National Road 3: De Beers Pass Section Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report February 2016

NATIONAL ROAD 3: KEEVERSFONTEIN TO WARDEN (DE BEERS PASS SECTION)

CHAPTER 6: THE RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT

6. THE RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT 6.1 REGIONAL LOCATION The section of the N3 under consideration stretches from Keeversfontein (Tugela Toll Plaza) in KwaZulu-Natal to the town of Warden in the Free State. The study area is bounded in the west by the existing N3 and in the east by the proposed De Beers Pass Route (Figure 6-1).

The District Municipalities through which the route alternatives pass are:  Free State: Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality (Figure 6-2); and  KwaZulu-Natal: Uthukela District Municipality (Figure 6-3).

Four Local Municipalities, namely Emnambithi, Pumelela, Okhahlamba and Maluti-a- Phofung are affected.

6.2 CLIMATE This climatic information is gleaned from the Air Quality and Climate Specialist Report undertaken by Airshed (Volume 2: Appendix D).

The following South African Weather Services (SAWS) and Agricultural Research Council (ARC) weather stations were used to provide meteorological data for the study area:  Van Reenen (SAWS identification number 0333682A9);  Warden Heritage (SAWS identification number 0369118A3); and  Harrismith Blokhuis (ARC identification number 30686).

Although some of these stations have statistical summaries dating back to the 1920s, the use of automatic weather stations was only initiated during 2006. This data includes hourly average wind speeds, wind directions, ambient air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure and rainfall.

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Figure 6-1: Regional Location of the Study Area

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Figure 6-2: Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality

6.2.1 Ambient Air Temperature

Table 6-1 shows the monthly variation of historical dry bulb temperature measurements made at Harrismith. This data was taken from the SAWS summary of 1932-1940 (WB40, 1984). The average daily minimum/maximum is the sum of the minimums and maximums for every day in the relevant month divided by the number of records. The average monthly minimum/maximum is the minimum/maximum recorded for each of the relevant months divided by the number of records. The period minimum/maximum is the lowest/highest temperature recorded for the entire reporting period. The very low temperatures are a clear indication of the extremely cold conditions that can be experienced in the study area.

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Figure 6-3: Uthukela District Municipality

Table 6-1: Historical monthly average temperature statistics for Harrismith (WB40, 1984) WB40 (1932-1940)

WB40 (1932 -1940) Average for the Period Month Average Monthly Average Daily (1932 – 1940) Min (°C) Max (°C) Min (°C) Max (°C) Min (°C) Max (°C) Jan 3.9 34.7 6.5 31.2 12.6 25.9 Feb 3.3 32.2 6.7 29.6 12.1 24.9 Mar 3.9 31.7 4.8 28.8 10.1 24.4 Apr -5.6 30 -1.3 27.3 5.7 22.1 May -10 27.2 -5.4 24.4 1.1 19

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WB40 (1932 -1940) Average for the Period Month Average Monthly Average Daily (1932 – 1940) Min (°C) Max (°C) Min (°C) Max (°C) Min (°C) Max (°C) Jun -11.7 23.3 -7.9 20.6 -2.8 16.3 Jul -12.8 23.3 -8.4 20.2 -2.3 15.9 Aug -11.7 26.1 -6.9 24.2 0.1 18.5 Sep -6.7 30 -2.9 28.6 3.8 21.9 Oct -1.1 33.3 1.8 30.5 9 23.8 Nov -2.2 32.8 3 30.6 9.7 23.9 Dec 3.9 32.8 6.1 31.1 11.6 25.1

Table 6-2 is a comparative summary of more recent temperature data for Harrismith and Van Reenen from ARC (2000 – 2004 and 2007 - 2010).

Table 6-2: Historical monthly average temperature statistics for Van Reenen ARC (2000- 2004) and Harrismith ARC (2007-2010)

ARC (2000-2004) ARC (2007-2010) Van Reenen No 30274 Harrismith No 30686 Month Average Daily Average Monthly Average Daily Min (°C) Max (°C) Min (°C) Max (°C) Avg Min (°C) Max (°C)

Jan 11.8 25.1 8.9 30.5 19.5 13.6 25.4 Feb 12.3 25.2 9.1 31.3 19.3 13.5 25.1 Mar 11.4 24.1 0 30.1 18.3 11.6 24.4 Apr 7.5 23.3 -1.9 26.3 14.8 8.1 21.5 May 3.1 20.3 -5.8 26.0 12.1 4.9 19.2 Jun -0.5 17.4 -8.5 25.8 8.9 2.0 15.8 Jul -1.2 14.4 -4.1 22.8 9.2 1.6 16.8 Aug 2.1 21.5 -4.3 27.9 11.4 3.9 18.9 Sep 5.2 21.2 -1.3 30.2 15.4 7.3 23.3 Oct 9.4 24.0 4.5 31.1 16.5 9.9 23.0 Nov 9.8 24.9 6.9 30.6 17.9 11.5 24.2 Dec 12.3 26.6 6.7 30.0 19.1 12.9 25.3

Data was obtained from ARC (2000-2004), an online UK climate database (2000-2008), and measured SAWS hourly data (2009-2010). Average monthly and average daily temperatures from the ARC station (2000-2004) are given in Table 6-2, with SAWS (2009-2010) summaries in Table 6-3.

Table 6-3: Monthly average temperature statistics for Van Reenen (Weather Online, SAWS)

Weather online (2000-2008) SAWS (2009-2010) Van Reenen Harrismith Month Avg Daily Avg Monthly Avg Daily Min (°C) Max (°C) Avg (°C) Min (°C) Max (°C) Avg (°C) Min (°C) Max (°C) Jan 13.9 24.5 19.1 10.9 29.8 18.2 13.0 22.4 Feb 13.4 24.1 18.7 9.1 31.2 18.3 10.6 23.0 Mar 11.7 22.8 17.2 8.2 28 17.1 11.4 21.6 Apr 8.8 21.4 15.1 1.5 26.9 14.2 6.2 18.8 May 4 19.4 11.7 -1.3 29.5 11.5 6.1 16.1 Jun 1.7 16.8 9.2 -7.2 26.4 8.5 0.4 14.8 Jul 1.2 17 9 -8.5 20.8 7.4 0.0 13.3 Aug 4.7 19.5 12.2 -7.2 26.8 10.4 2.7 17.4 Sep 7.5 21.9 14.8 1.8 29.6 15.0 5.9 21.2 Oct 10.6 22.6 16.7 4.6 31 15.4 7.3 22.4 Nov 12.4 23.9 18.1 4.3 29.8 16.4 6.5 22.2 Dec 13.1 24.6 18.8 9.6 31.3 17.8 10.9 22.7

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Table 6-4 shows the average monthly and average daily temperatures for Warden (measured hourly SAWS data for 2009-2010).

Table 6-4: Monthly Average temperature statistics for Warden (SAWS)

SAWS (2009 – 2010) Avg Monthly Avg Daily Month Min (°C) Max (°C) Avg (°C) Min (°C) Max (°C) Jan 12.7 30.8 19.7 15.1 23.1 Feb 10.4 31.5 19.3 12.8 23.9 Mar 8.3 29.8 17.8 14.4 21.2 Apr 1.6 27.9 14.9 7.9 19.4 May -0.3 23.4 12.0 6.7 15.0 Jun -7.2 25 8.8 1.1 15.4 Jul -6.3 21.2 7.9 2.1 12.9 Aug -3.7 26.4 10.9 3.1 17.3 Sep 2.8 29 15.9 10.1 20.2 Oct 3.6 30.5 16.8 7.6 22.7 Nov 6.5 30.7 17.3 8.9 22.4 Dec 9.9 31.5 18.8 13.4 22.8

6.2.2 Wind Speed and Direction Hourly average wind speed and direction data was obtained from the automatic weather stations operated by the SAWS at Van Reenen and Warden. This data was analysed, and summarised as wind roses in Figure 6-4 and Figure 6-5. These wind roses comprise 16 spokes, which represent the directions from which winds blew during the period. The colours reflect the different categories of wind speeds; the grey area in Figure 6-4 and Figure 6-5, for example, represents winds ranging between 1 and 2 m/s. The dotted circles provide information regarding the frequency of wind occurrence (speed and direction categories). For the current wind roses, each dotted circle represents a 5 % frequency of occurrence. The value given in the centre of the circle describes the frequency with which calms occurred, i.e. periods during which the wind speed was below 1 m/s. “Daytime”, “night-time” and “period” wind roses represent the wind conditions during the hours 06h00 to 18h00, 18h00 to 06h00 and 01h00 to 24h00, respectively.

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Figure 6-4: Wind Roses for Van Reenen

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Figure 6-5: Wind Roses for Warden

The only source of wind data for Harrismith (Figure 6-6) was from ARC. The main difference between the two data sets is that the wind was measured at different heights above ground level, viz.10 m for the SAWS and 2 m for the ARC data.

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Figure 6-6: Period Wind Rose for Harrismith The wind conditions at the three sites display different patterns. This is mainly due to the different topographical features present at the three sites. Harrismith is located in a relatively open area with Platberg being the only major influence towards the east. Van Reenen is located immediately east and southeast of the escarpment, and Warden lies in a relatively flat, but undulating landscape.

The period wind roses indicate a generally western, north-western and eastern pattern at Warden and Harrismith, with the strongest winds occurring from the west. The wind

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National Road 3: De Beers Pass SectionDraft Environmental Impact Assessment Report February 2016 pattern at Van Reenen (Figure 6-4) also displays a western and eastern predominance, but it is slightly shifted clockwise. The prevailing winds are north-westerly and south- easterly. The strongest wind speeds are generally observed from the north-west, which is similar to the observed westerly winds at Warden and Harrismith. The highest frequency of these strong north-westerly winds at Van Reenen occurs during day time.

A low percentage of calm wind conditions has been measured at Van Reenen (3.3%), compared with Harrismith (17.2%) and Warden (13.7%).

According to the data received from SAWS and ARC, the highest hourly average wind was 15 m/s. The South African National Standards (SANS) issued a wind loading standard SANS 10160-1989 (SANS 1994), which provides regional 3-second gust speeds, and maximum hourly mean wind speeds for a 50 year return period. According to this code, the regional 3-second gust is 40 m/s (144 km/h) and the maximum mean hourly wind speed is 20 m/s (72 km/h).

6.2.3 Rainfall Monthly average rainfall statistics for a number of stations in the region were obtained from ARC and summarised in Table 6-5 and Figure 6-7. The location of these stations is shown Figure 6-8.

The data clearly illustrates the dominance of summer rain with the highest rainfall generally occurring during December and January.

The mean annual rainfall was estimated for these stations, and summarised in Table 6-6. The highest annual mean rainfall is observed along the edge and the immediate vicinity of the escarpment, viz. 1 000 to 1 200 mm.

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National Road 3: De Beers Pass Section Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report February 2016 Table 6-5: Monthly mean rainfall in mm for ARC and SAWS stations

Harrismith Warden - Buckland Harrismith - Warden - Rooikraal Driehoek Knockshegowan Carbuttdene Van Reenen* - TNK Mag Downs Blokhuis Heritage* Month 1907- 1962-1983 1917-2003 1915-1944 1915-1946 1921-2004 1977-1981 2006-2010 2009-2010 2009-2010 1993 Jan 137.3 100 98 117.5 111.1 111.5 112.8 150 244 85 Feb 83.5 76.6 83.3 120.4 82.1 67.8 90.3 92.6 143.9 31.7 Mar 55.6 63.9 71.2 93.7 68.9 80.8 72.7 64.2 93.3 73.9 Apr 42.4 34.4 30.1 33.2 42.1 8.2 40.1 41.9 49.6 20.6 May 17.8 18.3 20.9 26.7 19.9 11.7 17.9 12.1 8.6 4.1 Jun 8.6 8.6 13.1 13.4 9.4 0 8.8 13.3 27 7.9 Jul 6.4 7.4 12 14.1 8.3 8.3 8.5 0.6 2.2 0.2 Aug 14.1 17.3 14.4 18.9 12.2 50.8 14.6 15.6 18.8 8.4 Sep 28.8 32.1 33.1 42.8 30.5 54 31.8 14.1 22 7 Oct 61.8 66.4 63.7 70.4 71.3 60.5 80.5 58.3 91.3 30.2 Nov 87.8 93 94 102.9 89.6 60.8 101.2 92.6 135.1 44.1 Dec 96.1 98.7 88.8 109.6 96.9 107.8 109.5 137.1 174.2 135.1 Note: * - SAWS stations

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Monthly rainfall for various rainfall stations across the region

300

250

200

150 Rainfall(mm) 100

50

0 Jan Feb Mar Apl May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Months

Rooikraal (1962-1983) Driehoek (1915-1944) Knockshegow an (1915-1946) Carbuttdene (1977-1981) Buckland Dow ns (1906-1996) Harrismith - TNK (1916-2004) Harrismith - Blokhuis (2007-2010) Warden - Mag (1919-2004) Warden - Heritage (2009-2010) Van Reenen (2009-2010)

Figure 6-7: Monthly rainfall for various measuring stations across the study region

The mean annual rainfall below the escarpment ranges between 800 and 1 000 mm. This rainfall range is also observed on the plateau towards the mountainous eastern region of the study area and in the northern part of the study area.

Table 6-6: Calculated mean annual rainfall for a number of stations in the study area MAP ID Station Period Years with missing data (mm) 14812 Rooikraal 645.0 1962-1983 14821 Harrismith - TNK 618.2 1917-2003 1947-1956, 1990-1992 14832 Driehoek 581.0 1916-1943 14837 Knockshegowan 746.2 1916-1945 1931-1934 15312 Warden - Mag 624.8 1921-2003 1997-1998 15314 Carbuttdene 582.5 1978-1980 15325 Buckland Downs 686.1 1907-1993 1953-1956 30686 Harrismith - Blokhuis 578.8 2005-2010 2005, 2010

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Figure 6-8: Location of Rainfall Stations (Source: ARC and SAWS)

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The last two years’ rainfall data (SAWS) for Van Reenen and Warden are summarised in Table 6-7. Van Reenen clearly received much more rain than Warden, i.e. 1 010 mm at Van Reenen compared to 448 mm at Warden.

The number of rain days was also nearly twice as much at Van Reenen than at Warden.

Summaries of extreme 24-hour rainfall events for Harrismith and Warden are given in Table 6-8 and Table 6-9. The projected extremes are significantly higher at Warden than at Harrismith.

Table 6-7: Rainfall statistics and maximum 24-hour rainfall in mm for Van Reenen and Warden (2009-2010, SAWS)

Van Reenen Warden 2009-2010 2009-2010 Month Avg No Rain Avg Max 24-hr Avg Max 24-hr Avg No Rain Days Days Jan 244 83.4 21 85 39.6 11 Feb 143.9 62.6 13.5 31.7 25.8 10 Mar 93.3 32.2 16 73.9 33.4 11 Apr 49.6 26.2 11.5 20.6 33.4 7 May 8.6 8.8 3.5 4.1 2.4 4 Jun 27 41.2 5 7.9 7.6 4.5 Jul 2.2 4.2 1 0.2 0.2 2 Aug 18.8 34.8 2.5 8.4 14.4 2.5 Sep 22 13.4 7.5 7 9.6 2.5 Oct 91.3 38.6 17 30.2 19.2 8 Nov 135.1 43.4 17.5 44.1 27.6 17 Des 174.2 68 23.5 135.1 71.2 19 Annual 1010 139.5 448.2 74.5

Table 6-8: The maximum 24-hour Rainfall in mm for a number of return periods (in years) for Harrismith (1999 – 2010, SAWS)

Return Period (year) Month 1:5 1:10 1:15 1:20 1:25 1:50 1:100 Jan 47.1 47.9 48.2 48.6 48.8 49.5 50.2 Feb 40.5 41.3 41.6 42.0 42.2 42.9 43.6 Mar 28.9 29.7 30.1 30.4 30.6 31.3 32.0 Apr 27.1 27.8 28.2 28.5 28.8 29.5 30.2 May 17.3 18.0 18.4 18.7 19.0 19.7 20.4 Jun 11.2 11.9 12.3 12.7 12.9 13.6 14.3 Jul 3.8 4.6 5.0 5.3 5.5 6.2 6.9 Aug 14.0 14.7 15.1 15.4 15.7 16.4 17.1 Sep 19.5 20.2 20.6 20.9 21.2 21.9 22.6 Oct 24.1 24.9 25.3 25.6 25.8 26.5 27.2 Nov 28.3 29.0 29.4 29.7 30.0 30.7 31.4 Dec 38.0 38.8 39.1 39.5 39.7 40.4 41.1

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Return Period (year) Month 1:5 1:10 1:15 1:20 1:25 1:50 1:100 Year 63.1 63.9 64.2 64.6 64.8 65.5 66.2

Table 6-9: The maximum 24-hour rainfall in mm for a number of return periods (in years) for Warden (1921-2010, SAWS)

Return Period (year) Month 1:5 1:10 1:15 1:20 1:25 1:50 1:100 Jan 49.1 49.9 50.2 50.6 50.8 51.5 52.2 Feb 38.1 38.9 39.2 39.6 39.8 40.5 41.2 Mar 36.7 37.5 37.8 38.2 38.4 39.1 39.8 Apr 27.8 28.6 29.0 29.3 29.5 30.2 30.9 May 19.8 20.5 20.9 21.2 21.5 22.2 22.9 Jun 11.0 11.8 12.1 12.5 12.7 13.4 14.1 Jul 10.8 11.5 11.9 12.3 12.5 13.2 13.9 Aug 12.3 13.0 13.4 13.8 14.0 14.7 15.4 Sep 23.1 23.9 24.3 24.6 24.8 25.5 26.2 Oct 32.6 33.4 33.7 34.1 34.3 35.0 35.7 Nov 40.1 40.8 41.2 41.5 41.8 42.5 43.2 Dec 41.6 42.3 42.7 43.1 43.3 44.0 44.7 Year 70.1 70.8 71.2 71.6 71.8 72.5 73.2

6.2.4 Relative Humidity Relative humidity plays a significant role in the formation of fog.

Unfortunately, only a few observations of relative humidity are available for the study area. Table 6-10 is a summary of monthly average relative humidity for the period 2009-2010 for Van Reenen, Warden and Harrismith.

According to Mr Johann van Niekerk (Chairman, Warden District Farmers Union and local landowner), fog is observed along the DBPR mostly during the period from mid- April to the start of the summer rain during October, and specifically in the section between the Lincoln Interchange and Warden.

Table 6-10: Monthly relative humidity statistics for Van Reenen, Warden (2009-2010, SAWS) and Harrismith (2007-2010, ARC)

Van Reenen Warden Harrismith Month Min (%) Max (%) Avg (%) Min (%) Max (%) Avg (%) Min (%) Max (%) Avg (%) Jan 16 98 80 15 96 76 13 97 66 Feb 24 98 77 23 97 74 13 97 66 Mar 25 98 76 24 98 72 11 98 64 Apr 20 97 72 15 99 68 11 97 60 May 15 97 63 14 100 61 7 96 53 Jun 10 98 58 6 99 57 7 98 56 Jul 7 98 54 7 99 51 5 98 49 Aug 5 97 52 7 99 50 4 97 47 Sep 5 98 52 6 99 47 5 97 51 Oct 10 97 68 10 99 61 9 97 62 Nov 13 97 71 12 97 68 9 97 63

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Van Reenen Warden Harrismith Month Min (%) Max (%) Avg (%) Min (%) Max (%) Avg (%) Min (%) Max (%) Avg (%) Dec 16 97 74 15 98 70 6 97 65

Wetlands have also been seen to increase fog formation. Due to the high number of wetlands along the DBPR, fog is expected to be more frequent than along the existing N3.

6.2.5 Severe and Rare Phenomena Historical weather observations in the region recorded by SAWS indicate frequent snow, hail and tornadoes/strong winds in the study area (Table 6-11).

Table 6-11: Number of days with snow, hail, strong winds and tornadoes per month

Severe Snow Severe Hail Strong Winds Tornadoes Harrismith (1642 m) Jan 1 (1967, 1995) Feb Mar Apr May 2 (1950) 1 (1992) 1 (1949) Jun Jul 4.3 (1987, 1996, 2001) Aug Average Number of Days with Severe Snow Severe Hail Strong Winds Tornadoes Sep 2.7 (1921, 1981, 2001) Oct 1 (1990) 1 (1989) Nov 1 (1939) 1 (1958, 1967, 1998) Dec 1 (1991) Van Reenen (1680 m) Jan 1 (1982) Feb Mar Apr May Jun 2 (2007) 1 (2007) Jul 6 (2001) Aug 2 (1987) Sep 3.5 (1921, 2001) Oct

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Severe Snow Severe Hail Strong Winds Tornadoes Nov Dec Warden (1770 m) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 2.5 (1981, 2001) Oct Nov 1 (1989) Dec

Snow Snowfall is a fairly regular phenomenon along the escarpment, and as shown in Table 6-11, severe snow occurs fairly regularly. According to Mr van Niekerk, significantly more frequent snowfalls occur along the DBPR than near Harrismith. This is most likely due to the higher altitude of the DBPR compared to the alternatives.

Tropical Cyclones The study area is not located on a hurricane track or adjacent to a warm ocean. Therefore it is not expected that the site will experience a hurricane, or at least there is a very low probability. However, it is important to note the difference between a hurricane and hurricane force winds. The latter refers to a wind speed scale called the Beaufort Scale, where hurricane force winds are those with speeds in excess of 118 km/h. Such winds (excluding the occurrence of tornadoes) have an estimated likelihood of about one occurrence in 10 years.

Tornadoes Tornadoes in South Africa are typically associated with very hot air masses and severe thunderstorms. The most commonly method used to classify tornadoes is the Fujita-Pearson scale classification. This system classifies tornadoes in six intensities, ranging from F0 (no damage) to F5 (incredible damage). The intensity is based on the apparent damage to structures, the extent of the path and other descriptors from which wind speeds are then inferred (Figure 6-9).

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Figure 6-9: Mean annual occurrence of tornadoes (excluding events with an intensity of F0 on Fujita Scale) Based on an analysis of the occurrence of South African tornadoes for the period 1905 to 1997 by SAWS (Goliger et al, 1997), most tornadoes have been observed in Gauteng, the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal (along a line from Pietermaritzburg to Ladysmith) and the north-eastern areas of the Eastern Cape.

Goliger et al (1997) reported a highest wind speed in South Africa of 100 m/s measured during a tornado event. Furthermore, it was estimated that the likelihood of a tornado with a rotational wind speed of more than 90 m/s (324 km/h) would occur in less than 1.6% of all tornadoes. Given that the estimated probability of a tornado is 5 x 10-5 per year in the study area, this corresponds to a risk of about 8 x 10-7 per year. Five tornadoes were recorded at Harrismith and Van Reenen, but none at Warden

Hail The average number of days with hail in the study area varies, with the higher frequency occurring in the south-western and north-eastern parts of the study area, viz. 5 to 7 days per annum. The rest of the study area experiences hail on 3 to 5 days per annum.

Lightning A new Lightning Detection Network has recently (2006) been set up by the SAWS in South Africa. According to this network, the study area experiences between 6 and

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10 lightning flashes per year per km². The lightning frequency is higher towards the eastern region of the study area (9 to 10 flashes per year per km²), and reduces towards the western part (6 to 7 flashes per year per km²).

6.3 EXISTING AIR QUALITY This section is based in the Air Quality and Climate Specialist Report undertaken by Airshed (Volume 2: Appendix D). Apart from Harrismith, most of the study area has a low level of industrial activity. Commercial activities, albeit relatively small, vehicular exhausts and the use of wood and coal in Harrismith, Van Reenen, Warden and Swinburn may result in elevated pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and fine particulate matter. The use of solvents and fuel (mainly petrol) evaporation would also result in some volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.

An indication of NOx air concentration levels is provided in the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality SEMP (2007). The ambient concentrations of NO and NO2 were monitored in Harrismith, Phuthaditjhaba and Kestell. The sites were located near historical pollution contributors. Two, one week average snapshots were completed in November 2006 and April 2007. The observed NO concentrations were about 22μg/m³ and 27 μg/m³ for the two monitoring periods. The observed NO2 concentrations were lower, viz. about 17 μg/m³ (9 ppb) and 21 μg/m³ (11 ppb) for the two monitoring periods.

Moving away from these centres, which includes most of the land impacted by the proposed route alternatives, the only sources of air pollution are the current farming activities. These emissions are mainly airborne particulates, such as those produced by tilling, ploughing of fields (Figure 6-10) and harvesting.

Figure 6-10: Airborne dust is generated during ploughing of fields

Significant emissions of dust are also evident from vehicles travelling on the gravel roads in the study area (Figure 6-11).

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Figure 6-11: The number of gravel roads in the study area contributes significantly to the airborne particulate concentrations

According to the current understanding of the air quality in South Africa (DEA 2009), the air concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in rural regions, would range between 0.5 and 4.5 ppb. Similarly, the expected sulphur dioxide air concentrations would be between 0.5 and 2.5 ppb (DEA 2009). The DEA (DEA 2009) recommends a background inhalable particulate concentration of 16.39 μg/m³. Due to the agricultural activities, daily average inhalable particulate concentrations are therefore expected to be about 20 μg/m³ or less. Air concentrations of VOC, such as benzene are expected to be very low (less than 2 ppb for benzene and less than 10 μg/m³ for combined VOC) (DEA 2009).

6.4 GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY 6.4.1 Description of Geology The project area overlies relatively young rocks of the Karoo Supergroup. The proposed project and alternatives investigated in this study run across mostly Beaufort mudrocks and sandstones of about 250 million years of age, with a small representation of slightly older Ecca shales in the south. These are all sedimentary rocks and their deposition in inland seas of the supercontinent Gondwana coincided with the appearance of the reptiles as the dominant terrestrial animals that, with the associated flora of the time, were widely preserved as fossils. About 180 million years

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National Road 3: De Beers Pass Section Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report February 2016 ago these Karoo sediments were intruded by magma that forced itself into more or less vertical cracks (now represented by dykes) and into more or less horizontal layers (now called sills). The rock of the now hardened dykes and sills is called Karoo Dolerite.

In places along the Drakensberg large scale mass movements (landslides), up to 600 m wide, are evident on steep slopes (Figure 6-12). These are relatively recent (probably less than 5 000 years old) on the evidence of some modification by erosion and their stabilization by vegetation. Small, arcuate slip scars and associated debris slides, reflecting the movement of the uppermost 1-3 m of loose material, are numerous on the upper slopes (Figure 6-13).

Figure 6-12: Large scale mass movements

Figure 6-13: Large scale mass movements east of De Beers Pass

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6.4.2 Geology Implications for the De Beers Pass Route The DBPR will require many sections of cut and fill. These new surfaces will need stabilisation to prevent erosion. The slopes should be matched to the material type with harder material having steeper batters than softer cuttings or placed fill material.

Excavation or blasting in sandstone will most likely expose fossils. If this is the case the rock will have to be removed to another site for examination by a Palaeontologist.

6.5 SOILS 6.5.1 Description of soils From the Tugela Plaza to the foot of the Drakensberg there are bottomland black clays, duplex soils on the pediments, and on the toplands shallow profiles with frequent hard rock (dolerite). The duplex soils comprise light textured A-horizons with strongly textured sub-soil that is often sodic. Duplex soils are very erodible. The frequently underlying Ecca and Beaufort mudrocks are hard when unweathered but upon exposure they slake – the rock fragments into small pieces that are easily eroded off exposing fresh rock that in turn also weathers and washes off. Extensive gullies are a feature of the region (Figure 6-14), and an example occurs both sides of the N3 about 3 km south of the Tugela Plaza. Duplex soils and the underlying slaking shales need a dense perennial grass cover for protection, but provided the post- construction rehabilitation is well done, and the road drainage system appropriately designed, the naturally high landscape erodibility can be managed.

On the Drakensberg, soil depths are predominantly shallow over weathered or hard rock. However, deeper humic and leached yellow profiles have developed in the transitional hilly zones above and below the scarp.

Figure 6-14: Erosion in Ecca and Beaufort mudrocks

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Inland of the Drakensberg is undulating country with projecting inselbergs such as Platberg, Tandjiesberg, Rensburgs Kop and Nelsons Kop. The sandstone-capped ridges, with yellow soils on some the crests, are separated by valleys which are largely underlain by mudrock. Most of the valley soils have profiles which indicate impeded drainage within the subsoils, which are clayey and moderately to strongly structured. These soils, together with the underlying mudrock saprolite, are highly erodible, as is evidenced by the development of extensive donga networks within them. Several major rivers (Wilge, Meul and Cornelis) cross the area, and have associated wetland belts with gleyed, often organic-rich soils.

6.5.2 Soil Implications for the De Beers Pass Route The majority of soils on the Free State Highveld between Warden and Van Reenen are derived from the underlying sandstone and mudstone, and therefore when stripped of vegetation, are easily eroded. The high winds in the area can compound the erosion problem if large areas are stripped of vegetation for the road and ancillary works. Similarly, the soils of the KwaZulu-Natal highlands off the escarpment have a sandy texture and will also be vulnerable to erosion.

6.6 WETLANDS 6.6.1 Description of Wetlands In terms of the National Water Act 36 of 1998 (NWA) section 1 (1) (xxix), “wetland” means land which is transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems. The water table is usually at or near the surface, or the land is periodically covered with shallow water. Under normal circumstances, a wetland supports vegetation typically adapted to life in saturated soils.

The study area includes the upper catchment of three rivers, viz the Wilge River in the south near Van Reenen, the Meul River in the middle and the Cornelis in the north near Warden. The large volume of water from the frequent storms that occur over the escarpment in conjunction with the geology of sandstone and shales with dykes and sills results in many wetlands in the form of seeps, floodplains, seasonal streams and pans.

Constructed wetlands are increasingly being incorporated into highway design to attenuate runoff from the impervious road surface and to polish the water before it reaches rivers and streams. Existing wetlands also contributes to the maintenance of the quality of water in streams by reducing, and even preventing, contaminations carried from the road from reaching the regions rivers.

6.6.2 Wetland Implications for the De Beers Pass Route Given the importance of wetlands in the context of good quality water provision for the nation and the region, all wetlands should be taken into consideration during road design and construction. Roads that cross or are located close to these wetlands are likely to cause contaminants to enter these water bodies due to water

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6.7 FLORA 6.7.1 Regional Vegetation Eleven regional vegetation units representing three biomes are associated with the proposed route alternatives (Figure 6-15). The proposed route alternatives above the escarpment in the Free State are associated with the Eastern Free State Sandy Grassland and Eastern Free State Clay Grassland. These vegetation units are classified as threatened. Below the escarpment in Kwazulu-Natal, the proposed routes traverse three regional vegetation units, of which only one is classified as threatened.

6.7.2 Threatened / Red Data Plants The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI’s) interim Red Data flora list indicates that 149 threatened (Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered) Red Data plants occur in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State. Of these species, 23 (15%) are considered to be Critically Endangered, 34 (23%) Endangered, and 92 (62%) Vulnerable.

Of the 156 species recorded during the study along the proposed route alignments, six species are classified as protected in the Free State in terms of the Free State Conservation ordinance. They are Dierama medium, Gladiolus crassifolius, Gladiolus elliotii, Eucomis autumnalis subsp. autumnalis, Cussonia spicata and Scilla nervosa.

Four of the same species and two additional species are classified as protected in KwaZulu-Natal in terms of the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Management Act (Act No. 9 of 1997), namely: Ledebouria ovatifolia and Habenaria dives. No threatened Red Data flora were recorded within the areas sampled.

It should be noted that the list of protected species is not comprehensive, as a survey of every hectare of natural vegetation along the proposed routes was not carried out. Consequently one cannot assume that no protected or threatened Red Data flora occur along the proposed routes. The actual presence of these species of concern can only be confirmed during the search and rescue during project implementation.

For a complete list of species recorded during the Flora and Fauna Specialist Study refer to Volume 2: Appendix F.

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Figure 6-15: Distribution and extent of regional vegetation units within the area of influence of the proposed route alternatives

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6.7.3 Medicinal Plant Species Five species with medicinal properties where recorded during the survey: Centella asiatica, Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Pelargonium luridum, Scabiosa columbaria and Vernonia oligocephala (Van Wyk, Van Oudtshoorn & Gericke, 2000).

6.7.4 Invasive Plant Species Only two declared alien invasive species in terms of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (No 43 of 1983) were recorded during the Flora Impact Study. They are Cirsium vulgare and Pyracantha angustifolia.

6.7.5 Flora Implications for the De Beers Pass Route The most suitable route in terms of the vegetation conservation is that which traverses the least natural vegetation; in other words traverses the most transformed areas such as cultivated lands and plantations or follows existing transformed linear structures such as roads.

The introduction of a greenfields route into a grassland biome will increase the fire risk, and therefore the fire response teams will need to be brought to optimum efficiency to reduce fire damage.

6.8 AVIFAUNA 6.8.1 Birds in the study area Two hundred and fifty nine (259) bird species were recorded during this study (See Volume 2: Appendix G: Avifauna Specialist Report for a complete list).

Thirty eight Red Data species occur in the study area. Of these, eight are of extreme conservation significance and concern. These species are: Denham’s Bustard, Blue Korhaan, White-bellied Korhaan, Grey Crowned Crane, Blue Crane, Secretarybird, Southern Bald Ibis and Botha’s Lark. A Bearded Vulture breeding site at Nelson’s Kop and a Lanner Falcon breeding site at the Bramhoek main waterfall/gorge are also of concern.

6.8.2 Important Bird Areas (IBA’s)

 Alex Pan Alex Pan is recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) on the basis of large numbers of Grey Crowned Cranes and Blue Cranes, as well as smaller numbers of Wattled Cranes, that regularly roost there. Southern Bald Ibis, Rudd’s and Botha’s Larks and Yellow-breasted Pipit have also been seen there (Barnes 1998). This study confirmed the value of the site to cranes, as well as the presence of Southern Bald Ibis and Botha’s Larks in this area. Rudd’s Lark and Yellow-breasted Pipit (which are believed unlikely to occur there) were not found. The data gathered as part of this study showed the general area to support a substantial presence of Blue Korhaans (in particular), Denham’s Bustards and Secretarybirds, and the occurrence

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 Murphy’s Rust Murphy’s Rust is recognised as an IBA on the basis of it potentially providing important habitat for White-winged Flufftails (the presence of this species there requires confirmation), as well as the presence of the Grey Crowned Cranes, Blue Cranes and Southern Bald Ibis (Barnes 1998). This study confirmed the presence of a breeding pair of Grey Crowned Cranes in the wetland (Malcolm Drummond) and Blue Cranes and Southern Bald Ibis in the general area. The IBA, however, lies far from both the project and alternatives, i.e. 5 km south of the De Beers Pass Route and about the same distance north of Alternative A and C Routes at their closest respective points. Should the DBPR be implemented, however, this could result in increased traffic (and associated disturbance and road works) along the road linking the two routes, which passes directly through the eastern part of the IBA.

6.8.3 Avifauna Implications for the De Beers Pass Route The environmental impact of roads on bird populations include the destruction and degradation of bird habitat, mortalities resulting from collisions with motor vehicles, disturbance resulting from vehicle noise, increased litter hazards, potential dangers imposed by overhead utility lines and exacerbated fire risks.

The alignment of the road should avoid by some distance the two IBA’s in order not to disturb breeding and roosting vulnerable bird species.

6.9 HERITAGE 6.9.1 Current Socio Economic Structure The principal urban centres of the study area comprise the hamlets of Van Reenen and Swinburne and the towns of Warden and Harrismith. They all lie immediately adjacent to the existing N3 and provide a wide range of facilities and services to travellers, tourists and the transport industry.

Harrismith was founded in 1849 and named in honour of British Governor Sir Harry Smith, who tried to persuade disillusioned Voortrekkers not to abandon Natal after its establishment as a Crown Colony in 1848. The town is one of the oldest in the Free State and it was established due to its strategic position on the transport route between Natal and the goldfields of the Witwatersrand and the diamond fields of Kimberley. Consequently it was used as a major base by the British during and after the Anglo Boer War. A blockhouse, detention barracks and a military cemetery attest to their presence at the turn of the 20th century. Fine examples of characteristic Free State dressed-sandstone buildings, both public and private, still adorn the town.

Harrismith, with its landmark Platberg, today serves as a tourist gateway to the south eastern Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and the Drakensberg. The town’s industrial and

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Warden is named for a former Harrismith magistrate, Charles Warden, and has one of the largest Dutch Reformed churches in South Africa, with seating for 1 750 people. Warden, and both Swinburne and Van Reenen, serve as important travel and transport service centres along the N3.

Outside of the urban nodes the study area is one of contrasting intensive crop production (predominantly maize, beans, soya, sorghum and sunflowers) and extensive livestock production. To the east of Harrismith, towards the Tandjiesberg, De Beers Pass and Normandien, the steeper and more broken topography above the escarpment and seasonally harsher climatic conditions render the area primarily suited to cattle production. This has resulted in an agrarian landscape little transformed after more than a century.

6.9.2 Typical Heritage Resources Transient Later Stone Age hunter-gatherer bands traversed this seasonally harsh Highveld environment in the spring and summer in search of flowering colonies of geophytes for staple food and following migratory game and birds for the hunt. Archaeological evidence of these practices are found in numerous sandstone shelters and overhangs throughout the study area. Some shelters contain rock paintings which evidence hunter-gatherer social relations and cosmology. Food and stone tool residues, charcoal and ash from hearth fires and bedding material comprise some of the content of these cultural deposits that span the last 8 000 years.

From around the 15th century mixed-farming communities of both Nguni and Sotho- speaking origins began to settle in the upper reaches of the larger river drainage basins. The circular and lobed stone walled settlements within the study area are the archaeological evidence of these first farmers.

Much of this way of life was severely disrupted during the difaqane (tribal conflict) at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries as villages and entire communities were forced to flee the deprivations of both raiding armies and desperate bands of starving and deposed tribes. Limited resettlement occurred later in the 19th century as some people returned to their natal homes and the dispossessed took opportunistic advantage of a depopulated landscape. However, this was short lived, as both Voortrekkers and British colonists began to layout and take title of farms after 1850, and most tribes were further dispossessed of land, becoming labour tenants within commercial farming ventures.

The homesteads and associated agricultural infrastructure and expansion of these commercial farming ventures represent the changing face of this agrarian landscape over the last 150 years.

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6.9.3 Palaeontology The most significant geological event affecting the study area was the Permian Extinction Event approximately 250 million years ago, when an estimated 85% of all life on Earth was exterminated. This event is uniquely situated at 1 700 m to 1 720 m above sea level. Therefore there is a very high possibility of finding both plant and vertebrate fossils associated with the middle and upper parts of the Normandien Formation over extensive lengths of the proposed DBPR and alternatives. Refer to Volume 2; Appendix H.1 for the detailed findings of the Palaeontology Impact Study.

6.9.4 Heritage Resources along the De Beers Pass Route The following heritage resources have been identified along the proposed route (detailed in Volume 2: Appendix H).

Graves and Burial Grounds One stone packed grave, a family burial ground dating back to before 1890, and a historical “veepos” and labourers’ residence with attendant graves is located along this route. All human remains have high heritage significance at all levels for their social, cultural and spiritual values.

Places A grove of oak trees planted by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick c.1910-1920 in the layout of a Union Jack, and associated with the historical farmstead of Buckland Downs, has medium heritage significance at all levels for its aesthetic, social and historical values, given its association with a person of national stature.

The historical farmstead precinct of Somersvlakte has medium heritage significance at the local level for its aesthetic, architectural and historical values.

Archaeological Sites Two Late Iron Age archaeological stone-walled sites located along the DBPR have low heritage significance at the local and regional levels for their scientific and historical values, unless graves are present, in which case they have high heritage significance at all levels.

A further two stone-walled settlements have high heritage significance at all levels for their spiritual, social and cultural values, due to the presence of ancestral graves.

One circular and lobed stone-walled settlement on Keeversfontein farm has medium heritage significance at provincial level for its scientific and historical values, while an extensive Late Iron Age and Historical stone-walled settlement on Welkom / Maritz Drift farm has high heritage significance at provincial level for its scientific and historical values.

Two rock shelters with paintings occur along the DBPR. One contains archaeological deposits. Both sites have high heritage significance at all levels for their aesthetic, scientific and historical values.

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Landscapes and Natural Features The DBPR has high heritage significance at the local, regional and provincial levels for its aesthetic, social, scientific and historical values. Given its agrarian nature with extremely limited infrastructure, the untransformed landscape over most of the proposed route, the significance of its ecology and biodiversity, as well as its association with the early black and colonial farming history of the region, make this corridor unique.

Palaeontological Sites The Karoo Basin in South Africa is well known for the fact that it represents the most complete sequence of sedimentary history in the Gondwana Basin, and contains the remains of most of the mammal-like reptiles or therapsids that roamed the earth during the Permian times. The alternative routes of the De Beers Pass Route will all present a unique opportunity to find some important fossils related to several extinction events in the history of this sedimentary basin.

Animal fossils that can be expected include therapsids; e.g. Dicynodonts, Gorgonopsians, Lystrosaurus species and burrowing reptiles like Trirachodon sp. Plant Fossils that can be expected include examples of the seeding fern Dicroiidium sp and fossilised tree stumps of the Glossopteris sp.

There is a very high possibility of finding fossils in approximately three quarters of the DBPR. Fossils will most probably be present in all outcrops along this section of the route, and the chances of finding fossils during construction are very high. Fossils might be present in outcrops on the remainder of the route.

Refer to Figure 6-16 for locations of all Heritage Resources recorded during the Heritage Impact Study field surveys. For detailed descriptions of all identified heritage resources in the study area, refer to Table 2 of Volume 2: Appendix H.

The DBPR will have site-specific permanent direct negative impacts on at least 13 discrete heritage resource locations, as well as on palaeontological sites along much of the route. The impact on such resources may be managed by removal (for example, ancestral graves), or recovery of information (recording and/or excavation of archaeological and palaeontological sites, for example).

6.9.5 Heritage Resources along Alternatives A and C The following heritage resources have been identified along these two route alternatives (detailed in Volume 2: Appendix H):

 Graves and Burial Grounds Thirteen stone packed grave locations were identified along the alternatives, many of which are located in association with Iron Age stone-walled sites. All human remains have high heritage significance at all levels for their social, cultural and spiritual values.

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Further graves and cemeteries are associated with historical farmsteads and their attendant tenant places of residence.

 Buildings and Structures older than 60 years The ruin of a historical farmhouse is located in Alternative A, but has low heritage significance at the local level for its historical value. The Pitchers Rest farmstead with buildings is affected by Deviation 4.

 Archaeological Sites Fourteen Late Iron Age archaeological stone-walled sites are located along the alternatives. They have high heritage significance at provincial level for their scientific and historical values, and for their association with ancestral graves. A further two stone-walled archaeological sites have medium heritage significance at provincial level for their scientific and historical values.

 Battlefields Structures associated with the Anglo-Boer War are located at three places along these route alternatives. All have medium heritage significance at provincial and national levels for their social, scientific and historical values.

 Landscapes and Natural Features The landscape comprising Platberg and the Botanical Gardens with dams, canals and water furrows associated with the early water supply to Harrismith has medium heritage significance at the local level for its aesthetic, social, scientific and historical values, given its association with, and contribution to, the sense of place of the town of Harrismith, its association with the Anglo-Boer War, its ecological importance, and its recreational use.

The “greenfield” sections of this proposed route realignment have medium heritage significance at the local and regional levels for their aesthetic, social, scientific and historical values, given their agrarian nature and association with both the Anglo- Boer War and the early settlement of black farming communities in the region.

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Figure 6-16: Heritage Resource Locations

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 Palaeontological Sites There is a very high possibility of finding fossils of a specific assemblage zone in approximately 90% of the proposed route alternatives. Fossils will most probably be present in all outcrops along limited section of the route and the chances of finding fossils during the construction phase are very high. Fossils might be present in outcrops on the remainder of the route.

Alternatives A and C will have site-specific permanent direct negative impacts on at least 33 discrete heritage resource locations, as well as on palaeontological sites along much of the route. The impact on such resources may be managed by removal (for example, ancestral graves), or recovery of information (recording and/or excavation of archaeological and paleontological sites, for example).

The impact on the landscape comprising Platberg and the Botanical Gardens may be mitigated by reducing visual and noise effects by in-cutting where the road traverses the lower slopes of the mountain. The heritage significance of this resource will thereby be reduced.

However, the heritage significance of the “greenfield” sections of this route will be compromised permanently, since visual mitigation of the proposed road in this agrarian landscape will be limited. This will be particularly severe along Alternative A towards Van Reenen’s Pass, where cut and fill sections will bring permanent transformations to the landforms.

6.9.6 Heritage Implications for the De Beers Pass Route The heritage significance of an area includes, buildings, structures, equipment, places with oral traditions, historical settlements, townscapes, landscape, natural features, geological sites of scientific or cultural importance, archaeological and palaeontological sites, graves and burial grounds, and sites related to the history of slavery and wars in South Africa. Most are present in the study area and can be mitigated by mapping, relocation or minor route adjustments to avoid important sites. This will require provision for mitigation during the project, as it is likely that with closer inspection during the construction period additional sites will be identified.

6.10 VISUAL 6.10.1 Description of the Natural Physical Elements The natural physical elements are described according to broad topographical regions (Figure 6-17). These landscape types correlate closely with the vegetation types as described by Low and Rebelo (1996) as these types take into account the topographical makeup of the area. The DBPR and alternatives traverse four distinct landscape types and one biome.

These landscape types have been used solely for the purpose of defining the landscape components and are not intended to refer to the Flora studies.

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Figure 6-17: Landscape Types

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The landscape types are:  Moist Cool Highveld Grassland;  Moist Cold Highveld Grassland;  Wet Cold Highveld Grassland; and  North-eastern Mountain Grassland.

The extent of the visual impact of the project will depend on the following characteristics of the receiving environment:  Topography;  Vegetation Cover;  Land Use;  Visibility;  Land Diversity; and  Landscape Character.

The above characteristics are summarised in Table 6-12 for the DBPR and alternatives. 6.10.2 Visual Implications for the De Beers Pass Route The DBPR traverses a landscape that is the most scenic of the alternative routes, as a result of its rural character, and the more diverse topographical features of the highland plateau, the escarpment and foot hills. The visual change to the setting that is dictated by the road will require sensitive and effective design and rehabilitation to fit the road into the landscape in a less obtrusive manner. While this principle applies to the other route alternatives as well, their less scenic surrounding landform and character have already been transformed by towns, commercial centres and agricultural activities.

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Table 6-12: Summary of Visual Characteristics

Characteristic DBPR DBPR Alternative A DBPR Alternative C

Topography Section 1 from Keeversfontein (Tugela Plaza) Section 1 is similar to that of the DBPR as the The topography of section 1 of Alternative C is crosses open grassveld in an undulating alignment traverses a similar landscape type. The very similar to that for Alternative A as landscape made up of gentle hills and valleys as it lower section follows a valley that is visually relatively Alternative C follows the exact alignment of the moves towards the foothills of the escarpment. undisturbed, with the exception of a 400 kV existing N3 from Keeversfontein to north-west of From approximately the lower Braamhoek Dam transmission line that cuts across it, until it joins, up at Harrismith where the existing N3 and Alternative area of the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme area midslope, the existing railway line at Brakwal Station. A join up. Section 1 (existing N3) up Van the landscape rises dramatically up the It then follows a north-western rising alignment that Reenen’s Pass lies to the south of Alternative A. escarpment to the top of the De Beers Pass. In skirts the existing Transnet Fuel Pump Station until it The route follows the ridge of the slopes Section 2 the landscape changes immediately reached the top of the escarpment immediately south- presenting the existing road in a very exposed from the top edge of the escarpment to east of Van Reenen. Section 2 and 3 roughly follows and visible position. Sections 2 and 3 from the approximately the proposed Lincoln Interchange the existing N3 Road. The landscape changes top of Van Reenen’s Pass to Harrismith is very area where the landscape levels cut into wide long immediately from the dramatic rising escarpment to similar to Alternative A as these routes run open valleys punctuated on the edges by towering fairly gentle rolling hills and valleys until reaching the closely together and at times share the same blocks of sandstone mountains such as Nelson’s imposing Platberg Mountain at Harrismith where the alignment. The route follows the lower lying Kop, Tandjiesberg and Verkykerskop. Sections 3 route follows the upper terrace of the Platberg foothills footslopes and valley to the south-west of the and 4 are gently rolling to flat with wide open between the mountain and the town. In Section 4 the Platberg rather than the higher lying upper vistas. landscape changes to a more flatter and undulating terrace. landscape with wide open vistas and a lack of topographical definition, except on the visual periphery.

Vegetation Cover The vegetation for almost the entire length of the The vegetation of Section 1 (the escarpment) is Most of the existing route is through grasslands, route consists of low grasslands. Patches of largely grassveld, but there are patches of the Natal except for Section 1 (from the base of the Van savannah occur near the Tugela Plaza area. The Central Bushveld that encroach on the lower Reenen’s Pass to Keeversfontein) where Grassveld landscape types are generally open, footslopes of the berg. There are large patches of pockets of the Natal Central Bushveld occur. uniform in texture and start resulting in a visually black wattle encroachment that creates some This route is less encroached by black wattle open landscape. vegetation diversity. The vegetation in Sections 2 and than Alternative A. 3, from Van Reenen to Harrismith, is generally grassland with the odd patches of trees and wattles. The vegetation in Section 4 has been modified by

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Characteristic DBPR DBPR Alternative A DBPR Alternative C

arable agriculture, mainly mealies.

Visibility The visibility of the road will vary along the length Visibility of the Alternative A Route is generally more The visibility of the road in Section 1 (from of the proposed route. The visibility is most extensive than that of the DBPR. However, due to Keeversfontein to the top of the Van Reenen’s For viewshed extensive in the south-east where the route the topographical relief, the escarpment area is Pass) is extensive to the south and east due to analysis maps refer crosses the escarpment and its foothills. Views slightly less extensive extending not much beyond 5 the exposed position on the ridge edges of the to Volume 2; extend up to 20 km to the east and south. The km. The visibility of Sections 2 and 3 (between Van rising landform. Views extend up to 10 km in Appendix I visibility is contained within the valleys from the Reenen and Harrismith) becomes more extensive, patches, but generally no more than 5 km. The top of the De Beers Pass to the Lincoln especially in the Swinburne area. The visibility of visibility in Sections 2 and 3 (from Van Reenen Interchange by the surrounding rising landforms section 4 (from Harrismith to Warden) is the most to Harrismith) is more confined and restricted and valley slopes and limits views to extensive due to the lack of topographical features generally to 2.5 - 5.0 km. This includes the approximately 2.5 - 5.0 km. Intermittent views are that can contain the view, these views in patches up section through the town, but it becomes more possible up to 15 km away from the higher to 15 – 20 km. Critical viewpoints are from the N3 extensive as the route rises up the pass behind landforms. The visibility of the road from where the route follows the same alignment or where the Wimpy Bergview/ Engen complex on the approximately the Lincoln Interchange to Warden it is in close proximity of the S772, the village of Van northern side of the town. Critical views are the is more extensive within this landscape due to the Reenen, Montrose and Swinburne, farmsteads, re- establishments along the existing road such as lack of topographical screening features. Visibility fueling zones such as the Ultra Cities and the towns the Zandspruit farm stall, farmsteads, the is most extensive in the Verkykerskop area where of Harrismith and Warden. Pyramid Motel, Van Reenen, Montrose and views extend to 17 km and around Warden where Swinburne, accommodation facilities such as views extend to 10-15 km intermittently. Critical Lala Nathi and the town of Harrismith. views are from the intersection roads such as the N3, S772, S692 and towns such as Warden and Verkykerskop. Critical views are also those contained in the highly scenic area from the Lincoln Interchange to the bottom of the De Beers Pass as well as the existing farmsteads such as Pitchers Rest.

Landscape Landscape diversity along this route alignment is Landscape diversity varies along the route and is As with Alternative A the diversity along this Diversity primarily based on the topographical features as largely a function of landform and vegetation cover. route varies. Section 1 (the escarpment section) the vegetation, namely grasslands (Sections 2 and Section 1 (the escarpment zone) can be regarded as has a low to moderate landscape diversity due 3), is relatively uniform in texture and height. The having moderate landscape diversity as the largely to the diverse topography. Sections 2

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Characteristic DBPR DBPR Alternative A DBPR Alternative C

zone that exhibits the highest diversity is that topography is varied in the form of valleys, foothills, and 3 (from Van Reenen to the outskirts of within the Wet Cold Highveld Grassland as the massive mountain blocks and edges as well as a mix Harrismith) have low landscape diversity while landscape exhibits a greater degree of horizontal of vegetation cover such as grassland and patches of the section through the town has what can be and vertical scale than does the rest of the darker green tree cover. Sections 2 and 3 (from Van regarded as a moderate to high landscape alignment. Notwithstanding this variation in Reenen to Harrismith) are less diverse due to the diversity as a result of the mix of varied diversity, the general landscape exhibits a low short and uniform grassland although the topography landforms, treed landscape and high mix of diversity even though the escarpment displays is relatively diverse. Section 4 has the least landscape building forms. patches of wooded / forest areas and the diversity due to the relatively flat, open topography Verkykerskop / Warden area is a mix of arable arable farmlands and grasslands. and pastural farming.

Landscape Section 1 (the escarpment and foothills) exhibits a As with the DBPR, Section 1 exhibits a well-defined Most of this alignment is very similar in character Character well-defined and vivid sense of spatial definition and vivid sense of place resulting in a zone of high as Alternative A for Sections 1, 2 and 3 to the with a high scenic quality due to the combination scenic quality. Although the area is scenic, it is less edge of Harrismith. The main difference is the of low gentle valleys, open grasslands and the scenic than the escarpment section of the DBPR, section through Harrismith where the alignment massive and imposing mountain backdrop of the notwithstanding the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme. traverses a totally urban environment. Section 4 Low Drakensberg. The character of the landscape The section through which Alternative A passes, has is aligned through rural countryside that has can be regarded as rural agriculture predominantly been modified over the years by developments such been modified by human intrusion such as rail, stock grazing. The upper valley exhibits a highly as the railway line and the stations, existing access small towns and service stations, farmsteads defined and vivid sense of space and place and is roads, transmission lines, Transnet Pipeline Pump and agriculture. regarded as having a high aesthetic value and Station, black wattle encroachment, a very prominent being very scenic. This is due to the dramatic and communication tower, gulley erosions, and is within striking mountains that protrude on the valley the viewshed of the existing N3. Recently a new edges, the enclosed nature of the valley which Transnet pipeline was installed that has left a visual creates a scale to which one can relate, the open scar which over time will likely disappear as re- grasslands and wetlands which in patches exhibit vegetation establishes. Similarly Sections 2 and 3 almost wilderness quality due to the very sparse (from the top of the escarpment (Van Reenen) to population and a few scattered farmsteads. In Harrismith) are scenic, but it is less than that of the Section 4 (From the S772 / Lincoln Interchange upper section of the DBPR due to human towards Warden) the character changes to where interventions and developments such as the close the scenic quality reduces due to the lack of proximity of the N3, railway and transmission lines, landscape diversity in that the mountains have villages, petrol stations and restaurants, motels, etc.

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Characteristic DBPR DBPR Alternative A DBPR Alternative C

disappeared and the landscape is open and In Section 4 the scenic quality reduces and the sense punctuated by some minor rivers and rolling hills. of place is less well defined due to the lack of visual diversity. Again this section has a more pronounced rural agricultural quality due to the mix of patches of cleared arable lands and grasslands used for grazing.

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6.11 NOISE 6.11.1 Noise Baseline The current ambient noise levels in the environments of the investigated route alternatives were estimated by taking measurement samples at 18 locations (Figure 6-18). The measurements were taken in accordance with the procedures specified in South African National Standards 10103, and are summarised in Table 6-13.

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Figure 6-18: Locations of the noise measurement points

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Table 6-13: Existing ambient noise levels

*LAeq, Point dBA Location Comments Day Night P1 49.7 Harrismith, intersection of Distant traffic on the N3. Distant voices. R722 with Alternative A P2 56.6 Harrismith, Engen Traffic on the N3. Vehicles parking, music, Bergview people talking. P3 40.5 Harrismith, on Route A Distant traffic on N3. Bird calls. by-pass P4 41.3 Platberg game reserve Rustling vegetation. P5 39.4 Platberg game reserve Rustling vegetation. P6 49.6 Harrismith residential Traffic on the N3 clearly audible. P7 52.9 38.2 Van Reenen village N3 traffic P8 42.0 Old Van Reenen pass N3 traffic P9 41.6 Warden Ezenzeleni Distant N3 and voices. P10 34.0 Rural area Vegetation rustling, bird calls and insects. P11 42.5 Rural area Vegetation rustling, bird calls and insects. P12 46.6 Rural area Vegetation rustling, bird calls and insects. P13 43.4 Rural area Vegetation rustling, bird calls and insects. P14 45.7 Rural area Vegetation rustling, bird calls and insects. P15 41.3 Rural area Vegetation rustling, bird calls and insects. P16 43.4 52.9 Rural area Vegetation rustling, bird calls and insects. P17 40.3 38.2 Rural area Vegetation rustling, bird calls and insects. P18 36.4 Rural area Vegetation rustling, bird calls and insects. dB A descriptor that is used to indicate a level determined as 10 times the logarithmic ratio of two quantities of the same physical unit.

A- An electronic filter that simulates the human hearing characteristic which is less weighted sensitive to sounds at low frequencies than at high frequencies.

*dBA A descriptor that is used to indicate that 10 times the logarithmic ratio of two quantities of the same physical unit has been A-weighted.

*LAeq The A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level. This descriptor is internationally used for quantifying and evaluating noise in human-related circumstances. A vast amount of research links this parameter to human physiological and psychological responses.

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The noise impacts along the various alternatives were assessed in terms of the guidelines provided in SANS 10103.

The existing N3 clearly has an impact on ambient noise levels in its environment. However, the measurement results generally are around 55 dBA during the day, even in relatively close proximity to the highway. This noise level corresponds to the guideline limit given by SANS 10103 for ‘urban districts’, and is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for residential developments. During the night the ambient noise level measured at Van Reenen is well below the 45 dBA recommended by both SANS 10103 and the WHO.

At the measuring points located in rural areas, the measurement results are either around or well below the 45 dBA listed by SANS 10103 as typical for ‘rural districts’. During the night the corresponding noise level is 35 dBA.

Based on the measurement results, 55 dBA and 45 dBA (urban districts) and 45 dBA and 35 dBA (rural districts) during the day and night, respectively, were used as reference levels for calculating the noise impacts.

6.11.2 Noise Implications for the De Beers Pass Route The effect of high noise levels on rural and urban environments are quite different. In rural settings the wildlife will move away while in the urban setting people will invariably complain about the stress of not being able to sleep and the diminished quality of life. Usually people are given preference over natural environments, and high noise roads are moved to the fringes of towns where possible, or costly mitigation is installed. Mitigation measures will be called for, both to prevent habitat degradation and to reduce the nuisance value. However both have cost implications, and forward planning is essential if effective noise reduction is to be experienced by persons living and working near the constructed route.

6.12 SOCIAL The project traverses two provinces namely KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State. A comprehensive account of the social demographics on regional and district level is given in the Social Impact Assessment Specialist Report (Volume 2: Appendix K).

The DBPR traverses the following municipalities:  uThukela District Municipality (DC23) in KwaZulu-Natal (Figure 6-3); and  Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality (DC19) in the Free State (Figure 6-2).

The uThukela District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal covers an area of 11 329 km2 and includes 5 local municipalities. The area also incorporates the villages and towns of Bergville, Colenso, Estcourt, Ladysmith, Weenen and Winterton. Of these 5 local municipalities two, in respect of 3 wards, are directly affected by the road. The directly affected municipalities and wards are;  Emnambithi–Ladysmith Local Municipality: Wards 13 & 24; and  Okhahlamba Local Municipality: Ward 13.

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The routes under consideration progress in a north easterly direction, heading towards Gauteng and entering the Free State, where they traverse the district municipality of Thabo Mofutsanyane. The Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality consists of 5 local municipalities and covers an area of 28 347 km2. This district also incorporates the villages of Van Reenen and Swinburne, as well as the towns of Harrismith and Warden/Ezenzeleni. The local municipalities in the Thabo Mofutsanyane district, as well as the wards directly affected by the road, are:  Maluti a Phofung Local Municipality (FS194): Wards 22, 6 & 4; and  Phumelela Local Municipality (FS195): Wards 5, 6 & 7.

6.12.1 Local Municipalities At a local municipal level the 4 local municipalities of Emnambithi-Ladysmith, Okhahlamba, Maluti-a-Phofung and Phumelela are compared in detail here since they lie within the area of direct influence of the routes under consideration.

 Population Density and Employment The population density statistics for the four local municipalities are given in Table 6-14. Of the 4 local municipalities, Phumelela has the greatest land mass at 8 183 km2 and the smallest population at 47 772. Accordingly it has the lowest population density of all affected local municipalities at 5.8/km2.

Table 6-14: Geographical area and population Distribution (Statistics South Africa, 2012)

Area km2 Population Density p/km2 Households

KwaZulu-Natal 94 361km2 10,267,300 108.8/km2 2,539,429

DC23: uThukela 11 326km2 668,848 59.1/km2 147,286

KZN232: Emnambithi/Ladysmith/Ladysmith 2 965km2 273,437 92.2/km2 58,058

KZN235: Okhahlamba 3 971km2 132,068 33.3/km2 27,576

Free State 129 825km2 2,745,590 21.1/km2 823,316

DC19: Thabo Mofutsanyane 33 238km2 736,238 22.1/km2 217,884

FS194: Maluti a Phofung 4 338km2 335,784 77.4/km2 100,228

FS195: Phumelela 8 183km2 47,772 5.8/km2 12,888

The unemployment rate is presented in Figure 6-19. According to Census 2011, the highest level of unemployment is found in Maluti-a-Phofung, which had an unemployment rate of 11.32% in 2011. This is followed by Emnambithi/Ladysmith, with an unemployment rate of 10.36%, Okhahlamba at 7.95% and Phumelela marginally lower at 7.59%.

However, at 7.38% and 30.18% respectively, Okhahlamba has the highest rate of disillusioned work seekers as well as those who are described as ‘not economically active’. Accordingly, at 10.39%, the Okhahlambe Local Municipality has the lowest

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FS194: FS195: KZN232: KZN235: Maluti a Phumelela Emnambithi/ Okhahlamba Phofung Ladysmith Employed 15.74% 22.36% 20.07% 10.39% Unemployed 11.32% 7.59% 10.36% 7.95% Discouraged work-seeker 5.47% 6.54% 4.38% 7.35% Other not economically active 29.50% 25.82% 27.43% 30.18% Not applicable 37.97% 37.69% 37.76% 44.13%

Figure 6-19: Employment profile at local municipal level (Statistics South Africa, 2012) Although not applicable to most of the population, across all 4 local municipalities, most of those who are employed work within the formal sector. It seems that the informal sector is most active in Emnambithi/Ladysmith with 3.04% of the population being employed within this sector. This illustration excludes the category “not applicable”, ranging between 84.02% in Maluti a Phofung and 77.05% in Phumelela, which somewhat distorts the graph. Distribution of occupations is given in Figure 6-20.

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FS194: FS195: KZN232: KZN235: Maluti a Phumelela Emnambithi Okhahlamb Phofung /Ladysmith a In the formal sector 10.64% 16.66% 15.58% 6.88% In the informal sector 3.16% 2.95% 3.04% 2.44% Private household 1.72% 2.75% 1.38% 0.92% Do not know 0.46% 0.59% 0.39% 0.39% Not applicable 84.02% 77.05% 79.61% 89.37%

Figure 6-20: Employment within Sector Type (Statistics South Africa, 2012b)

Regarding school attendance, Okhahlamba has the highest percentage of the population having attended school at 39.47%. In Phumelela 57.39% of the population has not attended school resulting in it having the lowest level of school attendance of all local municipalities at 29.14%.

 Demographic Indicators A summary of the demographic indicators is given in Table 6-15.

Black people make up the largest proportion of the population in all 4 local municipalities with the local municipality of Maluti-a-Phofung having the highest percentage of black people at 98.22% and Phumelela the lowest at 91.63%. In Emnambithi/Ladysmith Indian and Asian people are the second largest population, group, at 4.39%, while in Phumelela, white people, at 7.32%, are the second biggest population group. Females out number males across all local municipalities with the greatest female/male discrepancy being in Maluti-a-Phofung at 54.37/45.63%. Okhahlamba has the greatest percentage of people having no income (43.19%) and Maluti-a-Phofung the highest number of people earning less than R1 601.00 per month as well as the highest percentage of official unemployment amongst household heads at 31.08%.

Maluti-a-Phofung has the highest level of service delivery across the study region in terms of access to water and energy source, with 89.11% of households; having access to a regional/local water scheme and 81.04% using electricity for cooking. Phumelela on the other hand fare best in respect of refuse removal and toilet facilities with 65.10% of households having their refuse removed at least once a

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 Ward Level Description The wards affected by the proposed project are listed in Table 6-16.

Population density along the DBPR ranges between 5 people/km2 and 10 people/km2, only rising above 100 people/km2 for a very short section where the route transverses Ward 6 just north of Warden. The population density along Alternatives A, C and the Existing N3 is somewhat varied rising above 100 people/km2 as the route passes through Ward 4 north of Harrismith and again as it traverses Ward 6 just north of Warden.

Table 6-15: Demographic data, local municipalities

KZN232: KZN235: FS194: Maluti a FS195: Phumelela Emnambithi/ Okhahlamba Phofung Ladysmith Population Group Black 217,855 91.75% 128,263 97.12% 329,795 98.22% 43,773 91.63% Coloured 2,329 0.98% 287 0.22% 684 0.20% 193 0.40% Indian or Asian 10,427 4.39% 469 0.36% 776 0.23% 167 0.35% White 6,367 2.68% 2,822 2.14% 4,256 1.27% 3,499 7.32% Gender Male 111,617 47.01% 61,624 46.66% 153,209 45.63% 23,162 48.48% Female 125,820 52.99% 70,443 53.34% 182,575 54.37% 24,611 51.52% Income – 15-65 year No income 98,940 41.67% 57,567 43.59% 134,338 40.01% 17,957 37.59% R1 - R400 53,314 22.45% 37,232 28.19% 97,084 28.91% 11,891 24.89% R401 - R800 9,671 4.07% 4,792 3.63% 16,877 5.03% 2,354 4.93% R801 - R1 600 26,826 11.30% 14,638 11.08% 43,075 12.83% 8,803 18.43% Employment status of household head Employed 25,628 79.19% 7,180 70.00% 32,823 68.92% 6,055 85.87% Unemployed official 6,735 20.81% 3,077 30.00% 14,801 31.08% 996 14.13% Access to water Regional/local water scheme (operated by municipality or other water services provider) 43,724 75.31% 8,666 31.43% 89,317 89.11% 9,762 75.74% Energy for cooking Electricity 41,852 72.09% 13,284 48.17% 81,220 81.04% 7,176 55.68% Gas 1,668 2.87% 981 3.56% 3,233 3.23% 440 3.41% Paraffin 6,894 11.87% 2,650 9.61% 8,743 8.72% 305 2.37% Refuse disposal

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KZN232: KZN235: FS194: Maluti a FS195: Phumelela Emnambithi/ Okhahlamba Phofung Ladysmith Removed at least once a 33,715 58.07% 2,549 9.24% 24,873 24.82% 8,390 65.10% week Removed less often 378 0.65% 318 1.15% 424 0.42% 58 0.45% Tenure status Rented 11,503 19.81% 4,597 16.67% 8,298 8.28% 2,980 23.12% Owned but not yet paid 6,327 10.90% 2,364 8.57% 7,348 7.33% 501 3.89% off Occupied rent-free 16,147 27.81% 10,283 37.29% 16,432 16.39% 3,046 23.63% Owned and fully paid off 22,546 38.83% 8,916 32.33% 65,133 64.98% 5,974 46.35% Toilet facilities None 1,705 2.94% 2,867 10.40% 2,641 2.63% 801 6.22% Flush toilet (connected to 32,563 56.09% 2,396 8.69% 30,404 30.33% 7,639 59.27% sewerage system) Flush toilet (with septic 857 1.48% 845 3.06% 2,359 2.35% 429 3.33% tank) Type of main dwelling House or brick structure on a separate stand or 41,789 71.98% 9,131 33.11% 77,967 77.79% 9,039 70.14% yard Traditional dwelling made of traditional 9,688 16.69% 15,534 56.33% 9,676 9.65% 1,269 9.85% materials Informal dwelling in an 5,910 5.90% 1,340 10.40% 604 1.04% 64 0.23% informal settlement Source: Statistics South Africa, Census 2011

Table 6-16: Affected local municipalities and wards

De Beers Pass Alt C & Alt A/C & Local Municipality Alt A Alt A/C Route Existing N3 Existing N3 Emnambithi/Ladysmith KZN232 26 26 26 26 26 Okhahlamba KZN235 13 13 13 Maluti a Phofung FS194 22, 6, 4, 22 22, 6, 4,1 1 22, 6, 4, 1 22, 6, 4, 1 Phumelela FS195 5, 7, 6 5, 7, 6 5, 7, 6 5, 7, 6 5, 7, 6

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 Population Density and Employment The population density pattern as it appears across DBPR and alternatives is illustrated in Figure 6-21.

Figure 6-21: Population Density

The average household income is lowest in Ward 1 of the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality as well as in Ward 6 of the Phumelela Local Municipality where in both cases it is below R40 000 per annum. The average household income is highest in wards 22 and 6 of Maluti-a-Phofung where it is at R70 000 and above. The distribution of household income across all 3 routes is illustrated below in Figure 6-22.

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Unemployment is highest in Ward 6 of the Phumelela Local Municipality where it reaches above 30%, and in Ward 1 of Maluti-a-Phofung where it ranges between 25 and 30%.

Figure 6-22: Average household income

 Education More than 12% of the population of Ward 13 in Okhahlamba have no education. Across most of the area the percentage of the population with no education is below 6% with the exception of Ward 5 in Phumelela where between 6 and 8% of the population have no education.

More than 30% of the population of Ward 22 in Maluti-a-Phofung have a matric or higher level of education. In Okhahlamba less than 15% of the population of Ward

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13, and in Phumelela less than 15% of the populations of wards 5 and 6 have a matric or higher level of education. Over 65% of the population of Ward 6 in Phumelela have a lower than matric level of education, while fewer than 50% of the population of Ward 22 in Maluti a Phofung a lower than matric level of education. Across the rest of the wards the percentage of those with lower than matric level of education ranges from under 55% to 65%.

 Access to Services Most of the clinics, hospitals and schools are clustered within the towns of Harrismith and Warden, with no clinics or hospitals in close proximity to the DBPR. (Figure 6-23). One of the schools, Moffat Primary Farm School, appears to be situated on or very close to the DBPR, while a number of schools such as Van Reenen Primary, Swinburne Intermediary Farm School as well as schools in Harrismith, Sentebale Primary and Eeram Intermediary Farm School are located very close to the existing N3.

Households in Ward 22 of the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality and Ward 7 of the Phumelela Local Municipality, enjoy the highest level of service delivery with respect to access to piped water, electricity, flushing toilets, and refuse removal.

6.12.2 Social Implications for the De Beers Pass Route The objective of a highway is to improve the efficiency and safety of travel, and therefore the alignments are chosen to avoid towns and villages. Where this occurs, living patterns and livelihoods change while new services are required along the new route. With the majority of traffic using the highway to get to destinations as quickly as possible, the tendency will be not to deviate to a by-passed town to obtain refreshments, and this will affect the livelihoods of those in the service industry particularly food. Where the new highway passes near or through existing towns, other social aspects are sought by the drivers and the morale of the town can degrade as prostitution and STDs increase. Movement patterns for local traffic are disrupted by the road, and cross traffic will be required to drive to the nearest bridge or underpass. However, the human spirit is adaptive, and will embrace the change and create new opportunities for development. Ideally the new route should be away from towns to remove noise, air quality and social health impacts, but close enough for the traveller to have a short deviation to access the town. The removal of noise, poor air and prostitution associated with major routes through towns will enable improvement of the town’s image.

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Figure 6-23: Schools and health facilities

6.13 REGIONAL ECONOMICS 6.13.1 Harrismith

 The town constitutes 6 970 people, with a dependent township population of 35 981 located just beyond the town in Intabazwe and 42nd Hill;  The town economy contributes 18.2% (R1.2 billion) towards the GRP and 16.0% (11 111 employees) towards the employment figure of the Maluti-a- Phofung local economy;  The dominant economic pillars of the town include Finance and Business Services, Manufacturing, Government and Community Services, Infrastructure and Trade; and

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 The dominant employment pillars of the town include Community and General Government Services, Manufacturing, Trade and Finance and Business Services.

6.13.2 Warden and Van Reenen

 The town economies of Warden and Van Reenen reflect significantly smaller economic bases, and primarily offer a service centre function to the surrounding farming communities;  Warden contributes 15.3% towards the GRP and 13.4% towards total employment of the local economy of Phumelela;  Van Reenen contributes 0.3% towards the GRP and 0.6% towards the employment figure of the local economy of Okhahlamba; and  Van Reenen also reflects much smaller population figures, with no dominant township economies on the town peripheries as is the case with Harrismith.

The gross regional product (GRP) of the towns are shown in Table 6-17. (Source: Quantec, 2011)

Table 6-17: Gross Regional Product (GRP) of the towns Gross Regional Product (GRP) (R’000) of town economies at 2010 nominal prices, expressed in constant 2005 values Sector Warden Harrismith Van Reenen Agriculture and forestry 800 600 3 000 Mining and quarrying 0 0 0 Manufacturing (industrial) 16 900 307 500 800 Trade 26 600 141 900 1 200 Financial services 17 200 333 300 0 Community services 18 000 257 300 400 Infrastructure 16 400 155 000 2 400 Total GRP 95 900 1 195 600 7 800 In-town population (2004) 6 360 23 521 201

6.14 AGRICULTURE

 Area of Direct Influence (ADI) The ADI refers to the footprint area of the proposed route alternatives (i.e. the 80 m servitude area for the national road, plus sections of a 400 m corridor up the van Reenen pass for Alternative C and 20 m servitudes for the indicated access roads), and the farming operations directly affected by the route.

 Area of Indirect Influence (AII) The AII covers the district municipalities of uThukela and Thabo Mofutsanyane in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Free State respectively.

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6.14.1 Agricultural and land use along the routes Farmers in the affected environment participated in information sessions to provide background information on their operations. Some were reluctant to participate – especially in the Swinburne / Van Reenen area which is most affected by a number of utility infrastructure projects such as roads, pipelines and electricity.

Some 20 responses were received, representing 38,914 ha. Farm sizes varied from a minimum of 200 ha to a maximum of 8 000 ha, with an average of 1 853 ha for the questionnaire respondents. Given that average land sizes for private landowners along the DBPR is 882 ha, for Alternative A 310 ha, and Alternative C 203 ha, this indicates a higher proportion of responses from the larger landowners. Note that some of the landowners were located along the Alternative B route, which has not been included in this study, but are nonetheless still regarded as I&APs.

The ADI (the road reserve footprint plus the area of the landowners directly affected by land having to be given up as a consequence of the road) along each of the three routes are; DBPR = 30 083 ha, Alternative A = 23 318 ha and Alternative C = 14 857 ha. Note that many of the landowners along routes A and C are the same and the public sector (The Department of Agriculture, SANRAL, Local Municipalities and Transnet) own significant portions of land along the three routes (DBPR – 3 629 ha, Alternative A – 5 355 ha, Alternative C – 6 112 ha). Therefore private agricultural landowner areas (with farmer numbers in brackets) are: DBPR – 26 453 ha (30), Alternative A – 17 963 ha (58), and Alternative C – 8 745 ha (43).

From information collected during interviews, the enterprise mix of the affected agricultural cropping economy is shown below in Table 6-18.

Table 6-18: Area of Direct Influence indicative arable cropping profile Area Yield % Maize 7 545 5.9 67.7% Soya 460 2.3 4.1% Dry Beans 780 1.7 7.0% Wheat 900 2.3 8.1% Sunflowers 300 2.0 2.7% Barley 40 2.0 0.4% Silage 40 40.0 0.4% Maize Irr 300 2.7% Wheat Irr 500 4.5% Potatoes Irr 200 1.8% Cabbages 5 0.0% Green maize 10 40.0 0.1% Apples 66 0.6% Total Area 11 146

The veld area and associated livestock operations and numbers reported are shown in Table 6-19 and Table 6-20.

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Table 6-19: Area of Direct Influence livestock resource base Veld Carrying Veld (ha) capacity (ha/LSU) Pastures (ha) Min 100 2.00 5.00 Max 5 500 3.50 300.00 Average 1 351.39 2.65 104.42 Total 24 325 1 253.00

Table 6-20: Area of Direct Influence reported livestock numbers

Beef Herd size Milking herd Sheep herd Min 40 60 110 Max 5 000 150 4 000 Average 845 105 1 193 Total 16 059 210 7 160

Employment levels are shown in Table 6-21 with an average 40 ha per employment opportunity, much the same as for the KwaZulu-Natal average, based on the StatsSA records.

Table 6-21: Area of Direct Influence reported employment levels

Management Permanent Seasonal Min 1 2 2 Max 16 150 200 Average 3 18 43 Total 50 351 559

6.14.2 uThukela District Municipality – Klipriver Magisterial District In 2002, Klipriver, the magisterial district through which the N3 passes and considered to be an AII for purposes of this study, had 118 commercial farmers, with a combined Gross Farming Income of R 74.9 m (R 0.635 m per farm), current expenditure of R 52 m (R 0.441 m per farm) and capital expenditure of R 5.7 m (R 48.3 per Farm). Total Farming debt was R 39.5 m (R 0.335 m per farm).

The Bioresource Groups that occur in the Klipriver district are those of the Dry Tall Grassveld near the Thukela Toll, and Moist Transitional Tall Grassveld along the N3 towards van Reenen’s Pass and on the proposed new DBPR route (K Camp, DAE&RD). Moist Highland Sourveld is found on the scarp along the border with the Free State. The agricultural potential of these Bioresource Groups are as follows:

 Moist Highland Sourveld This Bioresource Group occurs at an altitude between 1 400 and – 1 800 masl, and occurs just below the Montane Veld Bioresouce Group (occurring on the border with

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Lesotho). Much of it is mountainous, making it suitable for extensive farming only (Camp, 1997). Mean annual rainfall is between 800 and 1 265 mm, with 80% falling in summer. Winters are cold with occasional snow. Vegetation is characterized as fire maintained grassland. Veld in good condition is dominated by Themeda triandra with overgrazed veld dominated by Eragrostis curvula. South facing slopes have generally deeper soils and better grass cover. Prevailing conditions make it difficult to farm. Winter-feed has to be available for stock. An annual mass gain of 120 kg per agricultural unit is obtainable for beef. Veld in good to reasonable condition will have a carrying capacity of 2 ha/AU. 6 Sheep can be grazed for each beef AU for optimal veld useage.

 Moist Transitional Tall Grassveld This is a transitional zone between the Dry Tall Grassveld and the Moist Highland Sourveld. Altitude ranges from 900 to 1 400 masl with severe frosts possible. Mean annual rainfall is between 800 and 1 116 mm. Veld in good condition is dominated by Themeda-Hyparrhenia. If terrain permits the area does have a high agricultural potential with a high percentage of arable land able to support a wide variety of crops. Dairy and beef tend to be important enterprises with the veld carrying capacity at 2 ha/AU.

 Dry Tall Grassveld The mean annual rainfall of this bioresource group ranges from 666 to 745 mm, with 4 to 5 dry months in a year. Summers are warm to hot with cool to cold winters and occasional severe frosts. Grasslands are dominated by Hyparrhenia hirta (thatch grass) if overgrazed. Acacia karroo dominates the bushlands. Soils are variable, and shallow duplex soils are common. Veld in good to reasonable condition is dominated by Themeda triandra. The bioresource group is fragile and care is needed in enterprise selection. Carrying capacity is 3.5 ha/AU, and weight gains are 120 to 130 kg/AU.

Agricultural enterprises in the District are therefore mainly extensive with the focus on beef. There is also some dairy farmers. There is limited cropping of maize and other summer grains. Isolated pockets of high value orchards such as pecan nuts do occur.

6.14.3 Thabo Mofutsanyne District Municipality – Harrismith Magisterial District The DBPR and alternatives pass through the Thabo Mofutsanyne District Municipality and specifically the Maluti-a-Phofung and Phumelela Local Municipalities.

The Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality covers what is also known as the Eastern Free State, and the Magisterial District for statistical reporting purposes is the Harrismith District. Indications are there are about 320 commercial farmers in the district (StatsSA, 2002).

Rainfall in the Harrismith district is on average 675.5 mm per annum, with 79% falling in the period October to March (StatsSA, 2005).

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The dominant cropping enterprises, with the percentage of cropped areas in brackets are maize (60%), dry beans (10%), soya (10%) and wheat (20%). If a summer/winter crop rotation is practiced this will usually involve wheat in the first season followed by a fallow year and then in the subsequent years’ soya or dry beans and then maize. The usual summer cropping rotation is two years of maize followed by a year of either soya or dry beans.

6.14.4 Agricultural Economic Implications for the De Beers Pass Route The DBPR requires the least land acquisition and Alternative C the most. The latter is due to the longer distance and the wider road reserve to accommodate the changes to the vertical and horizontal realignment required to meet highway standards. However the value of the livestock to be lost as a result of the pasture taken for the reserve is the highest for DBPR. When the overall differences in present value are taken into account there is not much difference between the routes, and a preferred route does not stand out.

However the value of land and product lost is significant and therefore attention to minimising the risk of fire to crop and pasture is most important. This will require efficient and effective responses by fire teams.

6.15 LANDCOVER ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS

Figure 6-24 is the DEA’s Geoterraimage Landcover figure that indicates the 2014 state of the study area showing areas that are grassland, cultivate, urban and water. The environmental characteristics for the study area identified by specialists and provided by the local authorities have been presented on a single map together with the project alternatives. (Figure 6-25). This provides an overview of the extent and sensitivity of the study area.

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Figure 6-24: Geoterraimage Landcover

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Figure 6-25: Environmental Characteristics

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