Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 extension of Houmoed Avenue,
Sunnydale, City of Cape Town,
Western Cape Province
Gregory Nicolson in association with
Dr David J. McDonald
Bergwind Botanical Surveys & Tours CC.
14A Thomson Road, Claremont, 7708
Tel: 021-671-4056
Report prepared for Chand Environmental Consultants
August 2017
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Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______National Legislation and Regulations governing this report
This is a ‘specialist report’ and is compiled in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), as amended, and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014.
Appointment of Specialist
Bergwind Botanical Surveys & Tours CC was appointed by Chand Environmental Consultants to provide specialist botanical consulting services for the proposed Phase 2 extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town, Western Cape. Gregory Nicolson, an associate of Bergwind Botanical Surveys & Tours CC, was appointed to conduct the botanical survey and assess the impacts of the proposed development.
Details of Specialist
Gregory Nicolson Pr. Sci. Nat., M.Sc (Botany)
Bergwind Botanical Surveys & Tours CC
9 Recreation Road
Muizenberg
7945
Telephone: 021-709-0750
Mobile: 072-211-9843
e-mail: [email protected]
Professional registration: South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions No. 116488/16
Expertise
Gregory Nicolson
Qualifications: B.Sc. Hons. (Environmental Science), M.Sc. (Botany) Botanist with 4 years’ experience in the field of Botanical Surveys 2
Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______ Has experience in Botanical exploration in South Africa and Namibia Has published numerous popular papers and has had many photos published (details available on request).
Independence
The views expressed in the document are the objective, independent views of Gregory Nicolson and the survey was carried out under the aegis of Bergwind Botanical Surveys and Tours CC. Neither Mr Nicolson nor Bergwind Botanical Surveys and Tours CC have any business, personal, financial or other interest in the proposed development apart from fair remuneration for the work performed.
Conditions relating to this report
The content of this report is based on the author’s best scientific and professional knowledge as well as available information. Bergwind Botanical Surveys & Tours CC, its staff and appointed associates, reserve the right to modify the report in any way deemed fit should new, relevant or previously unavailable or undisclosed information become known to the author from on-going research or further work in this field, or pertaining to this investigation.
This report must not be altered or added to without the prior written consent of the author. This also refers to electronic copies of the report which are supplied for the purposes of inclusion as part of other reports, including main reports. Similarly, any recommendations, statements or conclusions drawn from or based on this report must make reference to this report. If these form part of a main report relating to this investigation or report, this report must be included in its entirety as an appendix or separate section to the main report.
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Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______THE SPECIALIST I, Gregory Nicolson, as the appointed specialist hereby declare/affirm the correctness of the information provided or to be provided as part of the application, and that I: in terms of the general requirement to be independent:
other than fair remuneration for work performed/to be performed in terms of this application, have no business, financial, personal or other interest in the activity or application and that there are no circumstances that may compromise my objectivity; or am not independent, but another specialist that meets the general requirements set out in Regulation 13 have been appointed to review my work (Note: a declaration by the review specialist must be submitted);
in terms of the remainder of the general requirements for a specialist, am fully aware of and meet all of the requirements and that failure to comply with any the requirements may result in disqualification; have disclosed/will disclose, to the applicant, the Department and interested and affected parties, all material information that has or may have the potential to influence the decision of the Department or the objectivity of any report, plan or document prepared or to be prepared as part of the application; have ensured/will ensure that information containing all relevant facts in respect of the application was/will be distributed or was/will be made available to interested and affected parties and the public and that participation by interested and affected parties was/will be facilitated in such a manner that all interested and affected parties were/will be provided with a reasonable opportunity to participate and to provide comments; have ensured/will ensure that the comments of all interested and affected parties were/will be considered, recorded and submitted to the Department in respect of the application; have ensured/will ensure the inclusion of inputs and recommendations from the specialist reports in respect of the application, where relevant; have kept/will keep a register of all interested and affected parties that participate/d in the public participation process; and am aware that a false declaration is an offence in terms of regulation 48 of the 2014 NEMA EIA Regulations. Note: The terms of reference of the review specialist must be attached.
Signature of the specialist:
Name of company: Bergwind Botanical Surveys and Tours CC
Date: 4 August 2017
4 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______
CONTENTS
1. Introduction ...... 6
2. Terms of Reference...... 7
3. Evaluation Method ...... 8
4. Study Area ...... 9 4.1 Locality ...... 9 4.2 Vegetation ...... 9
5. Limitations ...... 10
6. Condition the vegetation of the Study Area ...... 15
7. Conservation Value...... 16
8. Impact Assessment ...... 17 8.1 ‘No Go’ Scenario ...... 17 8.2 Direct Impacts ...... 17 8.3 Indirect Impacts ...... 19 8.4 Cumulative impacts ...... 19
9. Mitigation Measures ...... 22
10. Conclusions ...... 22
11. References ...... 23
Appendix 1: Abbreviated Curriculum Vitae: Greg Nicolson ...... 25
Appendix 2: Convention for assigning significance ratings to impacts...... 26
5 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______1. Introduction
Owing to significant traffic increases in the Kommetjie / Sunnydale area and with a view to supporting the traffic during the Kommetjie Road upgrade, the City of Cape Town proposes to extend Houmoed Avenue to Lekkerwater Road (Phase 1) and then construct a new road from Lekkerwater Road to the west end of Masiphumelele (Phase 2). This would provide an alternative route for traffic using the Ou Kaapse Weg (OKW) / Kommetjie Road Intersection as well as a non- motorised transport (NMT) route between Kommetjie Road and Noordhoek Road. The total length of the roadworks for the road link is approximately 3,6 km.
However, the motivation of the City of Cape Town (CoCT) Transport and Urban Development Authority (TDA) for the road is more than congestion alleviation during construction, it is also about:
Improved transport circulation through the valley. The transport studies for the Kommetjie Valley show that Houmoed Avenue is needed even after Kommetjie Road and OKW is upgraded.
Creating the opportunity for local trips between the residential areas and the shopping centres without looping to Kommetjie Road and around to the shopping centres and beyond.
Creating a publicly accessible edge along the northern side of the formal development creating recreational opportunities for the enjoyment of the greater public along the southern boundary of the vlei known as the ‘Pick n Pay Reedbeds’ (part of the Noordehoek Wetalnd system)
Creating a physical barrier between the vlei and the Masiphumelele Community and to recover some vlei area, and to prevent further encroachment and degradation of the edges of the vlei in this vicinity.
Providing an improved access route for rapid response of emergency and municipal services to the community in general. A new fire station is being implemented at the Kommetjie Road / Wood Road intersection. Depending on the location any emergency incident or accident, the road could assist in improving the rapid-response time.
Formalising a route that affords the department of the CoCT easier access to efficiently serve the local ratepayers in general, such as refuse collection, mitigating illegal dumping, land invasion etc.
Activating an unsafe, out of sight strip of land with improved safety and security through greater visibility and eyes on the vlei edges – such as general public usage, law enforcement patrols, local security company patrols etc.
The proposed project also includes the upgrading of the informal settlement between the proposed roadway and the existing edge of the formal Masiphumelele housing (Figure 1).
6 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______
Figure 1. The proposed housing component of the Masiphumelele settlement in relation to the road alignment.
Bergwind Botanical Surveys and Tours CC was commissioned by Chand Environmental Consultants to survey the area proposed for the road upgrade and to determine the botanically related impacts that would be associated with the development. The survey was carried out as described below and takes careful note of the requirements and recommendations of CapeNature and the Botanical Society of South Africa for proactive assessment of the biodiversity of proposed development sites and follows published guidelines for evaluating potential impacts on the natural vegetation in an area earmarked for some form of development (Brownlie, 2005; Cadman et al. 2016).
2. Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference for the specialist botanical assessment are as follows: a) Undertake a site inspection and compile a photographic record of relevant findings and overall site conditions as it relates to botanical aspects. b) Describe the site, project and the route alternatives. c) Describe the vegetation found in the study area, including the vegetation type, presence of any sensitive species, the overall condition and significance of botanical resources, the conservation importance/priorities etc. d) Identify and assess the impacts of the proposed project on the botanical resources, using the appropriate assessment criteria.
7 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______e) The above should culminate in a botanical impact assessment report that must meet the requirements for specialist reports as contained in the 2014 EIA Regulations. f) The assessment of potential impacts should include the identification and description of cumulative impacts; g) The report referred to in e) should include a description of any assumptions, uncertainties and gaps in knowledge.
3. Evaluation Method
The study area was visited and surveyed on foot on 2 June 2017. The habitat condition was sampled and described with the aid of photographic records, sample waypoints and desktop analysis (Google Earth TM imagery and Quantum GIS software). A number of standard assessment criteria were used to determine the potential impacts as follows:
Ecosystem status: ecosystem status of the vegetation type was obtained using the List of Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystems (Government Gazette 34809, 2011). The gazetted list is important for commenting on the level of sensitivity in relation to natural vegetation quantity and quality. CapeNature has listed updated Ecosystem Status Statistics for all Western Cape ecosystems (CapeNature, 2014). This list provides more recent statistics regarding the conservation status of each ecosystem and how it has changed since Government Gazette 34809 in 2011. Conservation planning: The City of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Network (Holmes & Stipinovich, 2017) is crucial to determine the conservation importance of the affected habitat. Ground- truthing is an essential component in terms of determining the habitat condition. Species of conservation concern: the presence of rare or threatened species as listed in the Red List of South African Plants (redlist.sanbi.org and Raimondo et al. 2009). Special habitats: the presence of rare or sensitive habitats such as wetlands and dune systems. Species, communities and populations: the presence or absence of any species provides insight into the ecological state of the area. Pioneer exotic and/or natural species, for example, are important to mention, since these usually indicate past disturbance, whereas endemic mature or old individuals indicate areas that have not undergone physical disturbance and may be sensitive or support important biodiversity. Populations and communities hold the same value in terms of interpretation of the ecological status of an area.
Restoration potential and biodiversity corridors: degraded areas or alien-infested areas have the potential to be restored depending on the level of disturbance or transformation.
8 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______Degraded and transformed areas may also be of importance if, for example, these areas link portions or remnants of good quality or threatened vegetation types.
4. Study Area
4.1 Locality
The study area is located in the Masiphumelele / Sunnydale area within the South Peninsula of Cape Town (Figure 2). The existing Houmoed Avenue currently begins at an intersection with the M6 (Noordhoek Main Road) and ends at the intersection with Buller Louw Drive behind the Sun Valley Mall. The road is proposed to be extended to join with Lekkerwater Road (Phase 1) and then extended from Lekkerwater Road to the western end of Masiphumelele where it will eventually join Kommetjie Road (Phase 2).
4.2 Vegetation
According to the Vegetation Map of South African, Lesotho and Swaziland (South African National Biodiversity Institute, 2012) the vegetation type originally occurring at this site was Hangklip Sand Fynbos (FFd6) (Figure 3). This vegetation type occurs on sand dunes and sandy bottomlands and typically supports moderately tall ericoid shrubland with emergent tall shrubs in places. Proteoid, ericaceous and restioid fynbos are dominant. Hangklip Sand Fynbos occurs mostly on old dunes, and the high rainfall and associated leaching allows typical sandstone fynbos species to occur (Rebelo et al. 2006). Hangklip Sand Fynbos is listed as ENDANGERED (A1) in the National List of Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystems (Government Gazette 34809, 2011), due to the continued irreversible loss of the original remaining area of this vegetation type. The main contributors to the loss are human developments such as housing developments, golf courses and graveyards as well as destructive activities such as illegal flower harvesting, illegal dumping and the invasion by alien species. Of the originally occurring area of this vegetation type (8 000 ha) approximately 45% remains intact with 20% occurring in protected areas (Government Gazette 34809, 2011). Within the City of Cape Town 55% of the original area of this vegetation type remains intact and according to the City of Cape Town Bioregional Plan (Purves and Holmes, 2015) the biodiversity targets have been “met in selected BioNet” (i.e. biodiversity targets for this vegetation type have been met within the City of Cape Town).
The site falls within the City of Cape Town Biodiversity Network (CoCT BioNet) which identifies sites earmarked as Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) (Holmes & Stipinovich, 2017). The Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBA) map aims to guide sustainable development by providing a synthesis of biodiversity information to decision makers. It serves as the common reference for all multi-sectoral
9 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______planning procedures, advising which areas can be developed, and which areas of critical biodiversity value and their support zones should be protected against impacts. The broad objective is to ensure appropriate land use and planning for the best possible long-term benefits and to promote integrated management of natural resources. The main CBA Map categories are Critical Biodiversity Areas (Terrestrial and Aquatic), Ecological Support Areas (Critical and Other), Other Natural Remaining Areas and No Natural Remaining Areas (www.bgis.sanbi.org).
The CoCT BioNet habitat parcels are selected for conserving important habitats and biodiversity processes. The habitat categories are selected for various reasons and may include degraded or low quality vegetation (e.g. CBA2), since these may serve as important biodiversity corridors between ecologically intact habitats. It is therefore important to ground-truth these areas and interpret the findings in relation to the objectives of the CoCT BioNet.
The greater part of the area proposed for the road extension falls outside any units of the CoCT Bionet Map(Figure 4). A small section of the route (east side of Alternative 2) is classified as Other Natural Vegetation. However, this classification is outdated as the area is now dominated by informal houses associated with Masiphumelele. Areas classified as ‘Other Natural Vegetation’ are sites ‘in good or poor condition that have not been selected since national biodiversity targets are met elsewhere in the BioNet’ (Purves and Holmes, 2015). The far western edge of the road alignment forms part of Table Mountain National Park (Protected Area). This area has now also been developed with informal dwellings and is not part of a functional ecosystem.
5. Limitations
The peak flowering time for most plant species in the vegetation investigated is in spring (August to October). A winter survey after two relatively dry years is therefore not ideal to identify many plant species, especially bulbs and annual species. However, considering the low number of plants remaining in the study area this limitation is not relevant.
10 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______
Figure 2. Aerial photo (Google Earth ™) showing the location of Houmoed Avenue close to Sunnydale within the City of Cape Town Municipality.
11 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______
Figure 3. The vegetation type on the study area according to the Vegetation Map of South Africa (SANBI, 2012) overlaid on a Google Earth ™ image.
12 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______
Figure 4. The City of Cape Town Biodiversity Network Map of the study area (Holmes & Stipinovich, 2017Holmes, Stipinovich & Purves, 2016).
13 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______
Figure 5. The location of the milkwood thicket, clusters of milkwoods and individual plants within or close to the proposed road extension.
14 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______6. Condition the vegetation of the Study Area
The greater part of the study area is completely transformed and is covered with informal housing which forms part of the northern area of Masiphumelele. The area is mapped as originally containing Hangklip Sand Fynbos and lies on the ecotone between the fynbos and the wetland system. The original vegetation as likely undergone a long history of disturbance and is now completely replaced by informal dwellings (Figure 6).
Figure 6. Informal dwellings dominate the route proposed for the new road and the area considered for upgrading of the informal settlement.
The only species of conservation importance found on the route is the milkwood tree (Sideroxylon inerme). This species is protected under the National Forests Act of 1998, (Act No. 84 of 1998) and may not be cut or pruned without a license. One large group of milkwood trees (Figure 7) and a number of individual specimens occur on or close to Alternative 2 (Figure 5). These milkwoods occur on private property and are thus not part of natural habitat. Instead they are surrounded by gardens and hard infrastructure (mapped as ‘Milkwoods’ in Figure 5).
15 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______
Figure 7. A large group of mature milkwood trees would be disturbed by the construction of the road (Alternative 2).
7. Conservation Value
The entire route is classified as originally containing Hangklip Sand Fynbos, an Endangered vegetation type. The greater part of the alignment is not included in the CoCT BIONET map, which indicates that it has not been considered as significant from a conservation perspective by the City of Cape Town. One small area is classified as ‘Other Natural Vegetation’ and another small area is classified as a Protected Area (Figure 4). Both of these areas are now covered with informal dwellings and do not represent the originally occurring vegetation and do not have any ecological function any longer.
The rehabilitation potential for the area is moderate to low considering the completely transformed nature of the greater part of the route. Considering (a) the current condition of the area, (b) the CoCT BIONET classification, (c) value in terms of connectivity and maintaining ecological processes and (d) the relatively small footprint of the development , the conservation value of the site is considered to be Low within the regional context.
The only species of concern within the study area is the protected milkwood tree (Sideroxlon inerme). A number of individual trees and a group of mature individuals of this
16 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______species would be disturbed by Alternative 2. Should this alternative be implemented, the City of Cape Town would need to obtain a permit from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to remove these trees from the alignment before the development may legally proceed.
8. Impact Assessment
The impact assessment is a measure of the impacts imposed on the affected environment, specifically the vegetation, ecological processes, important species and habitats. The assessment considers (a) the ‘No Go’ scenario and (b) the direct, indirect and cumulative impacts relating to the proposed development layout alternatives (Alternative 1 and Alternative 2: see Figures 3 – 4). It must be noted that the two alternative alignments for the road are almost identical except at the eastern end of the road. At this location, a deviation is proposed for the Alternative 2 alignment. This deviation affects a number of milkwood trees within private property (Figure 4). The loss of and disturbance to these protected trees is undesirable from a botanical perspective and consequently the impacts due to Alternative 2 would be greater than for Alternative 1.
8.1 ‘No Go’ Scenario
The No Go scenario considers the status of the site if no development were to take place. It includes a description of the future state of the site in the absence of development, under the current or planned future land use. Under the ‘No Go’ scenario the land would not be developed and would remain as either private property or informal dwellings. No land use change would be expected and the status quo would persist. The negative impact would be negligible under this scenario.
8.2 Direct Impacts
Direct impacts are those that relate directly to the activity (construction of a new road – the extension of Houmoed Avenue from Lekkerwater Road to the end of Masiphumelele) for the construction and operational phases:
Loss of vegetation type – highly disturbed to completely transformed endangered vegetation and protected species
Loss of ecological processes – associated with the loss of vegetation and protected species
Loss of vegetation type and protected species
17 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______Owing to the transformed nature of the study area, no loss of intact Hangklip Sand Fynbos would occur if construction of housing and the road goes ahead. The housing and road footprint is already completely transformed and the construction would make this permanent. The road reserve and adjacent areas are also already completely transformed but these could potentially be rehabilitated during the operational phase of the project.
With ‘Alternative 1’ no milkwood trees or any sensitive vegetation would be lost. The impacts associated with the loss of habitat (transformed) would be Low Negative (for construction and operational phases). If the proposed mitigation measures are implemented and considered successful the wetland area could be better-protected and rehabilitated and the impact could be Low Positive (Table 1).
With ‘Alternative 2’ a number of milkwood trees would be affected in the area mapped as ‘Milkwoods’. These trees are very large and mature and should ideally not be disturbed. A number of large milkwood trees would remain adjacent to the road if this alignment is followed and the likelihood of disturbance to these trees is high. Considering the number and age of the trees potentially affected by this alignment the impact would be High Negative. No mitigation measures can reduce the impact of the loss of the trees and the impact rating after mitigation is still High Negative (Table 1).
Loss of ecological processes
Loss of ecological processes such as plant seed dispersal and gene flow, and faunal component related to the vegetation, are considered in the context of loss of vegetation. Ecological processes in this area have already been highly compromised to completely transformed (lost) and the impact of road construction would be similar to the impacts already present on the site. Therefore, the impact is considered to be Very Low Negative (Table 2). If the disturbed areas within the road reserve and adjacent areas are rehabilitated post-construction with indigenous species, ecological processes could be enhanced in these areas which would have a positive impact on the ecological functioning of the area and could then result in a Low Positive impact.
Loss of ecological connectivity
Loss of ecological connectivity would not have any far-reaching impacts since the development footprint would not fragment or create any major obstructive barriers across the site and adjoining natural areas. The road would provide a boundary between the existing developed area and the natural area to the north. Any construction activity that
18 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______contributes to the fragmentation of a natural area supporting Endangered and Critically Endangered vegetation types would have some degree of negative impact. However no fragmentation or ecological connectivity would be affected by this development and the impact for both alternatives is negligible. No mitigation measures are proposed.
8.3 Indirect Impacts
Indirect impacts are those that do not occur as a direct result of the activity on site but that occur further away. An example would be development across an ecological corridor that prevents the movement of plant and animal species to habitats that were once connected. In the case of the proposed development, no indirect impacts were identified in terms of far- reaching impacts on terrestrial ecological processes.
8.4 Cumulative impacts
Cumulative impacts are those impacts linked but not limited to (a) increased loss of vegetation type or the ecosystems listed in the National List of Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystems (Government Gazette, 2011) and (b) other local developments taking place across the region. Cumulative loss of vegetation can be somewhat misleading since it places an emphasis on the amount of vegetation being lost in relation to remaining areas of the original vegetation type. Even if this is measured against an Endangered or Critically Endangered vegetation type, the loss of habitat expressed as a percentage is likely to be very low unless the project is large.
Considering that this site has not been classified as a CBA by the City of Cape Town and does not contain any intact vegetation the anticipated cumulative impact is considered to be negligible in this case.
19 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______
Table 1. Impact-significance table for the loss of vegetation and protected species for both alternatives (construction and operational phase).
No Go Alternative 1 Alternative 2
Nature of impact: Status quo remains Loss of completely transformed Hangklip Sand Fynbos Disturbance to protected milkwood trees. Loss of through construction of a road completely transformed Hangklip Sand Fynbos through construction of a road Extent and duration of impact: Local, Medium-term Local, Long-term Local, Long-term
Intensity Very Low Low High
Probability of occurrence: Probable Highly Probable Highly Probable
Degree to which the impact can be reversed: Partially Reversible Irreversible Irreversible
Degree to which the impact may cause Low Low Low irreplaceable loss of resources: Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Negligible Negligible Negligible
Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation Negligible Low Negative High Negative (Low, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High) Degree to which the impact can be mitigated: Very Low Low Very Low
Proposed mitigation: N/A Protect the nearby milkwood trees from disturbance during Protect the existing milkwood trees that will not be construction. Active rehabilitation of the wetland edge on the cut or removed by the road construction. Active north side of the road. Promote awareness of the importance rehabilitation of the wetland edge on the north side of a functional wetland to the local community. of the road. Promote awareness of the importance of a functional wetland to the local community. Cumulative impact post mitigation: Negligible Negligible Negligible
Significance rating of impact after mitigation Negligible Low Positive High Negative (Low, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very-High)
20 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______
Table 2. Impact-significance table for the loss of ecological processes for both alternatives (construction and operational phase).
No Go Alternative 1 Alternative 2
Nature of impact: Status Quo Remains Loss of ecological processes associated with the loss of Loss of ecological processes associated with the vegetation due to the road construction. loss of vegetation due to the road construction.
Extent and duration of impact: Local, Medium-term Local, Long-term Local, Long-term
Intensity Very Low Very Low Very Low
Probability of occurrence: Probable Highly Probable Highly Probable
Degree to which the impact can be reversed: Partially Reversible Partially Reversible Partially Reversible
Degree to which the impact may cause Low Low Low irreplaceable loss of resources: Cumulative impact prior to mitigation: Negligible Low Negative Low Negative
Significance rating of impact prior to mitigation Negligible Very Low Negative Very Low Negative (Low, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very- High) Degree to which the impact can be mitigated: Very Low Low Low
Proposed mitigation: N/A Active rehabilitation of the wetland edge/fynbos ecotone on the Active rehabilitation of the wetland edge/fynbos north side of the road. Promote awareness of the importance of ecotone on the north side of the road. Promote biodiversity and a functional wetland to the local community. awareness of the importance of biodiversity and a functional wetland to the local community. Cumulative impact post mitigation: Negligible Low Positive Low Positive
Significance rating of impact after mitigation Negligible Low Positive Low Positive (Low, Medium, Medium-High, High, or Very- High)
21 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______9. Mitigation Measures
A number of mitigation measures are proposed to compensate for some of the impacts associated with the construction of a new road and its operation. It should be noted that the ecological functioning of the seasonal and permanent wetlands to the north of the road are the most critical environmental issue at the site and the recommendations made in the Freshwater Ecosystems Impact Assessment Report should be carefully considered. From a botanical perspective the following mitigation measures are proposed:
The ‘Milkwoods’ and all milkwood trees alongside the route that are not directly affected by the construction should be protected and not harmed during the construction phase of the project. These trees must be clearly marked and their surrounds must be observed as a No-Go area. No building material or rubble may be stockpiled under the canopy of the trees at any stage. The construction area (outside of the road reserve) should be kept to a minimum and away from the seasonal and permanent wetlands. The road reserve and adjacent disturbed areas should be rehabilitated post- construction. This is especially important for the northern side of the road that is adjacent to the wetlands. The rehabilitation should be undertaken by a suitably qualified restoration ecologist and must incorporate only indigenous plants appropriate to the wetland / fynbos ecotone. An education component should accompany the wetland rehabilitation in order to raise awareness within the local community about the importance of an ecologically functioning wetland and ecosystem.
10. Conclusions
The route proposed for the extension of Houmoed Avenue from Lekkerwater Road to the end of Masiphumelele originally contained Hangklip Sand Fynbos (Endangered). The area has been highly degraded to completely transformed over the major part of the route and no longer contains vegetation representative of this ecosystem. The greater part of the site has been excluded from the CoCT BIONET map, indicating that it is not of high conservation importance. The areas that are classified as ‘Other Natural Vegetation’ and ‘Protected Area’ in this map have been developed by informal houses.
22 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______The most sensitive ecological considerations at the site are the proximity to seasonal and permanent wetlands and the presence of the protected milkwood trees (Sideroxylon inerme). The wetland sensitivity is dealt with in the Freshwater Ecosystems Impact Assessment Report. The presence of the milkwood trees is of importance from a botanical perspective and therefore Alternative 1 is the preferred alternative from a botanical perspective. Alternative 2 would impact on a number of mature milkwood trees and would have a High Negative Impact and is therefore not supported from a botanical perspective. If any milkwoods need to be disturbed an application must be made to obtain a permit to cut and remove the trees. The milkwood trees within close proximity to the road must be protected during the construction and operational phases of the project.
It is the opinion of the author that the highly-disturbed nature of the site in general renders it unsuitable for rehabilitation that would meaningfully contribute towards the conservation of Hangklip Sand Fynbos. The protected status of the milkwood trees found on the site should be considered as highly significant and the proposed mitigation measures must be adhered to in order to prevent unnecessary damage to these trees. If Alternative 1 is chosen, the impact would be Low Negative. However, if the mitigation measures are adhered to and implemented successfully, the overall impact for the project (Alternative 1) would be Low Positive and the development would thus be acceptable from a botanical perspective.
11. References
Brownlie, S. 2005. Guideline for involving biodiversity specialists in EIA processes: Edition 1. CSIR Report No. ENV-S-C 2005-053 C. Provincial Government of the Western Cape: Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.
Cadman, M., de Villiers, C., Holmes, P., Rebelo, T., Helme, N., Euston Brown, D., Clark, B., Milton, S., Dean, R., Brownlie, S., Snaddon, K., Day, L., Ollis, D., Job, N., Dorse, C., Wood, J., Harrison, J., Palmer, G., Maree, K., Manuel, J., Holness, S., Ralston, S. and Driver, A. 2016. Fynbos Forum Ecosystem Guidelines for Environmental Assessment in the Western Cape Fynbos Forum, Edition 2.
City of Cape Town. 2017 City of Cape Town Biodiversity Network [Vector] 2017. Available from the Biodiversity GIS website, downloaded on 04 August 2017
Government Gazette No. 34809. 2011. Threatened Terrestrial Ecosystems in South Africa. National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 2004.
23 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______Government Gazette 37885. 2014. Invasive Species Regulations of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (No. 10 of 2004).
Holmes, P., Stipinovich, A, Purves, A. 2011. City of Cape Town Biodiversity Network: C-Plan and Marxan Analysis: 2011 Methods and Results. Unpublished report. City of Cape Town
Mucina, L. & Rutherford, M.C. 2006. (eds.) The Vegetation of South Africa. Lesotho & Swaziland. Strelitzia 19. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Ollis, D. & Ngobela, T. 2017. Freshwater Ecosystems Impact Assessment Report: Proposed extension of Houmoed Ave to Lekkerwater Rd, City of Cape Town.
Purves, A. & Holmes, P. 2015. The Cape Town Bioregional Plan. City of Cape Town.
Raimondo, D., Von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. & Manyama, P.A. (eds) 2009. Red List of South African plants 2009. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Rebelo, A.G., Boucher, C., Helme, N., Mucina, L. & Rutherford, M.C. 2006. Fynbos Biome. In: Mucina, L. & Rutherford, M.C. (eds.) The Vegetation of South Africa. Lesotho & Swaziland. Strelitzia 19. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
South African National Biodiversity Institute. 2012 Vegetation Map of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland [vector geospatial dataset] 2012. Available from the Biodiversity GIS website, downloaded on 05 October 2016.
Report Submitted: 4 August 2017
24 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______Appendix 1: Abbreviated Curriculum Vitae: Greg Nicolson
Experience
Expertise in field work in the CFR – vegetation surveys, plant identification, plant collection, ecological monitoring Data management and analysis Basic skills in GIS programs Vegetation and species mapping MSc thesis entitled “ Road reserves as conservation assets: exploring the species of conservation concern and the ecological condition of the N7 road reserve”. Graduation date: December 2010 Experience leading teams of field assistants in remote mountainous areas Completed over 40 botanical survey/assessment reports
Career History
March 2013 – present: independent botanical specialist and associate of Bergwind Botanical Surveys & Tours CC March 2011 – December 2012: conducted a comprehensive post fire survey of the Paardeberg (Paardeberg Sustainability Institute)
Education and qualifications
MSc (Botany) – University of Cape Town (2010). BSc: Hons (Env. Science) – University of Cape Town (2005) BSc: Environmental and Geographical Science - University of Cape Town (2002 – 2004)
Personal Details
Greg Nicolson 9 Recreation Road, Muizenberg, 7945 Cell: 072 211 9843. Home: 021 709 0750 [email protected] Date of birth – 26/08/1981 Marital status - Single Dependents - 2
25 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______Appendix 2: Convention for assigning significance ratings to impacts.
Specialists will consider seven rating scales when assessing potential impacts. These include: extent; duration; intensity; status of impact; probability; degree of confidence; and significance.
In assigning significance ratings to potential impacts before and after mitigation specialists are instructed to follow the approach presented below:
1. The core criteria for determining significance ratings are “extent” (Section 6.3.1), “duration” (Section 6.3.2) and “intensity” (Section 6.3.3). The preliminary significance ratings for combinations of these three criteria are given in Section 6.3.7.
2. The status of an impact is used to describe whether the impact will have a negative, positive or neutral effect on the surrounding environment. An impact may therefore be negative, positive (or referred to as a benefit) or neutral.
3. Describe the impact in terms of the probability of the impact occurring (Section 6.3.5) and the degree of confidence in the impact predictions, based on the availability of information and specialist knowledge (Section 6.3.6).
4. Additional criteria to be considered, which could “increase” the significance rating if deemed justified by the specialist, with motivation, are the following: Permanent / irreversible impacts (as distinct from long-term, reversible impacts); Potentially substantial cumulative effects (see Item 7 below); and High level of risk or uncertainty, with potentially substantial negative consequences.
5. Additional criteria to be considered, which could “decrease” the significance rating if deemed justified by the specialist, with motivation, is the following: Improbable impact, where confidence level in prediction is high.
6. When assigning significance ratings to impacts after mitigation, the specialist needs to: First, consider probable changes in intensity, extent and duration of the impact after mitigation, assuming effective implementation of mitigation measures, leading to a revised significance rating; and Then moderate the significance rating after taking into account the likelihood of proposed mitigation measures being effectively implemented. Consider: o Any potentially significant risks or uncertainties associated with the effectiveness of mitigation measures; o The technical and financial ability of the proponent to implement the measure; and o The commitment of the proponent to implementing the measure, or guarantee over time that the measures would be implemented.
26 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______7. The cumulative impacts of a project should also be considered. “Cumulative impacts” refer to the impact of an activity that may become significant when added to the existing activities currently taking place within the surrounding environment.
8. Where applicable, assess the degree to which an impact may cause irreplaceable loss of a resource. A resource assists in the functioning of human or natural systems, i.e. specific vegetation, minerals, water, agricultural land, etc.
9. The significance ratings are based on largely objective criteria and inform decision-making at a project level as opposed to a local community level. In some instances, therefore, whilst the significance rating of potential impacts might be “low” or “very low”, the importance of these impacts to local communities or individuals might be extremely high. The importance which I&APs attach to impacts must be taken into consideration, and recommendations should be made as to ways of avoiding or minimizing these negative impacts through project design, selection of appropriate alternatives and / or management.
The relationship between the significance ratings after mitigation and decision-making can be broadly defined as follows (see overleaf): substance
Significance rating Effect on decision-making
VERY LOW; Will not have an influence on the decision to proceed with the proposed project, provided that recommended measures to mitigate negative impacts are LOW implemented.
MEDIUM Should influence the decision to proceed with the proposed project, provided that recommended measures to mitigate negative impacts are implemented.
HIGH; Would strongly influence the decision to proceed with the proposed project. VERY HIGH
1. Extent
“Extent” defines the physical extent or spatial scale of the impact.
Rating Description
LOCAL Extending only as far as the activity, limited to the site and its immediate surroundings. Specialist studies to specify extent.
REGIONAL Western Cape. Specialist studies to specify extent.
NATIONAL South Africa
INTERNATIONAL
2. Duration
27 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______“Duration” gives an indication of how long the impact would occur.
Rating Description
SHORT TERM 0 - 5 years
MEDIUM TERM 5 - 15 years
LONG TERM Where the impact will cease after the operational life of the activity, either because of natural processes or by human intervention.
PERMANENT Where mitigation either by natural processes or by human intervention will not occur in such a way or in such time span that the impact can be considered transient.
3. Intensity
“Intensity” establishes whether the impact would be destructive or benign.
Rating Description
ZERO TO VERY Where the impact affects the environment in such a way that natural, cultural and LOW social functions and processes are not affected.
LOW Where the impact affects the environment in such a way that natural, cultural and social functions and processes continue, albeit in a slightly modified way.
MEDIUM Where the affected environment is altered, but natural, cultural and social functions and processes continue, albeit in a modified way.
HIGH Where natural, cultural and social functions or processes are altered to the extent that it will temporarily or permanently cease.
4. Loss of resources
“Loss of resource” refers to the degree to which a resource is permanently affected by the activity, i.e. the degree to which a resource is irreplaceable.
Rating Description
LOW Where the activity results in a loss of a particular resource but where the natural, cultural and social functions and processes are not affected.
MEDIUM Where the loss of a resource occurs, but natural, cultural and social functions and processes continue, albeit in a modified way.
HIGH Where the activity results in an irreplaceable loss of a resource.
28 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______
5. Status of impact
The status of an impact is used to describe whether the impact would have a negative, positive or zero effect on the affected environment. An impact may therefore be negative, positive (or referred to as a benefit) or neutral.
6. Probability
“Probability” describes the likelihood of the impact occurring.
Rating Description
IMPROBABLE Where the possibility of the impact to materialize is very low either because of design or historic experience.
PROBABLE Where there is a distinct possibility that the impact will occur.
HIGHLY Where it is most likely that the impact will occur. PROBABLE
DEFINITE Where the impact will occur regardless of any prevention measures.
7. Degree of confidence
This indicates the degree of confidence in the impact predictions, based on the availability of information and specialist knowledge.
Rating Description
HIGH Greater than 70% sure of impact prediction.
MEDIUM Between 35% and 70% sure of impact prediction.
LOW Less than 35% sure of impact prediction.
8. Significance
“Significance” attempts to evaluate the importance of a particular impact, and in doing so incorporates the above three scales (i.e. extent, duration and intensity).
29 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______Rating Description
VERY HIGH Impacts could be EITHER:
of high intensity at a regional level and endure in the long term;
OR of high intensity at a national level in the medium term;
OR of medium intensity at a national level in the long term.
HIGH Impacts could be EITHER:
of high intensity at a regional level and endure in the medium term;
OR of high intensity at a national level in the short term;
OR of medium intensity at a national level in the medium term;
OR of low intensity at a national level in the long term;
OR of high intensity at a local level in the long term;
OR of medium intensity at a regional level in the long term.
MEDIUM Impacts could be EITHER:
of high intensity at a local level and endure in the medium term;
OR of medium intensity at a regional level in the medium term;
OR of high intensity at a regional level in the short term;
OR of medium intensity at a national level in the short term;
OR of medium intensity at a local level in the long term;
OR of low intensity at a national level in the medium term;
OR of low intensity at a regional level in the long term.
LOW Impacts could be EITHER
of low intensity at a regional level and endure in the medium term;
OR of low intensity at a national level in the short term;
OR of high intensity at a local level and endure in the short term;
OR of medium intensity at a regional level in the short term;
OR of low intensity at a local level in the long term;
OR of medium intensity at a local level and endure in the medium term.
VERY LOW Impacts could be EITHER
of low intensity at a local level and endure in the medium term;
30 Botanical Impact Assessment, Phase 2 - Extension of Houmoed Avenue, Sunnydale, City of Cape Town ______OR of low intensity at a regional level and endure in the short term;
OR of low to medium intensity at a local level and endure in the short term.
INSIGNIFICANT Impacts with:
Zero to very low intensity with any combination of extent and duration.
UNKNOWN In certain cases it may not be possible to determine the significance of an impact.
9. Degree to which impact can be mitigated
This indicates the degree to which an impact can be reduced / enhanced.
Rating Description
NONE No change in impact after mitigation.
VERY LOW Where the significance rating stays the same, but where mitigation will reduce the intensity of the impact.
LOW Where the significance rating drops by one level, after mitigation.
MEDIUM Where the significance rating drops by two to three levels, after mitigation.
HIGH Where the significance rating drops by more than three levels, after mitigation.
10 Reversibility of an impact
This refers to the degree to which an impact can be reversed.
Rating Description
IRREVERSIBLE Where the impact is permanent.
PARTIALLY Where the impact can be partially reversed. REVERSIBLE
FULLY REVERSIBLE Where the impact can be completely reversed.
31