PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF THE MAKALU B DISTRIBUTION LINE IN SASOLBURG, FREE STATE Terrestrial Ecological Impact Assessment Report October 2017 Draft Prepared for: Eskom Holdings SOC Limited MONTH YEAR i Title and Approval Page Proposed Development of the Makalu B Distribution Line in Sasolburg, Project Name: Free State Report Title: Terrestrial Ecological Assessment Report DEA Reference No: Not Yet Assigned Report Status Draft Applicant: Eskom Holdings SOC Limited Prepared By: Nemai Consulting +27 11 781 1730 147 Bram Fischer Drive, +27 11 781 1730 FERNDALE, 2194 [email protected] PO Box 1673, www.nemai.co.za SUNNINGHILL, 2157 10581-20171003-Terrestrial Report Reference: R-PRO-REP|20170216 Ecological Assessment Report Authorisation Name Signature Date Mr. Avhafarei Author: 28/08/2017 Phamphe Reviewed By: Author’s Professional Natural Scientist: South African Council for Natural Affiliations Scientific Professions Ecological Science (400349/2) Professional Member of South African Institute of Ecologists and Environmental Scientists Professional Member: South African Association of Botanists. This Document is Confidential Intellectual Property of Nemai Consulting C.C. © copyright and all other rights reserved by Nemai Consulting C.C. This document may only be used for its intended purpose Proposed Development of the Makalu B Distribution Line in Sasolburg, Free State Terrestrial Ecology Report Executive Summary Nemai Consulting was appointed by Eskom Holdings SOC Limited to conduct the environmental assessments for the proposed development of the Makalu B Distribution Line Strengthening. A Terrestrial Ecological Assessment was undertaken as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment process in order to assess the impacts that the proposed development will have on the receiving environment. The existing Makalu substation forms part of the Sasolburg Customer Load Network in the Free State Grid. The current nature of the load at Makalu substation is predominately industrial/mining, and small commercial, residential and traction loads. Makalu substation is connected to the Transmission network by four 275kV lines, two from Lethabo Power Station, one to Everest substation and one to Scafell substation. In 2012, the studies indicated that the 88kV fault levels are higher than the equipment rating at Makalu substation. In addition, Eskom Distribution has also indicated that the Distribution network will experience the following constraints: • Future thermal constrains on the 88kV network; • Premium supply will be limited; and • Refurbishment required on 88kV network substations. The study area falls within the grassland biome and this biome has a high biodiversity, ranked only below the Fynbos biome in terms of biodiversity in South Africa. The proposed development site is classified as falling within the Vulnerable Central Free State Grassland, which is now transformed on site due to agricultural activities taking place. The proposed development site traversed through the untransformed grasslands and also fragmented and transformed by human habitation, roads, dams, foot paths, railway line and rivers. The species recorded during the site visit confirmed the study area’s location within the Grassland Biome of South Africa. The species list was then also compared with the vegetation expected in the Central Free State Grassland, which provided an accurate indication of the ecological integrity and conservational value of the proposed development. According to data sourced from South African National Biodiversity Institute, no Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystem was recorded within the proposed route alternatives Critical Biodiversity Areas are areas that are important for conserving biodiversity while Ecological Support Area are areas that are important to ensure the long term persistence of species or functioning of other important ecosystems. Degradation of Critical Biodiversity Areas or Ecological Support Areas could potentially result in the loss of important biodiversity features and/or their supporting ecosystems. The proposed study area falls within the Page i 2017/10 Proposed Development of the Makalu B Distribution Line in Sasolburg, Free State Terrestrial Ecology Report Degraded, Ecological Support Area 1 and Ecological Support Area 2. No Critical Biodiversity Areas are recorded in the study area. During the field survey, no threatened plant species were observed on the proposed development site, however two (2) species of conservation concerns were noted on Distribution Line Option 2, namely Hypoxis hemerocallidea (Star flower/African potato) and Boophane disticha (Century plant). These two plant species are listed as Declining and it is thus recommended that a Search, Rescue and Relocation Plan be developed that takes into consideration species of conservation concern. These species must be removed prior to construction to a safe place with suitable survival and growth-enabling conditions. Given that the species of conservation importance was observed, it is important that a qualified professional should be on site prior to construction to identify any other species of conservation importance which may occur on site. The major concerns on site are alien invasives, weeds and potential invasives. Newly cleared soils will have to be re-vegetated and stabilised as soon as construction has been completed and there should be an on-going monitoring program to control and/or eradicate newly emerging invasives. The rehabilitation of disturbed areas should receive high priority and must be included in the Environmental Management Programme and recommendations regarding the specific plant species used during rehabilitation should be site specific and based on the surrounding vegetation composition. Historically, the study area could have provided habitat for a diverse population of larger mammal species, but the agricultural activities on site have transformed majority of the habitats and due to these anthropogenic disturbances, it is likely that only the more common and smaller mammal species will be observed, which show more adaptation. Most sections of the proposed development site in their present state are not considered optimal habitat for larger mammal species, however the riverine habitats and natural grasslands are considered important for the survival of various smaller mammal species. The riparian habitats were investigated for any signs or indications that the water system may be inhabited by Otters and only scats of Cape Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis) were recorded on the proposed development site. It is a Protected species (indigenous species of high conservation value or national importance that require national protection) in terms of National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act 10 of 2004). In order to protect habitat for the detected African/Cape Clawless Otter (Near Threatened), a buffer around all wetlands is recommended. The reptile assessment indicates that the rocky habitats, grasslands and riparian vegetation along the proposed route alternatives are of high importance to reptiles. Termite mounds were present in abundance along the proposed development site. Old termite mounds offer important refuges especially during veld fires as well as cold winter months for numerous frog, Page ii 2017/10 Proposed Development of the Makalu B Distribution Line in Sasolburg, Free State Terrestrial Ecology Report lizard, snake and smaller mammal species. Large number of species of mammal, birds, reptiles and amphibians feed on the emerging alates (winged termites). No termite mounds were destroyed during the brief field survey. All overturned rock material was carefully replaced in its original position. Nine (9) reptile species were recorded on the proposed development site and no Red Data reptile species were noted. According to the Frog Atlas of Southern African, the only species of conservation concern which could potentially be found in the study area was the Giant Bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus), listed as Near Threatened. The Giant Bullfrog has been chosen as a flagship species for the grassland eco-region. Some sections of the proposed development site offers suitable habitat for Giant Bullfrog to occur in the study area. The conservation of this species and of amphibians in general will be met by the protected area network as well as the designation of priority habitats i.e., pans or quaternary catchments, with associated restrictions on land use. From a broad and preliminary evaluation of the site in question, it is evident that the proposed development will have negligible impacts on the receving environment. The development activities proposed within the survey area will therefore not have a significant impact on biodiversity conservation within the region. The Distribution Line Option 1 and 1km buffer is preferred because it is situated within the agricultural areas dominated by maize fields and also within the industrial areas. According to the Biodiversity Plan, more sections of this route falls within the Degraded areas. The The Distribution Line Option 2 is situated in a natural and near natural areas. Two plant species of conservation concern (Boophane disticha and Hypoxis hemerocallidea) were recorded along this route. Distribution line to Site 2 is longer than that of Site 1 and more natural areas will be cleared for this route. Red data mammal species, Cape clawless otter, was noted along this route. It is recommended that the larger exotic species that are not included in