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Environmental Impact Assessment for the Establishment of the Proposed SAGIT Langhoogte Wind Farm, Western Cape Province

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Environmental Impact Assessment for the Establishment of the Proposed SAGIT Langhoogte Wind Farm, Western Cape Province Environmental Impact Assessment for the Establishment of the proposed SAGIT Langhoogte Wind Farm, Western Cape Province Environmental Scoping Report FLORA & FAUNA SPECIALIST STUDY Dr David Hoare (Ph.D., Pr.Sci.Nat.) David Hoare Consulting cc 41 Soetdoring Ave Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria Date: 7 January 2012 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE I, David Hoare as duly authorised representative of David Hoare Consulting cc, hereby confirm my independence (as well as that of David Hoare Consulting cc) as the flora & fauna specialist for the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Establishment of the Langhoogte Wind Farm and declare that neither I nor David Hoare Consulting cc have any interest, be it business, financial, personal or other, in any proposed activity, application or appeal in respect of which Arcus GIBB was appointed as environmental assessment practitioner in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), other than fair remuneration for work performed in terms of the NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 and any specific environmental management Act) for the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Establishment of the Langhoogte Wind Farm. I further declare that I am confident in the results of the studies undertaken and conclusions drawn as a result of it. I have disclosed, to the environmental assessment practitioner, in writing, any material information that have or may have the potential to influence the decision of the competent authority or the objectivity of any report, plan or document required in terms of the NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 and any specific environmental management Act. I have further provided the environmental assessment practitioner with written access to all information at my disposal regarding the application, whether such information is favourable to the applicant or not. I am fully aware of and meet the responsibilities in terms of NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 and any other specific and relevant legislation (national and provincial), policies, guidelines and best practice. Signature: ______________________________ Full Name: David Barry Hoare Date: 7 February 2012 Title / Position: Director Qualification(s): PhD Experience (years/ months): 16 years Registration(s): Pr.Sci.Nat. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This flora and fauna Scoping report provides a synthesis of potential ecological issues associated with development of a proposed wind farm on the site. The approach adopted for this desktop study was to identify any critical biodiversity issues that may lead to the decision that the proposed project cannot take place, i.e. to specifically focus on red flags and/or potential fatal flaws. The methodology used to assess the potential impacts of the proposed project was to compile lists of plant and animal species of conservation concern from databases, published literature and lists provided by authorities. In addition, natural areas remaining on site were mapped in detail from aerial imagery. Information on the conservation value of habitats in the study area, in combination with the potential occurrence of plant and animal species of conservation concern, was used to derive a preliminary ecological sensitivity map of the site. Large parts of the site were found, from aerial imagery, to no longer be natural, having been converted by cultivation. Only fragments of natural vegetation still remain on site. These fragments fall within a vegetation type classified as Western Rûens Shale Renosterveld, listed as Critically Endangered and protected according to the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act. There is also some Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos in the western parts of the site, classified as Least Threatened, and some Western Coastal Shale Band Vegetation in bands within the Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, which is also classified as Least Threatened. The renosterveld fragments have been identified in detailed biodiversity assessments as having high conservation value. Other features of potential conservation concern identified in regional plans for the site are wetlands and a river corridor (the Botrivier). There are a small number of animal species of conservation concern that could potentially occur on site. They include two bat species of conservation concern and one frog species with a high probability of occurring on site. The bats are of greatest concern due to the known impact on bats due to turbine blades. There are a total of 257 plant species of conservation concern that have been previously recorded in the region. There is, therefore, a very high probability that plant species of concern will occur in remaining vegetation fragments on site. The preliminary sensitivity assessment rated the renosterveld fragments as having high sensitivity and conservation value, but this could be raised to very high if any plant species of conservation concern are found to occur there. They have been classified as “no go” zones for the proposed development. Potential impacts associated with the proposed development were identified and an initial assessment undertaken. Mitigation measures have been proposed, but some impacts can only be properly assessed once infrastructure positions are known. The most significant potential impacts are on natural vegetation and on plant species of conservation concern. Other impacts of potential significance are loss of habitat for fauna of conservation concern, collision of bats with turbine blades, loss of individuals of protected trees, damage to wetlands, establishment and spread of alien invasive plants and change in ecological processes, especially fire. Terms of reference for the impact assessment phase are provided. They include a field verification of the sensitivity map, an evaluation of the suitability of habitats for plant and animal species of conservation concern and a search for individuals of protected trees. Recommendations are made for additional specialist studies. It is recommended that a detailed wetland delineation study be undertaken and a baseline bat assessment is undertaken. The report concludes that the most important issue for the site is the presence of fragments of renosterveld vegetation that should be treated as “no go” areas. Impacts on these areas cannot be mitigated due to the fact that loss of any of these areas would be a loss of irreplaceable resources. Other potential sensitivities on site are also highlighted, but impacts on these can potentially be mitigated. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROPOSED LANGHOOGTE WIND FARM, WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE: ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING REPORT CONTENTS Chapter Description Page 1 INTRODUCTION 6 1.1 Background 6 1.1.1 Scope of Work 6 1.1.2 Approach 6 1.1.3 Limitations 6 1.1.4 Exclusions 7 1.2 Legislative and Policy Context 7 1.2.1 Legislative requirements 7 1.2.2 Permit requirements 9 1.3 Assessment Methodology 10 1.3.1 Fauna of conservation concern 10 1.3.2 Flora of conservation concern 10 1.3.3 Protected trees 11 1.3.4 Habitat sensitivity assessment 11 1.3.5 Assessment of impacts 13 2 DESCRIPTION OF AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 18 2.1 General Study Area 18 2.1.1 Location 18 2.1.2 Geology 19 2.1.3 Topography 19 2.1.4 Land-use / landcover 19 2.1.5 General vegetation patterns 20 2.1.6 Conservation priorities in the study area 21 2.1.7 Fauna of conservation concern 24 2.1.8 Flora of conservation concern 24 2.1.9 Protected trees 25 2.1.10 Habitat sensitivity 26 3 IMPACTS AND ISSUES IDENTIFICATION 27 3.1 Potential Impacts 27 3.1.1 Loss/fragmentation of natural vegetation 27 2 Proposed Langhoogte Windfarm Date: October 2011 Flora and Fauna Specialist Scoping Study 3.1.2 Loss/fragmentation of populations of plant species of conservation concern 27 3.1.3 Loss of habitat for animal species of conservation concern 28 3.1.4 Loss of bats through collisions with turbine blades 28 3.1.5 Loss of individuals of protected trees 29 3.1.6 Loss of wetlands / impairment of wetland function 29 3.1.7 Establishment and spread of declared weeds and alien invader plants 29 3.1.8 Change in ecological processes maintaining vegetation (fire) 30 3.2 Potential Mitigation Measures 31 3.2.1 Impacts on natural vegetation 31 3.2.2 Loss/fragmentation of populations of plant species of conservation concern 31 3.2.3 Loss of habitat for animal species of conservation concern 31 3.2.4 Loss of bats through collisions with turbine blades 31 3.2.5 Loss of individuals of protected trees 32 3.2.6 Loss of wetlands / impairment of wetland function 32 3.2.7 Establishment and spread of declared weeds and alien invader plants 32 3.2.8 Change in ecological processes maintaining vegetation (fire) 32 4 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE IMPACT ASSESSMENT PHASE 33 4.1 Studies to be undertaken 33 4.1.1 Sensitive vegetation 33 4.1.2 Plant and animal species of concern 33 4.1.3 Protected trees 33 4.2 Recommendations for additional specialist studies 33 4.2.1 Wetlands 33 4.2.2 Bats 33 4.2.3 Threatened plants 34 5 CONCLUSION 35 6 REFERENCES 36 7 APPENDICES 38 7.1 Appendix 1: Plant species of conservation importance that have historically been recorded in the grid in which the study area is located. 38 7.2 Appendix 2: Vertebrate species of conservation concern with a geographical distribution that includes the current study area. 45 7.3 Appendix 3: List of protected tree species (National Forests Act). 48 3 Proposed Langhoogte Windfarm Date: October 2011 Flora and Fauna Specialist Scoping Study 7.4 Appendix 4: Checklist of plant species recorded during previous botanical surveys in the quarter degree grids in which the study area is located. 49 7.5 Appendix 5: Species protected under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act 10 of 2004) 94 4 Proposed Langhoogte Windfarm Date: October 2011 Flora and Fauna Specialist Scoping Study TABLES Table 1: Explanation of sensitivity ratings Table 2: Decision-making and biodiversity management guidelines for features of conservation concern within the Theewaterskloof Municipality FIGURES Figure 1: Location of the proposed Langhoogte Wind Farm.
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