIL DESIGN PROJECT NO DESCRIPTION SERVICE PROVIDER EB Cloete (including portion of N2 N.003-010-2017/1 North and N3 West) (N3: km 9.06-km SNA 11.8) (N2:km 117.2-km 20.7) N.002-250-2009/2D2N2 Upgrade of Solomon Mahlangu IC SNA Westville Viaduct (Km 11.8) to Paradise Valley (Km 17.5) including N.003-010-2017/2 SNA Westville and Paradise Valley viaduct access roads

Assessment of Vegetation Ecology Updated Specialist Report

Report prepared for: Report prepared by:

SANRAL SOC LIMITED ACER (Africa) Environmental Consultants PO Box 100401 P O Box 503 Scottsville MTUNZINI 3209 3867

November 2016

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT I PROPONENT

Proponent: South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited Contact person: Busi Mlambo Physical address: 58 Van Eck Place, Mkondeni, Pietermaritzburg Postal address: PO Box 100410, Scottsville Telephone: 033 392 8100 Fax: 033 386 6284 Email [email protected]

INDEPENDENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT

Consultant: ACER (Africa) Environmental Consultants Contact person: Ashleigh McKenzie Physical address Suites 5&6, Golden Penny Centre, 26 Hely Hutchinson Road, Mtunzini Postal address: PO Box 503, Mtunzini, 3867 Telephone: 035-3402715 Fax: 035-3402232 Email [email protected]

INDEPENDENT VEGETATION ECOLOGY SPECIALIST

Consultant: ACER (Africa) Environmental Consultants Contact person: Mr Barry Patrick Postal address: PO Box 503, Mtunzini, 3867 Telephone: 083 272 9905 Fax: 035-3402232 Email [email protected]

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE • I, Barry Patrick, hereby declare that I acted as the independent specialist in this application; • I do not have and will not have any financial interest in the undertaking of the activity, other than remuneration for work performed in terms of NEMA and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014; • I do not have and will not have a vested interest in the proposed activity proceeding.

Signed… ……………………. Date……16 November 2016………………….. SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

SUMMARY OF UPDATES

This report is an updated version of the original 2013 vegetation ecology specialist report. Changes to the original 2013 report largely relate to updates to the main construction activities for the capacity upgrades, updates to the vegetation types and finer scale detail provided by the eThekwini Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department in terms of their recently completed Systematic Conservation Assessment for the eThekwini Municipal Area. Further field surveys were conducted where the footprint has increased, most notably at the Wandsbeck Road Bridge, Solomon Mahlangu Interchange, and at the Westville and Paradise Valley viaducts where temporary access routes will be created to access the areas beneath the bridges during construction. Updates were made to the vegetation descriptions, important species and potential impacts. Additional mapping was done to improve the finer scale detail provided, additional sensitive areas were identified and additional mitigation was recommended (site specific and general).

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 3 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report is an updated version of the original 2013 vegetation ecology specialist report. This is a linear project situated within the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipal Area of KwaZulu-Natal, near the coast of the Indian Ocean. The study area is focused mostly within the existing road reserve and smaller sections outside of existing road reserve on the N2 and N3 toll roads. The section of interest extends along the N3 between Durban and Pinetown, from the EB Cloete Interchange (Spaghetti Junction) to Paradise Valley (M13 interchange). Included also is a section along the N2 between the Recreation and Hilary areas, from Umgeni Road (N2 North) to Solomon Mahlangu Drive (formerly Edwin Swales Drive) Interchange (N2 South). Upgrades to the Wandsbeck Road Bridge, Solomon Mahlangu Interchange, and access roads to allow construction below the Westville and Paradise Valley viaducts are also included. Rehabilitation and upgrading of the National Route 3 (N3) between Durban and Cedara, including a section of the National Route 2 (N2), will involve:

ß Strengthening of the existing pavement structure by means of concrete or asphalt overlays. ß Widening of the traffic roadway by one or more lanes in each direction via encroachment into the median, road reserve or both. ß Installation of a concrete median barrier/guard rail barrier where required, separating the carriageways. ß Widening of existing cuts and fills. ß Construction of retaining walls where required. ß Widening and lengthening of underpass structures and culverts. ß Extension of existing drainage structures (box and pipe culverts). ß The widening of existing interchanges, ramps and cross roads. ß The widening of existing bridges (median and edge widening, requiring additional piles, footings and columns, and/or strengthening of existing ones). ß Deck replacement on existing overpass structures. ß Deck jacking and abutment replacement on existing overpass structures. ß The construction of new bridges (overpasses). ß Demolition of existing overpass structures and construction of (replacement) upgraded overpass structures, where required (please note that demolition will occur only once the new structure has been constructed). ß Relocation and protection of service infrastructure. ß Dismantling and re-erection of guard rails. ß Dismantling and re-erection of signage.

During the planning phase, additional land will be acquired by SANRAL where needed. Prior to construction at the Westville and Paradise Valley Viaducts, temporary construction access roads will need to be established to enable plant to access the area beneath the viaducts. With the exception of these viaduct access roads, contractors will make use of existing roads for construction access. No new borrow pits or quarries will be established as materials will be sourced from commercial sources. No batching plants will be established on site (ACER, 2016).

During the site visits, a preliminary qualitative botanical survey was undertaken where vegetation types were identified, species composition noted, and vegetation structure recorded.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 4 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Important plant species and sensitive areas of vegetation were noted and opportunities for mitigation of impacts were identified. A brief literature review was undertaken. A specialist report on rivers and wetlands was undertaken by Groundtruth (2013, updated 2016), and consequently accurate wetland and riparian boundaries were not determined in the field during the vegetation assessment.

Land use in the study area is urban in nature and dominated by residential settlement, commercial developments and road infrastructure. Due to high levels of development, most of the vegetation remaining within the road reserve, including proposed extensions, is very disturbed. Most of the riparian zones and wetlands are similarly highly disturbed and modified due to development. Nevertheless, limited pockets of better quality natural vegetation are encountered where the road intersects or runs adjacent to some of the steeper valleys and municipal nature reserves. Areas that are important in this regard are Westville Viaduct, Paradise Valley Viaduct, pockets at the Solomon Mahlangu Interchange, and Roosfontein Nature Reserve to a lesser degree.

The following provincial vegetation types are affected by the proposed upgrade: KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Grassland (CE), KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Forests : Southern Mesic Coastal Lowlands Forest (CE), Eastern Scarp Forests : Southern Coastal Scarp Forest (LT), and Alluvial Wetlands : Subtropical Alluvial Vegetation (EN). The widening of the N3 will affect several D’MOSS areas and the following eThekwini Municipal Area vegetation types: ß Eastern Scarp Forest (below the 450 m contour): comprising sections in Good and Intermediate ecological condition. ß Transitional Forest: comprising sections in Intermediate and Degraded ecological condition. ß Transitional Thicket: comprising sections in Degraded ecological condition. ß Transitional Woodland: comprising sections in Intermediate and Degraded ecological condition. ß Wetland: comprising sections in Intermediate and Degraded ecological condition.

A small section of KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld (CE) (below the 450 m contour) in Intermediate ecological condition is located close to the proposed N3 upgrade just east of the EB Cloete interchange (adjacent to 45th Ave). Due to the disturbed nature of the vegetation occupying the road reserve, this is not directly affected by the upgrade; however it is recommended that: ß Caution is exercised here during construction to ensure that the adjacent section of sourveld is not disturbed.

Disturbed Grassland/Shrubland/Thicket Mosaic is the most widespread community within the upgrade footprint. Due to the intense disturbance often experienced by wetland and riparian communities, natural environmental gradients have been obscured and vegetation is largely degraded.

While the majority of the vegetation falling within the footprint of the proposed Solomon Mahlangu interchange is degraded, there are stands of good and intermediate quality Eastern Scarp Forest remaining within the footprint. Where the Umbilo River crosses under the M7 from

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 5 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

the north, the associated riverine vegetation comprises a mix of degraded riverine woodland occupying the east bank, while the west bank comprises a steeply sloping rocky outcrop supporting succulents and a relatively xeric cliff community. Vegetation here appears to be of intermediate quality. Where the Umbilo River flows through the south-western quadrant of the interchange, and then through the north-eastern quadrant along the east-bound carriageway, the associated riverine woodland is also degraded. Caution should be exercised where construction activities come close to the steeper slopes just outside of the footprint along the east-bound carriageway, east of the interchange where stands of better quality scarp forest and cliff communities occupy the steeper slopes. Where good and intermediate quality sections of natural vegetation are affected by widening, a number of site specific mitigation measures are recommended to reduce impacts to acceptable levels (together with the general mitigation actions specified in Section 7).

Widening of the Westville Viaduct will have an impact on the valley below, not only within the road reserve but also beyond that, if road access to the underneath of the viaduct needs to be constructed for heavy vehicle access. This steep-sided valley is dominated by disturbed coastal and scarp forest with a mosaic of grassland and thicket towards the crests of the valley sides, particularly below the Pavilion shopping centre. With the close proximity of Chesterville, it is likely that extraction of wood, medicinal plants and building materials (e.g. sand) contributes to on-going disturbance of the natural vegetation in the area. The riparian zone associated with the river at the bottom of the valley is similarly disturbed. A small, disturbed wetland dominated by Arundo donax* and Pennisetum purpureum* is located immediately north-west of Chesterville. The most optimal access route to gain entry under the Westville Viaduct was determined during a site visit with key stakeholders which minimises wetland and riparian area impacts.

Widening of the south side of the N3 may result in the removal of a small section of the Disturbed Grassland/Shrubland/Thicket Mosaic within the existing road reserve at Roosfontein Nature Reserve.

Paradise Valley Nature reserve supports a dense cover of forest with a particularly high diversity relative to the species composition of the majority of the area of interest. The reserve supports coastal forest in the lower lower-lying parts and riverine forest along the uMbilo River. The open alluvial terraces along the uMbilo River support a dense cover of herbaceous plants, climbers, shrubs, early successional trees and hydrophytes. Scarp forest occupies the steeper valley sides and the eastern slope of the uMbilo valley supports the largest stand likely to be affected by upgrade of the viaduct.

A site visit was conducted with key stakeholders to identify the most optimal temporary access route to gain entry under the Paradise Valley Viaducts during construction. A number of Podocarpus spp. are growing along the route (most likely planted here) and some of these are likely to be removed and/or pruned for the operation of the temporary access route (permits will be required from DAFF). It is also recommended that design solutions are found to reduce the vegetation trapping effect that piers beneath the viaduct have after storms, in order to minimize impacts on the riparian zone. The closing of the median in the process of upgrading the viaduct

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 6 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

will cause a rain shadow and block out further light below the viaduct and post-construction rehabilitation will need to take this into account by considering the use of plants tolerant to low levels of water and light (a dead zone in the centre may be unavoidable).

A number of protected, red list and endemic species were noted during the course of the investigation, including: ß Millettia grandis, Crocosmia aurea, Freesia laxa subsp. laxa, Gladiolus dalenii and members of Iridaceae, Haemanthus albiflos, Dioscorea cotinifolia, Dioscorea dregeana and Aloe arborescens which are designated as specially protected under the Natal Nature Conservation Ordinance (15 of 1974) and the KwaZulu Nature Conservation Act (29 of 1992). ß Podocarpus falcatus, Podocarpus latifolius and Pittosporum viridiflorum which are protected under the National Forests Act, 1998. ß Cassipourea gummiflua which has a status of Vulnerable in the National Red List of South African Plants. ß Curtisia dentata which has a status of Near Threatened in the National Red List of South African Plants. ß Adenia gummifera, Loxostylis alata and Hypoxis hemerocallidea which have a status of Declining in the National Red List of South African Plants. ß Anastrabe integerrima and Brachylaena uniflora which are South African endemics.

The section of the N3 investigated in this study intersects with a Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystem, Durban Metropole North Coast Grassland (KZN 2) (Critically Endangered). EKZNW’s MINSET data for the area of interest was obtained and the most important planning units (Critical Biodiversity Area 1) occur along the N2 north of EB Cloete Interchange, around the EB Cloete Interchange, between the EB Cloete and Solomon Mahlangu Interchanges, around the Solomon Mahlangu Interchange, in the Westville area and in the Paradise Valley area.

The main impacts of concern on natural vegetation include clearance of vegetation cover and habitat destruction, edge effects, habitat fragmentation, alien invasive plants, soil erosion and siltation, deterioration of riparian and wetland habitat and harvesting of indigenous plants.

Due to the disturbed nature of the majority of the natural vegetation along the N2 and N3, the significance of impacts (with mitigation) within sections of Disturbed Grassland/Shrubland/Thicket Mosaic (Section 5.3.1) are likely to be low. Similarly, with mitigation, the significance of impacts in the Riparian and Wetland Areas described in Section 5.3.2 is likely to be low due to the disturbed nature of these systems. Key mitigation actions required include alien plant and soil erosion control, construction of temporary crossings which alter the normal hydrological regime as little as possible, and thorough rehabilitation which neutralises impacts on stream banks, compaction of wetland soils, and restores (and improves) natural riparian and wetland habitat at temporary crossings. During operation, the provision and maintenance of adequate energy dissipaters at the end of drainage structures will be key in reducing long-term impacts on these habitats.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 7 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

The significance of impacts on sections of good and intermediate quality Eastern Scarp Forest within the footprint of the proposed Solomon Mahlangu interchange is likely to be high, however, with mitigation, the impact on the natural vegetation is likely to be medium providing recommendations specified in Section 5.3.3 are implemented. A key issue at the Westville Viaduct is the impact of a temporary access road to the area underneath the viaduct. The natural vegetation contains a mix of alien and indigenous species and is already disturbed. With mitigation, the impact on the natural vegetation is likely to be medium providing recommendations specified in Section 5.3.4.

With mitigation, the significance of impacts is likely to be low at Roosfontein Nature Reserve, as widening of the south side of the N3 may result in the removal of a small section of Disturbed Grassland/Shrubland/Thicket Mosaic within the existing road reserve. Management of the adjacent natural vegetation in proportion to the amount of vegetation lost will aid in improving the ecological health of this D’MOSS link.

At Paradise Valley Nature Reserve, a site visit was conducted with key stakeholders and the most optimal access route was identified to minimise impacts. With mitigation specified in Section 5.3.6, impact significance is likely to be medium if the proposed temporary access route for work under the viaduct is used (historically disturbed), rather than creating a new access route through the middle of the Reserve.

A number of general and site specific mitigation measures have been recommended to minimise impacts. With further input from an ecologist/botanist during the spring and summer flowering seasons, impacts can be minimised and recovery of natural vegetation can be encouraged. Negative impacts can be minimised by strict enforcement and compliance with an Environmental Management Plan which takes into account the recommendations for managing impacts detailed in this report and it is the opinion of the author that the activity be authorised. Simple methods to monitor impacts based on key indicators have also been identified.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 8 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROPONENT ...... II INDEPENDENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT ...... II INDEPENDENT VEGETATION ECOLOGY SPECIALIST ...... II SUMMARY OF UPDATES ...... 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... 9 LIST OF FIGURES ...... 11 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...... 12 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 13 1.1 Background ...... 13 1.2 Scope of work ...... 13 1.3 Applicable Legislation ...... 14 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 15 2.1 Location ...... 15 2.2 Project components ...... 15 3. ASSUMPTIONS, LIMITATIONS AND GAPS IN KNOWLEDGE ...... 17 3.1 Project footprint and extent of affected areas assessed ...... 17 3.2 Season ...... 17 4. METHODOLOGY ...... 17 4.1 Identification and evaluation of affected vegetation ...... 17 4.2 Impact Assessment Criteria ...... 18 4.3 Consultation ...... 18 5. RESULTS ...... 20 5.1 Vegetation Type...... 20 5.1.1 KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Grassland ...... 20 5.1.2 KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Forests : Southern Mesic Coastal Lowlands Forest ...... 21 5.1.3 Eastern Scarp Forests : Southern Coastal Scarp Forest ...... 21 5.1.4 Alluvial Wetlands : Subtropical Alluvial Vegetation ...... 22 5.2 Systematic Conservation Assessment of the eThekwini Municipal Area ...... 22 5.2.1 D’MOSS ...... 22 5.2.2 eThekwini Municipal Area Vegetation Map ...... 23 5.3 Vegetation on site ...... 24 5.3.1 Disturbed Grassland/Shrubland/Thicket Mosaic ...... 24 5.3.2 Riparian and Wetland Areas ...... 25 5.3.3 Solomon Mahlangu Interchange ...... 25 5.3.4 Westville Viaduct ...... 27 5.3.5 Roosfontein Nature Reserve ...... 29 5.3.6 Paradise Valley Nature Reserve ...... 30 5.4 Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystems...... 33 5.5 MINSET analysis ...... 34 5.5.1 Along the N2 north of EB Cloete Interchange ...... 34

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 9 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

5.5.2 Around the EB Cloete Interchange ...... 34 5.5.3 Between the EB Cloete and Solomon Mahlangu Interchanges ...... 35 5.5.4 Around the Solomon Mahlangu Interchange ...... 35 5.5.5 In the Westville area ...... 35 5.5.6 In the Paradise Valley area ...... 36 6. ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS ...... 44 6.1 Project activities likely to have an impact on natural vegetation ...... 44 6.2 Description of main impacts on natural vegetation ...... 45 6.3 Key issues and impact tables ...... 46 7. RECOMMENDED MITIGATION ...... 49 8. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MONITORING BASED ON KEY INDICATORS ...... 55 9. CONCLUSION ...... 56 10. REFERENCES ...... 57 APPENDIX 1 ...... 59 APPENDIX 2 ...... 64

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 10 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Extent of road upgrade including MINSET data and reserves within the area of interest 37 Figure 2 Extent of road upgrade showing major river systems within the area of interest ...... 38 Figure 3 The extent of the National Vegetation Types within the area of interest ...... 39 Figure 4 The extent of the Provincial Vegetation Types within the area of interest ...... 40 Figure 5 The extent of D’MOSS within the area of interest ...... 41 Figure 6 The eThekwini Municipal Area vegetation map produced during the EMA Systematic Conservation Assessment ...... 42 Figure 7 The extent of Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystems within the area of interest ...... 43

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 11 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ACER ACER (Africa) Environmental Consultants D’MOSS Durban Metropolitan Open Space System EKZNW Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife EMA eThekwini Municipal Area EMPr Environmental Management Programme EPCPD Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature MINSET Minimum Set Analysis SANRAL South African National Roads Agency Limited SANBI South African National Biodiversity Institute SCA Systematic Conservation Assessment

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 12 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is responsible for improving, managing and maintaining the network of national roads which act as the “economic arteries” of South Africa. Sections of the N2 and N3 are operating at full capacity and traffic studies indicate a need to upgrade them to accommodate future growth and improve road safety. Therefore, SANRAL (Eastern Region) plans to provide additional lanes along a section of the N2 in Durban, as well as along the N3 between Durban and Cedara. This forms part of the suite of Strategic Infrastructure Projects (SIPs) as described in the National Development Plan, 2011 (ACER, 2016).

During 2012/3, the author was involved with this project as a specialist and provided a vegetation ecology specialist report to ACER. The project was thereafter put on hold and the applications to the Department of Environmental Affairs subsequently lapsed. As of May 2016, the environmental work on the project has resumed. SANRAL intends to resubmit applications for environmental authorisation, under the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), for the proposed capacity improvements.

As part of preparation of the required Basic Assessments, specialists were asked to review their original reports to ascertain whether the content correctly reflects current conditions in terms of the receiving environment and scope of works (proposed upgrades). Where changes have occurred that affect the findings and recommendations of the original report, these changes and any new associated assessment, findings and recommendations are presented here in this updated specialist report.

1.2 Scope of work

As per the Terms of Reference provided by ACER, this study specifically addresses the following:

ß Description of the current state of the vegetation in the study area, outlining vegetation types, important characteristics and components thereof, which may be influenced by the proposed project or which may influence the proposed project during construction and operation. ß The early identification of any red flag and fatal flaw issues or impacts. ß The identification of Red Data species potentially affected by the project. ß Identification of sensitive habitats and systems, including areas near waterways and wetlands, potentially affected by the proposed road upgrades. ß Where possible, Red Data or protected species and sensitive habitats must be mapped and indicated on a site plan.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 13 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

ß The identification of potential impacts (positive and negative, including cumulative impacts, if relevant) of the proposed upgrades on vegetation during construction and operation. ß The identification of mitigation measures for enhancing benefits and avoiding, reducing or mitigating negative impacts and risks (to be implemented during design, construction and operation of the proposed projects). Particular attention should be paid to wetlands potentially traversed by the N3 and proposed interchanges. ß The provision of clear guidelines to reduce the damage and loss of vegetation, and, where damage is unavoidable, the provision of clear rehabilitation guidelines, inclusive of measures to reduce the risk of the spread of alien vegetation. These measures will be incorporated into the Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) that will be prepared for the proposed projects. ß Discuss any other sensitivities and important issues from a specialist perspective that are not identified in these terms of reference. ß All applicable legislation and guidelines are to be duly considered during the assessment. ß The formulation of a clear and simple system to monitor impacts, and their management, based on key indicators. ß It is also required that this undated report take into account the 2014 EIA Regulations in terms of reporting and content requirements (ACER, 2016).

1.3 Applicable Legislation

Legislation pertinent to protection of vegetation in the context of this project includes:

ß Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 (Act No 43 of 1983). ß National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No 107 of 1998) and EIA Regulations of 2010 published there under (R543, R544, R545, R546). ß National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No 10 of 2004) including listing of Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystems (Government Gazette, 9 December 2011), and regulations relating to listed Threatened or Protected species (TOPS). Regulations under chapter five of NEMBA regarding alien and invasive species were promulgated on 1 August 2014. The importing, growing, propagating, moving, selling and spreading of all listed invasive species is prohibited except for permitted category 2 species. ß National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No 57 of 2003). ß National Forests Act, 1998 (Act No 84 of 1998) protects natural forests and specific indigenous trees published under the Act. ß Natal Nature Conservation Ordinance (15 of 1974) and the KwaZulu Nature Conservation Act (29 of 1992) and Lists of Specially Protected Plants published here under. ß National Water Act (36 of 1998). Section 21 lists water use activities which may trigger the requirement for a Water Use License, including: c) Impeding or diverting the flow of water in a watercourse; i) Altering the bed, banks, course or characteristics of a watercourse. A water course includes a wetland, lake or dam into which, or from which, water flows. According to Section 21, almost any activity in any catchment has the potential to change the resource quality characteristics (flow regime, water quality,

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 14 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

habitat and biota), and the use of water within the 500m radius from the boundary of any wetland also triggers the requirement for a license.

2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1 Location

This is a linear project situated within the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipal Area of KwaZulu- Natal, near the coast of the Indian Ocean. The study area is focused mostly within the existing road reserve and smaller sections outside of existing road reserve on the N2 and N3 toll roads. The area of interest is in close proximity to several tributaries of the uMngeni and uMbilo Rivers in the uMngeni and uMbilo catchments (Figures 1 and 2).

The section of interest extends along the N3 between Durban and Pinetown, from the EB Cloete Interchange (Spaghetti Junction) to Paradise Valley (M13 interchange). Included also is a section along the N2 between the Recreation and Hilary areas, from Umgeni Road (N2 North) to Solomon Mahlangu Drive (formerly Edwin Swales Drive) Interchange (N2 South), as well as temporary access roads to allow construction underneath the Westville and Paradise Valley viaducts. This project is being handled under three detailed design contracts, viz:

Detailed Design Project No Description Service Provider N.003-010-2017/1 EB Cloete (including portion of N2 North and SNA N3 West) (N3: km 9.06-km 11.8) (N2:km 117.2-km 20.7) N.002-250-2009/2D2N2 Upgrade of Solomon Mahlangu IC SNA

N.003-010-2017/2 Westville Viaduct (Km 11.8) to Paradise Valley SNA (Km 17.5) including Westville and Paradise Valley viaduct access roads

2.2 Project components

The proposed capacity improvements, which will provide from 4 to 7 lanes in each direction, will improve safety and accommodate traffic growth to 2047. Use will be made of the median and existing road reserve to accommodate widening; however, additional land will be required in limited areas where further space is needed. Counter flow lanes will be divided by a concrete barrier and retaining walls will be constructed on the road perimeters where required. Interchanges will be upgraded, bridges will require widening and demolition of redundant structures will occur.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 15 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

sourced from commercial sources 1. No batching plants will be established on site (ACER, 2016).

The main construction activities for the capacity upgrades will include the following:

SITE PREPARATION

ß Establishment of site camps and stockpile areas. ß Provision for onsite waste management – sewage, waste water, solid waste, etc. ß Provision for storage/handling/disposal of hazardous substances (e.g. cement, asphalt, fuels and oils). ß Clearance of vegetation. ß Removal and stockpiling of topsoil and subsoil. ß Construction of temporary access roads to the Westville and Paradise Valley Viaducts.

ROAD AND BRIDGE WIDENING

ß Accommodation of traffic. ß Demolition of structures (where required). ß Blasting (where required). ß Excavation with heavy plant. ß Stockpiling of spoil for building and leveling on site or other parts of the proposed N2 & N3 upgrades. ß Stockpiling of demolition rubble for building and leveling on site or other parts of the proposed N2 & N3 upgrades. ß Disposal of excess spoil/rubble to authorized landfill sites. ß Provision of drainage structures where crossing drainage lines and watercourses. ß Haulage and placement of materials with heavy plant. ß Water abstraction from local streams. ß Water spraying. ß Rolling and compaction with heavy plant. ß Bridge jacking. ß Retaining walls/other stablisation/erosion control structures (as required). ß Erection of lighting, Armco or concrete barriers, road signs, and road lane markings. ß Relocation of existing traffic management infrastructure (cameras, etc).

RE-INSTATEMENT AND REHABILITATION

ß Reinstatement of slopes. ß Reinstatement of topsoil. ß Revegetation. ß Erosion control. ß Alien plant control.

1 SANRAL has decided to investigate materials sources but development or operation of quarries/borrow pits is not part of the scope of work for this assessment.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 16 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

3. ASSUMPTIONS, LIMITATIONS AND GAPS IN KNOWLEDGE

The following assumptions and limitations apply to this project.

3.1 Project footprint and extent of affected areas assessed

The following assumptions have been made with regard to affected areas and associated impacts on vegetation, and assumes a worst case scenario:

1. All vegetation within the existing road reserve will be cleared during construction. 2. All areas within proposed extensions to the road reserve will be cleared during construction. 3. Habitat degradation is likely to occur directly adjacent to cleared areas, due to edge effects that will manifest over time once construction activities have commenced (edge effects are described in Section 6.2).

3.2 Season

It is important to note that different sections of the proposed upgrade were visited on 3 different occasions: ß The field survey for the majority of the project was undertaken in late summer 2013. ß Site inspection of road routes to gain access to the area below the Westville and Paradise Valley Viaducts was undertaken during December 2015 ß Further site visits were undertaken during August 2016 to assess the latest changes to the proposed upgrade.

Because different sections of the site were visited on different occasions, the full spectrum of flowering times was not covered with the result that some herbaceous and geophytic plants may not have been visible or identifiable at the time. However, all effort was made to identify Red Data, specially protected and other important species and surrounding land use and condition of natural vegetation were surveyed to identify levels of disturbance and potential biodiversity issues.

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 Identification and evaluation of affected vegetation

Biophysical data for this report was derived from site visits conducted during February 2013, December 2015 and August 2016. Engineering firms responsible for the upgrade design supplied GIS and kml files showing the extent of the widening along various sections of the N2 and N3 and some background information on project details and construction methods.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 17 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

During the site visits, a preliminary qualitative botanical survey was undertaken where vegetation types were identified, species composition noted, and vegetation structure recorded. Important plant species and sensitive areas of vegetation were noted and opportunities for mitigation of impacts were identified (Appendix 1). A brief literature review was undertaken. A specialist report on rivers and wetlands was undertaken by Groundtruth (2013, updated 2016), and consequently, accurate wetland and riparian boundaries were not determined in the field during the vegetation assessment.

Red Data status of plants, based on International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categories, habitat preferences and legal status was obtained from a range of sources in the literature, including the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s (SANBI) Integrated Biodiversity Information System (2009) and SANBI’s online National Red List of South African Plants. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s (EKZNW) MINSET data (Minimum Set Analysis) for the area of interest was obtained, together with the provincial vegetation types. National vegetation types were obtained from SANBI, and the Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department (EPCPD) provided D’MOSS and vegetation data from their Systematic Conservation Assessment (SCA) of the eThekwini Municipal Area (EMA).

4.2 Impact Assessment Criteria

The significance of the impacts of construction and operation within the section of the N2 and N3 investigated in this project are assessed in terms of the impact assessment criteria provided in Table 1 below.

4.3 Consultation

On 4 December 2015 a site visit was conducted with the eThekwini EPCPD, SNA Civil and Structural Engineers and ACER to identify the most optimal access route to gain entry under the Westville and Paradise Valley Viaducts that will be acceptable from an environmental and an engineering perspective and which will have the support of the EPCPD. Participants in the site visit included Lyle Ground, Greg Mullins and Terry Stewart (eThekwini EPCPD); Ashleigh McKenzie and Barry Patrick (ACER); and Neil Bloy and Andrew Liebnitz (SNA). A record of the meeting is provided in Appendix 2.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 18 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Table 1 Assessment criteria

Criteria Rating Notes Scales Nature Positive This is an evaluation of the overall impact of the construction, Negative operation and management that the proposed N3 upgrades would Neutral have on the affected environment (social, biophysical and economic). Spatial extent Low Site-specific, affects only the development footprint. Medium Local (<2 km from site). High Regional (within 30 km of site) to national. Duration Very low Temporary (less than 1 year). Low Short term (1-4 years, i.e. duration of construction phase). Medium Medium term (5-10 years). High Long term (impact will only cease after the operational life of the activity) to permanent. Intensity Low Negligible alteration of natural systems, patterns or processes. Medium Noticeable alteration of natural systems, patterns or processes. High Severe alteration of natural systems, patterns or processes. Irreplaceability of Low No irreplaceable resources will be impacted (the affected resource resource caused by is easy to replace/rehabilitate). impacts Medium Resources that will be impacted can be replaced, with effort. High Project will destroy unique resources that cannot be replaced. Reversibility of impacts Low Low reversibility to non-reversible. Medium Moderate reversibility of impacts. High High reversibility of impacts. Consequence Low A combination of any of the following: (a combination of - Intensity, duration, extent and impact on irreplaceable resources spatial extent, duration, are all rated low. intensity and - Intensity is low and up to two of the other criteria are rated irreplaceability of impact medium. on resources). - Intensity is medium and all three other criteria are rated low. Medium Intensity is medium and at least two of the other criteria are rated medium. High Intensity and impact on irreplaceable resources are rated high, with any combination of extent and duration. Intensity is rated high, with all of the other criteria being rated medium or high. Probability (the Low It is highly unlikely or there is a less than 50% chance that an likelihood of the impact impact will occur. occurring) Medium It is between 50 and 70% certain that the impact will occur. High It is more than 75% certain that the impact will occur or it is definite that the impact will occur. Significance Low Low consequence and low probability. (all impacts including Low consequence and medium probability. potential cumulative Low consequence and high probability. impacts) Medium Medium consequence and low probability. Medium consequence and medium probability. Medium consequence and high probability. High consequence and low probability. High High consequence and medium probability. High consequence and high probability.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 19 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

5. RESULTS

Nevertheless, limited pockets of better quality natural vegetation are encountered where the road intersects or runs adjacent to some of the steeper valleys and municipal nature reserves. Areas that are important in this regard are:

ß Westville Viaduct. ß Paradise Valley Viaduct. ß Pockets at the Solomon Mahlangu Interchange ß Roosfontein Nature Reserve to a lesser degree.

Note that alien invasive species are denoted with an asterisk (*).

5.1 Vegetation Type

The following vegetation types are affected by the proposed upgrade, based on Mucina and Rutherford’s (2006) national vegetation map (Figure 3) showing the extent prior to transformation / degradation: ß KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt (CB 3) ß Northern Coastal Forest (FOz 7) ß Scarp Forest (FOz 5) ß Subtropical Alluvial Vegetation (AZa 7)

The provincial vegetation types coverage completed by EKZNW (Scott-Shaw & Escott, 2011) (Figure 4) shows a similar coverage of vegetation type polygons, however the nomenclature has been refined further, as follows: ß KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Grassland ß KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Forests : Southern Mesic Coastal Lowlands Forest ß Eastern Scarp Forests : Southern Coastal Scarp Forest ß Alluvial Wetlands : Subtropical Alluvial Vegetation

5.1.1 KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Grassland

The KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt (CB3) vegetation unit occurs as a long strip along the coast from Mtunzini in the north to just short of Port Edward in the south, with an altitudinal range of about 20-450 m. The climate is humid with most rain falling in summer, some winter rainfall and no incidence of frost. The area is dissected by rivers which drain eastwards across KwaZulu-

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 20 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Natal resulting in highly dissected, undulating coastal plains which presumably used to be covered to a great extent with various types of subtropical coastal forest. Some primary grassland dominated by Themeda triandra still occurs in hilly, high-rainfall areas where pressure from natural fire and grazing regimes prevail. This vegetation unit is affected by an intricate mosaic of very extensive sugarcane fields, timber plantations and coastal holiday resorts, with interspersed secondary Aristida grasslands ( A. junciformis subsp. galpinii ), thickets and patches of coastal thornveld. The conservation status of this vegetation unit is described as critically endangered (Scott-Shaw & Escott, 2011).

5.1.2 KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Forests : Southern Mesic Coastal Lowlands Forest

Southern Mesic Coastal Lowlands Forest is one of eight subtypes of Northern Coastal Forest, which is described by Scott-Shaw and Escott (2011) as occurring along the seaboards of Indian Ocean of KwaZulu-Natal Province and is particularly well-developed in Maputaland. A few patches of the dune forest also occur on the coast of the Eastern Cape Province. Beyond South Africa these forests occur throughout the Mozambican seaboard as far as southern Tanzania. Northern Coastal Forest occurs at low altitudes, from about 10 to 150 m.

The vegetation is described as species-rich, tall/medium-height subtropical coastal forests on coastal (rolling) plains and stabilised coastal dunes. On the dunes, the forests have well- developed tree, shrub and herb layers. Mimusops caffra and Sideroxylon inerme are common elements of the tree layer. Brachylaena discolor var. discolor , Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. rotundata , Strelitzia nicolai and Dracaena aletriformis are frequent in the shrub layer. The herb layer contains Asystasia gangetica , Microsorum scolopendria and Oplismenus hirtellus , amongst others. The conservation status of this vegetation unit is described as critically endangered (Scott-Shaw & Escott, 2011).

5.1.3 Eastern Scarp Forests : Southern Coastal Scarp Forest

This is one of five subtypes of Scarp Forest which is described by Scott-Shaw and Escott (2011) as occurring in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga Provinces as well as in Swaziland (and possibly also in Mozambique). It occurs as scattered patches (including large patches such as Ongoye) spanning southern Mpumalanga (Crocodile River Gorge), the southern part of Lebombo Mountains (KwaZulu-Natal) and reaching nearly as far as Kei River Mouth in the Eastern Cape. Patches of this forest lie as far as 140 km inland in Mpumalanga, but extend increasingly closer to the sea in a southward direction. In Pondoland and southern Transkei they occur at the coast or in deep gorges, often associated with krantzes, scarps and coastal platforms. Most of the patches occur at low altitudes between 50 and 600 m.

The vegetation and landscape features are described as tall (15 – 25 m), species-rich and structurally diverse, multi-layered forests, with well developed canopy and understory tree layers, but a poorly developed herb layer. Buttressed stems are common and the most conspicuous trees are Buxus macowanii, B. natalensis, Drypetes gerrardii, Englerophytum natalense, Harpephyllum caffrum, Heywoodia lucens, Memecylon natalense, Millettia grandis,

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 21 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Oricia bachmannii, Philenoptera sutherlandii, Rinorea angustifolia, Rothmannia globosa and Umtiza listeriana. The conservation status of this vegetation unit is described as least threatened (Scott-Shaw & Escott, 2011).

5.1.4 Alluvial Wetlands : Subtropical Alluvial Vegetation

Subtropical Alluvial Vegetation described by Scott-Shaw and Escott (2011) as occurring in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces and in Swaziland. It occurs on broad river alluvia and around some river-fed pans in the subtropical regions of eastern South Africa, in particular in the Lowveld, Central Bushveld and in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The most important alluvia include the Limpopo, Luvubu, Olifants, Sabie, Crocodile, Phongolo, Usutu and Mkuze Rivers. This unit is fully embedded within the Savanna Biome, with altitude ranging from 0–1 000 m.

The vegetation and landscape features are described as flat alluvial riverine terraces supporting an intricate complex of macrophytic vegetation associated with channels of flowing rivers and river-fed pans, marginal reed belts in sheltered ox-bows and along very slow-flowing water courses as well as extensive flooded grasslands, ephemeral herblands and riverine thickets. The conservation status of this vegetation unit is described as endangered (Scott- Shaw & Escott, 2011).

5.2 Systematic Conservation Assessment of the eThekwini Municipal Area

5.2.1 D’MOSS

The Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department (EPCPD) has recently undertaken a Systematic Conservation Assessment (SCA) of the eThekwini Municipal Area (EMA) in order to identify and prioritise areas for the conservation of biodiversity and the ecosystem services biodiversity provides to the citizens of Durban. A primary objective of the SCA was to inform the production of an updated version of the D’MOSS (last updated and adopted by the eThekwini Council in December 2010) (McLean et. al ., 2016). Consequently, the EPCPD is in the process of updating the D’MOSS layer, and on Figure 5, the proposed additions to the system are shown in purple, areas proposed to be removed from the system are shown in orange and existing D’MOSS areas are shown in green.

The Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (D’MOSS) is a system of open spaces that incorporates areas of high biodiversity value linked together in a network of open spaces. The section of the N3 investigated in this study passes through or adjacent to various green areas of eThekwini which are included in D’MOSS:

ß Roosfontein Nature Reserve (eThekwini Municipality). ß Paradise Valley Nature Reserve (eThekwini Municipality). ß Westville Trail (eThekwini Municipality).

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 22 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

ß Various vegetated open spaces corridors adjacent to the N3 (not formal reserves).

D’MOSS includes municipal nature reserves, large rural landscapes in upper catchments and riverine and coastal corridors, as well as privately owned land. D’MOSS is mapped by the Biodiversity Planning Branch of the EPCPD in consultation with relevant experts. The D’MOSS has been adopted as a layer within the various town planning schemes formulated under various legislation found throughout the city 2. The practical effect of this, is that in the case of any land affected by D'MOSS, prior to developing, excavating, levelling, removing any natural vegetation, erecting any structure, dumping or carrying out any work on a site, the prior approval of the Council must be obtained. In this regard, no approval for such work will be given unless the Council is satisfied that the proposed activities will not materially degrade, destroy, or negatively impact on the integrity of the biodiversity and/or environmental goods and services that may be found or generated within the affected area. The widening of the N3 will affect several D’MOSS areas.

5.2.2 eThekwini Municipal Area Vegetation Map

As part of the SCA, the EPCPD produced an integrated land class/vegetation map which was mapped at a scale of 1:5 000, which is a considerable refinement of the provincial map that was mapped at a 1:50 000 scale by Scott-Shaw and Escott (2011). The key components of the layer include: general description, detailed description, ecological condition, historical vegetation types ( circa 1850) and current vegetation types (McLean et. al ., 2016). Each delineated vegetation polygon was assigned an ecological condition category, as follows: ß Good - vegetation appears mostly natural with little or no degradation evident. ß Intermediate - limited degradation evident: < 50% of the area (polygon), has low (5% - 33%) to moderate (34% - 66%) estimated levels of alien plant infestation and/or limited soil exposure (<33% of area). ß Degraded - extensive degradation evident: > 50% of the area (polygon) has moderate (34% - 66%) to high (67% - 100%) estimated coverage of alien invasive plants and/or extensive soil erosion (> 33% of area) (McLean et. al ., 2016).

The current vegetation types affected by the proposed upgrade, together with their ecological condition, are shown in Figure 6 below. The EMA vegetation map also recognises transitional types which are recently formed anthropogenic driven systems (e.g. transitional forest and secondary grassland). The following EMA vegetation types are affected by the proposed upgrade: ß Eastern Scarp Forest (below the 450 m contour): comprising sections in Good and Intermediate ecological condition. ß Transitional Forest: comprising sections in Intermediate and Degraded ecological condition. ß Transitional Thicket: comprising sections in Degraded ecological condition. ß Transitional Woodland: comprising sections in Intermediate and Degraded ecological condition.

2 It should be noted that any future changes to the D’MOSS footprint will be undertaken in terms of the Planning and Development Act, 2008 (Act No 6 of 2008).

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 23 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

ß Wetland: comprising sections in Intermediate and Degraded ecological condition,

McLean et. al . (2016) note that the extent of Eastern Scarp Forest has expanded relative to reference conditions. This is in contrast to the high levels transformation and fragmentation experienced by all of the other historical vegetation types in the EMA. This expansion is attributed to the reduced influence of fire, habitat fragmentation, and increased atmospheric

CO 2, which favours woody plants with their C3 photosynthetic pathway.

A small section of KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld (below the 450 m contour) in Intermediate ecological condition is located close to the proposed N3 upgrade just east of the EB Cloete interchange (adjacent to 45 th Ave). The conservation status of KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld is described as Critically Endangered. Due to the disturbed nature of the vegetation occupying the road reserve, this is not directly affected by the upgrade; however caution should be exercised here during construction to ensure that the adjacent section of sourveld is not disturbed.

5.3 Vegetation on site

5.3.1 Disturbed Grassland/Shrubland/Thicket Mosaic

This is the most widespread community within the study area and comprises a patchy mosaic of secondary grassland approximately 1 m tall, shrubland between 2 and 3 m tall and thicket between 3 and 5 m tall. The original natural vegetation has become degraded through road construction, residential, industrial and commercial development, earthworks, footpaths, illegal dumping, borrow pits and sand winning activities. Mowed grass verges and vegetable gardens are included here. A range of generalist, ruderal 3 and alien invasive grasses, forbs and shrubs and trees are common. Grasses and forbs such as Sporobolus pyramidalis, Panicum maximum, Sorghum bicolour, Imperata cylindrica, Tagetes minuta*, Conyza albida*, Kalanchoe pinnata*, Gomphocarpus physocarpus, Helichrysum nudifolium and Melinis repens are common. Common shrubs and trees include Melia azedarach*, Eucalyptus sp.*, Ricinus communis*, Bridelia micrantha, Brachylaena discolor, Sesbania bispinosa*, Xanthium strumarium*, Leucaena leucocephala*, Tecoma stans*, Acacia nilotica, Albizia adianthifolia, Solanum mauritianum*, Acacia sieberiana, Montanoa hibiscifolia*, Scadoxus puniceus, Aloe maculata, Clerodendrum glabrum and Erythrina lysistemon. An infestation of Pereskia aculeata * was found within disturbed vegetation at the Solomon Mahlangu interchange.

Notable species found include:

ß Freesia laxa subsp. laxa, Gladiolus dalenii and members of Iridaceae which are designated as specially protected under the Natal Nature Conservation Ordinance (15 of 1974).

3 A plant that is associated with human dwellings or agriculture, or one that colonises waste ground. Ruderals are often weeds, which have high demands for nutrients and/or are intolerant of competition.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 24 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

ß The geophyte Hypoxis hemerocallidea which has a status of Declining (species of conservation concern) in the National Red List of South African Plants. ß Pittosporum viridiflorum which is protected under the National Forests Act, 1998 (individuals found in degraded vegetation associated with the Solomon Mahlangu interchange).

5.3.2 Riparian and Wetland Areas

While rivers and wetlands have been assessed by Ground Truth, the aquatic resources specialists, the vegetation within affected riparian areas and wetlands is described and assessed in this study, and sensitive areas are highlighted.

Due to the intense disturbance often experienced by wetland and riparian communities, natural environmental gradients have been obscured and vegetation often resembles that of the Disturbed Grassland/Shrubland/Thicket Mosaic described above, with an association of aliens and generalist species which prefer wetter conditions. The sections of the N2 and N3 under investigation pass over or near to several tributaries of the uMngeni and uMbilo Rivers in the uMngeni and uMbilo catchments. Most of these have been heavily impacted upon by the road and associated drainage structures, by canalisation and by urban development and vegetation is largely degraded and heavily invaded by alien species.

There are numerous stream and drainage line crossings, and levels of disturbance are generally high, resulting in disturbed thicket or riverine woodland colonising banks. The species composition is typically early successional and alien invasive species such as Melia azedarach*, Morus alba*, Acacia robusta, Cardiospermum grandiflorum*, Ficus natalensis, Ficus sur, Ipomoea purpurea*, Litsea sebifera*, Pavonia burchelli, Ricinus communis*, Schinus terebinthifolius*, Senna didymobotrya*, Setaria megaphylla, Syzygium cumini* and Tithonia diversifolia*. Gaps in the canopy are occupied by reeds, sedges and other hydrophytes such as Arundo donax*, Pennisetum purpureum*, Coix lacryma-jobi*, Colocasia esculenta*, Commelina erecta, Cyperus dives, Nephrolepis exaltata* and Persicaria spp.

5.3.3 Solomon Mahlangu Interchange

While the majority of the vegetation falling within the footprint of the proposed Solomon Mahlangu interchange is degraded as described in Sections 5.3.1 and 5.3.2 above, there are stands of good and intermediate quality Eastern Scarp Forest remaining within the footprint (Appendix 1, Figures A1 and A2). Remaining patches of Eastern Scarp Forest often occupy the steeper slopes around the interchange which remain largely untouched by works associated with urban infrastructure and where access for residents is more difficult for extraction of natural resources, cultivation or erection of informal housing.

The good quality stand located on the north-eastern quadrant of the interchange (Appendix 1, Figure A1) is fringed by Melia azedarach*, Berkheya bipinnatifida, Lantana camara* and Pavonia burchelli where historical disturbance on the edge of the steep road cutting has

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 25 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

provided a foothold for aliens and generalists. However, the interior is dominated by indigenous species with a relatively low cover of alien invasive species. It is characterized by stands of forest growing on shallow soils with a well-developed canopy and understory of trees (8–10 m tall) and shrubs, together with a relatively sparse herb layer. The typical species composition includes trees and shrubs such as Maytenus peduncularis , Brachylaena uniflora, Hippobromus pauciflorus , Euclea natalensis, Canthium inerme, Dalbergia obovata, Anastrabe integerrima, Coddia rudis, Putterlickia verrucosa, Ochna natalatia, Trimeria grandifolia subsp. grandifolia, Pavetta lanceolata, Apodytes dimidiata, Clausena anisata, Erythrina lysistemon, Kraussia floribunda, Searsia chirindensis, Ekebergia capensis, Protorhus longifolia, Pittosporum viridiflorum, Dombeya tiliacea, Gymnosporia buxifolia, Searsia pentheri, Dovyalis rhamnoides and Hibiscus calyphyllus. Forbs, grasses and climbers such as Asparagus virgatus, Oplismenus hirtellus and Dioscorea cotinifolia are also present . Light infestations of Chromolaena odorata* and Leucaena leucocephala* are present.

Intermediate quality stands of Eastern Scarp Forest occur on the south-eastern, south-western and north-western quadrants of the interchange (Appendix 1, Figures A1 and A2). The species composition is similar to that of the good quality stands, however the cover of alien invasive species is higher, although these are not as dense as found within sections of degraded vegetation. Typical invasive species present include Chromolaena odorata*, Litsea sebifera*, Melia azedarach*, Lantana camara* and Eugenia uniflora* , amongst others.

Where the Umbilo River crosses under the M7 from the north (Appendix 1, Figure A2), the associated riverine vegetation comprises a mix of degraded riverine woodland occupying the east bank, while the west bank comprises a steeply sloping rocky outcrop supporting succulents and a relatively xeric cliff community. Vegetation here appears to be of intermediate quality, including species such as Melia azedarach *, Ficus sp., Euphorbia triagularis, Brachylaena uniflora, Strelitzia nicolai and Commiphora harveyi . Due to limited access it is recommended that, during the pre-construction phase, the west bank is thoroughly searched and any plants of high conservation value found are rescued (particularly succulents and bulbs).

Where the Umbilo River flows through the south-western quadrant of the interchange, and then through the north-eastern quadrant along the east-bound carriageway, the associated riverine woodland is also degraded as described in Section 5.3.2 above, The Umbilo River here has been canalised and the more open alluvial deposits along the channel supports a mosaic of reedbed and shrubland, including species such as Arundo donax*, Pennisetum purpureum*, Tithonia diversifolia*, Solanum mauritianum*, Ipomoea purpurea* and Cardiospermum grandiflorum*.

The proposed upgrade will result in the destruction of sections of the Umbilo River channel 4 within the interchange footprint, and while the vegetation within the footprint is largely degraded, caution should be exercised where construction activities come close to the steeper

4 A specialist investigation on rivers and wetlands has been undertaken by GroundTruth, and consequently detailed wetland and riparian assessments were not undertaken for the vegetation assessment, and the water use licence requirements are not expanded upon here.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 26 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

slopes just outside of the footprint along the east-bound carriageway, east of the interchange (Appendix 1, Figure A1). Here, stands of better quality scarp forest and cliff communities occupy the steeper slopes.

Notable species found include:

ß Freesia laxa subsp. laxa and Dioscorea cotinifolia which are designated as specially protected under the Natal Nature Conservation Ordinance (15 of 1974). ß The geophyte Hypoxis hemerocallidea which has a status of Declining (species of conservation concern) in the National Red List of South African Plants. ß Pittosporum viridiflorum which is protected under the National Forests Act, 1998. ß Anastrabe integerrima and Brachylaena uniflora which are South African endemics.

The proposed upgrade will result mostly in the loss of degraded vegetation but also stands of good and intermediate quality Eastern Scarp Forest as well as largely degraded riverine and wetland habitat remaining within the interchange footprint. With mitigation, the impact on the natural vegetation is likely to be medium if suitable mitigation is undertaken as in the form of plant search and rescue and alien plant control 5 (as well as the mitigation actions specified in Section 7). It is recommended that: ß Stands of good and intermediate quality Eastern Scarp Forest and the affected west bank of the Umbilo River are searched during spring and summer and any plants of high conservation value found are rescued. ß Offset mitigation be undertaken in the form of alien plant control within remaining road reserve, and within nearby stands of natural forest, wetland and riverine vegetation. ß Removal of aliens from road reserve should be accompanied by planting of appropriate indigenous species (as well as rescued plants where appropriate) within remaining road reserve. ß A rehabilitation plan is developed in consultation with the eThekwini EPCPD which identifies areas for alien plant control, areas for replanting with indigenous species, potential receiving areas for rescued plants, soil erosion controls and appropriate methods to undertake these actions. ß The Contractor supplies a method statement, with input from an ecologist, outlining the intended approach to construction and rehabilitation of the Umbilo River and the riverine and wetland habitat which will remain adjacent to the working area once construction is complete. It is important that the need to minimise downstream impacts during construction and operation are addressed here. ß Recommendations specified in Section 7 are followed.

5.3.4 Westville Viaduct

Widening of the Westville Viaduct will have an impact on the valley below (Appendix 1, Figure A3), not only within the road reserve but also beyond that, if road access to the underneath of

5 Further mitigation may be specified by GroundTruth for wetland and riparian areas.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 27 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

the viaduct needs to be constructed for heavy vehicle access. The Westville Trail is part of a conservancy and D’MOSS (Figure 1). It offers self guided walks where people can take their dogs on a leash. It follows a small valley and stream. The trail starts at St James Avenue in Westville and follows the valley down towards the N3, where it links up with other land to the south of the N3, which is also part of D’MOSS (http://www.kloofconservancy.org.za/ nrwestville.htm).

This steep-sided valley is dominated by disturbed coastal and scarp forest with a mosaic of grassland and thicket towards the crests of the valley sides, particularly below the Pavilion shopping centre. With the close proximity of Chesterville, it is likely that extraction of wood, medicinal plants and building materials (e.g. sand) contributes to on-going disturbance of the natural vegetation in the area. The forest canopy supports a diversity of alien invasive and indigenous species. Litsea sebifera* is a conspicuous component of the canopy, together with Albizia adianthifolia, Brachylaena sp., Bridelia micrantha, Cestrum laevigatum*, Cinnamomum camphora*, Erythrina lysistemon, Ficus natalensis, Ficus sur, Melia azedarach*, Morus alba*, Searsia chirindensis, Solanum mauritianum*, Strelitzia nicolai, Syzygium cordatum, Syzygium cumini*, Tecoma stans* and Trema orientalis. A range of early successional and alien invasive shrubs and climbers are present including Berkheya bipinnatifida, Cardiospermum grandiflorum*, Chromolaena odorata*, Dalbergia obovata, Hedychium sp.*, Ipomoea purpurea*, Lantana camara*, Ricinus communis* and Tithonia diversifolia*.

As with the coastal and scarp forest, the riparian zone associated with the river at the bottom of the valley is similarly disturbed, with Litsea sebifera* being a common component of the canopy together with a range of other early successional and alien invasive species. Although the species composition is modified, the riparian zone does play an important role in stream bank stabilisation, amelioration of floods, trapping sediments and nutrients, and maintenance of natural water temperatures for aquatic species.

Other nearby plant communities include a mosaic of grassland and thicket towards the crests of the valley sides which have been disturbed by construction of the adjacent Pavilion shopping centre and ongoing pedestrian traffic between Chesterville and the Pavilion. It is likely that the original grassland has been encroached by woody species due to alteration of natural fire regimes, resulting in the present mosaic of structural classes and the presence of alien invasive trees and shrubs such as Tecoma stans* and Chromolaena odorata*. A small, disturbed wetland dominated by Arundo donax* and Pennisetum purpureum* is located immediately north-west of Chesterville.

The impact of an access road to the area underneath the viaduct is likely to be high due to the large footprint that the cut and fill would create on the steep valley slopes, and the likelihood of a temporary crossing being formed over the river which will destroy vegetation occupying the riparian zone. On 4 December 2015 a site visit was conducted with the eThekwini EPCPD, SNA Civil and Structural Engineers and ACER to identify the most optimal access route to gain entry under the Westville Viaduct that will be acceptable from an environmental and an engineering perspective and which will have the support of the EPCPD. It was agreed that the best alternative from a topographical perspective is to enter the valley from Molife Road

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 28 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

through Chesterville, south of the viaduct and follow the contour along the west slope of the valley (Appendix 1, Figure A3). The proposed route exits Molife Road and turns sharply left along an existing track and area disturbed by sand mining at the toe of the wetland. It then exits the wetland and runs parallel to the wetland approximately 35 m from the wetland edge (i.e. outside of a 30 m wetland buffer) to the western abutment of the viaduct. The route will then cross the stream adjacent to the viaduct to allow for construction of piers and abutments 6.

With mitigation, the impact on the natural vegetation, which is already modified, is likely to be medium if the location of the access road takes the following recommendations into account (as well as the mitigation actions specified in Section 7). It is recommended that: ß The route remains as close to the contour as possible to reduce erosion and siltation. ß The route is aligned to avoid the riparian zone, in such a way that the riparian zone is only crossed once, viz: it is only crossed within the extended road reserve. ß The footprint of the road is kept to an absolute minimum and the larger indigenous trees growing amongst the alien vegetation are avoided where possible. ß Any plants of high conservation value, which cannot be avoided, are rescued. ß The Contractor supplies a method statement outlining the intended approach to construction and rehabilitation of the access route with input from an ecologist/botanist, which should address the need to rehabilitate the temporary access track as quickly as possible after construction ceases by removing excess imported material, ripping compacted soils, reinstating natural ground levels, implementing soil erosion controls and re-establishing a dense cover of indigenous vegetation to provide long-term soil erosion control. The method statement must be approved by the ECO and Project Manager.

5.3.5 Roosfontein Nature Reserve

Roosfontein Nature Reserve is situated on the southern side of the N3 near the Pavilion (Figure 1). eThekwini Municipality, through a collaborative process with the Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department (EPCPD), Municipality’s Housing and Parks Leisure and Cemeteries Departments, ward councillor, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and residents of the surrounding areas, has been advocating to have the Roosfontein Nature Reserve declared a nature reserve under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act 57 of 2003). This process will ensure that the area is formally protected as a national asset by legislation. The EPCPD has had the area rezoned (other than for the portion to be developed for social housing which will ultimately be rezoned to suit that purpose) and has recently been successful in having it proclaimed as a nature reserve. An environmental management plan will be developed for the nature reserve as part of the proclamation process.

Widening of the south side of the N3 may result in the removal of a small section of the Disturbed Grassland/Shrubland/Thicket Mosaic within the existing road reserve. This impact of

6 A specialist investigation on rivers and wetlands has been undertaken by Groundtruth, and consequently detailed wetland and riparian assessments were not undertaken for the vegetation assessment, and the water use licence requirements are not expanded upon here.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 29 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

this is likely to be low if the mitigation actions specified in Section 7 are followed. It is also recommended that removal and control of alien invasive plants be undertaken adjacent to the cleared site, in proportion to the amount of vegetation lost, as a means of improving the ecological health of this D’MOSS link.

5.3.6 Paradise Valley Nature Reserve

Paradise Valley Nature reserve is located between Westville and Pinetown and administered by eThekwini Municipality Parks and Recreation (Figure 1, Appendix 1, Figure A4). It is a 100+ ha nature reserve through which the uMbilo River runs and contains good quality, mature coastal forest, scarp forest and riverine forest. The reserve also contains a spectacular waterfall and the uMbilo Water Works (1887-1905), which is a national monument. The reserve supports a dense cover of forest with a particularly high diversity relative to the species composition of the majority of the area of interest.

Coastal forest occupies the lower lower-lying parts of the reserve and comprises a canopy of trees between 8 and 12 m in height. It is characterised by a number of strata made up of a wide diversity of indigenous trees, shrubs, forbs, grasses, ferns and climbers. The canopy comprises a diverse mix of trees such as Chaetacme aristata, Croton sylvaticus, Cryptocarya woodii, Cussonia sphaerocephala, Ekebergia capensis, Ficus spp., Podocarpus spp., Protorhus longifolia, Ptaeroxylon obliquum, Rothmannia globosa, Strelitzia nicolai, Trichilia dregeana, Trimeria grandifolia and Vepris lanceolata. A range of smaller trees and shrubs populate the understory including Anastrabe integerrima, Canthium ciliatum, Diospyros spp., Dracaena aletriformis, Erythrococca berberidea, Erythroxylum pictum, Grewia occidentalis, Oxyanthus speciosus, Pavetta lanceolata, Peddiea africana, Psychotria capensis, Putterlickia verrucosa, Tricalysia sonderiana and Englerophytum natalense.

A range of forbs, geophytes, ferns, grasses and sedges occur as groundcover including Adiantum sp., Asystasia gangetica, Cheilanthes sp., Crocosmia aurea, Cyperus albostriatus, Haemanthus albiflos, Isoglossa woodii, Laportea peduncularis, Oplismenus hirtellus, Phaulopsis imbricata, Rhinacanthus gracilis and Setaria megaphylla. The presence of a wide range of climbers is characteristic of coastal forest, including Adenia gummifera, Asparagus falcatus, Cissus fragilis, Cyphostemma hypoleucum, Dalbergia spp., Dioscorea cotinifolia, Dioscorea dregeana, Rhoicissus spp., Scutia myrtina, Secamone gerrardii and Smilax anceps. It is also likely that a range of ephiphytic orchids are present.

Towards the uMbilo River, the riverine forest in the riparian zone is characterised by taller trees such as Macaranga capensis and Syzygium cordatum, together with Bridelia micrantha, Ficus natalensis and Tabernaemontana ventricosa. Due to the high light conditions, the open alluvial terraces along the uMbilo River support a dense cover of herbaceous plants, climbers, shrubs, early successional trees and hydrophytes such as Achyranthes aspera*, Ageratum conyzoides*, Asparagus virgatus, Asystasia gangetica, Brugmansia x candida*, Callisia repens*, Cardiospermum grandiflorum*, Chlorophytum comosum, Clerodendrum glabrum, Coix lacryma-jobi*, Colocasia esculenta*, Commelina erecta, Hedychium sp.*, Ipomoea alba*, Juncus effuses, Melia azedarach*, Nephrolepis exaltata*, Passiflora subpeltata*, Phoenix

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 30 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

reclinata, Senna occidentalis*, Setaria megaphylla, Sphagneticola trilobata* and Strelitzia nicolai. On-going disturbance through natural flooding has resulted in the range of alien invasive species observed here.

Scarp forest occupies the steeper valley sides and the eastern slope of the uMbilo valley supports the largest stand likely to be affected by upgrade of the viaduct. It is characterized by shorter stands of forest growing on shallow soils with a well-developed canopy and understory of trees and shrubs, together with a relatively sparse herb layer. Species better adapted to drier conditions occur here, including Acacia sieberiana, Aloe arborescens, Apodytes dimidiata, Dalbergia obovata, Euclea natalensis, Obetia tenax and Searsia pentheri.

Notable species at Paradise Valley include:

ß Millettia grandis, Crocosmia aurea, Haemanthus albiflos, Dioscorea cotinifolia, Dioscorea dregeana and Aloe arborescens which are designated as specially protected under the Natal Nature Conservation Ordinance (15 of 1974). ß Podocarpus falcatus and Podocarpus latifolius which are protected under the National Forests Act, 1998. ß Cassipourea gummiflua which has a status of Vulnerable in the National Red List of South African Plants. ß Curtisia dentata which has a status of Near Threatened in the National Red List of South African Plants. ß Adenia gummifera and Loxostylis alata which have a status of Declining in the National Red List of South African Plants. ß Anastrabe integerrima and Brachylaena uniflora which are South African endemics.

Widening of the Paradise Valley Bridge will impact on the nature reserve, not only within the road reserve but also beyond that, because temporary road access to the area below the viaduct needs to be constructed for heavy vehicle access. Due to the density and maturity of the forest in the reserve, the forest interior is relatively free of alien invasive species which is remarkable considering the density and diversity of alien invasive species located around the periphery of the forest/edges of the road reserve. Considering the density of the forest and the steepness of the valley sides, an access road is likely to create a significant disturbance through the forest interior and alien invasive and ruderal plants are likely to rapidly gain a foothold within this sensitive environment. Alien plant control can mitigate this to some extent, however, due to the diversity of aliens on the forest periphery, it is unlikely that the forest as a whole would remain unaffected. In addition, there will be an increase of edge habitat at the expense of core forest habitat. Due to the rarity of coastal forest of this quality in an urban environment and its small size, impacts of an access road through the middle of the reserve are likely to be high with limited opportunities for mitigation.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 31 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Reserve management. It was agreed that a route through the middle of the reserve was not viable due to high biophysical (and social) environmental impacts. The option shown in Appendix 1 (Figure A4) was proposed by Mr Terry Stewart, a previous reserve manager with intimate knowledge of the area. The proposed temporary access route comes from Berg Road running parallel to the west-bound carriageway, leading into the reserve where the old EKZNW staff quarters are situated (currently unused).

The proposed route has been used previously by surveyors and geotechnical teams, and is aligned along a series of terraces closer to the river which were installed when the viaduct was originally constructed. The route has thus been disturbed in the past and this, together with the area under the existing viaduct, comprises forest which is regenerating from the initial disturbance experienced during bridge construction. Parts of the forest here are dominated by large stands of Strelitzia nicolai, while other parts are characterised by a mix of indigenous and alien invasive trees and shrubs such as Albizia adianthifolia, Canthium inerme, Celtis africana, Chromolaena odorata*, Cinnamomum camphora*, Clerodendrum glabrum, Ficus sur, Halleria lucida, Heteropyxis natalensis, Litsea sebifera*, Morus alba*, Searsia chirindensis, Solanum mauritianum*, Strelitzia nicolai and Trema orientalis. Common climbers, forbs and grasses present include Achyranthes aspera*, Aneilema aequinoctiale, Canna indica*, Cardiospermum grandiflorum*, Cyperus albostriatus, Laportea peduncularis, Nephrolepis exaltata*, Panicum maximum and Passiflora subpeltata*.

A number of Podocarpus spp. are growing along the route (most likely planted here) and some of these are likely to be removed and/or pruned for the operation of the temporary access route (permits will be required). It will also be necessary to trim back the canopy of taller trees along the access route to allow taller construction machinery (e.g. cranes) to gain access. It would be important to minimise the footprint of the access route and working area under the viaduct so as not to set the forest succession back more than necessary with new construction, and to limit the number of river crossings to one 7.

During the site visit, Mr Stewart reported that reserve staff have to clear trapped vegetation beneath the viaduct after storms to avoid wash away of the river banks. Addition of further piers on the river bed (as currently designed) is likely to block the channel to an unacceptable extent and impact further on the riparian zone. It was recommended that the design team find a solution to this problem, which may include investigating changes to the shape of the base of the existing piers to reduce trapping of flood debris (ACER, 2015).

The closing of the median in the process of upgrading the viaduct will cause a rain shadow and block out further light below the viaduct and post-construction rehabilitation will need to take this into account by considering the use of plants tolerant to low levels of water and light (a dead zone in the centre may be unavoidable).

It is recommended that:

7 A specialist investigation on rivers and wetlands has been undertaken by Groundtruth, and consequently detailed wetland and riparian assessments were not undertaken for the vegetation assessment, and the water use licence requirements are not expanded upon here.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 32 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

ß Temporary road access to the area below the viaduct during construction does not go through the middle of Paradise Valley Nature Reserve which should be regarded as a no-go zone for construction activities. ß The route described above and indicated in Appendix 1 (Figure A4) is used and the river is only crossed once only. ß Permits are obtained for removal/pruning of protected species, particularly Podocarpus spp. potentially affected by the temporary viaduct access route. ß Disturbance of regenerating coast forest along the route and adjacent to the viaduct is kept to an absolute minimum during construction. ß A rehabilitation plan is developed in consultation with the eThekwini EPCPD which identifies areas for alien plant control, areas for replanting with indigenous species, potential receiving areas for rescued plants, including appropriate methods to undertake these actions. Rehabilitation of the temporary river crossing, area under the viaduct, access route, camp and stockpile areas must be addressed here. ß Sufficient funds are set aside to ensure that alien plants are properly controlled for a sufficiently long period after the contractor has left the site, because without repeated follow-up operations, alien plant control as part of rehabilitation is unlikely to be successful. ß Adequate storm water controls and energy dissipaters are provided at the end of drainage structures coming from the N3 highway towards the Umbilo River. ß The Contractor supplies a method statement, with input from an ecologist, outlining the intended approach to construction and rehabilitation of the Umbilo River and the associated riverine habitat once construction is complete. It is important that the need to minimise downstream impacts during construction and operation are addressed here. ß Recommendations specified in Section 7 are followed.

5.4 Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystems

The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No 10 of 2004) provides a listing of ecosystems that are threatened and in need of protection. The section of the N3 investigated in this study intersects with Durban Metropole North Coast Grassland (KZN 2) (Figure 7).

The conservation status of Durban Metropole North Coast Grassland is Critically Endangered and it is required that impacts should be avoided, minimised, mitigated and/or offset as appropriate. Critically endangered ecosystems are defined as 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.

The clearance of 300m 2 or more of vegetation will trigger a basic assessment within any critically endangered or endangered ecosystem listed in terms of the Biodiversity Act. A basic assessment is triggered only in remaining natural habitat within each ecosystem and not in

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 33 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

portions of the ecosystem where natural habitat has already been irreversibly lost (Government Gazette, 2011).

5.5 MINSET analysis

EKZNW’s MINSET data for the area of interest was obtained and is displayed in Figure 1. MINSET is a guide using planning units to indicate optimal site selection to meet conservation targets and does not reflect the level of transformation within each planning unit. According to Figure 1, the most important planning units (Critical Biodiversity Area 1 in orange) occur:

ß Along the N2 north of EB Cloete Interchange. ß Around the EB Cloete Interchange. ß Between the EB Cloete and Solomon Mahlangu Interchanges. ß Around the Solomon Mahlangu Interchange. ß In the Westville area. ß In the Paradise Valley area.

5.5.1 Along the N2 north of EB Cloete Interchange

Important biodiversity features here include: ß Two Provincial vegetation types: ° North Coast Grassland, now termed KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Grassland, which has a conservation status of Critically Endangered. ° Subtropical Alluvial Vegetation, which has a conservation status of Endangered. ß Modelled data highlight two grassland species in these planning units, viz: Barleria natalensis and Vernonia africana , both presumed to be extinct.

Barleria natalensis and Vernonia africana were not found during the survey and are unlikely to be present due to the lack of primary grassland habitat here.

5.5.2 Around the EB Cloete Interchange

Important biodiversity features here include: ß Two Provincial vegetation types: ° A Provincial vegetation type, North Coast Grassland, now termed KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Grassland, which has a conservation status of Critically Endangered. ° KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Forests: Southern Mesic Coastal Lowlands Forest, which has a conservation status of Critically Endangered. ß Modelled data highlight two grassland species in these planning units, viz: Barleria natalensis and Vernonia africana , both presumed to be extinct.

Barleria natalensis and Vernonia africana were not found during the survey. Due to the disturbed nature of the vegetation along this section of the N3, impacts on these biodiversity features are likely to be low.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 34 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

5.5.3 Between the EB Cloete and Solomon Mahlangu Interchanges

Important biodiversity features here include: ß Three Provincial vegetation types: ° North Coast Grassland, now termed KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Grassland, which has a conservation status of Critically Endangered. ° KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Forests: Southern Mesic Coastal Lowlands Forest, which has a conservation status of Critically Endangered. ° Subtropical Alluvial Vegetation, which has a conservation status of Endangered. ß Modelled data highlight two grassland species in these planning units, viz: Barleria natalensis and Vernonia africana , both presumed to be extinct. ß Recorded data highlights a sensitive species (restricted).

Barleria natalensis and Vernonia africana were not found during the survey and are unlikely to be present due to the lack of undisturbed grassland habitat here.

5.5.4 Around the Solomon Mahlangu Interchange

Barleria natalensis and Vernonia africana were not found during the survey and are unlikely to be present due to the lack of undisturbed grassland habitat here.

5.5.5 In the Westville area

Barleria natalensis and Vernonia africana were not found during the survey. Refer to Section 5.3.4 for a description of the impacts on vegetation types.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 35 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

5.5.6 In the Paradise Valley area

Important biodiversity features here include: ß Three Provincial vegetation types: ° North Coast Grassland, now termed KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Grassland, which has a conservation status of Critically Endangered. ° KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Forests: Southern Mesic Coastal Lowlands Forest, which has a conservation status of Critically Endangered. ° Eastern Scarp Forests: Southern Coastal Scarp Forest, which has a conservation status of Least Threatened. ° Subtropical Alluvial Vegetation, which has a conservation status of Endangered. ß Modelled data highlight two grassland species in these planning units, viz: Barleria natalensis and Vernonia africana , both presumed to be extinct, as well as one forest species, Gerrardanthus tomentosus. Gerrardanthus tomentosus is a South African endemic climber with a large caudex and grows among boulders and screes in steep, wooded, sandstone ravines.

Barleria natalensis and Vernonia africana were not found during the survey and are unlikely to be present due to the lack of grassland habitat here. If Gerrardanthus tomentosus is present, it is likely to occur within the scarp forest habitat in Paradise Valley, as described in Section 5.3.6, or on undisturbed slopes some distance from the N3.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 36 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Figure 1 Extent of road upgrade including MINSET data and reserves within the area of interest

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 37 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Figure 2 Extent of road upgrade showing major river systems within the area of interest

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 38 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Figure 3 The extent of the National Vegetation Types within the area of interest

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 39 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Figure 4 The extent of the Provincial Vegetation Types within the area of interest

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 40 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Figure 5 The extent of D’MOSS within the area of interest

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 41 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Figure 6 The eThekwini Municipal Area vegetation map produced during the EMA Systematic Conservation Assessment

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 42 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Figure 7 The extent of Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystems within the area of interest

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 43 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

6. ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS

A description of impacts and assessment of their significance according to the impact assessment criteria listed in Table 1, Section 4.2 follows below. Impact significance is assessed both before and after the implementation of recommended mitigation measures.

6.1 Project activities likely to have an impact on natural vegetation

Activities and aspects of construction and operation that are likely to impact negatively on natural vegetation include the following:

Construction ß Paving of areas which require permanent removal of vegetation. ß Upgrading of existing tracks or construction of new access roads where no access is available for heavy vehicles to areas under the Westville and Paradise Valley viaducts, including temporary crossings over streams and wetlands. The access roads will be 8 m wide (McKenzie, pers. comm .). ß Gaining vehicle access to the edge of streams and rivers for purposes of extracting water for construction. ß Movement of heavy machinery causing compaction of soils outside of the road reserve. ß Earthworks, blasting and demolition, resulting in stockpiles of spoil which may temporarily smother and damage vegetated areas outside of the road reserve. ß Operation of heavy machinery for piling and erection of additional bridge piers under bridges and near rivers/streams. ß Temporary impoundment of rivers/streams. ß Widening of existing piers under bridges and near rivers/streams. ß Widening of drainage structures will affect rivers, streams and drainage lines and associated vegetation. ß Establishment and use of stockpile areas, lay down areas and construction camps. ß Transport and use of hazardous substances on site (asphalt, cement, fuels, oils, lubricants). ß The spread of alien invasive plant species as a result of construction activities (note that a high cover of invasive alien plants is already present within large sections of the road reserve and along water courses/wetlands).

Operation ß Soil erosion and incision of drainage lines where erosion prevention measures are inadequate or not maintained. ß Hazardous substances spills resulting from vehicle accidents and failures. ß Colonisation and spread of alien invasive plants in areas that are not properly rehabilitated or through road maintenance activities.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 44 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

6.2 Description of main impacts on natural vegetation

ß Clearance of vegetation cover The clearing of vegetation for widening of the road reserve, stockpiling of materials, vehicular access during construction and operation, and the establishment of construction camps will lead to the direct loss of vegetation cover, and contribute to the loss of natural habitat as well as indigenous species/biodiversity and Red Data species.

ß Edge effects The clearing of vegetation during construction will result in an increase in edge habitat immediately adjacent to disturbed areas. Edge habitat is characterised by a predominance of generalist and alien species because these areas experience higher levels of stress and more frequent disturbance (in both time and space), for example higher light conditions, lower soil moisture conditions and higher exposure to wind (and fire for closed woody communities). Edge habitat is characterised by highly competitive species which can invade areas of established vegetation, resulting in a loss of sedentary species of mature habitats which are normally considered sensitive. Within the area of interest, edge effects will be lowest where natural vegetation is already disturbed (Disturbed Grassland/Shrubland/Thicket Mosaic) and highest where vegetation is most pristine (e.g. Paradise Valley Nature Reserve). Shade cast on habitat under viaducts, particularly towards the abutments, will affect the composition of plant communities under bridges.

ß Habitat fragmentation Because the N2 and N3 routes are already in existence, it is expected that widening will increase the distance between natural areas bisected by the highway, although this effect is likely to be small relative to the current width of the highway. Clearing of vegetation for temporary vehicle access and stream crossings through riparian and wetland vegetation will result in habitat fragmentation and the consequent loss of habitat connectivity. Rehabilitation would be important to reinstate (and potentially improve) habitat connectivity in the long-term, particularly for sections of D’MOSS affected by the upgrade.

ß Alien invasive plants The clearing of vegetation during construction and operation, and the operation of machinery and stockpile/lay down areas during construction will result in increased levels of disturbance. Alien invasive plants often out-compete indigenous plants and are likely to become established in disturbed areas, thereby reducing habitat quality and contributing to the loss of indigenous species/biodiversity. Some alien plants exacerbate soil erosion while others contribute to reduction of natural stream flow levels.

ß Soil erosion and siltation The clearing of vegetation for vehicular access during construction, stockpiling of materials, establishment of construction camps and operation of machinery will result in the removal of protective plant cover and compaction of soils, which will expose soils to

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 45 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

erosion by water and wind. Habitat quality will be degraded by soil erosion and siltation of down slope areas. This will increase the disturbance experienced in surrounding areas of natural vegetation and increase the footprint of the development. It is likely that the ecology of wetland and riparian systems will also be adversely impacted. Similarly, temporary crossings over riparian zones and wetlands can have negative impacts on natural habitats downstream. Negative ecological impacts can operate long after construction is complete if soil erosion and siltation remains uncontrolled.

ß Deterioration of riparian and wetland habitat Where new access roads need to be constructed for temporary access underneath the Westville and Paradise Valley viaducts, adverse impacts on habitat quality at wetland, stream or drainage line crossings could result from poorly designed culverts/drainage systems associated with temporary crossings, through destruction of natural vegetation, erosion of stream banks, compaction of hydromorphic soils, concentration of flows, increased flow energy, incorrect culvert capacity or incorrect culvert invert levels. Adverse impacts will negatively impact on the functioning of wetlands, streams and drainage lines and the ecosystem services they supply such as flood attenuation, stream flow regulation and enhancement of water quality.

ß Harvesting of indigenous plants Increased access for labour during construction and operation could result in the increased collection of medicinal plants, firewood, building wood, and other plant material. This could impact negatively on biodiversity, as well as result in the general degradation of habitat quality.

6.3 Key issues and impact tables

Due to the disturbed nature of the majority of the natural vegetation along the N2 and N3, the significance of impacts within sections of Disturbed Grassland/Shrubland/Thicket Mosaic (Section 5.3.1) are likely to be medium. With mitigation, particularly through alien plant and soil erosion control, the significance is likely to be low.

Similarly, with mitigation, the significance of impacts in the Riparian and Wetland Areas described in Section 5.3.2 is likely to be low due to the disturbed nature of these systems. Key mitigation actions required include alien plant and soil erosion control, construction of temporary crossings which alter the normal hydrological regime as little as possible, and thorough rehabilitation which neutralises impacts on stream banks, compaction of wetland soils, and restores (and improves) natural riparian and wetland habitat at temporary crossings. During operation, the provision and maintenance of adequate energy dissipaters at the end of drainage structures will be key in reducing long-term impacts on these habitats.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 46 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

likely to be high, however, with mitigation, the impact on the natural vegetation is likely to be medium providing recommendations specified in Section 5.3.3 are implemented.

A key issue at the Westville Viaduct is the impact of a temporary access road to the area underneath the viaduct. The natural vegetation contains a mix of alien and indigenous species and is already disturbed. Due to the large footprint that the cut and fill would create on the steep valley slopes and the associated erosion and siltation of the watercourse, and the likelihood of a temporary crossing being formed over the river which will destroy vegetation occupying the riparian zone, the significance of impacts is likely to be high. A site visit was conducted with key stakeholders and the most optimal access route was identified to minimise impacts (Appendix 1, Figure A3). With mitigation, the impact on the natural vegetation is likely to be medium providing recommendations specified in Section 5.3.4 are implemented. A rigorous and costly rehabilitation programme will need to be implemented in order to mitigate impacts and restore indigenous vegetation while preventing thickets of alien plants from dominating.

With mitigation, the significance of impacts is likely to be low at Roosfontein Nature Reserve as widening of the south side of the N3 may result in the removal of a small section of Disturbed Grassland/Shrubland/Thicket Mosaic within the existing road reserve. Alien plant control of the adjacent natural vegetation in proportion to the amount of vegetation lost will aid in improving the ecological health of this D’MOSS link.

The significance of impacts at Paradise Valley Nature Reserve is likely to be high considering the high quality and uniqueness of the natural habitats here and the nature of the terrain, which is a steep sided, well wooded valley incised by the uMbilo River. A site visit was conducted with key stakeholders and the most optimal access route was identified to minimise impacts. Impact significance is likely to be medium if: ß The proposed temporary access route for work under the viaduct is used (historically disturbed), rather than creating a new access route through the middle of the Reserve. ß The addition of further piers on the Umbilo River bed is avoided to minimize channel blocking and riparian zone impacts.

When considering the impact assessment criteria in Table 2, it is assumed that recommendations and mitigation detailed in this report are followed. There are a number of smaller impacts which can be minimised through strict enforcement of an environmental management plan during construction, rehabilitation and operation, and these are identified in Section 7 below, together with simple methods to monitor impacts based on key indicators.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 47 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Table 2 Assessment of impacts of the proposed N3 Road upgrade (EB Cloete to Paradise Valley) before and after mitigation

Criteria Mitigation Nature Spatial Duration Intensity Irreplaceability Reversibility Consequence Pro bability Significance Extent of resource of impacts combination of likelihood of spatial extent, impact Vegetation unit/ caused by duration, intensity, occurring location impacts irreplaceability Disturbed Without Negative Medium High Medium Low Medium Medium High Medium Grassland/Shrubland/ Mitigation Thicket Mosaic With Negative Low High Low Low High Low High Low Mitigation Riparian and Wetland Without Negative Medium High Medium Low Medium Medium High Medium Areas 8 Mitigation With Negative Low High Low Low High Low High Low Mitigation Solomon Mahlangu Without Negative Medium High High High Low High High High Interchange Mitigation With Negative Medium High Low Medium Medium Medium High Medium Mitigation Westville Viaduct Without Negative Medium High High High Low High High High Mitigation With Negative Medium High Low Medium Medium Medium High Medium Mitigation Roosfontein Nature Without Negative Medium High Medium Low Medium Medium High Medium Reserve Mitigation With Negative Low High Low Low High Low High Low Mitigation Paradise Valley Without Negative Medium High High High Low High High High Nature Reserve Mitigation With Negative Medium High Low Medium Medium Medium High Medium Mitigation

8 Excluding those located in Westville Viaduct, Roosfontein Nature Reserve and Paradise Valley Nature Reserve.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 48 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

7. RECOMMENDED MITIGATION

. There are a number of impacts which can be minimised through strict enforcement of an environmental management plan during construction, rehabilitation and operation and these are identified below, together with mitigation measures. For ease of reference, site specific recommendations from Section 5.3 above are repeated here. All these recommendations must be in the EMPr. It is recommended that:

Solomon Mahlangu Interchange: During the pre-construction phase, the west bank Umbilo River where it crosses under the M7 from the north is thoroughly searched and any plants of high conservation value found are rescued (particularly succulents and bulbs).

Caution should be exercised where construction activities come close to the steeper slopes just outside of the footprint along the east-bound carriageway, east of the interchange (Appendix 1, Figure A1). Here, stands of better quality scarp forest and cliff communities occupy the steeper slopes.

It is also recommended that: ß Stands of good and intermediate quality Eastern Scarp Forest and the affected west bank of the Umbilo River are searched during spring and summer and any plants of high conservation value found are rescued. ß Offset mitigation be undertaken in the form of alien plant control within remaining road reserve, and within nearby stands of natural forest, wetland and riverine vegetation. ß Removal of aliens from road reserve should be accompanied by planting of appropriate indigenous species (as well as rescued plants where appropriate) within remaining road reserve. ß A rehabilitation plan is developed in consultation with the eThekwini EPCPD which identifies areas for alien plant control, areas for replanting with indigenous species, potential receiving areas for rescued plants, soil erosion controls and appropriate methods to undertake these actions. ß The Contractor supplies a method statement, with input from an ecologist, outlining the intended approach to construction and rehabilitation of the Umbilo River and the riverine and wetland habitat which will remain adjacent to the working area once construction is complete. It is important that the need to minimise downstream impacts during construction and operation are addressed here.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 49 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Westville Viaduct: The following is recommended for the location of the access road underneath the Westville Viaduct: ß The route remains as close to the contour as possible to reduce erosion and siltation. ß The route is aligned to avoid the riparian zone, in such a way that the riparian zone is only crossed once, viz : it is only crossed within the extended road reserve. ß The footprint of the road is kept to an absolute minimum and the larger indigenous trees growing amongst the alien vegetation are avoided where possible. ß Any plants of high conservation value, which cannot be avoided, are rescued. ß The Contractor supplies a method statement outlining the intended approach to construction and rehabilitation of the access route with input from an ecologist/botanist, which should address the need to rehabilitate the temporary access track as quickly as possible after construction ceases by removing excess imported material, ripping compacted soils, reinstating natural ground levels, implementing soil erosion controls and re-establishing a dense cover of indigenous vegetation to provide long-term soil erosion control. The method statement must be approved by the ECO and Project Manager.

Roosfontein Nature Reserve: It is recommended that removal and control of alien invasive plants be undertaken adjacent to the cleared site, in proportion to the amount of vegetation lost, as a means of improving the ecological health of this D’MOSS link.

Paradise Valley Nature Reserve: It is recommended that: ß Temporary road access to the area below the viaduct during construction does not go through the middle of Paradise Valley Nature Reserve which should be regarded as a no-go zone for construction activities. ß The route described above and indicated in Appendix 1 (Figure A4) is used and the river is only crossed once only. ß Permits are obtained for removal/pruning of protected species, particularly Podocarpus spp. potentially affected by the temporary viaduct access route. ß Disturbance of regenerating coast forest along the route and adjacent to the viaduct is kept to an absolute minimum during construction. ß A rehabilitation plan is developed in consultation with the eThekwini EPCPD which identifies areas for alien plant control, areas for replanting with indigenous species, potential receiving areas for rescued plants, including appropriate methods to undertake these actions. Rehabilitation of the temporary river crossing, area under the viaduct, access route, camp and stockpile areas must be addressed here. ß Sufficient funds are set aside to ensure that alien plants are properly controlled for a sufficiently long period after the contractor has left the site, because without repeated follow-up operations, alien plant control as part of rehabilitation is unlikely to be successful.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 50 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

ß Adequate storm water controls and energy dissipaters are provided at the end of drainage structures coming from the N3 highway towards the Umbilo River. ß The Contractor supplies a method statement, with input from an ecologist, outlining the intended approach to construction and rehabilitation of the Umbilo River and the associated riverine habitat once construction is complete. It is important that the need to minimise downstream impacts during construction and operation are addressed here.

Sensitive areas: ß Where construction occurs close to any sensitive areas of natural vegetation or any plants of high conservation value, these must be suitably and visibly demarcated and cordoned off by the ECO prior to, and during the construction phase. ß The construction footprint is kept to a minimum, no works occur outside of the negotiated servitude/working area, and the working area be clearly demarcated. ß Stockpile and lay down areas are to be kept away from areas of sensitive natural vegetation.

Plant rescue: ß A plant ‘rescue’ operation must be undertaken under the direction of an ecologist/botanist prior to construction, where plants of high conservation value will be impacted by any part of the development (construction or operation phase). These should be carefully transplanted to a suitable site nearby and watered until established. Refer to Section 5.3 for notable species found on site, and Section 5.5 for modelled species predicted to be present. ß Because the visibility of herbaceous plants varies depending on flowering season, an ecologist/botanist should visit the site during spring and summer to identify any additional plants of high conservation value, so that these plants can be marked and transplanted prior to construction commencing. ß The ECO should inspect trees and shrubs before they are cleared for the presence of epiphytic orchids, particularly at Paradise Valley Nature Reserve, parts of the Solomon Mahlangu Interchange and the Westville Viaduct. Any orchids found should be rescued by relocating them to similar habitat outside of the construction footprint. ß The necessary permits and authorisations must be obtained beforehand (see below). ß A rehabilitation plan for key sensitive areas is developed in consultation with the eThekwini EPCPD which identifies areas for alien plant control, areas for replanting with indigenous species, potential receiving areas for rescued plants, including appropriate methods to undertake these actions.

Clearance of vegetation: ß Clearance and cutting back of natural vegetation is kept to a minimum. ß Where construction/operation may impact on plants designated as specially protected under the Natal Nature Conservation Ordinance (15 of 1974) and the KwaZulu Nature Conservation Act (29 of 1992), an application must be submitted to

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 51 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

EKZNW to clear or translocate these plants as part of the plant rescue operation (see Section 5.3 for species found on site to date). ß Where construction/operation may impact on natural forests or individual trees protected in terms of the National Forests Act, 1998, an application must be submitted to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). ° In terms of the application process, once an Environmental Authorisation (and BAR and EMPr), and more accurate layouts of access routes/footprints are available, a botanist/ecologist will need to quantify the number, species and characteristics of protected trees affected, and complete an application form (no payment to DAFF required). The applicant’s representative will need to sign the form and provide a copy of their identify document. Once the application has been submitted, the relevant DAFF official will then arrange a site visit, if necessary. Generally, the permit processing timeframes are about 3 months, and the permit is generally valid for a period of 2 years from the date of issue. It would be advisable to apply for licences approximately 6 months prior to the commencement of construction. ß Where construction/operation may impact on plants listed as threatened or protected species (TOPS) under the National Environmental Management Act: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (10 of 2004), an application must be submitted to EKZNW to translocate these plants as part of the plant rescue operation. ß In riparian and wetland zones, it is recommended that: ° The Contractor supplies a method statement outlining the intended approach to construction and rehabilitation, to take into account the findings of the specialist report on rivers and wetlands (Groundtruth, 2013). ° Work is timed for the winter low flow period. ° Existing crossings are used as far as possible for vehicle access. ° Where temporary crossings are formed across riparian zones, the original profile and cross-section of the channel is restored, so as not to interfere with the hydrology of the downstream environment. ° The width of the crossing is kept to the minimum required for access. ° Temporary crossings are re-habilitated as quickly as possible using the original soil excavated from the channel bank or channel bed, as appropriate. ° Temporary coffer dams or diversion works 9 must be carefully removed from the riparian zone once construction is complete. ß In wetlands it is recommended that: ° The Contractor supplies a method statement outlining the intended approach to construction and rehabilitation, to take into account the findings of the specialist report on rivers and wetlands (Groundtruth, 2013). ° Existing tracks/crossings are used as far as possible for vehicle access. ° The width of temporary crossings is reduced to the bare minimum required for construction.

9 Note that a water use license from Department of Water Affairs may be required for diversions and coffer dams .

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 52 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

° Where dewatering of silt laden water is required at excavations, it is recommended that this water is not pumped directly into streams and natural water bodies, and that separate collection areas/sumps should be created in existing disturbed areas where this water can infiltrate into the surrounding soil. ° Temporary crossings are re-habilitated as quickly as possible after construction ceases. ° To maintain the hydrological regime and physio-chemical properties of wetland soils, the original topography and soil profile must be carefully restored. No unnatural depressions or hummocks of soil should remain. ° Natural re-colonisation of hydromorphic soils is usually rapid; however, where this process needs to be sped up, replanting can be done with locally occurring hygrophilous reeds, sedges and hygrophilous grasses.

Site access: The majority of viaducts and culverts in need of widening are already serviced by existing roads and access tracks. However, where additional access tracks or widening of access tracks is required (viz, the proposed access to the Westville and Paradise Valley Viaducts), it is recommended that: ß Adequate drainage (mitre drains) should be constructed at regular intervals in accordance with the local topography to minimise soil erosion potential. Alien plant control should also be undertaken along these access tracks. ß Soil compaction should be minimized by keeping vehicle and construction plant access ways and parking areas to a minimum, and making use of existing compacted/hardened surfaces wherever possible. ß Where drainage line or stream or crossings are unavoidable along the temporary access routes, drains and culverts must be designed in conjunction with relevant experts to the correct invert levels to prevent damming of flows or draining of wet areas. Culverts should be designed to prevent concentration of flows, and to maintain natural flows as free flowing as possible. ß If water for construction is to be sourced from local water bodies, then this must occur at existing disturbed sites due to potential for damage by temporary access roads and water tankers. ß Temporary access tracks are rehabilitated as quickly as possible after construction ceases by removing excess imported material, ripping compacted soils, reinstating natural ground levels, implementing soil erosion controls and re-establishing a dense cover of indigenous vegetation appropriate to the plant community in which the road is located.

Soil erosion: ß Where there is potential for erosion, energy dissipaters are installed at the end of drainage structures associated with the upgraded highway to reduce the velocity and erosive force of the exiting water. Energy dissipaters could range from reno mattresses to stilling chambers through to planting of indigenous vegetation buffers which may be better able to diffuse high-velocity runoff.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 53 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

ß Where soil requires excavation, the original topsoil (generally the upper most 250 mm of soil, together with plant roots and organic matter) must be stripped and stockpiled separately. Topsoil stockpiles should not be handled/moved, and should be kept free of alien invasive plants. ß During rehabilitation, prompt and progressive reinstatement of bare areas is required. The topsoil layer is to be replaced on top during reinstatement. ß Any trenches associated with the upgrade are to be reinstated to a convex (as opposed to flat or concave) surface to prevent the channelling of any surface runoff as the soil settles/compacts over time. ß The control of soil erosion and siltation associated with construction and operation is important at all locations on site, and particularly on steep slopes and adjacent to wetlands, drainage lines and streams/rivers. Both temporary and permanent soil erosion control measures must be used during the construction and operation phases. Any earth-worked areas, which may lay bare for extended periods, should be temporarily grassed. ß Bare surfaces should be grassed as soon as possible after construction to minimise time of exposure. Locally occurring, indigenous runner grasses should be used, for example Cynodon dactylon and Dactyloctenium australe. Alien invasive grasses such as Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuyu) must not be used. ß Soil erosion controls must be inspected and maintained on a regular basis during construction and operation phases.

Alien invasive plants: ß Alien invasive plants around any excavated areas/work areas and within the road reserve must be kept under control during both construction and operation. During construction, mechanical methods should be encouraged as the main form of control, together with the judicial use of herbicides 10 . The colonisation and rate of growth of alien plants must be closely monitored so that they can be controlled by simple hand pulling while plants are still small. If alien plants are allowed to grow too large, herbicide use will be compounded. Clearance, follow-up operations (at 3 month intervals) and monitoring should continue during both the construction and operational phases. Follow-up operations will become easier if done regularly.

Camps and construction team: ß Contractor’s camps and any concrete batching sites are to be sited within existing disturbed areas and at least 50 m from areas of sensitive natural vegetation, wetlands, streams and river banks. ß The construction team must remain within the construction site boundaries and must not interfere with areas of natural vegetation in any way. All indigenous vegetation which does not need to be cleared for construction or operation should not be disturbed. Collection of medicinal plants, firewood, building wood, and poaching within areas of natural vegetation should be prohibited. No dumping of

10 Recommended reference book: Invasive alien plants in KwaZulu-Natal. Management and control. KZN Branch of The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa. Fishwicks Printers .

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 54 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

solid waste or domestic ablutions is to occur within areas of natural vegetation and adequate ablutions must be provided. ß Adequate precautions must be taken to ensure that fires are not started as a result of the construction team. Open fires should not be permitted anywhere on site.

Pollution: ß It is important that pollution spills are prevented at all locations on site, and particularly near wetlands, drainage lines and streams/rivers by strict control/handling of hazardous substances such as fuels, oils, lubricants, cement, paints, solvents, and any other chemicals to be used on site, and provision of onsite sanitation for labour. Natural water bodies must not be used to wash out construction vehicles, concrete mixers, or for domestic ablutions.

8. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MONITORING BASED ON KEY INDICATORS

A clear and simple system to monitor impacts, and their management, based on key indicators is provided below, and all these recommendations must be in the EMPr:

ß Before construction of the temporary access route to the areas underneath the Westville and Paradise Valley viaducts, the ECO should take photos to provide a visual record of the baseline conditions of the natural vegetation. Photos should also be taken once rehabilitation is complete for comparison purposes. ß During construction, regular visual assessment of the progress of clearing and grubbing within the road reserve to ensure no works occur beyond the road reserve boundaries. ß During construction, regular visual assessment of the condition of translocated plants, checking for signs of water stress such as wilted leaves. ß During construction and operation, regular visual checks for the presence of unnecessary vehicle tracks through areas of natural vegetation. ß During construction and operation, regular visual assessment to identify any soil erosion issues, particularly any erosion scars or recently deposited drifts of silt associated with construction, drainage structures or spoil. Within riparian and wetland areas, regular visual checks for any head-cut erosion, erosion scars, die-off of riparian/wetland vegetation or drying out of a riparian or wetland area, particularly at the outer edges. ß During construction, operation, and rehabilitation, regular visual observation to identify emerging alien plants in any area disturbed by project activities. If alien plant control is successful, follow-up checks should reveal that the cover of alien plants is decreasing over time. ß During construction, regular visual assessments to identify any pollution issues within and downstream/down slope of work areas. These include death of fish and other aquatic organisms, unexplained dieback of vegetation, unusual discoloration of water/soil/vegetation, silt plumes, and unusual odours emanating from wetlands or water bodies.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 55 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

9. CONCLUSION

Most of the proposed N2/N3 upgrade will affect existing disturbed and degraded areas of natural vegetation. Along the route, sensitive areas of vegetation have been identified and site specific recommendations made to avoid, minimise and mitigate impacts. At Paradise Valley, the proposed temporary access route for work under the viaduct is the preferred option (historically disturbed), and the creation of a new access route through the middle of the Reserve is not supported . A number of general mitigation measures have been recommended to minimise impacts and with further input from an ecologist/botanist during the spring and summer flowering seasons, impacts can be minimised and recovery of natural vegetation can be encouraged. Negative impacts can be minimised by strict enforcement and compliance with an Environmental Management Plan which takes into account the recommendations for managing impacts detailed in this report and it is the opinion of the author that the activity be authorised.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 56 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

10. REFERENCES

ACER, 2015. Proposed Widening of the N3 Between Durban and Cedara, Kwazulu-Natal. Application for Environmental Authorisation and Water Use License Applications. Record of Meeting & Site Visit with Ethekwini to Identify Routes to Access Areas below Paradise and Westville Viaducts. 04 December 2015. ACER (Africa) Environmental Consultants, PO Box 503, Mtunzini, 3867.

ACER, 2016. Proposed Capacity Improvements to National Route 2 (N2) and National Route 3 (N3), Kwazulu-Natal. Terms of Reference for Updates of Existing Specialist Reports. ACER (Africa) Environmental Consultants, PO Box 503, Mtunzini, 3867.

Ground Truth, 2013 (updated 2016). N3 Capacity Improvements from the EB Cloete Interchange to Paradise Valley (M13 East) Interchange. Wetland and Riparian Impact Assessment Draft Specialist Report.

McKenzie, A. Personal Communication. Environmental Consultant, ACER (Africa) Environmental Consultants. PO Box 503, Mtunzini, 3867.

McLean, C.T., Ground, L.E., Boon, R.G.C., Roberts, D.C., Govender, N. & McInnes, A. 2016. Durban’s Systematic Conservation Assessment. eThekwini Municipality, Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department, Durban, South Africa.

Mucina, L. & Rutherford, M. (eds). 2006. The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelitzia 19.

National Red List of South African Plants. February 2009. Interim List Produced by the Threatened Species Programme (TSP) in collaboration with the National Botanical Institute (NBI), Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and the Department of Environment Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). www.sanbi.org.

Raimondo, D., Von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J., Helme, N., Turner, R., Kamundi, D. & Manyama, P. (eds). 2009. Red List of South African Plants 2009. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

SANBI, 2009. Integrated Biodiversity Information System. http://sibis.sanbi.org/faces/Home.jsp?1=1. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Scott-Shaw, C.R and Escott, B.J. (Eds) (2011) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Pre-Transformation Vegetation Type Map – 2011. Unpublished GIS Coverage [kznveg05v2_1_11_wll.zip], Biodiversity Conservation Planning Division, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, P. O. Box 13053, Cascades, Pietermaritzburg, 3202.

Government Gazette (2011). Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystems in South Africa. Department of Environmental Affairs. Government Gazette, 9 December 2011. National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004).

Internet sources

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 57 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

http://www.kloofconservancy.org.za/nrwestville.htm www.durban.gov.za/City_Services/development_planning_management/environmental_planning_climate _protection/projects ).

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 58 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

APPENDIX 1

Google Earth aerial photo series showing key areas of concern

LEGEND

Existing road reserve

Proposed extension of road reserve

Temporary access routes below Westville and Paradise Valley Viaducts during construction Key area of concern

Westville Viaduct wetland and associated stream

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 59 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Good

Steep slopes

Intermediate

Figure A1 Solomon Mahlangu Interchange (east section)

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 60 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Solomon Mahlangu Interchange (west section)

Intermedi ate

Umbilo River

Intermediate

Intermediate Intermediate

Figure A2 Solomon Mahlangu Interchange ( west section)

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 61 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Molife Rd

Pavilion

Chesterville

Figure A3 Westville Viaduct

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 62 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Berg Rd

Figure A4 Paradise Valley

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 63 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

APPENDIX 2

PROPOSED WIDENING OF THE N3 BETWEEN DURBAN AND CEDARA, KWAZULU-NATAL. APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION AND WATER USE LICENSE APPLICATIONS

N2/N3 EB Cloete- Paradise Widening Viaduct Access for Paradise Valley and Westville

RECORD OF MEETING & SITE VISIT WITH ETHEKWINI TO IDENTIFY ROUTES TO ACCESS AREAS BELOW PARADISE AND WESTVILLE VIADUCTS

Date: 04 December 2015 Venue: Paradise Valley Nature Reserve and Viaduct; Pavilion Car Park and Westville Viaduct Time: 08.30-12.30

Attendance: • Lyle Ground, Greg Mullins & Terry Stewart (Ethekwini Environmental); Ashleigh McKenzie & Barry Patrick (ACER); Neil Bloy & Andrew Liebnitz (SNA).

Site Meeting purpose:

• To identify the most optimal access routes to gain entry under the Paradise Valley and Westville Viaducts that will be acceptable from an environmental and an engineering perspective and which will have the support of Ethekwini Metro Environment and Climate Change Department & the Paradise Valley Reserve management.

Presentations

• SNA presented aerial images of the areas overlaid with the proposed project over which potential alternative routes were discussed before heading out into the field.

Paradise Valley Viaduct

Routes & construction camp alternatives • A route through the middle of the nature reserve was agreed as unviable for obvious reasons (highly significant impacts on biophysical and social environment). Two other alternatives were proposed by Terry Stewart (082 824 4258) who was reserve manager from 1992 until recently and knows the area intimately. One route was directly off the N3 from the east-bound carriageway and the other from Berg road running parallel to the west-bound carriageway, leading into the reserve where the old EKZNW staff quarters are situated (currently unused). • The route from Berg Road is best as avoids having to access directly off the N3 which has traffic and other implications. It is also possible (provided a suitable MOU is drawn up) to use the old staff quarters area as a site camp. This access has been used previously by the surveyors and geotech teams. To get down to the river use will need to be made of the existing terraces that were put in when the bridge was originally built. • There was discussion about using the east access as an entrance and the west as an exit (or vice versa) - the use of both access routes may still be required.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 64 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

Other issues raised (Paradise) • Paradise Valley is a proclaimed nature reserve. • Boundary fence . There is a boundary fence between the N3 and the reserve which will be taken down during construction. It is essential to maintain an intact boundary fence due to issues of land invasion, crime and poaching, thus necessary to erect and maintain a boundary fence during the entire construction period. If it is a temporary fence, then a permanent one would need to be put in place afterwards. • Security & Crime . Urban reserves are conduits for crime and contractors will need to be mindful of security on site at all times. Paradise Valley has easy escape onto the N3 if fences are cut. • Disruption of access to the reserve’s popular tourist attraction - the waterfall. The viaduct works will directly cut off access to the waterfall. If this tourist attraction is closed for an extended period, the reserve will experience a major loss of income. Estimated annual revenue from tourists is R750 000- R1 million. Either, access for tourists will need to be maintained throughout the construction period (which has serious health and safety implications) or monetary compensation for loss of revenue will be required. • Disruption of staff access. Access for reserve staff must be maintained. This should be possible if reserve staff are put through the safety induction course. • Umbilo waterworks. A portion of the old dam wall / spillway is directly in the path of the construction. Permission to destroy it will need to be obtained from Amafa. • Destruction of indigenous forest and individual indigenous trees (protected). Destruction of certain trees is unavoidable. DAFF permits will be required. • Engineering issues in the river channel. This river is prone to severe floods which are made worse by the increase in hard surfaces in the catchment and potentially worse due to climate change. There are already several piers in the river channel which trap vegetation and large trees that get washed down. The pedestrian bridge downstream of the viaduct is regularly washed away due to floods. The reserve staff have to clear trapped vegetation beneath the viaduct after storms to avoid wash away of the river banks. Addition of further piers on the river bed (as currently designed) will effectively block the channel to an unacceptable extent and hydrologists and design engineers will have to find a solution. Engineers also to investigate changing the shape of the base of the existing piers to reduce trapping of flood debris. • Rehabilitation post construction . The footprint of destruction must be limited as far as possible. The closing of the median will cause a rain shadow and block out further light below

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 65 SANRAL CAPACITY UPGRADES TO THE N2 (SOLOMON MAHLANGU TO SOUTH OF UMGENI RD I/C), INCLUDING EXPANSION OF EB CLOETE AND SOLOMON MAHLANGU INTERCHANGES, AND THE N3 (EB CLOETE TO PARADISE VALLEY) INCLUDING PROVISION OF TEMPORARY ACCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION BELOW WESTVILLE AND PARADISE VALLEY VIADUCTS

the viaduct. This means that plants used for rehabilitation will have to be tolerant to very low levels of water and light (a dead zone in the centre might still result). Rehabilitation of the access track, camp and stockpile areas will also be important. • Alien Plant Control . Sufficient funds must be set aside to ensure that alien plants are properly controlled for a sufficiently long period after the contractor has moved from site, because without the necessary follow-ups, alien plants control as part of rehabilitation will not be successful. • Litter from N3 . It is reported that the contractors who clean up the N3 throw the litter off the bridge into the nature reserve. • Stormwater off the N3. It was requested that the engineers carefully consider control of stormwater off the N3 down into the river as currently it is not ideal. • Number of river crossings. To be limited to one crossing. A water use license will be required.

Westville Viaduct

Route alternatives & other issues • The valley is steep sided and the best alternative from a topographical perspective is to enter from the suburban road south of the viaduct (from Chesterville) at the bottom and contour along the east or west bank, the west being preferred by the engineers. • There is a wetland along the river channel and at the bottom of the valley. Wetland to be avoided. However a water use license will be required. • River crossings must be limited (ideally should only be crossed once). • The valley is so infested with mature aliens (especially Syringa and Litsea sebifera ) that impacts on biodiversity are of low concern. However, the riparian area around the river channel should be considered as sensitive. It is likely that the area was once grassland that has now been encroached by alien trees. Ethekwini suggested that alien plant control will be almost ineffective as the infestation is past the point of no return due to the massive established seedbank. Rehabilitation efforts must focus on erosion control and restoration of the riparian zone. • Due to the proximity to residential suburb there will be some social impacts. • Currently, there is a pedestrian pavement providing access over the bridge, which is well used. This access will be lost during construction and alternatives need to be found to accommodate pedestrians. • Crime/security is likely to be an issue.

UPDATED VEGETATION SPECIALIST STUDY REPORT 66