Section B: Activity Information

BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

BASIC ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED SKUKUZA

SAFARI LODGE DEVELOPMENT AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE IN SKUKUZA, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Technical Report: E-R-2014-11-12

Prepared for: Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA)

Prepared by: Exigo Sustainability (Pty) Ltd (Exigo)

(For official use only) File Reference Number: Application Number: Date Received:

Basic assessment report in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010, promulgated in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), as amended.

Kindly note that:

1. This basic assessment report is a standard report that may be required by a competent authority in terms of the EIA Regulations, 2010 and is meant to streamline applications. Please make sure that it is the report used by the particular competent authority for the activity that is being applied for. 2. This report format is current as of 1 August 2014. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ascertain whether subsequent versions of the form have been published or produced by the competent authority 3. The report must be typed within the spaces provided in the form. The size of the spaces provided is not necessarily indicative of the amount of information to be provided. The report is in the form of a table that can extend itself as each space is filled with typing. 4. Where applicable tick the boxes that are applicable in the report. 5. An incomplete report may be returned to the applicant for revision. 6. The use of “not applicable” in the report must be done with circumspection because if it is used in respect of material information that is required by the competent authority for assessing the application, it may result in the rejection of the application as provided for in the regulations. 7. This report must be handed in at offices of the relevant competent authority as determined by each authority. 8. No faxed or e-mailed reports will be accepted. 9. The signature of the EAP on the report must be an original signature. 10. The report must be compiled by an independent environmental assessment practitioner. 11. Unless protected by law, all information in the report will become public information on receipt by the competent authority. Any interested and affected party should be provided with the information contained in this report on request, during any stage of the application process. BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

12. A competent authority may require that for specified types of activities in defined situations only parts of this report need to be completed. 13. Should a specialist report or report on a specialised process be submitted at any stage for any part of this application, the terms of reference for such report must also be submitted. 14. Two (2) colour hard copies and one (1) electronic copy of the report must be submitted to the competent authority. 15. Shape files (.shp) for maps must be included in the electronic copy of the report submitted to the competent authority.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. Background

Exigo Sustainability (Pty) Ltd (Exigo) was appointed by SANParks to facilitate the Environmental Basic Assessment for the proposed Safari Lodge Development and associated infrastructure in Skukuza, Kruger National Park (KNP) (the Project).

Environmental Authorization is required by means of a Basic Assessment (BA) Process for Listed Activities in accordance with the National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998) (NEMA) and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2010. The following activities listed in GNR 544 (Listing Notice 1) and GNR 546 (Listing Notice 3) of 2 August 2010 are applicable to the proposed development:

 Listing Notice 1: Listed Activities 23, 24, 28 & 37;  Listing Notice 3: Listed Activities 2, 4, 6, 13, 16, & 24.

The application has been awarded the following reference number by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA): DEA Reference Number 14/12/16/3/3/1/1282.

This Basic Assessment Report (BAR) follows the official template as provided by DEA for all Basic Assessments.

2. Project Description

The proposed safari lodge will be a 128 key (256 bed) facility with a combination of luxury suites, standard rooms and family rooms, including universal access rooms.

Additional staff accommodation facilities will be required in Skukuza village for essential staff. This will include ten staff units inside the rest camp (seven 2-bedroom flats and three 3-bedroom houses) that will be demolished to accommodate the new lodge and will be rebuilt in the staff village. Sixteen new sleep-over units will be built as well as thirty four 2 or 3-bedroom units (depending on the location on site), as well as a new contractor’s camp during construction.

In order to accommodate the lodge and adjacent facilities it will require the relocation of the Working for Water offices, certain of the Scientific Services Offices/Stores as well as nursery tunnels (stores and ablutions).

Upgrades to services infrastructure within Skukuza to accommodate the additional demand will include:  Upgrading of the Skukuza Rest Camp water treatment works and water reticulation network including new water pipelines and 1 additional water reservoir.

 Upgrading of the sewer pump system and pipelines as well as an anaerobic digester before the oxidation pond at the existing sewage treatment plant.

 Minor road and storm water upgrades surrounding the lodge and new housing units.

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 Electricity upgrades which includes an electrical cable from the existing Skukuza substation to the lodge.

As per normal SANParks developments standards, the design of the lodge will be to blend in with the environment, remain below the tree canopy, using materials such as thatch in the typical bush style used in the Kruger Park.

The proposed lodge will be located within the Skukuza Rest Camp and the infrastructure upgrades will take place within and directly adjacent to Skukuza Village.

SANParks will procure the services of a specialist Green Building Consultant to assist in the development of the green building initiatives for the lodge. The scope of work for the Green Building Consultant will be based on the National Minimum Standards for Sustainable Tourism. The lodge will use some of the latest environmentally friendly designs, technology and practices, e.g. rain water capture, solar energy, grey water system, etc. Refer to the Concept Design Report for more information in this regard, as well as a description of the service upgrades required.

3. Motivation

The Skukuza Conference Centre resulted in the requirement for additional accommodation specifically suited to the conferencing market, together with the need to broaden the accommodation product KNP was offering. The need for more formal, catered accommodation was identified. As such, SANParks is proposing to develop a Safari Lodge Facility (the project) adjacent to the recently complete Conference Facility in Skukuza in the KNP.

The mandate of National Parks system extends over 19 protected areas. Of these protected areas, only 5 are able to generate a surplus which is then used to fund the remaining Parks. SANParks therefore needs to find sustainable methods to fund the operations and protection of the entire National Parks system and hence SANParks views Responsible Tourism as a Conservation Strategy.

SA Tourism has identified business tourism as an opportunity to promote South Africa as a destination and this was identified by SANParks as a means to attract new markets to visit national parks. This will ensure sustainability of the national park system in South Africa and therefore SANParks needs to diversify the product offering. This is realized by establishing the conference center at Skukuza and by further providing for accommodation and services that meet the expectations of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) market. This assures that SANParks will be realising its objective of diversifying its product range and attract new markets. The MICE market essentially requires a different type of accommodation and the current self-catering chalets do not meet this requirement. They will require modern amenities such as access to internet and communications systems, and the additional rooms aim to provide that.

For further information, please refer to the Skukuza Safari Lodge Fact Sheet compiled by SANParks that is attached to the public participation appendix (Appendix E) of this report.

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4. Environmental Impact Assessment and Public Participation Process

An Environmental Assessment process (in this case a Basic Assessment (BA)) is an essential planning tool for any development. It identifies the environmental impacts of a proposed project and assists in ensuring that a project will be environmentally acceptable and integrated into the surrounding environment in a sustainable way.

The key issues listed in the following section have been determined through the following avenues:  Views of interested and affected parties;

 Legislation; and

 Professional understanding of the project team, environmental assessment practitioners and specialist consultants.

Assessing the comments/concerns received during the public participation process, it is evident that the key comments raised are:  Visual impact o Light nuisance  Noise nuisance o Noise impact on the rest camp, in particular the surrounding chalets  Lodge access times via the Kruger Gates and the possible associated impact on wildlife  Socio-Economic impacts o Need for this type of development o Local employment benefits o Availability of bursaries and learnerships o Local décor and art should be used at the lodge in order to benefit local artists  Water use optimisation o Grey water usage  Other o Waste minimisation strategies o Electricity minimisation options Further aspects assessed as part of specialist studies include the impact on the Sense of Place (by means of a Visual Impact Assessment), as well the impact on traffic on local roads (assessed by a Traffic Impact Assessment).

5. Specialist Studies

The following specialist studies were conducted as part of the Environmental Basic Assessment Process:  Ecological Assessments with emphasis on:

o Flora : Exigo Sustainability

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o Fauna (birds, reptiles, mammals) : EcoAgent

 Archaeological Assessment : Exigo Sustainability  Visual Impact Assessment : Newtown Landscape Architects

 Traffic Impact Assessment : Corli Havenga Transportation Engineers

The project team also includes:  Development & Project Manager : PMSA (Pty) Ltd  Architect : Tom Hattingh & Mashilo Lambrechts Architects

 Quantity Surveyor : Crane Construction Consultants

 Structural & Civil Engineers : Endecon Ubuntu (Pty) Ltd  Mechanical Engineer : Sivest SA (Pty) Ltd

 Electrical Engineer : Sivest SA (Pty) Ltd

 Lodge Operations Specialist : Jolante Hesse CC  Sustainability consultants : Ecolution Consulting, Ecocentric and Solid Green  Geotechnical : Conic North Consulting Engineers

6. Alternatives

In the case of the proposed development, possible alternatives were identified through discussions with authorities, discussions with Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs), reviewing of existing environmental data, specialist inputs/studies and the Applicant.

6.1. Lodge placement alternatives

During the initial planning phase of the project the following three alternatives for the placement of the lodge were considered by SANParks:

1. Proposed Alternative (Alternative 1): The proposed site next to the conference centre within the boundaries of the Skukuza Rest Camp (the site proposed in this report).

2. Alternative 2: Outside of the Skukuza Rest Camp next to the Skukuza Golf Club

3. Alternative 3: Directly to the east of the Skukuza Rest Camp between the camping perimeter and the day visitors centre (outside of the camp)

Neither of the alternative sites was however in close proximity to the Conference Centre. This would provide logistical challenges with delegates having to be transported to the conference centre resulting in additional traffic in the camp and Skukuza village. Furthermore, should the Safari Lodge be located at the Golf Course, it would result in increased night movement outside of the parameters of the camp, also with significant environmental impact. The same would be true if direct access to the camp could not be obtained for the alternative between the camp and the day visitor’s centre. As such, the current location in the proximity of the Conference Centre was chosen at an already disturbed site to mitigate such environmental impact.

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The three alternative sites are indicated on a map in Appendix A.

Since these alternatives were not investigated in detail as part of the environmental assessment process (the two alternative sites were largely disregarded due to practical considerations) it is not included in the alternative ratings provided in the Basic Assessment Report below.

6.2. Staff housing alternatives

Various alternative sites for new housing in Skukuza Village was considered and investigated by the fauna, flora and heritage specialists. These sites were largely inside Skukuza Village on disturbed areas and the final sites selected to form part of the basic assessment process took into account environmental factors, service connections (water and electricity), wildlife corridors as well as the future planning and zoning for Skukuza Village.

Since the number of housing options that were considered would have made the Basic Assessment Report very complicated due to the reporting template, it was decided that only two of the housing alternatives will be described in this reporting format. All sites considered for housing is indicated in Appendix A (Map 2), while the two housing alternatives discussed in the tables in the BAR are shown in Appendix A (Map 3). The housing alternatives evaluated are with regards to four 2-bedroom houses in two separate areas of Skukuza Village.

PLEASE NOTE: The units that were originally proposed just south of the golf course (indicated on Map 1 – Appendix A) is not required anymore by SANParks and will be excluded from the application going forward. Only essential staff will be accommodated inside the Kruger National Park. Of the planned 128 staff members only 40 to 48 staff members will be accommodated in Skukuza, the rest will be transported by bus daily.

The following additional alternatives were evaluated during the BA process:  Two Staff Housing Site Alternatives for the four 2-bedroom houses (Refer to Map 3 in Appendix A):

o Preferred Alternative (Alternative 1): Houses to be constructed on an already developed area currently used by a cluster of temporary park homes to the south of the N'waswitshaka River. This site is already developed and not situated in close proximity to any environmentally sensitive areas and is therefore preferred. o Alternative 2 is located in an undisturbed largely natural area outside the existing boundaries of the staff village between Elephant Road and the game capture bomas. This area does not have existing water, power and sewage connections on site. Should the houses be constructed in this location it would require the clearing of pristine natural habitat (tamboti thicket) and would further expand the village footprint. This alternative is therefore not preferred.  Layout of the lodge

o Alternative 1 (preferred): amongst others, the design of the lodge takes into account two baobab trees planted in the early 1930’s by the Kruger National Park’s founder Col. James-Stevenson Hamilton. The lodge was designed around the baobab trees and the trees will become features within the atrium on the inside of the lodge. The design is also more fragmented (compared to the Alternative layout indicated below) and comprises of a collection of smaller structures to limit the visual impact. o Alternative 2 (not preferred): the initial layout of the lodge did not take the baobab trees into account and would have required the baobab trees to be removed. This

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alternative lodge layout will have a higher impact on the heritage, ecological and visual environment and is therefore not preferred.  Electricity alternatives o Alternative 1 (preferred): The preferred option in terms of electricity supply is to install a PV system (solar panels) large enough to offset 15% of the consumption of the lodge. The rest of the electricity will by supplied by Eskom (SANParks has confirmed that sufficient electricity is available from Eskom and that an application to increase the electricity provision to Skukuza is not required). o Alternative 2: A larger 700kW PV generation system with and without a battery backup and/or tracking system. This system will be able to provide the lodge with a percentage of its power consumption during the daytime as well as charging the batteries. Adding the batteries provides SANParks with a tool to manage the maximum demand. A 700kW system can provide between 28% and 38% of the lodge’s power consumption depending on the configuration used. This option is still being considered, but the feasibility will depend on financial considerations.

o No Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) installation i.e. only Eskom grid supply.

 No-go alternative: This would entail leaving the proposed development site in its present state and not developing the proposed lodge and associated infrastructure. The no-go alternative will imply that virtually none of the identified impacts of proceeding with the project will be incurred. Refer to Section below dealing with impacts assessed.

Possible project impacts identified during the BA process and specialist studies have been fed back to the project team. The project team consequently took into account possible environmental impact associated with the proposed development, and identified the alternatives as discussed above. The alternatives have reduced possible impacts. The impacts in this report have been rated on the best possible design alternatives chosen for the project.

7. Summary of specialist findings

The following section includes information abstracted from the specialist studies conducted as part of the BA process. For more information please refer to the specialist studies attached as Appendix D of this report.

7.1. Fauna

A Fauna Impact Assessment was conducted by Eco-Agent CC. The team included Prof. George Johannes Bredenkamp, Dr. Ignatius Lourens Rautenbach, Dr. Alan Charles Kemp and Jacobus Casparus Petrus van Wyk. They conducted field surveys on 11-12 June 2011 and 22-24 September 2014.

Mammals

Three of four major mammal habitats are present in or near the study sites, namely terrestrial, arboreal and wetland / aquatic. With the exception of some of the building plots in the eastern staff village, terrestrial habitat has been severely transformed by hard structures that it is ecologically close to non-functional. In the Skukuza rest camp, and the administrative and worker compounds, terrestrial habitat is functionally also isolated by perimeter fences, although small mammals (viz. rodents) are capable of passing through the fence.

Wetland / aquatic habitat is in centred on the Sabie River, which is outside the perimeter fence and a considerable distance from the Lodge and accommodation units. It is possible that some moisture-

9 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT reliant small mammal will occasionally find its way into the Skukuza perimeter fence, but from an ecological perspective this will be a chance event and in the context of this report, of little relevance.

A minority of small mammals are strictly arboreal (viz. tree squirrels, savannah dormice and tree rats can be located in the gardens and trees planted in an around the camp. Bats have located themselves in houses, culverts, warehouses and manicured trees.

Avifauna

The findings from the Avifauna survey indicated that the most important habitats to conserve for threatened species around Skukuza, based on their preferences, are the widespread bushveld habitat and the riverine wetlands (linked to the adjacent riparian woodland for a few species), with the limited thicket habitat of least importance other than in support of the riparian habitat for sapling replacement. The riverine and riparian systems, which often include thickets, are much more sensitive and restricted in extent than the surrounding bushveld, being linear, vulnerable to upstream factors affecting water quality and quantity, and subject to much more pressure from animals passing through and using them en route to and from water, seeking cover/shade/nest sites, and/or feeding on the largely evergreen foliage and variety of fruits (and from tourist pressure and development desirous of being near the river within the rest camp).

Four threatened species are expected to be regular residents, three of them (African Finfoot, White- backed Night-Heron, Saddle-billed Stork) restricted to the reed-fringed water ways and sandbars within the Sabie River, and the Marabou Stork using the water ways and wetlands but feeding sometimes in the bushveld.

Eight species are expected as frequent visitors, one of them (Yellow-billed Stork) passing up and/or down the river to their particular sandbar and pool habits within the riverine system. The other seven species do not usually entering the Skukuza complex itself, but often pass overhead and/or enter its immediate periphery to locate food (Southern Ground Hornbill, Hooded Vulture, African White- backed Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Bateleur, Tawny Eagle, Martial Eagle). All are large carnivorous and/or scavenging birds with extensive bushveld home ranges (e.g. 100km2 for ground-hornbills, 150 km2 for Martial Eagle) and they will regularly walk through or soar overhead, and sometimes descend if locating food or to roost. Hooded and African White-backed Vultures may even nest occasionally in large trees in the more secluded areas within the complex.

Eleven species are expected to be only erratic visitors, because the habitats in and around Skukuza are not always ideal for them but do provide suitable corridors for movement (Half-collared Kingfisher, Black-bellied Bustard, Greater Painted-Snipe, African Crowned Eagle, Kori Bustard) and/or temporary sources of food (Black Stork, Pel's Fishing-Owl, Lanner Falcon, Cape Vulture), including Palaearctic (European Roller) and Afrotropical (Abdim's Stork) migrants.

Only the African Pygmy Goose is considered an infrequent summer vagrant due to the limited suitable habitat that exists.

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The area is assessed as good-medium for local movements and feeding for most species (only poor for African Pygmy Goose), but is less suitable as medium-poor for roosting and generally poor for nesting for most of the species. None of these threatened species is expected to be affected by the proposed developments, other than possibly very slightly by the marginal increase in the footprint of the Skukuza complex and further reduction in natural vegetation.

Herpetofauna

Of the 81 reptile species that are previously recorded or deduced to occupy the study site, nine were confirmed during the site visit and of the documented and possible 30 amphibian species which occur on the study site, three were confirmed during the site visit. No exotic herpetofauna species were found or are expected to occur on the study site.

The high species richness recorded for the study site is due to the renowned biodiversity of the KNP and the presence of all four habitat types. The presence of wetlands and their associated vegetation cover, and natural and man-made arboreal and man-made rupicolous habitats, have contributed to enhance species richness. The three drainage lines, especially the Sabie River, function as important dispersal corridors. Table 1: Reptile and Amphibian species positively confirmed on the study site, observed indicators and habitat. SCIENTIFIC NAME ENGLISH NAME OBSERVATION INDICATOR HABITAT Trachylepis striata Striped Skink Sight record At buildings, tents and other man-made structures Trachylepis margaritifer Rainbow Skink Sight record Around fishpond at reception and man-made wall beneath restaurant Acanthocercus atricollis Southern Tree Agama Sight record On trees in tourist camp and outside Pelusios sinuatus Serrated Hinged Terrapin Sight record Pool in N'waswitshaka stream Hemidactylus mabouia Common Tropical House Sight record On walls of tourist Gecko accommodation and bathrooms Chondrodactylus turneri Turner’s Gecko Sight record On reception office block walls Homopholis wahlbergii Wahlberg’s Velvet Gecko Sight record House in staff village Varanus niloticus Nile Monitor Sight record Water edge Crocodylus niloticus Nile Crocodile Sight record Bank of the Sabie River Amieta angolensis Common River Frog Sight record Sewage Farm Ptychadena anchietae Plain Grass Frog Sight record Grassy banks of Lake Panic Stream Chiromantis xerampelina Southern Foam Nest Frog Sight record Bathrooms of tourist and research camp

It is submitted that all the species listed in Table 1 are abundant on the study site and elsewhere in their range.

The following red data species might be present on the sites:

 KwaZulu-Natal hinged-back tortoise - small possibility  Southern African Python – definitely occurs in the study site

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 Nile crocodile- confirmed

None of the Red Data Listed Reptiles species is expected to be affected by the proposed developments. There will only be a marginal increase in the footprint of the Skukuza complex and a negligible reduction in natural vegetation.

All other developments are expected to have minimal vertebrate and environmental impact, once the disruption of construction is completed. Mitigation measures are presented that should minimize construction effects (e.g. saving by triage of important tree specimens), and allow careful rehabilitation and landscaping after construction to enhance the final habitats for vertebrates (e.g. by creation of new riparian, thicket and wetland habitats), and hence improvement of their movement corridors.

7.2. Flora

A Flora assessment was conducted by Exigo, Dr. Buks Henning. The vegetation survey was conducted on site during May 2011, November 2012 and June 2014.

The proposed development site occurs in a variety of landscapes from completely modified gardens inside the Skukuza Rest Camp to slightly degraded thickets, open woodland and riparian woodland areas along the periphery of the staff village and living quarters. The most prominent drainage channels in close proximity to the proposed development of staff housing are the Sabie and N’waswitshaka Rivers. The vegetation of the proposed development sites outside the camp fences can be described as representative of the riparian zone, uplands and bottomlands described for the Sabie-Crocodile River thickets landscape (Gertenbach, 1983)1. Vegetation units were identified during the ecological surveys according to plant species composition, previous land-use, soil types and topography. The state of the vegetation of the proposed development site varies from being completely modified (gardens) to slightly degraded or natural woodland. The Code of Conduct for the Kruger National Park with regards to the management of biodiversity (natural habitats outside the rest camp or staff village), cultural heritage (baobab trees planted by James Stevenson-Hamilton in 1930’s) and plants (landscaping, control of alien invasive species etc.) is included in the Flora Impact Assessment Report (attached as Appendix D).

The following vegetation units were identified on different locations in and around the proposed development sites (Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2):

1. Residential gardens 2. Degraded grassland with scattered trees 3. Ziziphus – Grewia – Tecoma thickets 4. Acacia grandicornuta – Grewia thickets 5. Degraded Acacia tortilis woodland 6. Mixed Acacia nigrescens–woodland

1 GERTENBACH, W. P. D. 1983. Landscapes of the Kruger National Park. Koedoe 26: 9-121.

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7. Combretum apiculatum – Grewia bicolor woodland 8. Dense Spirostachys africana – Grewia bicolor thickets (thickets & non-perennial drainage channels) 9. Dense Grewia – Dichrostachys thickets 10. Riparian woodland

No red data species potentially occurring in the grid square of the area occur on the proposed Safari Lodge development site due to the degraded and modified state of the vegetation. Three individuals of two cycad species [Encephalartos lebomboensis and E. paucidentatus were planted in the gardens of the staff houses on the proposed lodge site many years ago. These species are listed as red data species (Encephalartos lebomboensis – endangered; E. paucidentatus – vulnerable), however these species do not naturally occur in the area and merely represent garden ornamentals. No permits are needed to move the individual specimens within the rest camp and staff village area provided that the movement gets done by the Skukuza Nursery (Ms. M. Hofmeyr) once cleared by the Mpumalanga Parks Agency.It is recommended that a specialist need to insert microchips into the plants when moved to a new location, even if just temporarily.

Except for the above-mentioned species, none of the listed red data species potentially occurring in the area was found on any of the proposed development sites during the vegetation survey. The degraded state of many of the proposed development sites makes the probability of finding these species on the site low, while the habitat of the more natural areas do not represent optimal habitat for the red data species.

For more information refer to the Flora Assessment attached to Appendix D of this report.

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Figure 1: Vegetation Map for the proposed Safari Lodge site and 16 lodge staff sleep-over units

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Figure 2: Vegetation Map for the proposed infrastructure associated with the Safari Lodge (sewer and water supply pipelines, power cable, reservoir etc.)

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7.3. Visual

A visual impact assessment was conducted by Newtown Landscape Architects CC (Report attached as Appendix D).

The landscape and scenic quality of the Kruger National Park is one of South Africa’s most valuable environmental resources. The landscape, specifically at the camps, has undergone extensive change since the early conservationists arrived and the natural environment with the indigenous and endemic plant communities has undergone extensive change to accommodate tourist accommodation and support infrastructure. Nonetheless, the predominantly man-made landscape at the camps exhibits a charm that, along with the wildlife and scenery, has enticed visitors to the KNP over the years. These camps continue to evolve and grow with time as new demands for accommodation and upgrades are required, particularly Skukuza, which is the largest and most ‘commercial’ of the camps. Whilst it is not a unique or fragile landscape it can be vulnerable to change if inappropriately handled. The protection, restoration and enhancement of the character of the camp are therefore essential for the successful integration of the proposed Project and supporting infrastructure.

The sense of place of the study area derives from the combination of all landscape types and their impact on the senses. The natural environment surrounding the camp, the anticipation of arriving at the camp, the camp entrance feature, the adjacent Sabie River, the open treed landscape in the residential areas, and other cultural interventions including the shop, petrol station and restaurant complex and the recently built conference centre, combine to give the tourist camp its sense of place. Arguably the areas with the strongest visual and aesthetic appeal are those areas along the Sabie River and the heavily treed areas dotted with the typical round rondavels, reminiscent of the original camp layout.

This landscape types in the vicinity of the lodge and housing units are considered to have a moderate value because they are a common landscape type that exhibits some positive character but which has evidence of alteration /degradation/erosion of features resulting in areas of a more mixed character than the original baseline landscape.

Visual simulations was conducted showing the after the lodge scenario from various perspectives in the Skukuza camp. It is evident from the before and after scenarios that the new lodge complex will have an impact on existing views due to is form, scale and the fact the most of the vegetation from the site will be removed to create the terraces on which the lodge would be built. The most open public views to the lodge are from the east i.e. the entrance road and the existing conference centre (refer to Figure 3). Here the lodge will be seen in the foreground of the view and will protrude above existing vegetation as well as above the roof line of the Conference Centre. The development, from this perspective (a moderately sensitive viewing area), however, appears in scale and consistent in form with the conference centre, thus the existing landscape to a degree is able to visually absorb the

BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT lodge structure. The materials used in the new lodge also match those of the Conference Centre as well as the rondavels to the north of the site i.e. plastered walls and thatch as a roofing material. The Landscape and Visual Impact overall result is that there would be a moderate change in landscape characteristics over a localized area, resulting in a moderate change to resulting in a moderate change to key views from the east.

When viewed from the most sensitive north-western areas of the camp the disruption of scale of the lodge relative to the adjacent rondavels is evident from some very specific and limited. This is indicated in the simulation in Figure 4. Here the scale and form of the lodge contrasts with the round and smaller forms of the rondavels. However, due to the layout of the rondavels, the relative abundance of trees and the proposed wooden latte fence, exposed views of the lodge would soon diminish as the observer moves to the north and away from the lodge.

The lodge would not be visible from the tourist rondavels to the east of the entrance road, the restaurant and shop areas and the administration block due to the screening effect of vegetation and other structures.

The proposed staff housing units are located in a landscape of moderate aesthetic value. It is predicted that they will exert a no negative impact during the construction and operational phases on the visual and aesthetic environment when compared against the baseline. The units are located out of sight of any tourist activity.

Construction of water and sewer pipelines near the 4 way crossing immediately south of the tourist camp’s main entrance will be visible during the construction phase. This impact will be of short duration and incremental and will not constitute a major nuisance as once buried the disturbed areas will be rehabilitated with indigenous grass species.

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Figure 3: View from road running in between conference centre and proposed site for lodge before and after simulations as well as with mitigation in place

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Figure 4: View from rondavels for lodge before and after as well as with mitigation

7.4. Archaeology

An archaeological assessment was conducted by Mr. Kruger from Exigo (Report attached as Appendix D).

The cultural landscape of the Lowveld encompasses a period of time that spans millions of years, covering human cultural development from the Stone Ages up to recent times. It depicts the interaction between the first humans and their adaptation and utilization to the environment, the migration of people, technological advances, warfare and contact and conflict. Contained in its archaeology are traces of conquests by Bantu-speakers, Europeans and British imperialism encompassing the struggle for land, resources and political power. The area now known as the Kruger National Park (KNP) first came under government protection in 1989 when the then president, Paul Kruger, proclaimed the Sabie Game Reserve between the Sabie and Crocodile rivers (Pienaar 1990).

During the survey of the sites in and around the Skukuza rest camp one resource of heritage potential dating to the Historical Period of the Park was identified within the footprint area demarcated for the Skukuza Safari Lodge. Two historically important baobab trees, planted by Col. James Stevenson- Hamilton are located on the proposed lodge development site. Col. James Stevenson-Hamilton served as head Warden in the Kruger National Park for 44 years from 1902 to 1946. He lived in Skukuza during his service period in the Park. Towards the end of his term in the late 1930’s and 1940’, Stevenson-Hamilton and his family occupied a residence in a western section of the Camp and the Stevenson-Hamilton children Margaret, Jamie and Anne were raised here in the 1930’s. It is said that, at the time Stevenson-Hamilton planted two Baobab trees in what was then the front garden of their residence. The trees are not only of ecological value but they carry heritage significance in terms of their association with Stevenson-Hamilton, and considering their physical context at the historical residence. The trees occur within the zone demarcated for the Skukuza Safari Lodge but the developer has indicated that the trees will be retained and incorporated into the design of the Lodge.

Figure 5: Historical Baobab trees planted by James Stevenson-Hamilton in Skukuza BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

7.5. Traffic

A traffic impact assessment was conducted by Corli Havenga Traffic engineers.

The traffic impact assessment utilized the following information:

 Gate entry data from the park dating back to 2007 up to the end of December 2012.  Traffic Impact Study done for the Conference Facility, dated May 2008  Traffic Assessment done for the Marula Region Strategic Environmental Assessment Kruger Park, dated July 2008.

Table 2 below presents the yearly average daily visitor entries through the southern gates calculated from the gate entry data. Also presented in Table 2 are the daily averages for the month of April from 2008 to 2012.

Table 2: Southern gates visitor entries - averages SOUTHERN GATES VISITOR (PERSON) ENTRIES (Crocodile Bridge, Malelane, Numbi, Phabeni & Kruger) Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Year 2649 2681 2463 2733 2715 average April 2505 2976 2478 3050 3056 average

Although the main purpose of the proposed Safari Lodge is to cater for conference delegates, it will probably also be utilised for normal Kruger Park visitors. Staff trips will at most be 2 busses in and 2 busses out per day.

The use of the Safari Lodge to provide accommodation for conference delegates is expected to contribute to a reduction in traffic on the road network. At this stage some conference delegates stay outside the Kruger Park because of the lack of appropriate accommodation inside Skukuza, adding additional trips to the road network.

Currently conference delegates staying in Skukuza Camp, in most instances stay some distance from the conference facility. They travel from their accommodation to the venue. This results in the doubling of parking spaces to be provided in Skukuza Camp (at the accommodation and at the conference facility).

The worst case traffic scenario will be during high peak periods where the Safari Lodge will be used to provide accommodation to visitors.

The following assumptions were made:

 Average stay of 2 nights per room  1 trip (vehicle) per two beds

An average stay of 2 nights in the Safari Lodge will result in an expected trip generation of 128 trips

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per day on one of the roads between the 3 respective gates serving the Kruger National Park and Skukuza Camp.

The provision of additional accommodation in Skukuza Camp will also contribute to a slight increase in traffic on the roads surrounding the camp. This will be more so over peak times when the Safari Lodge will be used to provide additional accommodation in the Kruger Park. During normal operating times the Safari Lodge will tend to lower the number of vehicles currently on the roads, because conference delegates will not need to travel in and out of the park while attending a conference.

The traffic impact of the proposed Safari Lodge will be within the threshold limits of the Kruger Park on Road H1-1 and Road S1. Road H11, the road between the Paul Kruger Gate and Skukuza, is already above the threshold value and the traffic impact of the proposed Safari Lodge will be less than a 14% (worst case scenario) increase in traffic volumes and more realistically an increase in the region of 4%.

The Safari Lodge will not contribute significantly to current congestion levels on the roads in the park and can be supported from a traffic point of view. We recognise the fact that current congestion levels on roads close to Skukuza Camp are already higher than the threshold value of 3 vehicles/km. The following interventions should be considered to lower congestion levels on roads close to Skukuza Camp:

 Park-and-ride facility at Paul Kruger Gate.  Reducing the number of Day Visitors at Paul Kruger Gate.  The provision of an alternative route for Road H11 between Skukuza and Road S1.  The selling of package deals for the conference facility with accommodation and transport.

8. Environmental impact prediction and evaluation

Impacts were evaluated in consultation with the interested and affected parties, and based on specialist studies conducted. Mitigation measures were proposed in order to reduce or eliminate impacts identified. The significance of an identified impact was rated by taking into account its duration, scale, severity (magnitude) and the probability that the impact may occur.

Below is a summary of the potential environmental impacts associated with the project through different phases:

No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Significance (WOM) Significance (WM)

Ecological Impacts - Flora 1 Inside fenced areas: Habitat Construction 40 Low 40 Low Clearing of destruction vegetation for construction activities, construction of infrastructure, access roads etc. 2 Outside the camp Habitat Construction 60 Moderate 35 Low

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No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Significance (WOM) Significance (WM)

periphery: Clearing destruction of vegetation for construction activities, construction of infrastructure, access roads etc. 3 Inside fenced areas: Soil erosion Construction 40 Low 12 Negligible Exposure of soils to rainfall and wind during construction

4 Outside the camp Soil erosion Construction 52 Moderate 28 Low periphery: Exposure of soils to rainfall and wind during construction 5 All areas: Spillages of Construction 26 Low 14 Negligible Movement of harmful vehicles on site substances during construction

6 All areas: Exposure Dust Construction 75 High 35 Low of soils to rainfall contamination and wind during construction 7 All areas: Continued Spread of alien Construction 52 Moderate 32 Low movement of invasive species personnel and vehicles on and off the site during the construction phase, as well as occasional delivery of materials required for maintenance 8 Outside the camp Negative effect of Construction 44 Moderate 28 Low periphery: human activities Construction of on flora infrastructure, access roads etc.

9 Inside fenced areas: Negative effect of Construction 26 Low 14 Negligible Construction of human activities infrastructure, on flora access roads etc.

Ecological Impacts - Fauna 10 In and adjacent to Removal of Construction 60 Moderate 40 Low fenced tourist indigenous trees camp: Lodge and and thicket in new mini- degraded areas substation

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No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Significance (WOM) Significance (WM)

11 In and adjacent to Removal of natural Construction 60 Moderate 40 Low fenced tourist vegetation for camp: Lodge staff extension dormitory units

12 In and adjacent to Removal of natural Construction 60 Moderate 40 Low fenced tourist vegetation for camp: New offices extension to relocate W-for-W offices

13 In and adjacent to Removal of any Construction 60 Moderate 40 Low fenced tourist indigenous trees camp: New offices and stores for Sci. Services 14 In and adjacent to Removal of any Construction 55 Moderate 30 Low fenced tourist indigenous trees camp: New water and thicket supply pipeline to lodge

15 In eastern staff Removal of natural Construction 70 High 60 Moderate village area: vegetation for Additional staff extension village housing units

16 In eastern staff Removal of natural Construction 70 High 55 Moderate village area: vegetation for Extension to 2/3- extension bedroom housing units 17 In eastern staff Clearance of Construction 70 High 60 Moderate village area: Sewage natural vegetation pump extension for extensions

18 In eastern staff Control of runoff Construction 65 High 40 Low village area: New and pollution tunnel, store and

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No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Significance (WOM) Significance (WM)

ablutions for plant nursery

19 In eastern staff Clearance of Construction 40 Low 40 Low village area: natural vegetation Extension to water for extensions pump/ treatment unit

20 In western staff and Removal of natural Construction 60 Moderate 60 Moderate administrative vegetation for compound areas: extension New worker's accommodation

21 In western staff and Clearance of Construction 60 Moderate 60 Moderate administrative natural vegetation compound areas: for extensions New water reservoir 22 In areas connecting Disturbace of Construction 65 High 40 Low services to site: natural vegetation New Powerline connection

23 In areas connecting Disturbance of Construction 60 Moderate 35 Low services to site: natural vegetation New water rising for laying of main to new supplementary reservoir pipeline

24 In areas connecting Disturbance of Construction 60 Moderate 50 Moderate services to site: natural vegetation New sewage for laying of pipelines and supplementary anaerobic digester pipeline

25 Operation of the Movement, noise, Operational 48 Moderate 16 Negligible Safari Lodge, sleep light, water, over rooms and disturbance mini substation

26 Operation of the Food scraps Operational 16 Negligible 8 Negligible Safari Lodge, sleep over rooms

27 Power supply to Maintenance visits Operational 16 Negligible 16 Negligible

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No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Significance (WOM) Significance (WM)

lodge 28 Additional staff Movement, noise, Operational 32 Low 16 Negligible housing units light, water, disturbance

29 New offices and Movement, noise, Operational 36 Low 18 Negligible stores light, water, disturbance

30 Sewage pump, Maintenance visits Operational 16 Negligible 16 Negligible pipeline and digester 31 Sewage pump, Additional run- Operational 16 Negligible 16 Negligible pipeline and off/seepage digester 32 Additional water Maintenance visits Operational 16 Negligible 16 Negligible pump, reservoir and pipelines

33 Additional water Additional run- Operational 16 Negligible 16 Negligible pump, reservoir and off/seepage pipelines Ground and surface water 34 Potential pollution Increased Construction 20 Negligible 6 Negligible of the Sabie and stormwater run-off and N'waswitshaka operational Rivers, its tributaries and drainage lines due to dirty run-off from surfaced areas

35 Crossing of drainage Possible leakages Construction 20 Negligible 6 Negligible lines with services and spillages and operational

Soil and geology 36 Construction Soil contamination Construction 36 Low 20 Negligible vehicle movement by hydrocarbons and operational

37 Uncontrolled Siltation of Construction 36 Low 20 Negligible stormwater run-off watercourses and operational

Air quality

38 Demolition of Dust emissions Construction 36 Low 20 Negligible

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No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Significance (WOM) Significance (WM)

existing buildings

39 Heavy equipment, Dust and VOC Construction 36 Low 20 Negligible dust and exhaust emissions fumes Heritage Impacts 40 Destruction of site Construction Construction 70 High 8 Negligible of Archaeological activities importance Noise Impacts 41 Ground works Construction Construction 14 Negligible 7 Negligible machinery noise 42 Demolition of Construction 14 Negligible 7 Negligible existing buildings machinery and demolition noise 43 Contractors on site Construction Construction 14 Negligible 7 Negligible workers making noise

44 Additional people Visitors and staff Operational 7 Negligible 7 Negligible and vehicle making noise movement around the Skukuza camp site 45 Operation of the Noise from air Operational 14 Negligible 7 Negligible lodge and other conditioning and facilities Refrigeration Visual Impact 46 Visibility of the Sense of place Construction 70 High 52 Moderate construction site - Lodge - landscape of moderate value

47 Visibility of the Sense of place Operational 60 Moderate 26 Low Lodge - landscape of moderate value

48 Visibility of the Sense of place Construction 12 Negligible 8 Negligible construction site - Staff housing - landscape of moderate to low value 49 Visibility of the Staff Sense of place Operational 13 Negligible 9 Negligible housing - landscape of moderate to low value Traffic Impacts 50 Traffic impact from Increased vehicle Operational 45 Moderate 36 Low additional traffic movement related to the lodge development Socio-Economic Impacts 51 The creation of new Job creation Construction 60 Moderate (Positive) 60 Moderate (Positive) employment opportunities at the

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No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase Significance (WOM) Significance (WM)

Lodge

52 The creation of new Job creation Operational 65 High (Positive) 65 High (Positive) employment opportunities at the Lodge 53 On-the-job training Skills development Construction 60 Moderate (Positive) 60 Moderate (Positive) along aimed at and improvement skilling employees of employability will contribute towards human capital development and improving workers’ employability and chances to find employment outside the project. 54 On-the-job training Skills development Operational 65 High(Positive) 65 High (Positive) along aimed at and improvement skilling employees of employability will contribute towards human capital development and improving workers’ employability and chances to find employment outside the project.

No impacts were rated to be of high significance should the EMP and the mitigation measures contained therein be implemented. A number of impacts of moderate significance were identified including fauna impacts where construction activities will take place outside of the rest camp within natural areas (e.g. new staff housing at living quarters, new sewage pipelines etc.). The lodge is also expected to have an impact of moderate significance during the construction phase (low impact during the operational phase). The rest of the impacts could all be mitigated to be of low to negligible significance during the construction and operational phases. Long term impacts (operational phase) are all expected to be of low to negligible significance.

9. Conclusions & Recommendations

The findings of the specialist studies undertaken during this BAR provide an assessment of both the benefits and potential negative impacts anticipated as a result of the proposed project. The findings conclude that provided that the recommended mitigation and management measures are implemented there are no environmental disqualifying factors that should prevent the proposed project from proceeding. In order to achieve appropriate environmental management standards and ensure that the findings of the environmental studies are implemented through practical measures, the mitigation measures detailed in the specialist studies have been captured in Section D.

This EMP will form part of the contract with the contractors appointed to construct and maintain the

BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT proposed plant and associated infrastructure. The EMP would be used to ensure compliance with environmental specifications and management measures. The implementation of this EMP for key cycle phases (i.e. construction and operation) of the proposed project is considered to be fundamental in achieving the appropriate environmental management standards as detailed for this project.

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SECTION A: ACTIVITY INFORMATION

Has a specialist been consulted to assist with the completion of this YES section? If YES, please complete the form entitled “Details of specialist and declaration of interest” for the specialist appointed and attach in Appendix I.

1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION a) Describe the project associated with the listed activities applied for

Basic Assessment for the proposed Skukuza Safari Lodge development and associated infrastructure in Skukuza, Kruger National Park.

The proposed lodge will be a 128 key (256 bed) facility with a combination of luxury suites, standard rooms and family rooms, including universal access rooms.

Additional staff accommodation facilities will be required in Skukuza village for essential staff. This will include sixteen sleep-over units for shift workers directly behind the lodge, four 2-bedroom units in the staff village and twenty 2-bedroom units at the Living Quarters (refer to Appendix A for a map indicating these areas), as well as a new contractor’s camp for the construction phase.

Upgrades to services infrastructure within Skukuza to accommodate the additional demand will include:  Upgrading of the Skukuza Rest Camp water treatment works by an additional 20Kl/h module.  Upgrades to the water reticulation network for the lodge and housing units. This includes new water pipelines and an additional 540 m3 water reservoir.  Upgrading of the sewer pump system, new sewer pump main and outfall sewer (110/160mm diameter), as well as an anaerobic digester before the oxidation pond at the existing sewage treatment plant.  Minor road and storm water upgrades surrounding the lodge and new housing units.  Installation an electrical cable from the existing main substation to a new miniature substation at the lodge.

For more information regarding the design of the lodge and associated infrastructure refer to Appendix J (Concept Design Report). b) Provide a detailed description of the listed activities associated with the project as applied for

Listed activity as described in GN R.544, Description of project activity 545 and 546 Example:

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GN R.544 Item 11(3): The construction of a A bridge measuring 5 m in height and 10m bridge where such construction occurs in length, no wider than 8 meters will be within a watercourse or within 32 metres built over the Orange river of a watercourse, measured from the edge of a watercourse, excluding where such construction will occur behind the development setback line. Listing Notice 1 (GNR 544) The proposed lodge and surrounds (including parking Listed Activity 23: areas and back-of- house services) will be ± 2 The transformation of undeveloped, vacant or hectares. The additional housing areas are proposed derelict land to – to be ± 1.78 hectares, while the office, tunnel and (i) residential, retail, commercial, recreational, store relocations will be 0.46 hectares in size. The industrial or institutional use, inside an urban anaerobic digester is proposed to be 0.072 hectares area, and where the total area to be in size. transformed is 5 hectares or more, but less than The total development (excluding linear activities) is 20 hectares, or expected to be ± 4.31 hectares in size. (ii) residential, retail, commercial, recreational, Applicable activity: 23(ii) industrial or institutional use, outside an urban area and where the total area to be transformed is bigger than 1 hectare but less than 20 hectares; - except where such transformation takes place for linear activities. Listing Notice 1 (GNR 544) The site falls within the Kruger National Park, which is Listed Activity 24: a conservation area. The transformation of land bigger than 1000 square metres in size, to residential, retail, commercial, industrial or institutional use, where, at the time of the coming into effect of this Schedule such land was zoned open space, conservation or had an equivalent zoning. Listing Notice 1 (GNR 544) The anaerobic digester (tank) is proposed prior to the Listed Activity 28: existing oxidation ponds at the sewage treatment The expansion of existing facilities for any process works. The proposed tank will require an amendment or activity where such expansion will result in the to the water use licence that the park has for its need for a new, or amendment of, an existing existing sewage treatment works. permit or license in terms of national or provincial legislation governing the release of emissions or pollution, excluding where the facility, process or activity is included in the list of waste management activities published in terms of section 19 of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008) in which case that Act will apply. Listing Notice 1 (GNR 544) New pipelines are proposed as an upgrade to the Listed Activity 37: water and sewage reticulation network. The The expansion of facilities or infrastructure for the pipelines will be less than 0.36m in diameter and bulk transportation of water, sewage or storm will not increase the throughput capacity by 10% or water where: more, but the pipelines will be more than 1000 m in (a) the facility or infrastructure is expanded by length. more than 1000 metres in length; Applicable activity: 37(a) or where the throughput capacity of the facility or infrastructure will be increased by 10% or more– excluding where such expansion: (i) relates to transportation of water, sewage or

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storm water within a road reserve; or where such expansion will occur within urban areas but further than 32 metres from a watercourse, measured from the edge of the watercourse. Listing Notice 3 (GNR 546) Listed Activity 2: The site is within the Kruger National Park (a The construction of reservoirs for bulk water supply protected area and therefore also within a National with a capacity of more than 250 cubic metres. Park). (a) In Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, One reservoir with a capacity of 540 m3 will be Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape constructed. The reservoir will be constructed within provinces: an area where there are existing reservoirs, however ii. In an estuary; since it will be new reservoirs the construction listed In a protected area identified in terms of activity was chosen and not the listed activity NEMPAA, excluding conservancies; associated with expansion of reservoirs. iii. Outside urban areas, in: (aa) National Protected Area Applicable activity: 2(a)(ii) Expansion Strategy Focus areas; (bb) Sensitive areas as identified in an environmental management framework as contemplated in chapter 5 of the Act and as adopted by the competent authority; (cc) Sites or areas identified in terms of an International Convention; (dd) Critical biodiversity areas as identified in systematic biodiversity plans adopted by the competent authority or in bioregional plans; (ee) Core areas in biosphere reserves; (ff) Areas within 10 kilometres from national parks or world heritage sites or 5 kilometres from any other protected area identified in terms of NEMPAA or from the core area of a biosphere reserve; (gg) Areas seawards of the development setback line or within 1 kilometre from the high-water mark of the sea if no such development setback line is determined. (hh) In urban areas: Areas zoned for use as public open space; Areas designated for conservation use in Spatial Development Frameworks adopted by the competent authority, or zoned for a conservation purpose; Areas seawards of the development setback line or within urban protected areas. Listing Notice 3 (GNR 546) Listed Activity 4: A few minor road upgrades will be required at the The construction of a road wider than 4 metres with lodge and housing sites. a reserve less than 13,5 metres. (a) In Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Applicable activity: 4(a)(ii) Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape provinces: ii. In an estuary;

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Outside urban areas, in: (aa) A protected area identified in terms of NEMPAA, excluding conservancies; (bb) National Protected Area Expansion Strategy Focus areas; (cc) Sensitive areas as identified in an environmental management framework as contemplated in chapter 5 of the Act and as adopted by the competent authority; (dd) Sites or areas identified in terms of an International Convention; (ee) Critical biodiversity areas as identified in systematic biodiversity plans adopted by the competent authority or in bioregional plans; (ff) Core areas in biosphere reserves; (gg) Areas within 10 kilometres from national parks or world heritage sites or 5 kilometres from any other protected area identified in terms of NEMPAA or from the core areas of a biosphere reserve; (hh) Areas seawards of the development setback line or within 1 kilometre from the high-water mark of the sea if no such development setback line is determined. (ii) In urban areas: Areas zoned for use as public open space; Areas designated for conservation use in Spatial Development Frameworks adopted by the competent authority or zoned for a conservation purpose; seawards of the development setback line or within urban protected areas. Listing Notice 3 (GNR 546) Listed Activity 6: The proposed lodge will be a 250 bed facility. The site The construction of resorts, lodges or other tourism is within the Skukuza Rest Camp, however since it will accommodation facilities that sleep 15 people or be a new lodge the expansion listed activity was not more. listed. (a) In Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape Applicable activity: 6(a)(ii) provinces: ii. In an estuary; Outside urban areas, in: (aa) A protected area identified in terms of NEMPAA, excluding conservancies; (bb) National Protected Area Expansion Strategy Focus areas; (cc) Sensitive areas as identified in an environmental management framework as contemplated in chapter 5 of the Act and as adopted by the competent authority; (dd) Sites or areas identified in terms of an International Convention;

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(ee) Critical biodiversity areas as identified in systematic biodiversity plans adopted by the competent authority or in bioregional plans; (ff) Core areas in biosphere reserves; (gg) Areas within 10 kilometres from national parks or world heritage sites or 5 kilometres from any other protected area identified in terms of NEMPAA or from the core area of a biosphere reserve; (hh) Areas seawards of the development setback line or within 1 kilometre from the high-water mark of the sea if no such development setback line is determined; (ii) Areas on the watercourse side of the development setback line or within 100 metres from the edge of a watercourse where no such setback line has been determined. (jj) In urban areas, the following: Areas zoned for use as public open space; Areas designated for conservation use in Spatial Development Frameworks adopted by the competent authority or zoned for a conservation purpose. Listing Notice 3 (GNR 546) Listed Activity 13: The site where the lodge is proposed (± 2 hectares in The clearance of an area of 1 hectare or more of size) constitutes a developed area that currently is vegetation where 75% or more of the vegetative occupied by staff housing and offices. Some cover constitutes indigenous vegetation, except indigenous tree species are present, however the site where such removal of vegetation is required for: does not constitute more than 75% of indigenous (1) the undertaking of a process or activity included vegetation. in the list of waste management activities published in terms of section 19 of the National Some of the housing sites (though adjacent Skukuza Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 Village) will however involve the clearing of (Act No. 59 of 2008), in which case the activity is vegetation of more than 1 hectare in size. regarded to be excluded from this list. (2) the undertaking of a linear activity falling below The total area that will be cleared of indigenous the thresholds mentioned in Listing Notice 1 in vegetation will be below 5 hectares in size. terms of GN No. 544 of 2010. Applicable activity: 13(c)(ii) (c) In Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and Western Cape: ii. In an estuary; Outside urban areas, the following: (aa) A protected area identified in terms of NEMPAA, excluding conservancies; (bb) National Protected Area Expansion Strategy Focus areas; (cc) Sensitive areas as identified in an environmental management framework as contemplated in chapter 5 of the Act and as adopted by the competent authority;

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(dd) Sites or areas identified in terms of an International Convention; (ee) Core areas in biosphere reserves; (ff) Areas within10 kilometres from national parks or world heritage sites or 5 kilometres from any other protected area identified in terms of NEMPAA or from the core area of a biosphere reserve; (gg) Areas seawards of the development setback line or within 1 kilometre from the high-water mark of the sea if no such development setback line is determined. (hh) In urban areas, the following: Areas zoned for use as public open space; Areas designated for conservation use in Spatial Development Frameworks adopted by the competent authority or zoned for a conservation purpose; Areas seawards of the development setback line; Areas on the watercourse side of the development setback line or within 100 metres from the edge of a watercourse where no such setback line has been determined. Listing Notice 3 (GNR 546) Listed Activity 16: The proposed pipelines proposed will cross a number The construction of: of drainage lines and could result in the construction (i) jetties exceeding 10 square metres in size; of infrastructure (pipelines) of 10 m3 or more within (ii) slipways exceeding 10 square metres in size; 32 meters of a watercourse. (new crossings) (iii) buildings with a footprint exceeding 10 square metres in size; or Applicable activity: 16(iv)(a)(ii) (iv) infrastructure covering 10 square metres or more where such construction occurs within a watercourse or within 32 metres of a watercourse, measured from the edge of a watercourse, excluding where such construction will occur behind the development setback line.

(a) In Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape: ii. In an estuary; iii. Outside urban areas, in: (aa) A protected area identified in terms of NEMPAA, excluding conservancies; (bb) National Protected Area Expansion Strategy Focus areas; (cc) World Heritage Sites; (dd) Sensitive areas as identified in an environmental management framework as contemplated in chapter 5 of the Act and as adopted by the competent authority; (ee) Sites or areas identified in terms of an International Convention;

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(ff) Critical biodiversity areas or ecosystem service areas as identified in systematic biodiversity plans adopted by the competent authority or in bioregional plans; (gg) Core areas in biosphere reserves; (hh) Areas within 10 kilometres from national parks or world heritage sites or 5 kilometres from any other protected area identified in terms of NEMPAA or from the core area of a biosphere reserve; (ii) Areas seawards of the development setback line or within 1 kilometre from the high-water mark of the sea if no such development setback line is determined. (jj) In urban areas: Areas zoned for use as public open space; Areas designated for conservation use in Spatial Development Frameworks adopted by the competent authority, zoned for a conservation purpose; or Areas seawards of the development setback line. Listing Notice 3 (GNR 546) Listed Activity 24: The additional 20Kl/h module that will be installed at The expansion of the water treatment works will be located within the (a) jetties where the jetty will be expanded by boundary of the existing water treatment works, 10 square metres in size or more; however the existing facility is within 32 metres of (b) slipways where the slipway will be expanded the banks of the Sabie River. A number of existing by 10 square metres or more; pipeline crossings will be utilised that might result in (c) buildings where the buildings will be expansions or upgrades of these crossings. expanded by 10 square metres or more in size; or Applicable activity: 24(d)(a)(ii) (d) infrastructure where the infrastructure will be expanded by 10 square metres or more where such construction occurs within a watercourse or within 32 metres of a watercourse, measured from the edge of a watercourse, excluding where such construction will occur behind the development setback line.

(a) In Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape: ii. In an estuary; Outside urban areas, in: (aa) A protected area identified in terms of NEMPAA, excluding conservancies; (bb) National Protected Area Expansion Strategy Focus areas; (cc) Sensitive areas as identified in an environmental management framework as contemplated in chapter 5 of the Act and as adopted by the competent authority; (dd) Sites or areas identified in terms of an

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International Convention; (ee) Critical biodiversity areas as identified in systematic biodiversity plans adopted by the competent authority or in bioregional plans; (ff) Core areas in biosphere reserves; (gg) Areas within 10 kilometres from national parks or world heritage sites or 5 kilometres from any other protected area identified in terms of NEMPAA or from the core area of a biosphere reserve; (hh) Areas seawards of the development setback line or within 1 kilometre from the high-water mark of the sea if no such development setback line is determined. (ii) Inside urban areas: Areas zoned for use as public open space; Areas designated for conservation use in Spatial Development Frameworks adopted by the competent authority or zoned for a conservation purpose.

2. FEASIBLE AND REASONABLE ALTERNATIVES

“alternatives”, in relation to a proposed activity, means different means of meeting the general purpose and requirements of the activity, which may include alternatives to—

(a) the property on which or location where it is proposed to undertake the activity; (b) the type of activity to be undertaken; (c) the design or layout of the activity; (d) the technology to be used in the activity; (e) the operational aspects of the activity; and (f) the option of not implementing the activity.

Describe alternatives that are considered in this application as required by Regulation 22(2)(h) of GN R.543. Alternatives should include a consideration of all possible means by which the purpose and need of the proposed activity (NOT PROJECT) could be accomplished in the specific instance taking account of the interest of the applicant in the activity. The no- go alternative must in all cases be included in the assessment phase as the baseline against which the impacts of the other alternatives are assessed.

The determination of whether site or activity (including different processes, etc.) or both is appropriate needs to be informed by the specific circumstances of the activity and its environment. After receipt of this report the, competent authority may also request the applicant to assess additional alternatives that could possibly accomplish the purpose and need of the proposed activity if it is clear that realistic alternatives have not been considered to a reasonable extent.

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The identification of alternatives should be in line with the Integrated Environmental Assessment Guideline Series 11, published by the DEA in 2004. Should the alternatives include different locations and lay-outs, the co-ordinates of the different alternatives must be provided. The co-ordinates should be in degrees, minutes and seconds. The projection that must be used in all cases is the WGS84 spheroid in a national or local projection.

Alternative sites for the proposed lodge considered During the initial planning phase of the project the following three alternatives for the placement of the lodge were considered by SANParks: 1. Proposed Alternative (Alternative 1): The proposed site next to the conference centre within the boundaries of the Skukuza Rest Camp (the site proposed in this report). 2. Alternative 2: Outside of the Skukuza Rest Camp next to the Skukuza Golf Club 3. Alternative 3: Directly to the east of the Skukuza Rest Camp between the camping perimeter and the day visitors centre (outside of the camp)

The three alternative sites are indicated on a map in Appendix A.

Since these alternatives were not investigated as part of the environmental assessment process it is not included in the description provided below. a) Site alternatives - housing

Since the number of housing options that were considered would have made the Basic Assessment Report very complicated due to the reporting template, it was

12 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT decided that only two of the housing alternatives will be described in this reporting format. All sites considered for housing is indicated in Appendix A (Map 2), while the two housing alternatives discussed in the tables below are shown in Appendix A (Map 3). The housing alternatives evaluated are with regards to four 2-bedroom houses (initially considered 3 bedroom houses) in two separate areas of Skukuza Village.

Alternative 1 (preferred alternative) Description Lat (DDMMSS) Long (DDMMSS) Four 2-bedroom houses to be constructed on an already 24° 59’ 31.31”S 31° 35’ 12.42” developed area currently used by a cluster of temporary E park homes to the south of the N'waswitshaka River. Refer to Map 3 in Appendix A. This site is already developed2 and not situated in close proximity to any environmentally sensitive areas and is therefore preferred. Alternative 2 Description Lat (DDMMSS) Long (DDMMSS) Four 2-bedroom houses3 in an undisturbed largely 24° 58’ 56.40”S 31° 34’ 49.02” natural area outside the existing boundaries of the staff E village between Elephant Road and the game capture bomas. This area does not have existing water, power and sewage connections on site. Should the houses be constructed in this location it would require the clearing of pristine natural habitat (tamboti thicket) and would further expand the village footprint. This alternative is therefore not preferred. Alternative 3 Description Lat (DDMMSS) Long (DDMMSS) N/A

In the case of linear activities: Not applicable

Alternative: Latitude (S): Longitude (E): Alternative S1 (preferred)  Starting point of the activity  Middle/Additional point of the activity  End point of the activity

2 Due to the already developed nature of the site (if considered on its own) it would not require environmental authorization. 3 This site was initially proposed for five 3-bedroom houses.

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Alternative S2 (if any)  Starting point of the activity  Middle/Additional point of the activity  End point of the activity Alternative S3 (if any)  Starting point of the activity  Middle/Additional point of the activity  End point of the activity

For route alternatives that are longer than 500m, please provide an addendum with co- ordinates taken every 250 meters along the route for each alternative alignment.

In the case of an area being under application, please provide the co-ordinates of the corners of the site as indicated on the lay-out map provided in Appendix A. b) Lay-out alternatives Layout alternatives for the proposed Safari Lodge was taken into account as described below: Alternative 1 (preferred alternative) Description: Lat Long (DDMMSS) (DDMMSS) The proposed layout for the lodge is presented below and in 24° 59’ 31° 35’ Appendix A. This layout is designed to include the following: 34.22”S 22.63” E  Leaves the two baobab trees planted in the early 1930’s by the Kruger National Park’s founder Col. James-Stevenson Hamilton in –situ as part of the internal design of the lodge  The design is fragmented – a collection of smaller structures – limit visual impact.  The design inverts the bedroom wings to central landscaped atriums – contain noise and light internally.  Public areas (dining room, bars, outside lounges, gym and lap pool are centralised between the bedroom wings – contain noise and light internally.  Back-of-house situated on the opposite side of the lodge, away from existing tourist accommodation.  All lodge deliveries and staff access from the back.  Thatch canopies to the bedroom wing’s external walkways – blend in with existing thatched structures.  Bus and concession parking away from the lodge.

PREFERRED LAYOUT BELOW (also refer to Map 4 – Appendix A):

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Alternative 2 Description Lat Long (DDMMSS) (DDMMSS) In 2011 an initial layout prior to specialist input was designed (see 24° 59’ 31° 35’ below and Map 5 – Appendix A). 34.22”S 22.63” E

Environmentally this alternative’s most significant difference to layout alternative 1 is that it does not take into account the two baobab trees that were planted in the early 1930’s by the Kruger National Park’s founder Col. James-Stevenson Hamilton. This layout will acquire the baobab trees to be removed and associated permits will need to be obtained and is therefore not preferred.

NOT PREFERRED (INITIAL) LAYOUT (also refer to Map 5 – Appendix A):

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Alternative 3 Description Lat Long (DDMMSS) (DDMMSS) n/a c) Technology alternatives – electricity alternatives

For detail regarding the electricity alternatives considered refer to the Concept Design Report (Appendix J).

Alternative 1 (preferred alternative) The preferred option in terms of electricity supply is to install a PV system (solar panels) large enough to offset 15% of the consumption of the lodge4. The rest of the electricity will by supplied by Eskom (SANParks has confirmed that sufficient electricity is available from Eskom and that an application to increase the electricity provision to Skukuza is not required).

A system to offset 15% of the consumption of the lodge will be require a 280kW system with tracking devices or 465kW system without tracking.

Solar panels will be installed on the roof of the lodge (approximately 2000m² of roof space is available) and further space to install solar panels is available at the back of the lodge e.g. on staff carports. The lodge was designed so as to have a flat section behind the thatched areas. These solar panels will be shielded by the thatched sections of the roof and will therefore not be visible from ground level in the rest camp. The solar panels that will be

4 An exercise was undertaken by SIVEST to investigate what system would be required should the total electricity supply come from solar power. This would require a PV system of 2.4MVA resulting in a capital cost between R80 million and R110 million depending on the configuration. Due to financial constraints and the limited available roof space this option is not viable. SANParks is however aiming to generate 30% of the lodge’s electricity by means of solar electricity as described above.

16 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT installed at the back of the lodge will also not be visible from the rest camp.

Alternative 2 A larger 700kW PV generation system with and without a battery backup and/or tracking system. This system will be able to provide the lodge with a percentage of its power consumption during the daytime as well as charging the batteries. It must be noted that adding batteries does not result in more power generated (it is actually an additional load on the system) but provides SANParks with a tool to manage the maximum demand. A 700kW system can provide between 28% and 38% of the lodge’s power consumption depending on the configuration used. Alternative 3 No Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) installation i.e. only Eskom grid supply. d) Other alternatives (e.g. scheduling, demand, input, scale and design alternatives)

Alternative 1 (preferred alternative) Not applicable. Alternative 2 Not applicable. Alternative 3 Not applicable. e) No-go alternative

This would entail leaving the proposed development site in its present state and not developing the proposed lodge and associated infrastructure. The no-go alternative will imply that virtually none of the identified impacts of proceeding with the project will be incurred. Refer to Section below dealing with impacts assessed.

Paragraphs 3 – 13 below should be completed for each alternative.

3. PHYSICAL SIZE OF THE ACTIVITY a) Indicate the physical size of the preferred activity/technology as well as alternative activities/technologies (footprints):

FOOTPRINT SIZE OF THE WHOLE DEVELOPMENT: Alternative: Size of the activity: Alternative A15 (preferred activity 43 100m2 alternative) Alternative A2 (if any) 48 610 m2 Alternative A3 (if any) m2

5 “Alternative A..” refer to activity, process, technology or other alternatives.

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FOOTPRINT SIZE OF THE TWO HOUSING ALTERNATIVES: Alternative: Size of the activity: Alternative A16 (preferred activity 1980 m2 alternative) Alternative A2 (if any) 7490 m2 Alternative A3 (if any) m2

or, for linear activities:

Alternative: Not applicable Length of the activity: Alternative A1 (preferred activity m alternative) Alternative A2 (if any) m Alternative A3 (if any) m

b) Indicate the size of the alternative sites or servitudes (within which the above footprints will occur): Not applicable Alternative: Size of the site/servitude: Alternative A1 (preferred activity m2 alternative) Alternative A2 (if any) m2 Alternative A3 (if any) m2

4. SITE ACCESS

Does ready access to the site exist? YES If NO, what is the distance over which a new access road will be m built

Describe the type of access road planned:

N/A

Include the position of the access road on the site plan and required map, as well as an indication of the road in relation to the site.

5. LOCALITY MAP

An A3 locality map must be attached to the back of this document, as Appendix A. The scale of the locality map must be relevant to the size of the development (at least 1:50 000. For

6 “Alternative A..” refer to activity, process, technology or other alternatives.

18 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT linear activities of more than 25 kilometres, a smaller scale e.g. 1:250 000 can be used. The scale must be indicated on the map.). The map must indicate the following:

 an accurate indication of the project site position as well as the positions of the alternative sites, if any;  indication of all the alternatives identified;  closest town(s;)  road access from all major roads in the area;  road names or numbers of all major roads as well as the roads that provide access to the site(s);  all roads within a 1km radius of the site or alternative sites; and  a north arrow;  a legend; and  locality GPS co-ordinates (Indicate the position of the activity using the latitude and longitude of the centre point of the site for each alternative site. The co-ordinates should be in degrees and decimal minutes. The minutes should have at least three decimals to ensure adequate accuracy. The projection that must be used in all cases is the WGS84 spheroid in a national or local projection).

6. LAYOUT/ROUTE PLAN

A detailed site or route plan(s) must be prepared for each alternative site or alternative activity. It must be attached as Appendix A to this document.

The site or route plans must indicate the following:

 the property boundaries and numbers of all the properties within 50 metres of the site;  the current land use as well as the land use zoning of the site;  the current land use as well as the land use zoning each of the properties adjoining the site or sites;  the exact position of each listed activity applied for (including alternatives);  servitude(s) indicating the purpose of the servitude;  a legend; and  a north arrow.

7. SENSITIVITY MAP

The layout/route plan as indicated above must be overlain with a sensitivity map that indicates all the sensitive areas associated with the site, including, but not limited to:

 watercourses;  the 1:100 year flood line (where available or where it is required by DWA);  ridges;

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 cultural and historical features;  areas with indigenous vegetation (even if it is degraded or infested with alien species); and  critical biodiversity areas.

The sensitivity map must also cover areas within 100m of the site and must be attached in Appendix A.

8. SITE PHOTOGRAPHS

Colour photographs from the centre of the site must be taken in at least the eight major compass directions with a description of each photograph. Photographs must be attached under Appendix B to this report. It must be supplemented with additional photographs of relevant features on the site, if applicable.

9. FACILITY ILLUSTRATION

A detailed illustration of the activity must be provided at a scale of at least 1:200 as Appendix C for activities that include structures. The illustrations must be to scale and must represent a realistic image of the planned activity. The illustration must give a representative view of the activity.

10. ACTIVITY MOTIVATION

Motivate and explain the need and desirability of the activity (including demand for the activity):

1. Is the activity permitted in terms of the property’s Please YES NO existing land use rights? explain SANParks is authorised in terms of section 55 of the Protected Areas Act to (i.a.) undertake any development and construction work necessary for the management of the park, to provide accommodation and facilities for visitors and staff in the execution of its obligation to manage national parks.

SANParks has a statutory obligation to manage the national parks assigned to it and in that context SANParks is authorised to undertake development projects in the parks.

Furthermore, Skukuza is earmarked as a high intensity leisure zone according to the Kruger National Park Management Plan.

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2. 3. Will the activity be in line with the following? Please (a) Provincial Spatial Development Framework (PSDF) YES NO explain The Mbombela SDF refers to the Kruger National Park Management Plan. The Kruger National Park Management Plan shows Skukuza as a high intensity leisure zone. Please (b) Urban edge / Edge of Built environment for the area YES NO explain The Kruger National Park does not fall in the urban edge (no urban edge defined for Skukuza Village). However the sites for the activities are with-in and directly adjacent to the current Skukuza Rest Camp and Village (edge of the built environment). Since Skukuza does not fall within an urban edge as defined by a Local Municipality, and therefore the applicable selection above (should the Basic Assessment template have allowed for it) should have been Not Applicable.

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(c) Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Spatial Development Framework (SDF) of the Local Please Municipality (e.g. would the approval of this YES NO explain application compromise the integrity of the existing approved and credible municipal IDP and SDF?). The IDP (2014/2015) for the Mbombela Local Municipality has referred to the following with regards to developments in Kruger National Park:  There is a need for staff housing at all living quarters in the Kruger National Park

The Mbombela Local Municipality’s SDF refers to the Mpumalanga Tourism Growth Strategy. The following is noted with regard to tourism: The strategy proposes the implementation of the following ten initiatives: • Reorganise the institutional framework • Improve air access • Upgrade, diversify and expand the product • Attract tourism investment • Improve customer research and ‘know how’ • Increase destination and product promotion • Upgrade service skills • Improve economic infrastructure • Strengthen transformation and empowerment • Improve product standards

The implementation of the above initiatives is expected to increase spending in the province from international and domestic tourists and to create new job opportunities in the tourism sector.

The foundations of Mpumalanga’s diversified tourism product (wildlife & nature tourism, activity & adventure tourism, resort tourism, sports tourism, residential tourism, conference & meetings, leisure/entertainment, industrial & township tourism, coupled with the increasing interest in the Province’s cultural heritage) were initiated in 2007 with a ten year tourism growth strategy and plan.

The SDF also refers to the Kruger National Park Management Plan.

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Please (d) Approved Structure Plan of the Municipality YES NO explain SANParks acts on behalf of the State when building in a national park and is not required to apply and obtain prior written approval from the municipalities before erecting buildings in a park. SANParks remains however obliged to comply with the national building regulations in respect of buildings in a national park.

SANParks, acting on behalf of the state, needs to lodge the building plans and specifications with the municipality for its information and comment before commencement of construction of the building. (e) An Environmental Management Framework (EMF) adopted by the Department (e.g. Would the approval of this application compromise the integrity of the Please YES NO existing environmental management priorities for the explain area and if so, can it be justified in terms of sustainability considerations?) The Kruger Park Management Plan is approved and states the following objective regarding tourism: “To develop, manage and enhance a range of sustainable tourism products in synergy with the KNP conservation ethic. This will be done by satisfying evolving market needs, through predictable service excellence, high quality standards and infrastructure. Sound business principles will be used to generate revenue from the tourism initiative to support the SANParks conservation mandate”. It also states on Sustainable Tourism (which links to the Conservation Development Framework and Zonation Programme): “Tourism is a conservation strategy in SANParks. Through KNP‟s tourism ventures, facilities, products and experiences, SANParks communicates key biodiversity conservation and sustainable living messages, while at the same time conveying principles of best practice for responsible environmental management.” Please (f) Any other Plans (e.g. Guide Plan) YES NO explain SANParks currently has two primary levels of spatial planning, namely: (i) Conservation Development Framework (CDF), a term coined formally in the late 1990‟s, to enable a coherent spatial planning system in all national parks. This is a strategic spatial plan for a national park and its surrounds that indicates a range of visitor use zones, areas requiring special management intervention, the placement of visitor facilities, the nature and size of these facilities, entry points and movement routes through the park. It also provides guidelines for potential future development, rehabilitation and the management of land-use along the parks borders. The CDF is underpinned by a thorough analysis of the biodiversity, cultural-heritage and landscape limits to development, as well as the tourism opportunities available and includes the development of park interface zones. Sensitivity- value analysis is a decision support tool for spatial planning that is designed to integrate best available biodiversity information into a format that allows for defensible and transparent decisions to be made. The CDF for the KNP is not yet fully developed as the KNP is in a transition between having a zonation plan and a fully developed CDF (which will

23 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT include the Zonation Plan). (ii) Zonation Plan, a lean version of the CDF, and the primary tool used in the past. In future, the Zonation Plan will be included in the CDF. The primary objective is to establish a coherent spatial framework to guide and co-ordinate various conservation, tourism and visitor experience initiatives within a park. The park use zonation is based on the same biodiversity and landscape analyses undertaken for a CDF. However, certain elements underlying the CDF may not yet be fully incorporated into the park use zonation. In particular, the park use Zonation Plan will usually not incorporate elements such as a full tourism market analysis and detailed analysis of all development nodes.

The park is divided into the following zones:

1. Wilderness Zone: This is an area retaining an intrinsically wild appearance and character, or capable of being restored to such and which is undeveloped and without roads. 2. Remote Zone: These areas provide a "wilderness experience”, but do not necessarily comply with the criteria for legal designation as wilderness. Human impacts (evidence of human use / existence) from outside the zone may be visible or audible from certain vantage points. These areas sometimes act as buffer zones to the wilderness areas. Primitive Zone: The prime characteristic of the zone is the experience of primitive conditions and wilderness qualities with access controlled in terms of numbers, frequency and size of groups. The zone shares the wilderness qualities of the Remote zone, but with limited access roads and the potential for basic small-scale self-catering accommodation facilities such as bush camps or small concession lodges. Views of human activities and development outside of the park may be visible from this zone. 3. Low Intensity Leisure Zone: These slightly modified landscapes can absorb larger concentrations of people. The underlying characteristic of this zone is motorized self-drive access with the possibility of small camps. Facilities along roads are limited to basic self-catering picnic sites with toilet facilities. 4. High Intensity Leisure Zone: These areas are high density tourist development nodes with modern amenities, incorporating the high volume transport routes. Activities are concentrated and a range of infrastructure and facilities is on offer, although still reflecting the ethos and character of the park. It is evident from Figure below that Skukuza is located in the high intensity leisure zone (larger version of the map attached to Appendix A – Map 6).

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4. Is the land use (associated with the activity being applied for) considered within the timeframe intended by the existing approved SDF agreed to by the relevant Please YES NO environmental authority (i.e. is the proposed explain development in line with the projects and programmes identified as priorities within the credible IDP)? The IDP (2014/2015) has referred to the following with regards to developments in Kruger National Park:  Housing and land – Need for staff housing - All Living Quarters in Kruger However, not timeframe is referred to in the SDF. 5. Does the community/area need the activity and the associated land use concerned (is it a societal priority)? Please (This refers to the strategic as well as local level (e.g. YES NO explain development is a national priority, but within a specific local context it could be inappropriate.) The local community (Skukuza Village) is not in need of the of development and the project cannot be seen to be a societal priority for the local residents. Also refer to section 7 below with regards to issues of national importance.

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6. Are the necessary services with adequate capacity currently available (at the time of application), or must Please additional capacity be created to cater for the YES NO development? (Confirmation by the relevant Municipality explain in this regard must be attached to the final Basic Assessment Report as Appendix I.) Electricity and water demand are within the current capacity available. A water use licence application is not required to abstract additional water from the Sabie River and an application for more electricity from Eskom is also not required.

Various upgrades to the water and sewage reticulation network are required in order to accommodate the lodge and associated developments (including a 540 m3 water reservoir). An additional anaerobic digester will also be installed before the oxidation ponds at the sewage treatment works (design drawings attached to Appendix J of the BAR).

The water and sewage is all handled by the Kruger National Park (KNP) at Skukuza and therefore the local municipality is not involved with the provision of services to Skukuza.

Sewage treatment Upgrading of the sewer pump system, new sewer pump main and outfall sewer (110/160mm diameter), as well as an anaerobic digester before the oxidation pond at the existing sewage treatment plant is proposed for the developments (design drawings attached to Appendix J of the BAR).

7. Is this development provided for in the infrastructure planning of the municipality, and if not what will the implication be on the infrastructure planning of the Please municipality (priority and placement of services and YES NO explain opportunity costs)? (Comment by the relevant Municipality in this regard must be attached to the final Basic Assessment Report as Appendix I.) SANParks acts on behalf of the State when building in a national park and is not required to apply and obtain prior written approval from the municipalities before erecting buildings in a park. SANParks remains however obliged to comply with the national building regulations in respect of buildings in a national park. The local municipality is therefore not involved with infrastructure planning in Skukuza in the Kruger National Park.

SANParks acting on behalf of the state needs to lodge the building plans and specifications with the municipality for its information and comment before commencement of construction of the building.

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Please 8. Is this project part of a national programme to address an YES NO issue of national concern or importance? explain SANParks mandate extends to a system of 19 National Parks. Of these protected areas, only 5 are able to generate a surplus which is then used to fund the remaining Parks. The biodiversity value and threat of loss thereof in other parks, particularly in the Cape Floral and Succulent Karoo regions, is far greater than that of some of the other biomes, e.g. Savannah as found in the Kruger National Park. Over the last 18 years the land under National Parks status has grown by over 1 Million Hectares and with this comes a significant increase in costs. Government has funded the purchase of the land. It is now up to SANParks to find sustainable methods to fund the operations and protection of the entire National Parks system and hence SANParks views Responsible Tourism as a Conservation Strategy. SANParks changed the Conservation fee structure to take into account that residents of this country pay taxes and part of that tax is provided to SANParks as conservation and roads grant. This allocation from the fiscus covers about 20% of the SANParks operational costs. The remaining 80% is funded through Responsible Tourism activities. SANParks also have a mandate to ensure that they are able to offer equitable access to the citizens of this country therefore catering for all types of accommodation type requests. SANParks also needs to ensure that they understand the demands of the emerging domestic market so that they can grow this market for future support and therefore sustainability. 9. Do location factors favour this land use (associated with Please the activity applied for) at this place? (This relates to the YES NO contextualisation of the proposed land use on this site explain within its broader context.) The activities are within the Skukuza rest camp and village or directly adjacent. The lodge has the aim of providing accommodation for conference goers, but will also be utilised for additional accommodation for visitors to Skukuza and the Kruger National Park.

Please 10. Is the development the best practicable environmental YES NO option for this land/site? explain Please refer to Sections above where the Conservation Development Framework (CDF) and Zonation Plan for the Kruger National Park are explained. The proposed development falls within the strategic spatial plan for the Kruger National Park. Skukuza Rest Camp and Village falls within the High Intensity Leisure Zone identified in the Zonation Plan of the KNP. These areas are high density tourist development nodes with modern amenities, incorporating the high volume transport routes. Activities are concentrated and a range of infrastructure and facilities is on offer, although still reflecting the ethos and character of the park.

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Also refer to impact assessment section lower down in the Basic Assessment Report with regards to the significance of impacts identified associated with the proposed development.

Please 11. Will the benefits of the proposed land use/development YES NO outweigh the negative impacts of it? explain The proposed Skukuza Safari Lodge has the aim of diversify the product offering of the Kruger National Park in a responsible manner to attract new markets such as the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and exhibition) market. Positive impacts of the proposed development include creating additional income for SANParks to continue to exercise their conservation mandate as well as job creation. Negative impacts were identified by the environmental practitioners as well as the team of environmental specialists; however the impacts identified can be mitigated to acceptable levels (refer to impact assessment section lower down in the report). The proposed development will be largely located within the existing Skukuza Rest Camp and Village; with limited development outside of this area on areas that have for the most been disturbed to some degree due to anthropogenic impacts.

Please 12. Will the proposed land use/development set a precedent YES and NO for similar activities in the area (local municipality)? explain YES and NO. NO: 1. From a municipal planning perspective this question relates to the provision of services and whether a precedent for a specific area will be set that will place a burden on service provision within the Local Municipality (LM). Skukuza (SANParks) is responsible for providing its own services (water and sewage) and the LM is not involved in service provision. Electricity is however obtained from Eskom, however sufficient electricity is available from the existing substation and for additional electricity from Eskom will not be required. 2. Establishing a lodge in the Kruger National Park is not a foreign concept as there are already at least nine private concessions with associated lodges inside the Kruger National Park. This lodge will be the first that will be developed and operated by SANParks itself.

YES: 1. Up to date no double storey lodges have been developed by SANParks within the Kruger National Park and in this regard the lodge would be a first of its kind. It would also be the first facility with the objective of providing accommodation for the target MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and exhibition) market and should the lodge

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be constructed it can be expected that Skukuza will play host many more conferences and functions. This is expected to create significant revenue for SANParks from Government business as well as corporate business. 2. The facility aims to set a standard for green development by SANParks and the applicant has gone to great lengths to design the project around green building principles. A specialist Green Building Consultant was appointed to assist in guiding the design and operations team to maximize this aspect of the project. The aim is to incorporate green corporate international best practice principles and interventions in line with recognised and renowned green building rating systems and the project aims to set a standard for similar future developments within the KNP.

Please 13. Will any person’s rights be negatively affected by the YES NO proposed activity/ies? explain In particular, Section 24 of the Constitution of South Africa states that Everyone has the right to:  an environment which is not harmful to their health or well-being  have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations through reasonable legislative and other measures that: o prevent pollution and ecological degradation o promote conservation o secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources, while promoting justifiable economic and social development. Section 24 therefore places a duty on all spheres of government to take reasonable steps, including to make laws, prevent pollution, promote conservation and ensure sustainable development. The proposed project has the aim of promoting conservation and ensuring sustainable development and aims to accomplish this by implementing sustainable green principles and avoiding areas of a high conservation priority.

Please 14. Will the proposed activity/ies compromise the “urban YES edge” as defined by the local municipality? explain Skukuza and the whole of the Kruger National Park do not fall within an urban edge as defined by a Local Municipality, and therefore the applicable selection above (should the Basic Assessment template have allowed for it) should have been Not Applicable. Most of the development will however be either inside the current Skukuza rest camp or on the periphery of the camp.

Please 15. Will the proposed activity/ies contribute to any of the 17 NO Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPS)? explain This project is not associated with any of the 17 Strategic Integrated Projects.

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16. 17. What will the benefits be to society in general and to the local Please communities? explain The additional accommodation specifically suited to the conferencing market, together with the need to broaden the accommodation product KNP was offering, will increase of tourism infrastructure and also allow access to new markets. It is expected that some of these tourists previously would not have visited KNP. With this realisation and awareness of conservation will further be enhanced amongst the general public. Benefits for the local community will be realised in the form of job creation, skills transfer and training opportunities. 18. 19. Any other need and desirability considerations related to the Please proposed activity? explain The Skukuza Conference Centre resulted in the requirement for additional accommodation specifically suited to the conferencing market, together with the need to broaden the accommodation product KNP was offering. The need for more formal, catered accommodation was identified. As such, SANParks is proposing to develop a Safari Lodge Facility (the project) adjacent to the recently complete Conference Facility in Skukuza in the KNP. The mandate of National Parks system extends over 19 protected areas. Of these protected areas, only 5 are able to generate a surplus which is then used to fund the remaining Parks. SANParks therefore needs to find sustainable methods to fund the operations and protection of the entire National Parks system and hence SANParks views Responsible Tourism as a Conservation Strategy. SA Tourism has identified business tourism as an opportunity to promote South Africa as a destination and this was identified by SANParks as a means to attract new markets to visit national parks. This will ensure sustainability of the national park system in South Africa and therefore SANParks needs to diversify the product offering. This is realized by establishing the conference centre at Skukuza and by further providing for accommodation and services that meet the expectations of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) market. This assures that SANParks will be realising its objective of diversifying its product range and attract new markets. The MICE market essentially requires a different type of accommodation and the current self-catering chalets do not meet this requirement. They will require modern amenities such as access to internet and communications systems, and the additional rooms aim to provide that. 20. 21. How does the project fit into the National Development Plan for Please 2030? explain The National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 mentions that the transformation of the economy and creating sustainable expansion for job creation will require an economic growth rate of more than 5 percent per year on average. The NDP furthermore states that in order to achieve this, the amount of exporting opportunities need to be increased, and the focus should be on areas where South Africa has a comparative advantage. The NDP identifies tourism as one such sector.

The Skukuza Safari Lodge and the associated promotion for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) market will play a role in local job creation, skills transfer,

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training and environmental education. Local communities may also gain practical and technical skills during the construction and operational phases of the project. 22. 23. Please describe how the general objectives of Integrated Environmental Management as set out in section 23 of NEMA have been taken into account. The objectives of integrated environmental management have been taken onto account during the Basic Environmental Impact Assessment Process. Potential biophysical and socio-economic impacts on the environment have been identified and assessed. The significance of an identified impact was rated by taking into account its duration, scale, severity (magnitude) and the probability that the impact may occur. The findings of the specialist studies undertaken during this BAR provide an assessment of both the benefits and potential negative impacts anticipated as a result of the proposed project. Mitigation measures have been proposed in order to minimise negative impacts and maximise positive benefits. A number of alternatives were evaluated by the environmental consultant (Exigo) as well as various specialist consultants in order to propose the most acceptable alternative from an environmental and risk perspective. The public consultation process has been undertaken to assist in the identification of significant issues, and every effort has been made to include representatives of all stakeholders within the process 24. 25. Please describe how the principles of environmental management as set out in section 2 of NEMA have been taken into account. The principles of environmental management as per Section 2 of the NEMA have been taken into account throughout the entire Basic Assessment process. The needs, concerns and interests of people in the surrounding communities have been taken into account through the public participation process, which is still ongoing up to finalisation of the Final BAR. The project is being designed in the most sustainable way possible taken into account economic, environment and social considerations, together with green building principles that will be implemented with the assistance of a green consultant. The possible disturbance of ecosystems and biological diversity has been assessed in the Fauna and Flora Impact Assessments. A Visual Impact Assessment was undertaken to ascertain the visual impact and the impact on the sense of place. A Traffic Impact Assessment was also undertaken to investigate traffic related impacts. Mitigation measures have been proposed by the ecological, visual and traffic specialists to as far as possible avoid impacts to the environment, and where impacts could not entirely be avoided mitigation measures were proposed to restrict impacts to acceptable levels. A Heritage Impact Assessment was also undertaken to avoid or minimise any potential impacts on the cultural heritage in the area. The abovementioned specialist studies are all attached as Appendix D. Mitigation measures, also pertaining to waste management, are included in the Environmental Management Programme (Appendix G).

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11. APPLICABLE LEGISLATION, POLICIES AND/OR GUIDELINES

List all legislation, policies and/or guidelines of any sphere of government that are applicable to the application as contemplated in the EIA regulations, if applicable:

Title of legislation, policy Applicability to the project Administering Date or guideline authority The National An environmental Department of 19 Environmental authorisation application Environmental November Management Act (Act No in terms of section 24 of Affairs (DEA) 1998 107 of 1998) (NEMA) the NEMA has been submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) for consideration. Environmental Impact Activities as listed in GNR Department of 18 June Assessment Regulations, 544 and 546 of the EIA Environmental 2010 2010 Regulations 2010 were Affairs (DEA) identified as being applicable. No activities according to GNR 545 requiring a Scoping and EIA Process could be identified for the proposed development. National Water Act (Act A water use license Department of 26 August No 36 of 1998) (NWA) application will be Water Affairs (DWA) 1998 submitted to the Department of Water Affairs (DWA). SANParks have been in liaison with the DWA in this regard. Authorization is required for Section 21 (c) and (i) water uses as the project will involve the crossing of a number of drainage lines with pipelines. A Section 21 (g) water use will also be included in the submission for the anaerobic digester. The National Heritage A heritage impact South African 28 April Resources Act (Act No 25 assessment was conducted Heritage Resources 1999 of 1999) (NHRA) for the project. No Association heritage features requiring a heritage permit could be

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identified. National Environmental An ecological impact Department of 7 June Management: assessment was conducted Environmental 2004 Biodiversity Act (Act No for the project. Affairs (DEA) 10 of 2004)

Conservation of The Act regulates the Department of 1983 Agricultural Resources utilization and protection Agriculture Act (Act No 43 of 1983) of wetlands, soil conservation and all matters relating thereto; control and prevention of veld fires, control of weeds and invader plants, the prevention of water pollution resulting from farming practices and losses in biodiversity. The National Forest Act Provided for the Department of 30 (Act No 84 of 1998) protection of certain tree Environmental October species. Affairs (DEA) 1998 The KNP, as a formally declared public conservation area, has exemption in terms of Section 15(1) of the National Forests Act (1998) for applying for a permit in this regard.

12. WASTE, EFFLUENT, EMISSION AND NOISE MANAGEMENT a) Solid waste management

Will the activity produce solid construction waste during the YES NO construction/initiation phase? If YES, what estimated quantity will be produced per month? 160 m3

How will the construction solid waste be disposed of (describe)?

Building rubble from the demolished staff houses will be used for fill and re-use material in gabion work and gravel pit rehabilitation.

Where will the construction solid waste be disposed of (describe)?

33 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

Building rubble from the demolished staff houses will be re-used on site for filling purposes or in gabion work. Where this is not possible the building rubble (only bricks and concrete) will be used off site and used for gravel pit rehabilitation. There are two gravel pits approximately 8 km from Skukuza that is part of a rehabilitation plan for which the building rubble is used as fill material.

The other construction waste will be disposed of at an external licenced landfill site (Nkuhlu or Hazyview), with the exception of hazardous waste, which will be removed by a contractor and disposed of at Holfontein in the Gauteng Province.

Will the activity produce solid waste during its operational phase? YES NO If YES, what estimated quantity will be produced per month? 150 m3 How will the solid waste be disposed of (describe)? Solid waste produced during operation will be disposed of as part of the KNP waste management system. If the solid waste will be disposed of into a municipal waste stream, indicate which registered landfill site will be used. Waste that cannot be handled as part of te KNP waste management system will be disposed of at an external licenced landfill site (Nkuhlu or Hazyview), with the exception of hazardous waste, which will be removed by a contractor and disposed of at Holfontein in the Gauteng Province. Where will the solid waste be disposed of if it does not feed into a municipal waste stream (describe)? Solid waste produced will be disposed of as part of the KNP waste management system (currently in place). All waste generated on site will be separated into metal, paper, plastic, glass & contaminated paper, glass, plastic and polystyrene and will be recycled as part of the current waste handling and disposal system just to the north of the Skukuza sewage works. If the solid waste (construction or operational phases) will not be disposed of in a registered landfill site or be taken up in a municipal waste stream, then the applicant should consult with the competent authority to determine whether it is necessary to change to an application for scoping and EIA.

Can any part of the solid waste be classified as hazardous in terms of the YES NO NEM:WA? If YES, inform the competent authority and request a change to an application for scoping and EIA. An application for a waste permit in terms of the NEM:WA must also be submitted with this application.

Is the activity that is being applied for a solid waste handling or treatment YES NO facility? If YES, then the applicant should consult with the competent authority to determine whether it is necessary to change to an application for scoping and EIA. An application for a waste permit in terms of the NEM:WA must also be submitted with this application.

34 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT b) Liquid effluent Will the activity produce effluent, other than normal sewage, that will be YES NO disposed of in a municipal sewage system? If YES, what estimated quantity will be produced per month? m3 Will the activity produce any effluent that will be treated and/or disposed YES NO of on site? If YES, the applicant should consult with the competent authority to determine whether it is necessary to change to an application for scoping and EIA.

Please note that the Skukuza Sewage Works is not a municipal system and is located off site to the east of Skukuza Village.

An anaerobic digester will be installed just before the (existing) oxidation ponds. An anaerobic digester serves the purpose of largely removing the settle-able solids in the sewage and effects a partial reduction in the COD or BOD load entering the aerobic stage (in this case the oxidation ponds). Anaerobic digester design drawings attached to Appendix J of the BAR. For a detailed description refer to the Concept Design Report also attached to Appendix J.

Will the activity produce effluent that will be treated and/or disposed of at YES NO another facility? If YES, provide the particulars of the facility: Facility Skukuza Sewage Treatment Facility (existing facility to the east of Skukuza name: Village) Contact Blake Schraader person: Postal Private Bag X402, Skukuza address: Postal code: 1350 Telephone: +27(0)13 735 4278/23 Cell: E-mail: [email protected] Fax:

Describe the measures that will be taken to ensure the optimal reuse or recycling of waste water, if any:

At the lodge water from the showers and wash hand basin water will be re-used. The water will be re-used as a first priority for the water closet (flush toilet) flush and what is left (combined with rainwater harvesting when available) for irrigation in the landscaped areas around the lodge. c) Emissions into the atmosphere

Will the activity release emissions into the atmosphere other that exhaust NO emissions and dust associated with construction phase activities? If YES, is it controlled by any legislation of any sphere of government? YES NO If YES, the applicant must consult with the competent authority to determine whether it is necessary to change to an application for scoping and EIA. If NO, describe the emissions in terms of type and concentration:

35 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

No emissions other than exhaust emissions and dust are expected.

d) Waste permit

Will any aspect of the activity produce waste that will require a waste NO permit in terms of the NEM:WA?

If YES, please submit evidence that an application for a waste permit has been submitted to the competent authority e) Generation of noise

Will the activity generate noise? YES If YES, is it controlled by any legislation of any sphere of government? NO

Describe the noise in terms of type and level: Construction noise will be inevitable. This will however only take place during the day time to minimise the impact on animals and people in and around the rest camp area.

The design of the lodge took into account the following measures to limit noise (and light) pollution: o The design inverts the bedroom wings to central landscaped atriums. This will contain contain noise and light internally. o Public areas (dining room, bars, outside lounges, gym and lap pool are centralised between the bedroom wings and this will also ensure noise and light is contained internally. o The Back-of-house (kitchen and delivery area) will be situated on the opposite side of the lodge, away from existing tourist accommodation in the rest camp. o All lodge deliveries and staff will access the lodge from the back away from the rest camp area. o Walls will be constructed to screen the tourist drop-off area from the existing tourist accommodation in order to minimise sight, sound and light from this zone.

13. WATER USE

Please indicate the source(s) of water that will be used for the activity by ticking the appropriate box(es):

Surface water abstracted from the

Sabie River (as part of the water supply to

36 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

the Skukuza Camp)

If water is to be extracted from groundwater, river, stream, dam, lake or 2304000 any other natural feature, please indicate the volume that will be litres extracted per month: Does the activity require a water use authorisation (general authorisation YES NO * or water use license) from the Department of Water Affairs? If YES, please provide proof that the application has been submitted to the Department of Water Affairs. *The additional water demand does not exceed the current spare volumes and it can be stated that sufficient water is available from the source as per the current permits held by KNP. For further information refer to the Section 7.2.1 (Water Demand and Availability) of the Concept Design Report (Appendix J).

14. ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Describe the design measures, if any, which have been taken to ensure that the activity is energy efficient:

The building will include a management system to ensure daylight harvesting, optimising of lighting levels and intelligent switching of lights to ensure unoccupied areas are not lit. This system can be used to manage the Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) demand which is the single largest energy consumer. Using this approach it should be able to limit the maximum demand at the lodge and manage it according to the availability of energy.

Describe how alternative energy sources have been taken into account or been built into the design of the activity, if any:

Solar power will be installed at the lodge. The current plan is to install a PV system (solar panels) large enough to offset 15% of the consumption of the lodge. The rest of the electricity will by supplied by Eskom (SANParks has confirmed that sufficient electricity is available from Eskom and that an application to increase the electricity provision to Skukuza is not required).

A system to offset 15% of the consumption of the lodge will be require a 280kW system with tracking devices or 465kW system without tracking.

37 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

SECTION B: SITE/AREA/PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

Important notes: 1. For linear activities (pipelines, etc) as well as activities that cover very large sites, it may be necessary to complete this section for each part of the site that has a significantly different environment. In such cases please complete copies of Section B and indicate the area, which is covered by each copy No. on the Site Plan.

The following section is duplicated 12 times to describe each development area as numbered below: A. Lodge site, lodge staff sleepover units and Mini substation, as well as the sites for the relocation of the Working for Water Offices and Scientific Services Offices. B. Water treatment works C. Water Supply Pipeline D. Electrical Line E. Sewer Pumpline F. Water rising main G. Site for relocating nursery tunnel/store/ablutions H. 4x2 Bedroom houses (2 alternatives) I. Site for twenty 2 or 3 bedroom units (east of staff village) J. New contractors camp K. Anaerobic Digester

Section B Copy No. A

2. Paragraphs 1 - 6 below must be completed for each alternative.

3. Has a specialist been consulted to assist with the completion of this YES section? (relevant for all sections below) If YES, please complete the form entitled “Details of specialist and declaration of interest” for each specialist thus appointed and attach it in Appendix I. All specialist reports must be contained in Appendix D.

Property Province Mpumalanga description/phys District Ehlanzeni District Municipality ical address: Municipality Local Mbombela Local Municipality Municipality Ward Number(s) 39 Farm name and Skukuza number Portion number Governments Ground 142 JU SG Code TOJU00000000014200000

38 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

Where a large number of properties are involved (e.g. linear activities), please attach a full list to this application including the same information as indicated above.

Current land-use Conservation zoning as per local municipality IDP/records: In instances where there is more than one current land-use zoning, please attach a list of current land use zonings that also indicate which portions each use pertains to, to this application.

Is a change of land-use or a consent use application required? NO

A. Lodge site, lodge staff and mini substation, as well as the sites for the relocation of the Working for Water Offices and Scientific Services Offices

Section B Copy No.: A

1. GRADIENT OF THE SITE Indicate the general gradient of the site.

Alternative S1: Flat 1:50 – 1:20 Alternative S2 (if any): Flat 1:50 – 1:20 – 1:15 – 1:10 – 1:7,5 – 1:5 Steeper 1:20 1:15 1:10 1:7,5 than 1:5 Alternative S3 (if any): Flat 1:50 – 1:20 – 1:15 – 1:10 – 1:7,5 – 1:5 Steeper 1:20 1:15 1:10 1:7,5 than 1:5

2. LOCATION IN LANDSCAPE

Indicate the landform(s) that best describes the site:

2.1 Ridgeline 2.4 Closed valley 2.7 Undulating plain / low hills 2.2 Plateau 2.5 Open valley 2.8 Dune 2.3 Side slope of 2.6 Plain 2.9 Seafront hill/mountain 2.10 At sea

39 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

3. GROUNDWATER, SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL STABILITY OF THE SITE

Is the site(s) located on any of the following?

Alternative Alternative Alternative S1: S2 (if any): S3 (if any): Shallow water table (less than 1.5m deep) YES NO YES NO YES NO Dolomite, sinkhole or doline areas YES NO YES NO YES NO Seasonally wet soils (often close to water YES NO YES NO YES NO bodies) Unstable rocky slopes or steep slopes with YES NO YES NO YES NO loose soil Dispersive soils (soils that dissolve in YES NO YES NO YES NO water) Soils with high clay content (clay fraction YES NO YES NO YES NO more than 40%) Any other unstable soil or geological YES NO YES NO YES NO feature An area sensitive to erosion YES NO YES NO YES NO

If you are unsure about any of the above or if you are concerned that any of the above aspects may be an issue of concern in the application, an appropriate specialist should be appointed to assist in the completion of this section. Information in respect of the above will often be available as part of the project information or at the planning sections of local authorities. Where it exists, the 1:50 000 scale Regional Geotechnical Maps prepared by the Council for Geo Science may also be consulted.

4. GROUNDCOVER

Indicate the types of groundcover present on the site. The location of all identified rare or endangered species or other elements should be accurately indicated on the site plan(s).

Natural veld Natural veld Veld dominated Natural veld - with scattered with heavy alien by alien Gardens good conditionE aliensE infestationE speciesE Building or Sport field Cultivated land Paved surface Bare soil other structure

If any of the boxes marked with an “E “is ticked, please consult an appropriate specialist to assist in the completion of this section if the environmental assessment practitioner doesn’t have the necessary expertise.

40 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

5. SURFACE WATER

Indicate the surface water present on and or adjacent to the site and alternative sites?

Perennial River YES NO Non-Perennial River YES NO Permanent Wetland YES NO UNSURE Seasonal Wetland YES NO UNSURE Artificial Wetland YES NO UNSURE Estuarine / Lagoonal wetland YES NO UNSURE

If any of the boxes marked YES or UNSURE is ticked, please provide a description of the relevant watercourse.

6. LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA

Indicate land uses and/or prominent features that currently occur within a 500m radius of the site and give description of how this influences the application or may be impacted upon by the application:

Natural area Dam or reservoir Polo fields Low density residential Hospital/medical centre Filling station H Landfill or waste treatment Medium density residential School site High density residential Tertiary education facility Plantation Informal residentialA Church Agriculture Retail commercial & Old age home River, stream or wetland warehousing Light industrial Sewage treatment plantA Nature conservation area Train station or shunting yard Medium industrial AN Mountain, koppie or ridge N Heavy industrial AN Railway line N Museum Major road (4 lanes or more) Power station Historical building N Office/consulting room Airport N Protected Area Military or police Harbour Graveyard base/station/compound Spoil heap or slimes damA Sport facilities Archaeological site Quarry, sand or borrow pit Golf course Other land uses (describe)

If any of the boxes marked with an “N “are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

41 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

If any of the boxes marked with an "An" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

If any of the boxes marked with an "H" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain:

The Skukuza rest camp filling station is a small facility located within the rest camp near the reception area, but poses no risk to the developments or the developments on the filling station.

Does the proposed site (including any alternative sites) fall within any of the following:

Critical Biodiversity Area (as per provincial conservation plan) YES NO Core area of a protected area? YES NO Buffer area of a protected area? YES NO Planned expansion area of an existing protected area? YES NO Existing offset area associated with a previous Environmental YES NO Authorisation? Buffer area of the SKA? YES NO If the answer to any of these questions was YES, a map indicating the affected area must be included in Appendix A.

42 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

B. Water treatment works (upgrade to existing facility)

Section B Copy No.: B

1. GRADIENT OF THE SITE

Indicate the general gradient of the site.

Alternative S1: 1:50 – 1:20 Alternative S2 (if any): Flat 1:50 – 1:20 – 1:15 – 1:10 – 1:7,5 – 1:5 Steeper 1:20 1:15 1:10 1:7,5 than 1:5 Alternative S3 (if any): Flat 1:50 – 1:20 – 1:15 – 1:10 – 1:7,5 – 1:5 Steeper 1:20 1:15 1:10 1:7,5 than 1:5

2. LOCATION IN LANDSCAPE

Indicate the landform(s) that best describes the site:

2.1 Ridgeline 2.4 Closed valley 2.7 Undulating plain / low hills 2.2 Plateau 2.5 Open valley 2.8 Dune 2.3 Side slope of 2.6 Plain 2.9 Seafront hill/mountain 2.10 At sea

3. GROUNDWATER, SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL STABILITY OF THE SITE

Is the site(s) located on any of the following?

43 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

Soils with high clay content (clay fraction YES NO YES NO YES NO more than 40%) Any other unstable soil or geological YES NO YES NO YES NO feature An area sensitive to erosion YES NO YES NO YES NO

4. GROUNDCOVER

Indicate the types of groundcover present on the site. The location of all identified rare or endangered species or other elements should be accurately indicated on the site plan(s).

5. SURFACE WATER

Indicate the surface water present on and or adjacent to the site and alternative sites?

Perennial River YES Non-Perennial River YES Permanent Wetland YES NO UNSURE Seasonal Wetland YES NO UNSURE Artificial Wetland YES NO UNSURE Estuarine / Lagoonal wetland YES NO UNSURE

44 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

If any of the boxes marked YES or UNSURE is ticked, please provide a description of the relevant watercourse.

The water treatment works (WTW) is located near the confluence of the N'waswitshaka River and the Sabie River. The WTW is an existing facility that will be upgraded by an additional 20Kl/h module. The additional infrastructure that will be installed will be kept within the boundaries of the site already cleared for the existing WTW and construction activities will be kept away from the N'waswitshaka River and the Sabie River.

6. LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA

If any of the boxes marked with an “N “are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

If any of the boxes marked with an "An" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

45 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

If any of the boxes marked with an "H" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

Does the proposed site (including any alternative sites) fall within any of the following:

46 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

C. Water Supply Pipeline (between the proposed reservoir and the lodge) Section B Copy No.: C

1. GRADIENT OF THE SITE

Indicate the general gradient of the site.

2. LOCATION IN LANDSCAPE

Indicate the landform(s) that best describes the site:

2.1 Ridgeline 2.4 Closed valley 2.7 Undulating plain / low hills 2.2 Plateau 2.5 Open valley 2.8 Dune 2.3 Side slope of 2.6 Plain 2.9 Seafront hill/mountain 2.10 At sea

3. GROUNDWATER, SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL STABILITY OF THE SITE

Is the site(s) located on any of the following?

47 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

Soils with high clay content (clay fraction YES NO YES NO YES NO more than 40%) Any other unstable soil or geological YES NO YES NO YES NO feature An area sensitive to erosion7 YES NO YES NO YES NO

4. GROUNDCOVER

Indicate the types of groundcover present on the site. The location of all identified rare or endangered species or other elements should be accurately indicated on the site plan(s).

5. SURFACE WATER

Indicate the surface water present on and or adjacent to the site and alternative sites?

Perennial River YES NO Non-Perennial River YES NO Permanent Wetland YES NO UNSURE Seasonal Wetland YES NO UNSURE Artificial Wetland YES NO UNSURE Estuarine / Lagoonal wetland YES NO UNSURE

7 Drainage line crossings might be sensitive to erosion.

48 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

If any of the boxes marked YES or UNSURE is ticked, please provide a description of the relevant watercourse.

6. LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA

If any of the boxes marked with an “N “are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

If any of the boxes marked with an "An" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

49 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

If any of the boxes marked with an "H" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain:

The Skukuza rest camp filling station is a small facility located within the rest camp near the reception area, but poses no risk to the developments or the developments on the filling station.

Does the proposed site (including any alternative sites) fall within any of the following:

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D. Electrical Line

An electrical cable to a new miniature substation at the lodge will be installed. The cable will follow the existing overhead telephone cable line between the substation and the SAPDS, whereafter an underground line will be installed to the mini substation at the lodge site.

Section B Copy No. (e.g. A): D

1. GRADIENT OF THE SITE

Indicate the general gradient of the site.

2. LOCATION IN LANDSCAPE

Indicate the landform(s) that best describes the site:

2.1 Ridgeline 2.4 Closed valley 2.7 Undulating plain / low hills 2.2 Plateau 2.5 Open valley 2.8 Dune 2.3 Side slope of 2.6 Plain 2.9 Seafront hill/mountain 2.10 At sea

3. GROUNDWATER, SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL STABILITY OF THE SITE

Is the site(s) located on any of the following?

51 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

Unstable rocky slopes or steep slopes with YES NO YES NO YES NO loose soil Dispersive soils (soils that dissolve in YES NO YES NO YES NO water) Soils with high clay content (clay fraction YES NO YES NO YES NO more than 40%) Any other unstable soil or geological YES NO YES NO YES NO feature An area sensitive to erosion YES NO YES NO YES NO

4. GROUNDCOVER

Indicate the types of groundcover present on the site. The location of all identified rare or endangered species or other elements should be accurately indicated on the site plan(s).

5. SURFACE WATER

Indicate the surface water present on and or adjacent to the site and alternative sites?

Perennial River YES NO Non-Perennial River YES Permanent Wetland YES NO UNSURE Seasonal Wetland YES NO UNSURE Artificial Wetland YES NO UNSURE Estuarine / Lagoonal wetland YES NO UNSURE

52 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

If any of the boxes marked YES or UNSURE is ticked, please provide a description of the relevant watercourse.

A small drainage line will be crossed by the cable between the existing substation and the SAPDS offices. This section of the line will be an above-ground cable that will cross a non- perennial drainage line and will follow the existing telephone cable route. From the SAPDS offices to the lodge the cable will become a below-ground cable and no drainage lines are located in the vicinity of this route.

6. LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA

If any of the boxes marked with an “N “are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

If any of the boxes marked with an "An" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

53 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

If any of the boxes marked with an "H" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain:

The Skukuza rest camp filling station is a small facility located within the rest camp near the reception area, but poses no risk to the developments or the developments on the filling station.

Does the proposed site (including any alternative sites) fall within any of the following:

54 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

E. Sewer pump line

Section B Copy No. (e.g. A): E

1. GRADIENT OF THE SITE

Indicate the general gradient of the site.

2. LOCATION IN LANDSCAPE

Indicate the landform(s) that best describes the site:

2.1 Ridgeline 2.4 Closed valley 2.7 Undulating plain / low hills 2.2 Plateau 2.5 Open valley 2.8 Dune 2.3 Side slope of 2.6 Plain 2.9 Seafront hill/mountain 2.10 At sea

3. GROUNDWATER, SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL STABILITY OF THE SITE

Is the site(s) located on any of the following?

55 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

Soils with high clay content (clay fraction YES NO YES NO YES NO more than 40%) Any other unstable soil or geological YES NO YES NO YES NO feature An area sensitive to erosion YES NO YES NO YES NO

4. GROUNDCOVER

Indicate the types of groundcover present on the site. The location of all identified rare or endangered species or other elements should be accurately indicated on the site plan(s).

5. SURFACE WATER

Indicate the surface water present on and or adjacent to the site and alternative sites?

Perennial River YES NO Non-Perennial River YES Permanent Wetland YES NO UNSURE Seasonal Wetland YES NO UNSURE Artificial Wetland YES NO UNSURE Estuarine / Lagoonal wetland YES NO UNSURE

56 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

If any of the boxes marked YES or UNSURE is ticked, please provide a description of the relevant watercourse.

The pipeline will cross the N’waswitshaka River by making use of the existing bridge crossing and will also need to cross a number of non-perennial drainage channels along its route. SANParks have been in liaison with the DWA with regards to submitting a Water Use Licence (General Authorization) with regards to the crossings discussed above. Proof of submission of this Water Use Licence will be submitted with the final Basic Assessment Report.

6. LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA

If any of the boxes marked with an “N “are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

If any of the boxes marked with an "An" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

57 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

If any of the boxes marked with an "H" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain:

The Skukuza rest camp filling station is a small facility located within the rest camp near the reception area, but poses no risk to the developments or the developments on the filling station.

Does the proposed site (including any alternative sites) fall within any of the following:

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F. Water rising main

Section B Copy No.: F

7. GRADIENT OF THE SITE

Indicate the general gradient of the site.

8. LOCATION IN LANDSCAPE

Indicate the landform(s) that best describes the site:

2.1 Ridgeline 2.4 Closed valley 2.7 Undulating plain / low hills 2.2 Plateau 2.5 Open valley 2.8 Dune 2.3 Side slope of 2.6 Plain 2.9 Seafront hill/mountain 2.10 At sea

9. GROUNDWATER, SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL STABILITY OF THE SITE

Is the site(s) located on any of the following?

59 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

Soils with high clay content (clay fraction YES NO YES NO YES NO more than 40%) Any other unstable soil or geological YES NO YES NO YES NO feature An area sensitive to erosion YES NO YES NO YES NO

10. GROUNDCOVER

Indicate the types of groundcover present on the site. The location of all identified rare or endangered species or other elements should be accurately indicated on the site plan(s).

Natural veld Veld dominated Natural veld - with heavy alien by alien Gardens good conditionE infestationE speciesE Building or Sport field Cultivated land Paved surface Bare soil other structure

11. SURFACE WATER

Indicate the surface water present on and or adjacent to the site and alternative sites?

Perennial River YES NO Non-Perennial River YES Permanent Wetland YES NO UNSURE Seasonal Wetland YES NO UNSURE Artificial Wetland YES NO UNSURE Estuarine / Lagoonal wetland YES NO UNSURE

60 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

If any of the boxes marked YES or UNSURE is ticked, please provide a description of the relevant watercourse.

The pipeline will cross the s a number of non-perennial drainage channels along its route. SANParks have been in liaison with the DWA with regards to submitting a Water Use Licence (General Authorization) with regards to the crossings discussed above. Proof of submission of this Water Use Licence will be submitted with the final Basic Assessment Report.

12. LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA

If any of the boxes marked with an “N “are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

If any of the boxes marked with an "An" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

61 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

If any of the boxes marked with an "H" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain:

The Skukuza rest camp filling station is a small facility located within the rest camp near the reception area, but poses no risk to the developments or the developments on the filling station.

Does the proposed site (including any alternative sites) fall within any of the following:

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G. Site for relocation of nursery tunnel, store and ablutions

Section B Copy No. (e.g. A): G

1. GRADIENT OF THE SITE

Indicate the general gradient of the site.

2. LOCATION IN LANDSCAPE

Indicate the landform(s) that best describes the site:

2.1 Ridgeline 2.4 Closed valley 2.7 Undulating plain / low hills 2.2 Plateau 2.5 Open valley 2.8 Dune 2.3 Side slope of 2.6 Plain 2.9 Seafront hill/mountain 2.10 At sea

3. GROUNDWATER, SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL STABILITY OF THE SITE

Is the site(s) located on any of the following?

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Soils with high clay content (clay fraction YES NO YES NO YES NO more than 40%) Any other unstable soil or geological YES NO YES NO YES NO feature An area sensitive to erosion YES NO YES NO YES NO

4. GROUNDCOVER

Indicate the types of groundcover present on the site. The location of all identified rare or endangered species or other elements should be accurately indicated on the site plan(s).

5. SURFACE WATER

Indicate the surface water present on and or adjacent to the site and alternative sites?

Perennial River YES NO Non-Perennial River YES NO Permanent Wetland YES NO UNSURE Seasonal Wetland YES NO UNSURE Artificial Wetland YES NO UNSURE Estuarine / Lagoonal wetland YES NO UNSURE

64 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT

If any of the boxes marked YES or UNSURE is ticked, please provide a description of the relevant watercourse.

A man-made dam forming part of the Skukuza golf course is situated approximately 90 metres to the south of the site proposed for the nursery tunnels.

6. LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA

If any of the boxes marked with an “N “are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

If any of the boxes marked with an "An" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

If any of the boxes marked with an "H" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

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Does the proposed site (including any alternative sites) fall within any of the following:

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H. 4x 2 Bedroom houses (2 site alternatives)

Site Alternative 1 is to develop the houses on an already developed area currently used by a cluster of temporary park homes to the south of the N'waswitshaka River. Refer to Map 3 in Appendix A. This site is already developed and not situated in close proximity to any environmentally sensitive areas and is therefore preferred.

Site Alternative 2 is to develop the houses in an undisturbed largely natural area outside the existing boundaries of the staff village between Elephant Road and the game capture bomas. This area does not have existing water, power and sewage connections on site. Should the houses be constructed in this location it would require the clearing of pristine natural habitat (tamboti thicket) and would further expand the village footprint. This alternative is therefore not preferred.

Section B Copy No.: H

1. GRADIENT OF THE SITE

Indicate the general gradient of the site.

Alternative S1: To the north near the game capture bomas 1:50 – 1:20 Alternative S2 (if any): to the south next to the N'waswitshaka Rivers Flat 1:50 – 1:20 – 1:15 – 1:10 – 1:7,5 – 1:5 Steeper 1:20 1:15 1:10 1:7,5 than 1:5 Alternative S3 (if any): Flat 1:50 – 1:20 – 1:15 – 1:10 – 1:7,5 – 1:5 Steeper 1:20 1:15 1:10 1:7,5 than 1:5

2. LOCATION IN LANDSCAPE

Indicate the landform(s) that best describes the site:

2.1 Ridgeline 2.4 Closed valley 2.7 Undulating plain / low hills 2.2 Plateau 2.5 Open valley 2.8 Dune 2.3 Side slope of 2.6 Plain 2.9 Seafront hill/mountain 2.10 At sea

3. GROUNDWATER, SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL STABILITY OF THE SITE

Is the site(s) located on any of the following?

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4. GROUNDCOVER SITE ALTERNATIVE 1

Indicate the types of groundcover present on the site. The location of all identified rare or endangered species or other elements should be accurately indicated on the site plan(s).

5. GROUNDCOVER SITE ALTERNATIVE 2 (NOT PREFERRED)

Indicate the types of groundcover present on the site. The location of all identified rare or endangered species or other elements should be accurately indicated on the site plan(s).

Natural veld - Natural veld Natural veld Veld dominated Gardens good conditionE with scattered with heavy alien by alien

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aliensE infestationE speciesE Building or Sport field Cultivated land Paved surface Bare soil other structure

6. SURFACE WATER

Indicate the surface water present on and or adjacent to the site and alternative sites?

Perennial River YES NO Non-Perennial River YES NO Permanent Wetland YES NO UNSURE Seasonal Wetland YES NO UNSURE Artificial Wetland YES NO UNSURE Estuarine / Lagoonal wetland YES NO UNSURE

If any of the boxes marked YES or UNSURE is ticked, please provide a description of the relevant watercourse.

The N'waswitshaka River is situated approximately 60 meters north of Alternative Site 1.

7. LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA

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Spoil heap or slimes damA Sport facilities Archaeological site Quarry, sand or borrow pit Golf course Other land uses (describe)

If any of the boxes marked with an “N “are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

If any of the boxes marked with an "An" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

If any of the boxes marked with an "H" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

Does the proposed site (including any alternative sites) fall within any of the following:

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I. Twenty 2 or 3 Bedroom units (east of staff village)

Section B Copy No.: I

1. GRADIENT OF THE SITE

Indicate the general gradient of the site.

2. LOCATION IN LANDSCAPE

Indicate the landform(s) that best describes the site:

2.1 Ridgeline 2.4 Closed valley 2.7 Undulating plain / low hills 2.2 Plateau 2.5 Open valley 2.8 Dune 2.3 Side slope of 2.6 Plain 2.9 Seafront hill/mountain 2.10 At sea

3. GROUNDWATER, SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL STABILITY OF THE SITE

Is the site(s) located on any of the following?

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Soils with high clay content (clay fraction YES NO YES NO YES NO more than 40%) Any other unstable soil or geological YES NO YES NO YES NO feature An area sensitive to erosion YES NO YES NO YES NO

4. GROUNDCOVER

Indicate the types of groundcover present on the site. The location of all identified rare or endangered species or other elements should be accurately indicated on the site plan(s).

Please note: The site has been largely disturbed even though some natural vegetation remains on the site.

5. SURFACE WATER

Indicate the surface water present on and or adjacent to the site and alternative sites?

Perennial River YES NO Non-Perennial River YES NO Permanent Wetland YES NO UNSURE Seasonal Wetland YES NO UNSURE Artificial Wetland YES NO UNSURE Estuarine / Lagoonal wetland YES NO UNSURE

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If any of the boxes marked YES or UNSURE is ticked, please provide a description of the relevant watercourse.

A small non-perennial drainage line (tributary of the Sabie River) is located approximately 95 meters east of the proposed site.

6. LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA

If any of the boxes marked with an “N “are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

If any of the boxes marked with an "An" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

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If any of the boxes marked with an "H" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

Does the proposed site (including any alternative sites) fall within any of the following:

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J. New contractor’s camp

Section B Copy No. (e.g. A): J

7. GRADIENT OF THE SITE

Indicate the general gradient of the site.

8. LOCATION IN LANDSCAPE

Indicate the landform(s) that best describes the site:

2.1 Ridgeline 2.4 Closed valley 2.7 Undulating plain / low hills 2.2 Plateau 2.5 Open valley 2.8 Dune 2.3 Side slope of 2.6 Plain 2.9 Seafront hill/mountain 2.10 At sea

9. GROUNDWATER, SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL STABILITY OF THE SITE

Is the site(s) located on any of the following?

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Soils with high clay content (clay fraction YES NO YES NO YES NO more than 40%) Any other unstable soil or geological YES NO YES NO YES NO feature An area sensitive to erosion YES NO YES NO YES NO

10. GROUNDCOVER

Indicate the types of groundcover present on the site. The location of all identified rare or endangered species or other elements should be accurately indicated on the site plan(s).

Please note: The site has been largely disturbed even though some natural vegetation remains on the site.

11. SURFACE WATER

Indicate the surface water present on and or adjacent to the site and alternative sites?

Perennial River YES NO Non-Perennial River YES NO Permanent Wetland YES NO UNSURE Seasonal Wetland YES NO UNSURE Artificial Wetland YES NO UNSURE Estuarine / Lagoonal wetland YES NO UNSURE

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If any of the boxes marked YES or UNSURE is ticked, please provide a description of the relevant watercourse.

A small non-perennial drainage line (tributary of the Sabie River) is located approximately 70 meters east of the proposed site.

12. LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA

If any of the boxes marked with an “N “are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

If any of the boxes marked with an "An" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

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If any of the boxes marked with an "H" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain:

Does the proposed site (including any alternative sites) fall within any of the following:

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K. Anaerobic Digester

Section B Copy No. (e.g. A): K

1. GRADIENT OF THE SITE

Indicate the general gradient of the site.

2. LOCATION IN LANDSCAPE

Indicate the landform(s) that best describes the site:

2.1 Ridgeline 2.4 Closed valley 2.7 Undulating plain / low hills 2.2 Plateau 2.5 Open valley 2.8 Dune 2.3 Side slope of 2.6 Plain 2.9 Seafront hill/mountain 2.10 At sea

3. GROUNDWATER, SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL STABILITY OF THE SITE

Is the site(s) located on any of the following?

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Soils with high clay content (clay fraction YES NO YES NO YES NO more than 40%) Any other unstable soil or geological YES NO YES NO YES NO feature An area sensitive to erosion YES NO YES NO YES NO

4. GROUNDCOVER

Indicate the types of groundcover present on the site. The location of all identified rare or endangered species or other elements should be accurately indicated on the site plan(s).

5. SURFACE WATER

Indicate the surface water present on and or adjacent to the site and alternative sites?

Perennial River YES NO Non-Perennial River YES NO Permanent Wetland YES NO UNSURE Seasonal Wetland YES NO UNSURE Artificial Wetland YES NO UNSURE Estuarine / Lagoonal wetland YES NO UNSURE If any of the boxes marked YES or UNSURE is ticked, please provide a description of the relevant watercourse. n/a

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6. LAND USE CHARACTER OF SURROUNDING AREA

If any of the boxes marked with an “N “are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

If any of the boxes marked with an "An" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

If any of the boxes marked with an "H" are ticked, how will this impact / be impacted upon by the proposed activity? Specify and explain: n/a

Does the proposed site (including any alternative sites) fall within any of the following:

Critical Biodiversity Area (as per provincial conservation plan) YES NO Core area of a protected area? YES NO Buffer area of a protected area? YES NO

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Planned expansion area of an existing protected area? YES NO Existing offset area associated with a previous Environmental YES NO Authorisation? Buffer area of the SKA? YES NO

If the answer to any of these questions was YES, a map indicating the affected area must be included in Appendix A.

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7. CULTURAL/HISTORICAL FEATURES

Are there any signs of culturally or historically significant elements, as YES NO defined in section 2 of the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999, (Act No. 25 of 1999), including Archaeological or paleontological sites, on or Uncertain close (within 20m) to the site? If YES, explain: The heritage survey for the Skukuza Safari Lodge and Infrastructure study identified the following heritage feature on the footprint area proposed for the Skukuza Safari Lodge: - Two Baobab trees (Exigo-SK-HP02) that were planted by James Stevenson-Hamilton at his final residence at around 1930. These features are generally of medium significance in terms of their association with Stevenson-Hamilton, and considering its physical context at the historical residence. The features are situated within the footprint of the proposed Skukuza Safari Lodge but the the trees will be retained and incorporated into the design of the Lodge. It is recommended that all phases of construction and operation of the Safari Lodge be monitored in order to manage possible impacts on the baobab trees.

The only other structures present within the footprint of the lodge and surroundings are 10 modern rectangular houses, and a number of rondavel structures. The multi-room rectangular structures occur in separately demarcated yards and are currently used by park personnel. The thatched circular rondavel structures are used four tourism accommodation. According to historical and recent layout maps of the camp, these structures did not exist prior to the 1960’s and as such, they are not older than 60 years. Consequently, the structures are of low heritage value.

No heritage features were identified on any of the other proposed development sites.

The complete heritage impact assessment is attached to this report as Appendix D.

If uncertain, conduct a specialist investigation by a recognised specialist in the field (archaeology or palaeontology) to establish whether there is such a feature(s) present on or close to the site. Briefly explain the findings of the specialist: Refer to section above.

Will any building or structure older than 60 years be affected in any YES NO way? Is it necessary to apply for a permit in terms of the National Heritage YES NO Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999)? If YES, please provide proof that this permit application has been submitted to SAHRA or the relevant provincial authority.

Note: Even though the baobab trees mentioned above will be within the footprint of the proposed lodge they will be retained as they were incorporated into the design of the lodge. Therefore not heritage features older than 60 years will be impacts as part of the proposed development and an application for a permit in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999) is not required.

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8. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTER a) Local Municipality

Please provide details on the socio-economic character of the local municipality in which the proposed site(s) are situated.

Level of unemployment:

According to Census 2011 the municipality has a total population estimated at 588 794 (Statistics South Africa Website8). The Mbombela Draft IDP 2014-2015 Review9 states that the unemployment rate has decreased from 37.77% in 2001 to 28.14% in 2011. Unemployment is high amongst youth, women and persons with disabilities.

Table 3: Unemployment rates from 1996 to 2011 (Mbombela Draft IDP 2014-2015 Review)

According to the Mobombela Draft IDP (2014-2015 review):  The number of employed people increased from 62% in 2001 to 76% in 2007.  Unemployed decreased from 38% in 2001 to 24% in 2007 with a rise to 28,1% people unemployed in 2011.

The 2011 census showed that of the 228 237 economically active (employed or unemployed but looking for work) people in the municipality, 28,1% are unemployed. And 37,6% of the 122 237 economically active youth (15 – 34 years) in the area are unemployed (Statistics South Africa Website).

8 Statistics South Africa Website. http://beta2.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=993&id=mbombela-municipality 9 Mbombela Draft Integrated Development Plan 2014-2015 Review, Mbombela Local Municipality

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The figure below indicates the employment rate for individuals in the Mbombela Local Municipality aged 15 to 64 (Statistics South Africa Website):

Economic profile of local municipality:

According to figures provided by Statistics SA, 43.23%) of individuals in the Mbombela LM do not have any income and this figure has increased from 42.6% recorded in 2007. Income figures for the Mbombela LM are indicated in the table below (Source: Mbombela IDP Review 2014 - 2015).

The economic performance of a region can be measured by the Gross Value Added (GVA) measure. GVA is the difference between the value of goods and services produced and the

85 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT cost of the raw materials and other inputs which are used in production.

Manufacturing, finance, business and government services are the sectors that contribute most to the Gross Value Added (GVA) measurement in the Mbombela LM, while mining only contributes 2.5% of the total GVA.

Refer to the table below for an analysis of the economic sectors in the Mbombela LM. Economic Sectors in Mbombela (Source: Mbombela IDP Review 2014 - 2015)

Level of education:

The municipality has recorded decreases in the population with no schooling from 1996 to 2011, while the population with matric only and those with matric and higher qualifications have increased over the past 15 years. Only 2,7% has had no schooling according to the 2011 statistics (Statistics South Africa, 2011; Mbombela IDP Review 2014 - 2015). The table below provides a summary of the education levels of individuals in the Mbombela LM.

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b) Socio-economic value of the activity

What is the expected capital value of the activity on completion? R224 621 690 What is the expected yearly income that will be generated by or as a R R47 526 042 result of the activity? per annum (R3 960 503 per month during operational period) Will the activity contribute to service infrastructure? (for Skukuza YES NO Village) Is the activity a public amenity? YES NO How many new employment opportunities will be created in the 750 during development and construction phase of the activity/ies? construction period (estimated) What is the expected value of the employment opportunities during the R77 581 522 pa development and construction phase? (R6 465 127 pm) What percentage of this will accrue to previously disadvantaged 75% individuals? How many permanent new employment opportunities will be created 123 during the operational phase of the activity? What is the expected current value of the employment opportunities R188 155 845 during the first 10 years? What percentage of this will accrue to previously disadvantaged 75% individuals?

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9. BIODIVERSITY

Please note: The Department may request specialist input/studies depending on the nature of the biodiversity occurring on the site and potential impact(s) of the proposed activity/ies. To assist with the identification of the biodiversity occurring on site and the ecosystem status consult http://bgis.sanbi.org or [email protected]. Information is also available on compact disc (cd) from the Biodiversity-GIS Unit, Ph (021) 799 8698. This information may be updated from time to time and it is the applicant/ EAP’s responsibility to ensure that the latest version is used. A map of the relevant biodiversity information (including an indication of the habitat conditions as per (b) below) and must be provided as an overlay map to the property/site plan as Appendix D to this report. a) Indicate the applicable biodiversity planning categories of all areas on site and indicate the reason(s) provided in the biodiversity plan for the selection of the specific area as part of the specific category)

If CBA or ESA, indicate the reason(s) for Systematic Biodiversity Planning Category its selection in biodiversity plan Other Natural Area. Other No Natural According to the Mpumalanga Critical Ecological Natural Area Biodiversity Support Biodiversity Conservation Plan (C-Plan) Area Remaining Area (CBA) Area (ESA) the study area falls within a Protected (ONA) (NNR) Area (Kruger National Park). b) Indicate and describe the habitat condition on site

Percentage Description and additional Comments and of habitat Observations Habitat Condition condition (including additional insight into condition, e.g. class (adding poor land management practises, presence of up to 100%) quarries, grazing, harvesting regimes etc). Areas outside the camp fences or personnel village e.g. sections of the sewer and water main line, and Alternative Site 2 for the 4 x 2-bedroom houses Natural 30% along Elephant Road. Slight overgrazing and encroachment was apparent in some areas, although in general it still represent natural habitat for wildlife in the area Near Natural Areas on the outskirt of Skukuza personnel village (includes areas that still has most of its indigenous elements, with low to 5% although alien species invasion and exotic weeds is moderate level of apparent closer to infrastructure e.g. new alien invasive contractors camp, 20 staff units on outskirts

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plants) (directly east) of the staff quarters. Small pockets in Skukuza staff village and its Degraded outskirts that can be considered degraded but not (includes areas 5% completely transformed e.g. relocation area of heavily invaded by nursery tunnels, road servitudes outside Skukuza alien plants) rest camp for sewer- and electrical lines. Transformed areas inside Skukuza Rest Camp (Lodge Transformed site, electrical line) and in personnel village that (includes represent houses / parkhomes / bare ground / cultivation, dams, 60% infrastructure with little / no conservation value e.g. urban, plantation, relocation area of nursery tunnels, and Alternative roads, etc) Site 1 for the 4 x 2-bedroom houses.

c) Complete the table to indicate: (i) the type of vegetation, including its ecosystem status, present on the site; and (ii) whether an aquatic ecosystem is present on site.

Terrestrial Ecosystems Aquatic Ecosystems Ecosystem threat Critical Wetland (including rivers, status as per the Endangered depressions, channelled and National unchanneled wetlands, flats, Estuary Coastline Vulnerable Environmental seeps pans, and artificial Management: Least wetlands) Biodiversity Act (Act Threatened YES NO UNSURE YES NO YES NO No. 10 of 2004) Please note: The proposed pipelines and electrical line will cross the N'waswitshaka River and a number of other smaller non-perennial drainage lines - mostly making use existing crossings (bridges).

89 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT d) Please provide a description of the vegetation type and/or aquatic ecosystem present on site, including any important biodiversity features/information identified on site (e.g. threatened species and special habitats)

The development site lies within the Savanna biome, which is the largest biome in Southern Africa. The Savanna Biome is characterized by a grassy ground layer and a distinct upper layer of woody plants (trees and shrubs). The proposed development site occurs in a variety of landscapes from completely modified gardens inside the Skukuza Rest Camp to slightly degraded thickets, open woodland and riparian woodland areas along the periphery of the staff village and living quarters. The most prominent drainage channels in close proximity to the proposed development of staff housing are the Sabie and N’waswitshaka Rivers. The vegetation of the proposed development sites outside the camp fences can be described as representative of the riparian zone, uplands and bottomlands described for the Sabie-Crocodile River thickets landscape (Gertenbach, 1983)10. Vegetation units were identified during the ecological surveys according to plant species composition, previous land-use, soil types and topography. The state of the vegetation of the proposed development site varies from being completely modified (gardens) to slightly degraded or natural woodland. The Code of Conduct for the Kruger National Park with regards to the management of biodiversity (natural habitats outside the rest camp or staff village), cultural heritage (baobab trees planted by James Stevenson-Hamilton in 1930’s) and plants (landscaping, control of alien invasive species etc.) is included in the Flora Impact Assessment Report (attached as Appendix D). The following vegetation units were identified on different locations in and around the proposed development sites: 1. Residential gardens 2. Degraded grassland with scattered trees 3. Ziziphus – Grewia – Tecoma thickets 4. Acacia grandicornuta – Grewia thickets 5. Degraded Acacia tortilis woodland 6. Mixed Acacia nigrescens–woodland 7. Combretum apiculatum – Grewia bicolor woodland 8. Dense Spirostachys africana – Grewia bicolor thickets (thickets & non-perennial drainage channels) 9. Dense Grewia – Dichrostachys thickets 10. Riparian woodland

No red data species potentially occurring in the grid square of the area occur on the proposed Safari Lodge development site due to the degraded and modified state of the vegetation.

10 GERTENBACH, W. P. D. 1983. Landscapes of the Kruger National Park. Koedoe 26: 9-121.

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Three individuals of two cycad species [Encephalartos lebomboensis and E. paucidentatus were planted in the gardens of the staff houses on the proposed lodge site many years ago. These species are listed as red data species (Encephalartos lebomboensis – endangered; E. paucidentatus – vulnerable), however these species do not naturally occur in the area and merely represent garden ornamentals. No permits are needed to move the individual specimens within the rest camp and staff village area provided that the movement gets done by the Skukuza Nursery (Ms. M. Hofmeyr) once cleared by the Mpumalanga Parks Agency.It is recommended that a specialist need to insert microchips into the plants when moved to a new location, even if just temporarily. Except for the above-mentioned planted species, none of the listed red data species potentially occurring in the area was found on any of the proposed development sites during the vegetation survey. The degraded state of many of the proposed development sites makes the probability of finding these species on the site low, while the habitat of the more natural areas do not represent optimal habitat for the red data species. For more information refer to the Flora Assessment attached to Appendix D of this report.

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SECTION C: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

1. ADVERTISEMENT AND NOTICE

Publication name Lowvelder Date published 3 October 2014 Publication name Phalaborwa Herald Date published 10 October 2014 Site notice Latitude Longitude position: On -24.993441 31.590403 Safari Lodge site Date placed 2 October 2014 Site notice Latitude Longitude position: Skukuza -24.993445 31.590951 Conference facility Date placed 1 October 2014 Site notice Latitude Longitude position Kruger -24.981374 31.485310 Gate Date placed 1 October 2014 Site notice Latitude Longitude position -24.988269 31.586426 Skukuza Staff Community Pool and Hall Date placed 2 October 2014 Site notice Latitude Longitude position -24.996105 31.598238 Staff shop entrance Date placed 1 October 2014 Site notice Latitude Longitude position -25.024880 31.241694 Phabeni Gate Date placed 1 October 2014 Site notice Latitude Longitude position -24.984560 31.577294 Skukuza Golf Club Date placed 1 October 2014 Site notice Latitude Longitude position -24.995859 31.591985 Skukuza

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Reception Date placed 1 October 2014 Site notice Latitude Longitude position -25.765760 28.202959 SANParks Head Office Pretoria Date placed 1 October 2014

Include proof of the placement of the relevant advertisements and notices in Appendix E1.

2. DETERMINATION OF APPROPRIATE MEASURES

Provide details of the measures taken to include all potential I&APs as required by Regulation 54(2)(e) and 54(7) of GN R.543.

The following process was undertaken to facilitate the public participation for the proposed project: NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT

Advertisements, notifying the public of the Environmental Authorisation application process and requesting I&AP’s to register their comments with Exigo Sustainability (Pty) Ltd (Exigo), was placed in in the Lowvelder on the 3rd of October 2014 and in the Phalaborwa Herald on the 10th of October 2014.

SITE NOTICE

In order to inform visitors to the Kruger National Park, Skukuza rest camp and the Kruger Park employees of the proposed development, notice boards (in accordance with regulation 54(2)(a) and 54(3) of the EIA Regulations) were erected at the following places on the 1st and 2nd of October 2014.

Placement Size On the proposed Lodge site A2 Skukuza Conference Centre A2 Staff Shop in the living quarters A2 Skukuza Golf course club house A2 Phabeni Gate A3 Kruger Gate A3 Skukuza Reception A3 Skukuza Staff Pool and community hall A2 SANParks Head Office Pretoria (reservation A3 and wild card reception area)

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DIRECT NOTIFICATION OF IDENTIFIED I&AP’S

Key stakeholders, who included the following sectors, were directly informed of the proposed development (Please refer to table in Comments and Response Report for full list):  The owners and occupiers of land adjacent to the proposed route alignment where the activity is or is to be undertaken or to any alternative site;  Surrounding lodges and developments around Kruger Gate;  Ehlanzeni District Municipality;  Mbombela Local Municipality;  Bushbuckridge Local Municipality;  Nkomazi Local Municipality;  Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA);  Department of Water and sanitation;  Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries;  Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration (DARDLA);  Department of Agriculture and Rural Development  Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport  South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL)  South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA)  Mpumalanga Provincial Heritage Resource Authority  Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency  ESKOM;  Various NGO’s and Conservancies

Please note that Public Participation process was started during the initial registration period for the project, and will extend to the Basic Environmental Impact Assessment (Basic Assessment) Phase. A final Comments and Response Report, detailing all comments from the I&APs will be included in the Final Basic Assessment Report (BAR).

SANPARKS NOTIFICATIONS NOT FORMING PART OF THE FORMAL BASIC ASSESSMENT PROCESS

The list below was not part of the formal notification process for the BAR; however members of the public and the media were also notified about the proposed project by means of a media briefing, newspapers and social media as described below.

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SANParks held a media briefing on the 29th of September 2014 to announce the project to the media. SANParks could be contacted for more information and the interested parties provided with Exigo’s details. The media briefing was also posted on SANParks website on the 29th of September 2014.

The following articles/broadcastings regarding the development were relayed by various media: 1. Radio media:

 Radio sonder grense (RSG) – Interview with SANParks – 1 October 2014  Jacaranda 94.2 - Interview with SANParks – 1 October 2014 2. Newspapers/Electronic news:  Beeld – “Kruger kry Lodge”– 30 September 2014

 Pretoria News – “Have your say on new Kruger Park Lodge – Public Participation opens on planned R238m facility” – 30 September 2014  Media 24 – “Skukuza Safari Lodge: SANParks invites public to comment” – 30 September 2014

 GPS news – “KNP Lodge public participation opens”– 29 September 2014  Lowvelder – “Public can now have their say on proposed lodge in Skukuza” – 30 September 2014  Travelbuyer – “SANParks to build conference accommodation at Skukuza” – 1 October 2014

 My Lowveld – “Skukuza Safari Lodge public participation opens” – 30 September 2014

 Tourism update – “SANParks opens public participation for Skukuza Safari Lodge” – 30 September 2014 3. Social media:

 SANParks newsfeed – 1 October 2014  SANParks Facebook page – 1 October 2014

 SANParks Wild Newsletter, E-news and Wild Magazine to 143,000 members

I&APs that contacted Exigo with regards to this development were all registered on the project.

Key stakeholders (other than organs of state) identified in terms of Regulation 54(2)(b) of GN R.543:

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Industry/Community/ Contact Details Organisation/Individual Conservancies Kruger2Canyons PO Box 408 Biosphere Reserve HOEDSPRUIT 1380 Cell: 082 551 7261 [email protected] SA Tourism Mr Brian Whittaker Chairperson Private Bag X10012 Sandton 2146 South Africa Tel: 011 895 3000 Fax: 011 895 3001 [email protected] Birdlife SA P O Box 515 Randburg 2125 Tel: 011 789 1122 Fax: 011 789 5188 [email protected]

Simon Gear – Policy and Advocacy Manager [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Kruger Park Protea Hotel Francois [email protected] Sabi Park Ernst van der Merwe [email protected] Sabi Sands Game Reserve [email protected] Tel: 087 820 0807

Eduan Pierce Ecologist [email protected] Burchell’s Bush Lodge Dave [email protected] Lukimbi Safari Lodge Sean Smith [email protected]

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Lion Sands Izak De Villiers Email: [email protected]

Andrew Rossaak – Emross Consulting [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Lion Sands – Sabi Sands Ronnie Borrageiro, Email: [email protected] Mala Mala Facsimile: + 27 11 442 2318 e-Mail: [email protected] Facsimile: + 27 13 735 3100 e-Mail: [email protected] Facsimile: + 27 13 735 9300 e-Mail: [email protected] Shishangeni Private Ms Liesl Breytenback Lodge Tel: 013 735 3300 Cell: 072 910 0931 [email protected] Jock Safari Lodge Mr Louis Strauss Tel: 013 735 5200 Cell:072 998 0243 [email protected] Tinga Private Game Glenda Ubisi Reserve [email protected], Nerina Sven Linstrom, Email: [email protected] Rhino Walking Safaris Mr Gerrit Meyer Cell: 083 631 4956 [email protected] NGO’s Game Rangers Mr Andre Botha Association of Africa [email protected] Endangered Wildlife Scott Ronaldson Trust: Bird of Prey [email protected] Programme World Wide Fund for Ziyanda Mfanta Nature Tel: 012 888 2800 [email protected] Wildlife and Environment Mr Tony Ferrer Society of SA (WESSA) [email protected] Mr Morgan Griffiths Governance Programme Manager

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Wildlife and Environment Dr. Simon Evered Society of SA (WESSA): E-mail: [email protected] Lowveld region PO Box 336, Kiepersol 1241 Tel: 013 750 0808 Fax: 011 507 5975 Other Hamiltons Mr Trevor Tod Tel: 013 790 3421 Fax: +27 (0) 11 463 1489 [email protected] Kruger Park Times Lynette Strauss E-Mail: [email protected] Siyabona Africa [email protected] Eskom Northern Region PO Box 1091 Johannesburg 2001 Fax: 0136933886 Dr Salmon Joubert 014 743 2097 PO Box 1354 Naboomspruit 0560 [email protected] Gerhard Smit [email protected] Anton Smit PO Box 51601 Wierda Park 0149 012 660 1125 082 873 2298 Fax: 086 677 8876 [email protected] Lanette Smit 082 079 4779 [email protected] Fred de Groot [email protected] Africa Wild James Rawdon [email protected] Adele Wright [email protected] Douglas William Ellerbeck [email protected]

Ria Millburn 011 433 3670

[email protected]

Landowners SANParks Danie Pienaar Kruger National Park: Technical Services, Private Bag X402, Skukuza Telephone: 013 735 4271 Fax: 013 735 4051 [email protected]

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Include proof that the key stakeholder received written notification of the proposed activities as Appendix E2. This proof may include any of the following:

 e-mail delivery reports;  registered mail receipts;  courier waybills;  signed acknowledgements of receipt; and/or  or any other proof as agreed upon by the competent authority.

3. ISSUES RAISED BY INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES

Summary of main issues raised by I&APs Summary of response from EAP  Impact on the sense of place The following design measures were built into the design of the lodge in order to limit the  Visual impact impact on the surroundings: o Light nuisance  The design is fragmented – a collection of smaller structures.  Noise nuisance  The design inverts the bedroom wings to o Noise impact on the rest camp, in central landscaped atriums – contain noise and light internally. particular the surrounding chalets  Public areas (dining room, bars, outside lounges, gym and lap pool are centralised between the bedroom wings – contain noise and light internally.  Back-of-house situated on the opposite side of the lodge, away from existing tourist accommodation.  All lodge deliveries and staff access will be from the back.  Thatch canopies to the bedroom wing’s external walkways – blend in with existing thatched structures.  Bus and concession parking will be away from the lodge.  Lodge design incorporates the use of natural materials and earthy colours  Walls to screen the drop-off area from the existing tourist accommodation – minimise sight, sound and light from this zone.

According to the Visual Impact Assessment (refer to Appendix D), through implementation of strict mitigation measures the lodge will have a Moderately Negative Visual Impact during the Construction Phase, while during the Operational Phase the lodge will have a Low

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Negative Impact. Mitigation measures include, amongst others, the strategic planting of tree and shrub screens, as well as a fence between the lodge and the rest of the camp. The resultant landscape would not be totally uncharacteristic when set within the attributes of the receiving visual environment. Through the implementation of mitigation measures the visual impact expected by the additional infrastructure (e.g. housing units) is Low during the Construction Phase and Negligible during the Operational Phase. The resultant, landscape would not be uncharacteristic when set within the attributes of the receiving visual environment. Important to note is that the above impact statements assume that management measures will be implemented effectively and managed in the long term. The recommended management measures were written into the Environmental Management Programme (EMPr). The EMPr is to act as a flexible, stand-alone document and must be implemented during all phases of the development and throughout the lifespan of the proposed activities. For more information refer to the Visual Impact Assessment attached to Appendix D of this report.  Lodge access times via the Kruger Gates SANParks responds: The aim is that the current and the possible associated impact on park rules to visitors to the lodge are wildlife (poaching and road kill) should maintained i.e. normal gate hours. Exceptions access be24 hours a day. will also be dealt with as per the current rules. Exceptions to the current rules will therefore not be made for visitors to the lodge.  Socio-Economic impacts These recommendations are noted. The aim during the construction and operational phases o Local employment benefits would be to make use of local employment as o Availability of bursaries and far as possible. The comment regarding bursaries and learnerships is noted, if feasible at learnerships the time, will be considered. Local décor and art o Local décor and art should be used at will be used where possible. the lodge in order to benefit local artists  Project feasibility and need SANParks responds: Various research has been concluded, some by SA Tourism, Universities o Need for this type of development and internally. Internal surveys to our current o Has a market study been undertaken customer base (mainly conducted by UNW) do indicate that a lodge is not required and that for the lodge? the current visitor base are happy staying with

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the current self-catering options, however, from a business perspective, with occupancies of 88% in Skukuza, additional accommodation is required. As part of our Responsible Tourism Strategy 2022, product diversification is a key component.  Management of electricity, water and F or the lodge, water will be re-used from all the shower and Wash Hand Basin water and use waste that as a first priority for the water closet (flush o Grey water usage toilet) flush and what is left (combined with rainwater harvesting when available) for o Waste minimisation strategies irrigation. o Electricity usage minimisation options Waste will be separated at source (the lodge) and at the Skukuza central materials recycling facility. For detailed waste management measures refer to the EMPr. The following measures are built into the design (for more detail refer to BAR and Concept design report:  Solar panels  Heat-reclaim for hot water generation (summer) and high efficiency heat-pump systems for winter and make-up  Building layout and design as well as “occupancy-activated” aircons for cooling  Kitchens: will use gas equipment as far as practically possible, and use energy efficient equipment alternative when/where available.  Lighting: use energy efficient light fittings, movement sensor activation in bedroom passage ways, stairs and bathrooms.  Other SANParks responds: SANParks acts on behalf of o Approval of building plans for the lodge the State when building in a national park and is and the conference facility and not required to apply and obtain prior written approval from the municipalities before erecting whether the foundation designs will be buildings in a park. SANParks remains however designed by an approved engineer obliged to comply with the national building regulations in respect of buildings in a national park. SANParks acting on behalf of the state needs to lodge the building plans and specifications with the municipality for its information and comment before commencement of construction of the building.

o Interest in becoming commercially SANParks responds: Interest shown by Premier Hotels is been noted. However, SANParks’ involved in Lodge bookings and current plans are to manage the lodge Conference centre management themselves, should a private operator be sought, a transparent tender process would be

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(raised by Premier Hotels) undertaken to appoint such operator and Premier Hotels would be welcome to participate.

o Concern that the lodge would cost SANParks has engaged the services of a Professional Quantity Surveyor to control the more to build than initially anticipated costs relating to the project. As the design progresses from Concept Design to Detailed Documentation, the accuracy of the Estimated Cost of the Lodge will improve. Currently there is a 5% contingency in the cost estimate to accommodate this. It is planned that the facility will be fully documented at the time of tender and that minimal provisional sums will be included in the Principal Building Tender to minimize cost risk during construction. Ultimately the cost for the development will be established through market conditions at the time of construction as well as unforeseen items outside of the control of SANParks and the Consultant Team.

4. COMMENTS AND RESPONSE REPORT

The practitioner must record all comments received from I&APs and respond to each comment before the Draft BAR is submitted. The comments and responses must be captured in a comments and response report as prescribed in the EIA regulations and be attached to the Final BAR as Appendix E3.

5. AUTHORITY PARTICIPATION

Authorities and organs of state identified as key stakeholders:

Authority/Organ Contact Tel No Fax No e-mail Postal address of State person (Title, Name and Surname) Commenting authorities Mpumalanga Robyn Luyt 013 766 [email protected] 30 Brown Street, Department of 4826 ov.z Nelspruit, 1200 Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) Department of Sampie 013 shabanguh@ Private Bag X 11259 Water and Howard Sha 7597 dwa.gov.za Nelspruit,1200

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Sanitation bangu 300/ (previously DWA) 7440 South African http://www.sahra. Heritage Resources org.za/cases/safari- Agency (SAHRA) lodge-and- associated- infrastructure- skukuza-kruger- national-park Loaded unto SAHRIS Website. SAHRIS Case ID: 6520 Mbombela Local Shile Sihle.Mthem Municipality Mthembu bu@mbomb ela.gov.za Other Authorities identified Ehlanzeni ST Shabangu 013 759 tshabangu@ District 8500 ehlanzeni.go Municipality - v.za and Municipal Health sgladile@ehl and Environmental anzeni.gov.z Management a Bushbuckridge Mrs Sarah 013 799 013 799 Private Bag X9308 Local Municipality Mogakane 1851/7 1865 Bushbuckridge, 1280 Nkomazi Local Mr MD 013 790 013 790 Private Bag X101 Municipality Ngwenya 0245 0886 Malelane Municipal 1320 Manager

Department of Mr Themba 013 759 khozab@daf Agriculture, Khoza 7494 f.gov.za Forestry and Forestry Fisheries Department

Dr N. 012 309 Nthabiseng Motete 5718 [email protected] DDG: v.za Forestry and Natural Resources Managemen t

Department of Mr. Love 013 754 [email protected] 31 Brown Street,

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Agriculture and 0734 gric.za Nelspruit Rural Development Ms (013) 76 013-766 mkhalogwile Private Bag X11219, Maureen 6 6068 8429. @nel.mpu.g Nelspruit 1200. Sithole ov.za Mr Freddy (013) 76 013-766 flngobe@nel Ngobe 6 6086 8445 .mpu.gov.za Mpumalanga D.G. 013 766 013 766 Private Bag X 11310 Department of Mahlanguv 6978/9 8471 Nelspruit Public Works, (MEC) 1200 Roads and Transport SANRAL Northern 012 426 012 348 Private Bag X17 Region 6200 1512 Lynnwood Ridge 0040 Eskom 0136933 PO Box 1091 886 Johannesburg 2001

Mpumalanga Mr 013 766 bmoduka@ 7 Government Provincial Heritage Benjamin 5196 mpg.gov.za Boulevard Resource Authority Moduka Riverside Park Cultural Nelspruit Officer (Acting Manager) Mpumalanga (0)13 (0)13 [email protected] Private Bag X 11338 Tourism and Parks 759 755 3928 o.za Nelspruit Agency 5300/01 1200

Johan Johan@mtp Eksteen a.co.za

Include proof that the Authorities and Organs of State received written notification of the proposed activities as appendix E4.

In the case of renewable energy projects, Eskom and the SKA Project Office must be included in the list of Organs of State.

6. CONSULTATION WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

Note that, for any activities (linear or other) where deviation from the public participation requirements may be appropriate, the person conducting the public participation process

104 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT may deviate from the requirements of that sub-regulation to the extent and in the manner as may be agreed to by the competent authority.

Proof of any such agreement must be provided, where applicable. Application for any deviation from the regulations relating to the public participation process must be submitted prior to the commencement of the public participation process.

A list of registered I&APs must be included as appendix E5.

Copies of any correspondence and minutes of any meetings held must be included in Appendix E6.

Please note: Two public meetings will be held during the review period of the draft BAR and the minutes of the meetings will be included in the final BAR.

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SECTION D: IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The assessment of impacts must adhere to the minimum requirements in the EIA Regulations, 2010, and should take applicable official guidelines into account. The issues raised by interested and affected parties should also be addressed in the assessment of impacts.

METHODOLOGY Please refer to Appendix F for Impact assessment methodology

1. IMPACTS THAT MAY RESULT FROM THE PLANNING AND DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATIONAL, DECOMMISSIONING AND CLOSURE PHASES AS WELL AS PROPOSED MANAGEMENT OF IDENTIFIED IMPACTS AND PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES

Provide a summary and anticipated significance of the potential direct, indirect and cumulative impacts that are likely to occur as a result of the planning and design phase, construction phase, operational phase, decommissioning and closure phase, including impacts relating to the choice of site/activity/technology alternatives as well as the mitigation measures that may eliminate or reduce the potential impacts listed. This impact assessment must be applied to all the identified alternatives to the activities identified in Section A(2) of this report.

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Impact Assessment Rating Table and Mitigation Measures Proposed Note: Impacts are rated Without Mitigation (WOM) and With Mitigation Measures (WM).

No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase WM/ Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance (WOM) Proposed Mitigation/management measures Significance (WM) WOM Ecological Impacts - Flora 1 Inside fenced areas: Habitat destruction Construction WOM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 2 Low 40 Low  The removal of the isolated indigenous trees and shrubs 40 Low Clearing of vegetation WM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 2 Low should only occur on the footprint area of the development for construction and not over the larger area. No trees may be trimmed or activities, construction removed without the prior permission of SANParks. of infrastructure,  No trees should be removed inside the rest camp along access roads etc. pipeline servitudes or cable routes wherever possible. 2 Outside the camp Habitat destruction Construction WOM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 6 Medium 60 Moderate 35 Low  Conduct flora species search and rescue efforts before periphery: Clearing of ground clearing begins in order to reduce negative impacts vegetation for WM 5 Definite 4 Long Term 1 Local 2 Low on species of concern; construction activities, construction of  Remove and relocate any plants of botanical or ecological infrastructure, access significance as indicated by the ecologist or Environmental roads etc. Control Officer (ECO);  Plant species that are easily transplanted and that occur on site could be used for the landscaping of the site after construction of the Safari Lodge. These species should be preserved at the “ex situ” Skukuza Nursery. These species include the three cycads on site as well as succulents (Adenium species, Zansevieria, Euphorbia, Stapelia spp.), flowering plants, ground covers, smaller trees and shrubs that were recently planted in the gardens. Larger trees could be moved and re-planted after construction but this would need specialized inputs from a landscape designer.  A list of plant species suitable to be planted in the gardens for the landscaping of the site is included in Appendix B while the Code of Conduct of the KNP (Appendix C) indicate specific rules for landscaping. The gardens should be designed to conserve water and the focus should therefore be on low maintenance rock gardens with succulents such as impala lilies in between the indigenous trees that could be preserved on site. Shrub species such as Combretum microphyllum and other climbers could be used as screenings against the sides of buildings and fences. Only indigenous trees that occur in the quarter degree grid of the Skukuza area and the surrounding habitats should be planted in the gardens of the lodge. Vegetation to be removed as it becomes necessary;  Clearly demarcate the entire development footprint prior to initial site clearance and prevent construction personnel from leaving the demarcated area;  Monitoring should be implemented during the construction phase of the development to ensure that minimal impact is caused to the flora of the area;  The ECO should advise the construction team in all relevant matters to ensure minimum destruction and damage to the environment. The ECO should enforce any measures that he/she deem necessary. Regular environmental training should be provided to construction workers to ensure the protection of the habitat, fauna and flora and their sensitivity to conservation;  Limit pesticide use to non-persistent, immobile pesticides and apply in accordance with label and application permit directions and stipulations for terrestrial and aquatic applications.

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No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase WM/ Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance (WOM) Proposed Mitigation/management measures Significance (WM) WOM  All possible efforts must be made to ensure as little disturbance as possible to the sensitive habitats such as drainage channels during construction;  Only necessary damage must be caused and, for example, unnecessary driving around in the veld or bulldozing natural habitat must not take place;  Construction activities must remain within defined construction areas and the road servitudes. No construction / disturbance will occur outside these areas.  Use existing facilities (e.g., access roads, degraded areas) to the extent possible to minimize the amount of new disturbance. 3 Inside fenced areas: Soil erosion Construction WOM 4 Highly 3 Medium Term 1 Local 6 Medium 40 Low  Cover disturbed soils as completely as possible, using 12 Negligible Exposure of soils to Probable vegetation or other materials; rainfall and wind WM 2 Probable 3 Medium Term 1 Local 2 Low  Minimize the amount of land disturbance and develop and during construction implement stringent erosion and dust control practices. 4 Outside the camp Soil erosion Construction WOM 4 Highly 4 Long Term 3 Regional 6 Medium 52 Moderate  Sediment trapping (silt fences), erosion and stormwater 28 Low periphery: Exposure of Probable control should be addressed by a civil engineer in a detailed soils to rainfall and WM 4 Highly 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low stormwater management plan; wind during Probable  Protect sloping areas and drainage channel banks that are construction susceptible to erosion;  Ensure that there is no undue soil erosion resultant from activities within and adjacent to the construction camp and Work Areas;  Repair all erosion damage as soon as possible to allow for sufficient rehabilitation growth;  Gravel roads must be well drained in order to limit soil erosion. 5 All areas: Movement Spillages of harmful Construction WOM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 3 Regional 6 Medium 26 Low  Any excess or waste material or chemicals should be 14 Negligible of vehicles on site substances removed from the site and discarded in an environmental during construction WM 2 Probable 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low friendly way. The ECO should enforce this rule rigorously;  Hazardous chemicals to be stored on an impervious surface protected from rainfall and storm water run-off;  Spill kits should be on-hand to deal with spills immediately;  All vehicles should be inspected for oil and fuel leaks on a regular basis. Vehicle maintenance yards on site should make provision for drip trays that will be used to capture any spills. Drip trays should be emptied into a holding tank and returned to the supplier.  Spillages or leakages must be treated according to an applicable procedure as determined by a plan of action for the specific type of disturbance. 6 All areas: Exposure of Dust contamination Construction WOM 5 Definite 4 Long Term 3 Regional 8 High 75 High  Implement standard dust control measures, including 35 Low soils to rainfall and periodic spraying (frequency will depend on many factors wind during WM 5 Definite 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low including weather conditions, soil composition and traffic construction intensity and must thus be adapted on an on-going basis) of construction areas, and ensure that these are continuously monitored to ensure effective implementation. 7 All areas: Continued Spread of alien Construction WOM 4 Highly 4 Long Term 3 Regional 6 Medium 52 Moderate  Control involves killing the plants present, killing the 32 Low movement of invasive species Probable seedlings which emerge, and establishing and managing an personnel and vehicles WM 4 Highly 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low alternative plant cover to limit re-growth and re-invasion. on and off the site Probable Weeds and invader plants will be controlled in the manner during the prescribed for that category by the CARA or in terms of construction phase, as Working for Water guidelines. The control of these species well as occasional should even begin prior to the construction phase delivery of materials considering that small populations of these species was

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No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase WM/ Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance (WOM) Proposed Mitigation/management measures Significance (WM) WOM required for observed during the field surveys; maintenance  Institute strict control over materials brought onto site, which should be inspected for seeds of noxious plants and steps taken to eradicate these before transport to the site. Routinely fumigate or spray all materials with appropriate low-residual herbicides prior to transport to or in a quarantine area on site. The contractor is responsible for the control of weeds and invader plants within the construction site for the duration of the construction phase. Alien invasive tree species listed by the CARA regulations should be eradicated;  Rehabilitate disturbed areas as quickly as possible to reduce the area where invasive species would be at a strong advantage and most easily able to establish;  Institute a monitoring programme to detect alien invasive species early, before they become established and, in the case of weeds, before the release of seeds. Once detected, an eradication/control programme should be implemented to ensure that the species’ do not spread to surrounding natural ecosystems. 8 Outside the camp Negative effect of Construction WOM 4 Highly 3 Medium Term 2 Site 6 Medium 44 Moderate  Staff should be accommodated in the staff village. No 28 Low periphery: human activities on Probable temporary accommodation must be erected on the site. A Construction of flora construction camp will be built to accommodate WM 4 Highly 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low infrastructure, access construction workers. Adequate rubbish bins and sanitation Probable roads etc. facilities should also be provided to construction workers;  The ECO should regularly inspect the site, including storage 9 Inside fenced areas: Negative effect of Construction WOM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 3 Regional 6 Medium 26 Low 14 Negligible facilities and compounds. A monitoring programme should Construction of human activities on also be implemented around these areas to detect alien infrastructure, access flora invasive species early, before they become established and, roads etc. WM 2 Probable 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low in the case of weeds, before the release of seeds;  Educate construction workers regarding fire risks Ecological Impacts - Fauna 10 In and adjacent to Removal of Construction WOM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 6 Medium 60 Moderate  All trees should be identified, and their coordinates and 40 Low fenced tourist camp: indigenous trees and status recorded, so that triage can be applied to remove Lodge and new mini- thicket in degraded only the least threatened and most common species in the substation areas Skukuza area, thereby retaining as much as possible of the WM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 2 Low existing plant types and communities. This applies particularly to trees that are national protected species (see Henning 2014). Wherever possible, alternative space within the development should be allocated for replacement through rehabilitation of the indigenous tree species and patches of thicket that had been removed during construction 11 In and adjacent to Removal of natural Construction WOM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 6 Medium 60 Moderate  Where complete transformation of the existing natural 40 Low fenced tourist camp: vegetation for vegetation is expected for the development, as for new Lodge staff dormitory extension WM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 2 Low housing (Site B) or for new worker's accommodation (Sites units D&F), then only as much vegetation as is absolutely necessary should be removed. For sites where only some of the vegetation has to be removed, then again as much as possible should be retained, with retention of large trees the highest priority. 12 In and adjacent to Removal of natural Construction WOM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 6 Medium 60 Moderate 40 Low  Limit construction activities to daytime. fenced tourist camp: vegetation for New offices to extension  Minimize the use of earthmoving equipment that results in relocate W-for-W noise generation. offices  Construction staff must be restricted to an allocated area

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No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase WM/ Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance (WOM) Proposed Mitigation/management measures Significance (WM) WOM WM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 2 Low and should not gain access to sensitive habitat types nearby  Provide adequate ablution facilities to avoid using natural/sensitive areas as toilets.  The feeding, or leaving of food for animals, is strictly prohibited. 13 In and adjacent to Removal of any Construction WOM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 6 Medium 60 Moderate  Trapping, poisoning and/or shooting of animals is strictly 40 Low fenced tourist camp: indigenous trees forbidden. No domestic pets or livestock are permitted on New offices and stores the site during construction activities for Sci. Services WM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 2 Low 14 In and adjacent to Removal of any Construction WOM 5 Definite 3 Medium Term 2 Site 6 Medium 55 Moderate  • Record the plant species removed from and/or damaged 30 Low fenced tourist camp: indigenous trees and within the servitude. New water supply thicket • Pile topsoil separately during excavation of the pipeline pipeline to lodge trench. • Confine all activities to within the pipeline servitude. WM 5 Definite 3 Medium Term 1 Local 2 Low • Limit construction activities to daytime. • Minimize the use of earthmoving equipment that results in noise generation. • Chemicals and equipment for the treatment of fuel spillages must be available on site at all times. • Construction staff must be restricted to an allocated area and should not gain access to sensitive habitat types. • Provide adequate ablution facilities to avoid using natural/sensitive areas as toilets. • Minimise the number of vehicles using access roads. • Rehabilitate the servitude on completion by levelling with topsoil, replanting the same species composition of indigenous plants as was removed initially and caring for the plants until they become established. 15 In eastern staff village Removal of natural Construction WOM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 8 High 70 High same as 11 60 Moderate area: Additional staff vegetation for village housing units extension WM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 6 Medium

16 In eastern staff village Removal of natural Construction WOM 5 Definite 4 Long Term 2 Site 8 High 70 High 55 Moderate area: Extension to 2/3- vegetation for bedroom housing extension WM 5 Definite 4 Long Term 1 Local 6 Medium units

17 In eastern staff village Clearance of natural Construction WOM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 8 High 70 High 60 Moderate area: Sewage pump vegetation for extension extensions WM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 6 Medium

18 In eastern staff village Control of runoff and Construction WOM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 2 Site 6 Medium 65 High  Design around and protect any large trees within the open 40 Low area: New tunnel, pollution areas and site developments so that they do not require store and ablutions for removal. plant nursery  After construction, degraded sites should be rehabilitated WM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 2 Low using only species from the naturally occurring vegetation of the area and, where possible, new trees and/or thickets should be planted.  Rehabilitate existing open areas to habitats of better quality, especially around Sites P (west) & L that might support additional riparian habitats. 19 In eastern staff village Clearance of natural Construction WOM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 2 Low 40 Low same as 14 40 Low area: Extension to vegetation for

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No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase WM/ Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance (WOM) Proposed Mitigation/management measures Significance (WM) WOM water pump/ extensions WM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 2 Low treatment unit

20 In western staff and Removal of natural Construction WOM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 6 Medium 60 Moderate same as 11 60 Moderate administrative vegetation for compound areas: New extension worker's WM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 6 Medium accommodation

21 In western staff and Clearance of natural Construction WOM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 6 Medium 60 Moderate Same as 14 60 Moderate administrative vegetation for compound areas: New extensions WM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 6 Medium water reservoir

22 In areas connecting Disturbace of natural Construction WOM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 2 Site 6 Medium 65 High 40 Low services to site: New vegetation Powerline connection WM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 2 Low

23 In areas connecting Disturbance of Construction WOM 5 Definite 4 Long Term 2 Site 6 Medium 60 Moderate 35 Low services to site: New natural vegetation water rising main to for laying of new reservoir supplementary WM 5 Definite 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low pipeline

24 In areas connecting Disturbance of Construction WOM 5 Definite 4 Long Term 2 Site 6 Medium 60 Moderate 50 Moderate services to site: New natural vegetation sewage pipelines and for laying of anaerobic digester supplementary WM 5 Definite 3 Medium Term 1 Local 6 Medium pipeline

25 Operation of the Safari Movement, noise, Operational WOM 4 Highly 4 Long Term 2 Site 6 Medium 48 Moderate Movement, noise, light, water and noise pollution: 16 Negligible Lodge, sleep over light, water, Probable  Minimize outside lighting. Invertebrates flying at night are rooms and mini disturbance attracted to lights, and lights should be kept to a minimum. substation WM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low All outside lighting should be directed away from sensitive areas. Fluorescent and mercury-vapour lighting should be avoided and sodium-vapour (yellow) lights should be used wherever possible. 26 Operation of the Safari Food scraps Operational WOM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low 16 Negligible 8 Negligible Lodge, sleep over  Noise, light and movement pollution of sensitive areas rooms should be avoided/minimised so as not to impact on activities of nocturnal species. WM 1 Improbable 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low Availability of food scraps:  Scraps of food left from catering and/or tourist activity are 27 Power supply to lodge Maintenance visits Operational WOM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low 16 Negligible attractive to a variety of animals. Official SANParks policy is 16 Negligible to prohibit tourists from deliberately feeding animals, and WM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low to operate efficient waste disposal practices throughout 28 Additional staff Movement, noise, Operational WOM 4 Highly 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low 32 Low their management structures. However, birds and primates 16 Negligible housing units light, water, Probable in particular can be seen moving long distances into disturbance Skukuza rest camp from the natural habitats outside, WM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low especially in winter when productivity is at its lowest, coming to feed at the high density of fruiting trees planted in rest camp and from food scraps made inadvertently or

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No Activity/Aspect Impact Phase WM/ Probability Duration Scale Magnitude Significance (WOM) Proposed Mitigation/management measures Significance (WM) WOM 29 New offices and stores Movement, noise, Operational WOM 4 Highly 4 Long Term 3 Regional 2 Low 36 Low deliberately available. While the presence of many tame 18 Negligible light, water, Probable and colourful birds is an attraction for the tourists, waste disturbance management procedures need to be carefully implemented at the conference lodge to avoid attraction of such problem WM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 3 Regional 2 Low animals as monkeys.  Note that the tourist and staff accommodation 30 Sewage pump, Maintenance visits Operational WOM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low 16 Negligible developments have the potential to improve their natural 16 Negligible pipeline and digester footprints for support of bird, other animal and plant life, WM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low through careful landscaping, protection of trees, creation of 31 Sewage pump, Additional run- Operational WOM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low 16 Negligible thickets and enhancement of productivity by artificial 16 Negligible pipeline and digester off/seepage WM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low watering. Control of maintenance visits: 32 Additional water Maintenance visits Operational WOM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low 16 Negligible  Maintenance visits to the pipelines (and any other sites) 16 Negligible pump, reservoir and should make use of existing roads and tracks wherever pipelines possible, to minimize degradation of natural habitats WM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low alongside or rehabilitated within the pipeline servitudes. Where possible, maintenance checks and repairs should be done on foot. 33 Additional water Additional run- Operational WOM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low 16 Negligible  Chemicals and equipment for the treatment of fuel spillages 16 Negligible must be available on site at all times. pump, reservoir and off/seepage WM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 2 Site 2 Low pipelines Control of additional runoff and seepage:  The exposed soil and slope of the proposed plant nursery extension (Site I) will produce more water flow than natural, and the design must ensure that this can be absorbed and or controlled before entering the Lake Panic drainage line. Runoff control should also be planned around all new building sites and paved areas.  The transformation of dry bushveld into areas of open water (dams) and patches of wetland vegetation (reeds) will have a positive effect in the sense of creating a patch of wetland habitat that serves as an extension of the riverine habitats along the Sabie River. Of course, this effect will favour a water bird community and moisture-reliant herpetofauna year-round that did not exist previously on this site.

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Ground and surface water 34 Potential pollution of Increased Construction WOM 2 Probable 1 Short Term 3 Regional 6 Medium 20 Negligible  The site must be managed in order to prevent pollution of 6 Negligible the Sabie and stormwater run-off and drains, downstream watercourses or groundwater, due to N'waswitshaka Rivers, operational suspended solids, silt or chemical pollutants. its tributaries and  Silt fences should be used to prevent any silt entering the drainage lines due to stormwater drains, insofar as possible. dirty run-off from surfaced areas  Promote water saving mind set with construction workers in order to ensure less water wastage.  New stormwater construction must be developed strictly according to specifications from engineers in order to ensure efficiency.  The installation of the stormwater system must take place as soon as possible to attenuate stormwater from the construction phase as well as the operation phase. WM 1 Improbable 1 Short Term 3 Regional 2 Low  Grids / Litter traps should be placed at the entry point to drains and should be cleaned on a regular basis.  Vegetation clearance must be done sequentially and protection berms constructed around stockpiled material. No stockpiled material to be placed or stored within drainage lines on site.  Stormwater from the site is to be connected to the exsisting stormwater system in Skukuza  Storage areas will be roofed in an impervious materia, with a suitable overhang or side-cladding. Rainwater run-off will be channelled away from the storage area as required.  No paint products may be disposed of on the site. All paint containers will be removed from the park.  A painting control work instruction must be established for the site, including disposal of material and the washing of brushes / rollers.  Oil based paints and chemical additives and cleaners (e.g. thinners and turpentine) will be strictly controlled.  No refuelling will take place on site.  The Contractor will ensure that there is a supply of absorbent material (e.g. sawdust) readily available to absorb, break down and where possible encapsulate minor hydrocarbon spillage. The amount and type of absorbent material will be appropriate to the volumes of hydrocarbons kept on site.  Potential pollutants will be kept, stored, and used in such a manner that any escaped pollutants can be contained and the water table not endangered (e.g. bunded hydrocarbon storage area).  Spread absorbent material on all areas where oil spills are expected for the duration of the construction phase. This material is to be removed post-construction and disposed of in a responsible manner. Soils contaminated by minor hydrocarbon spills should be removed immediately to a designated hazardous waste storage bin to be removed off site and disposed of at a licensed facility. The manager waste and water to be informed of the procedure.  Hazardous materials will be disposed of at registered sites or handed to registered facilities for disposal / recycling. The manager of water and waste to be informed of procedure.  The Contractor will notify the Construction Manager and ECO immediately of any pollution incidents.

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 No Maintenance of equipment will be performed on site or hard park.  No washing of plant may occur on the site or hard park.  The Contractor will ensure that if emergency plant maintenance occurs on site, that there is no contamination of the soil or vegetation (e.g. use of drip trays).  Drip trays must be used for stationary plant and for "parked" plant.  All vehicles and equipment will be kept in good working order and serviced regularly. Leaking equipment will be repaired immediately or removed from the site.  Ensure that facilities for the collection of hydraulic and other vehicle oils are provided within the hard park area.  Toilet facilities must be secured and supplied by the Contractor for the workers will occur at the following ratio: 1:15 (toilets per worker).  The entrances to the toilets will be adequately screened from public view.  These facilities will be maintained in a hygienic state and serviced regularly. Toilet paper will be provided by the contractor.  The Contractor will ensure that no spillage occurs when the toilets are cleaned or emptied and that the contents are removed from site by a licensed service provider.  Disposal of such waste to the park sewerage system as approved by the manager water and waste  Dish washing facilities will be provided. These may be very basic, but a process must be put in place to ensure that waste water is disposed of appropriately (see Showers below) Should shower facilities be provided for use by staff staying on site, the following controls must be imposed:  Positioning of the shower and specifically its discharge point will be done to ensure that erosion and build-up of detergents does not occur.  All discharge from the shower and other washing facilities must pass through a suitable filter to reduce the load of detergents to the environment.  Filtered water discharge may thereafter be released to the environment, but mechanisms will be investigated to ensure that the water is evenly dispersed so as to not lead to greening up and/or swampy conditions in one limited area.  Use of the shower facilities must be limited to staff or authorised persons only.  Stone chip, gravel excess and waste products will be collected and removed to designated storage areas.  Concrete will not be mixed directly on the ground or any other permeable surface. In terms of housekeeping for all activities involving concrete (batching plant or smaller site specific mixing operations):  The batching / mixing area will be kept neat and clean at all times.  No batching / mixing activities will occur on a permeable surface.  All runoff from such areas will be strictly controlled, with contaminated water collected, stored / contained and disposed of at an approved waste disposal site.

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 Unused cement bags will be stored so as not to be affected by rain / runoff.  Used cement bags will be stored so as to prevent wind- blown dust and potential water contamination. Used bags will be disposed of regularly via the solid waste management system detailed previously.  To prevent pollution, contaminated waste wash water from cleaning of equipment and flushing of mixers will be discharged to the waste water collection system.  All visible remains of excess concrete will be physically removed on completion of the plastering or concrete pouring and disposed of in an acceptable manner.

35 Crossing of drainage Possible leakages Construction WOM 2 Probable 1 Short Term 3 Regional 6 Medium 20 Negligible  Minimize changes to natural drainage patterns and 6 Negligible lines with services and spillages and crossings to drainages. During construction through a operational crossing, the majority of the flow of the stream / river must WM 1 Improbable 1 Short Term 3 Regional 2 Low be allowed to pass down the stream (i.e. no damming must be allowed to take place) Soil and geology 36 Construction vehicle Soil contamination Construction WOM 4 Highly 1 Short Term 2 Site 6 Medium 36 Low  Topsoil and subsoil to be protected from contamination. 20 Negligible movement by hydrocarbons and Probable  Fuel and material storage must be away from stockpiles. operational WM 4 Highly 1 Short Term 2 Site 2 Low  Contaminated soil must be contained and disposed of off- Probable site at a licensed landfill site

37 Uncontrolled Siltation of Construction WOM 4 Highly 1 Short Term 2 Site 6 Medium 36 Low  Silt fences should be used to prevent any silt entering the 20 Negligible stormwater run-off watercourses and Probable stormwater drains, insofar as possible. This measure must operational WM 4 Highly 1 Short Term 2 Site 2 Low be installed on all parts of the site. Probable  Refer to mitigation under water. Air quality

38 Demolition of existing Dust emissions Construction WOM 4 Highly 1 Short Term 2 Site 6 Medium 36 Low  Wheel washing and damping down of un-surfaced and un- 20 Negligible buildings Probable vegetated areas, taking water saving into account. WM 4 Highly 1 Short Term 2 Site 2 Low  Retention of vegetation where possible will reduce dust Probable travel 39 Heavy equipment, Dust and VOC Construction WOM 4 Highly 1 Short Term 2 Site 6 Medium 36 Low 20 Negligible  Excavations and other clearing activities must only be done dust and exhaust emissions Probable during agreed working times and permitting weather fumes WM 4 Highly 1 Short Term 2 Site 2 Low conditions to avoid drifting of sand and dust into adjacent Probable areas where guest accommodation is located.  The Contractor shall be responsible for dust control on site to ensure no nuisance is caused for sensitive receptors, especially the guests being accommodated in the closest units.  Any complaints or claims emanating from the lack of dust control shall be attended to immediately by the Contractor and ECO. Soil stockpiles will be located in sheltered areas to limit the erosive effect of the wind Heritage Impacts

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40 Destruction of site of Construction Construction WOM 5 Definite 5 Permanent 1 Local 8 High 70 High  The baobabs will be preserved within the lodge design 8 Negligible Archaeological activities WM 1 Improbable 5 Permanent 1 Local 2 Low  Should remains and/or artefacts be discovered on the site importance during earthworks, all work will cease in the area affected and the Contractor will immediately inform the Construction Manager. The Project manager will inform the Environmental Manager, ECO, South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), and the South African Police Service should if these appear to be human remains. Noise Impacts 41 Ground works Construction Construction WOM 2 Probable 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low 14 Negligible  Construction activities are to be contained to reasonable 7 Negligible machinery noise WM 1 Improbable 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low hours during the day. No night-time construction activities 42 Demolition of existing Construction WOM 2 Probable 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low 14 Negligible (after 18h00) should be allowed. No construction should be 7 Negligible allowed on weekends from 14h00 on Saturday afternoons buildings machinery and WM 1 Improbable 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low demolition noise to 06h00 the following Monday morning 43 Contractors on site Construction Construction WOM 2 Probable 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low 14 Negligible  SANS 10103 and the National Noise Control Regulations 7 Negligible workers making should be used as the main guidelines for addressing the noise potential noise impact on this project. WM 1 Improbable 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low  With regard to unavoidable very noisy construction activities in the vicinity of noise sensitive areas, these should be screened off with acoustic screens, where possible. If no acoustic screening is used during exceptionally noisy construction times, prior warning to guests would be extremely important. Construction activities generating output levels of 85 dB or more will be confined to the hours 06h00 to 17h00 Mondays to Fridays.  It is highly recommended that the closest tourist accommodation units to the sites should remain unoccupied during the nosiest periods such as when demolition activities are occurring.  As construction workers operate in a very noisy environment, it must be ensured that their working conditions comply with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act No 85 of 1993). Where necessary ear protection gear should be worn.  Ambient noise levels must not exceed within reason the acceptable standards for a suburban residential district as mentioned above or at most must not exceed the levels for an urban residential district, namely 55dBA during the day and 45dBA during the night, except in exceptional circumstances and then properly controlled under the guidance of the ECO.  Noisy operations should be combined so that they occur where possible at the same time  Loitering from construction workers will not be tolerated. Noise from workers must be strictly controlled. 44 Additional people and Visitors and staff Operational WM 1 Improbable 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low 7 Negligible  Behaving in an offensive, improper, indecent or disorderly 7 Negligible vehicle movement making noise manner including the playing of any radio, compact disc around the Skukuza WM 1 Improbable 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low player, music system, musical system or instrument, or in camp site any way cause of any noise in any manner likely to disturb any species or specimen or other person should be strictly prohibited and should be fined if not adhered to 45 Operation of the lodge Noise from air Operational WOM 2 Probable 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low 14 Negligible  High quality air-conditioning equipment should be installed. 7 Negligible and other facilities conditioning and WM 1 Improbable 3 Medium Term 2 Site 2 Low Equipment with the best noise rating should be used. Refrigeration  High quality refrigeration compressors should be installed. Equipment with the best noise rating should be used. Outside building installation should be acoustically encapsulated.

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Visual Impact 46 Visibility of the Sense of place Construction WOM 5 Definite 3 Medium Term 3 Regional 8 High 70 High  As little vegetation as possible be removed for the 52 Moderate construction site - WM 4 Highly 3 Medium Term 2 Site 8 High construction of the proposed Project. Lodge - landscape of Probable  The dense vegetation forms a good visual screen and if too moderate value much vegetation is removed it could create openings from where the activities will be seen. 47 Visibility of the Lodge - Sense of place Operational WOM 4 Highly 4 Long Term 3 Regional 8 High 60 Moderate 26 Low  Ensure, wherever possible, all existing natural vegetation is landscape of Probable retained and incorporated into the site rehabilitation and moderate value WM 2 Probable 4 Long Term 3 Regional 6 Medium landscape design.

48 Visibility of the Sense of place Construction WOM 1 Improbable 3 Medium Term 3 Regional 6 Medium 12 Negligible Earthworks 8 Negligible construction site -  Dust suppression techniques should be in place at all times WM 1 Improbable 3 Medium Term 3 Regional 2 Low Staff housing - during the construction, operational, the decommissioning landscape of and closure phases. moderate to low value  Only the footprint and a small ‘construction buffer zone’ 49 Visibility of the Staff Sense of place Operational WOM 1 Improbable 4 Long Term 3 Regional 6 Medium 13 Negligible around the proposed Project should be exposed. In all 9 Negligible housing - landscape of WM 1 Improbable 4 Long Term 3 Regional 2 Low other areas, the natural vegetation should be retained. moderate to low value Architecture  Sympathetic and high quality design which will provide a sensitive solution to the integration of the lodge and supporting infrastructure proposals into the local environments.  Paint buildings and structures with colours that reflect and complement the natural browns and dark greens of the surrounding landscape. Avoid pure light colours and pure blacks.  To reduce the potential of glare external surfaces of buildings and structures should be articulated or textured to create interplay of light and shade. Landscaping  Vegetation screens (combination of indigenous evergreen trees and shrubs) can be planted along the boundaries of the sites (specifically the lodge site) to screen sensitive viewing areas. Please note that when planting a vegetation screen the screen should be as close as possible to the sensitive viewer. It is therefore suggested that the screen be planted along the boundary of the site in order to screen the view from tourists. The vegetation screen will partially screen views towards the lodge but it will become more effective with time as the trees and shrubs mature  The proposed wooden latte fence will also screen views and it needs to be established early on in the project construction phase along with the landscaping proposed along the north and eastern sections of the site. Site structures during construction must be fitted with cladding/or materials of colouring to ensure reduced reflection and visual pollution  It is also proposed that ‘islands’ to the south of the Conference Centre be landscaped to further screen the lodge and the centre from views from the camp’s entrance road.  A registered Professional Landscape Architect should assist with the final design of a landscape plan for the lodge site and environs.  Only vegetation indigenous to the area should be used for rehabilitation / landscaping purposes to increase the biodiversity and ecological value and habitat interest of the study area  Rehabilitate/restore exposed areas as soon as possible after

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construction activities are complete.

Access Roads  During construction, operation, decommissioning and closure of the Project, access roads will require an effective dust suppression management programme, such as the use of non-polluting chemicals that will retain moisture in the road surface  Where a paved road surface is required, paving materials with ‘earthy’ tones that complement the natural red/brown colours and textures of the soils in the area should be used.

Lighting Light pollution should be seriously and carefully considered and kept to a minimum wherever possible as light at night travels great distances. Post top lights and lights giving off a general glare or a spotlight effect should be avoided. The negative impact of night lighting can be mitigated using the following methods:  Construction lighting will be sufficient for security but not constitute light pollution to the surrounding areas.  Lighting should not constitute a hazard to Kruger National Park traffic  Install light fixtures that provide precisely directed illumination to reduce light “spillage” beyond the immediate surrounds of the lodge.  • Avoid high pole top lighting along the periphery of the site, in parking areas and at the entrance to the lodge.  • Use lighting in the external corridor to the rooms along the northern edge of the lodge that are activated with movement i.e. they are mostly off and ensure that there is no glare (to the north) from these lights. Traffic Impacts 50 Traffic impact from Increased vehicle Operational WOM 5 Definite 4 Long Term 3 Regional 2 Low 45 Moderate The following should be considered: 36 Low additional traffic movement  Park-and-ride facility at Paul Kruger Gate. related to the lodge WM 4 Highly 4 Long Term 3 Regional 2 Low  Reducing the number of Day Visitors at Paul Kruger Gate. development Probable  The provision of an alternative route for Road H11 between Skukuza and Road S1.  The selling of package deals for the conference facility with accommodation and transport Socio-Economic Impacts 51 The creation of new Job creation Construction WOM 5 Definite 3 Medium Term 3 Regional 6 Medium 60 Moderate  Create attractive conference packages which include park 60 Moderate employment (Positive) and ride and accommodation. (Positive) opportunities at the WM 5 Definite 3 Medium Term 3 Regional 6 Medium  Employ and train local labour as far as possible. Lodge 52 The creation of new Job creation Operational WOM 5 Definite 4 Long Term 3 Regional 6 Medium 65 High  Further enhance the Secondary stimulation of the 65 High employment (Positive) development of SMME’s (tourism curio market for (Positive) opportunities at the WM 5 Definite 4 Long Term 3 Regional 6 Medium example). Lodge 53 On-the-job training Skills development Construction WOM 5 Definite 3 Medium Term 3 Regional 6 Medium 60 Moderate 60 Moderate along aimed at skilling and improvement of (Positive) (Positive) employees will employability WM 5 Definite 3 Medium Term 3 Regional 6 Medium contribute towards human capital development and improving workers’ employability and chances to find employment outside

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the project.

54 On-the-job training Skills development Operational WOM 5 Definite 4 Long Term 3 Regional 6 Medium 65 High(Positiv 65 High along aimed at skilling and improvement of WM 5 Definite 4 Long Term 3 Regional 6 Medium e) (Positive) employees will employability contribute towards human capital development and improving workers’ employability and chances to find employment outside the project.

A complete impact assessment in terms of Regulation 22(2)(i) of GN R.543 must be included as Appendix F.

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2. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Taking the assessment of potential impacts into account, please provide an environmental impact statement that summarises the impact that the proposed activity and its alternatives may have on the environment after the management and mitigation of impacts have been taken into account, with specific reference to types of impact, duration of impacts, likelihood of potential impacts actually occurring and the significance of impacts.

Also refer to the section above for a complete list.

The different alternatives assessed is discussed below as required:

Housing Alternatives (Four 2-bedroom houses)

Housing Alternative 1 (preferred alternative)

Description

Four 2-bedroom houses to be constructed on an already developed area currently used by a cluster of temporary park homes to the south of the N'waswitshaka River.

Impact Statement

This site is already developed and not situated in close proximity to any environmentally sensitive areas. The visual, heritage, flora and fauna impact is expected to be negligible and this site is therefore preferred.

Housing Alternative 2

Description

Four 2-bedroom houses in an undisturbed largely natural area outside the existing boundaries of the staff village between Elephant Road and the game capture bomas. This area does not have existing water, power and sewage connections on site.

Impact Statement

Should the houses be constructed in this location it would require the clearing of pristine natural habitat (tamboti thicket) and would further expand the village footprint. The flora and fauna impact in this location is expected to be moderate to high, even though the heritage and (long term) visual impact will be low. This alternative is therefore not preferred.

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Lodge Layout alternatives

Lodge Layout Alternative 1 (preferred alternative)

Description:

The lodge layout designed by taking in the environmental sensitivities on site.

Impact Statement:

This layout alternative retains the two baobab trees planted in the early 1930’s by the Kruger National Park’s founder Col. James-Stevenson Hamilton in –situ as part of the internal design of the lodge. No other features older than 60 years can be found on the site and therefore the heritage impact is therefore low to negligible. By retaining the baobab trees the ecological impact of the lodge is also reduced and of low significance.

This design aims to lower the visual impact and the impact on the sense of place of the lodge by the following measures:

 The design is fragmented – a collection of smaller structures – limit visual impact.

 The design inverts the bedroom wings to central landscaped atriums – contain noise and light internally.

 Public areas (dining room, bars, outside lounges, gym and lap pool are centralised between the bedroom wings – contain noise and light internally.

 Back-of-house situated on the opposite side of the lodge, away from existing tourist accommodation.

 All lodge deliveries and staff access from the back.

 Thatch canopies to the bedroom wing’s external walkways – blend in with existing thatched structures.

 Bus and concession parking away from the lodge.

The visual impact (with mitigation measures – also refer to EMPr) is reduced to be of low significance during the operational phase of the lodge.

Lodge Layout Alternative 2

Description:

The initial layout of the lodge did not take the ecological, heritage and visual impacts of the lodge into account. This layout will acquire the baobab trees to be removed by obtaining the required heritage permits from SAHRA, and the resultant ecological

121 BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT impact will also be higher. The visual impact is also expected to be higher as the abovementioned measures will not be taken into account. This layout alternative is therefore not preferred or proposed.

Technology alternatives – electricity alternatives

Technology Alternative 1 (preferred alternative)

Description:

The preferred option in terms of electricity supply is to install a PV system (solar panels) large enough to offset 15% of the consumption of the lodge.

Impact Statement:

Even though Skukuza has enough capacity from Eskom to accommodate the lodge without making use of solar power, this alternative will be preferred from an environmental best practice point of view. Since solar panels will be placed such that it will not be visible for the tourists in Skukuza Rest Camp, installing solar panels is not expected to have an additional visual impact.

Technology Alternative 2

Description:

A larger 700kW PV generation system with and without a battery backup and/or tracking system. This system will be able to provide the lodge with a percentage of its power consumption during the daytime as well as charging the batteries. It must be noted that adding batteries does not result in more power generated (it is actually an additional load on the system) but provides SANParks with a tool to manage the maximum demand. A 700kW system can provide between 28% and 38% of the lodge’s power consumption depending on the configuration used.

Impact Statement:

This alternative is currently being investigated and would be beneficial from an environmental best practice point of view. Whether this alternative, or the alternative discussed above (Technology Alternative 1) will be an economic decision based on the capital and operational costs of the facilities. Both Technology Alternative 1 and Technology Alternative 2 can be supported from an environmental point of view.

Alternative 3

Description:

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No Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) installation i.e. only Eskom grid supply.

Impact Statement:

From an environmental best practice point of view this alternative is however not preferred, even though sufficient capacity is available from Eskom to accommodate the additional supply required for the proposed development.

No-go alternative

This would entail leaving the proposed development site in its present state and not developing the proposed lodge and associated infrastructure. The no-go alternative will imply that virtually none of the identified impacts of proceeding with the project will be incurred and that the status-quo of the area would be maintained.

Negative impacts were identified by the environmental practitioners as well as the team of environmental specialists. These include traffic, heritage, ecological and visual impacts. The proposed development will be largely located within the existing Skukuza Rest Camp and Village; with limited development outside of this area on areas that have for the most been disturbed to some degree due to anthropogenic impacts. Mitigation measures were proposed in order to lower negative impacts to acceptable levels (no impacts were rated to be of high negative significance after mitigation - refer to impact assessment section). Should the proposed development not be approved the environment would be left as is and the impacts identified on the area and potential benefits would remain unchanged.

The proposed Skukuza Safari Lodge has the aim of diversify the product offering of the Kruger National Park in order to attract new markets such as the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and exhibition) market. Positive impacts of the proposed development include creating additional income for SANParks to continue to exercise their conservation mandate as well as job creation. Should the proposed development not be approved the benefits of the proposed project would not be realised.

SECTION E. RECOMMENDATION OF PRACTITIONER

Is the information contained in this report and the documentation attached hereto sufficient to make a decision in respect of the activity YES applied for (in the view of the environmental assessment practitioner)?

If “NO”, indicate the aspects that should be assessed further as part of a Scoping and EIA process before a decision can be made (list the aspects that require further assessment).

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If “YES”, please list any recommended conditions, including mitigation measures that should be considered for inclusion in any authorisation that may be granted by the competent authority in respect of the application. A variety of mitigation measures have been identified that will serve to mitigate the scale, intensity, duration or significance of the impacts that have a medium to high significance rating. These include guidelines to be applied during the construction and operational phases of the project. It is submitted that the proposed mitigatory measures, if implemented, will reduce the significance of the identified impacts to “moderate” and “low”.

The recommendations made in the following specialist studies are included in the EMPR and must be adhered to: • Flora Impact Assessment; • Fauna Impact Assessment; • Heritage Assessment; • Traffic Impact Assessment; • Visual Impact Assessment.

Please refer to the attached Environmental Management Plan for all recommendations and mitigation measures. Is an EMPr attached? YES The EMPr must be attached as Appendix G.

The details of the EAP who compiled the BAR and the expertise of the EAP to perform the Basic Assessment process must be included as Appendix H.

If any specialist reports were used during the compilation of this BAR, please attach the declaration of interest for each specialist in Appendix I.

Any other information relevant to this application and not previously included must be attached in Appendix J.

Hermanus Daniël Gildenhuys ______NAME OF EAP

______SIGNATURE OF EAP DATE

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SECTION F: APPENDIXES

The following appendixes must be attached:

Appendix A: Maps

Appendix B: Photographs

Appendix C: Facility illustration(s)

Appendix D: Specialist reports (including terms of reference)

Appendix D1: Flora Report Appendix D2: Fauna Report Appendix D3: Phase 1 Archaeologist report Appendix D4: Traffic Impact assessment Appendix D5: Visual impact assessment

Appendix E: Public Participation

Appendix E1: Proof of the placement of the relevant advertisements and notices Appendix E2: Proof of notification Appendix E3: Comments and response report Appendix E4: Proof that the Authorities and Organs of State received written notification of the proposed activities – Please refer to Appendix E2 Appendix E5: List of registered I&APs – Please refer to Appendix E3 Appendix E6: Correspondence and meeting minutes

Appendix F: Impact Assessment

Appendix G: Environmental Management Programme (EMPr)

Appendix H: Details of EAP and expertise

Appendix I: Specialist’s declaration of interest

Appendix J: Additional Information

Appendix J 1: Concept Design Report Appendix J 2: Geotechnical Report Appendix J 3: Anaerobic digester designs Appendix J 4: KNP waste article

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126