Digital Terrestrial Television Infrastructure Rollout

Environmental Impact Assessment - Aussenkehr -

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1 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA): AUSSENKEHR

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Aussenkehr is a small agricultural settlement, 50 km west of Noordoewer on the banks of the , which forms the border between and . The settlement is home mainly to workers of the neighbouring grape farms but also include a number of lodges, viticultural farms and two schools (a kindergarten and Aussenkehr Primary School). It is nonetheless especially the array of small reed houses in which the lower income group lives that contribute to the character of the settlement.

1.2 RATIONALE FOR SITE

Infrastructure development is a serious concern in the expansion of Aussenkehr and various complaints have in recent years been published regarding the poor living conditions of the residents (1NPC, 2007). It is for this reason that the Karas Regional Council is in the process of developing a new town at Aussenkehr. As part of this infrastructure development process the NBC is now intending on constructing NBC infrastructure in Aussenkehr. It is predicted that a NBC transmitter in close proximity of the settlement will provide coverage to the largest part of the surrounding area (Figure 1).

1 National Planning Commision (NPC). (2007). Regional Poverty Profile: Karas Region. Windhoek: Solitaire Press (PTY) LTD.

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Figure 1: Predicted coverage of a NBC transmitter in Aussenkehr.

1.3 SITE DESCRIPTION

Aussenkehr is situated in an open valley that slightly slopes towards the Orange River whilst being surrounded by mountains on all sides. Various small drainage lines flow through the valley towards the River and in the harsh climatic conditions associated with the area it is not surprising to find that vegetation is scarce and restricted to these drainage lines. The area is known to have a rich diversity of bird species particularly closer to the River and due to the rocky nature of the surrounding areas; it is likely that various reptile species also occur.

During the site visit a possible location for the erection of the NBC transmitters were investigated. The proposed position in relation to other landmarks, are indicated in Figure 2:

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Figure 2: Position of the proposed site investigated for the construction of the NBC mast at Aussenkehr.

An Assessment form was completed during the site visit based on the visual observations and technical information available. Below (in Table 1) follows the completed assessment form for Aussenkehr, highlighting information for the proposed position:

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Table 1: Assessment form for Aussenkehr site.

ACTIVITY INFORMATION

PROPOSED POSITION

Latitude 28°21'59.6"S Position of the 1 Longitude 17°26'04.0"E site Elevation 195 m

Footprint of Proposed height of mast 60m 2 mast Diameter of stay wires 26mm – 48mm Private land, state land, town 3 Land ownership Town lands lands, etc. Description of General locality, surrounding 4 Flat area East of the road leading to Rosh Pinah the site landscape, etc.

Existing Road (Yes/No) Yes but needs an extension of the existing road to the site

New Road (Yes/No) Yes, extension needed Distance of new road Approximately 500m Grading of new road (tar or Gravel 5 Access to site gravel, etc.) Slope where new road will be situated (gradual, moderate, Gradual slope at the foot of the mountain steep) Damage will be the same no matter where the road is Best position for new road. positioned as long as it is not constructed in the drainage channels. Waste 6 Distance to nearest dump site In Noordoewer, less than 10kms from the site generation 7 Civil Aviation Distance to the nearest More than 8km from an airstrip. airport Distance to power line Less than 1km

8 Energy provision Length of the required power Less than 1km line

Describe the surrounding landscaped, e.g. Ridgeline, plateau, side slope of hill/mountain, closed valley, Flat plain area, at the foot of the mountain (Figure 3). 1 Landscape open valley, plain, undulating plain/low hills, dune, sea- front How accessible is the site by Easy access vehicle? Unstable rocky slopes/ steep n/a slopes with loose soil Describe soil (e.g. clay, sand, Clayey loam 2 Soil and Geology etc.) Identify areas where erosion The site has a gentle slope towards the Orange river. is likely. Natural veld in good 3 Habitat condition, natural veld with Very little vegetation on the site scattered aliens, natural veld

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ACTIVITY INFORMATION

PROPOSED POSITION

with heavy alien infestation, build-up area, bare soil. Describe the natural A Vegetation vegetation on the site (e.g. Mostly bare dwarf-shrubland). Is the area likely to be sensitive for birds (i.t.o. Cliffs, Due to the close proximity of the Orange River the presence of B Birds Ridges, possible flight paths, water birds in the area is highly likely. trees, water sources)? Is the area likely to be C Reptiles sensitive for reptiles (e.g. Yes, the rocky habitat is likely to have reptiles. rocky outcrops)? Take a picture facing towards D Archaeology n/a the proposed site. Identify possible sensitive receptors (e.g. neighbours, Aussenkehr residents, Road users road users, tourism ventures etc.) Consider the following: * The potential location of a development on landform features within the landscape Structure will be located at the foot of the mountain. It will will influence the visual be visible from the road leading to Noordoewer but the absorption capacity. For backdrop of the mountain will absorb the visual impact. example, structures will be difficult to “hide” on a ridgeline compared to a deeply incised valley. * Developments on lower slopes will be potentially Structure will be located at the foot of the mountain. easier to hide than those on upper slopes. 4 Visual * The visibility of a location of a structure is also influenced by the location height relative to the heights of surrounding topographic features. For The structure will be less visible and intrusive because it is example, if a location is lower located at the foot of the mountain with the mountain as a than the majority of the backdrop. immediately surrounding landscape it will be less visible and intrusive than a location which is generally higher than the immediate surrounds. * A potential tower location will be easier to “hide” in a very rugged/diverse landscape and more difficult Landscape is diverse with mountains, flat areas and the river to do so if the landscape is more homogenous, such as a plain.

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ACTIVITY INFORMATION

PROPOSED POSITION

Describe the surrounding North - open land, mountains, East - open land and community and land uses 5 Social context mountains, South - Open land, Road, farming activities, West - (e.g. farm land, town lands, farmland, Informal residential area, Road to Rosh Pinah residential area etc.).

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Figure 3: The proposed position and the surrounding habitat in close proximity to the Orange River.

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1.4 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

On-site public participation was done by consulting with the Karas Regional Counsellor, Hon. Ephraim, at his office in Noordoewer. In addition to this, a fax containing the details of the public meetings was sent to his offices on the 1st of September 2011.

Other identified possible Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) included the principals of the two schools, namely Aussenkehr Academy and Aussenkehr Primary School, who were contacted telephonically and provided with a Background Information Document and an opportunity to comment on the proposed project in an email.

The consulted stakeholders as well as their capacity and the comments received, are contained in Table 2 below:

Table 2: Capacity of and comments received from the consulted stakeholders in Aussenkehr.

MANNER CONTACT NAME AFFILIATION POSITION COMMENTS CONTACTED: DETAILS

Hon P. Ephraim Karas Regional Council Councillor:Karasburg On site (063) 270-759 Stated that the project (Office in consultation, will contribute to 081-274-4773 Noordoewer) Fax development in the region.

Mrs. Susanna Aussenkehr Primary Principal Telephone, (063) 297-052 Positive to have Kadhikwa School Email development in

Aussenkehr.

Principal Aussenkehr Academy Principal Fax (063) 297-100

Because consultation was done in 2010 and many officials and local I&APs are likely to have changed throughout the course of the project, consultation could become out dated.

The aim is therefore to repeat the consultation process just before commencing with the construction phase.

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1.5 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS

1.5.1. IDENTIFICATION OF IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED SITE

It is necessary to determine whether the proposed site requires a full environmental assessment with specialist input or whether the available information is sufficient to draw conclusions regarding the true sensitivity of the site. To do this a screening process is applied to the potential impacts of the project (Figure 4).

Do we have sufficient information to address the issue?

YES NO

Can issue be addressed through the Specialist input required

implementation of a generic EMP?

Full EIA

YES NO

Issues addressed in An Additional Appendix is required Generic EMP to the Generic EMP that contains site specific mitigations.

Figure 4: Questions used to screen the potential impacts associated with the development. The Aussenkehr site follows the indicated “orange” route which implies that most issues can sufficiently be addressed through a Generic EMP, but that an additional appendix is required to address some site specific issues.

Impacts that can sufficiently be addressed through the implementation of a Generic EMP are indicated as such without further investigation. Key issues (those impacts that do not necessarily require specialist inputs but requires detailed attention), on the other hand, are indicated and specific management measures are prescribed in a site specific appendix. Table 3 below indicates how the screening process was applied to the identified impacts at the proposed Aussenkehr site:

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Table 3: Assessment of potential impacts associated with the proposed site.

KEY IMPACT ISSUE ENVIRONMENTAL DEGREE OF DESCRIPTION ASSOCIATED ADDRESSED FEATURE SENSITIVITY WITH FEATURE IN:

Temperature High temperatures associated Health and Low Generic EMP with summer could impact safety of sensitivity negatively on the health and workforce safety of the workforce. Wind direction Dust generated during Dust Low Generic EMP construction could impact generation sensitivity negatively on Aussenkehr during residents or people driving on construction. the C13 to Rosh Pinah or Noordoewer. Topography and soils The mountainous surrounds Visual impact Medium Site specific contribute to the aesthetic sensitivity EMP value of the area. Habitat/ Vegetation Encroachment of alien invasive Spread of Low Generic EMP spp. alien invasive sensitivity species Reptile/ Small Reptiles and small mammals Disturbance to Low Generic EMP mammals/ bird species nests and sensitivity habitats Loss of Medium - Site specific biodiversity High EMP sensitivity Birds Bird collisions Low Site specific to guy ropes sensitivity EMP of mast. Drainage lines and Removal of or damage to Removal of Low Generic EMP associated riparian vegetation in drainage lines, vegetation in sensitivity vegetation due to construction activities drainage lines Erosion on sides of drainage Erosion Low Generic EMP lines due to the removal of sensitivity vegetation Socio-Economic Change in available visual Visual impact. High Site specific environment resources. sensitivity EMP Civic aviation More than Low Generic EMP 8km from an sensitivity airstrip Disturbance of archaeological Heritage High Site specific landscape impact sensitivity EMP

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KEY IMPACT ISSUE ENVIRONMENTAL DEGREE OF DESCRIPTION ASSOCIATED ADDRESSED FEATURE SENSITIVITY WITH FEATURE IN:

Impact on health of residents Radiation Low – Site specific due to radiation. impact medium EMP sensitivity OTHER IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE MAST Waste management during the Littering Low Generic EMP construction and operation Impact on sensitivity

phases existing infrastructure Additional strain on resources in Impact on Low Generic EMP Rosh Pinah due to the infrastructure, sensitivity occurrence of construction including

workers. water, electricity & sewer systems.

1.5.2. OVERALL SENSITIVITY OF THE PROPOSED SITE

Based on the assessment in Table 3 above, one can establish the overall potential sensitivity of the proposed site (Table 4).

Table 4: Sensitivity ratings of the proposed site and the associated implications.

LOW MEDIUM HIGH The site is not sensitive The site is moderately The site has sensitive at all. No additional sensitive and although elements that need to be specialist studies are specialist inputs are not further investigated by a required. required, it requires specialist. Sites that have a specific management "high" sensitivity rating measures. should only be used as the

Description preferred alternative once all other options have been eliminated. X An additional Appendix is Generic EMP is required to the document Specialist investigations are sufficient that contains site specific required.

mitigation measures. Implication

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1.6. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

From the findings obtained during the site assessment it seems as if the proposed position is the most viable option for the construction of the NBC mast. The backdrop of the mountain behind the structure will absorb the visual impact and will obscure the structure and buildings so that it is less visible to the main sensitive receptors which are the C13 road users and the residents of Aussenkehr. In terms of the ecological sensitivity of the site, no uniquely sensitive vegetation species were observed. No reptiles were observed during the site visit, but it is expected that the diversity and endemism will be higher closer to the mountainous areas further to the east.

Since there is a potential for finding archaeologically significant artefacts in proximity to the site, a change find procedure has been prescribed in the site specific EMP.

Since no infrastructure (in terms of roads or power) is supplied directly to the proposed site these facilities will have to be constructed which could result in some level of alteration to the current environment. However, the management and/or mitigation of these impacts can sufficiently be addressed by implementing the generic and site specific Environmental Management Plans (EMPs).

Digital Terrestrial Television Infrastructure Rollout – NBC EIA - Aussenkehr August 2013