Environmental Impact Report EIR Bravo 4
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February 2009 Impact Assessment Phase ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Bravo Integration Project – Bravo 4: Construction of two 400 kV Power Lines from Kendal Power Station to Zeus Substation DEAT REF NO: 12/12/20/1094 Proponent: Eskom Transmission EENNVVIIRROONNMMEENNTTAALL IIMMPPAACCTT RREEPPOORRTT Project 10637 February 2009 i 10637 PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT The growing demand for electricity is placing increasing pressure on Eskom’s existing power generation and transmission capacity. Eskom is committed to implementing a Sustainable Energy Strategy that complements the policies and strategies of National Government. Eskom aims to improve the reliability of electricity supply to the country, and in particular to provide for the growth in electricity demand in the Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces. For this reason, Eskom obtained environmental authorisation to construct the new 400 kV Bravo (Kusile) coal-fired Power Station between Bronkhorstspruit and Witbank in 2007. Construction of this power station has already commenced. Due to this construction, the new Bravo power station needs to be integrated with the existing Eskom electricity infrastructure. This proposed project is to construct two new 400 kV overhead power lines from the Kendal power station to the Zeus substation. Each of these lines is approximately 100 km in length. Eskom Transmission has appointed Zitholele Consulting (Pty) Ltd, an independent company, to conduct an EIA to evaluate the potential environmental and social impacts of the proposed project. The first phase of the EIA (Scoping Phase) has been completed. The second phase of an EIA is the Impact Assessment Phase. In the Scoping Phase public issues, concerns and suggestions were identified and these were used to shape the terms of references for the specialist studies that were conducted. The findings of the specialists are being reported on in this document – the culmination of the second phase (Impact Assessment Phase) of the EIA. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must show the authorities, the stakeholders and the proponent what the impact of the proposal on a particular alternative will be in environmental, economical and social terms and provide informed findings of the specialist investigations. In accordance with the EIA Regulations, Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) must be given the opportunity to verify that all the issues mentioned during the stakeholder engagement process, have been addressed in the Impact Assessment. This is the main purpose of this Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). After public review, the Draft EIR will be updated and submitted to the lead authority, the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) for a decision about the project. Summary of what the Draft Environmental Impact Report Contains This report contains the following for comment by stakeholders: • A complete overview of the proposed project; • An overview of the EIA process followed; • A complete summary of the Public Participation (PP) Process followed; • Project alternatives including the “No-go” (no development) option; • An overview of the baseline receiving environment; • The assessment by specialists of the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project along with the mitigation measures to reduce the negative impacts and enhance the positive impacts; and • An Environmental Management Plan (EMP). AN EIA CONSISTS OF SEVERAL PHASES Scoping Phase Impact Assessment Environmental Decision-making To identify issues, to Phase Impact Report Phase focus the EIA Detailed studies of potential Consolidate findings of Proponent and authorities impacts, positive and negative impact assessment use EIA findings to decide if studies project goes ahead ZITHOLELE CONSULTING February 2009 ii 10637 YOUR COMMENT ON THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT The Draft Environmental Impact Report is available for comment from Monday, 16 February 2009 to Monday, 16 March 2009 (4 weeks). This Draft Environmental Impact Report has been distributed to the authorities, all key stakeholders and all those that have requested a copy. Copies of the report are available at strategic public places in the project area (see below). List of public places where the Draft Environmental Impact Report is available: PLACE CONTACT TELEPHONE PERSON Blue Valley Golf and Country Estate, HALFWAY HOUSE Bothma, Lise (011) 512 0538 City of Johannesburg: Human Development, Kubheka, Kaiser (011) 203 3419 HALFWAY HOUSE Delmas Public Library, DELMAS Mehlape, Lydia (013) 665 2425 Kungwini Public Library, BRONKHORSTSPRUIT Smith, Brenda (013) 665 2425 Leandra Public Library, LEANDRA Potgieter, A M (017) 683 0055 Lebogang Public Library, LESLIE Mosako, Rosina (017) 683 3000 Midfield Homeowners Association, MIDSTREAM Du Preez, Tarynlee (012) 661 0456 ESTATES Midlands Homeowners Association, MIDSTREAM De Wet, Lizette 087 805 3610 ESTATES Midstream Homeowners Association, MIDSTREAM van der Westhuizen, (012) 661 0915 ESTATES Durette Olievenhoutbosch Library, OLIVENHOUTBOSCH Nkonki, Bongi (012) 652 1001 Phola Public Library, OGIES Mabena, Agnes (013) 645 0094 Secunda Public Library, SECUNDA Griesel, Tertia (017) 620 6183 The reports are also available electronically from the Public Participation office. You may comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report by: • Completing the comment sheet enclosed with the report; • Writing a letter, or producing additional written submissions; or • By email or telephone to the public participation office. DUE DATE FOR COMMENT ON THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT Monday, 16 March 2009 to the Public Participation Office: Anelle Odendaal Public Participation Office Zitholele Consulting (Pty) Ltd P O Box 6002 HALFWAY HOUSE, 1685 Tel: (011) 254-4855 Fax: (011) 805-2100 Email: [email protected] ZITHOLELE CONSULTING February 2009 iii 10637 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION PAGE 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background Information .........................................................................................1 1.2 Purpose and Motivation for the Proposed Project ......................................................2 1.3 The Project Team ...................................................................................................4 1.4 Project Progress ......................................................................................................5 2 LEGAL CONTEXT ............................................................................................... 7 2.1 National Environmental Management Act (No 107 of 1998) ......................................7 2.2 Environmental Conservation Act (Act No 73 of 1989) ...............................................9 2.3 Additional Legal Requirements and Frameworks .......................................................9 3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS .................................. 12 3.1 Study Approach and Progress to Date .................................................................... 12 3.2 Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Environmental Management Plan ................................................................................... XX 3.3 Announcement of opportunity to comment on findings ........................................... XX 3.4 Distribution ........................................................................................................ XXI 3.5 Methods of public review and obtaining comments .............................................. XXII 3.6 Issues and Response Report and acknowledgements ............................................ XXIII 4 ISSUES AND CONCERNS RAISED ................................................................ XXVI 4.1 Authorities ..................................................................................................... XXVII 4.2 Stakeholders ................................................................................................... XXVII 5 DESCRIPTION OF DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES .......................................... 29 5.1 Activity to be undertaken ..................................................................................... 29 5.2 Location 29 5.3 Description of the Development Activities ............................................................. 29 6 TECHNOLOGY REVIEW / ALTERNATIVES INVESTIGATED ...................... 35 6.1 Project Alternatives ............................................................................................. 35 6.2 Route Alternatives ............................................................................................... 35 6.3 Design Alternatives ............................................................................................. 36 6.4 The No-Go Alternative ......................................................................................... 38 7 BASELINE RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT ........................................................ 39 7.1 Bio-Physical Environment .................................................................................... 39 7.1.6 Land Capability ................................................................................................. 60 7.2 Cultural Environment ......................................................................................... 101 7.3 Socio-Economic Environment ............................................................................ 105 8 IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ...................................................