BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT as part of the BASIC ASSESSMENT PROCESS for the PROPOSED VLAKSPRUIT CEMETERY WITHIN THE KWADUKUZA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, ILEMBE DISTRICT

1. Introduction

The KwaDukuza Local Municipality has identified the need to establish a cemetery in order to accommodate the need for increased burials within the municipal area. Before the cemetery can be established, environmental authorisation from the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, in compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of 2014, is required. In order to obtain this authorisation a Basic Assessment is currently being undertaken by Enviroedge cc on behalf of the KwaDukuza Local Municipality.

2. The Project

The proposed Vlakspruit Cemetery is located within ward 23 of the KwaDukuza Local Municipality, approximately 5km north-west of the town of . The proposed site is on the farm portion 14/1178 of the Farm Vlakspruit No. 1178. The centre point for the site is located at the following co-ordinates 29°25'10.84"S; 31°10'7.11"E.

Taking into consideration, both current and future population statistics, the proposed cemetery establishment aims to provide burial sites which will cater to the nearby communities for the next twenty to thirty years. A preliminary site plan for the cemetery covers an area of approximately 24 hectares. A site plan with a preliminary design layout is attached (Figure 4). The project aim is to provide a burial location in close proximity for the local communities, so as to prevent ‘back yard burials’ and also to help reduce the need to travel to district cemetery sites. The Nkobongo cemetery site is located approximately 5 km south east of the site and is near to its burial capacity. The proposed Vlakspruit cemtery site is accessed via the P103 road which leads off the P102 to the west and the R102 to the south east. The proposed cemetery site is located on a north facing slope with agricultural sugarcane and naartjie plantations. Basic infrastructure including formal access road and an entrance area with a secure perimeter fence will be provided.

3. The Biophysical Environment

Rivers and topography: The study site has two non-perennial watercourses that drain westwards towards a confluence point on the adjacent property, which is downstream of the site watercourses. The non-perennial watercourse then flows from the adjacent property to link into a series of unnamed farm dams which flow into the perennial Tete River to the north east. The Tete River meets the larger UMhlali River to the south-east of the site. The study site falls within the quaternary catchment U30E. The site is located on a north-west facing slope with moderate gradients. The altitude across the site varies from 240 masl to 202 masl. No surface water flow was noted on the study site. Stormwater channels have been created on site to help prevent erosion of agricultural tracks.

Geology and Soils: The typical geology is described by Mucina and Rutherford (2006) as Ordovician Group sandstone, Dwyka tillite, Ecca shale and Mapumulo gneiss or Mokolian within the KwaZulu Natal Coastal Belt. The weathering process of old dunes has produced Berea red sand in places and the soils supported by the rock types in the area are shallow over hard sandstones and deeper over younger and softer rocks.

Vlakspruit Cemetery - Background Information Document June 2015

Vegetation: According to The Vegetation of , Lesotho and Swaziland, the vegetation in the study area can be classified as Indian Ocean Coastal Belt, which corresponds with the Subtropical Coastal Forest Biome, and Mucina and Rutherford (2006), classify the vegetation group as KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt (CB3). The KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt is characterised by highly dissected undulating plains, which previously may have been covered to a large extent with various types of subtropical coastal forest. Some primary grassland dominated by Themeda triandra still occurs in the hilly, high rainfall areas, however, anthropological activities in this belt have created secondary Aristida grasslands, thickets and patches of coastal thornveld. Three endemic plant species are recorded by Mucina and Rutherford for the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt (CB3) vegetation type, and these include Vernonia Africana (Extinct), Barleria natalensis (Baleria) (Extinct) and Kniphofia pauciflora (Dainty poker) (Critically Endangered and Declining). The Indian Ocean Coastal Belt is itself described as a “threatened” bioregion and is described as ”hardly protected” by the SANBI Vegetation KZN.

The study area consists of disturbed agricultural land with sugarcane and naartjie plantation presently in cultivation. Some screening Casuarina sp were noted on site. An isolated thicket of coastal forest occurs within the property in the north eastern portion. This forest thicket is located over the ridge line on the east facing side of the farm portion. The proposed cemetery layout does not extend to include the forest thicket into the proposed layout, and, therefore, no clearing will be required in this space.

Conservation Value: The Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Terrestrial Systematic Conservation Plan 2010 (TSCP) allocates a portion of the study area a Biodiversity Priority Area 1 status in the eastern portion of the site. To the north a 100% transformed area is represented. Species listed in the TSCP 2010 include (Natal Black Millipede) (Vulnerable), Eounyma lymneaeformis (Cone-shaped snail), Barleria natalensis (Extinct) (Ex), Vernonia Africana (Extinct) (Ex), Doratogonus cristulatus (Cristulate Black Millipede) (Least concern).

Specialist Studies: Specialist Studies to be commissioned include a Heritage Impact Assessment, Geotechnical Investigation, Geohydrological Investigation and a Wetland delineation and Functionality Assessment.

Services: The proposed cemetery site is accessed along a gravel road between an electrical substation and the Avon Peaking Power Plant along the P103 road which leads off the P102 to the west and the R102 to the south. No additional services were identified on the proposed cemetery site.

4. Public Participation Process (PPP)

Members of the public have the opportunity to be consulted during the Public Participation Process. If you would like to be part of this process please register with Steven Whitaker using the contact details below. Consultants: Enviroedge PO Box 1009, Kloof, 3640 Tel: 031 764 2569; Fax: 086 654 6598 Email: [email protected]

Proponent : KwaDukuza Local Municipality

Vlakspruit Cemetery - Background Information Document June 2015

Figure 1. Image looking west over sugarcane Figure 2. Image looking north east showing plantation towards naartjie plantations and sugarcane plantation and isolated Coastal Forest Casuarina sp. trees. thicket. Eucalyptus sp. (Gum tree) also noted along site periphery.

Figure 3. Locality Plan showing the site location.

Vlakspruit Cemetery - Background Information Document June 2015

Figure 4. Site Plan with Preliminary Layout

Vlakspruit Cemetery - Background Information Document June 2015