FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT for Authority Decision-Making
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E2279 VOL. 1 Public Disclosure Authorized ESKOM INVESTMENT SUPPORT PROJECT Environmental Impact Report Coal Transportation System (CTS) Project Public Disclosure Authorized Proposed long-term coal supply to Eskom/s Majuba Power Station Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized SIXTH DOCUMENT September 2004 For authority decision making Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Coal Transportation System (CTS) Project Mpumalanga Province Proposed long-term coal supply to Eskom.'s Majuba Power Station Proponent: Eskom FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT For authority decision-making VOLUME 1 @Eskom Note: A separate Final Environmental Impact Report is available for the EIA for the proposed long-term coal supply to Eskom's Tutuka power station - Upgrade of the existing Standerton-Tutuka railway line Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT This document is the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a proposed railway line by Eskom between a point just west of Ermelo and the Majuba Power Station, The proposed railway line is part of Eskom's technical, economic and environmental feasibility study for the long-term coal supply to Majuba power station in Mpumalanga Province. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed project was conducted by Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd, an independent company, The ErA was conducted in terms of the ErA Regulations under Section 21 of the Environment Conservation Act, 1989, Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) were provided with copies of the full EIA Regulations, The purpose of the EIA was to investigate potential negative impacts in respect of issues and concerns raised during the scoping phase and recommend ways to avoid or reduce the impacts as well as to enhance the positive impacts identified, The purpose of the EIA was not to calculate compensation to land owners, However, land owners will be able to use the findings of the EIA to support their compensation negotiations with Eskom. Comments by Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) on the Draft EIR that was available for public comment from Monday 31 May to Wednesday 30 June 2004, are reflected in Appendix 4 to this report The text of the Draft EIR has been updated where necessary to reflect these comments and to expand on the recommendations of the EIA. The findings of the EIA will be turned into measurable actions and captured in an Environmental Management Plan (EMP), The EIR is a public document which will become legally binding on Eskom should the project be approved and go ahead, The findings are presented in the following reports: • The Final Environmental Impact Report (this report) (Volume.l) • Eight specialist reports, containing the findings of the specialist studies (Volume 2), These reports were presented in September 2004 to the lead decision-making authority of the ErA, the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Land and Administration, previously the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment (M-DACE), The reports were also presented to the commenting authorities notably the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, the Department of Minerals and Energy, the Msukaligwa (formerly Ermelo) District Municipality and partly the Tixley ka Seme (referred to as Seme) (formerly Volksrust) Municipality. Appreciation for participation by I&APs Many I&APs have participated actively during the EIA process to date by attending meetings, and by taking the time to prepare written submissions. I&APs contributed considerable local knowledge, and contributed information on previous studies done in the area. Many also hosted members of the EIA team in their homes, and showed them around the area. The EIA team wishes to express sincere appreciation for these efforts by I&APs. Note: A separate Final Environmental Report is available for the EIA of Eskom's proposed long term coal supply to Tutuka Power Station. An IDA consists of I Several phases Scoping Phase Impact·Assessment Phase To identify issues, ---+ Detailed studies of to focus the EIA potential impacts, positive and negative Figure E-l: An Environmental Impact Assessment consists of various phases. The EIA for the proposed long term coal supply to Eskom's Majuba power station is currently in the decision-making phase. Important note: The findings of an EIA are turned into measurable measures that are taken up in an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) that becomes legally binding once approved by the environmental authorities. Ii Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Motivation for the project. .................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Screening of alternatives to supply Majuba ........................................................................... 4 1.3 Purpose and content of this report ......................................................................................... 4 1.4 Project components for which the application is being made ................................................ 5 2. SCREENING OF MAJOR PROJECT ALTERNATIVES ..............................................................................7 2.1 History of route selection for coal supply to Majuba and Tutuka power stations .................... 7 2.2 Summary of events leading up to the current study ............................................................... 7 2.3 The Coal Transport System Project (2002 - present study) ................................................ 10 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT ......................................................................................12 3.1 Project design phase of the proposed Majuba railway line .................................................. 12 3.1.1 Route alignment... ............................................................................................... 12 3.1.2 Earthworks, rail and balias!" ............................................................................... 12 3.1.3 Access structures along the route ....................................................................... 13 3.1.4 Electrification....................................................................................................... 15 3.1.5 Servitude, service road and fencing .................................................................... 16 3.1.6 Upgrading of the load out system at Majuba power station ................................ 17 3.2 Construction phase of the proposed Majuba railway line ..................................................... 17 3.2.1 Pre-construction .................................................................................................. 17 3.2.2 Construction ........................................................................................................ 18 3.2.3 Establishment of site camps ........ ,...................................................................... 19 3.2.4 Employment ........................................................................................................ 20 3.2.5 Site clearing and rehabilitation ............................................................................ 20 3.3 Operational phase of the Majuba railway line ...............................................................,'...... 20 3.3.1 Train sets and train frequency ............................................................................. 20 3.3.2 Routine maintenance .......................................................................................... 20 3.4 Closure and decommissioning phase of the Majuba railway line ......................................... 21 4. THE RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT .............................................................................................................22 4.1 Physical environment. .......................................................................................................... 22 4.1.1 Geology and soils ............................................................................................... 22 4.1.2 Topography......................................................................................................... 23 4.1.3 Climate ................................................................................................................ 24 4.1.4 Air quality ............................................................................................................ 24 4.1.5 Surface water ...................................................................................................... 25 4.1.6 Groundwater ....................................................................................................... 26 4.2 Biological environment. ........................................................................................................ 26 4.2.1 Veld types ........................................................................................................... 26 4.2.1.1 Moist Clay Highveld Grassland .......................................................... 26 4.2.1.2 Moist Sandy Highveld Grassland ....................................................... 28 4.2.1.3 Conservation status compared with other vegetation types ............... 29 4.2.2 Threatened flora ........................... , ....................................................................... 29 4.2.3 Threatened fauna ............................................