Upgrade of the Regional Route , Section 3, between Cradock (km 24.2) and Tarkastad (km 75.0) in the

ECOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT for the Basic Assessment Report

Report compiled by: Mr Jamie Pote Independent Ecological Specialist Consultant 94 Park Drive,

1 CONTENTS 1 Motivation for this study 3 2 Description of the proposed activities 3 2.1 The road upgrade 3 2.2 The material sources 4 2.3 Owners of the farms on which the mines are situated 6 2.4 Alternatives 7 3 Baseline Information 7 3.1 Geology and soils 7 3.2 Topography 8 3.3 Climate 8 3.4 Air quality 8 3.5 Ground and surface water 9 3.6 Vegetation, Flora and Fauna 9 4 Sensitivity assessment 18 4.1 Sensitivity criteria 18 4.2 Sensitivity mapping 19 4.3 Infrastructure installations in Critical Biodiversity and Ecological Support Areas 20 4.4 Applicable legislation and permitting requirements 20 4.5 Identification of potential impacts 21 5 Impact assessment 22 5.1 Impact assessment methodology 22 5.2 Impact rating 23 6 Recommended mitigation 25 6.1 Construction phase 25 7 Conclusions 26 8 References 26 APPENDIX A: R61 Cradock to Tarkastad works site photos 27 APPENDIX B: R61 Cradock to Tarkastad proposed borrow pit site photos 35

2 1 MOTIVATION FOR THIS STUDY

Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBA) are serving the attainment of biodiversity conservation targets. In systematic conservation planning they are accorded this status because they contain representative samples of biodiversity and threatened species (flora and fauna) where they can persist over the long term. They also contain abiotic features and processes indispensible for biodiversity conservation, such as providing a system of natural pathways (corridors) facilitating the movement of fauna and flora.

The construction site, which is confined to the road reserve is surrounded on all sides by a Critical Biodiversity Area (category: terrestrial CBA 2 or near natural landscape - elsewhere termed "Ecological Support Area - ESA") as mapped by the Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan 2007. It is therefore prudent to assess potential impacts on the surrounding land for this Basic Assessment.

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

2.1 The road upgrade

The project involves the rehabilitation of the regional road R61, Section 3, between Cradock (km 24.2) and Tarkastad (km 75.0) in the Eastern Cape Province.

The entire project from km 24.2 to km 75.0 is a winding road with a narrow cross section and very limited passing opportunities. The scope of the project includes the widening of the roadway (± 5.0 m) itself and the widening of all stormwater structures along the entire project. The existing road reserve is approximately 32 m.

There are 17 river or stream crossings along the project, falling into 9 different erven. Seven of the crossings are bridges, eight are culverts and in two the stream flows through a pipe underneath the road. Five of the bridges as well as the culvert and pipe structures will be widened only to suit the road cross section. The height of two other bridges were found to be inadequate and will need to be raised by 1.5 metres from their existing vertical alignment as well.

The need for the road upgrade was identified by SANRAL based on the condition of the road and on road safety considerations. The upgrade would bring this section of the R61 up to standard, which is responding to the importance of the road in enabling nation-wide efficient transportation of people and goods.

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2.2 The material sources

To provide further context for this Basic Assessment, the road upgrade requires road building material from the surrounding area. The road upgrade requires road building material from the surrounding area. The existing road layers do not contain sufficient material for the upgrade. Borrow pits and quarries will provide the additional needed material for general fill, selected fill, as well as sub-grade and sub-base for the road.

It is proposed that material for the construction of the road will be sourced along the R61 from five borrow pits and one hard rock quarry. Mining activities at each mine are described below. The site plans of the proposed borrow pits and quarries are attached.

BP 1 (Dwingfontein) is situated at the start of the road upgrade project adjacent to the road. It is an extension of an existing borrow pit into a small hill. No written documentation has been traced regarding the previous mining activities at this site. Access is via the entrance road in the north leading to the Michau farmstead. While the borrow pit is active, the use of the road will be shared. When completed the borrow pit will have an oval shape of approximately 170 x 90 metres and it is to be mined for weathered dolerite to a depth of 3 - 7 metres. The extent of the area to be mined is 1.7 ha. A total quantity of 51 940 m 3 is needed for G7 selected and fill material from this pit to satisfy the road construction needs. The profile has been designed in such a way that the borrow pit will be self-draining towards the north-east corner. Top soil and overburden will be used for the rehabilitation of the borrow pit although the available quantities are very low. The inclined sections of the side walls, the batter, will have a slope of 1:3 when finished. Drainage of the borrow pit across the farm access road and into the unnamed non-perennial river will be managed by a headwall and pipe arrangement. The material will be mined by mechanical means with a frontend loader. No blasting will take place on site. The entire mine will be fenced. Access will be controlled with a gate, next to which there will be an office container, a weigh bridge and a stock pile area.

BP 2 (Fairview) is situated directly adjacent to the R61 on nearly flat ground. There is some evidence that the area has been mined previously, although details are not available. The completed borrow pit has a rectangular shape of 280 x 230 m. It is to be mined for weathered dolerite to a depth of 2 - 6 metres. The extent of the area to be mined is 6.2 ha. A total quantity of 176 420 m 3 is needed for G7 selected and fill material from this pit to satisfy the road construction needs. The profile has been designed in such a way that the borrow pit will be self-draining towards the eastern corner. Top soil and overburden will be used for the rehabilitation of the borrow pit. The inclined sections of the side walls, the batter, will have a slope of 1:3 when finished. The material will be mined by mechanical means with a frontend loader. No blasting will take place on site. The entire mine will be fenced. Access will be controlled with a gate, next to which there will be an office container, a weigh bridge and a stock pile area.

BP 3 (Klipkral) is a new borrow pit. Previously, mining for road material has taken place directly opposite on the other side of the road, which has left a

4 poorly vegetated scar of some 140 x 90 m in the veld. The new completed borrow pit has a rectangular shape of 260 x 170 m. It is to be mined for weathered dolerite to a depth of 2 - 4 metres. The extent of the area to be mined is 4.3 ha. A total quantity of 134 017 m 3 is needed for G7 selected and fill material from this pit to satisfy the road construction needs. The profile has been designed in such a way that the borrow pit will be self-draining towards the eastern corner. Top soil and overburden will be used for the rehabilitation of the borrow pit. The inclined sections of the side walls, the batter, will have a slope of 1:3 when finished. The material will be mined by mechanical means with a frontend loader. No blasting will take place on site. The entire mine will be fenced. Access will be controlled with a gate, next to which there will be an office container, a weigh bridge and a stock pile area.

BP4 (Burnley Park) is a southward extension of a previously used borrow pit situated next to the R61. Signs of successful natural revegetation are beginning to show at the old pit, except for some bare steep edges still remaining. This will be attended to through partial filling with overburden from the new one. Caution should be exercised that the rehabilitation efforts do not annihilate the natural revegetation processes currently underway. The new completed borrow pit has a near-rectangular shape of 190 x 140 m. It is to be mined for weathered dolerite to a depth of 4 metres. The extent of the area to be mined is 2.5 ha. A total quantity of 73 093 m 3 is planned to be mined that will be used for G7 selected and fill material. The profile has been designed in such a way that the borrow pit will be self-draining towards the eastern corner. Top soil and overburden will be used for the rehabilitation of the borrow pit. The inclined sections of the side walls, the batter, will have a slope of 1:3 when finished. The material will be mined by mechanical means with a frontend loader. No blasting will take place on site. The entire mine will be fenced. Access will be controlled with a gate, next to which there will be an office container, a weigh bridge and a stock pile area.

BP5 (Prinsfontein) is an extension of a previously used borrow pit situated next to the R61. The new completed borrow pit has a trapezoid shape of 210 x 140 m. It is to be mined for weathered dolerite up to a depth of 6 metres in places. The extent of the area to be mined is 2.8 ha. A total quantity of 88 625 m3 road building material is planned to be mined, which will be used for G7 selected and fill material. The topography does not allow for the extended borrow pit to be self-draining. Rainwater will flow towards the northern point of the worked pit where it may be pumped out into the surrounding veld, or left in place as a seasonal waterhole. Top soil and overburden will be used for the rehabilitation of the borrow pit. The inclined sections of the side walls, the batter, will have a slope of 1:3 when finished. The material will be mined by mechanical means with a frontend loader. No blasting will take place on site. The entire mine will be fenced. Access will be controlled with a gate, next to which there will be an office container, a weigh bridge and a stock pile area.

HRQ1 (Fairview) is a new hard rock quarry at km 39.1 slightly offset from the R61. The quarry has an square shape of approximately 140 x 140 m. It is to be mined for dolerite up to a depth of 20 metres in places. The extent of the area to be mined is 1.57 ha. As it is carved into the hill side, it is doubtful at this time if the quarry will be self-draining when mined out. Top soil and overburden will be used for the rehabilitation. The material will be mined by mechanical means with a frontend loader after the rock has been broken by blasting. The entire mine will be fenced. Access will be controlled with a gate, next to which there will be an office container, a weigh bridge, a crusher plant

5 and a stock pile area. Berms placed at strategic locations will hold and redirect storm water so that the dry water course at the foot of the hill is not polluted with silt.

2.3 Owners of the farms on which the mines are situated

BP 1 - Dwingfontein (RE/2/165 + RE/3/153) 24 km from the Cradock R61 turnoff Geographical position: 32 o05'01"S, 25 o50'38"E Owner: Francois Michau 048 8814808, 083 9760900 [email protected] PO Box 237, Cradock 5880

BP 2 - Fairview (RE/1/152) 37.3 km from the Cradock R61 turnoff Geographical position: 32 o01'04"S, 25 o57'20"E Owner: Carel du Plessis 048 8813916, 071 6775169 PO Box 65, Cradock 5880

BP 3 - Klipkral (RE/104) 42.5 km from the Cradock R61 turnoff Geographical position: 31 o59'06"S, 25 o58'55"E Owner: Jan Georg Michau 045 8469605, 082 8091591 [email protected] PO Box 39, Cradock 5880

BP 4 - Burnley Park (RE/10/118) 53.8 km from the Cradock R61 turnoff Geographical position: 31 o56'01"S, 26 o04'53"S Owner: Johan Petrus Smith 048 8814411, 079 5645936 [email protected] PO Box 491, Cradock 5880

BP 5 - Prinsfontein (RE/2/94) 65.0 km from the Cradock R61 turnoff Geographical position: 31 o57'06"S, 26 o11'11"E Owner: JP van Heerden 045 8469451, 082 8561885 PO Box 23, Tarkastad 5370

HRQ 1 - Fairview (RE/2/152) 39.1 km from the Cradock R61 turnoff Geographical position: 32 o00'15"S, 25 o57'46"E Owner: Carel du Plessis 048 8813916, 071 6775169 PO Box 65, Cradock 5880

6 Permitting of the materials sources required for the project is undertaken in accordance with the Regulations pertaining to the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act. An EMP has been submitted to the Department of Mineral Resources for evaluation.

2.4 Alternatives

Nearly all proposed road construction will occur within the existing road reserve of approximately 32 m width. In order to achieve the desired road geometry small slivers (a few 1000 m 2) of private land will have to be acquired by SANRAL. This is in progress. An alternative site or route for the road was not considered to be a viable option as it would have a much higher impact. Therefore, a route/site alternative was not assessed for this project.

During planning for the road upgrade the project engineers evaluated likely sources of material for the construction of the road. To be acceptable, the material sources had to meet the following criteria: • Suitability of the stone and rock from a geotechnical perspective • Availability of sufficient quantities to meet the demand • Feasibility of extracting the material by means of opencast mining • Short hauling distance from the borrow pit or hard rock quarry to the construction site • No or only minimal disturbance by mining activities for local residents • No or only minimal disturbance of the traffic flow by hauling trucks • Absence of constraints in terms of ownership of the land or title deed restrictions • A landowner willing to accept a borrow pit or hard rock quarry in exchange for fair compensation, and • Low environmental impact.

The reconnaissance resulted in the identification of six mining sites (5 borrow pits and 1 hard rock quarry) along the R61 as sources for material for the construction of the road. These six mining sites fulfil all the needs.

No other alternative materials sources have been identified that meet the requirements in terms of proximity to the road works and the desired quality of the road construction material. The investigation of all the proposed sites has confirmed that there is sufficient material available for use during the project. There are no feasible alternatives to the proposed method of open cast mining.

3 BASELINE INFORMATION

3.1 Geology and soils

The rocks earmarked for mining at the borrow pits and the hard rock quarries are dark grey and reddish dolerite with a medium grain underlain by the Tarkastad Formation. They are the result of volcanic intrusions into the surrounding sedimentary layers of the Beaufort Group which is part of the

7 Supergroup. The dolerite originally was forced between the layers of the Beaufort Group as dykes and sills when it was hot and soft, forming a continuous solid layer as it cooled and solidified. On exposure to the elements the dolerite is broken up into rounded rocks by the weathering action associated with erosion.

Soils are generally shallow and weakly developed. Crop and horticultural production at the mining sites is severely limited (even with irrigation) due to the dominant soil types.

3.2 Topography

From its start at Dwingfontein (altitude 1080 m) Section 3 of the R61 traverses a gently undulating flat until reaching the Vlekpoortrivier at Klipkraal where it passes through a gap between two mountains of 1200 m in height. Thereafter, in long straight sections, the road climbs slightly, passing the Maermansberg (1674 m) on the right side, until it reaches the crossing of the Elandsrivier at the 401 turnoff to (height 1250 m). On its way to Tarkastad the R61 stays at the valley bottom between the Elandskop peak (1749 m) and the spectacular buttress of the Middelkraal mountains (2031 m). The road then climbs steadily until it reaches the town limit of Tarkastad at a height of 1320 m.

3.3 Climate

Section 3 of the Regional Route R61 lies within a summer rainfall region peaking from January to March. However, rainfall is unpredictable and often falls in heavy storms. There is a west to east gradient in rainfall along section 3 of the R61 road. The mean annual precipitation ranges between 298 ± 82 mm at Borrow Pit 1 to 370 ± 94 mm at BP5. Half a metre of rain a year is regarded as the minimum amount required for sustainable (dryland) crop production. Hence life stock farming (sheep and cattle) prevails in the area. The aridity of the area will have a marked effect on the ability to rehabilitate disturbed veld.

Temperatures also vary greatly. Summer maximum reaches 38°C, but frost can be expected between May to August. Strong north-westerly winds can be expected from July to September in higher lying areas, while frequent south- westerly winds bring rain in summer.

3.4 Air quality

Air quality is typically excellent and is only very slightly affected by exhaust emissions from vehicles passing by on the R61.

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3.5 Ground and surface water

Drainage lines and wetlands are assessed in the WULA assessment and are not addressed in this ecological assessment.

3.6 Vegetation, Flora and Fauna

The road and its associated mines span across the Eastern Nama Karoo and the Grassland biomes. The vegetation can be broadly categorised into a) riverine bush dominated by dense thickets of Sweet Thorn Acacia karoo b) dry and arid flats covered by Aristida congesta grass and Karoo shrubs. The road traverses the following vegetation types, all of which are classified as Least Threatened: • Southern Karoo Riviere occurs on alluvial soils and is characterised by the presence of grasses and low, mostly thorny shrubs. On site, this azonal vegetation unit is embedded into the surrounding Grassland biome. • Eastern Upper Karoo is contained within the Nama Karoo biome. This vegetation unit consists of sparsely vegetated, gently sloping plains dominated by microphyllus shrubs and grasses of the genera Aristida and Eragrostis . • Tarkastad Montane Shrubland is found in the Grassland biome. The vegetation is of a low height consisting of a mix of grasses and small shrubs amongst bare rock. • Queenstown Thornveld consists of a complex of Acacia thornveld and grassland dominated by Aristida congesta . It is found on the near-level bottomlands of intra-mountain basins.

None of the terrestrial ecosystem occurring in the area has been assigned Critically Endangered or Endangered status. However, the entire middle part (from km 36.9 to km 65.4 = 28.5 km) of the road upgrade project lies inside a recognised biodiversity conservation corridor as determined by the Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan of 2007.

The fauna within the area has been affected to varying extents since the advent of commercial farming. While megaherbivores have been hunted out, medium and small mammals still occur in reasonable numbers, such as baboon, bushbuck, duiker, vervet monkey, black-backed jackal, hare, mountain reedbuck, porcupine, antbear, steenbok and dassie.

Regional Planning Frameworks and vegetation units in the study area The road traverses four vegetation units as per Mucina and Rutherford (2006), namely Tarkastad Montane Shrubland, Southern Karroo Riviere, Eastern Upper Karroo and Queenstown Thornveld. The borrow pits and hard rock quarry also fall within these vegetation units and all affected vegetation units have a Least Threatened conservation status as per the National Biodiversity Assessment (2011).

9 BIODIVERSITY PLANNING Vegetation Unit Status RESOURCE Tarkastad Montane Shrubland Least Threatened The Vegetation of Southern Karroo Riviere Least Threatened Lesotho and Swaziland (VegMap; Eastern Upper Karroo Least Threatened Mucina & Rutherford) Queenstown Thornveld Least Threatened Tarkastad Montane Shrubland Least Threatened National Biodiversity Assessment Southern Karroo Riviere Least Threatened (NBA, 2011) Eastern Upper Karroo Least Threatened Queenstown Thornveld Least Threatened Eastern Cape Biodiversity CBA 2 (Near Natural Landscapes) N/A Conservation Plan (ECBCP)

Tarkastad Montane Shrubland Present on ridges, hills and isolated mountain slopes, characterised by high surface rock cover often consisting of large, round boulders. The vegetation is low, semi-open, mixed shrubland with ‘white’ grasses and dwarf shrubs forming a prominent component of the vegetation. Typically composed of a mosaic of small tree clumps with grasses, shrubs and succulent species. Dominant and common species include: Aloe ferox, Acacia karroo, Diospyros austro—africana, Ehretia rigida, Rhus burchellii, Euryops annae, Aristida adscensionis, Aristida congesta and Aristida diffusa and other grasses.

Occurs on soils derived from sedimentary rocks of the Tarkastad Group (Beaufort Group, Karoo Supergroup). Least threatened, target 28 % and around 1 – 2 % conserved in statutory conservation areas (Commando Drift, Tsolwana Nature Reserves and Mountain Zebra National Park). About 2 % is transformed for cultivation of building of dams. Susceptible to erosion in areas. Borrow pits include BP1 and BP3 and the Hard Rock Quarry site. Road portions include: 24.2 km to 24.5 km; 24.8 to 25.3 km; 35.3 to 4.1 km and 56.9 to 57.3 km.

Tarkastad Montane Shrubland Tarkastad Montane Shrubland

Southern Karroo Riviere Present on narrow riverine flats supporting a complex of Acacia karroo or Tamarix usneoides thickets (up to 5 m tall), and fringed by tall Salsola - dominated shrubland (up to 1.5 m high), especially on heavier (and salt- laden) soils on very broad alluvia. In sandy drainage lines Stipagrostis namaquensis may occasionally also dominate. Mesic thicket forms in the may also contain Leucosidea sericea, Rhamnus prinoides and Ehrharta erecta. Typically dominated by grasses, with a strong karroid shrubs and succulent component as well as small trees, especially in riparian areas. Dominant and common species include: Acacia karroo, Rhus lancea, Diospyros lycioides, Tamarix usneoides, Stipagrostis namaquensis, Lycium

10 cinereum, Salsola aphylla, Malephora uitenhagensis, Salsola arborea Cynodon incompletus and Phragmites australis. Sensitive to grazing and overgrazing tends to lead to loss of grass cover and dominance of less palatable shrubs with concomitant exposure of soils to sheet erosion.

Occurs on soils derived from recent sandy-clayey alluvial deposits rich in salt occurring on mudrocks and sandstones of the Adelaide Subgroup (Beaufort Group of the Karoo Supergroup). Torrential convectional rains in summer cause sudden flood surges which remodel the riverbed and adjacent alluvium. Frequent disturbance (floods, concentrated grazing pressure), and associated input of nutrients, increase vulnerability of these habitats to invasion of alien woody species such as Agave americana , Opuntia species, Prosopis species, Salix babylonica and Schinus molle , and forbs including Atriplex eardleyae , A. lindleyi subsp . inflata , Cirsium vulgare , Salsola kali and Schkuhria pinnata. Least threatened, target 24% and only about 1.5% statutorily conserved in the Karoo National Park as well as in the Aberdeen, Bosberg, Commando Drift, Gamkapoort and Karoo Nature Reserves and in about 10 private reserves, mainly set up for game farming. Some 12% transformed for cultivation and building of dams. Road portions include: 24.5 km to 24.8 km and 25.3 km to 27.6 km.

Southern Karroo Riviere (well grazed) Southern Karroo Riviere (alluvial)

Eastern Upper Karroo Present on flat and gently sloping plains (interspersed with hills and rocky areas of Tarkastad Montane Shrubland) dominated by dwarf microphyllous shrubs, with ‘white’ grasses of the genera Aristida and Eragrostis (these become prominent especially in the early autumn months after good summer rains). Typically dominated by grasses, karroid shrubs and succulent components. Dominant and common species include: Lycium cinereum, Chrysocoma ciliata, Eriocephalus ericoides, Eriocephalus spinescens, Pentzia globosa, Pentzia incana, Salsola calluna, Cynodon incompletus, Eragrostis bergiana, Eragrostis bicolor, Stipagrostis ciliata and Tragus koelerioides. Sensitive to grazing and overgrazing tends to lead to dominance of less palatable shrubs and concomitant exposure of soils to sheet erosion.

Occurs on soils derived from mudstones and sandstones of the Beaufort Group (incl. both Adelaide and Tarkastad Subgroups). Erosion is moderate to high and Medicago laciniata is a common and widespread alien plant. Least threatened, target 21% and statutorily conserved in Mountain Zebra and Karoo National Parks as well as in Oviston, Commando Drift, Rolfontein and

11 Gariep Dam Nature Reserves. About 2% of the unit has been transformed, largely due to building of dams. Borrow pits BP2 and BP3 are located within this unit. Road portions include: 27.6 km to 35.3 km and 40.1 km to 48.8 km.

Eastern Upper Karroo Eastern Upper Karroo

Queenstown Thornveld Present on flat bottomlands of intramountain basins with adjacent slopes supporting a complex of Acacia natalitica thornveld and grassland dominated by Aristida congesta , Cymbopogon pospischilii, Eragrostis curvula and Tragus koelerioides , with scattered shrubs and low Acacia in places. Typically dominated by grasses, with a karroid shrub and succulent component. Dominant and common species include: Acacia natalitica, Euryops floribundus, Aristida canescens, Aristida congesta, Aristida diffusa, Eragrostis curvula, Themeda triandra and other grasses. Sensitive to grazing and overgrazing tends to lead to loss of grass cover which can lead to significant soil exposure and concomitant severe sheet erosion.

Occurs on soils derived from sedimentary rocks of the Tarkastad Subgroup (Beaufort Group, Karoo Supergroup) overlain with clay loam soils. Least threatened, target 23 % and nearly 1 % statutorily conserved in the Tsolwana Nature Reserve. Some 10 % transformed primarily by cultivation and urbanisation. Overgrazing in the unit, especially by goats is serious. Erosion is moderate to high. Includes Borrow Pits BP4 and BP5 and road portions: 48.8 to 56.9 km and 57.3 to 75.0 km.

Queenstown Thornveld (overgrazed) Queenstown Thornveld

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The vegetation types surrounding the road works

13 Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (ECBCP) The Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (ECBCP) indicates that the entire middle part (from km 36.9 to km 65.4 = 28.5 km) of the road upgrade project lies inside a recognised biodiversity conservation corridor as determined by the Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan of 2007.

The ECBCP has no legal status; however it has been designed to serve as the basic biodiversity layer in Strategic Environmental Assessments, State of Environment Reports, SDFs, EMFs and Bioregional Plans. It conforms to the requirements of the Draft Guideline regarding the Determination of Bioregions and the Preparation and Publication of Bioregional Plans (DEAT and SANBI 2007), as it contains maps of terrestrial and aquatic CBAs, as well as suggested land use guidelines.

No fine-scale plans are yet available for the study area.

The terrestrial CBA affected by the proposed road upgrade, include only CBA 2 type. Biodiversity Land Management Classes (BLMC), being Near Natural Landscapes. The ECBSP Guidelines recommendations are as follows:

BLMC 2 (Near natural landscapes) : • Includes degraded CBA 1 areas; • Includes Endangered vegetation types; expert-mapped areas less than 25 000 ha in size, 1 km coastal buffer strip and ecological corridors identified by the ECBCP using an integrated corridor design; • Maintain biodiversity in near natural state with minimal loss of ecosystem integrity. • No transformation of natural habitat should be permitted .

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The critical biodiversity and ecological support areas surrounding the road works 15

The quaternary catchments, rivers, streams and wetlands surrounding the road works

16 Flora The surrounding grasslands are dominated by mostly widespread grasses with some herbaceous elements, including the disturbed road reserve.

Some locally endemic and protected flora, including succulent species may be present, even within the disturbed road reserve. The following local endemic and protected flora are recorded from the relevant vegetation units: Aloe ferox, Aptenia geniculiflora, Boophone disticha, Chasmatophyllum musculinum, Drosanthemum floribundum, Drosanthemum lique, Malephora latipetala, Mesembryanthemum aitonis, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, Mestoklema illepidum, Nerine huttoniae, Psilocaulon coriarium, Ruschia intricata, Strumaria gemmata, Trichodiadema decorum, Trichodiadema pomeridianum and Trichodiadema rogersiae,

Relevant permits will be required for those flora protected in terms of the Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance no 19 of 1974 (PNCO) that may be disturbed during construction activities.

Botanical Name Family Status Aloe ferox ASPHODELACEAE PNCO Aptenia geniculiflora MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Boophone disticha AMARYLLIDACEAE PNCO Chasmatophyllum musculinum MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Drosanthemum floribundum MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Drosanthemum lique MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Gladiolus permeabilis IRIDACEAE PNCO Malephora latipetala MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Mesembryanthemum aitonis MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Mesembryanthemum crystallinum MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Mestoklema illepidum MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Nerine huttoniae AMARYLLIDACEAE PNCO Psilocaulon coriarium MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Ruschia intricata MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Strumaria gemmata AMARYLLIDACEAE PNCO Trichodiadema decorum MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Trichodiadema pomeridianum MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Trichodiadema rogersiae MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO

Exotic species include Agave americana, Opuntia spp., Salix babylonica and Salsola kali. The construction area and road reserve should be kept free of declared alien species.

Fauna The fauna within the area has been affected to varying extents since the advent of commercial farming. While megaherbivores have been hunted out, medium and small mammals still occur in reasonable numbers, such as baboon, bushbuck, duiker, vervet monkey, black-backed jackal, hare, mountain reedbuck, porcupine, antbear, steenbok and dassie.

Threatened mammals that could occur in the greater study area are the Endangered White-tailed Rat (Mystromys albicaudatus ) and the Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra zebra ) that is regarded as Vulnerable. The proposed mining and road construction activities are highly unlikely to pose a threat to these two mammals. Mountain Zebra are restricted to the Mountain Zebra

17 National Park, and may be present on surrounding game farms, none of which are currently within sufficient proximity that they will be affected by the proposed activities.

The Vulnerable and endemic Plain Mountain Adder ( Bitis inornata ) may occur on the road verges and areas affected by the temporary road diversions as well as the Borrow Pits and Hard Rock Quarry. Other reptiles that may occur include the Tent Tortoise ( Psammobates tentorius ), as well as skinks and snakes basking or traversing the road and road reserve.

The bird fauna is not regarded as vulnerable to the mining activities, although any large trees requiring removal should be checked for nesting birds before removal.

Threatened and/or Protected species will require T.o.P.S. (Threatened or Protected Species) permits from the local conservation department as well as permits relevant to the Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1974 permits for protected species that may be disturbed during construction.

4 SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT

4.1 Sensitivity criteria

Places with untransformed natural vegetation, red-listed species, high diversity or habitat complexity are considered ecologically sensitive. In contrast, any transformed area that has limited importance for the functioning of ecosystems is considered of low sensitivity.

An ecological sensitivity assessment takes into account the presence or absence of these features and attributes:

Feature Attribute Rivers and They are instrumental components of ecological streams processes, such as groundwater dynamics, nutrient (perennial or non- recycling and wildlife dispersal perennial) Wetlands They are components of ecological processes, such as groundwater dynamics, nutrient recycling and represent special habitats Vegetation of As defined by the Eastern Cape Biodiversity conservation Conservation Plan, National Biodiversity Assessment or importance other applicable regional plans Red-listed and Species of conservation concern that have a high protected probability of occurring at the study site organisms Mountain ridges They are links in biogeographical corridors and rocky and rocky outcrops generally provide a niche habitat for species outcrops that may have a localised or limited distribution

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4.2 Sensitivity mapping

The tarred part of the road is 7 m wide with +/- 13 m of road reserve either side. This strip of land was largely fully transformed when the road was built and tends to now be dominated by common secondary growth of grasses and shrubs with scattered predominantly alien tree species.

While the surrounding land with its natural vegetation largely intact must be regarded as ecologically sensitive, the road with its road reserve clearly is not as sensitive due to it being secondary in nature after being fully transformed during original road construction. Road reserves can act as ecological corridors in areas where the surrounding land has been heavily transformed (i.e. extensive cultivation or urbanisation). However because the surrounding farmland is generally in a semi-natural state the ecological contribution of the road reserve is limited.

The road with its road reserve from km 36.9 to km 65.4 (28.5 km), which also includes borrow pits 2, 3, 4 & 5 and the hard rock quarry fall within an Ecological Support Area (ESA) along the middle section running in a north south direction. Within the ESA, the southern hilly parts between borrow pits 2 and 3 are Tarkastad Montane Shrubland. The remainder of the ESA is generally comprised Eastern Upper Karoo and Queenstown Thornveld which are low lying areas surrounding and comprising the Vlekpoort and Elands Rivers and catchments, which ultimately converge into the Commandodrift Dam to the south. A few elevated sections of Tarkastad bisect into the low lying areas

Perennial and non-perennial streams and drainage lines with associated riparian vegetation are also important ecological corridors. The plains, flat bottomlands of intra-mountain basins and narrow riverine flats associated with the Southern Karoo Riviere, Eastern Upper Karoo and Queenstown Thornveld are bisected by an extensive network of predominantly non- drainage lines. These landscapes are also prone to extensive lateral surface flow during periodic rainfall events and the road is intersected by a large number of culverts and pipelines allowing lateral flow of water also of importance maintain ecological connectivity.

Areas where temporary deviations are to be constructed into adjacent land and where additional land is to be obtained to widen the road servitude, could impact on more sensitive areas, most notable where stream and river crossing are present or where rocky outcrops will be affected and within the ESA portion. Construction of temporary deviations may temporarily impede lateral surface flow during construction.

In general the road reserve and borrow pits have a low sensitivity where they are already disturbed or transformed, such as the existing borrow pits and the current road reserve. Sensitivity is elevated to medium in farmland outside of the current road reserve and where the new borrow pits and hard rock quarry are located. Non perennial and perennial drainage lines with riparian vegetation can also be considered to have a moderate to high sensitivity, but these are assessed separately in the WULA report.

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4.3 Infrastructure installations in Critical Biodiversity and Ecological Support Areas

Following from the groundbreaking National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004: Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation in South Africa (Driver et al. 2005) and National Biodiversity Assessment (Driver, et al. 2100), various regional biodiversity plans have established clear planning guidelines for infrastructure installations in Critical Biodiversity and Ecological Support Areas (e.g. Berliner & Desmet 2007, Vromans et al. 2010). Infrastructure installations, such as roads, should be of a restricted nature and guidelines recommend strict controls over such developmental activities. • Installations to be located on transformed, disturbed or low-value agricultural land, where possible. • Avoidance of sensitive areas such as flood lines, river and wetland buffers and Special Habitats. • Minimise loss of any natural habitat and minimise further fragmentation of habitat. • Implement restoration or rehabilitation programmes in degraded or disturbed sites.

While section 3 of the R61 is not a new road but an upgrade to a higher road standard, these principles should also apply.

4.4 Applicable legislation and permitting requirements

Environmental legislation relevant to impacts on terrestrial ecology in the study area:

National Environmental Management Act The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA: Act no. 107 of 1998) requires that all organs of state take biodiversity considerations into account in their decision making. The bioregional plan facilitates this by serving as the official reference for biodiversity priorities within the bioregion, superseding all previously published spatial biodiversity plans.

Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983 (CARA) Alien Invasive Plants require removal according to the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983 (CARA). This requires that specific eradication and management procedures must be stipulated in the EMPr in terms of the methods to be implemented to remove and control the various alien invasive species as they tend to require species specific techniques. Introduced weed species do not require removal but management is advised to prevent proliferation as a result of disturbance (i.e. on road verges, etc). Other legislation • E.C.A: At the time of compilation of this report the provincial Environmental Conservation Bill (2003) had not yet been promulgated. Should the Act be promulgated before site activities commence, respective permits may be required. The species list accompanying the Act would thus take precedence over previous lists as appropriate.

20 • T.O.P.S.: A number of Threatened or Protected Species (Fauna) could be present within the general affected area and permits will be required. • N.E.M.B.A. (57) 1: No listed vegetation units are affected (i.e. requiring clearance of an area 300 m 2 where 75 % constitutes indigenous vegetation).

Environmental licences and/or permits applicable to terrestrial ecology in the study area • In terms of the National Forests Act , 1998 (Act No 84 of 1998) and Government Notice 1339 of 6 August 1976 (promulgated under the Forest Act, 1984 (Act No 122 of 1984) for protected tree species), the removal, relocation or pruning of any protected trees will require a license from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). No protected trees are likely to be impacted by the proposed road upgrade.

• Protected indigenous plants in general are controlled under the relevant provincial Ordinances or Acts dealing with nature conservation. In the Eastern Cape the relevant statute is the 1974 Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance no 19 (PNCO) and Threatened or Protected Species (T.o.P.S) in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (No. 10 of 2004), (NEMBA). In terms of the Ordinance and Act, permits must be obtained from the Department of Economic Affairs Environment and Tourism (DEAET) to remove or destroy any listed plants and animals. A number of protected trees are present.

4.5 Identification of potential impacts

The roads widening will impact on the adjacent Critical Biodiversity Area in a number of ways. On the positive side they confine vehicle traffic to a predetermined route preventing broad scale damage to the ground. A road is almost always safer and more efficient to travel on than having no road at all, which minimises exhaust emissions and pollution from hydrocarbon spills as a result of accidents.

The negative impacts of the proposed road upgrade through a Terrestrial CBA 2 will be as follows: 1. Clearing of vegetation for widening of the road (including disturbed road verges and temporary diversions) and increasing the footprint of the proposed borrow pits and hard rock quarry may result in the destruction of species of special concern, including locally endemic and threatened or protected flora and fauna. 2. Vehicles kill and tyres squash things while crossing the road, especially so when the speed limit is set at a high 80 or 120 km/h and traffic is dense. Birds, reptiles and amphibians are the most common victims of such fatal encounters. 3. Roads are the means by which invasive aliens penetrate into natural veld when their propagules (seeds, eggs etc.) drop off passing vehicles during transit. These can proliferate in disturbed road reserves and verges. 4. Roads introduce harmful hydrocarbon pollutants and noxious gases into an adjacent CBA in a much more direct way than airborne dispersion. This may compromise the survival chances of sensitive organisms.

21 5. Fourthly, roads are conduits of development in terms of expanded settlements, commerce and industry, which are undesirable and strongly discouraged in a CBA according to established national policy.

5 IMPACT ASSESSMENT

5.1 Impact assessment methodology

Impacts were assessed in terms of the criteria presented in the table below.

Criteria used to determine the significance ratings Criteria Description Spatial extent The extent of impact describes the region in which the impact will be experienced: • Site specific • Local (< 2 km from site) • Regional (within 30 km of the site) • National Intensity or Magnitude The intensity describes the magnitude or size of the impact: of impact • High: Natural and/or social functions and/or processes are severely altered • Medium: Natural and/or social functions and/or processes are notably altered • Low: Natural and/or social functions and/or processes are negligibly altered Duration The duration is the time frame in which the impact will be experienced: • Temporary (<1 year) • Short term (1 to 6 years) • Medium term (6 to 15 years) • Long term (15 - 30 years) • Permanent

Probability The probability of the impact occurring: • Improbable (little or no chance of occurring) • Probable (< 50% chance of occurring) • Highly probable (50% - 90% chance of occurring) • Definite (>90% chance of occurring)

The impacts are assessed (rated) in terms of their significance (high, medium, low), status and confidence through a synthesis of the criteria given in the table above . The rating system is outlined in the table below.

Method for Rating of Impacts Class Description Significance • High: impacts of high magnitude locally for longer than 6 years and/or regionally and beyond. The impact results in major alterations to the environment even if effective mitigation measures are implemented and will have an influence on decision-making. • Medium: impacts of moderate magnitude locally to regionally in the short term. The impact results in medium alterations to the environment and can be

22 Class Description reduced or eliminated by the implementation of effective mitigation measures. • Low to very low: impacts will be localised and temporary. Impacts result in minor alterations to the environment and can easily be alleviated by the implementation of effective mitigation measures. • No impact: a potential concern or impact, which, upon evaluation, is found to have no significant impact at all. Status The status is the overall effect on the environment: • Positive - a 'benefit' • Negative - a 'cost' • Neutral Confidence The degree of confidence in predictions based on available information and specialist knowledge: • Low • Medium • High

5.2 Impact rating

Impacts relating to the preferred alternative and to the no-go option are rated separately for the construction and operation phases. Ratings are done with effective mitigation measures in place.

Construction phase

Rating table of potential impacts identified for the construction phase of the preferred alternative Impact Extent Duration Intensity Probability Significance Status Confidence Loss of Local Temporary Low Probable Low Negative High protected flora Faunal road Local Temporary Medium Probable Low Negative High mortality Introduction of alien Local Temporary Low Probable Medium -low Negative High plants Pollution Local Temporary Low Probable Low Negative High Aiding Local Temporary Low Probable Low Negative Medium development

Summary rating of potential impacts identified for the construction phase of the preferred alternative Impact Extent Duration Intensity Probability Significance Status Confidence Ecology Local Temporary Low Probable Medium-low Negative High

Operation phase

Rating table of potential impacts identified for the operational phase of the preferred alternative Impact Extent Duration Intensity Probability Significance Status Confidence Faunal Road Highly Local Permanent Medium Medium-Low Negative High mortality probable

23 Impact Extent Duration Intensity Probability Significance Status Confidence Introduction Highly of alien Local Long-term Low Medium-low Negative High probable plants Pollution Local Permanent Low Probable Low Negative High Aiding Local Long-term Low Probable Low Negative High development

Summary rating of potential impacts identified for the operation phase of the preferred alternative Impact Extent Duration Intensity Probability Significance Status Confidence Ecology Local Permanent Low High Medium-low Negative High

No-go alternative

Rating table of potential impacts identified for the no-go option Impact Extent Duration Intensity Probability Significance Status Confidence Faunal Road Highly Local Permanent Medium Medium-Low Negative High mortality probable Introduction Highly of alien Local Long-term Low Medium-low Negative High probable plants Pollution Local Long-term Low Probable Medium-low Negative High Aiding Local Long-term Low Probable Low Negative High development

Summary rating of potential impacts identified for the no-go option Impact Extent Duration Intensity Probability Significance Status Confidence Ecology Local Long- Low Probable Medium-low Negative High term

The overall impact of the R61 cutting through the ESA/Terrestrial CBA2 is negative and of low-medium significance for the functioning of the surrounding land, even when the situation stays as it is, i.e. the road is not upgraded.

As regards the biodiversity pattern aspect, the cumulative footprint of the proposed road works is too small to make for anything other than a low intensity of the impact as the ecology is only slightly altered if effective mitigation measures as described in the EMPr accompanying the BAR are implemented. As regards the biodiversity process aspect, the movement of biota across the corridor is no more influenced by the construction activity than it is by the presence of the existing road, which is to say the impact is present, but is of medium-low negative status. Some temporary impacts during construction may be elevated, especially relating to clearing of intact vegetation for the construction of temporary diversions, but after post- construction rehabilitation this will be negligible.

24 6 RECOMMENDED MITIGATION

6.1 Construction phase

• As the road is surrounded on all sides by a Terrestrial CBA2/ESA, construction activities should be limited to the confines of the road reserve as much as this is technically feasible. Where additional intact natural vegetation may require removal of vegetation (i.e. construction site and greenfields clearing for temporary roads and/or borrow pit and quarry mining), these areas should be surveyed before construction by an appropriate ecological specialist to determine permit requirements and a protected fauna and flora search and rescue operation must be undertaken. • Vegetation clearing must be limited to the required development footprint and must be introduced in a phased manner, where rehabilitation is immediately commenced as soon as a section of road construction is finished. • Topsoil removed during site clearing should be stockpiled and used during rehabilitation. Any imported topsoil must be certified as being weed free. • Permission must be obtained from the relevant authorities to destroy or remove any protected plant species or animals (including reptiles). • Relocation of protected flora and fauna must be undertaken with necessary permits by an appointed professional service provider. • Endemic and protected flora and fauna must be removed from the affected site footprint to be safeguarded from destruction and relocated either to undeveloped areas or off-site in consultation with conservation authorities and relevant botanical specialists. The plants can be replanted in adjacent areas or used during rehabilitation. • Plant rescue and relocation operation must be conducted timeously before any site clearing occurs, especially within areas having intact vegetation • Clearing of vegetation should be kept to a minimum and must be introduced in a phased manner, where rehabilitation is immediately undertaken as soon as a section of road construction is finished. No animals shall be harmed. • Any additional lay-down and similar areas that may be required outside of the development footprint should be sited in transformed or degraded areas; • Fire control measures should be implemented. • Pollution of the surrounding veld by concrete residue, leftover tarmac, oils and other construction related chemicals and hydrocarbons must be prevented through comprehensive a set of comprehensive material safety measures. Any accidental spills to be addressed as per recommendations in the EMPr. • Due diligence procedures must be adhered to at all times.

Operation phase • Road maintenance should be undertaken at regular intervals according to a schedule to inspect incidences of road kill or pollution incidents that may have occurred that may compromise ecological functioning;

25 • Fire control measures should be implemented and post construction road reserve is to be kept free of declared alien invasive and weed species. • Should such negative impacts be detected SANRAL should inform the Department of Environmental Affairs and implement appropriate measures.

7 CONCLUSIONS

The overall impact of the R61 cutting through the CBA is negative but of low- medium significance. However, given the improvements to road safety, storm water management and traffic congestion that will be achieved by upgrading the R61 in this section are unlikely to exacerbate the impacts that exist already.

Implementation of effective mitigation measures, as described above to reduce the impacts will significantly reduce the overall ecological impacts to acceptable levels.

8 REFERENCES

Berliner D & Desmet P. 2007. Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan: Technical Report. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry Project No 2005-012, Pretoria. 1 August 2007. Driver A, Maze K, Rouget M, Lombard AT, Nel J, Turpie JK, Cowling RM, Desmet P, Goodman P, Harris J, Jonas Z, Reyers B, Sink K, & Strauss T. 2005 National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004: Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation in South Africa. Strelitzia 17. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Driver A., Sink, K.J., Nel, J.N., Holness, S., Van Niekerk, L., Daniels, F., Jonas, Z., Majiedt, P.A., Harris, L. & Maze, K. 2012. National Biodiversity Assessment 2011: An assessment of South Africa’s biodiversity and ecosystems. Synthesis Report. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Department of Environmental Affairs, Pretoria. Mucina, L., & Rutherford, M. 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Pretoria: South African Biodiversity Institute. Vromans, D.C., Maree, K.S., Holness, S. and Job, N. and Brown, A.E. 2010. The Garden Route Biodiversity Sector Plan for the George, Knysna and Bitou Municipalities. Supporting land-use planning and decision-making in Critical Biodiversity Areas and Ecological Support Areas for sustainable development. Garden Route Initiative. South African National Parks. Knysna.

26 APPENDIX A: R61 CRAD OCK TO TARKASTAD WORKS SITE PHOTOS

1. Start of works 24.2 km 2. Borrow Pit 1

3. Culvert at start of works 4. Dense tree around stream at start of works

5. LHS of road at 25.2 km 6. LHS of road at 26.0 km

7. RHS at 26.0 km 8. Riparian vegetation on RHS at 26.2 km

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9. Riverbed and low-level crossing at 26.2 km 10. LHS at 26.8 km

11. Stream crossing at 27 km 12. Small outcrop cutting at 29.2 km

13. Prickly Pear on LHS at 35.8 km 14. LHS at 36.0 km

15. Road cutting through outcrop at 37.2 km 16. Borrow Pit 2 at 37.3 km

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17. LHS at 37.6 km 18. Quarry site at 39.1 km

19. Riparian vegetation adjacent to quarry 20. LHS at 39.2 km

21. small cutting through outcrop on LHS at 22. Steep cutting through pass at 41.0 km 40.0 km

23. Steep cutting through pass at 41.5 km 24. LHS at 42.0 km

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25. LHS at 42.2 km 26. Borrow Pit 3 at 42.5 km

27. Cutting on RHS at 42.5 km 28. Old borrow pit at 42.5 km

29. RHS at 43.0 km 30. RHS at 43.6 km

31. Riparian vegetation around Vlekpoort 32. Riparian vegetation around Vlekpoort river at 46.0 km river at 46.0 km

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33. RHS at 47.2 km 34. Large pan on RHS at 47.2 km

35. Large pan on RHS at 47.2 km 36. LHS at 53.0 km

37. Poor vegetation cover resulting in 38. Borrow Pit 4 at 53.8 km exposed soils

39. Road at section 54.0 – 56.0 40. Rock monitor observed on road verge

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41. Prickly Pear growing on LHS 42 Sisal growing on RHS

43. Road between 56.0 and 58.0 44. Road between 56.0 and 58.0

46. Elands River crossing with alien trees at 45. Road between 56.0 and 58.0 58.6 km

47. Road between 59.0 and 61.0 km 48. Road between 59.0 and 61.0 km

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49. Small rocky outcrop cutting 50. Exposed areas with minor gulley erosion

51. RHS River crossing at 61.4 km 52. Borrow Pit 5 at 65.0 km

53. Borrow Pit 5 at 65.0 km 54. Road RHS at 65.0 km

56. Sheet erosion downstream of culvert at 55. Road LHS at 65.0 km 67.4 km

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57. Sheet wash erosion on RHS at 72.6 km 58. Riparian vegetation on RHS at 72.6 km

59. Culvert on RHS at 72.6 km 60. Road verge and adjacent land at 72.6 km

61. Sheet wash erosion on RHS at 72.6 km 62. End of works 72.6 km

34 APPENDIX B: R61 CRADOCK TO TARKASTAD PROPOSED BORROW PIT SITE PHOTOS Borrow Pit 1 - Dwingfontein (RE/2/165 + RE/3/153), 24 km from the Cradock R61 turnoff

View from the R61 of the existing borrow pit on the farm.

Aerial view of the existing borrow pit.

35 Borrow Pit 2 - Fairview (RE/1/152) 37.3 km from the Cradock R61 turnoff

View from the R61 of the existing borrow pit with good secondary regrowth

36 Borrow Pit 3 - Klipkral (RE/104) 42.5 km from the Cradock R61 turnoff

Site of the proposed borrow pit

A previously used borrow pit is present on the right

37 Borrow Pit 4 - Burnley Park (RE/10/118) 53.8 km from the Cradock R61 turnoff

View from the R61 of the existing borrow pit (looking south).

The existing borrow pit is to be expanded.

38 Borrow Pit 5 - Prinsfontein (RE/2/94) 65.0 km from the Cradock R61 turnoff

View from the R61 of the existing borrow pit.

The existing borrow pit is to be expanded.

39 Hard Rock Quarry 1 - Fairview (Raasfontein RE/2/152) 39.1 km from the Cradock R61 turnoff

Entrance to the proposed hard rock quarry

Aerial view of the proposed hard rock quarry mining area

40 List of Flora species occurring in the vicinity of the works Botanical Name Family Status Acacia karroo FABACEAE Agathosma ovata RUTACEAE Agave americana AGAVACEAE CARA Aloe ferox ASPHODELACEAE PNCO Aptenia geniculiflora MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Aptosimum elongatum SCROPHULARIACEAE Aristida congesta POACEAE Aristida diffusa POACEAE Asparagus cooperi ASPARAGACEAE Ballota africana LAMIACEAE Berkheya pinnatifida ASTERACEAE Blepharis capensis ACANTHACEAE Blepharis integrifolia ACANTHACEAE Blepharis mitrata ACANTHACEAE Boerhavia cordobensis NYCTAGINACEAE Boophone disticha AMARYLLIDACEAE PNCO Buddleja glomerata BUDDLEJACEAE Bulbostylis humilis CYPERACEAE Cadaba aphylla CAPPARACEAE Chaenostoma halimifolium SCROPHULARIACEAE Chascanum pinnatifidum VERBENACEAE Chasmatophyllum musculinum MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Chloris virgata POACEAE Crassula capitella CRASSULACEAE Crassula corallina CRASSULACEAE Crassula exilis CRASSULACEAE Crassula muscosa CRASSULACEAE Cucumis myriocarpus CUCURBITACEAE Cymbopogon pospischilii POACEAE Cyperus uitenhagensis CYPERACEAE Cyphostemma quinatum VITACEAE Datura stramonium SOLANACEAE Dianthus micropetalus CARYOPHYLLACEAE Digitaria eriantha POACEAE Diospyros austro-africana EBENACEAE Diospyros pallens EBENACEAE Drosanthemum floribundum MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Drosanthemum lique MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Ehretia rigida BORAGINACEAE Enneapogon desvauxii POACEAE Enneapogon scoparius POACEAE Eragrostis bergiana POACEAE Eragrostis curvula POACEAE Eragrostis lehmanniana POACEAE Eragrostis obtusa POACEAE Eriocephalus africanus ASTERACEAE Euphorbia aequoris EUPHORBIACEAE Euphorbia ernestii EUPHORBIACEAE

41 Euphorbia stellata EUPHORBIACEAE Euphorbia wilmaniae EUPHORBIACEAE Euryops annae ASTERACEAE Eustachys paspaloides POACEAE Felecia filifolia ASTERACEAE Felicia filifolia ASTERACEAE Felicia ovata ASTERACEAE Geigeria filifolia ASTERACEAE Gisekia pharnacioides GISEKIACEAE Gladiolus permeabilis IRIDACEAE PNCO Gnidia microcephala THYMELAEACEAE Gomphocarpus tomentosus APOCYNACEAE Gomphostigma virgatum BUDDLEJACEAE Gymnosporia heterophylla CELASTRACEAE Helichrysum rosum ASTERACEAE Helichrysum zeyheri ASTERACEAE Heliophila suavissima BRASSICACEAE Hermannia burkei MALVACEAE Hermannia cuneifolia MALVACEAE Hermannia filifolia MALVACEAE Hermannia glabrata MALVACEAE Hermannia multiflora MALVACEAE Heteropogon contortus POACEAE Hibiscus pusillus MALVACEAE Huernia barbata APOCYNACEAE Huernia brevirostris APOCYNACEAE Hyparrhenia hirta POACEAE Hypertelis salsoloides MOLLUGINACEAE Indigofera alternans FABACEAE Ipomoea oenotheroides CONVOLVULACEAE Jamesbrittenia tysonii SCROPHULARIACEAE Kalanchoe rotundifolia CRASSULACEAE Lantana rugosa VERBENACEAE Lapeirousia plicata IRIDACEAE Lasiopogon micropoides ASTERACEAE Lessertia pauciflora FABACEAE Limeum aethiopicum MOLLUGINACEAE Lycium pumilum SOLANACEAE Lycium schizocalyx SOLANACEAE Malephora latipetala MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Melianthus comosus MELIANTHACEAE Mesembryanthemum aitonis MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Mesembryanthemum crystallinum MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Mestoklema illepidum MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Microchloa kunthii POACEAE Moraea polystachya IRIDACEAE Nenax microphylla RUBIACEAE Nerine huttoniae AMARYLLIDACEAE PNCO Opuntia sp. CACTACEAE CARA Osteospermum leptolobum ASTERACEAE

42 Pachypodium succulentum APOCYNACEAE Pegolettia retrofracta ASTERACEAE Pelargonium dichondrifolium GERANIACEAE Pelargonium ramosissimum GERANIACEAE Pelargonium rapaceum GERANIACEAE Pentzia globosa ASTERACEAE Pentzia sphaerocephala ASTERACEAE Psilocaulon coriarium MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Rosenia humilis ASTERACEAE Ruschia intricata MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Salix babylonica SALICACEAE CARA Salsola kali CHENOPODIACEAE CARA Searsia burchellii ANACARDIACEAE Selago albida SCROPHULARIACEAE Senecio acutifolius ASTERACEAE Senecio ruwenzoriensis ASTERACEAE Sisymbrium burchellii BRASSICACEAE Sporobolus ludwigii POACEAE Stapelia grandiflora APOCYNACEAE Stapelia olivacea APOCYNACEAE Stipagrostis ciliata POACEAE Strumaria gemmata AMARYLLIDACEAE PNCO Tarchonanthus minor ASTERACEAE Teucrium africanum LAMIACEAE Themeda triandra POACEAE Tragus berteronianus POACEAE Tribulus terrestris ZYGOPHYLLACEAE Trichodiadema decorum MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Trichodiadema pomeridianum MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Trichodiadema rogersiae MESEMBRYANTHEMACEAE PNCO Trichostomum brachydontium POTTIACEAE Viscum continuum VISCACEAE Wahlenbergia albens CAMPANULACEAE

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