Impala to Matubatuba Substation: Vegetation Impact Report
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Proposed Lower uMkhomazi Pipeline Project Terrestrial Biodiversity Report Prepared for NM Environmental by GJ McDonald and L Mboyi 07 February 2018 External Review and Amendment J Maivha March 2018 Proposed Lower uMkomazi Pipeline Project Terrestrial Biodiversity Report Executive summary Khuseli Mvelo Consulting was appointed to conduct a terrestrial biodiversity impact assessment as part of the environmental assessment and authorisation process for the proposed Lower uMkhomazi Pipeline Project, within eThekwini Municipality. The proposed development is situated in an area which has either been transformed or impacted upon by commercial and small-scale agricultural activities and alien plant invasion to a greater or lesser extent. Such vegetation as is found is often of a secondary nature where cane fields have been allowed to become fallow and these disturbed and secondary habitats are substantially invaded by forbs and woody species. Near-natural vegetation is limited and may be found along water courses and certain roads. Local sensitivities - vegetation Plants protected provincially The following specially protected species will be affected by the proposed development: Aloe amiculata (Liliaceae/Asphodelaceae) found at and around 30°11'27.09"S/ 30°45'46.30"E, Freesia laxa (Iridaceae) found at WTW1, Kniphofia sp. (Liliaceae/Asphodelaceae) found at both WTW1 and WTW2. These will require a permit from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to be translocated. Specially protected species within the general area such as Millettia grandis, Dioscorea cotinifolia (Dioscoreaceae) and Ledebouria ovatifolia (Liliaceae/Hyacinthaceae) will require the developer to apply to the relevant competent authority for permits to move or destroy such species (as appropriate) should they be encountered during construction. Although these species were not encountered in the proposed footprint of the areas sampled for this survey, this was not an exhaustive survey and the potential exists that they may be present. i Proposed Lower uMkomazi Pipeline Project Terrestrial Biodiversity Report Plants protected by the National Forests Act Pittosporum viridiflorum and Sclerocarya caffra were encountered in the general area during this survey and, if encountered once the final pipeline route is selected, will require a permit from Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries (DAFF) if they would be removed, disturbed and/or destroyed. Plant species of conservation concern The Red-Listed species Hypoxis hemerocallidea (status – DECLINING) is encountered in large numbers at the sites designated as WTW1 and WTW2 and will require permit authorization from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for their translocation. It is recommended that an Environmental Control Officer (ECO) or a suitably qualified Botanist/Ecologist is appointed prior to construction activities commence to look out for these plant species and if found, then permits must be sought from competed authorities (e.g. Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife). Local sensitivities – fauna The faunal study revealed that a number of species of potential conservation significance have been recorded from suitable habitat within the same Quarter Degree Grid Squares. None were recorded on site during the field assessment, nor are they expected to occur there for the most part due to the absence of suitable habitat for these species at the study site. If present, many of these species are likely to move away from the area during construction and should return after rehabilitation of the area. However, the areas designated as WTW1 and WTW2 constitute sensitive areas in the context of the proposed development, especially from an amphibian perspective (i.e. the areas constitute suitable habitat for amphibians to occur). The site designated as WTW1 is an extensive hygrophilous grassland with a stream running through it. Low-lying areas may well be inundated at times and the area indicated in red (below) provides a valuable breeding habitat for amphibians (a number of species were heard calling). That area is indicated in yellow (below). Although the WTW1 site does not fall within the Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (D’MOSS), its loss would impact on the remaining D’MOSS habitat and its use for siting the proposed water treatment works is questionable. Furthermore, it would be prudent to re-route the gravity main indicated in green (below) so as to avoid impacting on the amphibian breeding habitat. ii Proposed Lower uMkomazi Pipeline Project Terrestrial Biodiversity Report The WTW2 site has a number of small watercourse associated with it and hygrophilous grassland which may well be inundated in years of high rainfall. The site falls within the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Grassland associated with scattered trees. A small clumps of coastal forest exist within WTW 2 however clumps of forest are heavily invaded with alien plants. Species of conservation concern are also noted with the site such Aloe amiculate, Hypoxis amiculata and Kniphofia sp. Although WTW 2 site is considered to fall within the D’MOSS area, it is previously transformed by human settlement and has signs of cattle grazing. Alien trees such as Acacia meansii and Mangifera indica (Mango trees) were also recorded along the eastern section of the site. Rocky areas as indicated in red (below) provide valuable habitat for reptiles and care should be exercised during construction within these areas in order to minimize disturbance and habitat loss (30°11'27.09"S/ 30°45'46.30"E and 30°11'18.84"S/30°44'56.82"E). iii Proposed Lower uMkomazi Pipeline Project Terrestrial Biodiversity Report Conclusion For the most part, the proposed development can be executed within acceptable limits of impact on the environment, many of these impacts can be mitigated. The proposed pipeline, pump station and reservoir are to be sited in highly transformed habitat and/or secondary habitat and can be supported. The proposed WTW sites are problematic. WTW alternative site 1 is a hygrophilous grassland and is a sensitive habitat on the broader environmental context of the area. It should be take into account the possibility that the site may provide suitable habitat for amphibians of conservation significance. The section of the site falls within Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (D’MOSS) area. Any activity within this site would require a Water Use Licence Application (WULA). On the other hand, WTW alternative 2 although comprises of a wetland area, the potential risks to the wetland area can be mitigated and/or avoided. It is my opinion that there should be no opposition to the proposed development provided that the WTW alternative site 1 option is not entertained hence risk associated with construction and operational phases can neither be mitigated nor avoided, a biodiversity offset would have to be considered should WTW alternative site 1 be considered. Given the latter, WTW alternative site 2 would however be the preferred site with the proposed mitigation measure fully adhered to. iv Proposed Lower uMkomazi Pipeline Project Terrestrial Biodiversity Report TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Terms of reference ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Scope of the study ................................................................................................................................. 1 2. METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Constraints of study/fieldwork .............................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Study area .............................................................................................................................................. 4 3. DESKTOP FINDINGS ................................................................................................................................... 9 3.1 Vegetation types .................................................................................................................................. 10 3.2 Spatial Planning Tools: EKZN Wildlife C-plan and D’MOSS impacts of proposed development ......... 15 4. STUDY FINDINGS: VEGETATION ............................................................................................................... 22 4.1 Indigenous and Protected species found in the study area ................................................................ 26 4.2 Species of conservation significance Recorded from the site ............................................................. 28 4.2.1 Plants protected provincially ........................................................................................................... 28 4.2.2 Plants protected by the National Forests Act .................................................................................. 28 4.2.3 Red Listed and Endemic species ...................................................................................................... 28 4.2.4 Local sensitivities ............................................................................................................................. 35 4.3 Alien and invasive species encountered in the study area ................................................................