ECOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

PROPOSED NAHOON DAM EAST COAST BULK WATER SUPPLY SCHEME, EASTERN CAPE

Prepared for:

52 Stewart Drive East London 5241

Prepared by:

Coastal & Environmental Services EAST LONDON 16 Tyrell Street, Berea East London, 5241 043 762 8313 Also in Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth & Maputo www.cesnet.co.za

December 2013

Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION This document contains intellectual property and propriety information that is protected by copyright in favour of Coastal & Environmental Services and the specialist consultants. The document may therefore not be reproduced, used or distributed to any third party without the prior written consent of Coastal & Environmental Services. This document is prepared exclusively for submission to Element Consulting Engineers, and is subject to all confidentiality, copyright and trade secrets, rules intellectual property law and practices of South Africa.

Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 This Report should be cited as follows: Coastal & Environmental Services, December 2013: Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment, CES, East London.

REVISIONS TRACKING TABLE

CES Report Revision and Tracking Schedule

Document Title Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment Client Name & Element Consulting Engineers Address 52 Stewart Drive East London 5241 Document Reference

Status Final

Issue Date December 2013

Lead Author Dr Greer Hawley Ms Daisy Kotsedi

Reviewer Dr Alan Carter

Study Leader or Dr Alan Carter Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner Approval Report Distribution Circulated to No. of hard No. electronic copies copies DEA 2 2 DWA 1 1 DEDEAT 1 SAHRA 1 ECPHRA 1

This document has been prepared in accordance with the scope of Coastal & Environmental Services (CES) appointment and contains intellectual property and proprietary information that is protected by copyright in favour of CES. The document may therefore not be reproduced, used or distributed to any third party without the prior written consent of Coastal & Environmental Services. This document is prepared exclusively for use by CES’s client. CES accepts no liability for Coastal& Environmental Services any use of this document other than by its client and only for East London the purposes for which it was prepared. No person other than 16 Tyrell Road the client may copy (in whole or in part) use or rely on the Berea contents of this document, without the prior written permission East London of CES. The document is subject to all confidentiality, 5201 copyright and trade secrets rules, intellectual property law and +27 43 726 7809/8313 practices of South Africa. [email protected] www.cesnet.co.za Also in Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town & Maputo

Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 THE PROJECT TEAM

Dr Alan Carter is a Director at CES, holds a PhD in Marine Biology and is a certified Public Accountant, with extensive training and experience in both financial accounting and environmental science disciplines with international accounting firms in South Africa and the USA. He has 15 years’ experience in environmental management and has specialist skills in sanitation, coastal environments and industrial waste. Dr Carter is registered as a Professional Natural Scientist under the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP).

Dr Greer Hawley (Principal Environmental Consultant) has a BSc degree in Botany and Zoology and a BSc Honours in Botany from the University of Cape Town. She completed her PhD thesis (Microbiology) at Rhodes University. Greer has been involved in a number of diverse activities. The core academic focus has been directed in the field of taxonomy both in the plant and fungal kingdom. Greer’s research ranges from studying fresh and marine algae, estuarine diatoms, Restio species classification in the fynbos and forest vegetation and fungal species identification and ecology. Greer’s study of fungi have also contributed towards an understanding of soil ecology and “below ground” ecology. She is currently working on numerous impact assessments at the East London branch. Registration: South African Society for Microbiology, South African Association of Botany.

Ms Daisy Kotsedi (Environmental Consultant) has a BSc. Honours and MSc degree in Botany both from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth. Her MSc thesis focused on the effects of environmental factors on microalgal biomass and community composition in the Sundays River Estuary. Daisy’s research interests include a broad range of environmental conservation and estuarine ecology with the main focus on microalgae. Daisy worked as an intern at WWF-SA in the freshwater unit in 2011. She is currently employed in the East London office of CES. Daisy is registered as a Candidate Natural Scientist under SACNASP.

Coastal & Environmental Services ii Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Project description ...... 1 1.2 Project locality (Figure1.1) ...... 1 1.3 Objectives...... 1 1.4 Terms of Reference ...... 1 1.5 Approach ...... 2 1.6 Limitations and assumptions ...... 2 2 RELEVANT LEGISLATION ...... 3 3 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ...... 4 3.1 Impact assessment ...... 4 3.1.1 Impact rating methodology ...... 4 3.1.2 Cumulative Impacts ...... 4 4 DESCRIPTION OF THE BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT...... 5 4.1 Physical environment ...... 5 4.2 Ecological environment: Literature information ...... 5 4.2.1 SANBI Vegetation (Mucina and Rutherford, 2006) ...... 5 4.2.2 Subtropical Thicket Ecosystem Programme (STEP) ...... 6 4.2.3 Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan ...... 7 4.2.4 Wetlands and Rivers ...... 8 4.2.5 Current land-use and general state of ecology ...... 9 4.3 Ecological environment: Site assessment ...... 10 4.4 Plant species identified ...... 15 4.5 Animal species ...... 16 5 IMPACT IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT ...... 17 5.1 Identified Impacts ...... 17 5.2 Impact Assessment ...... 18 6 IMPACT STATEMENT, CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 20 6.1 Conclusions ...... 20 6.2 Recommendations for the proposed Nahoon Dam Bulk Water Supply Pipeline...... 20 6.2.1 Planning and design ...... 20 6.2.2 Construction ...... 20 6.2.3 Operation ...... 21 6.3 Environmental Statement and Opinion of the Specialist...... 21 7 REFERENCES...... 22 8 APPENDIX A ...... 23

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1: Alternative routes of the proposed Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline...... 1 Figure 4.2: SANBI Vegetation map (Mucina and Rutherford, 2006) showing alternative routes for the proposed pipeline and the vegetation types Albany Coastal Belt (AT 9) and Buffels Thicket (AT 12)...... 6 Figure 4.3: STEP Conservation Priority Map of the proposed Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Scheme...... 7 Figure 4.4: ECBCP map of the surrounding areas of the Nahoon pipeline route...... 8 Figure 4.5: SANBI Working for Wetland map of the surrounding rivers for the Nahoon pipeline route...... 9 Figure 4.1: Proposed routes for the pipeline. The pipeline is divided into 3 sections namely Section A, Section B and Section C. Each Section has alternative route options, as indicated by the different colours within each Section...... 10 Figure 4.2: Section A of the proposed pipeline...... 11 Figure 4.3: Section B of the proposed pipeline...... 11 Figure 4.4: Section C of the proposed pipeline...... 11

Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1: Environmental legislation considered relevant in the preparation of the Ecological Report for the Nahoon Dam Bulk Water Supply Pipeline ...... 3 Table 4.1: Route options with in Section A, B and C of the pipeline route...... 10 Table 4.2: Plant species identified along the pipeline route...... 15 Table 5.1: Impact identified during the phases of the Nahoon Dam Bulk Water Supply Pipeline. .. 17 Table 5.1: Assessment and mitigation of impacts in the Planning and Design Phase...... 18 Table 5.2: Assessment and mitigation of impacts identified in the Construction Phase...... 18 Table 5.3: Assessment and mitigation of impacts identified in the Operation Phase...... 19 Table 6.1: Summary of impact significance assessment of pre- and post-mitigation...... 20 Table 8.1: Significance Rating Table...... 23 Table 8.2: Impact Severity Rating...... 23

Coastal & Environmental Services iv Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Project description

Amatola Water, in agreement with Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, is proposing the construction of the Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline for East London. The project entails abstraction of water from Nahoon Dam and the construction of a 600mm diameter supply pipeline to the Homeleigh Halt reservoir in Nompumelelo, East London. The water supply scheme will alleviate current demand pressures on the Umzoniana Water Supply System by supplying water to the Eastern suburbs of East London (Figure 1.1). The water scheme will also supply water to Ducats and future development along the N6.

1.2 Project locality (Figure1.1)

The proposed pipeline will start from the Nahoon Dam Water Treatment Works (WTW). The pipeline will cross the Nahoon River, and run along a rural farm road until it reaches the N6. The route will then follow the N6, where a number of alternative routes have been considered. The pipeline will end at the Homeleigh Halt reservoir in Nompumelelo within the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape.

Figure 1.1: Alternative routes of the proposed Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline.

1.3 Objectives

The objectives of the current ecological assessment were to:

 Provide a general description of the natural vegetation of the specific area to be developed and adjacent areas that will be impacted.  Provide a general description of habitat and likely faunal species of the area, using a habitat approach and based on the natural vegetation of the site.  Identify plant and animal species of special concern and suitable species for rehabilitation.  Identify sensitive ecological environments  Provide an assessment of potential impacts and mitigation recommendations.

1.4 Terms of Reference

The following terms of reference were used as a guideline for the objectives of this study:

Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013

 Identify and map the main vegetation types and plant communities;  Identify and record the main plant species that occur within the project area;  Where possible, identify any species of special concern;  Identify any significant landscape features or rare or important vegetation/faunal associations such as seasonal wetlands, seeps or rocky areas;  Assess the condition of the site in terms of current or previous land uses;  Place the project area within the biodiversity context of the wider area (i.e. provide the “bigger picture”);  Identify (as far as is possible from the data collected) the principal ecological processes evident within the project site and its relative importance in determining the biodiversity characteristics present;  An assessment of the potential direct and indirect impacts resulting from the proposed development and associated infrastructure, both on the footprint and the immediate surrounding area during construction and operation;  A detailed description of appropriate mitigation measures that can be adopted to reduce negative impacts for each phase of the project where required.

1.5 Approach

The study site and surrounding areas were assessed using a two-phased approach. Firstly, a desktop assessment of the site was conducted in terms of current vegetation classifications and biodiversity programmes and plans. This included the consideration of:

 Vegetation Map of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland  Subtropical Thicket Ecosystem Programme (STEP)  Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (ECBCP)  South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) wetlands database

Further to the above, site visits were conducted on 27th & 30th January 2012 and 7th & 8th February 2013 in order to:  Assess the actual ecological state,  Assess current land-use,  Identify potential sensitive ecosystems,  Identify plant species associated with the proposed project activities.

The site visits also served to inform potential impacts of the proposed project and how it would impact on the surrounding ecological environment.

1.6 Limitations and assumptions

This report is based on currently available information and, as a result, the following limitations and assumptions are implicit:–

 The report is based on a project description taken from design specifications for the proposed Nahoon Dam Bulk Water Supply Pipeline. The preliminary layout plans have not yet been finalised, and are likely to undergo a number of iterations and refinements before they can be regarded as definitive.  Descriptions of the natural and social environments are based on limited fieldwork and available literature.  Species of special concern are difficult to find and difficult to identify due to seasonal variations, thus species described in this report do not comprise an exhaustive list. It is likely that additional species of special concern will be found during construction and operation of the development.  The ecology of the site was assessed on a sample basis.

Coastal & Environmental Services 2 Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 2 RELEVANT LEGISLATION

The following legislation is relevant when considering ecological impacts identified during the Planning and Design, Construction and Operation Phase of the Nahoon Dam Bulk Water Supply Pipeline.

Table 2.1: Environmental legislation considered relevant in the preparation of the Ecological Report for the Nahoon Dam Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Title of Environmental legislation, policy or Implications for Nahoon Dam Bulk Water Supply Pipeline guideline Constitution Act (108 of Obligation to ensure that the proposed development will not result in 1996) pollution and ecological degradation; and Obligation to ensure that the proposed development is ecologically sustainable, while demonstrating economic and social development. National Environmental The developer must apply the NEMA principles (Section2), the fair Management Act decision-making and conflict management procedures (Sections 17 to (NEMA) (107 of 1998) 22) that are provided for in NEMA.

The developer must apply the principles of Integrated Environmental Management and consider, investigate and assess the potential impact of existing and planned activities on the environment, socio-economic conditions and the cultural heritage. National Environment The proposed development must conserve endangered ecosystems Management: and protect and promote biodiversity; Biodiversity Act (10 of Must assess the impacts of the proposed development on endangered 2004) ecosystems; No protected species may be removed or damaged without a permit; The proposed site must be cleared of alien vegetation using appropriate means. National Water Act (36 This Act provides details of measures intended to ensure the of 1998) comprehensive protection of all water resources, including the water reserve and water quality. This proposed development will likely trigger the need for a water-use license according to Sections 21 (c) and (i) of the Act.

The following policies are relevant to the project:

Municipal Policy

 Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) Integrated Development Plan (IDP 2012/2013) and Spatial Development Frame (SDF).  BCMM Integrated Environmental Management Plan (2007)  BCMM Municipal Open Space System (2009)

Provincial Policy

 Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (Berliner and Desmet, 2007)  Subtropical Thicket Ecosystem Programme (Pierce, 2003)

Coastal & Environmental Services 3 Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 3 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

3.1 Impact assessment

3.1.1 Impact rating methodology

To ensure a direct comparison between various specialist studies, a standard rating scale has been defined and will be used to assess and quantify the identified impacts. This is necessary since impacts have a number of parameters that need to be assessed. Four factors need to be considered when assessing the significance of impacts, namely:

 Temporal scale  Spatial scale  Likelihood  Severity

The significance of the impact is determined using the combined assessment of the above- mentioned criteria. Further notes and explanation of the assessment methodology is provided in Appendix A.

3.1.2 Cumulative Impacts

Cumulative impacts affect the significance ranking of an impact because the impact is taken in consideration of both onsite and offsite sources. For example, pollution making its way into a river from a development may be within acceptable national standards. Activities in the surrounding area may also create pollution which does not exceed these standards. However, if both onsite and offsite activities take place simultaneously, the total pollution level may exceed the standards. For this reason it is important to consider impacts in terms of their cumulative nature.

Coastal & Environmental Services 4 Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 4 DESCRIPTION OF THE BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The study site and surrounding areas were described using a two-phased approach. Firstly, a desktop assessment of the site was conducted in terms of current vegetation classifications and biodiversity programmes and plans, followed by a site visit in order to assess the actual ecological state, current land-use, identify potential sensitive ecosystems and identify plant species associated with the proposed project activities.

4.1 Physical environment

Topography

The topography of the area consists of high hills or ridges towards Nahoon Dam and the south western section of the pipeline route. The rest of the pipeline route is within open hills or ridges.

Climate

East London area receives about 593mm of rain per year, with most rainfall occurring during summer. Rainfall is lowest (16mm) in July and highest (79mm) in March. The average daily maximum temperatures range from 20°C in July to 26°C in February. The region is the coldest during July when the temperature drops to 9.3°C on average during the night.

Geology and soils

The geology of the pipeline route consists of grey mudstones and sandstones of the Balfour formation as well as grey and red mudstones and sandstones of the Middleton formation, both formations derived from the Adelaide Subgroup and Beaufort Group.

4.2 Ecological environment: Literature information

Published literature on the ecology of the area was referenced in order to describe the study site in the context of the region and the Eastern Cape Province. The following documents/plans are referenced:

 SANBI vegetation  STEP  ECBCP  Rivers & Wetlands (SANBI)  Review of the Red Data List

4.2.1 SANBI Vegetation (Mucina and Rutherford, 2006)

The proposed pipeline route falls within two vegetation types, namely Albany Coastal Belt (AT 9) and Buffels Thicket (AT 12) (Figure 4.2).

Albany Coastal Belt (AT9) This vegetation type is found within 15 to 30km from the Indian Ocean coastline, from Kei Mouth to the Sundays River on gently to moderately undulating landscapes and dissected hilltop slopes close to the coast and is dominated by short grasslands punctuated by scattered bush clumps or solitary Acacia natalitia trees. SANBI classifies this vegetation type as least threatened. Some important and characteristic tree/shrub species of this vegetation type include: Erythrina caffra, Euphorbia triangularis, Cussonia spicata, Sideroxylon inerme, Diospyros villosa, Pavetta lanceolata, Rhus (Searsia) lucida, Carissa bispinosa and Pterocelastrus camphoratus

Coastal & Environmental Services 5 Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 Buffels Thicket Buffels Thicket is found in river valleys around East London, including Tyolomnqa River, Buffalo River, Nahoon River, Gqunube River, Kwelera River, 40 to 50 km inland in some areas around King Williams Town and Komga. SANBI classifies this vegetation type as vulnerable and 21% is mainly transformed by cultivation, urban and built up areas and plantations. Some important and characteristic tree/shrub species of this vegetation type include: Euphorbia triangularis, Euphorbia grandidens, Apodytes dimidiata, Calodendron capense, Canthium ciliatum, Cussonia spicata, Harpephyllum caffrum, Azima tetracantha and Vepris lanceolata.

Figure 4.2: SANBI Vegetation map (Mucina and Rutherford, 2006) showing alternative routes for the proposed pipeline and the vegetation types Albany Coastal Belt (AT 9) and Buffels Thicket (AT 12).

4.2.2 Subtropical Thicket Ecosystem Programme (STEP)

The STEP Conservation Priority Map classifies areas into a number of categories, based on plant and animal biodiversity of the planning domain, with emphasis on Thicket biomes (Pierce, 2003). The Conservation Priority map for the study area is presented in Figure 4.3.

The pipeline route traverses mostly an area classified as a STEP Network Area (Figure 4.3). Land in the Network can only withstand minimal loss of natural area through disturbance and developments. The pipeline also traverses “Class IV” (currently not vulnerable) land. The Class IV land can withstand a loss off, or disturbance of, natural areas through human activity or development.

Coastal & Environmental Services 6 Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013

Figure 4.3: STEP Conservation Priority Map of the proposed Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Scheme.

4.2.3 Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan

ECBCP is a first attempt at detailed, low-level conservation mapping for land-use planning purposes. Specifically, the aims of ECBCP were to map critical biodiversity areas through a systematic conservation planning process. The current biodiversity plan includes the mapping of priority aquatic features, land-use pressures, critical biodiversity areas and develops guidelines for land and resource-use planning and decision-making.

The main outputs of the ECBCP are “critical biodiversity areas” or CBAs, which are allocated the following management categories:

1. CBA 1 (or BLMC 1) = Maintain in a natural state 2. CBA 2 (or BLMC 2) = Maintain in a near-natural state

Areas not considered as biodiversity priority areas are allocated the following categories:

 BLMC 3: Functional landscapes  BLMC 4:,Towns and settlements, cultivated lands, plantation/woodlots

ECBCP maps CBAs based on extensive biological data and input from key stakeholders. Although ECBCP is mapped at a finer scale than the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment (Driver et al., 2005) it is still, for the large part, inaccurate and “coarse”. Therefore it is imperative that the status of the environment, for any proposed development MUST first be verified before the management recommendations associated with the ECBCP are considered (Berliner and Desmet, 2007). It is also important to note that in absence of any other biodiversity plan, the ECBCP has been adopted by the Provincial Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) as a strategic biodiversity plan for the Eastern Cape.

Approximately three quarters of the proposed pipeline falls within an area identified by ECBCP as CBA 2 (Figure 4.4), which land-use management recommendation is “maintain in a near-natural state”. The on-the-ground conditions along the pipeline route are already disturbed and degraded as the route follows, as far as possible, existing linear infrastructure developments, mainly using access and national road routes (not in road reserve of N6).

The remainder of the pipeline (from the Nahoon Dam to the N6) is classified as a BLMC 3 (functional landscapes) and BLCM 4 (towns and settlements and cultivated land) (Figure 4.4). Coastal & Environmental Services 7 Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013

Figure 4.4: ECBCP map of the surrounding areas of the Nahoon pipeline route.

4.2.4 Wetlands and Rivers

Section A of the pipeline route will traverse the Nahoon River near the Nahoon Dam. The following wetland types were also identified along the pipeline route (Figure 4.5):

Valley Floor; Channelled Valley Bottom Wetland: This type of wetland is found in the C2 and C3 alternative pipeline routes. The type of wetland is mostly a flat valley-bottom wetland dissected by and typically elevated above a channel (see channel). Dominant water inputs to these areas are typically from the channel, either as surface flow resulting from overtopping of the channel bank/s or as interflow, or from adjacent valley-side slopes (as overland flow or interflow). Water generally moves through the wetland as diffuse surface flow, although occasional, short-lived concentrated flows are possible during flooding events. Small depressional areas within a channelled valley- bottom wetland can result in the temporary containment and storage of water within the wetland.

Valley Floor and Plain; Un-channelled Valley Bottom Wetland: This type of wetland is found in C3 alternative pipeline route. The wetland type is mostly a flat valley-bottom wetland area without a major channel running through it, characterised by an absence of distinct channel banks and the prevalence of diffuse flows, even during and after high rainfall events. Water inputs are typically from an upstream channel, as the flow becomes dispersed, and from adjacent slopes (if present) or groundwater. Water generally moves through the wetland in the form of diffuse surface flow and/or interflow (with some temporary containment of water in depressional areas), but the outflow can be in the form of diffuse or concentrated surface flow.

Coastal & Environmental Services 8 Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013

Quenera River

Nahoon River

Figure 4.5: SANBI Working for Wetland map of the surrounding rivers for the Nahoon pipeline route.

4.2.5 Current land-use and general state of ecology

From the Nahoon Dam water treatment works, the pipeline crosses the Nahoon River just below an existing weir. From the Nahoon River the pipeline crosses Kikuyu pastures and follows existing farm tracks and farm access roads until it reaches the N6 main road. Once at the N6, the preferred pipeline route follows the N6 closely, crossing farms and the Ducats township, until it reaches the Homeleigh Halt Reservoir. Other than pockets of valley thicket at the head water of tributaries, the routes are considered disturbed, transformed or degraded.

Coastal & Environmental Services 9 Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 4.3 Ecological environment: Site assessment

The proposed Nahoon Dam bulk water supply pipeline has been divided into three sections indicated in Figure 4.1 below as sections A, B and C.

A B

C

Figure 4.1: Proposed routes for the pipeline. The pipeline is divided into 3 sections namely Section A, Section B and Section C. Each Section has alternative route options, as indicated by the different colours within each Section.

The table below briefly describes the various options that are being considered along Section A, B and C, respectively.

Table 4.1: Route options with in Section A, B and C of the pipeline route. Section Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 A Preferred option: the route This route option would NA is already disturbed and require clearing of pristine will require minimal dense Thicket on the vegetation clearing. eastern bank of the Nahoon River B This route option follows a Preferred option: routed NA powerline servitude where along the N6 road in areas possible, but however still that are already disturbed goes through numerous by human inhabitants, streams and in cases alien invasive plant some Albany Belt. It is not species invasion in yet clear whether Eskom sections. would entertain having a pipeline in their servitude. In addition, significant vegetation clearing on either side of the line will be required. C Preferred option: routed This route option is routed Route follows farm access along the N6 road in areas east and parallel to the N6, roads, and crosses, at two that are already disturbed along an existing sites, a tributary of the by human inhabitants, powerline route. It runs Quenera River alien invasive plant through valleys of Buffels species invasion in Thicket. sections.

Coastal & Environmental Services 10 Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013

A1

A2

Figure 4.2: Section A of the proposed pipeline.

B1

B2

Figure 4.3: Section B of the proposed pipeline.

C3 C1 C2

Figure 4.4: Section C of the proposed pipeline.

Coastal & Environmental Services 11 Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 Section A: Biophysical description

Nahoon River Crossing

Description of Section A of the pipeline from west to east: Recommendations From the water treatment works, the pipeline is routed through Thicket (outlined in dashed green in the west on Nahoon  Stormwater management of construction area must be implemented River) down to Nahoon River (outline in blue). The pipeline crosses just below an existing weir and will be imbedded into the  Rehabilitation (soil/bank stabilisation and re-vegetation) MUST be implemented bedrock. At this point the pipeline is either route up a steep incline along an existing farm road bordered by dense thicket throughout construction as each phase of construction is completed (red line in the image on the right) or alternatively runs through dense thicket (purple line). The pipeline then traverses  Where possible avoid routing the pipeline in the paths of protected tree species. Where Kikuyu pastures until it meets a rural farm road, which it follows until it meets the N6. Along the road at S32.904279°, this is not possible, permits must be attained prior to destruction, damage or E27.837593° the pipeline will cross a tributary (Red circle). transplanting.  Riparian vegetation must be subjected to minimal disturbance as these habitats are Sensitive environments and Species of Special Concern (SSC) particularly susceptible to alien invasive plant species (Black Wattle) establishment.  Thicket on either side of the Nahoon River  Tributary crossing (red circle)  SSC: Brunsvigia sp, Cyrtanthus cf brachyscyphus, Cussonia spicata, Podocarpus falcatus Impacts  Loss of Buffels Thicket on steep slopes of Nahoon River valley  Potential erosion and slope destabilisation associated with vegetation clearing and soil exposure on steep slopes  Loss of potential protected plant species or species of special concern in the Buffels Thicket and Riparian vegetation

Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 Section B: Biophysical description

Orange = Alien invasive plant species Olive green = Albany Belt vegetation Light/Bright green = Buffels Thicket

Description of Section B of the pipeline from west to east: Recommendations Two route options are available for Section B, both of which follow the N6 north and south.  Rehabilitation (soil/bank stabilisation and re-vegetation) MUST be implemented throughout construction as each phase The preferred option is to follow the N6. Option B1 (northern-blue route follows a power line of construction is completed servitude, where the Preferred option B2 follows the N6 closely.  Where possible avoid routing the pipeline in the paths of protected tree species. Where this is not possible, permits must be attained prior to destruction, damage or transplanting. Option B1, follows telephone/powerline servitudes in most cases. In addition, 5 water  Riparian vegetation must be subjected to minimal disturbance as these habitats are particularly susceptible to alien course crossings are inherent in this route (image on the right with untitled place marks). invasive plant species (Black Wattle) establishment.

Option B2 (preferred) is within an existing servitude and will also encounter water courses, but these are limited to head waters or catchment areas rather than actual drain lines. Vegetation types observed along the route range from alien invasive species, thorn veld (Albany Coastal Belt) of low significance and Buffels Thicket in head water valleys in the most southern portion of this section of pipeline (potentially HIGH significance). However, the Buffels Thicket is severely disturbed. This route would require the clearing of Buffels Thicket through a large intact unit of this vegetation type and construction will come within 10 metres of dams (see insert in left image).

Sensitive environments and Species of Special Concern (SSC)  Buffels Thicket in valleys along the N6 (Light green encircled areas)  SSC: Brunsvigia sp, Cyrtanthus cf brachyscyphus, Cussonia spicata, Sideroxylon inerme

Impacts  Loss of Buffels Thicket in valleys  Loss of potential protected plant species or species of special concern in the Buffels Thicket

Coastal & Environmental Services Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline 13 Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 Section C: Biophysical description

Orange = Alien invasive plant species Olive green = Albany Belt vegetation Light/Bright green = Buffels Thicket

Description of Section C of the pipeline from west to east: ….Impacts continued Section C has three routing options: The purple line (Preferred option) is routed along the N6 road; the blue  Potential erosion and slope destabilisation associated with vegetation clearing and soil exposure on steep line (Preferred) option runs east and parallel to the N6. The green line follows farm access roads and joins slopes the reservoir via Lavender Blue.  Loss of potential protected plant species or species of special concern in the Buffels Thicket and Riparian vegetation Sensitive environments and Species of Special Concern (SSC)  Thicket on either side of the Nahoon River Recommendations  Tributary crossing  Stormwater management of construction area must be implemented  SSC: Brunsvigia sp, Cyrtanthus cf brachyscyphus, Cussonia spicata, Sideroxylon inerme  Rehabilitation (soil/bank stabilisation and re-vegetation) MUST be implemented throughout construction as each phase of construction is completed Impacts  Where possible avoid routing the pipeline in the paths of protected tree species. Where this is not  Loss of Buffels Thicket on steep slopes of Nahoon River valley possible, permits must be attained prior to destruction, damage or transplanting.

Coastal & Environmental Services Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline 14 Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 4.4 Plant species identified

The following list of species was observed during the site visits conducted on: 27th & 30th January 2012 and 7th & 8th February 2013. This list is by no means exhaustive and merely represents some of the dominant species or plants that exhibited identifying features (fruit, seed pods, flowers etc.). Specific effort to survey riparian areas and Buffels Thicket was made. In total 36 plant species from 28 families, were identified.

Plant species of special concern (SSC) are considered in this report to include: protected plant and tree species, conservation worthy species, cornerstone species. Only 5 SSCs were identified in this report.

Table 4.2: Plant species identified along the pipeline route. Plant family Genus and Species SSC AMARYLLIDACEAE cf Brunsvigia sp * Cyrtanthus cf brachyscyphus * ANACARDIACEAE Searsia (Rhus) crenata_ incisa Searsia (Rhus) denata Searsia (Rhus) sp Searsia (Rhus) tomentosa APOCYNACEAE Carissa bispinosa ARALIACEAE Cussonia spicata * ARECACEAE Phoenix reclinata ASPARAGACEAE Dracena sp ASTERACEAE Brachylaena elliptica BIGNONIACEAE Tecoma capensis CAESALPINIOIDEAE Schotia latifolia CAMPANULACEAE Monopsis unidentata CELASTRACEAE Gymnosporia buxifolia CRASSULACEAE Crassula sp EBENACEAE Euclea natalensis Diospyros dicrophylla Diospyros scabrida EUPHORBIACEAE Euphorbia triangularis FLACOURTIACEAE Scolopia mundii ICACINACEAE Apodytes dimidiata LAMIACEAE Stachys cf aethiopica MIMOSOIDEAE Acacia natalitia PODOCARPACEAE Podocarpus falcatus * PLUMBAGINACEAE Plumbago auriculata PTAEROXYLACEAE Ptaeroxylon obliquum RUBIACEAE Burchellia bubalina RUTACEAE Vepris lanceolata Zanthoxylum davyi SAPINDACEAE Allophyllus africanus Hippobromus pauciflorus SAPOTACEAE Sideroxylon inerme * STERCULIACEAE Dombeya tiliacea THYMELEACEAE Dais cotinifolia VERBENACEAE Lantana rugosa Alien invasive plant species observed throughout the pipeline route Melia azedarach Syringa Acacia mearnsii Black Wattle Cestrum laevigatum Inkberry Lantana camara Lantana

Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 4.5 Animal species

No amphibians, reptiles, terrestrial invertebrates, birds and nesting areas as well as large mammals were observed onsite. Large mammals are unlikely to be observed during construction as the pipeline route will be situated within an existing servitude.

Coastal & Environmental Services 16 Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 5 IMPACT IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT

5.1 Identified Impacts

The ecological impacts that were identified during the Planning and Design, Construction and Operation Phases of the proposed Nahoon Dam Bulk Water Supply Pipeline are described below. These included the consideration of direct, indirect and cumulative impacts that may occur.

Table 5.1: Impact identified during the phases of the Nahoon Dam Bulk Water Supply Pipeline. Nature of Phase Issue Description of Impact Impact Disturbance of Erosion and degradation of watercourses sensitive areas including wetlands and associated habitats Indirect resulting in erosion due to poor planning and layout design (i.e. Planning & and degradation inappropriate utilisation of sensitive systems). Design Unnecessary damage and disturbance to Permanent loss of Direct natural and indigenous vegetation (Albany indigenous vegetation Coastal Belt and Buffels Thicket). Clearing and removal of Albany Coastal Belt Loss of vegetation Direct and Buffels Thicket will result in permanent during construction loss of indigenous vegetation. Damage and The hydrological flow of the Nahoon River disturbance to rivers Direct and smaller tributaries will be impeded at the during construction pipeline crossings. Construction The removal of existing natural vegetation creates ‘open’ habitats that will favour the Establishment of alien establishment of undesirable species in Indirect invasive plant species areas that are typically very difficult to eradicate and may pose a threat to neighbouring ecosystems. As the development area will be disturbed for Establishment of alien some time post-construction, the risk of alien Direct invasive plant species invasive plants establishing in the area will remain high. Operation Continued Post-construction re-vegetation and Indirect degradation of the rehabilitation may not be successful and and natural environment result in continued soil erosion and further cumulative post-construction degradation of the environment.

Coastal & Environmental Services 17 Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 5.2 Impact Assessment

Table 5.1: Assessment and mitigation of impacts in the Planning and Design Phase. GENERAL AND SPECIALIST STUDY IMPACTS SPATIAL TEMPORAL CERTAINTY SEVERITY/ SIGNIFICANCE MITIGATION MEASURES SIGNIFICANCE SCALE SCALE SCALE BENEFICIAL PRE- POST- (DURATION) (LIKELIHOOD) SCALE MITIGATION MITIGATION Issue: Disturbance of sensitive areas The pipeline will cross a number of watercourses. There is a risk of Study area Long term Possible Moderately HIGH  Pipeline routing must be LOW NEGATIVE erosion and degradation of watercourses and associated habitats due to severe NEGATIVE designed to ensure that the poor planning and layout design (i.e. inappropriate utilisation of sensitive minimum disturbance of systems) riparian areas is achieved as far as is reasonable and practical.  If any construction footprint takes place inside or within 32 meters of any water body, authorisation from DWA must be obtained. Issue: Permanent loss of indigenous vegetation Unnecessary damage and disturbance to natural and indigenous Localised Permanent Definite Moderately MODERATE  An Environmental Control LOW NEGATIVE vegetation (Albany Coastal Belt and Buffels Thicket) severe NEGATIVE Officer (ECO) must be appointed to give input into the final routing of the pipeline and to monitor construction activities.  Rehabilitation with grasses found on site must be undertaken.

Table 5.2: Assessment and mitigation of impacts identified in the Construction Phase. GENERAL AND SPECIALIST STUDY IMPACTS SPATIAL TEMPORAL CERTAINTY SEVERITY/ SIGNIFICANCE MITIGATION MEASURES SIGNIFICANCE SCALE SCALE SCALE BENEFICIAL PRE- POST- (DURATION) (LIKELIHOOD) SCALE MITIGATION MITIGATION Issue: Loss of vegetation during construction Unnecessary clearing and removal of Albany Coastal Belt and Buffels Localised Short term Probable Moderately MODERATE  The final pipeline route and LOW NEGATIVE Thicket beyond the development footprint will result in long-term loss of severe NEGATIVE construction method must be indigenous vegetation reviewed by the appointed ECO.  ECO must closely monitor construction activities (at least twice a week) within the Buffels Thicket  Construction activities must be demarcated and vegetation clearing and top soil removal (if required) limited to these areas. Issue: Damage and disturbance to riparian zones Hydrological flow of the Nahoon River and smaller tributaries will be Localised Short term Probable Moderately HIGH  No development activities may LOW NEGATIVE impeded at the pipeline crossings. severe NEGATIVE occur within riparian zones without prior approval by the DWA.  Construction within 32 metres must be undertaken in the shortest possible time.

Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013

 Construction during high rainfall periods must be avoided in riparian zones  Post-construction bank stabilisation and re-vegetation must be undertaken immediately after construction in riparian zones. Issue: Establishment of alien invasive plant species The removal of existing natural vegetation creates ‘open’ habitats that Project level Long term Probable Moderately HIGH  An alien removal plan must be LOW NEGATIVE will favour the establishment of undesirable species in areas that are severe NEGATIVE developed as part of the typically very difficult to eradicate and may pose a threat to neighbouring Environmental Management ecosystems. Programme and implemented throughout the construction phase.

Table 5.3: Assessment and mitigation of impacts identified in the Operation Phase. GENERAL AND SPECIALIST STUDY IMPACTS SPATIAL TEMPORAL CERTAINTY SEVERITY/ SIGNIFICANCE MITIGATION MEASURES SIGNIFICANCE SCALE SCALE SCALE BENEFICIAL PRE- POST- (DURATION) (LIKELIHOOD) SCALE MITIGATION MITIGATION Issue: Invasion of alien invasive plant species As the development area will be disturbed for some time post- Study area Long term Probable Severe HIGH  An alien removal plan must be LOW NEGATIVE construction, the risk of alien invasive plants establishing in the area will NEGATIVE developed as part of the remain high. Environmental Management Programme and implemented throughout the rehabilitation phase and annually thereafter. Issue: Continued degradation of the natural environment post-construction Post-construction re-vegetation and rehabilitation may not be successful Study area Medium term Possible Severe MODERATE  Rehabilitation and re- LOW NEGATIVE and result in continued soil erosion and further degradation of the NEGATIVE vegetation must be monitored environment. post-construction for up to 6 months or until the sites have been re-vegetation the satisfaction of the ECO.

Coastal & Environmental Services Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline 19 Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 6 IMPACT STATEMENT, CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 Conclusions

Amatola Water, in agreement with Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, is proposing the construction of the Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline for East London. The project entails abstraction of water from Nahoon Dam and the construction of a 600mm diameter supply pipeline the Homeleigh Halt reservoir in Nompumelelo, East London.

From an overview of the impact assessment (Table 5.1-5.3) two impacts require ensured implementation to reduce the HIGH rated impacts to an acceptable level. These include: disturbance and degradation of riparian zones and the potential of invasion of alien plant species into disturbed development areas.

All the identified impacts assessed in this report could be effectively mitigated (Table 6.1). All MODERATE and HIGH rate impacts were reduced to LOW significance.

Table 6.1: Summary of impact significance assessment of pre- and post-mitigation. PRE-MITIGATION POST-MITIGATION STAGES LOW MODERATE HIGH LOW MODERATE HIGH

Planning and 0 1 1 2 0 0 Design

Construction 0 1 2 3 0 0

Operation 0 1 1 2 0 0

TOTAL 0 3 4 7 0 0

6.2 Recommendations for the proposed Nahoon Dam Bulk Water Supply Pipeline.

All the mitigation measures provided below, as well as those recommended in Section 4.3 of this report, are to be implemented in the Planning and Design, Construction and Operation Phases of the proposed the Nahoon Dam Bulk Water Supply Pipeline.

6.2.1 Planning and design

 Pipeline routing must be designed to ensure that the minimum disturbance of riparian areas is achieved as far as is reasonable and practical.  If any construction footprint takes place inside or within 32 meters of any water body, authorisation from DWA must be obtained.  An Environmental Control Officer (ECO) must be appointed to give input into the final routing of the pipeline and to monitor construction activities.  Rehabilitation with grasses found on site must be undertaken.

6.2.2 Construction

 The final pipeline route and construction method must be reviewed by the appointed ECO.  ECO must closely monitor construction activities (at least twice a week) within the Buffels Thicket  Construction activities must be demarcated and vegetation clearing and top soil removal (if required) limited to these areas.

Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013

 No development activities may occur within riparian zones without prior approval by the DWA.  Construction within 32 metres must be undertaken in the shortest possible time.  Construction during high rainfall periods must be avoided in riparian zones  Post-construction bank stabilisation and re-vegetation must be undertaken immediately after construction in riparian zones.  An alien removal plan must be developed as part of the Environmental Management Programme and implemented throughout the construction phase.

6.2.3 Operation

 An alien removal plan must be developed as part of the Environmental Management Programme and implemented throughout the rehabilitation phase and annually thereafter.  Rehabilitation and re-vegetation must be monitored post-construction for up to 6 months or until the sites have been re-vegetation the satisfaction of the ECO.

6.3 Environmental Statement and Opinion of the Specialist

The ecological impacts of proposed Nahoon Dam pipeline were assessed and considered to be ecologically acceptable, provided that the mitigation measures provided in this report are implemented. Implementation of recommended mitigation measures coupled with comprehensive rehabilitation and monitoring in terms of re-vegetation and restoration is a critical element of the mitigation strategy.

Coastal & Environmental Services 21 Nahoon Dam East Coast Bulk Water Supply Pipeline Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 7 REFERENCES

Berliner D and Desmet P. Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan. 2007. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry Project No. 2005-012.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 2009. Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN Species Survival Commission, Cambridge Available from: http://www.iucnredlist.org/ (Accessed 26/07/2012).

Mucina, L., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Rutherford, M.C., Camp, K.G.T., Matthews, W.S., Powrie, L.W. and Hoare, D.B., 2006. Indian Ocean Coastal Belt In: The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, Mucina L and Rutherford (eds.). South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

National Environmental Management Act (No 107 of 1998) as amended in 2010.

National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (No 10 of 2004).

National Heritage Resources Act (25 of 1999).

National Water Act (No 36 of 1998).

Pierce, S.M., 2003. The STEP Handbook. Integrating the natural environment into land use decisions at the municipal level: towards sustainable development. Terrestrial Ecology Research Unit Report No. 47. University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

SA Explorer. Available from: http://www.saexplorer.co.za/south-africa/climate/east_london_ climate.asp. (Accessed 19/03/2013).

SANBI. Available from: http://bgis.sanbi.org/index.asp?screenwidth=1366.

The Constitution Act (108 of 1996).

Ecological Impact Assessment – December 2013 8 APPENDIX A

Table 8.1: Significance Rating Table. Temporal Scale (The duration of the impact) Short term Less than 5 years (many construction phase impacts are of a short duration). Medium term Between 5 and 20 years.

Long term Between 20 and 40 years (from a human perspective almost permanent).

Permanent Over 40 years or resulting in a permanent and lasting change that will always be there. Spatial Scale (The area in which any impact will have an affect) Individual Impacts affect an individual.

Localised Impacts affect a small area of a few hectares in extent. Often only a portion of the project area. Project Level Impacts affect the entire project area.

Surrounding Areas Impacts that affect the area surrounding the development

Municipal Impacts affect either the Local Municipality, or any towns within them.

Regional Impacts affect the wider district municipality or the province as a whole. National Impacts affect the entire country. International/Global Impacts affect other countries or have a global influence.

Will definitely occur Impacts will definitely occur.

Degree of Confidence or Certainty (The confidence with which one has predicted the significance of an impact) Definite More than 90% sure of a particular fact. Should have substantial supportive data. Probable Over 70% sure of a particular fact, or of the likelihood of that impact occurring. Possible Only over 40% sure of a particular fact, or of the likelihood of an impact occurring. Unsure Less than 40% sure of a particular fact, or of the likelihood of an impact occurring.

Table 8.2: Impact Severity Rating. Overall Significance (The combination of all the above criteria as an overall significance) VERY HIGH NEGATIVE VERY BENEFICIAL These impacts would be considered by society as constituting a major and usually permanent change to the (natural and/or social) environment, and usually result in severe or very severe effects, or beneficial or very beneficial effects. Example: The loss of a species would be viewed by informed society as being of VERY HIGH significance.

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Example: The establishment of a large amount of infrastructure in a rural area, which previously had very few services, would be regarded by the affected parties as resulting in benefits with VERY HIGH significance. HIGH NEGATIVE BENEFICIAL These impacts will usually result in long term effects on the social and/or natural environment. Impacts rated as HIGH will need to be considered by society as constituting an important and usually long term change to the (natural and/or social) environment. Society would probably view these impacts in a serious light. Example: The loss of a diverse vegetation type, which is fairly common elsewhere, would have a significance rating of HIGH over the long term, as the area could be rehabilitated. Example: The change to soil conditions will impact the natural system, and the impact on affected parties (such as people growing crops in the soil) would be HIGH. MODERATE NEGATIVE SOME BENEFITS These impacts will usually result in medium to long term effects on the social and/or natural environment. Impacts rated as MODERATE will need to be considered by society as constituting a fairly important and usually medium term change to the (natural and/or social) environment. These impacts are real but not substantial. Example: The loss of a sparse, open vegetation type of low diversity may be regarded as MODERATELY significant. LOW NEGATIVE FEW BENEFITS These impacts will usually result in medium to short term effects on the social and/or natural environment. Impacts rated as LOW will need to be considered by the public and/or the specialist as constituting a fairly unimportant and usually short term change to the (natural and/or social) environment. These impacts are not substantial and are likely to have little real effect. Example: The temporary changes in the water table of a wetland habitat, as these systems are adapted to fluctuating water levels. Example: The increased earning potential of people employed as a result of a development would only result in benefits of LOW significance to people who live some distance away. NO SIGNIFICANCE There are no primary or secondary effects at all that are important to scientists or the public. Example: A change to the geology of a particular formation may be regarded as severe from a geological perspective, but is of NO significance in the overall context. DON’T KNOW In certain cases it may not be possible to determine the significance of an impact. For example, the primary or secondary impacts on the social or natural environment given the available information. Example: The effect of a particular development on people’s psychological perspective of the environment.

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