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GAMMA-KAPPA 765Kv Transmission Line, Western Cape Province

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GAMMA-KAPPA 765Kv Transmission Line, Western Cape Province 1 GAMMA-KAPPA 765kV Transmission Line, Western Cape Province SCOPING REPORT PALAEONTOLOGY Compiled by: Dr JF Durand (Sci.Nat.) For: MDT Environmental (Pty) Ltd 673 Glossoti Street, Garsfontein, Pretoria 0081, SOUTH AFRICA 25 July 2020 2 Table of Contents: 1. Executive Summary………………………………..…………………………....................3 2. Introduction……………………………………………………………………….................4 3. Terms of reference for the report………………………………………………................5 4. Details of study area and the type of assessment…………………………………….....8 5. Geological setting……………………………………………………………………………9 6. Palaeontology of the study area…………………………..……………………………...11 7. Conclusion and Recommendations………… …………………………………………20 8. Declaration of Independence……………………………………………………………..22 . List of Figures: Figure 1: Google Earth photo indicating the study area……...………………….……….. 8 Figure 2: Geological map of the study area with the proposed power grid for the Gamma-Kappa section (adapted from the 1: 1 000 000 Geology Map for South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, Geological Survey, 1970) ………………………10 Figure 3: Biostratigraphical map indicating the Karoo Supergroup strata including the biozonation of the Lower Beaufort Group in the study area (adapted from Rubidge, 1995)………………………………………………………………………...11 Figure 4: Mesosaurus fossil skeleton………………………………….…………………….12 Figure 5: Tapinocephalus skull……………………………………………………………… 14 Figure 6 : Bradysaurus skeleton …………………………………………………………… 15 Figure 7: Atherstonia………………………………………………………………………… 15 Figure 8: Rhinesuchus skull………………………………………………………………....16 Figure 9: Pristerognathus skull………………………………………………………………16 Figure 10: Diictodon skeleton……………………………………………………………….. 17 Figure 11: Gorgonopsian skull……………………………………………………………….17 Figure 12: Tropidostoma skull ……………………………………………………………….18 Figure 13: Endothiodon skull…………………………………………………………………18 Figure 14: Glossopteris leaf imprint………………………………………………………….19 3 1. Executive Summary According to this Scoping Report, none of the alternatives for the proposed route for the transmission line has a clear advantage above the others from a palaeontological perspective. The sedimentary rocks of the Ecca and Beaufort Groups of the Karoo Supergroup underlie the study site. These strata are not ubiquitously exposed and are mostly covered with soil. Exposures are usually limited to dongas, river beds and road cuttings. Larger sections of rocky strata are exposed along hilly and mountainous areas however. All fossils that are discovered during operations must be recorded by the ECO. If a significant plant fossil site is uncovered a palaeontologist must be appointed to assist in the evaluation of the importance of the site and the documentation thereof so that the information will be available for future palaeontological studies. Fossils are the most vulnerable to development in areas where the bedrock is exposed or in areas where the soil cover is shallow. Skeletal fossils of fish, amphibians and reptiles are scarce and scientifically important and extremely fragile and depending on its significance, need to be salvaged if possible, following the Chance Find Procedure. It is advised that a palaeontologist should be appointed before development commences, to do a surface inspection of the positions demarcated for development along the selected route for the power line and following SAHRA permissions salvage any fossils that are endangered by the development. The success of the conservation of the palaeontological aspect of this project depends on the ECO’s commitment to following the Chance Find Procedures, especially along sections where the geology is obscured by soil and overburden. The ECO should follow the guidelines stipulated in the Chance Find Procedure (pp. 21-22) when a significant fossil discovery is made during development. A palaeontologist should then be appointed to facilitate the fossil recovery and advise on further development. 4 2. Introduction This Scoping Report is to assess the impact of the proposed strengthening of Eskom’s power grid by the construction of a new 765kV transmission line between the interior (Gamma substation near Victoria West) to the Kappa Substation near Koeberg, on the palaeontological heritage of this region. This transmission line will run for approximately 375 km in a west-southwest direction mainly through the Western Cape and a small section will pass through the Northern Cape. The Gamma-Kappa line will extend from Victoria West via Koruson to Koeberg. The palaeontological heritage of South Africa is unsurpassed and can only be described in superlatives. The South African palaeontological record gives us insight in i.a. the origin of life, mammals, dinosaurs and humans. Fossils are also used to identify rock strata and determine the geological context of the sub region with other continents and to study evolutionary relationships, sedimentary processes and palaeoenvironments. The Cape Supergroup is renowned for its invertebrate fossils and the Beaufort Group of the Karoo Supergroup contains amongst others approximately 70% of all known synapsid (also known as mammal-like reptile) fossils in the world which have played a crucial role in our understanding of the origin of mammals and the Permo-Triassic terrestrial palaeoenvironment including the existence of Gondwanaland. South Africa has the longest record of palaeontological endeavour in Africa. South Africa was even one of the first countries in the world in which museums displayed fossils and palaeontologists studied earth history. South African palaeontological institutions and their vast fossil collections are world-renowned and befittingly the South African Heritage Act is one of the most sophisticated and best considered in the world. The Heritage Act of South Africa stipulates that fossils and fossil sites may not be altered or destroyed. The purpose of this document is to detail the probability of finding fossils in the study area which may be impacted by the proposed development. The impact of the development can be ameliorated in several ways in the areas where fossils are common. Fossils and palaeontological sites are protected by law in South Africa. Development and operations in fossiliferous areas may be mitigated in exceptional cases but there is a protocol to be followed. This is a Scoping Report that was prepared in line with Regulation 28 of the National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998) Regulations on Environmental Impact Assessment. This involved an evaluation of the nature of the geology and potential palaeontology of the study site and an overview of the literature on the palaeontology and associated geology of the area. 5 3. Terms of reference for the report According to the South African Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999) (Republic of South Africa, 1999), certain clauses are relevant to palaeontological aspects for a terrain suitability assessment. • Subsection 35(4) No person may, without a permit issued by the responsible heritage resources authority- • (a) destroy, damage, excavate, alter, deface or otherwise disturb any archaeological or palaeontological site or any meteorite; • (b) destroy, damage, excavate, remove from its original position, collect or own any archaeological or palaeontological material or object or any meteorite; • (c) trade in, sell for private gain, export or attempt to export from the republic any category of archaeological or palaeontological material or object, or any meteorite; or • (d) bring onto or use at an archaeological or palaeontological site any excavation equipment or any equipment which assist with the detection or recovery of metals or archaeological material or objects, or use such equipment for the recovery of meteorites. • Subsection 35(5) When the responsible heritage resources authority has reasonable cause to believe that any activity or development which will destroy, damage or alter any archaeological or palaeontological site is under way, and where no application for a permit has been submitted and no heritage resources management procedures in terms of section 38 has been followed, it may- • (a) serve on the owner or occupier of the site or on the person undertaking such development an order for the development to cease immediately for such period as is specified in the order; • (b) carry out an investigation for the purpose of obtaining information on whether or not an archaeological or palaeontological site exists and whether mitigation is necessary; • (c) if mitigation is deemed by the heritage resources authority to be necessary, assist the person on whom the order has been served under paragraph (a) to apply for a permit as required in subsection (4); and • (d) recover the costs of such investigation form the owner or occupier of the land on which it is believed an archaeological or palaeontological site is located or from the person proposing to undertake the development if no application for a permit is received within two weeks of the order being served. South Africa’s unique and non-renewable palaeontological heritage is protected in terms of the NHRA. According to this act, heritage resources may not be excavated, damaged, destroyed or otherwise impacted by any development without prior assessment and without a permit from the relevant heritage resources authority. As areas are developed and landscapes are modified, heritage resources, including palaeontological resources, are threatened. As such, both the environmental and heritage legislation require that development activities must be preceded by an 6 assessment
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