Environmental Impact Assessment for the Proposed Caledon Wind Farm, Western Cape Province

Caledon Wind (Pty) Ltd

Environmental Impact

Assessment for the proposed

Caledon Wind Farm, Western Cape Province

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT SUBMITTED FOR AUTHORITY REVIEW

DEA Reference Number: 12/12/20/1701

January 2012 J29164

Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd Reg. 1992/007139/07 File original in relevant section in the Quality File. Rev 2 / March 2008 Head Office: Johannesburg, South Africa 14 Eglin Road, Sunninghill, 2191 Tel: +27 11 519 4600 Fax: +27 11 807 5670

GIBB Ref No.: J29164 DEA Reference: 12/12/20/1701

13 February 2012

Department of Environmental Affairs Johannesburg

Fedsure Forum Building 14 Eglin Road 315 Pretorius Street Sunninghill 2191 Pretoria PO Box 2700 Sunninghill 2128

Attention : Mr Mahlatse Shubane Tel: +27 11 519 4600 Fax: +27 11 807 5670 Web: www.gibb.co.za Dear Sir

SUBMISSION OF FINAL EIA REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED CALEDON WIND FARM TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS FOR FINAL DECISION-MAKING

Prelude to the Final EIA Report

Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd [GIBB] submitted an application to undertake a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in October 2009 for a proposed 300 MW Wind Farm, comprised of approximately 150 x 2 MW turbines. Accordingly GIBB prepared draft and final Environmental Scoping Reports for this Scope of Work, for which Acceptance of Scoping was received on the 29 March 2011.

As the project developed through the Scoping Phase changes were made to the project due to various factors, such as detailed wind modelling data being finalised as well as changes within the Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (REFIT) programme.

In light of the various changes, once approval for the EIA phase to begin was received, the project was reduced to a proposed 243 MW Wind Farm comprising of 50 x 3 MW turbines and 21 x 3,6 MW turbines – a total of 71 turbines. This new project definition was provided to the specialists at the outset of the EIA phase and was investigated in detail during the EIA phase, and which has been recorded on accordingly within this final EIA Report, through Chapters 1 – 16.

Taking into consideration various environmental factors identified through the EIA process, as well as additional legislative parameters introduced in the wind farm environment, CaledonWind re- evaluated the alignment and number of turbines to as far as possible accommodate environmental mitigation measures and adhere to legislative procedures. The following aspects in particular were applied:

• Compliance with the Land Use Planning Ordinance (LUPO) regulations of placement of turbines one and a half times the maximum tip height of the proposed wind turbines from boundaries and structures; • Placement of turbines 400 m or more from noise receptors; and • Removal of various proposed turbines from the Renosterveld where possible.

The final proposed wind farm layout, taking the above into account, is represented in Figure 17.1 of the final EIA Report, and consists of the following:

• 50 x 3 MW Turbines; • 17 x 3,6 MW Turbines; and • Generating Capacity of 212 MW.

GIBB Holdings Reg: 2002/019792/02 Directors: R. Vries (Chairman), Y. Frizlar, B Hendricks, H.A. Kavthankar, J.M.N. Ras

Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd, Reg: 1992/007139/07 is a wholly owned subsidiary of GIBB Holdings.

Specialist comment was also received on this layout and added within Chapter 17 as well as their respective Appendices to cover this aspect.

This final EIA Report therefore includes investigation and comment, in terms of providing Environmental Authorisation, for a proposed 212 MW Wind Farm near Caledon, comprised of 67 turbines and associated infrastructure, including access roads, cable trenches, 132 kV powerline and a proposed new substation, all included within the study area.

The applicant however wishes to bring to the DEA’s attention that despite the EIA report, the EIA application, for two different reasons, is now reduced to 52 x 3MW turbines, with a generating capacity of 156 MW.

The first 13 of the turbines which are no longer applied for are those originally planned for construction on Farm 749. However, as per correspondence sent to the DEA by Smith Ndlovu Summers Attorneys, acting on behalf of SAGIT Limited and dated 9 December 2011, Farm 749 is also subject to an EIA application by SAGIT Limited and in the interest of avoiding any delays in the processing of CaledonWind’s application for environmental authorisation, they have decided to withdraw those aspects (turbine placement) of its application relating to Farm 749 and hereby does so. However, the report and applicant does retain the aspect of the study which explores the potential impacts of the cable (essential to the project) that would traverse Farm 749 if the project proceeds. The applicant still seeks authorisation for this aspect of the project.

The portions of the application which deal with the right to build two turbines on the adjacent farm, 1/ 354, are also abandoned. That is because those turbines cannot be authorised under the Land Use Planning Ordinance, 15 of 1985.

We attach, marked "A", a copy of a map depicting those turbines which were originally the subject of the application, and those for which the applicant now seeks construction and operation rights. It also shows the position of cable referred to above .

We respectfully submit that since this change will result in a decrease rather than increase in environmental impacts and will have no effect or potential effect on the rights or interests of any party, there is no need to notify interested and affected parties of the decision by our client to withdraw these aspects of the application.

Should you have any queries regarding this report, please feel free to contact myself such that we can address them accordingly.

Yours faithfully For and on behalf of Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd.

Rebecca Thomas Senior Environmental Scientist

2 Turbines on farm 749 removed

A – Map depicting Farm Portion 749 (within red boundary) where 13 turbines are removed PROJECT INFORMATION

Title: Final Environmental Assessment Report for the Proposed Caledon Wind Farm, Western Cape Province

Environmental Authority: Department of Environmental Affairs

DEAT Reference No.: 12/12/20/1701

Applicant: Epsispan (Pty) Ltd trading as ‘CaledonWind’

Environmental Consultants: Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd

Date: January 2012

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 1 January 2012 Final EIA Report EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction

Caledon Wind Energy Trading (Pty) Ltd, formerly Epsispan (Pty) Ltd (hereafter referred to as Caledon Wind) is proposing to establish a commercial wind farm and associated infrastructure on a site near Caledon in the Theewaterskloof Municipality, Western Cape Province. The proposed wind farm is known as the Caledon wind farm. Initially, and as reported in the Scoping Report, the proposed Caledon wind farm was expecting to generate up to 300 MW and comprising of up to 150 wind turbines. Through further detailed studies and wind modelling the farm will now ultimately generate 243 MW, comprising of 21 X 3 MW and 50 X 3,6 MW wind turbines. Associated infrastructure will include on-site transformers, control equipment buildings, 33 kV and 132 kV powerlines connecting the turbines to the existing Eskom overhead distribution and transmission lines, access roads to the various turbines and a proposed new substation at the point of connection to the existing transmission lines.

In terms of the EIA Regulations, the proposed development requires a full Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be undertaken. Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd (Arcus GIBB) have been commissioned by Caledon Wind, to undertake the EIA process, and act as independent Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs).

Location

The proposed project is situated within the Theewaterskloof Local Municipality, Western Cape Province. A study area of approximately 3 500 hectares, approximately 16 km west of Caledon and 7 km east of Botrivier, is being considered within which the proposed wind farm and associated infrastructure will be established.

The land proposed to be leased for the project comprises of privately owned farms, all located adjacent to one another, and is identified as a prime site for wind energy generation. Cultivated and disturbed areas on these farms have been considered for the placement of the turbines, not to affect any natural vegetation as far as possible. The identified farms are listed in Table below.

Table 1: Proposed farms for the Caledon Wind Farm 21 Digit Surveyor – Farm Name Parcel No. Owners Name General Code Warmoeskraal 1/259 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000025900001 Riet Fontein 3/259 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000025900003 Riet Fontein 7/259 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000025900007 Riet Fontein 8/259 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000025900008 G Le Roux Pty C01300000000025900009 Farm 9/259 Ltd G Le Roux Pty C01300000000026100000 De Vleytjes 261 Ltd G Le Roux Pty C01300000000026300003 Lang Road 3/263 Ltd Warmoeskraal 1/263 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000026300001 Warmoeskraal Re/263 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000026300000 Goedvertrouw 4/264 J S Maree Trust C01300000000026400004

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 2 January 2012 Final EIA Report 21 Digit Surveyor – Farm Name Parcel No. Owners Name General Code Hawston View 1/271 J S Maree Trust C01300000000027100001 Hawston View 3/271 J S Maree Trust C01300000000027100000 Windheuwel 1/354 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000035400001 G Le Roux Pty C01300000000074400000 Farm 744 Ltd Farm 749 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000074900000

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 3 January 2012 Final EIA Report

Figure 1: Locality map for the proposed Caledon Wind Farm within the Theewaterskloof Municipality

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 4 January 2012 Final EIA Report Project Description

• Wind Farm The wind farm is proposed to have a generating capacity of 243 MW and will comprise of 71 wind turbines, 21 of which will be 3 MW in generating capacity and 50 of 3,6 MW generating capacity. The hub height of the wind turbine will be between 80 and 105 m and the turbine blade length 45 m for the 3 MW turbines and 55 m for the 3, 6 MW turbines. Construction of the wind farm will be phased, with 63 MW (Turbines 1 to 21) being constructed in the first phase. The first phase will take approximately 12 months to complete and the remaining 180 MW will take an additional 36 - 48 months. The wind farm can operate continuously for approximately 20 years. Wind modelling and micro-siting expertise have been utilised to determine the exact layout of the wind turbines, according to the optimum wind speeds, directions identified as well as placement as far as possible outside of natural vegetation. The turbine layout was further guided by the specialist studies undertaken during the EIA process. This exact positioning was determined during the Impact Assessment Phase of the EIA once the modelled results were received and the detailed specialist studies were completed. • Access Roads Work access roads will be required for the delivery of the turbines to their assembly positions during construction, as well as for access during the operational phase. Separate to the wind farm access routes, will be an access road to a temporary laydown area where turbine components and materials will be stored during the construction phase. The positioning of the proposed access roads are shown in Figure 1.4 in Chapter 1. • Powerlines The turbines and wind farm will be connected to the existing Overberg transmission lines through a 33 kV medium voltage feeder power line, which will be constructed as a combination of above and below ground lines and cables, according to the recommendations from the Scoping Phase of the EIA. The alternative powerline corridors being considered are discussed in further detail in Chapter 4. • Proposed new Substation Where the lines connect to the existing Overberg powerlines a substation will be built within the proposed area. Originally there was the possibility of having to upgrade Houwhoek Substation however this is no longer required due to the upgraded design of the on-site sub-station. • Temporary Construction Area A temporary laydown area will be utilised during the construction phase of the project. • Staff Housing Some of the project engineers will be housed on site in four proposed new housing facilities to be constructed adjacent to the laydown area. These facilities will be converted into Tourism and Educational facilities after final commissioning of the wind farm. Labourers, including security guards, employed from the surrounding communities (i.e. Caledon, Villiersdorp and Botrivier), will commute to the site daily. • Wind Farm Control Room An operational monitoring and control room will operate from an office in Caledon. • Transport Turbine components and some of the construction materials will be delivered to the site by road along the Regional Road 43 (R43) and other construction materials along the National Road 2 (N2). The turbines will be delivered directly to

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 5 January 2012 Final EIA Report their point of assembly on site. Where possible, existing farm roads will be upgraded which will benefit of the farm owners in future. Further details with regards to transportation of components and construction material are provided in the Transportation Impact Study discussed in Chapter 16 and which is included in Appendix Q.

The Need and Desirability for the Proposed Project

Electricity generation and provision is a strategic sector of the South African economy underpinning growth and developmental objectives set out by the Government. Over the next few years, the country is expected to experience continued growth in electricity demand, driven by growth in the industrial, mining, commercial and domestic consumer sectors. As such the South African Energy Policy (December 1998) was published by the Department of Energy (DoE), which identifies the following five key objectives:

• Increasing access to affordable energy services; • Improving energy sector governance; • Stimulating economic development; • Managing energy-related environmental impacts; • Securing supply through diversity; and • International Climate Change Commitments under the UNFCCC.

In order to meet these objectives, the SA must make optimal use of available energy resources. Furthermore, wind energy is highly desirable in terms of minimising the impact on the environment and offers a number of socio-economic benefits. These impacts are detailed in the South Africa Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) Regulatory Guideline published by NERSA (26 March 2009) and include:

• Increased energy security: There is currently electricity crisis in South Africa therefore renewable energy is now highlighted as being able to: o Supplement the power available. o Deployed in a decentralised manner close to consumers. o Offer the opportunity for improving grid strength and supply quality, whilst reducing expensive transmission and distribution losses. o Provide a source of backup power to critical installations such as emergency services, traffic lights and security apparatus in the event of a power failure. • Resource saving: It is estimated that renewable energy would result in water savings of approximately 16.5 million kilolitres, where compared with wet cooled conventional power stations. This translates into a revenue saving of R26.6 million. • Exploitation of our significant renewable energy resource: The use of these energy flows will not only strengthen energy security through the development of a diverse energy portfolio, but reduce price shocks associated with conventional fuels. • Pollution reduction: The release of oxides of nitrogen, sulphur and carbon is a major byproduct of fossil fuel burning for electricity generation. • Climate friendly development: The uptake of renewable energy offers the opportunity to address energy needs in an environmentally responsible

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 6 January 2012 Final EIA Report manner, contributing to the mitigation of climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. South Africa as a nation is estimated to be responsible for 1% of global GHG emissions and is currently ranked 9th worldwide in terms of per capita CO2 emissions. The development of proper incentives to promote renewable energy is a key component in taking ambitious actions to mitigate climate change, an objective put forward by the South African delegation to the Bali Conference of the Parties in December 2007. • Support for international agreements and enhanced status within the international community: Renewable energy provides a tangible means for South Africa to demonstrate its commitment to its international agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Copenhagen Agreement. • Employment creation: The sale, development, installation, maintenance and management of renewable energy facilities has significant potential for job creation in South Africa, particularly given that many of these technologies are labour intensive in comparison to their conventional counterparts. • Acceptability to society: Renewable energy offers a number of tangible benefits to society including reduced pollution concerns, improved human and ecosystem health and climate friendly development. • Support to a new industry sector: The development of renewable energy offers the opportunity to establish a new industry within the South African economy. • Protecting the natural foundations of life for future generations: Actions to reduce our disproportionate carbon footprint can play an important part in ensuring our role in preventing dangerous anthropogenic climate change; thereby securing the natural foundations of life for generations to come.

Potential Benefits

Typical benefits associated with wind farms are:

• Wind energy is renewable, clean and non-polluting, and does not produce by- products (atmospheric contaminants or thermal pollution) that could be harmful to the environment; • Wind farms are well suited to rural areas and therefore have a reduced impact on agriculture compared to other electricity generating options. Wind turbines can also contribute to economic growth in these regions; • Wind turbines make use of relatively simple technology in terms of design and construction; • Wind energy is competitively priced compared to other renewable energy sources; • Localized production of energy reduces transmission line losses associated with transmitting electricity over long distances; • The use of wind turbines displaces the use of coal and other fossil fuels with their associated emissions of Green House Gases; and • Wind Farms improve energy security for South Africa and the Western Cape, reducing dependency on imported fossil fuels. • Access to international funding for energy projects. • Access to Technology for creation of manufacturing industry within the renewable energy technology sector.

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 7 January 2012 Final EIA Report Environmental Study Requirements In terms of the EIA Regulations published in Government Notice R385 of 21 April 2006 in terms of Section 24 (5) of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998), certain listed activities as set out in Government Notices R386 (activities that trigger Basic Assessments) and R387 (activities triggering Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment processes or full EIAs) require environmental authorisation before they can proceed. The following activities have been identified as part of the proposed project:

Relevant Activity Describe each listed activity: Notice: No (s) Basic Assessment No. R. 7 The above ground storage of a dangerous good, including 386 petrol, diesel, liquid petroleum gas or paraffin, in 21 April containers with a combined capacity of more than 30 2006 cubic metres but less than 1 000 cubic metres at any one location or site. No. R. 12 The transformation or removal of indigenous vegetation of 386 3 hectares or more or of any size where the 21 April transformation or removal would occur within critically 2006 endangered or an endangered ecosystem listed in terms of section 52 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004). No. R. 14 The construction of masts of any material or type and of 386 any height, including those used for telecommunication 21 April broadcasting and radio transmission, but excluding – 2006 (a) masts of 15 metres and lower exclusively used (i) by radio amateurs; or (ii) for lightning purposes (b) flag poles; and (c) lightning conductor poles No. R. 15 The construction of a road that is wider than 4 metres or 386 that has a reserve wider than 6 metres, excluding roads 21 April that fall within the ambit of another listed activity or which 2006 are access roads of less than 30 metres long. Scoping / EIA No. R. 1 (a) The construction of facilities or infrastructure, including 387 associated structures or infrastructure, for (i) the 21 April generation of electricity where the electricity output is 20 2006 megawatts or more; or (ii) the elements of the facility cover a combined area in excess of 1 hectare. No. R. 1 (l) The transmission and distribution of above ground 387 electricity with a capacity of 120 kilovolts or more. 21 April 2006 No. R. 2 Any development activity, including associated structures 387 and infrastructure, where the total area of the developed 21 April area is, or intended to be, 20 hectares or more. 2006

It is anticipated that the activities associated with the proposed project described above may have both positive and negative potential impacts on the receiving environment and community, and these have been assessed within this EIA and through the following specialist studies:

• Flora Impact Assessment; • Fauna Impact Assessment;

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 8 January 2012 Final EIA Report • Avifauna Impact Assessment; • Agricultural Potential Impact Assessment; • Baseline Geotechnical Study (Scoping Phase); • Social Impact Assessment; • Heritage Impact Assessment; • Noise Impact Assessment; • Traffic Impact Assessment; and • Visual Impact Assessment.

Role Players

Applicant ‘CaledonWind’ is the applicant for the proposed Wind Farm development. Caledon Wind is a joint venture between leading Swiss wind energy development firm, Genesys Wind (AG), listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and Thuthuka Group Limited, a multi disciplinary engineering firm with an extensive footprint across Africa.

Environmental Assessment Practitioner Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd. (Arcus GIBB) is an integrated group of highly trained scientists, project managers and engineers providing cost-effective solutions and specialist services in a wide range of disciplines, including environmental services.

Competent/Relevant Authority The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) will act as the competent authority and the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (WC DEA&DP) as the commenting authority for this application. The mandate and core business of the DEA is underpinned by the Constitution and all other relevant legislation and policies applicable to the government of the Republic of South Africa.

Project Alternatives

In terms of the EIA Regulations published in Government Notice R385 of 21 April 2006 in terms of Section 24 (5) of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998), feasible and reasonable alternatives have to be considered within the Environmental Scoping phase. All identified, feasible and reasonable alternatives are required to be identified in terms of social, biophysical, economic and technical factors.

The ‘do-nothing’ or ‘no-go’ alternative The ‘do-nothing’ or ‘no-go’ alternative is the option of not establishing a wind farm in Caledon in the Western Cape Province.

The electricity demand in South Africa is placing increasing pressure on existing power generation capacity. South Africa will require additional capacity if it is to meet the growing demand for electricity. The 'do nothing' option will, therefore, contribute to these electricity demands not being met.

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 9 January 2012 Final EIA Report The construction of the proposed wind farm will also aid South Africa in meeting its commitments to reduce green house gas emissions, made in terms of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1997) and the Kyoto Protocol (2002) The “do-nothing” alternative will not assist the country in meeting these renewable energy targets or aid in reducing the Western Cape Province’s dependence on imported electricity.

The “do-nothing’ alternative is therefore not considered to be the preferred alternative. The “do-nothing’ alternative however will be represented by the status quo, against which the proposed project will be compared in detail during the Impact Assessment phase of the project.

Location alternatives In determining the most appropriate sites for the establishment of a new wind farm within South Africa, various options were investigated by Caledon Wind during a pre- feasibility study. The pre-feasibility site selection process has to consider particular criteria suitable to the development of a wind farm. The criteria, which resulted in the selection of the proposed study area included following:

• Topography • Wind conditions (renewable resource) • Extent of site • Connection to the national transmission system • Environmental considerations • Site access • Local labour and economic stimulus

It became evident through the complex and detailed study completed by leading international wind engineers, that two of the three sites investigated ranked significantly lower than the selected site, and would not be viable alternatives for consideration within an EIA. From the pre-feasibility studies, the proposed Caledon site was therefore identified as ideal for a wind farm. No further sites are therefore considered in this EIA process. Other alternatives in respect of the proposed site, however, have been identified through the Scoping phase and are discussed below. Detailed investigation of these alternatives will be undertaken within the Impact Assessment phase of the project, with respect to the environmental issues identified during this Scoping phase.

Layout and design alternatives

• Arrangement of the wind turbines The arrangement of the wind turbines will be determined by Computational Fluid Dynamics during the micro-siting process. • Size / Generating Capacity of wind turbines Turbines ranging between 2 – 3.6 MW will be investigated during the detailed Impact Assessment phase of the project. • Transmission power lines Due to the need for power to be connected from the turbines to the substation, and then to the national transmission system, it is necessary to identify potential alignments for the power lines. Alternative alignments for the 11 - 22 kV Transmission lines will be assessed in the Impact Assessment phase. The EIA will investigate whether power lines should be above or belowground cables, or a combination thereof.

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 10 January 2012 Final EIA Report • Access roads Access roads will be required in order to ensure access from the main road to wind farm; to connect the turbines within the proposed site, and to connect the turbines to the substation. These access road alignments will therefore have to be further investigated in the Impact Assessment phase once the layout and design alternatives have been selected.

Planning and Legislative Context

The legislative framework applicable to this project is potentially diverse, and consisting of a number of Acts, Regulations and Treaties which must be considered. A list of some of the key legislation is provided hereunder.

• The Constitution (Act No. 108 of 1996); • National Energy Act (Act No. 34 of 2008); • The Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (Act No. 3 of 2000); • The Promotion of Access to Information Act (Act No. 2 of 2000); • The National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998); • Environmental Conservation Act (Act No. 73 of 1989); • National Heritage Resources Act (Act No. 25 of 1999); • World Heritage Convention Act (Act No. 49 of 1999); • National Water Act (Act No. 36 of 1998); • Water Services Act (Act No. 108 of 1997); • Aviation Act (Act No. 74 of 1962); • Waste Act (Act No. 59 0f 2008); • Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act (Act No. 45 of 1965); • National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (Act No. 39 of 2004); • National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004); • National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act No. 57 of 2003); • National Forests Act (Act No. 84 of 1998); • Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act No. 43 of 1983); • Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act No. 85 of 1993); and • The Land Use Planning Ordinance 15 of 1985 (“LUPO”).

Policy and Planning Context

• White Paper on the Energy Policy of the Republic of South Africa; • Energy Security Master Plan – Electricity (2007-2025); • National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment (“NSBA”); and • Draft National Strategy for Sustainable Development.

A comprehensive discussion of legislation and guidelines considered in the preparation of this Scoping Report is included in Chapter 5

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 11 January 2012 Final EIA Report

EIA Process and Methodology

An EIA is a legislative tool that is used to ensure that potential impacts that may occur due to the proposed development are avoided or mitigated (minimised). In South African legislation the environment includes social, economic and bio-physical aspects and the EIA must assess these equitably.

The EIA procedures are based on the principles of Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) which, in short, comprise pro-active planning, informed decision making, a transparent and participatory approach to development, a broad understanding of the environment, and accountability for decisions and the information on which they are based.

The EIA process is controlled through Regulations published under the Government Notice No. R. 385, R. 386 and R. 387 and associated guidelines promulgated in terms of Chapter 5 of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998).

The EIA process can be divided into 4 distinct components:

• Application and initial notification • Submit an EIA application to the DEA; • DEA acknowledgement of the EIA application (within 14 days); and • Notify the public of the proposed development through inter alia, newspaper adverts, notification letters, BIDs and notice boards.

• Scoping phase • Investigate and gather information on the proposed study area in order to establish an understanding of the area; • Establish how the proposed project will potentially impact on the surrounding environment; • Identify Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) and relevant authorities by conducting a Public Participation Process (PPP); • Identify potential environmental impacts through investigation and PPP; and • Describe and investigate the alternatives that may be considered.

• Impact Assessment phase • Detailed specialist assessment of all issues and proposed alternatives identified in the Scoping phase; • Identify mitigation measures and recommendations to reduce the significance of potential impacts; • Compile an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) which will prescribe environmental specifications to be adhered to during the construction and operational phases of the project; and • As with the Scoping phase, the PPP is an integral and important part of the Impact Assessment phase.

• Environmental Authorisation • Environmental Authorisation (EA) issued to Caledon Wind once DEA has

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 12 January 2012 Final EIA Report made a decision regarding the proposed project; and • Decision may be positive or negative based on inter alia, information received in the Scoping and Impact Assessment phases.

The full EIA Process and timeframes are discussed in further detail in Chapter 5.

A comprehensive Public Participation Process (PPP) was implemented as part of the Scoping Phase of the EIA. The PPP aims to:

• Ensure all relevant stakeholders have been identified and invited to engage in the scoping process; • Raise awareness, educate and increase understanding of stakeholders about the proposed project, the affected environment and the environmental process being undertaken; • Create open channels of communication between stakeholders and the project team; • Provide opportunities for stakeholders to identify issues or concerns and suggestions for enhancing potential benefits and to prevent or mitigate impacts; • Accurately document all opinions, concerns and queries raised regarding the project; and • Ensure the identification of the significant alternatives and issues related to the project.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the proposed Caledon Wind Farm is comprised of two main phases, namely the Scoping phase and Impact Assessment phase. To date, tasks that have been completed include the:

• Identification of stakeholders or I&APs; • Notification of I&APs of the proposed development by distribution of a Background Information Document (BID); • Advertisements concerning the proposed development, the availability of the Draft Scoping Report for review and notification of public meetings; and • Compilation of a comments and responses report relating to the information supplied in the Background Information Document, and finalisation of the Scoping Report.

Tasks which are currently underway include:

• Ongoing consultation and engagement.

The Draft Scoping Report was released for public review and comment from 10 December 2009 – 27 January 2010. During the review period a public participation process (PPP) was undertaken, allowing Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) and Key Stakeholders from government and the private sector to engage with the project proponents and independent environmental consultants. The PPP consisted of key stakeholder workshops (two), focus group meetings (seven), public meetings (two) and one-on-one interactions. Issues raised by I&APs and key stakeholders during the public participation process were documented and included in this Final Scoping Report (See Appendix E).

The relevant authorities required to review the proposed project and provide an Environmental Authorisation have been consulted from the outset of this study, and have been engaged throughout the project process. These supervisory authorities include the National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), who are the lead

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 13 January 2012 Final EIA Report authority for this project. The Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (WC DEA&DP) is noted as a key commenting authority. In addition, a number of other authorities have been consulted. For a comprehensive list see Chapter 6.

The Scoping phase of an EIA served to define the scope of the detailed assessment of the potential impacts of a proposed project and to identify alternatives to the proposed activity that are feasible and reasonable. The Environmental Scoping phase was undertaken in accordance with the requirements of sections 24 and 24D of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act 108 of 1998), as read with Government Notices R 385 (Regulations 27-36), 386 and 387 of the NEMA and the IEM Information Series (DEA, 2002). The objectives of the Scoping phase were to:

• Ensure that the process is open and transparent and involves the Authorities, proponent and stakeholders; • Identify the important characteristics of the affected environment; • Ensure that feasible and reasonable alternatives are identified and selected for further assessment; • Assess and determine possible impacts of the proposed project on the biophysical and socio-economic environment and associated mitigation measures; and • Ensure compliance with the relevant legislation.

On 29 March 2011, an acceptance of the Scoping Phase was granted by the DEA, giving the approval for the project to proceed into the EIA or Assessment Phase of the project. The Impact Assessment Phase was undertaken in accordance with the Plan of Study for Environmental Assessment as described in the Final Scoping Report as well as in accordance with the conditions as received from DEA on the FSR.

The draft EIA Report, including the draft EMP, was made available for review for a core period of 30 days from Wednesday 16 November 2011 to Thursday 15 December 2011. However, as the report was only available electronically on Friday 18 November an additional 2 days were provided for review, which extended over the festive season until Wednesday 04 January 2012. The report was made available at the following public locations within the proposed study area:

• Botrivier Library; • Caledon Library; • Genadendal Library; • Greyton Local Library; • Villiersdorp Local Library; and • Theewaterskloof Municipality.

All registered I&APs were notified of the availability of the report in writing. Comments received during the review period have been included into this Final EIA Report which is submitted to the authorities for decision-making. All registered I&APs have further been informed of the availability of the Final EIA Report. Any comments received on the Final EIA Report will be submitted directly to the DEA for their review and consideration.

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 14 January 2012 Final EIA Report

Description of the Baseline Environment and Associated Impacts

The description of the baseline environment details the various biophysical and socio- economic factors as described by the various specialists involved in the project. The biophysical aspects include: geology and spoils, topography, groundwater, agricultural potential, the climate of the study area, regional vegetation, ecological corridors, land cover, faunal species of conservation importance and bird habitat in the study area. The socio-economic aspects include: baseline demographic processes, economic growth potential, heritage resources and noise climate. More information regarding these factors can be located in Chapter 7.

The scoping phase included 10 specialist investigations, 9 of which were deemed necessary in the EIA process. As such these studies detailed and investigated areas which may impact (both negatively and positively) on the environment should the development proceed. Further information on these studies are detailed in chapter 8- 16 of this Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The EIA process undertaken for the proposed wind farm and summarised in this final EIA Report aims to ensure that the DEA can make an informed decision on the environmental acceptability or otherwise of this proposed development.

The final EIA Report for the proposed Caledon Wind Farm presents the findings of specialist investigations of 9 key areas of concern that were identified during the Scoping and Impact Assessment process. The configuration of the roads and turbines were adjusted on the basis of the initial findings and there is further intention to optimise the layout and design based on the following:

• Micro-siting which will be informed by engineering and environmental specialists; and • Monitoring undertaken during the early stages of the development that will inform the detailed planning decisions for subsequent turbines.

Construction Impacts In weighing up the construction impacts after mitigation it appears the High positive local, regional, and national impacts outweigh the High, becoming Medium to Low negative impacts and that when, taking all the impacts into account, there is a positive bias. When weighing up the fact that less than 15 % of the area will be permanently altered and that all High negative biophysical impacts can be adequately mitigated, juxtaposed with the fact that there is a pressing need for investment, expenditure and employment in the area, it is concluded that the High positive social impacts which address these social issues outweigh the residual (after mitigation) Medium to Low negative biophysical impacts. In weighing up all the other positive and negative construction impacts that were not rated as High before or after mitigation, it is concluded that they do not have a significant cumulative negative bearing on the environmental acceptance of this development as long as they are mitigated/enhanced as required. As the decommissioning stage should have similar

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 15 January 2012 Final EIA Report impacts to construction the same conclusions can thus be deduced for decommissioning.

Operational Impacts In weighing up the Operational Impacts after mitigation it appears the High positive local, regional and national benefits outweigh the High negative local impacts and that when, taking all the impacts into account, there is a positive bias. In weighing up all the other positive and negative operational impacts that were not rated as High before or after mitigation it is concluded that they do not have a significant cumulative negative bearing on the environmental acceptance of this development which would alter the positive bias from the highly significant impacts weighed up above. This is as long as all the impacts are mitigated / enhanced as required.

Cumulative Impacts As has been indicated in the section summarising cumulative impacts above, in weighing up the potential negative and positive cumulative impacts, the balance of probabilities is that the positive cumulative impacts outweigh the negative.

Final Proposed Wind Farm Layout and Comment Thereon

Taking into consideration various environmental factors identified through the EIA process, as well as additional legislative parameters introduced in the wind farm environment, CaledonWind re-evaluated the alignment and number of turbines to as far as possible accommodate environmental mitigation measures and adhere to legislative procedures. The following aspects in particular were applied:

• Compliance with the Land Use Planning Ordinance (LUPO) regulations of placement of turbines one and a half times the maximum tip height of the proposed wind turbines from boundaries and structures; • Placement of turbines 400m or more from noise receptors; and • Removal of various proposed turbines from the Renosterveld where possible.

The final proposed wind farm layout, taking the above into account, is represented in Figure 2 below. This layout was provided to the specialists to provide final comment on. Copies of the specialist comments received are included in the Specialist Appendices, behind the original reports.

The final proposed layout now consists of the following:

• 50 x 3 MW Turbines • 17 x 3,6 MW Turbines • Generating Capacity of 212 MW

Table 1 below indicates which turbines were removed or moved and the reasons for doing so.

Table 1: Summary of removed or moved turbines and reasons Turbine No. Placement Reason T1 Moved LUPO T2 Moved LUPO T3 Removed Renosterveld, slope T4 Moved LUPO

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 16 January 2012 Final EIA Report T5 Removed Renosterveld T8 Removed LUPO, Renosterveld T13 Removed Noise T18 Removed LUPO T21 Removed LUPO T25 Moved LUPO T30 Moved Noise T31 Moved Noise T37 Removed LUPO T45 Moved LUPO T54 Moved Optimisation

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 17 January 2012 Final EIA Report

Figure 2: Final Proposed Caledon Wind Farm Layout

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 18 January 2012 Final EIA Report

Recommendations Based on the findings of the EIA process undertaken for the proposed Caledon Wind Farm Development no fatal flaws were identified. As outlined in the Conclusion section above, when weighing up the residual positive and negative impacts for all the phases of the project, there is an inherent positive bias. All the communities that are impacted negatively will also gain positively from the project so no communities are benefiting at the total expense of another.

Furthermore, the positive residual impacts with high significance are local, regional and national whereas all the highly significant residual negative impacts are local, subjective socio-cultural impacts that will not endanger any biophysical environments. Finally, there are also the non-project specific significant positive impacts of renewable energy over conventional energy production, which are both biophysical and socio-cultural, with far reaching and long term implications.

In weighing up the potential negative and positive cumulative impacts, the balance of probabilities is that the positive cumulative impacts outweigh the negative. Based on all of the above, it is recommended that the development be authorised to proceed as long as the mitigation measures identified in this EIA and incorporated in the Draft EMP are implemented.

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 19 January 2012 Final EIA Report ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED CALEDON WIND FARM, WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Description Page

1 INTRODUCTION 1-1

1.1 Project Location 1-2

1.2 Project Description 1-4

1.3 The Need and Desirability for the Proposed Project 1-9

1.3.1 Legal Framework for Renewable Energy in South Africa 1-9

1.3.2 International Commitments 1-12

1.3.3 Benefits of a Wind Farm 1-12

1.4 Environmental Study Requirements 1-13

1.5 Summary of the EIA Process 1-15

1.5.1 EIA Process 1-15

1.6 Objectives of the EIA Report 1-18

1.7 Way Forward 1-20

2 DETAILS OF ROLEPLAYERS 2-1

2.1 Introduction 2-1

2.2 Details of Applicant 2-1

2.3 Details of Independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner 2-1

2.4 Details of Competent / Relevant Authority 2-2

2.5 Details of Appointed Specialists 2-3

3 DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION: TECHNICAL DETAILS 3-1

3.1 Introduction 3-1

3.2 Wind Energy: How it Works 3-1

3.3 Infrastructure Requirements 3-2

3.4 Construction Phase 3-3

3.4.1 Transportation 3-3

3.4.2 Temporary Works 3-5

3.4.3 Construction of Substation and Ancillary Infrastructure 3-6

3.4.4 Access Roads 3-7

3.4.5 Distribution and Transmission Lines within the Site to the National Grid 3-8

3.4.6 On-Site Roads 3-8

3.4.7 Turbines 3-10

3.4.8 Use of Services and Resources during Construction 3-13

3.5 Operational Phase 3-14

3.6 Decommissioning Phase 3-15

3.7 Conclusion 3-15

4 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES 4-1

4.1 The ‘Do Nothing’ Alternative 4-1

4.2 Location Alternatives 4-2

4.3 Layout and Design Alternatives 4-3

4.3.1 Arrangement of the Wind Turbines 4-3

4.3.2 Size of Wind Turbines 4-6

4.3.3 Transmission Power Lines 4-6

4.4 Associated Infrastructure 4-8

4.4.1 Access Roads and Cable Trenches 4-8

4.5 Conclusion 4-8

5 LEGAL AND POLICY CONTEXT 5-1

5.1 Introduction 5-1

5.2 Legislative, Policy, Planning and Guideline Context 5-1

5.2.1 The National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA) 5-1

5.2.2 Western Cape Guideline Series for EIA (2005) 5-6

5.2.3 Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Integrated Environmental

Management Guideline Series (2006) 5-6

5.2.4 Other Acts/Regulations/Policies/Guidelines Relevant to the Project 5-6

5.3 Conclusion 5-11

6 EIA PROCESS AND METHODOLOGY 6-1

6.1 Introduction 6-1

6.2 Overview of Scoping Phase Undertaken 6-1

6.2.1 Consultation with Authorities 6-2

6.2.2 Consultation with other Relevant Authorities 6-2

6.2.3 Identification of Potentially Significant Environmental Impacts 6-3

6.2.4 Draft Environmental Scoping Report 6-3

6.2.5 Plan of Study for the Impact Assessment Phase 6-4

iii

6.2.6 Public Participation Process 6-4

6.2.7 Final Environmental Scoping Report 6-8

6.2.8 Acceptance of the Scoping Report 6-8

6.3 Detailed Impact Assessment Phase 6-9

6.3.1 Introduction 6-9

6.3.2 Impact Assessment Methodology 6-10

6.3.3 Consideration of Alternatives 6-20

6.3.4 Assessment of Potential Impacts 6-21

6.3.5 Public Participation Process (PPP) 6-24

6.3.6 Draft Environmental Impact Report 6-24

6.3.7 Draft Environmental Management Plan (EMP) 6-25

6.3.8 Public Review of draft EIR and EMP 6-25

6.3.9 Consultation with the DEA 6-26

6.4 Terms of Reference for Specialist Studies 6-27

6.4.1 Introduction 6-27

6.4.2 General Terms of Reference for Specialist Studies 6-27

6.4.3 Specific Terms of Reference for Specialist Studies 6-28

6.5 Conclusion 6-35

7 DESCRIPTION OF BASELINE ENVIRONMENT 7-2

7.1 Introduction 7-1

7.2 General Study Area 7-1

7.2.1 Regional Context 7-1

7.2.2 Administrative Context 7-3

7.2.3 Road Network 7-5

7.3 Biophysical Environment 7-7

7.3.1 Geology and Soils 7-7

7.3.2 Topography 7-8

7.3.3 Groundwater 7-8

7.3.4 Soils and Agricultural Potential 7-9

7.3.5 Climate 7-12

7.3.6 Regional Vegetation 7-12

7.3.7 Ecological Corridors 7-13

7.3.8 Land Cover 7-15

7.3.9 Faunal Species of Conservation Importance 7-15

7.3.10 Bird Habitat in the Study Area 7-19

7.3.11 Cereal Crops and Pastures 7-21

7.3.12 Drainage Lines and Wetlands 7-21

7.3.13 Dams 7-22

7.3.14 Other Habitats 7-22

7.3.15 Avifauna in the Study Area 7-22

7.4 Socio-Economic Environment 7-26

7.4.1 Study Area and Land-Use Settlement Patterns 7-26

7.4.2 Study Area and Land-use Settlement Patterns 7-31

7.5 Heritage Resources 7-37

7.6 Noise Climate 7-39

8 FLORA 8-1

8.1 Introduction 8-1

8.2 Terms of Reference and Methodology 8-1

8.3 Baseline Conditions 8-3

8.3.1 Regional Context 8-3

8.3.2 Ecological Drivers 8-3

8.3.3 Vegetation Overview 8-4

8.3.4 Plant Species of Conservation Concern 8-8

8.4 Impact Assessment 8-8

8.4.1 Direct Impacts: Introduction 8-8

8.4.2 Direct Impacts: Permanent loss of Natural Vegetation 8-9

8.4.3 Direct Impacts: Long Term but Temporary Loss of Natural Vegetation 8-10

8.4.4 Indirect Impacts 8-11

8.4.5 Cumulative Impacts 8-12

8.4.6 Positive Impacts 8-13

8.5 Impact Statement and Summary Table 8-13

8.6 Mitigation Measures 8-15

8.6.1 Site Specific Mitigation Measures 8-15

8.6.2 Construction Activities within Close Proximity to Sensitive Area's 8-16

8.6.3 Earthworks within Sensitive Area's 8-16

8.6.4 Requirements for the Operational Phase 8-17

8.7 Conclusions 8-18

9 IMPACTS ON FAUNA 9-1

9.1 Introduction 9-1

9.2 Methodology 9-1

9.2.1 Establishing the Baseline Conditions 9-1

9.2.2 Impact Assessment 9-2

9.3 Baseline Conditions 9-2

9.3.1 Geology 9-2

9.3.2 Vegetation and Landuse 9-3

9.3.3 Fauna 9-4

9.4 Impact Assessment 9-4

9.4.1 Construction Phase 9-5

9.4.2 Operational Phase 9-8

9.4.3 Decommissioning Phase 9-10

9.4.4 Summary and Conclusions 9-11

10 IMPACTS ON AVIFAUNA 10-1

10.1 Introduction 10-1

10.2 Methodology 10-1

10.2.1 Establishing the Baseline Conditions 10-1

10.2.2 Impact Assessment 10-1

10.3 Baseline Conditions 10-3

10.3.1 Bird Habitat in the Study Area 10-3

10.3.2 Avifauna in the Study Area 10-7

10.4 Impact Assessment 10-8

10.4.1 Identification of Potential Impacts 10-8

10.4.2 Assessment of Potential Impacts 10-10

10.4.3 Mitigation Measures 10-10

10.4.4 Summary of Potential Impacts 10-11

10.5 Summary and Conclusions 10-15

vii

11 SOILS AND AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL 11-1

11.1 Introduction 11-1

11.2 Methodology 11-1

11.3 Baseline Conditions 11-1

11.4 Impact Assessment 11-4

11.5 Summary and Conclusions 11-5

12 SOCIAL IMPACTS 12-1

12.1 Introduction 12-1

12.2 Methodology 12-1

12.2.1 Establishing Baseline Conditions 12-1

12.2.2 Impact Assessment 12-2

12.3 Baseline Conditions 12-2

12.3.1 Study Area Context 12-2

12.3.2 Road Network and Tourism 12-3

12.3.3 Land Use and Settlement Patterns 12-4

12.3.4 Population 12-5

12.3.5 Education Levels 12-6

12.3.6 Employment 12-6

12.3.7 Household Income 12-7

12.3.8 Affected Farms 12-8

12.4 Policy and Planning Review 12-9

12.4.1 International Experience with Wind Farms 12-9

12.4.2 Energy Policy 12-10

12.4.3 Site Related Aspects 12-10

viii

12.4.4 Local Level Development 12-10

12.5 Impact Assessment 12-11

12.5.1 Construction Phase 12-11

12.5.2 Operational Phase 12-17

12.5.3 Decommissioning Phase 12-22

12.6 Mitigation Measures 12-22

12.6.1 Construction Employment 12-22

12.6.2 Business Opportunities during Construction 12-22

12.6.3 Risks Associated with Construction Workers 12-23

12.6.4 Risks to Farming Practices during Construction 12-23

12.6.4 Road Impacts during Construction 12-24

12.6.5 Damage to Farm Lands during Construction 12-24

12.6.6 Employment Opportunities during Operation 12-25

12.6.7 Renewable Energy Generation 12-25

12.6.8 Impacts on Tourism 12-25

12.6.8 Decommissioning 12-25

12.7 Cumulative Impacts 12-26

12.8 Assessment of the No-Development Option 12-27

12.9 Summary of Impacts 12-28

12.10 Summary and Conclusions 12-29

13 HERITAGE ASSESSMENT 13-1

13.1 Introduction 13-1

13.2 Regulatory and Legislative Context 13-1

13.2.1 Cultural Landscapes 13-1

13.2.2 Sensitivity Grading 13-2

13.3 Methodology 13-2

13.3.1 Establishing Baseline Conditions 13-2

13.3.2 Base Line Conditions 13-3

13.4 Impact Assessment 13-7

13.4.1 Identification of Potential Impacts on Heritage 13-7

13.4.2 Assessments of Potential Impacts on Heritage 13-7

13.4.3 Mitigation Measures 13-8

13.4.4 Summary of the Potential Impacts on Heritage 13-8

13.5 Summary and Conclusions 13-9

14 NOISE 14-1

14.1 Introduction 14-1

14.2 Methodology 14-1

14.2.1 Instrumentation 14-1

14.2.2 Methodology: 14-2

14.2.3 Noise Sensitive Areas 14-2

14.2.4 Noise Survey 14-4

14.3 Baseline Conditions 14-5

14.4 Impact Assessment 14-8

14.4.1 Construction Phase 14-7

14.4.2 Operational Phase 14-8

14.4.3 Decommissioning Phase 14-13

14.5 Recommendations 14-14

14.5.1 General Construction Activities 14-14

14.5.2 Construction Phase of Wind Turbines 14-14

14.5.3 Operational Phase of Wind Turbines 14-15

14.5.4 Decommissioning Phase 14-16

14.6 Summary and Conclusions 14-17

15 VISUAL ASSESSMENT 15-1

15.1 Introduction 15-1

15.2 Methodology 15-1

15.3 Baseline Conditions 15-2

15.3.1 General Description of the Site and Surrounding Area 15-2

15.3.2 The Visual Environment and Sense of Place 15-3

15.4 Impact Assessment 15-3

15.4.1 The Viewshed 15-4

15.4.2 Extent of the Visual Impact 15-5

15.4.3 Visual Influence 15-5

15.4.4 Visual Impact of the Development 15-8

15.4.5 Consequence and Significance of the Impacts 15-10

15.5 Mitigation Measures 15-10

15.5.1 Construction Phase 15-10

15.5.2 Operational Phase 15-11

15.6 Residual Impacts 15-12

15.7 Summary and Conclusions 15-12

16 IMPACTS ON TRANSPORT 16-1

16.1 No-Go Alternative (Status Quo Environment) 16-1

16.1.1 Existing Road Network and Access 16-1

16.1.2 Existing Traffic 16-2

16.1.3 Public Transport 16-2

16.1.4 Other Transport Facilities 16-2

16.2 Construction Phase Impact Assessment 16-5

16.2.1 Access 16-5

16.2.2 Trip Generation 16-6

16.2.3 Trip Distribution and Traffic Analysis 16-6

16.2.4 Heavy Load Transportation 16-7

16.2.5 Abnormal Load Transportation 16-7

16.2.6 Parking 16-8

16.2.7 Public Transport 16-8

16.2.8 Non-Motorised Transport and Aviation 16-8

16.3 Operational Phase Impact Assessment 16-9

16.4 Summary and Conclusions 16-11

17 CONCLUSIONS 17-1

17.1 Introduction 17-1

17.1.1 Project Background 17-1

17.2 Findings and Recommendations of the Specialist Studies 17-2

17.2.1 Flora 17-2

17.2.2 Fauna 17-3

17.2.3.1Avifauna 17-4

17.2.4 Agricultural Potential 17-5

17.2.5 Geotechnical Study 17-6

xii

17.2.6 Social 17-6

17.2.7 Heritage Resources 17-7

17.2.8 Noise 17-8

17.2.9 Visual 17-9

17.2.10Traffic 17-10

17.3 Final Proposed Wind Farm Layout and Comment Thereon 17-12

17.3.1 Flora 17-14

17.3.2 Avifauna 17-14

17.3.3 Heritage 17-14

17.3.4 Noise 17-14

17.4 Conclusions and Recommendations 17-15

17.4.1 Construction Impacts 17-15

17.4.2 Operational Impacts 17-15

17.4.3 Cumulative Impacts 17-16

17.4.4 Recommendations 17-16

xiii

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: Authority Consultation

APPENDIX B: Curriculum Vitae of Environmental Assessment Practitioners

APPENDIX C: I&AP Database

APPENDIX D: Project Advertisements and Notices

APPENDIX E: I&AP Comments and Responses Document

APPENDIX F: Civil Aviation Authority Approval

APPENDIX G: Copies of Deeds for Affected Properties

APPENDIX H: Site Selection Pre-Feasibility Report

APPENDIX I: Flora Specialist Report

APPENDIX J: Fauna Specialist Report

APPENDIX K: Avifauna Specialist Report

APPENDIX L: Agricultural Specialist Report

APPENDIX M: Socio Economic Specialist Report

APPENDIX N: Heritage Specialist Report

APPENDIX O: Noise Specialist Report

APPENDIX P: Visual Specialist Report

APPENDIX Q: Transportation Specialist Report

APPENDIX R: Draft Environmental Management Plan

APPENDIX S: A3 Maps and Visual Rendering of the Proposed Wind Farm

xiv

Chapter 1: Introduction

1 INTRODUCTION

This proposed project is to be registered with the United Nation’s Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) as part of the Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) Programme. Caledon Wind acknowledges this project as a ‘green’ initiative and have decided to, where possible, commit to making environmentally favourable decisions in respect of the project as a whole.

In terms of the EIA Regulations, an application of this nature has to undergo both Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd (Arcus GIBB) have been commissioned by Caledon Wind, who is the project developers, to undertake the full EIA process, and act as independent Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs).

This EIA considers the potential positive and negative environmental (biophysical, social and economic) impacts associated with the establishment of the proposed wind farm and proposes measures to mitigate the negative impacts of the proposed project on the receiving environment and community.

This final EIA report consists of eighteen chapters, which include:

Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Details of the Roleplayers Chapter 3: Project Description: Technical Details Chapter 4: Alternatives Chapter 5: Legal and Policy Context Chapter 6: EIA Phase Process and Methodology Chapter 7: Description of the Receiving Environment Chapter 8: Impacts on Flora Chapter 9: Impacts on Fauna Chapter 10: Impacts on Avifauna Chapter 11: Impacts on Agricultural Potential Chapter 12: Impacts on Social and Tourism Environment Chapter 13: Impacts on Heritage Resources Chapter 14: Noise Impacts Chapter 15: Visual Impacts Chapter 16: Traffic Impacts Chapter 17: Conclusions and Recommendations Chapter 18: Draft Environmental Management Plan

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 1-1 January 2012 Final EIA Report

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Project Location

The land proposed to be leased for the project comprises of privately owned farms, all located adjacent to one another, and is identified as a prime site for wind energy generation (classified in terms of IEC1 as a wind class 1 (“High Wind Speed”) site and on - site distribution and transmission lines). Cultivated and already disturbed areas within each of the farms have been considered for the placement of the turbines, so as not to affect any natural vegetation as far as possible. The identified farms are listed in Table 1.1 below.

Table 1.1: Proposed farms for the Caledon Wind Farm 21 Digit Surveyor – Farm Name Parcel No. Owners Name General Code Warmoeskraal 1/259 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000025900001 Riet Fontein 3/259 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000025900003 Riet Fontein 7/259 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000025900007 Riet Fontein 8/259 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000025900008 Farm 9/259 G Le Roux Pty Ltd C01300000000025900009 De Vleytjes 261 G Le Roux Pty Ltd C01300000000026100000 Lang Road 3/263 G Le Roux Pty Ltd C01300000000026300003 Warmoeskraal 1/263 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000026300001 Warmoeskraal Re/263 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000026300000 Goedvertrouw 4/264 J S Maree Trust C01300000000026400004 Hawston View 1/271 J S Maree Trust C01300000000027100001 Hawston View 3/271 J S Maree Trust C01300000000027100000 Windheuwel 1/354 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000035400001 Farm 744 G Le Roux Pty Ltd C01300000000074400000 Farm 749 Klipfontein Trust C01300000000074900000

Copies of deeds of all affected farm portions are included in Appendix G. A map indicating the farms and the location of the proposed site is provided in Figure 1.1 below.

1 International Electrotechnical Commission Standard (IEC)

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 1-2 January 2012 Final EIA Report

Chapter 1: Introduction

Figure 1.1: Locality map for the proposed Caledon Wind Farm within the Theewaterskloof Municipality

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 1-3 January 2012 Final EIA Report

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.2 Project Description

Wind Farm The wind farm is proposed to have a generating capacity of 243 MW and proposed to comprise of 71 wind turbines, 21 of which will be 3 MW in generating capacity and 50 of 3,6 MW generating capacity. The proposed placement of the 71 wind turbines is illustrated in Figure 1.3. The hub height will be between 80 and 105 m and the turbine blade length 45 m for the 3 MW turbines and 55 m for the 3,6 MW turbines. Construction of the wind farm is proposed to be phased, with 63 MW (Turbines 1 to 21) being constructed in the first phase†. The first phase will take approximately 12 months to complete and the remaining 180 MW will take an additional 36 - 48 months. The wind farm can operate continuously for approximately 20 years. Illustrations depicting typical wind turbines and their components, (i.e. hub height and blade length) is shown in Figure 1.2 below.

Figure 1.2: Typical wind turbine structures

† At the outset of the project, 2 MW turbines with hub heights of 80 m and blade lengths of 40 m were initially discussed for consideration for the wind farm. Subsequently, varying turbine sizes have been considered to provide alternatives to be investigated in terms of environmental impacts associated with the different sizes.

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 1-4 January 2012 Final EIA Report

Chapter 1: Introduction

Figure 1.3: Proposed positioning of the turbines for the Caledon Wind Farm

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 1-5 January 2012 Final EIA Report

Chapter 1: Introduction

Wind modelling and micro-siting expertise have been utilised to determine the exact layout of the wind turbines, according to the optimum wind speeds, directions identified as well as placement as far as possible outside of natural vegetation. The turbine layout was further guided by the specialist studies undertaken during the EIA process. This exact positioning was determined during the Impact Assessment Phase of the EIA once the modelled results were received and the detailed specialist studies were completed.

Access Roads Work access roads will be required for the delivery of the turbines to their assembly positions during construction, as well as for access during the operational phase. Separate to the wind farm access routes, will be an access road to a temporary laydown area where turbine components and materials will be stored during the construction phase. The positioning of the proposed access roads are shown in Figure 1.4 below.

Powerlines The turbines and wind farm will be connected to the existing Overberg transmission lines through a 33 kV medium voltage feeder power line, which will be constructed as a combination of above and below ground lines and cables, according to the recommendations from the Scoping Phase of the EIA. The alternative powerline corridors being considered are discussed in further detail in Chapter 4.

Proposed New Substation Where the lines connect to the existing Overberg powerlines a substation will be built within the proposed area as required, and in accordance to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) Grid Code Standards to feed electricity into the national grid. Originally there was the possibility of having to upgrade Houwhoek Substation however this is no longer required due to the upgraded design of the on- site sub-station.

Temporary Construction Area A temporary construction compound will be utilised during the construction phase of the project. This area will be used to store machinery and equipment as well as a, site office, canteen and facilities for diesel storage, toilets and showers. The temporary construction compound and laydown area will be rehabilitated back to its original state once construction is complete.

Staff Housing Some of the project engineers will be housed on site in four proposed new housing facilities to be constructed adjacent to the laydown area. These facilities will be converted into Tourism and Educational facilities after final commissioning of the wind farm. Labourers, including security guards, employed from the surrounding communities (i.e. Caledon, Villiersdorp and Botrivier), will commute to the site daily.

Wind Farm Control Room An operational monitoring and control room will operate from an office in Caledon.

Transport Turbine components and some of the construction materials will be delivered to the site by road along the Regional Road 43 (R43) and other construction materials along the National Road 2 (N2). The turbines will be delivered directly to their point of assembly on site. Where possible, existing farm roads will be upgraded for transport within the proposed site, to the future benefit of the farm owners. Further details with

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 1-6 January 2012 Final EIA Report

Chapter 1: Introduction

regards to transportation of components and construction material are provided in the Transportation Impact Study discussed in Chapter 16 and which is included in Appendix Q.

It was identified during the Scoping Phase that the activities associated with the project described above may have, both potential positive and/or negative impacts on the study area These impacts have been assessed within this EIA and through the following specialist studies:

• Flora Impact Assessment; • Fauna Impact Assessment; • Avifauna Impact Assessment; • Agricultural Potential Impact Assessment; • Social Impact Assessment; • Heritage Impact Assessment; • Noise Impact Assessment; • Traffic Impact Assessment; and • Visual Impact Assessment.

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 1-7 January 2012 Final EIA Report

Chapter 1: Introduction

Figure 1.4: Proposed layout of the access roads for the Caledon Wind Farm

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 1-8 January 2012 Final EIA Report Chapter 1: Introduction

1.3 The Need and Desirability for the Proposed Project

1.3.1 Legal Framework for Renewable Energy in South Africa

Several key policies, departments and institutions are responsible for energy planning in South Africa. In terms of energy planning, the South African Energy Policy (December 1998) published by the Department of Energy (DoE)‡, firstly identifies five key objectives:

In order to meet these objectives as well as the developmental and socio-economic objectives in South Africa, the country needs to make optimal use of available energy resources. The DoE secondly performs Integrated Energy Planning to identify future energy demand and supply requirements. Thirdly, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) performs National Integrated Resource Planning to identify the future electricity demand and supply requirements.

Within a policy framework, the development of renewable energy in South Africa is supported by the White Paper on Renewable Energy (November 2003), which has set a target of 10 000 GWh renewable energy contribution to final energy consumption by 2013. The target is to be achieved primarily through the development of wind, biomass, solar and small-scale hydro. DME’s macroeconomic study of renewable energy, developed under the now completed Capacity Building in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (CaBEERE) project, has established that the achievement of this target would provide a number of economic benefits, including increased government revenue amounting to R299 million, increased GDP of up to R1 billion per year and the creation of an estimated 20 500 new jobs. In addition, the development of renewable energy beyond the 10 000 GWh target holds further employment benefits and would maximise the number of jobs created per TWh.

“South Africa is well endowed with renewable energy resources that can be sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. Thus far, these have remained largely untapped. Government’s long-term goal is the establishment of a renewable energy industry producing modern energy carriers that will offer, in future years a sustainable, fully non-subsidised alternative to fossil fuels. To get started on a deliberate path towards this goal, the Government’s medium-term (10-year) target is:

‡ Previously the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME)

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Chapter 1: Introduction

10 000 GWh (0.8 Mtoe) renewable energy contribution to final energy consumption by 2013, to be produced mainly from biomass, wind, solar and small-scale hydro. The renewable energy is to be utilised for power generation and non-electric technologies such as solar water heating and bio-fuels. This is approximately 4% (1667 MW) of the projected electricity demand for 2013 (41539 MW).” (White Paper on Renewable Energy (2004))

The 1 667 MW projected renewable energy demand for 2013 would be base load energy at 100 % availability, and in terms of wind energy is equivalent to approximately 4 000 MW installed wind plants at +/- 25 – 30 % availability.

Furthermore, wind energy is highly desirable in terms of minimising the impact on the environment and offers a number of socio-economic benefits. These impacts are detailed in the South Africa Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) Regulatory Guideline published by NERSA (26 March 2009) and include:

• Increased energy security: The current electricity crisis in South Africa highlights the significant role that renewable energy can play in terms of supplementing the power available, particularly the role of cogeneration technologies in providing additional base load or peak load support. In addition, given that renewables can often be deployed in a decentralised manner close to consumers, they offer the opportunity for improving grid strength and supply quality, whilst reducing expensive transmission and distribution losses. Grid connected renewable energy can also provide an important source of backup power to critical installations such as emergency services, traffic lights and security apparatus in the event of a centralised power failure. Support in this regard includes the continued operation of key facilities such as social services centres, schools, clinics, telecommunications, and small businesses and other such facilities vital for poverty alleviation and socio-economic development.

• Resource saving: Conventional coal fired plants are a major consumer of water during their requisite cooling processes. It is estimated that the achievement of the targets in the Renewable Energy White Paper will result in water savings of approximately 16.5 million kilolitres, where compared with wet cooled conventional power stations. This translates into a revenue saving of R26.6 million. As an already water stressed nation, it is critical that South Africa engages in a variety of water conservation measures, particularly as the detrimental effects of climate change on water availability are experienced in the future.

• Exploitation of our significant renewable energy resource: At present, valuable national resources, ranging from biomass by-products, solar insolation and wind energy through to tidal currents, remain largely unexploited. The use of these energy flows will not only strength energy security through the development of a diverse energy portfolio, but reduce price shocks associated with conventional fuels.

• Pollution reduction: The release of oxides of nitrogen, sulphur and carbon is a major byproduct of fossil fuel burning for electricity generation. NOx, Sox, CO and CO2 have a particularly hazardous impact on human health, contributing to the formation of smog and exacerbating the spread of respiratory illness, as

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Chapter 1: Introduction

well as contributing to the development of acid rain and ecosystem degradation.

• Climate friendly development: The uptake of renewable energy offers the opportunity to address energy needs in an environmentally responsible manner, contributing to the mitigation of climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. South Africa as a nation is estimated to be responsible for 1% of global GHG emissions and is currently ranked 9th worldwide in terms of per capita CO2 emissions. The development of proper incentives to promote renewable energy is a key component in taking ambitious actions to mitigate climate change, an objective put forward by the South African delegation to the Bali Conference of the Parties in December 2007.

• Support for international agreements and enhanced status within the international community: The effective deployment of renewable energy provides a tangible means for South Africa to demonstrate its commitment to its international agreements under the Kyoto Protocol, and subsequent Copenhagen Agreement, and for cementing its status as a leading player within the international community.

• Employment creation: The sale, development, installation, maintenance and management of renewable energy facilities has significant potential for job creation in South Africa, particularly given that many of these technologies are labour intensive in comparison to their conventional counterparts. It is estimated that the achievement of the targets within the Renewable Energy White Paper will result in an additional 20,500 jobs being created, both directly and indirectly, in comparison to the development of conventional coal based technologies. In addition, the development of renewable energy beyond the 10 000GWh target holds further employment benefits and would maximise the number of jobs created per TWh.

• Acceptability to society: Renewable energy offers a number of tangible benefits to society including reduced pollution concerns, improved human and ecosystem health and climate friendly development. Increasing awareness amongst national leaders and general populations alike of the importance of playing at least some part in combating climate change, highlights the role of renewable energy in supporting energy futures that are considered socially acceptable and just to future generations.

• Support to a new industry sector: The development of renewable energy offers the opportunity to establish a new industry within the South African economy. The development of this industry also makes available a variety of export and service led commercial opportunities, not simply in South Africa but within Sub-Saharan Africa also.

• Protecting the natural foundations of life for future generations: Actions to reduce our disproportionate carbon footprint can play an important part in ensuring our role in preventing dangerous anthropogenic climate change; thereby securing the natural foundations of life for generations to come.

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Chapter 1: Introduction

According to REFIT (2009), South Africa is some way off from exploiting the diverse gains from renewable energy and from achieving a considerable market share in the renewable energy industry. South Africa’s electricity supply remains heavily dominated by coal based power generation, with the country’s significant renewable energy potential largely untapped to date. Currently, a significant contribution of renewable energy to primary energy supply occurs though the use of traditional biomass (resulting in large-scale indoor air pollution and often occurring through unsustainable deforestation practices).

South Africa has high levels of renewable energy potential, including an abundant wind resource which is particularly strong along coastal areas. The Darling Wind Farm, the first Independent Power Producer in South Africa, has also recently signed a power purchase agreement to supply green electricity to the City of Cape Town, with the facility supplying 5.2 MW of power in its first phase (REFIT 2009).

On 31 July 2011, the South African government formally launched the official process to procure new renewable energy generation capacity by publishing an advertisement for a request for qualifications and proposals. The Department of Energy (DoE) has invited potential developers to submit proposals for the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of any onshore wind, solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, biomass, biogas, landfill gas, or small hydro technologies.

Successful bidders will enter into an implementation agreement with the DoE and a power purchase agreement with a “buyer”, most probably the single buyer’s office within State-owned utility Eskom. Caledon Wind intends to participate in this process.

1.3.2 International Commitments

Emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, from the use of fossil fuels has led to increasing concerns worldwide, about global climate change. These concerns were articulated at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 and a corresponding commitment to promote renewable energy in all the participating nations was made in the Johannesburg Declaration. Correspondingly, it is the intention of the South African Government to make South Africa’s due contribution to the global effort to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

By ratifying the UNFCCC (1997) and the Kyoto Protocol (2002), South Africa has made international commitments to reduce green house gases emissions so as to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.

1.3.3 Benefits of a Wind Farm

Renewable energy that is produced from sustainable natural sources will provide incremental financial resources to stimulate sustainable development. Further, it will contribute towards the country meeting its international commitments made in respect of green house gas emissions, as well as government’s objectives set out in the White Paper on Renewable Energy.

Wind energy is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions when it displaces fossil-fuel derived electricity. It is thus attractive to many governments, organizations, and individuals. As most of the sources are indigenous and naturally available, Wind energy is more secure in that it is not subject to disruption by international crises or limited supplies, being naturally available. The location of the proposed wind farm in the Western Cape will also mean a reduction in line losses associated with the long-distance (1 400km) transport of

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electricity from power-stations in Mpumalanga as the wind farm will be located close to the Western Cape load demand.

Typical benefits associated with wind farms are:

1.4 Environmental Study Requirements

In terms of the EIA Regulations published in Government Notice R385 of 21 April 2006 in terms of Section 24 (5) of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998), certain listed activities as set out in Government Notices R386 (activities that trigger Basic Assessments) and R387 (activities triggering Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment processes or full EIAs) require environmental authorisation before they can proceed.

This proposed wind farm development comprises several activities listed in terms of the EIA Regulations (2006), which should be covered in a single application for authorisation.

These listed activities are:

Government Notice 387, 1: The construction of facilities or infrastructure, including associated structures or infrastructure, for (a) The generation of electricity where – (i) the electricity output is 20 megawatts or more; or (ii) the elements of the facility cover a combined area in excess of 1 hectare; (b) The transmission and distribution of above ground electricity with a capacity of 120 kilovolts or more.

Government Notice 387, 2: Any development activity, including associated structures and infrastructure, where the total area of the developed area is, or is intended to be, 20 hectares or more.

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Government Notice 386, 7: The above ground storage of a dangerous good, including petrol, diesel, liquid petroleum gas or paraffin, in containers with a combined capacity of more than 30 cubic metres but less than 1000 cubic metres at any one location or site.

Government Notice 386, 12: The transformation or removal of indigenous vegetation of 3 hectares or more or of any size where the transformation or removal would occur within critically endangered or an endangered ecosystem listed in terms of section 52 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004).

Government Notice 386, 14: The construction of masts of any material or type and of any height, including those used for telecommunication broadcasting and radio transmission, but excluding (a) masts of 15 metres and lower exclusively used (i) by radio amateurs; or (ii) for lighting purposes

Government Notice 386, 15: The construction of a road that is wider than 4 metres or that has a reserve wider than 6 metres, excluding roads that fall within the ambit of another listed activity or which are access roads of less than 30 metres long.

The following listed activity was included within the original application to the DEA, however is no longer relevant to project

Government Notice 386, 13: The abstraction of groundwater at a volume where any general authorization issued in terms of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) will be exceeded.

Caledon Wind requires authorisation from the National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in consultation with the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (WC DEA&DP) for undertaking the proposed Project. In order to obtain authorisation for this project, comprehensive, independent environmental studies must be undertaken in accordance with the EIA Regulations.

An Application Form was submitted to the DEA on 23 October 2009. The application was subsequently acknowledged by the DEA in a letter dated 11 November 2009 (Appendix A). The application has been assigned the DEA reference number 12/12/20/1701.

Caledon Wind appointed Arcus GIBB (as independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP)) to manage the application and to undertake environmental studies together with a team of specialists. Through this process Arcus GIBB and the relevant specialists have identified and assessed all potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed Project.

The environmental studies are following a two-phased approach in accordance with the EIA Regulations published in terms of the EIA Regulations published in Government Notice R385 of 21 April 2006 in terms of Section 24 (5) of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act No. 107 of 1998) i.e.:

• Phase 1: Environmental Scoping Study; and • Phase 2: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

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The Environmental Scoping Study (Phase 1) identified and described the potential environmental impacts associated with all aspects of the proposed project. And recommended detailed studies required to be undertaken with the Impact Assessment phase (Phase 2) of the project. This final EIA Report includes those detailed studies and discusses them in context to the proposed Caledon Wind Farm.

1.5 Summary of the EIA Process

1.5.1 EIA Process

The EIA process can be divided into 4 distinct components:

1. Application and initial notification • Submit an EIA application to the DEA • DEA acknowledgement of the EIA application (within 14 days), • Notify the public of the proposed development through inter alia, newspaper adverts, notification letters, BIDs and notice boards.

2. Scoping Phase • Investigate and gather information on the proposed study area in order to establish an understanding of the area; • Establish how the proposed project will potentially impact on the surrounding environment; • Identify Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) and relevant authorities by conducting a Public Participation Process (PPP); • Identify potential environmental impacts through investigation and PPP; and • Describe and investigate the alternatives that may be considered.

3. Impact Assessment Phase • Detailed specialist assessment of all issues and proposed alternatives identified in the Scoping phase • Identify mitigation measures and recommendations to reduce the significance of potential impacts. • Compile an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) which will prescribe

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environmental specifications to be adhered to during the construction and operational phases of the project • As with the Scoping phase, the PPP is an integral and important part of the Impact Assessment phase.

4. Environmental Authorisation • Environmental Authorisation (EA) issued to Caledon Wind once DEA has made a decision regarding the proposed project. • Decision may be positive or negative based on inter alia, information received in the Scoping and Impact Assessment phases.

The full EIA Process and timeframes are discussed in further detail in Chapter 6.

The EIA process and appeal process as legislated in terms of NEMA is shown diagrammatically in Figure 1.5 below.

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Chapter 1: Introduction

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TASK ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS (PPP) AUTHORITIES

PPP • Submit application to authorities including declaration Authority to of interest, application fee and consent of acknowledge • Notice boards landowner(s) receipt within 14 • Landowners days • Ward Councilor • Municipality • Other authorities • Newspaper adverts • Conduct public participation process • Gazette • Notify relevant authorities and landowners

• Prepare Draft Scoping Report and Plan of Study for EIA

PPP 30 day comments • Solicit comments on Draft Scoping Report. period Authority to reply in 30 days • Accept report • Reject report • Prepare Final Scoping Report and submit to • Require authorities amendments

• Prepare Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), draft EMP and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)

PPP Authority to decide 30 day within 60 days to comments period • Solicit comments on the Draft EIR / EMP • Accept report • Refer for reviews • Request We are • Prepare Final Environmental Impact Report. Submit amendments currently here to authorities • Reject report

Within 45 days of PPP Decision acceptance authority Advise I&APs of must grant authorisation decision or refuse

Figure 1.5: EIA Process

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Chapter 1: Introduction

1.6 Objectives of the EIA Report

This EIA Report was preceded by a comprehensive scoping process, which led to the submission of a Final Scoping Report (and Plan of Study for the EIA) to DEA for approval.

The primary objective of this final EIA Report is to present the authorities with an overview of the predicted impacts and associated management actions required to avoid or mitigate the negative impacts or enhance the benefits ongoing from the proposed project. This final report is being submitted for authority review and decision-making.

Approval of the Scoping Report and Plan of Study for EIA was received on 29 March 2011 which marked the end of the Scoping Phase (Appendix A), after which the EIA process moved into the impact assessment and reporting phase. For background on the scoping process, the reader is referred to the Final Scoping Report (www.projects.gibb.co.za).

In terms of legal requirements, a crucial objective of the EIA Report is to satisfy the requirements of Sections 32, 33 and 34 of the NEMA EIA Regulations. These sections regulate and prescribe the content of the EIA Report and specify the type of supporting information that must accompany the submission of the report to the authorities. An overview of where the requirements are addressed in this report is presented in Table 1.2.

Furthermore, this process is designed to satisfy the requirements of Regulations 57, 58 and 59 of the NEMA EIA Regulations relating to the public participation process and, specifically, the registration of I&APs and recording of submissions from interested and affected parties. All I&APs on the current database for this EIA (Appendix C) were informed of the release of the draft EIA Report for comment. All comments received have been recorded and addressed in this Final EIA Report.

Table 1.2: Location of NEMA Requirements within the EIA Report Location in EIA Section Requirement for EIA Report Report 2 (a)(i) EAP who compiled the report Chapter 2, 2 (a)(ii) Expertise of the EAP undertaking the EIA Chapter 2, 2 (b) Detailed description of the proposed activity Chapter 1 and 3

Description of the property on which the activity is to be undertaken 2 (c) and the location of the activity on the property Chapter 1 2 (c )(i) Linear activity, a description of the route Chapter 4 Description of the environment that may be affected by the activity and the manner in which the physical, biological, social, economic and cultural aspects of the environment may be affected by the 2 (d) proposed activity Chapter 7 2 (e) Details of the public participation process Chapter 6 2 (e)(i) Steps undertaken in accordance with the plan of study Chapter 6

List of persons, organisations and organs of state that were registered 2 (e)(ii) as interested and affected parties Appendix C

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A summary of comments received from, and a summary of issues raised by registered interested and affected parties, the date of receipt of these comments and the response of the EAP to those 2 (e)(iii) comments Appendix E

Copies of any representation, objections and comments received 2 (e)(iv) from registered interested and affected parties Appendix E

Description of the need and desirability of the proposed activity and identified potential alternatives to the proposed activity including advantages and disadvantages that the proposed activity or alternatives may have on the environment and the community that 2 (f) may be affected by the activity Chapter 1

An indication of the methodology used in determining the 2 (g) significance of potential environmental impacts Chapter 6

A description and comparative assessment of all alternatives 2 (h) identified during the EIA process Chapter 17

Summary of the findings and recommendations of any specialist 2 (i) report or report on specialised processes Chapter 17

Description of all environmental issues that were identified during the EIA process, an assessment of the significance of each issue and an indication of the extent to which the issue could be addressed by Chapters 8 to 2 (j) the adoption of mitigation measures 16 Chapters 8 to 2 (k) Assessment of each identified potentially significant impact 16 Chapters 8 to 2 (k)(i) Cumulative impacts 16 Chapters 8 to 2 (k)(ii) Nature of the impacts 16 Chapters 8 to 2 (k)(iii) Extent and duration of the impacts 16 Chapters 8 to 2 (k)(iv) Probability of the impact occurring 16 Chapters 8 to 2 (k)(v) Degree to which the impact can be reversed 16 Chapters 8 to 2 (k)(vi) Degree to which the impact may cause irreplaceable loss of resources 16 Chapters 8 to 2 (k)(vii) Degree to which the impact can be mitigated 16 2 (l) Description of any assumptions, uncertainties and gaps in knowledge Chapter 6

Opinion as to whether the activity should or should not be authorised, and if the opinion is that it should be authorised, any 2 (m) conditions that should be made in respect of that authorisation Chapter 17 2 (n)(i) Summary of the key findings of the EIA Chapter 17

Comparative assessment of the positive and negative implications of Chapters 8 to 2 (n)(ii) the proposed activity 16 Draft Environmental Management Plan that complies with Regulation 2 (o) 35 Appendix R

Copies of any specialist reports and reports on specialised processes Appendices I to 2 (p) complying with regulation 33 Q

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Chapter 1: Introduction

1.7 Way Forward

This Final EIA Report including the draft Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is distributed to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) for decision-making. All comments on the draft EIA Report have been considered and responded thereto and are provided within the Issues and Response Report (IRR) included within Appendix E.

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Chapter 2: Details of Roleplayers

2 DETAILS OF ROLEPLAYERS

2.1 Introduction

The following subsection of the EIA Report provides the particulars, including contact details, of the Applicant (i.e. Caledon Wind), the independent EAP and the relevant decision-making authority. Details of the specialists appointed to undertake the relevant specialist studies are provided within the respective specialist study reports attached within Appendices I – Q.

2.2 Details of Applicant

Caledon Wind Energy Trading (Pty) Ltd, formerly Epsispan (Pty) Ltd, trading as ‘Caledon Wind’ is the Applicant for the proposed Caledon Wind Farm development. Caledon Wind is a joint venture between leading Swiss wind energy development firm, Genesys Wind (AG), listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and Thuthuka Group Limited, a multi disciplinary engineering firm with an extensive footprint across Africa.

The details of the Applicant are shown in the table below.

Table 2.1: Details of the Applicant Name of Applicant: Caledon Wind Energy Trading (Pty) Ltd, formerly Epsispan (Pty) Ltd Contact person: Mr. Dion Wilmans / Mr. Hans Boer Postal Address: P.O. Box 6013, Halfway House, 1635 Tel: 0861 848 848 or 082 321 4191 Fax: 011 448 5972 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

2.3 Details of Independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner

Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd. (Arcus GIBB) is an integrated group of highly trained scientists, project managers and engineers providing cost-effective solutions and specialist services in a wide range of disciplines. The multi-disciplinary consulting, management and design approach allows for the execution of projects in a holistic way, as this is believed to be the best approach to fully meet the needs of our clients.

Specific to environmental management, Arcus GIBB has a team of specialists comprising environmental scientists, environmental engineers, geologists and geo- hydrologists that form the national Environmental Team. These specialists have broad experience in terms of working on a range of environmental projects within the public and private sector. The Environmental Services Division has a formidable track record and comprises highly qualified and experienced technical staff. The CVs

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of the Project Director and Project Leader as well as the environmental scientists and various specialists are available in Appendix B.

Table 2.2: Details of the Independent EIA consultant (Environmental Assessment Practitioner) Name of Consultant: Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd

Contact person: Ms. Rebecca Thomas / Ms. Jaana-Maria Ball Postal Address: P.O. Box 2700 Rivonia 2128 Tel: +27 (0) 11 519 4600/ (0) 21 469 9100 Fax: +27 (0) 11 807 5670/ (0) 21 424 5571 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] Expertise to conduct this Ms. Jaana-Maria Ball - MSc (Botany); MBA; PrSciNat; is a EIA: Professional Environmental Scientist, Ecologist and Botanist. She is a Director of Arcus GIBB with 14 years experience in the environmental field, having been the Project Manager or Director of many high profile projects in Southern Africa. Jaana is currently the Discipline Leader of Arcus GIBB’s Environmental Services Discipline. She specialises in strategic and operational planning as well as the management of complex Strategic Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Assessments, Environmental Management Plans, co-ordination and execution of public involvement processes, Integrated Development Planning, environmental auditing and the management of large, multi-disciplinary project teams.

Ms Rebecca Thomas - Bachelors in Environmental Science (BSc) - is a Senior Environmental Scientist with 8 years experience in the environmental field. Rebecca specialises in Environmental Impact Assessments and Environmental Management Plans. Her key experience includes the assessment of environmental impacts associated with large industrial facilities specifically with regards to power generation and transmission.

2.4 Details of Competent / Relevant Authority

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) will act as the competent authority and the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (WC DEA&DP) as the commenting authority for this application. The mandate and core business of the DEA is underpinned by the Constitution and all other relevant legislation and policies applicable to the government of the Republic of South Africa.

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Table 2.3: Details of the Relevant Competent Authority Name: Department of Environmental Affairs

Contact Person: Mr Coenrad Agenbach Case Officer: Mr. Percy Ngidi Address: Private Bag X447 Pretoria 0001 Tel: +27 (0) 12 310 3004 Fax: +27 (0) 12 320 7539 E-mail: [email protected]

2.5 Details of Appointed Specialists

The following table includes details of the specialists appointed in the EIA Phase of the project:

Table 2.4: Appointed Specialists for the EIA Phase of the Project SPECIALIST SPECIALISTS ORGANISATION CONTACT DETAILS STUDY Agricultural D.G. Paterson ARC – Institute of soil, [email protected] climate & water 012 310 2601 Avifaunal C. van Rooyen Chris van Rooyen [email protected] Consulting 082 454 9570 Fauna D. Hoare David Hoare [email protected] Consulting 083 284 5111 Flora N. Helme Nick Helme Botanical [email protected] Surveys 021 780 1420 Heritage T. Hart Archaeology Contacts [email protected] Office 021 650 2357 Noise B. van der DB Acoustics [email protected] Merwe 011 679 1451 Social T. Barbour Tony Barbour [email protected] Environmental 021 789 1112 Consultants Transport N. Nordien Arcus GIBB [email protected] 021 469 9100 Visual Tanya de Villiers CNdV Africa [email protected] / Albert van der 021 424 5022 Stok

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3 DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION: TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 Introduction

Caledon Wind has secured approximately 3 500 hectares in Caledon in the Western Cape Province, and proposes to construct and operate a wind farm and associated infrastructure to generate 243 MW of electricity for the national grid. This chapter describes the project in sufficient detail to allow an evaluation of the potential impacts that could result from project construction and operation, and to allow development of appropriate mitigation measures for such impacts. The potential impacts associated with the proposed project have been evaluated within the environmental studies and are discussed in Chapters 8 - 16.

3.2 Wind Energy: How it Works

Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as electricity, using modern and highly reliable wind turbines. Wind power is non- dispatchable, meaning that for economic operation, all of the available output must be taken when it is available.

Wind Turbines, like windmills currently utilised on farms across South Africa, are mounted on a tower to capture wind energy. The kinetic energy of the wind is used to turn the blades of the turbine to generate electricity. At 30 m or more above ground they can take advantage of the faster less turbulent wind. Usually 3 blades are mounted on a shaft to form a rotor. The nacelle, which is placed at the top of the tower, contains the generator, control equipment, gearbox and anemometer for monitoring the wind speed and direction. The mechanical power generated by the rotation of the blades is transmitted to the generator within the nacelle via a gearbox and drive train. The generator converts the turning motion of the blades into electricity.

The wind turbine consists of the following major components, as shown in Figure 3.1 below:

• The rotor / blades; • The nacelle / generator; • The tower; and • The foundation unit.

Turbines are able to operate at varying wind speeds, dependant on site specific characteristics. The amount of energy a turbine can harness depends on both the wind velocity and the length of the rotor blades. It has been confirmed that the turbines utilised for the Caledon Wind Farm will have a hub height of 80 - 105 m and a turbine blade length of 45 to 55 m, with a generating capacity of 3 to 3,6 MW each. Wind turbines typically start generating electricity at wind speeds of between 10 km/h to 15 km/h (2,5 m/s - 4 m/s). This is called the cut-in speed, the minimum wind speed at which the wind turbine will generate usable power. Nominal wind speeds required for full power operation vary between 45 km/h and 60 km/h (11 m/s to 15 m/s). At very high speeds, typically over 100 km/hr, the wind turbine will cease power

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Chapter 3: Detailed Project Description

generation and stop. The wind speed at which shut down occurs is called the cut-out speed. This is a safety feature which protects the turbine from damage. Normal wind turbine operation usually resumes when the wind drops back to a safe level.

A turbine is designed to operate continuously, and with low maintenance, for more than 20 years. Once operating, the wind farm will be monitored and controlled remotely, with a mobile team for maintenance when required.

Figure 3.1: Components of a Typical Wind Turbine

3.3 Infrastructure Requirements

The proposal is for the construction, operation, and decommissioning of a 243 MW wind farm comprising the following components:

• 71 wind turbines (including tower foundations). This includes 21 X 3 MW turbines and 50 X 3.6 MW turbines; • Internal access roads from the R43 to the turbines and compound area; • Underground electricity cables to carry electricity from the turbines to a point on the proposed wind farm; • 33 kV feeder lines from points on the proposed wind farm connecting to the national grid through the nearest existing transmission lines within the project boundaries (Parcel No’s. 1/271, 4/264 and 3/271); • Substation at the connection point to the existing transmission lines; and

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• 132 kV line from the substation connecting to the existing Eskom transmission lines.

The wind farm will be integrated with the national transmission system via feeder lines and a substation will be constructed at the point where the wind farm will connect with the existing national transmission lines.

Alternatives identified as part of the EIA process are discussed in Chapter 4 of this report.

3.4 Construction Phase

The wind farm will be constructed over a period of approximately four years and is anticipated to produce electricity for approximately 20 years. In 2012, the roads, substation, transmission lines, and turbine foundations will be constructed, and the towers and turbines (for the first phase) will be erected and placed in operation. The following subsections describe transportation of workers, materials, and equipment to the site, the temporary works to be used during construction, and the construction of the various project components.

3.4.1 Transportation

The wind turbines will be transported in sections to the installation site. In addition, other materials needed for the foundations and grid-connection, will be transported separately. A summary of all construction phase transportation details is provided in Table 3.1.

Turbine components will be transported from Saldanha harbour in trucks as abnormal loads via Tulbagh, Worcester and Villiersdorp, arriving on site via the R43 regional road. Construction and foundation materials will be transported from nearby quarries and suppliers in Villiersdorp and Botrivier as well as from the Cape Town area in 10 to 20 ton trucks.

The specific impacts associated with the construction phase transportation are addressed in Chapter 16 and included in the Transportation Specialist Study in Appendix Q.

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Table 3.1: Construction Phase Transportation Requirements Expected Expected Route trips per trips per turbine day R43 3km Villiersdorp Quarry to Site 53 4

Cape Town to Site N2, R43 33 19

Batching plant to foundations - all on site 88 7

Saldanha, Tulbach - Villiersdorp – Site as 8 16 abnormal loads

R43, N2, N7 To Saldanha (National Roads) as 8 16

normal loads

Figure 3.2: Example of Specialist Transport for Blades

Figure 3.3: Example of Specialist Transport for Towers

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Chapter 3: Detailed Project Description

3.4.2 Temporary Works

Temporary works used during the construction period will consist of a temporary compound and staging area (refer Figure 3.) located within the site (Farm De Vleytjes 261). The main compound will include a parking area, a generator with fuel storage, and temporary buildings to provide accommodation and support facilities for managers, secure storage, site offices, and welfare and first aid facilities. During the construction period, the temporary works will be sufficient to support approximately 118 people, including approximately 20 for road construction, 20 for substation construction, 40 for underground cable and aboveground transmission line construction, and 40 for turbine foundation construction. Construction of the various components will proceed concurrently, after the access roads have been laid out and built. Construction will take place predominantly in daylight hours. Due to maximum wind speed limitations during erection, the relatively lower early morning (01:00 to 9:00) wind speeds will be utilized for erection purposes.

Some project engineers will be housed in four new accommodation units on to be constructed on-site and laborers will commute in daily from the surrounding communities. In addition, the compound will include a kitchen, fuel storage area, and a temporary warehouse to store materials and equipment. Kitchen and other wastes will be collected / recycled and transported to the nearest licensed waste site. During both construction phases, electricity will be provided from existing national grid via an 11 kV line and diesel generators. During the turbine erection phase, about 14 to18 workers will be required to erect the towers and turbines

During the entire construction period, land disturbance will be kept to a minimum, and in accordance to recommendations from the EIA process. Both the access road and the on-site roads will be laid out and marked at the outset of the construction season, and passenger vehicles, trucks, and construction equipment will keep to these roads and not create new tracks. Should wet conditions cause the roadways to deteriorate, gravel will be used to improve the road, rather than having vehicles creating new tracks.

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Figure 3.4: Temporary Compound and Laydown Area during Construction

Table 3.2: Breakdown of Workers / Skills Levels Function Number of Workers Skills Breakdown Roads 20 2 Skills 2 Semi-Skilled 16 Un-skilled Foundations 40 4 Skills 4 Semi-Skilled 32 Un-skilled Cabling and Sub-Station 40 4 Specialists 8 Skilled 8 Semi-Skilled 20 Un-Skilled Turbine Assembly and 14 - 18 8 Specialists Erecting +/- 6 Skilled +/- 4 Semi Skilled

3.4.3 Construction of Substation and Ancillary Infrastructure

An electrical substation will be located on an area overlapping Parcels 1/271, 4/264 and3/271 to connect the feeder lines from the turbines to the existing national grid.

Other equipment required during construction and erection will include excavation and other heavy construction equipment as well as passenger vehicles. All materials and equipment will be transported to the site in trucks via existing and new access roads.

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Aboveground tanks to store 20 000 liters of diesel fuel, 1 000 liters of hydraulic oil, and 200 liters of lubricating oil will be placed in the compound. An impervious concrete surface and walling will be constructed around the tanks, sized so as to be able to hold all of the contents of the tanks in case of spills. In addition, a structure to hold absorbent materials for cleanup of possible spills will be placed near this storage area. The fuel tanks and spill containment area will be constructed early in the overall construction process so they can support the remainder of the construction effort as well as future operations. Any refueling that is necessary will take place over the impervious area.

3.4.4 Access Roads

The existing roads upon the affected properties are proposed to be upgraded, and new access roads are proposed to be constructed to connect the turbines within the proposed site and to connect the turbines to the existing grid. The access road routes have ultimately been defined by the layout of the turbines, as well as the size of the turbines, which have in turn determined where the roads are required to go and how many roads are required. The proposed layout of the access roads is indicated in Figure 3.5.

The roads will be constructed with specifications, including roadway preparation, stormwater controls, and placing gravel where needed. The access road will be laid out and construction will begin early. The road will be built four meter wide and covered with gravel. Where possible, gravel taken from areas of excavation (cut) will be used to provide material where more is required (fill) and to surface the road. If additional gravel is needed, it will be transported from a nearby quarry. To the maximum extent possible, all equipment and disturbance will be confined to the roadway route itself, even before the entire road is constructed. In addition, to the extent possible, construction will take place under dry conditions. When that is not possible, appropriate methods will be used to control stormwater, measures to impede run-off and prevent erosion.

Where roads have to cross existing erosion features, drainage features will be incorporated into the design to control overland flow and minimize erosion. If there are major gullies or other erosion features to be crossed, culverts will be installed to convey stormwater under the road. The uphill side of the road will have a small excavated channel to convey water parallel to the road and prevent it from flowing onto and across the road; culverts will be placed to take water under the road when the road switches back or curves away. These constructed channels on the uphill side will have appropriate features to slow flow. The downhill side of the road will have a small berm where necessary to prevent stormwater from eroding into the hillside as it leaves the road surface.

Typical road construction specifications would include excavating topsoil and subsoil, grading to desired slope and grade using cut-and-fill methods, placement and compaction of gravel where needed, excavation of a drainage ditch along uphill sides where appropriate, and placement of low berms on downhill sides where necessary. Any surplus topsoil will be stockpiled and protected from erosion, for use in future reclamation.

All off-road areas disturbed by construction equipment will be reclaimed by planting seeds of indigenous vegetation or feed-stock, where applicable. In addition, during the remainder of the construction season after the road is complete, and possibly the

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Chapter 3: Detailed Project Description

next season, of indigenous vegetation will be established in any soil-based channels that are constructed alongside the road.

Assessment of the proposed access roads has been undertaking by the environmental specialist appointed to the project and are the impacts associated with the access roads are discussed further in Chapters 8 – 16.

3.4.5 Distribution and Transmission Lines within the Site to the National Grid

The electric power generated by each of the turbines will be transmitted through underground power cables to a point on the proposed wind farm. At this point the accumulated electricity will be brought above ground and transferred through an overhead 33 kV power line to the new sub-station on the western side of the proposed site, where they will tie-in with the national grid, making the electricity accessible for use. Two alternatives for the distribution of the electricity through the 33 kV overhead lines have been considered by the specialists. Details of these alternatives are provided in Chapter 4.

3.4.6 On-Site Roads

A primary and secondary crane will be used to erect the towers and turbines. These cranes will need to travel from one turbine location to the next by way of prepared four meter wide roads with wider areas around bends and junctions.

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Figure 3.5: Proposed access roads routes on the Caledon Wind Farm

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3.4.7 Turbines

During the construction phase, foundations for the turbines will be constructed. Figure 3. below shows the dimensions of the typical foundation. This figure illustrates that the bulk of the foundation will be below ground level and out of sight with only a relatively small pedestal of approximately 5,5 m diameter protruding above ground level. It is proposed that the turbines will be placed primarily on hilltops within the proposed area (refer to Figure 3.7). This is to allow for maximum exposure to wind resources. Chapter 7 provides a detailed description of the baseline environment in which the wind farm is proposed to be constructed. Turbines will be placed at least 300 meters apart, with distances ranging up to a kilometer or more depending on topography and their relative orientation to the prevailing wind direction.

Figure 3.6: Foundation Dimensions

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Figure 3.7: Proposed Location of Turbines

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Construction would involve excavating to a depth of at least 2.5 m, then using steel and concrete to construct the foundations. Before each foundation is excavated, topsoil and subsoil will be salvaged and stored nearby. The topsoil will be stripped and stockpiled separately and protected from wind and water erosion.

Following foundation construction, soil will be backfilled in the same stratigraphic sequence and original type vegetation (agricultural crops or indigenous) will be re- established, except for the access road and a small parking area at the base of the tower. As part of the foundation, an underground electric line will be constructed to evacuate electricity. This underground cable will be connected to either an overhead feeder line or to the projects’ substation.

A total of about 15 to 18 workers will be required to erect the towers and turbines. Typically, a self-propelled “crawler” crane is transported to a site by truck and assembled at the first turbine location. The tower is placed on the foundation, then the nacelle and rotors are lifted and placed. Figure 3. shows a crane lifting a rotor blade at a tower. Following installation of the turbines, any disturbed areas outside the roadway and small parking area will be reclaimed and revegetated with feed-stock.

Figure 3.8: Side View of Turbines ready for Erection

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Figure 3.9: Top view of Turbines ready for Erection

Figure 3.10: Distant view of Turbines during Erection

3.4.8 Use of Services and Resources during Construction

The following services or resources will be required during construction.

Water

Water will be required for potable use and in the construction of the foundations for the towers. Potable and raw water will be either temporary piped or trucked to site from the local water works situated 5,7 km from the proposed site. Applications for potable and temporary raw water use permits have been made to the Overberg Water Authority.

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Sewage

A negligible sewage flow is anticipated for the duration of the construction period. On site treatment will be undertaken through the use of chemical toilets. The toilets will be serviced periodically, as specified in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP), by the supplier.

Roads

Existing informal roads will be used / upgraded as far as possible during construction. The use of the roads will be negotiated with the landowners. Access roads will be constructed where necessary.

Stormwater

Stormwater will be required to be managed. Stormwater will be managed in accordance with the EMP that will be compiled for the construction phase. A stormwater management plan will be drafted in consultation with the relevant specialists.

Solid waste disposal

All solid waste will be collected at a central location at each construction site and will be stored temporarily until removal to an appropriately permitted landfill site in the vicinity of the construction site.

Electricity

Electricity for construction will be sourced from both the existing 11 kV farm lines and diesel generators.

3.5 Operational Phase

The wind farm is proposed to begin generating electricity in 2012 following installation and testing of the turbines. Operational efficiency will be monitored 24 hours per day from the operational control center which will be based in Caledon as well as the manufacturer’s head-offices in Europe. In general, there will be virtually no daily traffic to and from the site.

Other than security personnel that will have a low key 24/7 presence on site, it is anticipated that technicians will visit each turbine on at least a quarterly basis for routine scheduled inspection and maintenance. In addition, turbines will require other periodic maintenance as prescribed and performed by the equipment manufacturer, including changes of lubricating oils. Routine road maintenance will include blading and smoothing as necessary to maintain the road surface, as well as inspecting and repairing stormwater controls as necessary to ensure their proper functioning to control erosion.

When operating, there will be some noise from each of the turbines. Noise will be generated by the gearbox and generator in the nacelle, and by the rotors passing through the air. The former will be largely contained by insulation, and reduced further at ground level.

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In general, land disturbance will be confined to areas on and around where various site components were constructed, with no additional disturbance of otherwise undisturbed lands.

3.6 Decommissioning Phase

At present, it is not possible to describe the activities at the end of the operational life of the wind farm. It is possible that Caledon Wind will replace turbines, extend the period of the lease, and continue to generate electricity, in which case decommissioning may be postponed for years or decades. When electricity generation finally ends, the proponent may wish to leave at least some of the roads and/or transmission lines. Regardless, activities will be in compliance with national and local government requirements.

When the site is ready to be decommissioned, the turbines will be dismantled. Steel and other useful materials will be recycled. One or more buildings may continue to be occupied, and the transmission line may continue to be used. Where not required, they will be dismantled and metals recycled. Inert materials that cannot be re-used or recycled will be taken to a suitable landfill. Any contaminated material such as oil storage tanks will be taken to a suitable disposal site. On-site roads that will no longer be used will be reclaimed and vegetated with same vegetation as the immediate environment.

Foundations and other below ground inert structures will be buried and covered with soil. Land no longer being used will be revegetated with the same vegetation as the immediate environment. All these reclaimed areas will be monitored and maintained until no further attention is required to ensure long-term survival of vegetation.

3.7 Conclusion

This chapter describes the various infrastructure and technology requirements for the proposed Caledon Wind Farm, its associated infrastructure, transmission lines and substation in the Caledon area of the Western Cape Province. The power station is proposed to generate 243 MW. 71 wind turbines, between 3 and 3,6 MW each in generating capacity, will be constructed within approximately 3 500 ha area.

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4 PROJ ECT ALTERNATIVES

In terms of the EIA Regulations published in Government Notice R385 of 21 April 2006 in terms of Section 24 (5) of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998), feasible and reasonable alternatives have to be considered within the EIA process. All identified, feasible and reasonable alternatives are required to be identified in terms of social, biophysical, economic and technical factors.

A key challenge of the EIA process is the consideration of alternatives1. Most guidelines use terms such as ‘reasonable’, ‘practicable’, ‘feasible’ or ‘viable’ to define the range of alternatives that should be considered. Essentially there are two types of alternatives:

• incrementally different (modifications) alternatives to the Project; and • fundamentally (totally) different alternatives to the Project.

Fundamentally different alternatives are usually assessed at a strategic level, and EAPs recognise the limitations of project-specific EIAs to address fundamentally different alternatives. Electricity generating alternatives have been addressed as part of the National Integrated Resource Plan (NIRP) published by the NERSA and the Integrated Strategic Electricity Plan (ISEP) undertaken by Eskom.

Environmental aspects are considered and integrated into the NIRP and ISEP using the strategic environmental assessment approach, focussing on environmental life-cycle assessments, water-related issues and climate change considerations. During the Scoping Phase, only alternatives in terms of a proposed Wind Farm in the Western Cape Province were considered. No other power generation options were evaluated. Through the Scoping Phase and detailed micro-siting the proposed wind farm was subsequently reduced to a generating capacity of 243 MW, upon now which the alternatives have been considered.

4.1 The ‘Do Nothing’ Alternative

The ‘do-nothing’ or ‘no-go’ alternative is the option of not establishing a wind farm on the proposed properties near Caledon in the Western Cape Province.

The electricity demand in South Africa surpassed existing power generation capacity in 2008, causing nation-wide black-outs and load shedding. The crisis has temporally been averted through the forced reduction of use to the mining industry by 10%, causing vast job-losses in its wake. South Africa requires additional capacity if it is to meet the growing demand for electricity. The 'do nothing' option will, therefore, contribute to these electricity demands not being met. Not meeting the growing electricity demand will have major adverse impacts on economic activity and economic growth in South Africa, which in turn will have an adverse impact on socio- economic development in South Africa. Additional electricity generation options will contribute to meeting this energy demand. The recent increase in oil prices, the exhaustibility of fossil fuels and the urgent need for stable, reliable, non-polluting

1 In terms of the EIA Regulations published in Government Notice R385 of 21 April 2006 in terms of Section 24 (5) of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998), the definition of “alternatives” in relation to a proposed activity, means different means of meeting the general purpose and requirements of the activity which may include: (a) the property on which or location where it is proposed to undertake the activity; (b) the type of activity to be undertaken; (c) the design or layout of the activity; (d) the technology to be used in the activity; and (e) the operational aspects of the activity.

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sources of electrical energy that are indispensable to a modern industrial economy focuses attention on alternative energy, such as renewable energy sources.

The construction of the proposed wind farm will also aid South Africa in meeting its commitments to reduce green house gas emissions, made in terms of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1997) and the Kyoto Protocol (2002) The “do-nothing” alternative will not assist the country in meeting these renewable energy targets or aid in reducing the Western Cape Province’s dependence on imported electricity.

The proposed wind farm will enable the Theewaterskloof Local Authority, representing approximately 110 000 residents, to transform from a unsustainable loss making position to a sustainable balanced budget, providing an additional 6 400 jobs to deliver on service delivery backlogs identified in the Theewaterskloof Local Authority Integrated Development Plan. A minimum of R560m (over the 20 year life of the project at 2011 values) will be received from the proposed project through taxes and dividends earned from the 20% local community stake in the project. These funds will be applied to both local economic development and social upliftment projects.

The “do-nothing’ alternative is not considered as the preferred alternative in the proposal. The “do-nothing’ alternative, however, is represented by the status quo, presented in Chapter 7, against which the proposed project has been compared in detail during the Impact Assessment Phase of the project. Should the proposed Caledon wind farm not be granted an environmental authorisation, the ‘do-nothing’ alternative will prevail and the environment will remain as described in detail in Chapter 7.

4.2 Location Alternatives

In determining the most appropriate sites for the establishment of a new wind farm within South Africa, various options were investigated by Caledon Wind during a pre- feasibility study. The pre-feasibility site selection process has to consider particular criteria suitable to the development of a wind farm. The criteria, which resulted in the selection of the proposed study area included following:

Topography The Theewaterskloof Municipal region is ideal for wind energy, characterised by an elevated plateau and numerous hills/ridges for the placement of turbines. These topographic features intensify the localised wind by causing a funnelling effect.

Wind Conditions (Renewable Resource) A 26 month collection of wind monitoring data to date has shown the local wind conditions to be ideal for the placement of a wind farm. Utilising this data, Vestas has classified the wind as high (IEC I) wind, highly suitable for the establishment of a commercial wind farm.

Extent of Site The large extent of the properties available (3 500 ha) allows for a substantial installed capacity in one central location, avoiding the scattered establishment of smaller windfarms to achieve the same capacity

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Connection to the National Transmission System An existing transmission network runs across the western portion of the site (Parcel No. 4/264), thus allowing for connection to the grid.

Environmental Considerations No environmental fatal flaws were identified during the initial feasibility stages of the EIA. Construction and operation of the wind farm would not restrict the current farming/grazing activities on the site. Further detailed environmental potential impacts have been investigated through the Scoping Phase and in further detail within this Impact Assessment Phase of this EIA.

Site Access The proposed site is dissected by the R43 making access to both the western and eastern portion of the site fairly easy. Furthermore, the R43 provides access to the N2. With a few access routes, the site can therefore be easily connected to these major routes making for easy accessibility for the transport of turbine components, infrastructure and personnel.

Local Labour and Economic Stimulus Wind farms are well suited to rural areas as agricultural activities can continue around the wind turbines. In a number of cases, wind farms have led to an increase in tourism as they are considered by many to be a tourist attraction. Additionally, tourism accommodation will be utilised during the construction phase by project staff. The site is located in relatively close proximity to the towns of Caledon and Botrivier, which will act as a source of local labour. Caledon Wind, as part of the ‘green’ initiative, will also use local resources, when and where possible, including materials and labour.

A summary of the results of the pre-feasibility study are included in Appendix H, and it became evident through the study that two of the three sites ranked lower than the selected site, and would not be viable options for consideration within an EIA. From the pre-feasibility studies, the proposed Caledon site was therefore identified as ideal for a for a wind farm. No further sites are therefore considered in this EIA process. Other alternatives in respect of the proposed site, however, were identified through the Scoping Phase and detailed investigation of these alternatives undertaken within this Impact Assessment Phase of the project, with respect to the environmental issues identified during the Scoping phase.

4.3 Layout and Design Alternatives

4.3.1 Arrangement of the Wind Turbines

An initial arrangement of the proposed wind turbines was determined using complex Computational Fluid Dynamix by internationally experienced meteorological expert companies. It is critical that the end arrangement is in the right position (i.e. according to wind), such that maximum capacity is produced by the wind farm. The proposed initial turbine arrangement is depicted in Figure 4.1. This original proposed positioning was provided to all specialists for their investigation during the detailed Impact Assessment Phase. Site specific turbine alterations have been presented by specific specialists’ and are presented in the specialist specific chapters. The alternative layouts have been assessed through the specialist studies. The final proposed turbine layout option is presented in Chapter 17, which takes into

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consideration both the identified environmental impacts as well as the economic and technical factors presented by Vestas and Caledon Wind.

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Figure 4.1: Vestas Proposed Caledon Wind Farm Turbine Layout

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4.3.2 Size of Wind Turbines

The selection of turbines (based on highly specialised and scientific processes and procedures, executed by three independent and internationally experienced parties, has guided the audited selection criteria) follows international wind generation best practices. The final selection choice of turbine was guided by the principles of minimising impact versus maximising output. The outcome of the studies has determined the wind in the proposed site ranges from medium to high speeds. Wind turbines are specifically manufactured according to the wind speed, in order to obtain the best efficiencies under varying circumstances.

In order to achieve maximum efficiency from the proposed 243 MW commercial wind farm, taking into consideration the identified wind resource, a combination of 3 MW and 3,6 MW turbines was identified as the optimal mix of turbines for the proposed project.

4.3.3 Transmission Power Lines

Due to the need for wind turbines to be electrically connected to the substation, and then to the national transmission system, it was necessary to identify potential alignments for the power lines. Network integration, planning and design studies for the integration of the transmission line into the national network are still being finalised, and will also require input from Eskom. These will be informed by the understanding the local power requirements. Alternative alignments for the 33 kV transmission line have been identified and are illustrated in Figure 4.2 and have been assessed through the specialist studies in this Impact Assessment Phase .

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Figure 4.2: Proposed Transmission Line Alternatives

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4.4 Associated Infrastructure

4.4.1 Access Roads and Cable Trenches

Access roads are required in order to ensure access from the main road to various sections of the wind farm; to connect the turbines within the proposed site and to connect the turbines to the sub-station, and ultimately the national grid. The access road routes have ultimately been defined by the layout of the turbines, as well as the size of the turbines, which have in turn determined where the roads are required to go and how many roads are required. These access road alignments have therefore been investigated in the Impact Assessment phase by the relevant specialists and commented on individually through the specialist reports. Changes as recommended by particular specialist are discussed in Chapters 8 – 16. The proposed access road layout upon which the specialist studies have commenced is shown in Figure 4.3 below.

4.5 Conclusion

This chapter discusses the various project alternatives involved with the proposed wind farm. The selection of the location for the proposed wind farm is discussed, as well as the various layouts, associated infrastructure alternatives and technology. The various criteria for the selection of the above alternatives are discussed in detail in the chapter. Assessment of these alternatives is included in the various specialist studies discussed in Chapters 8 – 16. The final proposed wind farm layout is presented in Chapter 17, taking into consideration all available information.

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Figure 4.3: Caledon Wind Farm site showing proposed access road and cable trench layouts. (Access Roads – Red; Cable Trenches – Blue)

Caledon Wind Farm EIA 4-9 January 2012 Final EIA Report Chapter 5: Legal Context

5 LEGAL AND POLICY CONTEXT

5.1 Introduction

This section of the EIA Report details applicable legal provisions and the policy context for the EIA. It provides a review of relevant international legal instruments as well as national legislation, regulations and policy documents, which are applicable to (or have implications for) the proposed wind farm development in the Republic of South Africa.

One of the main foci of this section is on the provisions of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA). NEMA is the primary South African legislation governing the requirements for environmental impact assessment. In the context of Caledon Wind’s initiative to build the required infrastructure for electricity generation, the provisions of NEMA and associated EIA Regulations (regarding scoping and EIA) are of fundamental relevance. This chapter also describes other legislation relevant to constitutional and administrative legal precepts in South African law, as well as environmental legislation of specific relevance inter alia to water resources; heritage; biodiversity and land use planning.

The activities associated with the project have the potential to trigger the South African requirements for EIA, and are likely to require a number of particular consents and authorisations. An analysis of the range of consents and authorisations required for the operation of the project will be the subject of a detailed legal (including environmental) analysis. This chapter does not provide such an analysis. Rather, this chapter provides a preliminary input at the Scoping phase of the EIA process by describing the environmental and other legislation that may be relevant during the undertaking of the project.

5.2 Legislative, Policy, Planning and Guideline Context

The legislative framework applicable to this project is diverse and consists of a number of Acts and Regulations which must be complied with. A summary of the key environmental legislation and relevant policies and/or guidelines is provided in the following sections:

5.2.1 The National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA)

1 NEMA is the most significant single piece of legislation dealing with environmental management in South Africa. The stated purpose of NEMA is, amongst other things, “to provide for co-operative environmental governance by establishing principles for decision-making on matters affecting the environment, institutions that will promote co-operative governance and procedures for co-ordinating environmental functions 2 exercised by organs of state...”

1 NEMA applies throughout the territory of the Republic of South Africa which effectively means that it applies throughout the terrestrial area of the Republic and seaward beyond the low-water mark, to the outer extent of the territorial waters (which extend for 12 nautical miles from the low-water mark or specifically demarcated baselines – see the provisions of the Maritime Zones Act, 15 of 1994 in this regard). 2 Long title of NEMA. Section 239 of the Constitution defines an “organ of state” as:

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NEMA takes the form of “framework” legislation. It establishes a set of 18 principles which apply throughout the Republic to the actions of all organs of state that may significantly affect the environment and -

“a) shall apply alongside all other appropriate and relevant considerations, including the State's responsibility to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the social and economic rights in Chapter 2 of the Constitution and in particular the basic needs of categories of persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination; b) serve as the general framework within which environmental management and implementation plans must be formulated; c) serve as guidelines by reference to which any organ of state must exercise any function when taking any decision in terms of this Act or any statutory provision concerning the protection of the environment; d) serve as principles by reference to which a conciliator appointed under this Act must make recommendations; and e) guide the interpretation, administration and implementation of this Act, and any other law concerned with the protection or management of the 3 environment.”

The following principles contained in section 2 of NEMA are of particular relevance in that they potentially impact on any decisions that may be taken by organs of state in relation to the authorisation of the construction of electricity transmission infrastructure in South Africa:

• “Environmental management must place people and their needs at the forefront of its concern, and serve their physical, psychological, developmental, cultural and social interests equitably.”4 • “Development must be socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.”5 • “Sustainable development requires the consideration of all relevant factors including the following:

(i) That the disturbance of ecosystems and loss of biological diversity are avoided, or, where they cannot be altogether avoided, are minimised and remedied; (ii) that pollution and degradation of the environment are avoided, or, where they cannot be altogether avoided, are minimised and remedied; (iii) that the disturbance of landscapes and sites that constitute the nation's cultural heritage is avoided, or where it cannot be altogether avoided, is minimised and remedied; (iv) that waste is avoided, or where it cannot be altogether avoided, minimised and re-used or recycled where possible and otherwise disposed of in a responsible manner;

(a) any department of state or administration in the national, provincial or local sphere of government; or (b) any other functionary or institution- (i) exercising a power or performing a function in terms of the Constitution or a provincial constitution; or (ii) exercising a public power or performing a public function in terms of any legislation, but does not include a court or a judicial officer. 3 Section 2(1) of NEMA. 4 Section 2(2) of NEMA. 5 Section 2(3) of NEMA.

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(v) that the use and exploitation of non-renewable natural resources is responsible and equitable, and takes into account the consequences of the depletion of the resource; (vi) that the development, use and exploitation of renewable resources and the ecosystems of which they are part do not exceed the level beyond which their integrity is jeopardised; (vii) that a risk-averse and cautious approach is applied, which takes into account the limits of current knowledge about the consequences of decisions and actions; and (viii) that negative impacts on the environment and on people's environmental rights be anticipated and prevented, and where they 6 cannot be altogether prevented, are minimised and remedied.”

• “The participation of all interested and affected parties in environmental governance must be promoted, and all people must have the opportunity to develop the understanding, skills and capacity necessary for achieving equitable and effective participation, and participation by vulnerable and disadvantaged persons must be ensured.”7 • “The social, economic and environmental impacts of activities, including disadvantages and benefits, must be considered, assessed and evaluated, and decisions must be appropriate in the light of such consideration and assessment.”8 • “There must be intergovernmental co-ordination and harmonisation of policies, legislation and actions relating to the environment.”9 • “Global and international responsibilities relating to the environment must be discharged in the national interest.”10

NEMA also contains provisions on the creation of environmental management plans and environmental implementation plans and stipulates the respective organs of state responsible for doing so, as well as what such management and implementation plans are to include11.

Chapter 5 of NEMA, entitled “Integrated Environmental Management” establishes the environmental impact assessment regime in South Africa. Since 3 July 2006, the procedural and substantive requirements for undertaking EIAs in South Africa have been regulated in terms of the provisions contained in section 24 of NEMA and the NEMA EIA Regulations12. The NEMA EIA Regulations identify lists of activities which require either “basic assessment”13 or “scoping and environmental impact assessment”14; and prescribe the procedural and substantive requirements for the undertaking of EIAs and the issue of environmental authorisations.

Activities identified in terms of section 24(2)(a) and (d) of NEMA, which may not commence without environmental authorisation from the competent authority and in respect of which the investigation, assessment and communication of potential impact

6 Section 2(4)(a) of NEMA. 7 Section 2(4)(f) of NEMA. 8 Section 2(4)(i) of NEMA. 9 Section 2(4)(l) of NEMA. 10 Section 2(4)(n) of NEMA. 11 Chapter 3 of NEMA (Sections 11-16). 12 Published respectively in Government Notices R385, 386 and 387 in Government Gazette 28753 dated 21 April 2006, as amended. 13 GN R386 in Government Gazette 28753 dated 21 April 2006. 14 GN R387 in Government Gazette 28753 dated 21 April 2006.

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of such activities must follow the procedure as described in regulations 22 to 26 of the NEMA EIA Regulations. If the activity is listed in GN R386 or GN R 387, an applicant applies for authorisation either by undertaking a basic assessment or a scoping and EIA process, respectively.

(a) Activities requiring Basic Assessment

The activities that apply to the Caledon wind farm project and oblige basic assessment are set out in Table 5.1 below.

Table 5.1: Activities requiring Basic Assessment Activity Identification of competent Activity description number authority 7. The above ground storage of a dangerous good, [In the case of the Caledon including petrol, diesel, liquid petroleum gas or wind farm EIA DEA is the paraffin, in containers with a combined capacity or competent authority for more than 30 cubic metres but less than 1 000 cubic purposes of a decision on metres at any one location or site. activities listed in terms of section 24 of NEMA.

The legal basis for DEA’s role as competent authority is reflected in the provisions of section 24C of NEMA. It 15 provides that the Minister (and by implication, delegated authorities and/or officials within the DEA) must be identified as the competent authority in terms of section 24C(1) if the activity is undertaken, or is to be undertaken, by a statutory body, excluding any municipality, performing an exclusive competence of the national sphere of 16 government. ] 12. The transformation or removal of indigenous vegetation of 3 hectares or more or of any size where the transformation or removal would occur within a critically endangered or an endangered ecosystem listed in terms of section 52 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004). 14. The construction of masts of any material or type and of any height, including those used for telecommunication broadcasting and radio transmission, but excluding- (a) masts of 15 metres and lower exclusively used (i) by radio amateurs; or (ii) for lighting purposes (b) flag poles; and

15 Section 24C(2). 16 Section 24C(2)(d)(iii).

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Activity Identification of competent Activity description number authority (c) lightning conductor poles. 15. The construction of a road that is wider than 4 metres or that has a reserve wider than 6 metres, excluding roads that fall within the ambit of another listed activity or which are access roads of less than 30 metres long.

(b) Activities requiring Scoping and EIA

17 In terms of the list of activities identified in terms of sections 24 of NEMA and GN R387, the following activities may not commence without an environmental authorisation from the competent authority (Table 5.2). Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment procedures contained in the NEMA EIA Regulations must be 18 complied with before such an authorisation can be issued . The table indicates the activities that apply to the proposed construction of the Caledon wind farm:

Table 5.2: Activities requiring Scoping and EIA Activity Identification of competent Activity description number authority 1. The construction of facilities or infrastructure, [In the case of the Caledon including associated structures or infrastructure, for- wind farm EIA DEA is the competent authority for (a) the generation of electricity where- purposes of a decision on (i) the electricity output is 20 megawatts or activities listed in terms of more; or section 24 of NEMA. (ii) the elements of the facility cover a combined area in excess of 1 hectare; The legal basis for DEA’s role as competent authority is ... reflected in the provisions of section 24C of NEMA. It (l) the transmission and distribution of above ground 19 electricity with a capacity of 120 kilovolts or provides that the Minister more; (and by implication, delegated authorities and/or officials within the DEA) must be identified as the competent authority in terms of section 24C(1) if the activity is undertaken, or is to be undertaken, by a statutory body, excluding any municipality, performing an exclusive competence of the

17 Published in Government Gazette 28753 of 21 April 2006 as amended by GN R614 in Government Gazette 28938 of 23 June 2006. 18 The legal implications of triggering activities on both lists must be borne in mind, as such a situation arises in the context of the on-going environmental assessment for the proposed project. The situation is regulated by the provisions of Regulation 21(2) of the NEMA EIA Regulations which stipulate that scoping must be applied to an application if the “application is for two or more activities as part of the same development and scoping must in terms of paragraph (a) or (b) be applied in respect of any of the activities”. In other words, if a single activity requires scoping and EIA before authorisation, then each activity that requires approval must also be subject to this assessment methodology. 19 Section 24C(2).

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Activity Identification of competent Activity description number authority national sphere of 20 government. ]

2. Any development activity, including associated structures and infrastructure, where the total area of the developed area is, or is intended to be, 20 hectares or more.

5.2.2 Western Cape Guideline Series for EIA (2005)

The Western Cape DEADP has developed various guidelines relating to environmental assessment and management, and the EIA process. The guidelines aim to inform participants and increase the effectiveness of the environmental assessment and management processes. The series currently includes:

• Guideline for Determining the Scope of Specialist Involvement in EIA Processes; • Guideline for the Review of Specialist Input into the EIA Process; • Guideline for Involving Biodiversity Specialists in EIA Processes; • Guideline for Involving Heritage Specialists in EIA Processes; • Guideline for Involving Visual and Aesthetic Specialists in EIA Processes; • Guideline for Involving Economists in EIA Processes; • Guideline for Involving Hydro geologists in EIA Processes; • Guideline for Environmental Management Plans; and • Guideline for Involving Social Assessment Specialists in EIA Processes.

Those specialists involved with the proposed Caledon wind farm project are aware and make use of these guidelines as appropriate.

5.2.3 Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Integrated Environmental Management Guideline Series (2006)

The DEA has developed a series of guidelines to assist environmental assessment practitioners, potential applicants and interested and affected parties in understanding the roles, responsibilities and Regulations associates with the EIA process. The 2006 series currently includes:

• Guideline 3 : General guide to the EIA Regulations; • Guideline 4 : Public participation; • Guideline 5 : Assessment of alternatives and impacts; and • Guideline 6: Environmental management frameworks.

5.2.4 Other Acts/Regulations/Policies/Guidelines Relevant to the Project

Several other Acts, Plans, Policies and Guidelines have also informed the project. Table 5.3 below provides a brief review of other relevant policies, legislation, guidelines and standards applicable to the Caledon Wind Farm EIA.

20 Section 24C(2)(d)(iii).

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Table 5.3: Brief review of other relevant policies, legislation, guidelines and standards applicable to the Caledon Wind Farm EIA Legislation Details/Applicable Sections National Legislation The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa is (Act 108 of 1996) the supreme law of South Africa and is the statute against which all other law (both statutory instruments and the common law) must be measured. To the extent that other laws conflict with the Constitution, they are as a general rule invalid, subject to the provisions of the limitations clause contained in section 36.

• The Bill of Rights forms the cornerstone upon which the constitutional dispensation in South Africa is built. It applies to all law, and binds the legislature, the executive, the judiciary and all organs of state. (Chapter 2, Section 7 – 39): • Environmental Rights i.e. “Everyone has the right to an environment which is not harmful to their health or well-being; and to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations through reasonable legislative and other measures (Section 24) • Rights to Freedom of Movement and Residence (Section 22) • Property rights (Section 25) • The Right of Access to Information (Section 32) • The Right to Just Administrative Action (Section 33) • Enforcement of Rights (Section 38 of the Constitution). • Limitations of Rights (Section 36) • Provincial Competence (Section 44 and 104) • Local Authority Competence (Section 44, 104, 154, 156 and Part B of Schedule 4 and Part B of Schedule 5)

National Energy Act (Act 34 of 2008) • The Act is aimed to ensure that diverse energy resources are available, in sustainable quantities and at affordable prices, to the South African economy in support of economic growth and poverty alleviation, taking into account environmental management requirements and interactions amongst economic sectors. • The Act also provides for energy planning, increased generation and consumption of renewable energies, contingency energy supply, holding of strategic energy feedstocks and carriers, adequate investment in, appropriate upkeep and access to energy

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infrastructure. • The act also establishes an institution to be responsible for promotion of efficient generation and consumption of energy and energy research; and to provide for all matters connected therewith. The Promotion of Administrative Justice Act • Definitions (Section 1) (Act 3 of 2000) • Procedural Fairness (Section 3, 4 and 6) • Right to Reasons for Decisions (Section 5) • Judicial Review (Section 6 and 8) Promotion of Access to Information Act (Act 2 of • The purpose of the Promotion of Access 2000) to Information Act (“PAIA”) is to give effect to the constitutional right of access to any information held by the State and any information that is held by another person and that is required for the exercise or protection of any rights, and to provide for matters connected therewith. Environmental Conservation Act (Act 73 of • Waste disposal practices (Section 20) 1989) • National Noise control Regulations (GN R154 dated 10 January 1999) National Heritage Resources Act (Act No. 25 of • Stipulates assessment criteria and 1999) categories of heritage resources according to their significance (Section 7) • Provides for the protection of all archaeological and Palaeontological sites, and meteorites (Section 35) • Provides for the conservation and care of cemeteries and graves by SAHRA where this is not the responsibility of any other authority (Section 36) • List activities which require developers to notify the responsible heritage resources authority and furnish it with details regarding the location, nature and extent of the proposed development (Section 38) • Requires the compilation of a conservation management plan as well as a permit from SAHRA for the presentation of archaeological sites as part of tourism attraction (Section 44) National Environmental Management: • Provides for the MEC or Minister to list Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004 ecosystems which are threatened and in need of protection (Section 52) (none published as yet) • Provides for the MEC or Minister to identify any process or activity in such a listed ecosystem as a threatening process (Section 53) (none published as yet) • A list of threatened and protected species has been published in terms of Section 56(1), Government Gazette 29657 • Three government notices have been published, i.e. GN R150 (commencement of Threatened and Protected Species Regulations, 2007), GN R 151 (Lists of critically endangered, vulnerable and protected species) and GN R 152

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(Threatened or Protected Species Regulations). Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act (Act No. • Part IV: Dust Control 45 of 1965) • Part V: Air Pollution by fumes emitted by vehicle emissions National Environmental Management: Air • Measures in respect of dust control Quality Act (Act No 39 of 2004) (Section 32) (no regulations promulgated as yet) • Measures to control noise (Section 34). (no regulations promulgated as yet) Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act • Prohibition of the spreading of weeds No. 43 of 1983) (Section 5) • Classification of categories of weeds and invader plants (Regulation 15 of GN R1048) and restrictions in terms of where these species may occur • Requirement and methods to implement control measures for alien and invasive plant species (Regulation 15E of GN R1048) National Water Act (Act No 36 of 1998) • National Government is the public trustee of the Nation’s water resources (Section 3) • Entitlement to use water (Section 4) • Duty of Care to prevent and remedy the effects of pollution to water resources (Section 19) • Procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency incident which may impact on a water resource (Section 20) • Definition of Water Use (Section 21) • Requirements for registration of water use (Section 26 and Section 34) • Definition of offences in terms of the Act (Section 151) Aviation Act (Act No 74 of 1962) • 13th amendment of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) 1997 • The Minister of Transport has under Section 22(1) of the Aviation Act, 1962 made the regulations in the Schedule hereto. • Obstacle limitations and marking outside aerodrome or heliport – CAR Part 139.01.33 National Environmental Management: Waste • Waste Management Measures Act (Act No 59 0f 2008) • Regulations and schedules National Forests Act (Act No. 84 of 1998) • Protected Trees • Forests Provincial Legislation The Land Use Planning Ordinance 15 of 1985 • The purpose of LUPO is to regulate land (“LUPO”) use planning and incidental matters in the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape. Municipal by-laws

This chapter, which considers the potentially relevant national and provincial environmental legislative dimension of the project, does not include discussion on relevant municipal by-laws. However, it is possible that certain municipal by-laws will be relevant to the project and these will be discussed further during the impact assessment phase of the EIA.

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Policy and Planning Context White Paper on the Energy Policy of the The Energy Policy governs development within Republic of South Africa the energy sector in South Africa, and has five policy objectives: • Increased access to affordable energy services; • Improved energy governance; • Stimulating economic development; • Managing energy related environmental and health impacts; and • Securing supply through diversity.

It also identifies: • The need to undertake an Integrated Energy Planning process, while also taking into account health, safety and environmental parameters. • The need for the implementation of a National Integrated Resource Plan (NIRP). Energy Security Master Plan – Electricity (2007- • Addresses all aspects of the electricity 2025) sector including generation, transmission and distribution as well as Demand Side Management and energy efficiency initiatives for the period 2007-2025. • The Master Plan also considers standards for ensuring security of supply. National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment • The NSBA establishes protection and (“NSBA”) conservation priority status for terrestrial, inland water, estuarine and marine ecosystems at a 1:250,000 scale nationally and suggested implementation options for priority areas. It provides the national context for development of biodiversity plans at the sub-national and local scale. Draft National Strategy for Sustainable • The (draft) National Strategy notes that Development the nation’s biodiversity provides critical ecosystem services on which socio- economic systems depend. Although still in development, the final product is set to be used by government and stakeholders to enhance South Africa’s long term planning capacity. It would specifically influence national and provincial development strategies. Integrated Development Plans (IDP) • Overberg District Municipality IDP (Revised IDP 2006/2007) • Theewaterskloof Local Municipality IDP (IDP 2005/2006) The Western Cape Provincial Spatial The stated purpose of the WCPSDF is to: Development Framework (“WCPSDF”) • Be the spatial expression of the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS); • Guide municipal (district, local and metropolitan) Integrated Developments Plans (IDPs) and Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs) and provincial and

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municipal Spatial Development Plans (SDPs); • Help prioritise and align investments and infrastructure plans of other provincial departments, as well as national departments and parastatals plans and programmes in the Province; • Provide clear signals to the private sector about desired development directions; • Increase predictability in the development environment, for example by establishing “no-go”, “maybe” and “go” areas for development; and • Redress the spatial legacy of apartheid.

Guideline Documents South African National Standards (SANS) • Prediction of impact that noise emanating 10328, Methods for environmental noise impact from a proposed development would have assessments in terms of NEMA. No. 107 of on occupants of surrounding land by 1998 determining the rating level. • Noise limits are based on the acceptable rating levels of ambient noise contained in SANS 10103 Strategic Initiative to Introduce Commercial • Regional methodology for the siting of Land Based Wind Energy Development to the wind energy facilities within the Western Western Cape – Towards a regional Cape (Report 5) methodology for Wind Energy Site Selection • Project level methodology for assessing wind energy facilities within the Western Cape (Report 6) Draft Guidelines for the Granting of Exemption • Outlines the rules and conditions which Permits for the Conveyance of Abnormal Loads apply to the transport of abnormal loads and for other events on Public Roads and vehicles on public roads and the detailed procedures to be followed in applying for exemption permits

5.3 Conclusion

This legal review has provided a preliminary overview of the key aspects of environmental policy and the key environmental legal framework relating to the project. It provides a preliminary identification and review of the most relevant international, national and provincial environmental legislation as well as relevant international standards and guidelines. It must be noted that this preliminary review does not include all potentially relevant laws, policies, standards and guidelines.

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6 EIA PROCESS AND METHODOLOGY

6.1 Introduction

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the Caledon wind farm project was comprised of two main phases, namely the Scoping Phase and Impact Assessment Phase. This report summarised the tasks which were undertaken as part of the Scoping Phase of the EIA and detailed the recent work completed as part of the Impact Assessment Phase. These tasks included the public participation process, specialist studies and compilation of the draft EIA Report for public review.

An EIA is a legislative tool that is used to assess the potential impacts that may occur due to a proposed development and to ensure that the identified impacts are avoided or mitigated (minimised). In South African legislation the environment includes social, economic and bio-physical aspects and the EIA must assess these equally.

The EIA procedures are based on the principles of Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) which comprises of pro-active planning, informed decision making, a transparent and participatory approach to development, a broad understanding of the environment and accountability for decisions and the information on which they are based. The EIA process culminates in the submission of an Environmental Scoping Report (ESR) and the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which includes an Environmental Management Plan (EMP), to assist the competent authority in decision making.

The EIA process for the Caledon wind farm was controlled through Regulations published under Government Notice No. R. 385, R. 386 and R.387 and associated guidelines promulgated in terms of Chapter 5 of the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998). The new Government regulations as published under Government Notice No. R 543, 544, 545 and 546 on 2 August 2010 are not applicable to this project as the EIA application for the proposed development was submitted in 2009.

6.2 Overview of Scoping Phase Undertaken

The Scoping Phase of an EIA serves to define the scope of the detailed assessment of the potential impacts associated with a proposed project. The Environmental Scoping Phase was undertaken in accordance with the requirements of sections 24 and 24D of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act 107 of 1998), as read with Government Notices R 385 (Regulations 27-36), 386 and 387 of the NEMA and the IEM Information Series (DEA, 2002). The objectives of the Scoping Phase were to:

• Ensure that the process was open and transparent and involves the Authorities, proponent and stakeholders;

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• Identify the important characteristics of the affected environment; • Ensure that feasible and reasonable alternatives are identified and selected for further assessment; • Assess and determine possible impacts of the proposed Project on the biophysical and socio-economic environment and associated mitigation measures; and • Ensure compliance with the relevant legislation.

6.2.1 Consultation with Authorities

The relevant authorities, required to review the draft and final ESRs and EIA Reports and provide an Environmental Authorisation, were consulted from the outset of this study and have been engaged throughout the EIA process. These competent authorities include the National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), who are the competent authority for this Project. The Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (WC DEA&DP) is noted as a key commenting authority.

Authority consultation included the following activities:

• Pre-Application Meeting with the DEA was held on 22 October 2009; • An application for authorisation in terms of NEMA (Act 107 of 1998) was submitted on 23 October 2009; and • A copy of the application for authorisation to WC DEA&DP was submitted on 9 November 2009.

Following the submission of the application for authorisation, the DEA acknowledged receipt thereof in the form of an Acknowledgement of Receipt letter (dated 11 November 2009) (Appendix A) and issued the EIA reference number 12/12/20/1701.

6.2.2 Consultation with other Relevant Authorities

Background information regarding the proposed Project was provided to the other relevant authorities, together with a registration and comment form formally requesting their input into the EIA process. The authorities include inter alia:

• Theewaterskloof Local Municipality; • Overberg District Municipality; • Department of Water Affairs (DWA); • Department of Agriculture; • Department of Energy (DoE); • Department of Mineral Resources (DMR); • South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA); • Heritage Western Cape (HWC); • Civil Aviation Authority (CAA); • South African National Parks (SANParks); and • South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL).

A full list of key stakeholders consulted during the Environmental Scoping and EIA Phase to date was included in the Interested and Affected Party (I&AP)

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database included in Appendix C. Authority consultation continued throughout the EIA process.

As per the DEA Acceptance of Scoping, comments from the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Eskom were solicited on the EIA phase of the project and were included accordingly.

Furthermore it was noted that should the application for Environmental Authorisation be subjected to the provisions of Chapter II, Section 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999) a decision was not provided until a letter from the pertinent heritage authority was received stating that the application fulfils the requirements of the said authority.

Approval from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was also applied for with respect to the terms and provisions as contained in the Aviation Act (Act 74 of 2009) for the controlling and / or restricting of structures which will constitute an obstruction or potential hazard to aircraft moving in the navigable air space in the vicinity of aerodromes, along promulgated air routes and air spaces, or to aviation communication / navigation / surveillance assets, or which will adversely affect the performance of the said aviation assets or landing systems. This approval has been granted and is included in Appendix F.

6.2.3 Identification of Potentially Significant Environmental Impacts

Potential positive and negative direct and indirect environmental impacts associated with the proposed project were identified within the Scoping Phase and were evaluated through desktop studies and a one day site visit. In evaluating the potential impacts, studies were provided by the following specialists:

Table 6.1: Specialist Studies

SPECIALIST STUDY SPECIALIST NAME

Flora Impact Assessment Nick Helme of Nick Helme Botanical Surveys

Fauna Impact Assessment David Hoare of David Hoare Consulting CC

Avifauna Impact Assessment Chris van Rooyen of Chris van Rooyen Consulting

Agricultural Study Garry Patterson of ARC

Geotechnical Study Jon McStay of WSP

Social Impact Assessment Tony Barbour of Tony Barbour Environmental

Heritage Impact Assessment Dr. Lita Webley/ Tim Hart of UCT

Noise Impact Assessment Barend van der Merwe of DBAcoustics

Visual Impact Assessment Tanya de Villiers of CNdV Africa

Traffic Impact Assessment Nuran Nordien of Arcus GIBB

6.2.4 Draft Environmental Scoping Report

The findings of the Scoping Phase of the proposed project were documented in the ESR and the purpose of this report was therefore to document the

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findings of the scoping process in the form of a Draft and Final Scoping Report. The report documented the issues identified through the site visit, the Public Participation Process (PPP) as well as through the professional input of the relevant specialists and the Arcus GIBB team.

All public comment on the Draft Scoping Report (DSR) were captured in the Issues and Response Report (IRR) (Appendix E), which was submitted to DEA as an appendix to the Final Scoping Report (FSR). Correspondence was sent to all I&APs registered on the I&AP database, informing them of the availability of the FSR submitted to DEA in order for the public to note how their comments were addressed.

6.2.5 Plan of Study for the Impact Assessment Phase

A Plan of Study was compiled for the EIA Phase of the project and included in both the Draft and Final ESRs submitted to the public and the DEA for decision-making. The Final ESR was accepted by the DEA on 29 March 2011, and accordingly the PoS was also accepted.

The PoS aimed to provide for the following1:

• A clear process for impact identification, prediction and evaluation; • Specification of impact identification techniques; • Criteria for evaluating the significance of impacts; • Design of mitigation measures to address impacts; • Defining types of impacts (direct, indirect or cumulative); and • Specification of uncertainties.

6.2.6 Public Participation Process

A comprehensive Public Participation Process (PPP) was implemented as part of the Scoping Phase of the EIA. The PPP aimed to:

• Ensure all relevant Key Stakeholders and I&APs have been identified and invited to engage in the Scoping Phase; • Raise awareness, educate and increase understanding of stakeholders about the proposed project, the affected environment and the environmental process being undertaken; • Create open channels of communication between Key Stakeholders and I&APS and the project team; • Provide opportunities for Key Stakeholders and I&APS to identify issues or concerns and suggestions for enhancing potential benefits and to prevent or mitigate impacts; • Accurately document all opinions, concerns and queries raised regarding the project; and • Ensure the identification of the significant alternatives and issues related to the project.

2 Cumulative impacts, impact non-reversibility, and impact on irreplaceable resources will together inform the impact intensity rating

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(a) Identification of Key Stakeholders and I&APs

The identification and registration of I&APs was an ongoing process during the course of the project. Please note however that only registered I&APs were entitled to comment, in writing, on all written submissions made to the competent authority by the applicant or the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) managing an application, and to bring to the attention of the competent authority any issues which that party believes may be of significance to the consideration of the application, provided that comments are submitted within the timeframes that have been approved or set by the competent authority or any extension of a timeframe agreed to by the application or EAP. Arcus GIBB developed, maintained and constantly updated an electronic I&AP database of registered I&APs for the EIA (see Appendix C). During the Scoping Phase the I&APs for the project were identified by means of the following:

• Existing I&AP databases obtained from the client; • Existing I&AP databases for other projects within the study area, • Placement of newspaper advertisements in five newspapers ranging from national to regional and local newspapers. The advertisements were placed between the 18th and 19th of November 2009; • Placement of site notices at the proposed site locations; • Placement of site notices in venues in the surrounding towns; • Distribution of Background Information Documents (BIDs); • Discussions with community leaders and relevant ward councillors; and • Completed comments sheets.

(b) Notification and Advertisements

In accordance with the requirements of the NEMA EIA Regulations, the project was advertised in a number of newspapers and site notices. The purpose of the advertisement and site notice was to notify the public about the proposed project and to invite them to register as I&APs. The relevant advertisement dates are listed in Table 6.2 below. Copies of the actual advertisement placed can be found in the Scoping Report (http://projects.gibb.co.za.)

Table 6.2: List of newspapers and dates in which the adverts were published Newspaper Publication Date Language The Argus 18 November 2009 English Die Burger 18 November 2009 Afrikaans Caledon Kontreinuus 19 November 2009 Afrikaans Overberg Venster 19 November 2009 Afrikaans Hermanus Times 19 November 2009 English

Furthermore, the project and environmental assessment process was widely announced with various forms of invitation to the general public to register as I&APs and to actively participate in the PPP. These included:

• Print media advertisements in English and Afrikaans that were placed in regional and local newspapers for the Project; • Identified Key Stakeholders were contacted telephonically and informed of the project and the EIA process;

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• A letter of invitation was faxed to identified Key Stakeholders inviting them to Key Stakeholder Workshops as well as informing them of the project and inviting their participation in the EIA process. Follow up contact was also made telephonically; • A personally addressed letter of invitation written in English and Afrikaans was sent to identified I&APs announcing the project and opportunities for participation; • A Background Information Document (BID) and comment sheet were produced in English and Afrikaans detailing the proposed Project and explaining the EIA process. The BID was mailed to I&APs on the database and delivered to identified strategic public venues; and • Copies of the BID were made available to I&APs as and when requested. Public documents were also made available in public libraries and other local public venues.

The Background Information Document (BID), which briefly describes the proposed project, was compiled in English and Afrikaans and was distributed to all identified and registered I&APs. The BID introduced the proposed project and contained background information on the project, the proponent, consultants and process to be followed. It also included a locality map and a registration/comment sheet inviting I&APs to submit details of any issues, concerns or inputs they might have with regards to the proposed Project. The BID was placed at local public libraries and municipalities. A copy of the BID is included in Appendix D.

(d) Environmental Scoping Phase Meetings

There are various forms of public meetings. These include Key Stakeholder Workshops (KSWs), Focus Group Meetings (FGMs), Public Meetings with different public sectors, organisations and individuals, as well as one-on-one interactions. The purpose of these meetings was to present I&APs with information pertaining to the project and the process being followed, as well as to document and discuss any issues that the public may wish to raise.

A KSW was held to discuss the issues around the proposed wind farm and associated infrastructure (see Table 6.3). Key Stakeholders that were invited to the workshop are representatives of relevant sectors of Government (local and regional), the community, parastatals, businesses and all those affected by the project.

Table 6.3: Key Stakeholder Workshop

PROVINCE AREA VENUE DATE Western Cape Caledon Caledon Town Hall 11 January 2010

In addition, invitations to Public Meetings were extended in letters, telephone calls and public notices. Table 6.4 provides a list of the dates and venues where the public meetings were held.

The purpose of the Public Meetings was to provide an appropriate platform to enable I&APs to raise issues and have the opportunity to interact one-on-one

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with the applicant and the EIA Project Team, either in English or Afrikaans. Presentations and poster displays were shown at the public meetings.

Table 6.4: Public Meetings

NO. PROVINCE AREA VENUE DATE 1 Western Botrivier Botrivier Town Hall 11 January 2010 2 Cape Province Caledon Caledon Town Hall 12 January 2010

One-on-one interactions were held with individuals and representatives of the relevant sectors. These interactions were particularly useful in identifying key issues and other relevant stakeholders.

For groups with significant common interest around a particular issue or geographic area, meetings were held with these interest groups. Interaction with members of various Focus Groups was continued throughout the Scoping process.

Details of Focus Group Meetings held during the Scoping Phase are provided in Table 6.5.

Table 6.5: Focus Group Meetings

PROVINCE AND AREA STAKEHOLDER GROUP DATES Western Cape: Caledon Conservation Groups 12 January 2010 Western Cape: Caledon Landowners 13 January 2010 Western Cape: Caledon Agricultural Unions 13 January 2010

Minutes of all meetings held with I&APs were taken and forwarded to the attendees for verification of the issues raised. The minutes of the consultation were included within the Final ESR which can be viewed at http://projects.gibb.co.za. The comments raised during the public participation process described above, were recorded in the Scoping Phase Issues and Response Report (IRR) which was also included in the Final Scoping Report.

(e) Ongoing Consultation and Engagement

In addition to the public documents distributed to I&APs, there was ongoing communication between the applicant, the EIA team and I&APs. These interactions included the following:

• In addition to the project announcement letters, a letter was sent out to all registered I&APs providing them with an update of the project; • Interactions with I&APs were done in English and Afrikaans where required; • Feedback to Key Stakeholders, individually and collectively; • Written responses (email, faxes and letters) were provided to numerous I&APs acknowledging issues and providing requested information (dependent on availability); and • Special attention was paid to consultation with affected and potentially affected landowners within the study area.

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(f) Public Review of the Draft Environmental Scoping Report

The draft Environmental Scoping Report was made available for review from Thursday 10 December 2009 to Wednesday 3 February 2010. As the proposed review period fell over the December period a core period of 30 days was provided from Thursday 10 December until Tuesday 15 December (6 days) and from Monday 11 January to Wednesday 3 February 2010 (24 days). The report was made available at the following public locations within the proposed study area:

• Botrivier Library; • Caledon Library; • Genadendal Library; • Greyton Local Library; • Villiersdorp Local Library; and • Theewaterskloof Municipality.

All registered I&APs were notified of the availability of the report in writing. Comments received during the review period were included in the Final Scoping Report which was submitted to the authorities for decision-making.

6.2.7 Final Environmental Scoping Report

The final stage in the Environmental Scoping Phase entailed the capturing of responses and comments from I&APs on the Draft ESR in order to refine the Final ESR, and ensure that all issues of significance were addressed. Following the review of the Draft Scoping Report by the I&APs and the capturing of comments raised, the Final Scoping Report was then submitted together with a plan of study for the Environmental Impact Assessment to the DEA on 19 August 2010.

6.2.8 Acceptance of the Scoping Report

The Final EIR included at least one A3 regional map of the area and the locality maps included in the final EIR illustrated the sites for the project. The maps must be of acceptable quality and as a minimum, have the following attributes”

• Maps are relatable to one another; • Cardinal points; • Co-ordinates; • Legible legends; • Indicate alternatives; • Latest land cover; • Vegetation types of the study area; and

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• A3 size locality map.

The Department would like to have the following issues considered and addressed in the EIR:

• The Western Cape Critical Biodiversity (CBA) map; • An overlay of the total project footprint; • The sixe in relation to the Important Bird Area; • A report on bats (resident or migrating); • An indication of totally denuded area, as opposed to impacted Renosterveld where rehabilitation is possible; • The exact footprint of the whole development including exact size of concrete beds for the turbines, roads, trenches gravel pits and power lines; • It is critical to take into consideration comments from CapeNature; • Thirteen red data bird species are recorded in the study area. Field studies need to investigate whether they really occur and appropriate mitigation measures identified; • Clarity on the position of the wind turbines is critical; and • Mitigation measures for all impacts need to be detailed.

6.3 Detailed Impact Assessment Phase

6.3.1 Introduction

The purpose of the Impact Assessment Phase of an EIA is as follows (DEA, 2005):

• Address issues that have been raised during the Scoping Phase; • Assess alternatives to the proposed activity in a comparative manner; • Assess all identified impacts and determine the significance of each impact; and • Formulate mitigation measures in order to minimise negative impacts and optimise the effects of positive impacts.

Numerous acceptable approaches and methodologies exist by which the above purpose can be achieved. The legislation in South Africa, including the guideline documents published in support thereof, does not provide a specific methodology for the assessment of impacts. Rather, an assessment framework is provided within which Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs) are expected to structure a project-specific assessment methodology.

This assessment framework recognises that there are different methodologies available for assessing the impact of a development but that the specific methodology selected must provide for the following (DEA, 2005):

• A clear process for impact identification, prediction and evaluation; • The specification of impact identification techniques; • Criteria for evaluating the significance of impacts; • The design of mitigation measures to address impacts;

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• Defining types of impacts (direct, indirect or cumulative); and • Specification of uncertainties.

This section serves to describe the manner in which Arcus GIBB, as the appointed EAP, intends to undertake the detailed Impact Assessment Phase of the EIA process. To ensure consistency in the assessment, all the specialists were required to make use of the same assessment methodology.

6.3.2 Impact Assessment Methodology

The objective of the assessment of impacts was to identify and assess all the significant impacts that may arise from the proposed Caledon wind farm and associated infrastructure. The process of assessing the potential impacts of the project encompassed the following four activities:

• Identification and assessment of potential impacts; • Prediction of the nature, magnitude, extent and duration of potentially significant impacts; • Identification of mitigation measures that could be implemented to reduce the severity or significance of the impacts of the activity; and • Evaluation of the significance of the impact after the mitigation measures have been implemented, i.e. the significance of the residual impact.

The possible impacts associated with the proposed Caledon wind farm were identified in the Scoping Phase through public and stakeholder consultation, as well as through input from the authorities and the EIA team. These impacts were derived from the issues that were identified in respect of the construction and operational phases of the development. During the detailed Impact Assessment Phase of the EIA process, additional impacts were identified through the various specialist studies undertaken and through an ongoing consultation process with I&APs.

In accordance with GNR 385, promulgated in terms of section 24 of NEMA, specialists were required to assess the significance of potential impacts in terms of the following criteria:

• Cumulative impacts; • Nature of the impact; • Extent of the impact; • Intensity of the impact; • Duration of the impact; • Probability of the impact occurring; • Impact non-reversibility; • Impact on irreplaceable resources; and • Confidence level.

Table 6.6 provides a summary of the criteria and the rating scales, which are used in this regard. The assignment of a rating2 were undertaken based on past experience of the EIA Team, the professional judgement of the specialists as well as through desktop research.

2 Cumulative impacts, impact non-reversibility, and impact on irreplaceable resources will together inform the impact intensity rating

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Once the potential impacts were assessed in terms of the above criteria a consequence rating was applied as per the convention in Table 6.7.

The consequence of the potential impacts was then determined according to the main criteria for determining the consequence of impacts, namely the extent, duration and intensity of the impacts. This assessment was initially done for the scenario where no mitigation measures are implemented. The professional experience of the specialists will determine the allocation of the pre-mitigation impact consequence rating.

The overall significance of the impacts was defined based on the result of a combination of the consequence rating and the probability rating, as set out in Table 6.8.

Mitigation measures were then identified and considered for each impact and the assessment repeated in order to determine the significance of the residual impacts (the impact remaining after the mitigation measure has been implemented).

The criteria that were used to determine the significance of the residual impacts included the following:

• Probability of the mitigation measure being implemented; and • Extent to which the mitigation measure will affect the assessment criteria in Table 6.8.

The results of the assessment of the significance of the residual impacts were then linked to decision-making by authorities in the following manner:

• Low – did not have an influence on the decision to proceed with the proposed project, provided that recommended mitigation measures are implemented; • Medium – should influence the decision to proceed with the proposed project, provided that recommended mitigation measures are implemented; and • High – would strongly influence the decision to proceed with the proposed project regardless of the implementation of recommended mitigation measures.

Table 6.6: Impact Assessment Criteria and Rating Scales Criteria Rating Scales Notes Positive This is an evaluation of the type of effect the construction, operation and management of the Nature Negative proposed NPS development would have on the Neutral affected environment.

Low Site-specific, affects only the development footprint Local (limited to the site and its immediate Extent Medium surroundings, including the surrounding towns and settlements within a 10 km radius); High Regional (beyond a 10 km radius) to national

Duration Low 0-9 years (i.e. duration of the construction phase)

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Criteria Rating Scales Notes Medium 10-15 years

High More than 15 years to permanent Where the impact affects the environment in Low such a way that natural, cultural and social functions and processes are minimally affected Where the affected environment is altered but natural, cultural and social functions and Medium processes continue albeit in a modified way; and valued, important, sensitive or vulnerable Intensity systems or communities are negatively affected Where natural, cultural or social functions and processes are altered to the extent that the High impact will temporarily or permanently cease; and valued, important, sensitive or vulnerable systems or communities are substantially affected. Low No irreplaceable resources will be impacted.

Potential for Resources that will be impacted can be replaced, impact on Medium with effort. irreplaceable resources There is no potential for replacing a particular High vulnerable resource that will be impacted.

A combination of any of the following Intensity, duration, extent and impact on irreplaceable resources are all rated low Consequence Low Intensity is low and up to two of the other criteria (a combination are rated medium of extent, Intensity is medium and all three other criteria duration, are rated low intensity and the Intensity is medium and at least two of the other potential for Medium criteria are rated medium impact on irreplaceable Intensity and impact on irreplaceable resources resources). are rated high, with any combination of extent High and duration Intensity is rated high, with all of the other criteria being rated medium or higher. It is highly unlikely or less than 50 % likely that Low Probability (the an impact will occur. likelihood of the It is between 50 and 70 % certain that the impact Medium impact will occur. occurring) It is more than 75 % certain that the impact will High occur or it is definite that the impact will occur. Low consequence and low probability Low Low consequence and medium probability Significance Low consequence and high probability (all impacts Medium consequence and low probability including Medium consequence and medium probability potential Medium cumulative Medium consequence and high probability impacts) High consequence and low probability High High consequence and medium probability High consequence and high probability

An explanation of the impact criteria is provided below. Only the above- mentioned criteria were taken into account in the assessment of impact significance. In addition, the degree of confidence in the prediction of impacts, the nature of applicable mitigation measures and legal requirements applicable to the impacts were described by the specialists.

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Nature This was an evaluation of the type of effect the construction, operation and management of the proposed wind farm development would have on the affected environment. Will the impact change in the environment be positive, negative or neutral? This description must include what will be affected and the manner in which the effect will transpire. It is important to describe the impact (the change in the environment), and not the source of the impact.

Extent or Scale This refers to the spatial scale at which the impact will occur. Extent of the impact is described as: low (site-specific - affecting only the footprint of the development), medium (limited to the site and its immediate surroundings and closest towns) and high (regional and national). Extent or scale refers to the actual physical footprint of the impact, not to the spatial significance. It was acknowledged that some impacts, even though they may be of small extent, are of very high importance, e.g. impacts on species of very restricted range. In order to avoid “double counting, specialists have been requested to indicate spatial significance under “intensity” or “impact on irreplaceable resources” but not under “extent” as well.

Duration The lifespan of the impact was indicated as low (short-term - 0-9 years, typically impacts that are quickly reversible within the construction phase of the project), medium-term (10-15 years, reversible over time) and high (long- term, 15-60 years, and continue for the operational life span of the WEF).

Intensity or Severity This was a relative evaluation within the context of all the activities and the other impacts within the framework of the project. Does the activity destroy the impacted environment, alter its functioning, or render it slightly altered? The specialist studies must attempt to quantify the magnitude of the impacts and outline the rationale used.

Impact on Irreplaceable Resources This refers to the potential for an environmental resource to be replaced, should it be impacted. A resource could possibly be replaced by natural processes (e.g. by natural colonisation from surrounding areas), through artificial means (e.g. by reseeding disturbed areas or replanting rescued species) or by providing a substitute resource, in certain cases. In natural systems, providing substitute resources was usually not possible, but in social systems substitutes are often possible (e.g. by constructing new social facilities for those that are lost). Should it not be possible to replace a resource, the resource is essentially irreplaceable e.g. red data species that are restricted to a particular site or habitat of very limited extent.

Consequence The consequence of the potential impacts is a summation of above criteria, namely the extent, duration, intensity and impact on irreplaceable resources.

Probability of Occurrence The probability of the impact actually occurring based on professional experience of the specialist with environments of a similar nature to the site and/or with similar projects. Probability is described as low (improbable), medium (distinct possibility), and high (most likely). It was important to distinguish between probability of the impact occurring and probability that the

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activity causing a potential impact will occur. Probability was defined as the probability of the impact occurring, not as the probability of the activities that may result in the impact. The fact that an activity will occur does not necessarily imply that an impact will occur. For instance, the fact that a road will be built does not necessarily imply that it will impact on a wetland. If the road was properly routed to avoid the wetland, the impact may not occur at all, or the probability of the impact would be low, even though it was certain that the activity will occur.

Significance Impact significance was defined to be a combination of the consequence (as described below) and probability of the impact occurring. The relationship between consequence and probability highlights that the risk (or impact significance) must be evaluated in terms of the seriousness (consequence) of the impact, weighted by the probability of the impact actually occurring. The following analogy provides an illustration of the relationship between consequence and probability. The use of a vehicle may result in an accident (an impact) with multiple fatalities, not only for the driver of the vehicle, but also for passengers and other road users. There are certain mitigation measures (e.g. the use of seatbelts, adhering to speed limits, airbags, anti- lock braking, etc.) that may reduce the consequence or probability or both. The probability of the impact was low enough that millions of vehicle users are prepared to accept the risk of driving a vehicle on a daily basis. Similarly, the consequence of an aircraft crashing was very high, but the risk was low enough that thousands of passengers happily accept this risk to travel by air on a daily basis.

In simple terms, if the consequence and probability of an impact was high, then the impact will have a high significance. The significance defines the level to which the impact will influence the proposed development and/or environment. It determines whether mitigation measures need to be identified and implemented and whether the impact was important for decision-making.

Degree of Confidence in Predictions Specialists were required to provide an indication of the degree of confidence (low, medium or high) in the predictions made for each impact, based on the available information and their level of knowledge and expertise. Degree of confidence was not taken into account in the determination of consequence or probability.

Mitigation Measures Mitigation measures are designed to reduce the consequence or probability of an impact, or to reduce both consequence and probability. The significance of impacts has been assessed both with mitigation and without mitigation.

Legal Requirements The specialist identified and listed the relevant South African legislation and permit requirements pertaining to the development proposals. Reference must be provided to the procedures required to obtain permits and describe whether the development proposals have the potential to trigger applicable licensing or permit requirements.

To apply the criteria and to assist in identifying the appropriate significance rating, an Excel spreadsheet was developed to automatically tally the ratings per criterion so that specialists did not have to painstakingly apply the

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conditions in the impact criteria and come up with a consequence and significance rating. This also ensured consistency amongst the different specialists.

Table 6.7: Convention for Assigning a Consequence Rating Consequence Intensity, Extent and Duration Rating Rating HIGH Consequence • High intensity at a regional level and endure in the long term • High intensity at a national level and endure in the medium term • Medium intensity at a national level and endure in the long term • High intensity at a regional level and endure in the medium term • High intensity at a national level and endure in the short term • Medium intensity at a national level and endure in the medium term • Low intensity at a national level and endure in the long term • High intensity at a local level and endure in the long term • Medium intensity at a regional level and endure in the long term MEDIUM Consequence • High intensity at a local level and endure in the medium term • Medium intensity at a regional level and endure in the medium term • High intensity at a regional level and endure in the short term • Medium intensity at a national level and endure in the short term • Medium intensity at a local level and endure in the medium term • Medium intensity at a local level and endure in the long term • Low intensity at a national level and endure in the medium term • Low intensity at a regional level and endure in the long term LOW Consequence • Low intensity at a regional level and endure in the medium term • Low intensity at a national level and endure in the short term • High intensity at a local level and endure in the short term • Medium intensity at a regional level and endure in the short term • Low intensity at a local level and endure in the long term • Low intensity at a local level and endure in the medium term • Low intensity at a regional level and endure in the short term • Low to medium intensity at a local level and endure in the short term

Table 6.8: Convention for Assigning a Significance Rating Significance Rating Consequence x Probability HIGH • High x Definite Significance • High x Highly Probable • High x Probable • High x Improbable • Medium x Definite MEDIUM • Medium x Highly Probable Significance • Medium x Probable LOW • Medium x Improbable Significance • Low x Definite • Low x Highly Probable • Low x Probable • Low x Improbable

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6.3.3 Consideration of Alternatives

The following project alternatives are investigated in the EIA:

• The “do nothing” or ‘no-go’ alternative: The ‘do-nothing’ alternative is the option of not establishing a wind farm in Caledon in the Western Cape Province; • Layout and design alternatives (site specific): This includes micro-sighting (positioning) for the turbines, varying turbine sizes from 2 MW to 3.6 MW and the alignment and placement of the transmission lines connecting the wind farm to the grid; and • Associated Infrastructure: The alignment of the various access roads.

The selection of the most suitable project alternatives are based on the following principles:

• The opinion of the public, ascertained through the public consultation process; • Specialists’ recommendations; • Environmental constraints; • Minimal environmental impacts; • Optimisation of existing infrastructure, such as access roads and power lines; • Technical and feasibility studies; and • Economic cost-benefit analyses.

6.3.4 Assessment of Potential Impacts

Based on the findings of the Scoping Phase, the issues presented in Table 6.9 below were identified as requiring further investigation within the Impact Assessment Phase. The specialists involved in the EIA are also reflected in Table 6.9. These specialist studies considered the site proposed for the development of the wind farm and associated infrastructure, as well as all of the project alternatives. The ToR for the specialist studies is provided in Section 6.4 below.

Table 6.9: Summary of issues which require further investigation in the Impact Assessment Phase Specialist Study Potential Impact Specialist Name Flora Assessment Direct loss of vegetation at the construction phase Nick Helme of (tower installation requires special cranes on Nick Helme heavy 6 m wide tracks; substations; access roads Botanical Surveys at least 6 m wide; concrete mixing sites) Temporary (but often long term) loss of vegetation at the construction phase (laydown areas; cabling; disturbance around towers; building material storage areas) Indirect ecological impacts at the operational phase (introduction of invasive alien ants and plants; disruption of natural fire regimes; fragmentation of natural habitat and ecological corridors). Fauna Loss of terrestrial habitat David Hoare of Assessment David Hoare

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Loss of wetland habitat Consulting CC Change in runoff and drainage Displacement of animals Fragmentation of populations Loss of bats through collisions with turbines Avifauna Disturbance of breeding birds during the Chris van Rooyen Assessment construction phase, particularly Red listed Blue of Chris van Crane and possibly Denham’s Bustard. Rooyen Consulting Sterilisation of breeding and foraging habitat by the operation of the wind facility, particularly for Blue Crane and Denham’s Bustard. Collisions with the wind turbines during the operational phase, particularly raptors of several species and possibly Red listed Agulhas Long- billed Lark. Collisions with the guy wires of the wind mast. This impact is not envisaged to be significant. Potential impacts of the lighting on the wind turbines. This impact is not regarded as significant. Noise Road traffic noise from the transportation of Barend van der Assessment equipment and goods to the site. Merwe of DBAcoustics Noise from the assembly of the wind turbines. Noise from the operation of the wind turbines. Visual The optimal placing of the wind turbines to Tanya de Villiers Assessment minimise the visual impact. of CNdV Africa The careful siting of the roads and transmission lines so that their visual impact is minimised. The effect of the development on views from the N2 with specific reference to the Houwhoek Pass. The visual impact on the local towns and farms. Heritage Impacts to pre-colonial archaeology from the Lita Webley/Tim Assessment Holocene and Pleistocene era. Hart of University of Cape Town Impacts to pre-colonial archaeology and colonial period heritage. Impacts to cultural landscape. Paleontological impacts – the area is situated on the Bokkeveld group and is potentially fossiliferous. Agricultural Loss of potential agricultural land. Garry Paterson of Assessment Agricultural Research Centre (ARC) Social Impacts on local communities and individuals: Tony Barbour of Assessment Tony Barbour Potential impact on rural sense of place (this is Environmental closely linked to the visual impacts); Consultants Potential Impact on tourism, both locally and regionally (this is closely linked to the visual impacts from routes currently serving a scenic/ touristic function, specifically the R406, but also the R43 and the N2);

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Impact on property prices (Botrivier town and adjacent/ near-adjacent rural areas where the scenic resource may be considered of significant value with regard to rural lifestyle land use); Influx of job seekers into the area during the construction phase. The influx of job seekers may result in an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/ AIDS; increase in prostitution; increase in alcohol and drug related incidents; increase in crime; and creation of tension and conflict in the community. This issue is potentially of great importance, given the high established migration influx level currently experienced by the Theewaterskloof LM; Creation of employment and business opportunities during the construction phase; Creation of employment and business creation opportunities during the operational phase; Creation of potential training and skills development opportunities for local communities and businesses; Potential up and down-stream economic opportunities for the local, regional and national economy; Provision of clean, renewable energy source for the national grid. Impact on farmers on and adjacent to the site: Potential threat to farm safety due to increased number of people in the area and construction workers; Potential stock losses (during the construction and operational phase); Potential damage to water and other farm infrastructure (during the construction and operational phase); Potential damage to roads by heavy equipment and increased traffic volumes (during the construction and operational phase); Potential impact on farming operations and loss of productive land (during the construction and operational phase).

Traffic No railway station is currently located along the Nuran Assessment R43. Access between the railway and the staging Nordien/Sarah area will have to be investigated once a detailed Chow of Arcus design of the staging area is available. GIBB The intersection of N2 and R43 will have to be assessed in order to determine the possible impact during the construction phase. Aside from the extension of the off-road vehicle track, its condition will also have to be assessed to determine the necessity of possible upgrades. Upgrade and the investigation sight distance will be required at the access of the off-road vehicle track onto R43. The height of the wind turbines may affect the

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aviation line in the area. Further investigation on the aviation line will be required. Geotechnical The overall geotechnical assessment undertaken Jon McStay of Investigation in the Scoping Phase concluded that the site is WSP highly favourable for the operation of a wind farm and that detailed geotechnical investigations are not required for the assessment of environmental impacts, but should be undertaken to provide detailed information for engineering design once final locations and routes are confirmed.

6.3.5 Public Participation Process (PPP)

Ongoing consultation with all stakeholders and registered I&APs continued beyond the approval of the Scoping Report into the Impact Assessment Phase of the EIA process. Consultation during the EIA process was undertaken by means of the following:

• Maintaining an open channel of communication with all stakeholders and authorities; • Distribution of all project information and findings to registered I&APs; • Public information sharing meeting on completion of the Draft EIR; • Commenting period on the Draft EIR prior to submission of the report to the authorities; and • Information in the media and press (if required).

6.3.5.1 Environmental Impact Assessment Public Open Day

There are various forms of public meetings. These include Key Stakeholder Workshops (KSWs), Focus Group Meetings (FGMs), Public Meetings with different public sectors, organisations and individuals, as well as one-on-one interactions. The purpose of these meetings is to present I&APs with information pertaining to the project and the process being followed, as well as to document and discuss any issues that the public may wish to raise.

A public open day was held to discuss the issues around the proposed wind farm and associated infrastructure (see Table 6.3). I&APs were invited to the public open as well representatives of relevant sectors of Government (local and regional), the community, parastatals, businesses and all those affected by the project.

Table 6.10: Public Open Day

PROVINCE AREA VENUE DATE Western Cape Caledon Caledon Town Hall 30 November 2011

The purpose of the public open day was to provide an appropriate platform to enable I&APs to raise issues and have the opportunity to interact one-on-one with the applicant and the EIA Project Team, either in English or Afrikaans. Presentations and poster displays were shown at the public open day.

One-on-one interactions were held with individuals and representatives of the relevant sectors. These interactions were particularly useful in identifying key issues and other relevant stakeholders.

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6.3.6 Draft Environmental Impact Report

The contents of the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) included the following:

• Details and expertise of the EAP to undertake an EIA; • Detailed description of the proposed activity; • Detailed description of the property on which the activity is to be undertaken and the location of the activity on the property; • A description of the environment that may be affected by the activity and the manner in which the physical, biological, social, economic and cultural aspects of the environment may be affected by the proposed activity; • Details of the PPP conducted during the detailed assessment phase of the EIA process; • A description of the need and desirability of the proposed activity and identified potential alternatives to the proposed activity, including advantages and disadvantages that the proposed activity or alternatives may have on the environment and the community that may be affected by the activity; • An indication of the methodology used in determining the significance of potential environmental impacts; • A description and comparative assessment of all alternatives identified during the environmental impact assessment process; • A summary of the findings and recommendations of any specialist report or report on specialised process; • A description of all environmental issues that were identified during the environmental impact assessment process, an assessment of the significance of each issue and an indication of the extent to which the issues could be addressed by the adoption of mitigation measures; • An assessment of each identified potentially significant impact in terms of cumulative impacts, the nature of the impact, the extent and duration of the impact, the probability of the impact occurring, the degree to which the impact can be reversed, the degree to which the impact may cause irreplaceable loss of resources and the degree to which the impact can be mitigated; • A description of any assumptions, uncertainties and gaps in knowledge; • An opinion as to whether the activity should or should not be authorised, and if the opinion was that it should be authorised, any conditions that should be made in respect of that authorisation; • An environmental impact statement which contains a summary of the key findings of the environmental impact assessment, a comparative assessment of the positive and negative implications of the proposed activity and identified alternatives; • A draft Environmental Management Plan (EMP); • Copies of any specialist reports and reports on specialised processes; and • Any specific information that may be required by the competent authority.

6.3.7 Draft Environmental Management Plan (EMP)

During the compilation of the draft EIA Report, a draft EMP was compiled in accordance with the NEMA EIA Regulations. The draft EMP provided the

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actions for the management of identified environmental impacts emanating from the proposed project and a detailed outline of the implementation programme to minimise and/ or eliminate the anticipated negative environmental impacts. The draft EMP also provided strategies to be used to address the roles and responsibilities of environmental management personnel on site, and a framework for environmental compliance and monitoring.

The EMP includes the following:

• Details and expertise of the person who prepared the EMP; • Information on any proposed management or mitigation measures that would be taken to address the environmental impacts that are identified in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), including environmental impacts or objectives in respect of planning and design, pre-construction and construction activities, operation or undertaking of the activities, rehabilitation of the environment and closure where relevant; • A detailed description of the aspects of the activity that are covered by the draft EMP; • An identification of the persons who will be responsible for the implementation of the measures; • Time periods within which the measures contemplated in the draft EMP must be implemented; and • Proposed mechanisms for monitoring compliance with the EMP and reporting thereon.

6.3.8 Public Review of draft EIR and EMP

• Botrivier Library; • Caledon Library; • Genadendal Library; • Greyton Local Library; • Villiersdorp Local Library; and • Theewaterskloof Municipality.

6.3.9 Consultation with the DEA

Consultation with the DEA has coincided with the compilation of the Scoping Report, Plan of Study for the EIA, and the Draft EIR and EMP.

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Consultation outside of the above deliverables will be undertaken as necessary in order to ensure that the DEA is aware of the status of the project.

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6.4 Terms of Reference for Specialist Studies

6.4.1 Introduction

A team of nine (9) specialists were involved in the detailed Impact Assessment Phase of the EIA process. A summary of the specialist studies and the proposed specialist responsible for that study is provided in Table 6.10 below.

Table 6.10: Specialist Studies to be undertaken during the Impact Assessment Phase of the project Specialist Study Name of Specialist Flora Impact Assessment Nick Helme of Nick Helme Botanical Surveys Fauna Impact Assessment David Hoare of David Hoare Consulting CC Avifauna Impact Assessment Chris van Rooyen of Chris van Rooyen Consulting Agricultural Study Garry Patterson of ARC Geotechnical Study Jon McStay of WSP Social Impact Assessment Tony Barbour of Tony Barbour Environmental Heritage Impact Assessment Dr. Lita Webley/ Tim Hart of UCT Noise Impact Assessment Barend van der Merwe of DBAcoustics Visual Impact Assessment Tanya de Villiers of CNdV Africa Traffic Impact Assessment Nuran Nordien of Arcus GIBB

The scope of each of the above individual studies was provided in the Plan of Study for EIA.

6.4.2 General Terms of Reference for Specialist Studies

In April 2006, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), now known as the Department of Environment Affairs (DEA) issued guidelines for involving specialists in EIA processes. The specialists made themselves aware of these guidelines and amendments thereof, as well as any other guidelines, codes, standards, or applicable legislation relative to their field of expertise, and utilised them to more precisely determined methods and approaches to their specialist studies and would reference compliance with the above-mentioned requirements accordingly. Specialists were expected to consider best practise when undertaking their studies.

The assessment of impacts was undertaken in accordance with the guidelines provided in the Guideline Document: EIA Regulations (DEA, 1998), NEMA principles, Section 24(4) of NEMA (as amended) and both the DEA and the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (WC DEADP) guideline documents as appropriate to the specific field of study.

In addition, the following General Terms of Reference applied to each of the specialist studies:

• Attend a one day site visit; • Design and undertake the specialist study in accordance with the specifications provided;

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• Describe the baseline conditions that exist in the study area and identify any sensitive areas that would need special consideration; • Provide an outline of the approach used in the study; • Assessment of all project alternatives including the no-go alternative; • Identify, assess and evaluate the possible impacts of the wind farm, transmission lines and associated infrastructure during all development phases (construction and operation) of the proposed project; • Identify and assess any cumulative impacts arising from the proposed project; • Determine the significance of assessed impacts according to the methodology provided by the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) and provide a revised significance rating of assessed impacts after the implementation of mitigation measures (Schedule 5); • Undertake field surveys, as appropriate to the requirements of the particular specialist study; • Identify areas where integration of studies with other specialists would ensure a better assessment and coordinate with other specialists in this regard; • Apply the precautionary principle in the assessment of impacts, in particular where there is major uncertainty, low levels of confidence in predictions and poor data or information; • Recommend practicable mitigation measures to minimise or eliminate negative impacts and/or enhance potential project benefits; • Recommend appropriate auditing, monitoring and review measures; • Compile all information into a stand-alone report according to the format provided by Arcus GIBB; and • All specialist studies had to take cognisance of and comply with the relevant guideline documents applicable to that specialist study.

6.4.3 Specific Terms of Reference

The specific terms of reference for all specialist studies are presented below:

(a) Floral Study

The flora assessment provided technical advice on the following information, applicable to the proposed wind farm, associated infrastructure and transmission lines:

• A brief discussion on the vegetation types in which the study area is situated, using available literature, in order to place the study in context; • A broad-scale map of the vegetation and land cover of the proposed alignment. A description of the dominant species and their characteristics within the broad-scale plant communities comprising each of these units; • A list of Red List plant and animal species previously recorded within the quarter degree grids in which the study area is situated, obtained from the relevant authorities and literature reviews; • Identification of sensitive habitats and plant communities. A map of sensitive areas along the proposed alignments; • Typical impacts that could be expected from the development had to be listed; • Gaps in baseline data had to be highlighted and discussed; • Limitations had to be described;

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• Indication of the preferred alternatives; and • Preliminary investigation of the impacts of the proposed project and recommended mitigation measures.

Conclusions reached and recommendations made were based not only on occurrence of individual species. An important element of the approach was to recommend planning that would allow the maintenance of ecosystem processes, even in the absence of any Red Data species.

The specialist was also required to liaise with the specialists undertaking the faunal and avifaunal studies as all of these studies are inherently linked. The specialist reports in this regard had to demonstrate that the findings of these related studies have been considered by each of the specialists involved.

(b) Faunal Study

The following approach was followed to conduct this study:

• A survey of which bats occur in the vicinity of the site, especially those bat species of conservation concern that have been identified as having a high probability of occurring on site. This confirmed which species have a high probability of occurring on site; and • A targeted survey of potential habitats for threatened frog species that have a high likelihood of occurring within the proposed study area. Any potential habitats were assessed for suitability for these species. The value of habitats on site for the Cape Rain Frog and the Cape Mountain Toad could only be evaluated once it has been established whether these species occur on site or not. Only then may it was it possible to establish whether construction of the wind farm will affect sensitive habitats or not. Also, if these species do occur on site, they are likely to be restricted to specific areas, which can be avoided once identified.

The terms of reference for this Impact Assessment Phase of this study were as follows:

• Describe the affected environment and determine the status quo: The existing environment had to be described and the bird communities most likely to be impacted will be identified. Different bird micro-habitats will be described as well as the species associated with those habitats; • Indicate how a resource or community had been affected: Typical impacts that could be expected from the development were to be listed as well as the expected impact on the bird communities. Impacts also had to be quantified (where possible) and a full description of predicted impacts (direct and indirect) provided; • Gaps in baseline data: Gaps in baseline data had to be highlighted and discussed. An indication of the confidence levels will be given. The best available data sources had to be used to predict the impacts, and extensive use made of local knowledge; • Assessment of impacts: The potential impact on birds had to be assessed and evaluated according to the magnitude, spatial scale, timing, duration, reversibility, probability and significance (or any other criteria required);

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• Propose and explain mitigation measures: Practical mitigation measures had to be recommended and discussed; • Summarise residual impacts after mitigation: An impact summary table had to be provided, discussing expected impacts before and after mitigation; • Indicate a monitoring programme. A monitoring programme had to be put in place; and • Mapping of sensitive areas: Bird sensitive areas had to be mapped in a sensitivity map for easy reference.

The following approach was followed to conduct this study:

• Bird distribution data of the Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP – Harrison et al., 1997) was obtained from the Avian Demography Unit of the University of Cape Town, as a means to ascertain which species occur within the study area. A data set was obtained for the quarter degree squares within which the development will take place; • An extensive review of relevant ornithological literature was conducted in to supplement the data from the Southern African Bird Atlas Project, including the SABAP2 project, if data is available for the study area; • The conservation status of all bird species occurring in the aforementioned quarter degree square was determined with the use of The Eskom Red Data book of birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (Barnes, 2000); • A classification of the vegetation types relating to bird communities in the quarter degree square was obtained from Harrison et al. (1997). • High resolution imagery from Google Earth was used to gain an overview of the greater study area; • An extensive review of international literature on bird impacts at wind farms was conducted, including the work conducted in South Africa by this author on other wind facilities; • Information on the micro habitat level was obtained through site visits. If necessary and practically possible, real time observations of flight patterns was conducted; • An interview was conducted with the landowner for the wind turbine site with regard to the birds observed on the property; and • Technical details of the planned infrastructure (wind turbines, wind mast and pump storage scheme) was obtained from the proponent.

(d) Agricultural Impact Assessment

An assessment of the potential impacts on soils and agricultural potential was undertaken for the study area for proposed project. The studies included a desk-top investigation of the area using existing detailed data for the area. The primary aim of these surveys was to provide an overview of the soils and agricultural potential of the study area.

• Sensitive areas had to be determined and be plotted on a sensitivity map for easy reference; and • Detailed studies to assess the potential loss of possible agricultural land due to the construction of the turbines and associated infrastructure.

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(e) Social Impact Assessment

The approach to the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) study was based on the Western Cape DEA&DP Guidelines for Social Impact Assessment (February, 2007). These guidelines are based on international best practice and have also been endorsed by the DEA. The key activities in the SIA process embodied in the guidelines include:

• Describing and obtaining an understanding of the proposed intervention (type, scale, location), the communities likely to be affected and determining the need and scope of the SIA; • Collecting baseline data on the current social environment and historical social trends; • Identifying and collecting data on the Social Impact Assessment variables and social change processes related to the proposed intervention. This requires consultation with affected individuals and communities; • Assessing and documenting the significance of social impacts associated with the proposed intervention; • The establishment of a new tourism sector (Green Tourism) to the benefit of the industry within the area; and • Identifying alternatives and mitigation measures.

Considering the above, social impact assessment included:

• Review of demographic data from the 2001 Census Survey and other relevant sources, including local Integrated Development Planning (IDP) documents; • Review of relevant planning and policy frameworks for the area, including the Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework (SDF); • Site specific information collected during the site visits to the area; • Review of information from similar projects; • Interviews with key interested and affected parties and stakeholders; • Identification of social issues associated with the proposed project; and • Identification of potential mitigation and or enhancement measures.

The detailed public consultation process was undertaken during the Impact Assessment Phase of the project. Issues raised through this process were also placed into the SIA for the proposed power lines, wind farm and associated infrastructure.

(f) Heritage Impact Assessment

The heritage study had to comprise of a desktop and field study to ascertain any sensitive areas within the study area, applicable to the proposed wind farm, any additional transmission lines (other than which currently exists), new substation and existing Eskom Houwhoek substation (future upgrading) and associated infrastructure thereof.

• Broad scale determination of heritage and cultural resources located within the study area; • Indication of the preferred placement of the wind turbines and alignment of the transmission line; and • Notification of relevant Heritage Authorities.

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The Impact Assessment Phase study had to fulfil the requirements of heritage impact assessment as defined in section 38 of the National Heritage Resources (Act No. 25 of 1999) (NHRA). This means that the assessment has to cover the full range of potential cultural heritage as defined by the term “culture” contained in the NHRA. The proposed study area had to be subject to a detailed survey by an archaeologist who needed to walk a pattern of transects over the site recording details and locations of any heritage material found. The significance of each find needed to be assessed along with the impacts of the proposed activity. Mitigation measures then had to be identified.

Proposed routes of linear infrastructure (access roads, underground services, power lines) had to be ground-proofed to establish the impacts of the proposed activity and determine where mitigation (if any) will be required.

The colonial period historical significance of the site needed to be established through archival and deeds surveys and the assessment and grading of the built environment by an (accredited professional) in the study area and within a radius of 2km from the boundaries of the study area. Lost historical significance (if any) had to be identified and the proposed action assessed to determine if it presents any impacts to the historical significance of the “place”. In terms of cultural landscape, more research is required into determining what would be best practice on terms of South African Landscapes, and it is the intention to gather information in this regard to inform the future EIA process. Close co-operation with the VIA specialist was required.

Follow up heritage work such as monitoring of excavations by a palaeontologist or archaeological sampling is likely to be a requirement of the Environmental Management Plan.

(g) Noise Impact Assessment

The study to determine the impact such a development will have on the environment had to be based on:

• SANS 10328 – Methods for environmental noise impact assessments and; • SANS 10103:2008 – The measurement and rating of environmental noise with respect to land use, health, annoyance and to speech communication and the; and • Guidelines for community noise impact assessments by the IFC of the World Bank.

The noise survey had to be done during the daytime period and the night time period in order to determine the prevailing ambient noise levels and to evaluate the projected noise levels in terms of the recommended residual noise levels laid down by SANS 10103:2008.

A noise impact assessment had to be undertaken at the following areas in order to evaluate the existing baseline information and to use the information to create the noise contours:

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• The proposed site; • Along the routes to these site, and; • Nearest noise sensitive areas.

The construction, operational and closure phases had to be addressed in the report and the baseline information; existing and newly acquired data used to determine the potential impact and management of mitigation measures.

It was deemed important to assess the wind turbine sites and the environment in and around the nearest receptors because the sound from the wind turbines would create the “new” prevailing ambient noise level of the area.

It was proposed that they study make use of the following six-stage process approach to assessment and mitigation:

Step 1 Define the project requirements and noise problem – gather technical support information; Step 2 Agree on the assessment criteria, establish baseline noise environment and determine extent of the noise impact of initial proposal; Step 3 Identify and agree on noise mitigations options; Step 4 Assess noise impact against criteria of Step 2 and evaluate key considerations and significance for each mitigation option; Step 5 Determine optimal noise control solution; and Step 6 Review, implement, monitor and audit.

There are two types of noise sources at the proposed development, a point source at one wind turbine with its own noise sources which had to be identified and addressed and the line source which is of the collective wind turbines. These two categories of noise sources had to be determined and mitigation measures put in place to manage these impacts.

The noise survey consisted of the following:

• Preliminary survey and identification of measuring points; • All measurements to be done on the boundary of the property; • Sound pressure readings to be done at the closest residential area; • Noise survey at the identified measuring sites – Ambient noise measurements; • Calculation of noise propagation; • Analysing of results; • Results of the survey, report and recommendations and mapping of noise contours for the proposed site; and • Sensitive localities/features must be determined and be plotted on a sensitivity map for easy reference.

The following potential impacts were evaluated for the construction phase:

• Transportation of the equipment and goods to the site; • The transport of equipment from the harbour to the site and the frequency of deliveries as well as the increase of vehicles on the R43 Provincial Road and the N2 Freeway will be evaluated in terms of SANS 10210 0f 2004 – Calculating and prediction road traffic noise; • Construction of foundations and assembly of the wind turbines;

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• The construction phase will entail construction activities at each wind turbine site, which had to be evaluated in terms of SANS 10103 of 2008; • The measurement and rating of environmental noise with respect to annoyance and to speech communication had to be undertaken; • Noise generated during the operational phase; and • Plotting of noise contours around the wind turbines which had to indicate the alleged impact on the surrounding areas. The noise impact of the wind turbines had to be evaluated in terms of the Western Cape Noise Control Regulations and SANS 10103 of 2008.

(h) Traffic Impact Assessment

In order to further investigate the issues and impact in the assessment phase, the following tasks had to be undertaken:

• Classified traffic counts at relevant intersections during the peak periods; • Description of the site and its operation during construction; • Description of surrounding road/rail network and future transport planning proposals; • Discussion of access location in terms of access spacing, sight distance and operational requirements; • Analysis of the existing and future operation of the road / rail network; • Description of surrounding aviation line network where relevant; • Recommendations of mitigation actions; • Identification of possible road upgrades; and • Conceptual design of road upgrades, if required.

(i) Visual Impact Assessment

The following approach had to be followed to conduct this study:

• Visual impact assessment detailing the visibility of the proposed wind farm sites from significant viewpoints as well as their impact on its surroundings. The reports had to include recommendations to mitigate/reduce the visual impact; • Meetings and correspondence with the applicant and professional team; • Use of photographic and/or 3D simulation techniques (3D models was supplied by the engineering team) to create images that portray the zone of impact on future views of the site after development, taken from significant viewpoints; • Highlighting of visual problems and opportunities; • Print-outs of viewpoints or Powerpoint presentation for public meetings or for discussion purposes; and • Sensitive localities/features must be determined and be plotted on a sensitivity map for easy reference.

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6.5 Conclusion

This Impact Assessment methodology was aimed at meeting the requirements of the EIA Regulations as a minimum.

The methodologies proposed for obtaining the information required to effectively identify and assess the potential environmental impacts of the project are considered to be comprehensive and sufficient to allow for the compilation of this EIR which addresses I&AP concerns and which will provide the competent authority with the appropriate information necessary to allow for informed decision-making on the application for authorisation.

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Chapter 7: Description of Baseline Environment

7 DESCRIPTION OF THE BASELINE ENVIRONMENT

7.1 Introduction

This section provides a description of the baseline environment in the study area, which may be affected by the proposed project. The receiving environment was described in terms of biophysical and socio-economic environmental factors, those which could potentially be directly or indirectly affected by the project, or which could themselves, affect the proposed project. This information was extracted from the various specialist studies undertaken during the EIA phase of this study as well as readily available information for the study area.

7.2 General Study Area

7.2.1 Regional Context

This information was obtained from the Social Impact Study (Appendix M). The study area is located in the western portion of the region of the Western Cape traditionally known as the Overberg. The term “Overberg” historically referred to the inland region to the east of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains (and thus “across the mountain” relative to Cape Town). Today the term is most commonly used to refer to the region circumscribed by the Hottentots-Holland Mountains to the west, the Langeberg range to the north, the lower Breede River to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The interior Overberg is traditionally a farming area. Sheep farming and the cultivation of cereal crops have traditionally been dominant. In more recent times, the area has also become established as a major producer of canola (oil seed crop).

The Overberg is bisected by the N2 running east-west. The N2 provides a link between the City of Cape Town to the west, and the scenic Garden Route (Mossel Bay and beyond) to the east. The Garden Route is an established tourist route of major significance. Although not forming part of the Garden Route, tourism has become established as a major industry in the Overberg, often as an economic diversification strategy to agriculture.

In that regard, the proposed site is traversed by the R43 linking the N2 with the scenic area of Villiersdorp and the Franschhoek Valley (Figure 7.1). In addition, the R406 runs approximately 2.5 km to the east of the site. The R406 intersects with the N2 at locations approximately 40 km apart, respectively to the west and east of Caledon, describing an arc, at the apex of which are located the touristically important settlements of Greyton and Genadendal (Figure 7.2). Due to the road’s alignment, the section of the road passing close to the proposed site carries the bulk of primary traffic from the City of Cape Town, as well as a significant portion of additional traffic accessing the towns from the east and then progressing onto Cape Town in the west. The section of the R406 passing along the site may therefore be described as of considerable scenic significance. This importance is further reinforced by the fact that tourism constitutes a key asset to the relatively isolated and historically

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disadvantaged Genadendal community. Genadendal is located approximately 20 km (linear) from the proposed site.

The landscape comprising the relevant part of the Overberg in which the study area is located consists of gently undulating hills against the backdrop of distant mountains in all directions. The Theewaterskloof dam is located approximately 6 km north of the northern most point of the proposed site, beyond the intervening Eseljagberg. The scenic fruit growing area around Elgin and Grabouw is located approximately 20 km due west of the site, also screened from the site by the intervening mountains. The Overberg is relatively sparsely settled. The nearest town to the proposed site is the small town of Botrivier, located approximately 6 km to the south of the western extremity of the site. The larger and regionally more significant town of Caledon is located approximately 10 km to the east of the south-easternmost extremity of the site.

Figure 7.1: View from R43 between Villiersdorp and N2, looking east towards Caledon

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Figure 7.2: View looking north from R 43 that links the N2 with Genadendal and Greyton. The site is located west of R 43

7.2.2 Administrative Context

In administrative terms, the proposed site is located within the Theewaterskloof Local Municipality (TLM), which, in turn, is one of four LMs that make up the Overberg District Municipality (ODM). The administrative headquarters of the ODM are located in Bredasdorp. The remaining three LMs are comprised by the Cape Agulhas LM (Bredasdorp), Swellendam LM (Swellendam) and Overstrand LM (Hermanus).

The TLM is comprised of 12 wards. The site proposed for the wind farm straddles Wards 4 and 7.

The TLM is the largest of the four municipalities constituting the ODM, both in terms of geographical size as well as population. It covers approximately 3 248.3 km², and was estimated to have a population of 103 2811 in 2007 (43.5 % of the ODM’s population) (Provincial Treasury, 2007).

1 This figure is disputed in the Theewaterskloof 2009 IDP. The TLM’s own estimate for 2007 is around 135 000 people. This higher figure is based on what is perceived to be significant and continuous in-migration into the fruit- growing areas around Grabouw and Villiersdorp.

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Figure 7.3: Overview of the Theewaterskloof Municipality Source: Theewaterskloof 2009 IDP Revision

The most recent available data indicates that the TLM’s economy accounted for 40.6 % (R1.47 billion) of the ODM’s GDPR in 2005, and 0.98 % of that of the Province. Of the four constituent LMs in the ODM, it had the slowest recorded growth rate in the period 2004-2005 (viz. 3.4 %). Agriculture has traditionally been, and continues to be, the main provider of employment opportunities and contributor to GDPR in the Theewaterskloof. The LM’s economy is essentially built on agriculture, agri- processing and tourism (Provincial Treasury, 2007). Tourism is strongly linked to the agricultural sector, primarily with regard to the scenic landscapes associated with its main agricultural activities (e.g. picturesque orchards in the Grabouw valley and around Villiersdorp; rolling wheat and canola fields and pastoral scenes associated with small stock grazing in for instance the area between Caledon and Botrivier).

With the exception of land use associated with the fruit producing area around Grabouw in the LM’s extreme west, the settlement pattern is relatively sparse, and is mainly comprised of open space, farms and smallholdings. Of the entire municipal area (3 248.3 km² = 324 830 ha), only 3 246 ha (=1 %) is constituted by demarcated urban land use. Caledon constitutes the largest town in the study area, and is of regional significance as a service centre to the surrounding hinterland. Other urban settlements in the LM include Botrivier, Riviersonderend, Greyton, Genadendal and Villiersdorp.

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7.2.3 Road Network

The proposed Caledon Wind Farm site is located to the north of the N2 national road (<1.5 km at closest point). The N2 runs from Cape Town in the south-west, along the southern an eastern seaboard of South Africa, up to the Swaziland border in the north-west.

The N2 bisects the TLM from west to east, and essentially provides the central “spine” from which a number of north-south arterial, main and secondary roads branch off. Caledon, Botrivier and Grabouw are located along the N2. The section of the N2 between Riviersonderend and Tsitsikamma is referred to as the world- renowned “Garden Route” scenic drive. The western starting point of the Garden Route, Riviersonderend, is located approximately 54 km east of Caledon along the N2. Of significance, the N2 segment traversing the TLM functions as the primary conduit of tourism traffic between the CCT and the Garden Route. The road currently sees significant HGV traffic (~15% of total), and may therefore also be considered a heavy vehicle route. The proposed Caledon Wind Farm site is located ~7.5 km+ from the scenic Houwhoek pass on the N2.

Major north-south road links in the study area are comprised of the following roads (from east to west):

 R43, linking the N2 in the south to the R45 just south of the town of Villiersdorp and to the Boland region in the north. A southern component of the R43 provides a direct link between the N2 (Botrivier) in the north to the important tourist areas associated with the Overstrand seaboard settlements of Hermanus, Kleinmond and Betty’s Bay to the south. Turbine components, possibly the assembly crane components and some construction materials would be transported along the R43 from the north (i.e. entering the R43 from the R45 south of Villiersdorp). The road currently sees significant HGV traffic (~15% of total), and may therefore be considered a heavy vehicle route (Arcus Gibb, December 2010);  R406, linking the N2 in the south to the towns of Genadendal and Greyton in the north. The R406 is crescent-shaped, and intersects with the N2 at locations ~2.5 km west of Caledon (west) and ~2 km west of Riviersonderend (east). Only the segment between Caledon (N2) and Greyton is tarred at present, effectively preventing tour busses, etc. from using the road as a circular tourist route.

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Wind Farm Site N2 R43 R406 Helderstroom rd Boontjieskraal rd

Figure 7.4: Study Area Road Network

In terms of regional tourism, the segment of the N2 between Botrivier and Caledon also provides direct links to the following significant roads.

 The R320, linking Caledon in the north to Hermanus in the south, via the scenic Hemel en Aarde Valley. Only a portion of the road is tarred at present. The relevant gravel segment of the R320 is currently proposed for upgrading. This would establish a direct tarred link between Caledon and Hermanus. The proposed Caledon Wind Farm site would be visible from Shaw’s Pass, but at some distance;  The R316, linking Caledon in the north to Bredasdorp, and the touristically significant Struisbaai area and the southernmost tip of Africa (Cape Agulhas) in the south.

For the purposes of this SIA, the R43 (N2-Villiersdorp) intersects with three further significant roads, namely:

 Boontjieskraal Road, essentially providing a more direct link to Caledon than the N2 (Boontjieskraal area, ~5 km west of Caledon. The road is untarred at present, but appears to be in a good condition. The road provides primary access to a number of farms, such as Rietfontein, Bruinklip, and alternative access to Klipfontein. It is assumed that this road would be used frequently during the construction phase (personal vehicle traffic to and from the site, and specifically the main laydown area on De Vleytjes). During the operational phase, the road would probably be used as a general short-cut from the operations offices in Caledon to the site, as well as to access certain routine maintenance locations on the site;  Helderstroom Road, essentially providing an east-west link between the R43 just to the north of the site and the town of Genadendal in the north-east, via the small correctional settlement of Helderstroom. Only short segments of the road are tarred at present, however, future upgrading of the road is proposed. The up- market, Rouxwil guest farm is located near the intersection between the Helderstroom Road and the R43. The route is aligned through very picturesque countryside (orchards, land cultivated on the banks of the Riviersonderend Rivier

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against the scenic backdrop of the Sondereindrivierberge), and has significant potential to become a scenic route, once it has been surfaced. An upgraded road would establish a more direct link with the touristically important Boland region, and has potential for use as a link in various regional circular routes in the TWK area north of the N2. Turbines 1-11 of Phase 1 are located on a highly visible ridgeline located ~2.5-3.5 km to the south of the Helderstroom Road;  Hawston View Road, essentially providing access to farms located west of the R43, via Hawston View farm. The road essentially carries traffic associated with the relevant farming operations. The road is untarred, but in fairly good condition at present. The road terminates in the north-south aligned Botrivier-R310 (Grabouw-Villiersdorp, via van der Stel Pass) along the lower slopes of the Houwhoekberge. The road serves as primary access road to farms such as Witkop and Hawston View, and secondary access to farms such as Fisantekraal, Eik-en-walle, Kiesieskraal and others. The proposed on-site substation would be accessed off this road.

7.3 Biophysical Environment

7.3.1 Geology and Soils

This information was obtained from the Baseline Geotechnical Report included in the Final Scoping Report. The area is underlain by interbedded siltstones, shales, mudstones and fine sandstones of the Klipbokkop Formation and Wagensdrift Formation of the Devonian age Bokkeveld Formation. The rocks are folded into a broad syncline which produces a topography consisting of ridges and valleys. The tops of the ridges are formed by a hard resistant sandstone layer. The rocks dip at approximately 25 degrees along a regional developed south-west north-east strike.

The regional geology is part of the Cape Fold Belt. The area lies between two major fault zones which define the Botrivier valley which has formed along the south-west- north-east upthrown block of Bokkeveld shales and is bounded by the more resistant quartzite sandstones of the mountain-forming Table Mountain Group. This fault bounded valley provides an important topographic depression that controls wind direction and wind speed in the area.

There may be some faulting in the study area with bedding parallel thrusts developed along the northern limb of the syncline and minor normal faults occurring along a south-east north-west trend of tensional stress.

Soils are relatively thin particularly on the hillsides where a silty hillwash layer overlies weathered shaley rock. In the low lying areas a residual clay layer of up to 1m thick may be encountered and ferricrete is developed in areas subject to poor drainage and seepage of groundwater. In the location of the wind turbines the shallow rock condition is likely to be encountered. This is also likely to be the case for the bulk of the cable trench routes.

The soils tend to have high sodium content and thus their agricultural potential is low. They require extensive lime addition for growing crops and thus the bulk of the farms in this area are used for grazing sheep. The thin soils and high sodicity can give rise to soil erosion problems particularly if over-grazed. However, no examples of soil erosion were observed on the site visit.

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7.3.2 Topography

This information was obtained from the Fauna Scoping Study (Appendix J). The study site is dominated by a ridge running in an east-west direction from the central part of the study area, rising towards the east. These are the foothills of the Riviersonderendberge and there is a ridge running parallel to and to the south of the Donkerhoekberge, an off-shoot of the Riviersonderendberge. Around the base of this ridge are low undulating hills that characterise the remainder of the study area. The topography drops towards the north-west of the site, which is where the Botrivier runs. Slopes on site vary from moderately sloping to steeply sloping.

The elevation on site ranges from 551 m at the top of the ridge in the north-east to 116 m in the river valley in the north-west. The hills in the southern half of the site vary in height from 190 to 330 m. The topography is generally undulating, with slopes of between 4 % and 25 %, although some of the steeper areas have slope angles up to 40 %.

Figure 7.5: Photograph showing the Topography within the Study Area.

7.3.3 Groundwater

This information was obtained from the baseline Geotechnical Report Included in the Final Scoping Report. The Bokkeveld Formations are best described as being poor quality regional aquifers. Groundwater yield are generally low and water quality can be moderately to highly saline. With a relatively low annual rainfall the groundwater

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resources of the study area are considered to be poor with limited opportunities for the drilling of successful abstraction wells.

7.3.4 Soils and Agricultural Potential

This information was obtained from the Soils and Agricultural Potential Impact Study (Appendix L). Existing information was obtained from the map sheet 3319 Worcester from the national Land Type Survey, published at 1:250 000 scale.

The area under investigation is covered by five land types, as shown in Figure 7.6 namely:

 Fa206 (Shallow soils, usually non-calcareous);  Fa207 (Shallow soils, usually non-calcareous);  Fb106 (Shallow soils, may be calcareous);  Fb110 (Shallow soils, may be calcareous); and  Ib113 (Shallow soils with much rock).

It should be clearly noted that, since the information contained in the land type survey is of a reconnaissance nature, only the general dominance of the soils in the landscape can be given, and not the actual areas of occurrence within a specific land type. Also, other soils that were not identified due to the scale of the survey may also occur.

A summary of the dominant soil characteristics of each land type is given in Table 7. below and illustrated in the soils map in Figure 7.6.

The distribution of soils with high, medium and low agricultural potential within each land type is also given, with the dominant class shown in bold.

As can be seen from the information contained in Table 7., very little of the area contains high potential soils, and all land types are dominated by low potential soils.

Much of the study area consists of either:

 Structured, clay soils (mainly Swartland and Sterkspruit soil forms) of low to moderate potential,  Shallow lithosols (Mispah, Glenrosa) of low potential, or  Rock.

However, the low rainfall in the area means that there is limited potential for arable agriculture in the area and that the soils are suited for extensive grazing at best. The grazing capacity of the area is moderately low, around 14-20 ha/large stock unit.

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Table 7.1: Land types occurring (with soils in order of dominance) Land Dominant soils Depth Percent of Characteristics Agric. Type (mm) land type Potential (%) Fa206 Rock - 28% - High:4.5 Mispah 10 50-250 25% Brown, sandy topsoils on hard rock Mod: 1.6 Cartref 20 50-250 21% Grey-brown, sandy topsoils on hard rock Low: 93.9 Fa207 Glenrosa 13/16/19 250-450 41% Grey-brown, sandy/loamy topsoils on weathering rock High:4.6 Mispah 10 50-250 27% Grey-brown, sandy/loamy topsoils on hard rock Mod: 16.8 Swartland 11/12/31/32 300-500 15% Brown, loamy topsoils on brown to red-brown, blocky structured Low: 78.6 clay subsoils on rock Fb106 Glenrosa 13/16 200-400 42% Grey-brown, sandy/loamy topsoils on weathering rock High:1.6 Swartland 31/32 350-600 16% Brown, loamy topsoils on brown, blocky structured clay subsoils on rock Mod: 26.7 Mispah 10 50-150 14% Grey-brown, sandy/loamy topsoils on hard rock Low: 71.7 Fb110 Glenrosa 13/16 250-450 30% Brown, loamy topsoils on weathering rock High: 4.1 Cartref 11/12 250-450 21% Grey-brown, sandy topsoils on hard rock Mod: 3.8 Mispah 10 50-150 15% Grey-brown, sandy/loamy topsoils on hard rock Low: 92.1 Ib113 Rock - 79% - High:0.0 Mispah 10 50-150 9% Grey-brown, sandy/loamy topsoils on hard rock Mod: 3.0 Low: 97.0

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Figure 7.6: Soils Map for the Proposed Caledon Wind Farm Study Area.

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7.3.5 Climate

This information was obtained from the Soils and Agricultural Potential Impact Study (Appendix L). The climate of the area is characterised by a rainfall pattern of all- year-round rainfall, with a definite peak in the winter months. Average long-term annual rainfall is between 384 mm in the lower areas, rising to around 534 mm in the higher areas.

Temperature ranges from an average daily minimum and maximum of 15.5 oC and 28.6 oC to 5.6 oC and 17.7 oC for January and July respectively. The extreme maximum temperature recorded was 41.4oC (presumably in “berg wind” conditions) with the extreme low of -2.0 oC. Frost occurs occasionally (on 8 days per year on average) between mid-June and early September.

7.3.6 Regional Vegetation

This information was obtained from the Flora Impact Study (Appendix I). As can be seen from Figure 7.7 there were originally two vegetation types in the study area, and these two are both still present, although much reduced in extent due to extensive agriculture. Note that Figure 7.7 shows the original vegetation patterns, prior to human influence. About 80 % of the site supports Western Rûens Shale Renosterveld, and in the northeast is a portion of Greyton Shale Fynbos. In my opinion the latter has been overmapped, and its true extent is more restricted, occurring only on the mixed sandstones and shales of the upper ridge and upper north slopes (pers. obs.).

Figure 7.7: Extract of the SA Vegetation Map, showing that most of the site would have originally supported Western Rûens Shale Renosterveld, with Greyton Shale Fynbos in the northeast sector.

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Western Rûens Shale Renosterveld has been very heavily impacted by agriculture within the region where it occurs (Botrivier to Bredasdorp) and today less than 13 % of its original extent remains. The vegetation type is regarded as a Critically Endangered vegetation type, with an unachievable national conservation target of 29 %, and only 1 % conserved (virtually all of this in private reserves. Intact examples of this vegetation type are typically home to a high number of rare and threatened plant species, many of which are endemic (restricted) or near endemic to the vegetation type. About 75 % of the remaining vegetation in the study area is of this type. Greyton Shale Fynbos is here at its western end, and occurs in the region up to Riviersonderend, usually on the foothills of the Riviersonderend Mts. Some 30 % of this vegetation type has been lost, with a conservation target of 30 %.

However, only 0.8 % is formally conserved, with a further 5.8 % in private reserves, and the unit is thus classified as Vulnerable on a national basis. Both vegetation types are shrublands, typically dominated by low shrubs, herbs and grasses, with a high diversity of bulbs (geophytes) and succulents common in rocky areas. Small trees and larger shrubs often occur in moist gulleys and in fire protected areas. The vegetation is most visually attractive in the first few years after a fire, when the greatest percentage of the flora blooms simultaneously.

7.3.7 Ecological Corridors

Ecological corridors are regarded as key elements of a “living landscape” and of ecological process, in that they allow for animal and plant movement across the partly fragmented landscape. Insects and birds are key pollinators of many plant species, and it is important that they be able to move from one patch of natural vegetation to the next relatively easily, without having to cross large areas of hostile, barren terrain with little or no natural vegetation. These corridors also allow for seed movement, which may be by means of animals or by the wind. Existing ecological corridors can be inferred wherever there is natural vegetation, and thus one should not take a single line on a map too seriously – in reality it is more like a web than a corridor, with numerous lateral connections and interconnections, and it is important to maintain as many of these as possible, and the broader and more numerous the links the better.

In late 2010 Dr D. Hoare (an independent consultant base in Pretoria) was asked by the applicant to compile a vegetation and landuse map of the study area, and this is included in the current report as Figure 7.10. As many as 15 to 20 threatened plant species may occur within the study area or its immediate surrounds, and all these would occur within the areas of remnant natural vegetation (High sensitivity areas mapped in FSR; and within areas mapped as Fynbos or Rocky Fynbos or Renosterveld: good condition or Renosterveld: moderate condition in Figure 7.10). This is an exceptionally high figure, even for the Fynbos biome, and is indicative of the conservation importance and sensitivity of all remaining natural habitat in the area.

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Figure 7.10: Copy of Vegetation and Landuse Map of the Study Area Prepared by D. Hoare, 2010. An A3 copy of this map is included in Appendix S.

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7.3.8 Land Cover

This information was obtained from the Fauna Impact Study (Appendix J). Most of the study site consists of cultivated lands. There are some significant patches of remaining vegetation along the upper parts of the ridge in the north-eastern part of the site and overlooking the Botrivier in the north-western part of the site. Other natural vegetation consists primarily of drainage lines between cultivated fields and small patches scattered throughout the site. Secondary fynbos has developed on some of the fields on the north-west of the site, otherwise most of the site appears to be under active cultivation.

The significance of the high degree of cultivation of the site is that there is little natural vegetation remaining which could support indigenous fauna. Some species of conservation concern, especially birds, may make use of cultivated fields for foraging, but this is generally the exception for most other animal species.

7.3.9 Faunal Species of Conservation Importance

This information was obtained from the Fauna Impact Study (Appendix J). There are a number of species of conservation concern that have a geographical distribution that includes the study area. These are listed in the tables below:

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Table 7.1: Mammals of Conservation Importance within the Broader Study Area Common Taxon Habitat Status Likelihood of name occurrence Black Diceros Wide variety of habitats. CR NONE, only occurs in rhinoceros bicornis game reserves bicornis White-tailed Mystromus Highveld and montane EN LOW, previously recorded rat albicaudatus grassland, fynbos, requires in neighbouring grid, but sandy soils with good cover substrate properties on site not considered to be suitable for this species Bontebok Damaliscus Used to inhabit renosterveld. VU NONE, only occurs in pygargus Now only in reserves. game reserves pygargus Honey Mellivora Wide variety of habitats. NT HIGH, previously recorded badger capensis Probably only in natural in neighbouring grid, habitats. confirmed record east (adjacent) to study site Lesueur’s Cistugo lisueuri Rock crevices in fynbos. NT HIGH, previously recorded Wing-gland in neighbouring grid and bat there may be suitable habitat available on site. Schreiber’s Miniopterus Fynbos, savanna, woodland. NT HIGH, previously recorded long-fingered schreibersii Caves and sub-terranean in two neighbouring grids. bat habitats. Temminck’s Myotis tricolor Caves in forests, shrubland, NT MEDIUM, site within hairy bat savanna, grassland distribution range, but no records in grid or neighbouring grids. There may be suitable habitat on site. Cape Rhinolophus Caves and subterranean NT HIGH, previously recorded horseshoe capensis habitats; fynbos, shrubland in neighbouring grid and bat and Nama-karoo. there may be suitable habitat on site. Geoffroy’s Rhinolophus Caves and subterranean NT HIGH, previously recorded horseshoe clivosus habitats; fynbos, shrubland in neighbouring grids and bat and Nama-karoo there may be suitable habitat on site. Fynbos Amblysomus Lowland fynbos and Knysna NT LOW, previously recorded golden mole corriae forest, also in urban areas. in neighbouring grid to the Prefers sandy soils with deep south, but substrate litter layer. properties on site not considered to be suitable for this species. Water rat Dasymus Semi-aquatic, occurring in NT LOW, site just within incomtus various wetland types distribution range, but no records in grid or neighbouring grids. African Poecilogale Moist grassland or woodland DD MEDIUM, previously weasel albinucha with more than 700 mm recorded in neighbouring rainfall per year and where grid, but habitat on site flourishing populations of may be too degraded small rodents occur. Grassland, scrub woodland. Cape Golden Chrysochloris Subterranean habitats; DD LOW, previously recorded Mole asiatica arable land; urban areas; in neighbouring grids, but

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renosterveld; fynbos and substrate properties on strandveld succulent karoo; site not considered to be sandy soil suitable for this species. Reddish-grey Crocidura Wide variety of habitats. DD MEDIUM, previously musk shrew cyanea recorded in neighbouring grid Greater musk Crocidura Wide variety of habitats. DD MEDIUM, previously shrew flavescens recorded in neighbouring grids Forest shrew Myosorex Wide variety of vegetation DD MEDIUM, previously varius types, usually primary. recorded in neighbouring Terrestrial habitats adjacent grid to wetlands; forest Lesser dwarf Suncus varilla Broad habitat tolerance. DD MEDIUM, previously shrew Widespread in Africa and recorded in grid South Africa. Reliant on termite mounds.

Table 7.2: Amphibians of Conservation Importance within the Broader Study Area Common Species Habitat Status Likelihood of name occurrence Micro frog Microbatrachella Found in undisturbed seasonal CR LOW, found in quads capensis vleis in acid fynbos. Highly just to south (3419AD threatened by alteration of and 3419AC), but is a hydrological cycle and direct coastal species habitat transformation. Very occurring below 80 m sensitive to disturbance of habitat. a.s.l. and within 10 km of the coast. Cape Xenopus gilli Found in seepages in flat areas EN LOW, found in qds platanna where fynbos occurs on acid just to south (3419AD sands. Highly threatened by and 3419AC), but is a alteration of hydrological cycle and coastal species direct habitat transformation. occurring below 140 m a.s.l. and within 10 km of the coast. Western Bufo pantherinus Mostly associated with sandy EN LOW, previously Leopard coastal lowlands found in qds just to Toad south (3419AD), but substrate properties on site not considered to be suitable for this species Cape rain Breviceps Inhabits gently sloping well drained VU HIGH, found in qds frog gibbosus ground, where it burrows. Foothills directly west of study of mountains and low isolated hills. area (3418BB) and Threatened by direct habitat substrate and habitat destruction, such as intensive properties on site are ploughing, but can be found in suitable for this disturbed areas and is adaptable species and fairly resilient to disturbance. Most localities where species is found have fine-grained, heavy substrates derived from shales or granites. Cape Capensibufo Inhabits seepage zones and VU HIGH, occurs in all mountain rosei shallow pools in fynbos on neighbouring grids. toad mountains above 500m a.s.l. Breeds in small shallow temporary pools, usually dominated by

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restios. Cape Cacosternum Occurs in flat, low-lying areas, in VU MEDIUM, Occurs caco capense Renosterveld or cultivated lands west of 3419AA in the formerly covered by this adjacent grid, vegetation. Heavy, poorly drained Substrate and habitat clay and loamy soils. Spends most properties on site are of the year buried underground, suitable for this emerging in the wet winter to breed species, but it has not in shallow pools. previously been recorded this far east. Montane Poyntonia Marshy areas, shallow seepage NT MEDIUM, previously marsh paludicola zones and shallow streams along recorded in qds to frog rock outcrops in Mountain Fynbos. west of site, but atlas Found from 200 - 1800 m. data considered to be incomplete.

Table 7.3: Reptiles Of Conservation Importance Within the Broader Study Area Common Species Habitat Status Likelihood of name occurrence Geometric Psammobates Inhabits coastal Renosterveld EN MEDIUM, found in tortoise geometricus in south-western Cape. qds west and north- Threatened by habitat west of study area destruction. (3418BB). Yellowbellied Lamprophis Old termitaria and under NT MEDIUM, house snake fuscus stones, underground. Most previously recorded likely to occur in mountain in neighbouring grid fynbos in study area, although (occurs in the grid secondary grassland may also to the north be suitable habitat. Found adjacent to throughout more mesic parts 3419AA) of South Africa (Cape, east coast, Highveld) Hawequa flat Afroedura Narrow cracks in sandstone Restricted1, MEDIUM, occurs in gecko hawequensis boulders in shady conditions in NT2 grid directly north of the mountains of the south- 3419AA and AB. western Cape. Mesic montane fynbos. 1Status according to Branch 1988. 2Status according to Groombridge 1994.

NT – Near Threatened EN – Endangered VU – Vulnerable CR – Critically Threatened DD - Declining

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Based on habitat requirements, there are a number of species that were considered to have a high possibility of occurring on site or making use of habitats available on site. These are the following:

 Honey Badger (Near Threatened);  Lesueur’s Wing-gland Bat (Near Threatened);  Schreiber’s Long-fingered Bat (Near Threatened);  Cape Horseshoe Bat (Near Threatened);  Geoffroy’s Horseshoe Bat (Near Threatened);  Cape Rain Frog (Vulnerable); and  Cape Mountain Toad (Vulnerable).

7.3.10 Bird Habitat in the Study Area

This information was obtained from the Avifauna Impact Study (Appendix K). The study area comprises an area which overlaps with 2 quarter degree squares (i.e. 1:50 000 maps), and comprises 15 farm portions, with an overall surface area of about 3750 hectares.

It is widely accepted that vegetation structure is more critical in determining bird habitat, than the actual plant species composition. The description of vegetation presented in this study therefore concentrates on factors relevant to the bird species present, and is not an exhaustive list of plant species present. The description of the vegetation types occurring in the study area makes extensive use of information presented ASAB. The criteria used by the ASAB authors to amalgamate botanically defined vegetation units, or to keep them separate were (1) the existence of clear differences in vegetation structure, likely to be relevant to birds, and (2) the results of published community studies on bird/vegetation associations. As can be seen in Table 7.4, the natural vegetation in the quarter degree squares where the study area is located are predominantly classified as fynbos vegetation.

Table 7.4: The percentage of each quarter degree square in the study area that is classified as each vegetation type according to ASAB

Vegetation type Fynbos Afromontane Forest 3419AA 100% 3419AB 99% 1%

Fynbos is dominated by low shrubs and can be divided into two categories, fynbos proper and renosterveld, the latter being more common in the study area. Despite having a high diversity of plant species, fynbos and renosterveld has a relatively low diversity of bird species. The only Red Data species that are closely associated with fynbos in this study area, are the Black Harrier Circus maurus (which may breed in fynbos), and the Denham’s Bustard. Other Red Data species that sometimes use this habitat are Secretarybirds which are sometimes found in fynbos and renosterveld (pers. obs.), and Martial Eagles on occasion forage in this habitat. Much of the fynbos and renosterveld in the study area have been transformed for agriculture. Whilst this obviously resulted in substantial natural habitat being destroyed, several species have in fact adapted well to this transformation. One such species, which is highly relevant to this study, is the Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus. This species has thrived on the grain lands and pastures in the southern and western Cape.

Afro-montane forest occurs marginally in 3419AB, but is of no relevance for the present study.

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The study area is located near the town of Caledon in the Theewaterskloof Municipality in the Western Cape. It comprises an area which overlaps with two QDGCs (i.e. 1:50 000 maps), and comprises 15 farm portions, with an overall surface area of about 3750 hectares..

The study site is located in the Overberg wheatbelt. The mosaic of wheat, barley and canola fields interspersed with pastures that comprises the area known as the Overberg Wheatbelt, is classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) – the study area falls marginally outside the formal IBA borders, but in similar habitat. This large agricultural district stretches from Caledon to Riversdale and encompasses the area south of these two towns, running between the coastal towns of Hermanus and Stilbaai. The topography consists of low-lying coastal plains and consists primarily of cereal croplands.

Figure 7.11: Location of the Study Area Relative to the Overberg Wheatbelt IBA.

It is widely accepted that vegetation structure is more critical in determining bird habitat, than the actual plant species composition. The description of vegetation presented in this report therefore concentrates on factors relevant to the bird species present, and is not an exhaustive list of plant species present. The description of the vegetation types occurring in the study area makes extensive use of information presented SABAP1. The criteria used by the SABAP1 authors to amalgamate botanically defined vegetation units, or to keep them separate were (1) the existence of clear differences in vegetation structure, likely to be relevant to birds, and (2) the results of published community studies on bird/vegetation associations. The natural vegetation in the QDGCs where the proposed wind facility is located is classified as fynbos vegetation.

Fynbos is dominated by low shrubs and can be divided into two categories, fynbos proper and Renosterveld. Despite having a high diversity of plant species, fynbos and Renosterveld has a relatively low diversity of bird species. The only priority species that are closely associated with natural vegetation in this study area, is the Black Harrier Circus maurus and the Denham’s Bustard Neotis denhami. Other priority species that sometimes use this habitat are Secretarybirds Sagittarius serpentarius which are sometimes found in fynbos and renosterveld (pers. obs.), while Martial

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Eagles Polemaetus bellicosus on occasion forage in this habitat. The proposed Caledon Wind Farm is primarily situated in an area of primarily agricultural activity (approximately 64% of the study area), but there are large areas of natural vegetation remaining, particularly against steeper slopes, ridges and in drainage lines.

Much of the fynbos and Renosterveld in the Overberg Wheatbelt have been transformed for agriculture. Whilst this obviously resulted in substantial natural habitat being destroyed, several species have in fact adapted well to this transformation. One such species, which is highly relevant to this study, is the Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus. This species has thrived on the grain lands and pastures in the southern and western Cape. This will be further discussed when the micro-habitats are discussed below.

In addition to natural vegetation, the following bird micro-habitats are present on the site of the proposed development site:

7.3.11 Cereal Crops and Pastures

The natural vegetation at the study area at Caledon Wind Farm is surrounded by a typical mosaic of grain fields interspersed with pastures. It is of specific importance to the endemic, Blue Crane, as well as the Denham’s Bustard (Ardeotis denhamii).

The Overberg holds the largest population of Blue Cranes in the world. At times the Overberg can hold nearly 20% of this species’ global population, as well as containing large numbers of Denham’s Bustard and White Stork Ciconia ciconia during the summer. The Blue Crane has relatively recently expanded its range into the Overberg, where it feeds on inter alia fallen grain and recently germinated crops. They also feed on supplementary food put out for small stock, and can congregate in huge numbers around these feed lots. The Blue Cranes favour agricultural areas above natural vegetation. During the reconnaissance site visits at Caledon Wind Farm, several small groups of Blue Cranes were recorded in cereal crops and pastures on and immediately adjacent to the proposed outer perimeter of the Caledon Wind Farm site.

The Black Harrier is also found frequently in the modified agricultural matrix of the Overberg region, where several pairs breed, although it prefers the natural vegetation in between the cereal crops. Secretarybirds are also present as well as (possibly) some karroid birds such as the endemic Karoo Korhaan Eupodotis vigorsii.

7.3.12 Drainage Lines and Wetlands

The Overberg Wheatbelt contains many drainage lines and associated wetlands, some of which are sometimes used as roosting areas for Blue Cranes (and White Storks Ciconia ciconia), as well as for foraging and breeding African Marsh-Harrier Circus ranivorus. wetlands are also important for several other priority species such as Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus, White Stork and Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis. The Black Stork Ciconia nigra could also visit some wetlands. The proposed development site contains several drainage lines and associated wetlands. The short trees that line some of the drainage lines are also important for Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius, which use these trees for roosting and breeding purposes (pers. obs.).

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7.3.13 Dams

The study area contains many dams, some of which could be important roosting areas for Blue Cranes. Blue Cranes tend to roost in dams at night, probably as a protective measure against predators. Cranes also require water for drinking and typically take nestlings to water within 24 hours of hatching, and prefer nest sites close to dams. Apart from cranes, agricultural dams are also important for several other priority species such as Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus, White Stork and Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis. The Black Stork could also visit dams in the study area.

7.3.14 Other Habitats

Other micro-habitats within and immediately adjacent to the proposed site, which are important for a number of priority raptor species, are stands of Eucalyptus. Stands of exotic Eucalyptus do create attractive habitat for priority species such as Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus, Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk Accipiter rufiventris and Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus.

7.3.15 Avifauna In The Study Area

The following criteria were applied to identify priority bird taxa that potentially might be affected by the proposed wind facility:

 Nationally threatened species, i.e. species listed in The Eskom Red Data book of birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland.  Taxa listed under provisions of relevant legislation that provide protection for particular categories of taxa whether nationally threatened or not. This includes international treaties. From an international perspective, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to which South Africa is a signatory, is applicable. The overall objective of the Convention is the “…conservation of biological diversity, [and] the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits …”. Another international convention which is applicable in this case is the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (http://www.unep-aewa.org). This Convention, commonly referred to as the Bonn Convention, (after the German city where it was concluded in 1979), came into force in 1983. This Convention’s goal is to provide conservation for migratory terrestrial, marine and avian species throughout their entire range. This is very important, because failure to conserve these species at any particular stage of their life cycle could adversely affect any conservation efforts elsewhere. The fundamental principle of the Bonn Convention, therefore, is that the Parties to the Bonn Convention acknowledge the importance of migratory species being conserved and of Range States agreeing to take action to this end whenever possible and appropriate, paying special attention to those migratory species whose conservation status is unfavourable, and individually, or in co-operation taking appropriate and necessary steps to conserve such species and their habitat. Parties acknowledge the need to take action to avoid any migratory species becoming endangered. Agreements are the primary tools for the implementation of the main goal of the Bonn Convention. Moreover, they are more specific than the Convention itself, more deliberately involve the Range States of the species to be conserved, and are easier to implement than the Bonn Convention itself. One such agreement is the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), which is an international agreement aimed at the conservation of migratory waterbirds.

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 Taxa naturally occurring at low densities because of their ecological function high in the trophic order. This relates primarily to taxa like raptors that are top- order predators.  Taxa that are of special cultural significance, for example the Blue Crane which is South Africa’s national bird (http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/symbols/bird.htm).  Any other taxa that require to be considered for a particular site, such as species not included in the categories above but for which the site is especially significant e.g. range restricted species.

Table 7.6 below shows the list of priority species that have been recorded in the QDGCs overlapping with the study area, namely 3419AA and 3419AB. The criteria listed above have been used in establishing the list of priority species. Only species that are likely to occur on site (to be confirmed by pre-construction surveys) based on the identification of habitat during the reconnaissance site visit have been included.

Table 7.6: Priority Species Recorded within the Study Area Likelihood Common Scientific Conservation of Habitat requirements Name Name Status occurrence at the site Cliffs for roosting and Black Stork Ciconia nigra NT, AEWA Medium breeding, and rivers and dams for foraging. Grassland, old lands, open Sagittarius woodland. Most likely to Secretarybird serpentarius NT, Ra High be encountered in fynbos, pastures and old agricultural areas. Large permanent wetlands with dense reed beds. Sometimes forages over African Circus smaller wetlands and VU, Ra Medium Marsh-Harrier ranivorus grassland. Could be foraging at wetlands associated with dams in the study area. Highest expected densities Black Harrier Circus maurus NT, Ra High in remnant patches of fynbos. A wide range of habitats, but cliffs (or tall buildings) are a prerequisite for Peregrine Falco breeding. May hunt over NT, Ra Low Falcon peregrinus old agricultural areas. Immature birds are most likely to be encountered foraging over farm land. Generally prefers open habitat, but exploits a wide Lanner Falco NT, Ra High range of habitats. May Falcon biarmicus hunt over old agricultural areas. Summer migrant most Lesser Falco likely to be encountered VU, Ra High Kestrel naumanni hunting over agricultural areas.

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Cereal crops, old lands, pastures, wetlands, dams Anthropoides and pans for roosting. Blue Crane VU, CS High paradiseus Recorded in pastures and wheat fields in the study area during the site visit. Denham’s Neotis Cereal crops, fynbos and VU High Bustard denhami pastures. Fallow and recently Aghulhas Certhilauda ploughed fields, sparse Long-billed NT, SS Medium brevirostris shrubland dominated by Lark renosterveld. Tachybaptus Any of the larger water Little Grebe AEWA High ruficollis bodies. Egretta Any of the water bodies Little Egret AEWA High garzetta and drainage lines. Any of the larger water Grey Heron Ardea cinerea AEWA High bodies and drainage lines. Ardea Mostly in thick vegetation Purple Heron AEWA Low purpurea along drainage lines. Lands, edges of fynbos, Black-headed Ardea AEWA High drainage lines and water Heron melanocephala bodies. Any of the larger water Great Egret Egretta alba AEWA Low bodies and drainage lines. Lands, drainage lines and Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis AEWA High water bodies. Black- Nycticorax Mostly in thick vegetation crowned AEWA Low nycticorax along drainage lines. Night-Heron Ixobrychus Mostly in thick vegetation Little Bittern AEWA Low minutus along drainage lines. AEWA Agricultural lands and White Stork Ciconia ciconia High water bodies. African Threskiornis Margins of wetlands, AEWA High Sacred Ibis aethiopicus dams, cultivated fields. African Any of the larger water Platalea alba AEWA High Spoonbill bodies and drainage lines. Egyptian Alopochen Lands, drainage lines and AEWA High Goose aegyptiacus water bodies. South African Tadorna cana AEWA Medium Any of the water bodies Shelduck Yellow-billed Anas undulata AEWA High Any of the water bodies Duck Drainage lines and water Cape Teal Anas capensis AEWA Medium bodies. Spur-winged Plectropterus Lands, drainage lines and AEWA High Goose gambensis water bodies. Red-billed Anas Drainage lines and water AEWA Medium Teal erythrorhyncha bodies. Southern Netta AEWA Low Any of the water bodies Pochard erythrophthalma Cape Drainage lines and water Anas smithii AEWA Medium Shoveler bodies. Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata AEWA High Any of the water bodies.

Common Gallinula AEWA High Any of the water bodies. Moorhen chloropus

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Rallus Mostly in thick vegetation African Rail AEWA Low caerulescens along drainage lines. Amaurornis Mostly in thick vegetation Black Crake AEWA Low flavirostris along drainage lines. Black-winged Himantopus AEWA Low Any of the water bodies. Stilt himantopus Kittlitz's Charadrius AEWA Low Margins of water bodies. Plover pecuarius Crowned Vanellus AEWA High Bare lands Lapwing coronatus Three-banded Charadrius Open shorelines at a wide AEWA High Plover tricollaris range of water bodies. Common Actitis Drainage lines and water AEWA Medium Sandpiper hypoleucos bodies.

Drainage lines and water Common Tringa nebularia AEWA Medium bodies. Greenshank Black- Elanus Fynbos and agricultural shouldered Ra High caeruleus areas. Kite Polemaetus Diverse habitats. Typically Martial Eagle VU Medium bellicosus found in flat country. Wide variety of habitats. Booted Eagle Aquila pennatus Ra Medium Ridges important for slope soaring. African Fish- Haliaeetus Ra Medium Any of the water bodies Eagle vocifer Agricultural areas. Ridges Steppe Buteo vulpinus Ra High important for slope Buzzard soaring. Wide variety of habitats, Jackal Buteo mostly near rocky Ra High Buzzard rufofuscus outcrops. Ridges important for slope soaring. Black Accipiter Ra Medium Alien plantations. Sparrowhawk melanoleucus

African Accipiter tachiro Ra Low. Alien plantations. Goshawk Alien plantations and in African Polyboroides Ra Low natural vegetation along Harrier-Hawk typus drainage lines. Pandion Osprey haliaetus Ra Low Any of the water bodies Wide variety of habitats, mostly near rocky Rock Kestrel Falco rupicolus Ra High outcrops. Ridges important for slope soaring. Rufous- Accipiter chested rufiventris Ra Low Alien plantations. Sparrowhawk Wide range of habitats, but Spotted Bubo africanus Ra High mostly in fynbos and in Eagle-Owl alien stands of trees. Mostly freshwater bodies, Marsh Tringa AEWA Medium also along the coast.

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Sandpiper stagnatilis Wood Wide range of inland Tringa glareola AEWA Medium Sandpiper freshwater habitats.

7.4 Socio-Economic Environment

7.4.1 Study Area and Land-Use Settlement Patterns

a) Western Rûensveld Area The bulk of the proposed wind farm development areas are located in the extreme westernmost portion of the important agricultural area known as the Overberg Rûensveld. The westernmost portion of the study area is located in the transition zone between the Rûensveld and the eastern foot slopes of the Houwhoek Mountains.

The Rûensveld is strongly associated with the inland Overberg Region, especially as the landform contrasts so sharply with the mountainous area located between Somerset West and Botrivier. The Rûensveld landscape is characterised by undulating terrain, consisting of broad hummocks and rounded hills (“rûens”) criss-crossed by prominent drainage lines. The Rûensveld, which stretches as far east as Riviersondereind, and as far south as Bredasdorp, has been intensively cultivated for more than two and a half centuries. The natural vegetation is essentially limited to drainage lines and remnant patches associated with slopes too rocky or steep to cultivate. Rolling fields cultivated along contours, and planted pastures dotted by grazing flocks of sheep in an expansive landscape against the backdrop of distant mountains characterise the sense of place in the study area. The Rûensveld is world-renowned as Blue crane habitat.

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Figure 7.13: Typical Rûensveld landscape, looking south-east from the R43 (Boontjieskraal road in middle distance and Swartberg in the far distance)

The proposed wind farm site is traversed by a fairly prominent west-east aligned ridgeline, which runs to the south of De Vleytjes farmstead, across the R43. The ridgeline consists of a series of round peaks spaced at ~500-1 km m intervals. Essentially all the turbines proposed for Phase 1 are located on high points along this ridgeline.

The western portion of the site and area located immediately to the west of the site (along van der Stel Pass Road from Botrivier) are located on the eastern foot slopes of the prominent Houwhoek Mountains. The terrain rises sharply towards the west. Farmsteads adjacent to the site along the van der Stel pass road are essentially located along the relatively narrow ribbon of the Botrivier Valley that runs in a north south direction parallel to the Houwhoek Mountains. Views onto the site are generally restricted by the terrain. Land use is comprised of mixed farming, mainly consisting of the cultivation of cereals, canola and fodder crops, and stock farming, mainly consisting of sheep. Interviewees have indicated that ownership patterns are largely stable, and that commercial farming remains the primary form of land use on farms in the area. Some farms also have also established tourist accommodation facilities.

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Figure 7.14: View eastwards from R43 north of De Vleytjes (Rouxwil Guest Farm in middle distance, Phase 1 ridgeline in far distance)

Farmsteads in this area are distributed fairly evenly across the landscape, generally at intervals of >5 km, but in some cases (e.g. those along the van der Stel Pass Road) they are clustered in relatively close proximity. Large trees are typically limited to erven associated with farmsteads – often consisting of sizeable plantings of Eucalyptus spp. which form windbreaks and woodlots. All farmsteads on the study area farms have sizable Eucalyptus groves.

Farmsteads are typically inhabited by an owner, direct relatives (e.g. Mr Maree senior on Hawston View, and his son, Mr Ters Maree on the adjacent Witkop), or farm manager. Labourer’s housing is traditionally located in close proximity to farmsteads. Agricultural activities are not very labour intensive, and labourer tenure is therefore generally restricted to around 5 households per farming operation, or less.

b) Caledon

Caledon is located ~12 km to the south-east of the proposed wind farm site (and nearest turbine on the site, #67). The town is located along the N2, ~67 km from Somerset West and ~116 km from the City of Cape Town City Bowl area.

Caledon was established on the southern foot slopes of the prominent Klein Swartberg Mountain in 1810. The therapeutic hot water springs (currently on the grounds of the Caledon Casino Spa) drew visitors to the location well before the town itself was established. As with many other towns in the Western Cape, the

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town’s establishment resulted from the need to establish a church in order to serve the surrounding agricultural community.

As evidenced by the prominent grain silos located in the south-west of the town, Caledon is a working town and is the largest town and primary urban node within the TLM. The town’s role within the TLM is that of administrative seat and agricultural service centre. The town’s central location also enables it to function as a vital transport and economic link between the primary and secondary agricultural sectors, nearby towns, and rural settlements within the municipal area. The 2004 Growth Potential of Towns in the Western Cape study described the town’s economic base as “agricultural service centre”.The Southern Associated Maltsters, founded in 1978 and based in Caledon, is the South African beer industry's largest malt producer.

Figure 7.15: View East across Caledon from the Waboomskloof-Caledon Gravel Road

Unlike Botrivier and the fruit-growing areas of the western TLM (Grabouw, Elgin, Villiersdorp), Caledon has not witnessed a significant ingress of economically- motivated migration from the Eastern Cape. The 2010 Draft Theewaterskloof SDF notes that Caledon has the largest commonage of all the urban nodes in TLM area, a strategic asset that can be developed to address housing needs and also to stimulate economic growth within the TLM.

c) Botrivier

The small town of Botrivier is located ~6.5 km to the south-west of the proposed Caledon Wind Farm site (and nearest turbine on the site, #46). The town is located

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along the N2, ~23 km west of Caledon, and ~44 km east of Somerset West and ~93 km from the City of Cape Town City Bowl are, respectively.

The town is located just to the west of the fertile Botrivier valley. The Botrivier area was traditionally famous for its dairy produce (the town’s name is derived from the Afrikaans word for butter), but viticulture and fruit and limited nut crops have been established in recent years. The town is bisected by the Cape Town-Caledon railway line (goods only).

Figure 7.16: View South-East across Botrivier from the Railway Line, New France in the Foreground

Botrivier is essentially a residential town, with settlement is on either side of the Cape Town-Caledon railway line. A relatively large formal low income area, as well as the New France informal area, is located on the north-western margin of the town. Business and services opportunities are limited, and essentially located in one node off Main road. This node includes the hotel, a fuel station and an agricultural/ hardware outlet. An OK Mini-Market is also located in Botrivier. Tourism facilities in the town itself are limited to the hotel and one or two more restaurants. The Botrivier wine route traverses the town. The well-known Wildekrans Estate is located just to the south-east of the town.

Due to the lack of local employment opportunities many of the residents commute as far as Hermanus and the Cape Town for work. The town is not serviced by any public transport services.

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As evidenced by the sizeable New France informal settlement north of the historic town, Botrivier’s strategic location (in relation to Cape Town metropolitan and Overstrand area) and proximity to perceived employment opportunities associated with orchards and vineyards, has attracted relatively great numbers of economic migrants from the Eastern Cape. While the Elgin/ Grabouw and Villiersdorp areas continue to be the main focus areas for economically motivated in-migration into the TWK, the Botrivier area may also be considered a lower income growth node. The town and immediate hinterland however provides few employment opportunities outside the agricultural sector.

The 2004 Growth Potential of Towns in the Western Cape study described the town’s economic base as “agricultural service centre”. Relatively large tracts of undeveloped land occur within the town’s urban edge. Botrivier has been identified as the primary location for the establishment of a light industrial node in the TWK municipal area (TWK IDP 2010/2011).\

7.4.2 Study Area and Land-use Settlement Patterns

a) Demographics

The proposed site is located in a rural area, traditionally used for sheep farming and wheat cultivation. Botrivier is located approximately 6.5 km south-west of the site. The larger and regionally more significant town of Caledon is located approximately 12 km to the south-east of the site. Caledon is likely to be a significant labour sending town during both the construction and operational phases. Botrivier is located in closer proximity to the site, and more likely to have its sense of place and landscape character impacted upon by the erection of wind turbines in its hinterland. The data presented below is for the Caledon and Botrivier urban areas. As data from the 2007 Community Survey is only available on municipal level, the data presented below is derived from the last Census count (2001).

b) Population

According to Census data, the total population of Botrivier was 4 052, and that of Caledon 10 647 in 2001. The majority of inhabitants in both towns were Coloured (79% and 68% respectively). In absolute terms, the White population group was the second most numerous in the study area, although it was of less relative importance than the Black group in the smaller town of Botrivier. Afrikaans is traditionally spoken by the Coloured and White communities as first language, and is the dominant language in both towns.

Table 7.7: Population for Botrivier and Caledon

Botrivier Caledon Population Group Number % Number % Black African 564 14 648 6 Coloured 3 202 79 7 204 68 Indian or Asian 9 <1 33 <1 White 277 7 2 762 26 Total 4 052 100 10 647 100 Source: Census 2001

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The relatively low figure for the Black group (6%) of the Caledon bears witness to the fact that, unlike the fruit-growing areas in the western TWK, Caledon had witnessed relatively little Black in-migration by 2001. Information from interviewees indicates that this situation has remained largely unchanged, and also applies to the agricultural area around Caledon. In contrast, the figure for Botrivier was 14%. Interviewees indicated that this fraction, as well as the absolute number of people in the town, is likely to have increased significantly since 2001.

c) Education Levels As indicated Table 7.8, according to Census data, approximately 23.3% of the population of Botrivier aged 15 and older was estimated to be functionally illiterate/ innumerate. The relevant percentage for Caledon was somewhat lower, namely 18.4%. Given the strong correlation between education and skills levels, it may be assumed that a significant portion of the study area’s working age population have only sufficient skills for elementary jobs.

Table 7.8: Botrivier and Caledon Education Levels (population 15 years and older)

Description Botrivier % Caledon % No schooling 4.8 3.6 Some primary 18.5 14.8 [% functional illiteracy/ innumeracy]2 [23.3%] [18.4%] Complete primary 12 8.3 Some secondary 43.2 42.3 Std 10/Grade 12 16 23.2 Higher 5.5 7.8 Source: Census 2001

d) Employment Levels The employment statistics presented in Table 7.9 indicate that in 2001 50% and 52.5% of the Botrivier and Caledon were employed respectively. Botrivier had a significantly higher unemployment rate (viz. 17.5%) than Caledon (10%). The recorded unemployment rate of Botrivier was comparable with the Provincial average for 2001 (viz. 17%), while that for Caledon more than twice as low. As a result of rationalisation in the provincial agricultural sector during the past decade, and in the light of the current global economic downturn, current unemployment rates are likely to be higher. Based on the 2007 Community Survey, the TWK estimated 21%, 14% and 2% of the TWK Black African, Coloured and White groups respectively, to be unemployed (TWK IDP 2010/11).

2 In the South African context, having obtained a primary qualification (i.e. having successfully passed Grade 7) is generally held as the absolute minimum requirement for functional literacy/ numeracy. The National Department of Education’s ABET (Adult Basic Education and Training) programme provides education and training up to the equivalent of Grade 9. In this more onerous definition, Grade 9 is required as the minimum qualification for having obtained a basic education (www.abet.co.za). Caledon Wind Farm EIA 7-32 January 2012 Final EIA Report

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Table 7.9: Botrivier and Caledon Employment Levels (15 – 64 year age group)

Description Botrivier % Caledon % Employed3 50 52.5 Unemployed 17.5 10 Not Economically Active4 32.5 37.5 Source: Census 2001

e) Household Income

Census data for 2001, presented in Table 7.10 indicated that a significant portion of households in the relevant towns were living below the R1 600/ month minimum subsistence level. In this regard, the breadwinners of 45.9% of Botrivier households, and 34.9% of Caledon households had no access to formal income, or earned less than R1 600/ month.

Table 7.10: Household Income (by head of household)

Income per month Botrivier Caledon % % No formal income 10.4 7.8 R 1 – R 400 1.9 2.8 R 401 – R 800 14.2 9.9 R 801 - R 1 600 19.4 14.4 [% households below minimum subsistence level] [45.9] [34.9] R1 601 - R 3 200 25.9 21.9 R 3 201 – R 6 400 18.3 20.6 R 6 401 – R 12 800 7.5 14.6 R 12 801 – R 25 600 1.6 6 R 25 601 and higher 0.8 2 Source: Census 2001

f) Sectoral Employment Table 7.11 provides an overview of proportional employment per economic sector by head of household for the relevant towns. As indicated in the table, the profiles for Botrivier and Caledon are very dissimilar. Specifically, employment in the primary agricultural sector was the most significant for Botrivier (27.4%), followed by wholesale and retail trade (26.3%). Together, more than 50% of all household heads were employed in either of the two sectors. Manufacturing (14.9%) and Service- related activities (14.8%) constituted other significant sectors. This profile is closely related to Botrivier’s rural setting, its function as agricultural service center, and the processing of agricultural produce. Caledon’s function as seat of the TLM is reflected by the primacy of Service-related activities (31.3%). Retail and wholesale trade

3 Census 2001 official definition of an unemployed person: “A person between the ages of 15 and 65 with responses as follows: ‘No, did not have work’; ‘Could not find work’; ‘Have taken active steps to find employment’; ‘Could start within one week, if offered work’.” (www.statssa.gov.za). 4 The term “not economically active“ refers to people of working age not actively participating in the economy, such as early retirees, students, the disabled and home-makers.

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(20.9%) also accounted for a significant proportion of employment. Surprisingly, primary agriculture (6.8%) and manufacturing (10.2%) played relatively minor roles. Nevertheless, the importance of the agricultural sector to the town’s local economy should not be underestimated. In this regard the town, as the regional service centre, caters for the retail and services needs of its rural hinterland.

Table 7.11: Sectoral Contribution to Employment

Description Botrivier % Caledon % Agriculture, hunting, 27.4 6.8 forestry and fishing Mining and quarrying 0.3 0.2 Manufacturing 14.9 7.3 Electricity, gas and water 0.8 1.7 supply Construction 8 10.2 Wholesale and retail 26.3 20.9 trade Transport. Storage and 2.6 3.6 communication Fin., real estate and bus. 2.9 9 Services Community, social and 14.8 31.3 personal services Other and not adequately - - defined Private households5 2.1 9.1 Source: Derived from Census 2001

g) Agriculture The western Rûensveld area is an important and well-established commercial agricultural area. Mixed farming operations are typical. With the exception of very steep or rocky slopes and drainage lines, the land in the study area is arable, and intensively cultivated. Traditional crops include wheat, barley and fodder crops (mainly for own use). Over the past two decades canola has become established as a significant supplementary crop, often planted in rotation with cereal crops. Sheep farming is traditionally dominant, and most farms continue to carry large flocks of sheep. Economically viable units are currently in the region of 800-1000 ha (Lötter; Krige – pers. comm). On farms located to the west of the Caledon site (i.e. along the Botrivier/ van der Stel Pass Road), a transition towards viticulture, fructiculture, fynbos cut flowers, conservation and tourism is becoming more evident.

Most of the farms in the study area retain some permanent, tenured labour. However, as the relevant productive agricultural activities are not labour intensive, permanent employment opportunities are limited. Additional temporary opportunities are largely linked to sheep shearing. Professional shearing teams from outside the area are typically used once per year for a few days. The general trend within agriculture is one of ongoing mechanization, reducing employment opportunities even further.

5 This category mainly comprises domestic workers and gardeners.

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h) Tourism On a regional level, the key touristic significance of the study area (Caledon and surrounding western Rûensveld area) currently relates to its strategic location with regard to major tourism destinations within the Western Cape. As discussed in Section 3.2, the segment of the N2 between Botrivier and Caledon provides a “spine” which links the CCT, the Garden Route area, the settlements of Greyton and Genadendal located in the northern TLM area, the Overstrand seaboard area, as well as the eastern seaboard of the Agulhas Peninsula (Struisbaai, Arniston) with one another. In addition, the R43 (which essentially bisects the proposed site) provides the most direct link between the Overberg and Boland regions. The Boland region is well-established as an important tourism destination. The area traversed by the relevant segment of the N2 consists of rolling agricultural land to towards both the north and south. This segment of the N2 has been identified as a scenic drive within the 2010 Draft TLM SDF. The well-established Dassiesfontein farm stall/ shop/ restaurant complex, located along the N2 ~1 km north of the Dassiesfontein Wind Farm development area, currently provides permanent employment to ~30 people, mainly from the Caledon and Botrivier communities (Fick – pers. comm).

Dedicated tourism flows to the study area itself are currently relatively modest, but the local tourism sector appears to be growing. Relatively short travelling time from the Cape Town metropole makes the area ideally suited for the urbanised, weekend- getaway market. The location of the area “beyond the mountain” provides an effective and attractive perception of the visitor entering a new landscape, and leaving “the city” behind. Agro-tourism, outdoor activities (mountain biking), and conservation (hikes, etc) predominate in the rural study area. The towns of Genadendal and Greyton (located ~22.5 km (linear) and ~26 km (linear) from the proposed site and turbines, respectively, are further major draw cards. Greyton has become established as an important tourist destination in the area, specifically for the middle to up-market segment of the market. The town has a number of good restaurants and caters for both hotel/guesthouse and self-catering accommodation options. A number of people who live in and around Cape Town also have holiday homes in Greyton.

Genadendal was established in 1795 as a mission station, the oldest in South Africa. The “Werf” of the historic mission site essentially constitutes the only established tourism facility in the town. The “Werf” accommodates a number of national monuments, and currently houses a tourism information centre/ restaurant/ museum. The only tarred access road to the town is off the R406. A low cost housing development is located at the town’s entrance. The picturesque historic heart of the town (around the mission Werf) remains hidden from view. In contrast, the access from the Helderstroom Road provides for a more scenic entrance to the town, passing past historic houses and cultivated plots in the Botrivier flood plain. Established attractions in the study area include spring wildflowers, blue cranes, expansive, undeveloped agricultural landscapes, the Caledon Nature Reserve and wildflower garden (located on the Klein Swartberg north of the N2) and the Caledon Casino and hot springs. The Caledon Tourism Association’s marketing strategy is based on the concept of “scenic meanders”, i.e. encouraging relatively short trips to a number of different tourist destinations in the broader Caledon area per visit. The place identity is one of expansive views across an agricultural landscape dominated by rolling hills. Existing service industrial and industrial infrastructure is largely absorbed by the landscape. The envisaged upgrade to tarred surface of a number of roads in the broader Caledon area would feed into the marketing strategy of “scenic meanders”, and there is great potential to establish a number of circular routes in the area and even inland of Overberg sub region. These include the Helderstroom Road (which would link the R43 to Genadendal via the scenic Helderstroom valley) and of

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the eastern aspect of the R406 (Greyton to N2 outside Riviersondereind. Tarring of the Helderstroom Road is likely to result in an increase in tourist flows into Genadendal and Greyton and the potential development of associated supportive infrastructure.

Farm-based tourism development seems to be a growing trend in the study area. The Caledon Tourism Association currently has 42 members, of which 24 consist of guest farms (Koegelenberg – pers. comm). Guest cottages, catering mainly for the Cape Town weekend-getaway market, appear to be the norm on a number of farms in the area. Total tourist numbers are limited at present, but growing. Agro-tourism and recreational activities (cycling) appear to be the main draw card. Rouxwil Guest Farm is located immediately to the north of the site. The facility provides up-market accommodation (14 beds), and also caters for functions such as weddings. Rouxwil has been in operation since 1993, and currently provides four permanent employment opportunities. Occupancy is estimated at 60% at any time of the year by the owner, with ~90% of the total annual visitor flow consisting of dedicated overseas bookings. The anchoring attraction is described as “silence, the scenic rural landscape, and the absence of significant visible urban/ industrial infrastructure” (Roux – pers. comm). Rouxwil has recently won the AA Award for the Best Farm Accommodation in South Africa, 2010, and is considered of major importance within the Caledon area’s facilities portfolio (Koegelenberg – pers. comm).

With regard to urban Caledon, it is estimated that ~60% of the visitor-flow is associated with conferencing facilities (Lofty-Eaton – pers. comm). Botrivier has limited tourism facilities, but forms part of the Botrivier Wine Route which also includes the important Kransvlei Estate south of the town. The gradual development of the scenic Van der Stel Pass Road (wine tasting centres, restaurants, conservation, etc) appears to be an established trend, if modest at present.

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7.5 Heritage Resources

This information was obtained from the Heritage Impact Study (Appendix N). The area identified for the wind farm is situated in the rolling wheat lands of the Overberg between Caledon and Botrivier. The wind farm straddles the R43 which connects the N2 highway with the town of Villiersdorp. The wind farm is bounded to the north by the Riviersonderend valley, to the west by the Botrivier valley, to the east by farms, including Boontjieskraal, and to the south by the N2 highway. The terrain consists of undulating wheat lands, interspersed with groves of blue gums trees indicating the presence of homesteads, and occasional avenues of blue gum trees line some farm roads. During our survey in February, prior to the commencement of winter rains, the landscape comprised different hues of brown and beige.

Figure 7.17: View from the study area toward Villiersdorp, showing a typical Overberg landscape. Note the brown wheat fields, the valleys which have retained some indigenous vegetation, the groves of trees associated with farmsteads.

Prior to the arrival of the Dutch, the Overberg area was occupied by San hunter- gatherers who inhabited caves and settled in open sites. Archaeological evidence indicates that they were the original inhabitants of the area and their ancestors occupied the region for more than 30 000 years. There are also archaeological and historical sites which relate to the Khoekhoe who occupied large areas of this region from around 2000 years ago. They were a pastoralist people with sheep and cattle. The groups living around Caledon were apparently the Chainouqua. They traded livestock with the Dutch East India Company or VOC outposts such as Soetmelksvlei and Tygerhoek (on the Riviersonderend River) in exchange for colonial items. Gradually, European stock farmers and professional hunters and traders moved into the area.

After 1704 free burgers were allowed to barter for livestock with the Khoekhoe. The system of loan farms was introduced in 1723 and this gave colonists exclusive grazing rights as far as the upper Breede River. Quitrent tenure was introduced in 1732. By the 18th century the VOC began to “formalise” the granting of farms in the area. An examination of the 1:50 000 maps for this area shows many of the farms in the Overberg have circular boundaries, a remnant of the 18th century when the extent of the farm boundaries was determined from a central spot, a “walking off” distance that resulted in a circular farm of around 3000 morgen.

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For example, portions of the farm Rietfontein 259 which is part of the study area, originates from a much larger circular farm according to the survey map of 1833 (SG No 402/1833), but has subsequently been sub-divided into a number of smaller farms. Similarly Farm 749 also contains the remnants of an earlier circular farm.

Figure 7.18: The circular shape of the original Rietfontein 259 (SG No 402/1833) property dates back to earlier land use patterns.

By the mid 18th century European stock farmers were distributed across the landscape and the Khoekhoe, who had been using the coastal plains to graze their livestock were gradually forced out of the most desirable areas. Their numbers were decimated by smallpox and by the mid 19th century their social structure had collapsed and they were living on mission stations (such as Genadendal in the Riviersonderend Valley) or they had become employed on farms.

Many of the farms in the Overberg, such as Boontjieskraal on the N2 between Botrivier and Caledon, have well-preserved historical features, some of which are still in daily use. The vernacular architecture of the area is characterised by white-washed cottages with thatched roofs. Building materials include clay mixed with grass. Lime and shell were burnt as binding material. Reeds were used for thatch and “spaanseriet” for the ceilings.

Villages and farms were connected by various wagon routes and sections of these roads are still visible in certain places. The main route over the Overberg ran from the present Sir Lowry’s Pass down Houwhoek to the farm Boontjieskraal near Caledon where it split into two. The inland route went passed Genadendal and Greyton to Riviersonderend. In 1711 almost all farms along this route (including Botrivier and Boontjieskraal) were owned by Governor WA van der Stel. Oak and popular trees Caledon Wind Farm EIA 7-38 January 2012 Final EIA Report

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were planted at overnight stops along the wagon roads, resulting in further alteration to the landscape.

7.6 Noise Climate

This information was obtained from the Noise Impact Study (Appendix O). This is a typical agricultural area with flowing hills and ridges and the sheep and wheat farming is taking place on most of the farms. The ground is covered with either natural grass or wheat during the winter periods and a part of summer after which the ground is covered with weeds and/or grass.

The noise sensitive farmhouses and proposed sites for the Seventeen (17) wind turbines can be seen in Figure 7.19. The wind farm or individual wind turbines are not visible from all the noise sensitive farmhouses as there are hills or obstructions between some of the farm houses and the wind turbines. The R43 Provincial road separates the proposed wind farm in two areas, the east and the west. The traffic noise and wind noise along this road creates the prevailing ambient noise level in these areas. The N2 Freeway and railway line is to the south and there are different gravel roads connecting the different farms.

There are only 4 farm houses situated within the boundaries of the proposed wind farm and they are Vleytjes (S), Klipfontein (G), Witkop (H) and Hawston View (I). De Vlei farm (J) lies on the south-eastern boundary of the wind farm along the R43 Road.

Figure 7.19: Measuring Points and Other Information.

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The current noise sources in these areas are wind noise, road traffic noise, domestic type noise and farming activity noise. This is an important aspect of determining the prevailing ambient noise level for a specific area. During the night time there was more insect activity throughout the study area such as cricket noise that increased the prevailing ambient noise level accordingly. There was also farming activity noise in certain areas as they were busy with harvesting activities.

The noise survey was carried out at all the noise sensitive areas during the day and night periods to determine the prevailing ambient noise levels. The wind was blowing stronger during the daytime than the night time. The farm houses are all situated within or in the vicinity of trees and the sound of the wind passing through the trees creates an additional noise.

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Chapter 8: Impacts on Flora

8 FLORA

8.1 Introduction

Nick Helme Botanical Surveys, an independent registered botanist, was appointed to undertake a specialist Flora Impact Assessment (FIA) as part of the EIA process for the proposed development.

The study area falls within the Cape Lowlands Renosterveld Project study area and there are two natural vegetation types found in this region, namely Western Rûens Shale Renosterveld and Overberg Sandstone Fynbos. Both are nationally recognised as threatened. All remaining natural vegetation in the study area is therefore of High sensitivity and conservation value. It may be possible to achieve a Low or even a Medium positive overall impact after mitigation, but this would depend on the proposed mitigation measures being implemented, plus management and formal conservation of most of the High sensitivity vegetation areas on site under CapeNature’s Stewardship program.

This chapter is supported by the full FIA report in Appendix I which contains further technical information on the assessment undertaken.

8.2 Terms of Reference and Methodology

The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Scoping and EIA phases are the standard ToR as proposed by CapeNature, and DEA&DP’s guidelines for biodiversity assessment.

The CapeNature ToR are as follows:

• Produce a baseline analysis of the botanical attributes of the property as a whole; • This report should clearly indicate any constraints that would need to be taken into account in considering the development proposals further; • The baseline report must include a map of the identified sensitive areas as well as indications of important constraints on the property; and • The report must also describe the broad ecological characteristics of the site and its surrounds in terms of any mapped spatial components of ecological processes and/or patchiness, patch size, relative isolation of patches, connectivity, corridors, disturbance regimes, ecotones, buffering, viability, etc.

In terms of biodiversity pattern, the report must identify or describe:

• Community and ecosystem level:

- The main vegetation type, its aerial extent and interaction with neighboring types, soils or topography; - The types of plant communities that occur in the vicinity of the site; and - Threatened or vulnerable ecosystems.

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• Species level:

- The presence of any plant Species of Conservation Concern (SCC); - The viability of and estimated population size of the plant SCC present (include the degree of confidence in prediction based on availability of information and specialist knowledge, i.e. High=70 - 100% confident, Medium 40 - 70% confident, low 0 - 40% confident); and - The likelihood of other SCC occurring in the vicinity (include degree of confidence).

• Other pattern issues:

- Any significant landscape features or rare or important vegetation associations such as seasonal wetlands, alluvium, seeps, quartz patches or salt marshes in the vicinity; - The extent of alien plant cover of the site, and whether the infestation is the result of prior soil disturbance such as ploughing or quarrying (alien cover resulting from disturbance is generally more difficult to restore than infestation of undisturbed sites); and - The condition of the site in terms of current or previous land uses.

• In terms of biodiversity process, identify or describe:

- The key ecological “drivers” of ecosystems on the site and in the vicinity, such as fire; - Any mapped spatial component of an ecological process that may occur at the site or in its vicinity (i.e. corridors such as watercourses, upland-lowland gradients, migration routes, coastal linkages or inland-trending dunes, and vegetation boundaries such as edaphic interfaces, upland-lowland interfaces or biome boundaries); - Any possible changes in key processes, e.g. increased fire frequency or drainage/artificial recharge of aquatic systems; and - Determine whether the conservation of the site lead to greater viability of the adjacent ecosystem.

• Determine if the site would potentially contribute to meeting regional conservation targets for both biodiversity pattern and ecological processes; • Determine if the site is a potential candidate site for conservation stewardship; • Determine the significance of the potential impact of the proposed project – with and without mitigation – on biodiversity pattern and process at the site, landscape, and regional scales. Include comment on cumulative impacts; • Provide a map, at suitable scale, of key conservation areas and corridors; • Recommend actions that should be taken to prevent or mitigate impacts. Indicate how these should be scheduled to ensure long-term protection, management and restoration of affected ecosystems and biodiversity; and • Indicate limitations and assumptions, particularly in relation to seasonality.

For further detail on the methodology and assumptions and limitations of the study please refer to Appendix I.

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8.3 Baseline Conditions

8.3.1 Regional Context

The study area lies within the Fynbos biome and the Cape Floristic Region (CFR). The CFR is one of only six floristic regions in the world, is the richest temperate flora in the world, and is the only one confined to a single country. It is also by far the smallest floristic region, occupying only 0.1% of the world’s land surface, and supporting about 9000 plant species - almost half of all the plant species in South Africa. At least 70% of all the species in the Cape region do not occur elsewhere, and many have very small home ranges (these are known as narrow endemics). Most of the lowland habitats are under pressure from agriculture, urbanisation and alien plants, and thus many of the range restricted species are also under severe threat of extinction, as habitat is reduced to extremely small fragments. Data from the Red Listing process recently undertaken for South Africa is that 67% of the threatened plant species in the country occur only in the Fynbos biome, and these total over 1800 species. It should thus be clear that the south-western Cape is a major national and global conservation priority, and is quite unlike anywhere else in the country in terms of the number of threatened plant species. Developments in this area thus need to take this into account.

The study area is part of the greater Overberg bioregion (also known as the Rûens), which is a major grain producing area. Due to the high agricultural potential of the shale-derived soils the loss of natural vegetation to agriculture has been severe (>85% lost), and the bioregion has a very large number of threatened plant species (probably more than 300).

The Cape Lowlands Renosterveld Project identified much of the natural vegetation in the study area as core areas for conservation, and included most of it within the proposed 20 year vision of this project. This effectively means that within twenty years the formal conservation of the Renosterveld in this area will have been achieved (by means of signed CapeNature Stewardship contracts with landowners). Up until now there have been few Stewardship contracts signed with landowners in the area, but there have been a few contracts signed with landowners just outside the study area, and these contracts effectively formalise the conservation of the natural vegetation in these areas, and are associated with certain financial (tax related) incentives for the landowners.

The primary reasons for including the natural vegetation in this area as core areas were the ecological connectivity value of the area, linking the Groenlandberg to the Greyton and Snyerskraalkoppe, the relatively large extent of remaining Renosterveld, and the known occurrence of various threatened plant species in the area.

8.3.2 Ecological Drivers

Soil type is normally a key driver of vegetation type differences, but is rather consistent across the study area, with nutrient rich shale-derived soils having resulted in Renosterveld vegetation throughout the study area (at least prior to cultivation and loss of natural habitat).

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adapted to regular fires and will only flower or germinate from seed after a fire. Fires at a frequency greater than this will dramatically reduce overall species diversity, and fires less often than once every 25 or 30 years will lead to gradual senescence of many species, and hence local extinctions. Appropriate fire frequencies are strongly influenced by prevailing climatic conditions, with drier areas being able to tolerate longer gaps between fires. An estimated 30 - 40% of the natural vegetation in the area has been burnt within the last ten years, and the rest is older than ten years, and in some cases is probably older than twenty years.

An additional ecological driver is soil moisture; with distinct plant communities (and many rare species) associated with seasonally damp drainage lines, which comprise less than 10% of the overall site. Unfortunately some of these drainage lines have generally been heavily invaded by Acacia saligna (Port Jackson willow), which has resulted in reduced water availability, and increased shading, and others have been impacted by runoff from farming operations, leading to alien grass invasions, notably Lolium species (ryegrass).

8.3.3 Vegetation Overview

Prior to agriculture about 75 - 80% of the overall study area supported Western Rûens Shale Renosterveld, with Greyton Shale Fynbos mapped as occurring on the north eastern ridge (see Figure 8.1).

a) Western Rûens Shale Renosterveld

This vegetation type has been very heavily impacted by agriculture within the region where it occurs (Botrivier to Bredasdorp) and today less than 13% of its original extent remains. The vegetation type is regarded as a Critically Endangered vegetation type, with an unachievable national conservation target of 29%, and only 1% conserved (virtually all of this in private reserves. Intact examples of this vegetation type are typically home to a high number of rare and threatened plant species, many of which are endemic (restricted) or near endemic to the vegetation type. The Draft National List of Threatened Ecosystems (DEA 2009) has also classified this vegetation type as Critically Endangered (due to high levels of species endemism). About 50% of the remaining vegetation in the study area is of this type.

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Figure 8.1: Extract of the SA Vegetation Map, showing that most of the site would have originally supported Western Rûens Shale Renosterveld, with Greyton Shale Fynbos in the northeast sector.

b) Greyton Shale Fynbos

This vegetation type is here at its western end, and occurs in the region up to Riviersonderend, usually on the foothills of the Riviersonderend Mountains. Some 30% of this vegetation type has been lost, with a conservation target of 30%. However, only 0.8% is formally conserved, with a further 5.8% in private reserves (Rouget et al 2004), and the unit is thus classified as Vulnerable on a national basis.

Woody alien invasive vegetation is generally not a major problem within the remaining areas of natural vegetation on site, with the exception of some of the drainage lines, especially in the west, where there are some moderate to dense stands of Acacia saligna (Port Jackson). Invasive alien grasses are a major problem in certain areas, especially on damp slopes where natural vegetation lies downslope of cultivation (due to fertiliser leaching downhill). The primary invasive grasses are species of Lolium (ryegrass), although Hyparrhenia hirta (thatching grass) can also be a problem. In areas close to agriculture various alien herbs can also be an issue, such as Echium plantagineum (Patterson’s curse) and Vicia benghalensis (purple vetch).

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Figure 8.2: Copy of Vegetation and Landuse Map of the Study Area Prepared by D. Hoare in late 2010.

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Figure 8.3: Oblique Google Earth view of Proposed Turbine Layout (numbers next to turbines).

Figure 8.4: Image Showing Proposed Position of Phase 2 substation (Alternative 1).

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8.3.4 Plant Species of Conservation Concern

As many as 15 to 20 threatened plant species may occur within the study area or its immediate surrounds, and all these would occur within the areas of remnant natural vegetation (High sensitivity areas mapped in the Scoping Report; and within areas mapped as Fynbos or Rocky Fynbos or Renosterveld: good condition or Renosterveld: moderate condition in Figure 8.2). This is an exceptionally high figure, even for the Fynbos biome, and is indicative of the conservation importance and sensitivity of all remaining natural habitat in the area.

Plant Species of Conservation Concern known to occur within the study area include Moraea atropunctata (Florishoogtepoublom; Critically Endangered), Freylinia helmei (Vulnerable), Peucedanum pungens (Endangered), Adenandra multiflora (Vulnerable), Euchaetis schlechteri (Vulnerable), Sparaxis fragrans (Vulnerable), Bulbinella barkerae (Near Threatened), and Ixia trinervata (Near Threatened), and significant numbers of others are likely to occur.

The small but very striking bulb Moraea atropunctata is in fact endemic to the study area (found nowhere else in the world), but will not be impacted by the proposed development layout, although a small (<30 plants) and declining subpopulation was observed along the fence line about 150m south of the proposed Phase 1 substation some eight years ago (pers. obs), and may still be present in this area, in which case it is likely to be impacted by proposed roads and cable trenches. The localised and currently undescribed buchu Agathosma nigromontana may also occur on the site (T. Trinder-Smith – pers. comm.), but flowers only in July, which is not a time when the site has been surveyed.

8.4 Impact Assessment

Impacts may be both direct and indirect, with the former occurring mostly at the construction stage and the latter mostly at the operational stage.

8.4.1 Direct Impacts: Introduction

In the case of this project the primary direct impact is loss of natural vegetation (and associated possible Species of Conservation Concern) within some of the development footprints. All hard infrastructure located within or partly within natural vegetation will result in the permanent loss of that vegetation. The primary sources of permanent loss include (based on the proposed layout) the five turbines WT3a, WT5a, WT17, 20, and 36; the access roads and cable trenches to these five turbines; and the substation (about 0.6 ha, depending on where exactly it is located). Given that each turbine may result in about 400 m2 of local impact the five turbines located within natural vegetation will result in the loss of at least 0.20 ha of natural vegetation, to which should be added the figure for access roads and cable trenches to these five turbines, which could conceivably add up to another 1 ha of vegetation (depending on the length of road required). Thus as much as 1.2 ha of currently natural Renosterveld could be lost to direct infrastructural impacts.

The primary sources of temporary, long-term vegetation loss include excavation and soil piles for the cabling that will be adjacent to the internal access roads, crawler

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crane tracks along the above roads, and construction related impacts adjacent to the internal access roads. It is estimated that between 3 and 5ha of natural Renosterveld vegetation could be temporarily lost to this source.

Loss of regionally rare and threatened plant species would have a regional impact, as would loss of regionally endemic vegetation types (Greyton Shale Fynbos and Western Rûens Shale Renosterveld). Although both these are direct impacts at the site scale they may have indirect consequences (impacts) at the regional scale. As the exact layout was not available at the time of the fieldwork it cannot be said whether or not any plant Species of Conservation Concern actually occurs within the proposed development footprints, but it is deemed likely that some do.

8.4.2 Direct Impact: Permanent loss of Natural Vegetation

About 95% of the proposed development footprints within the study area will impact primarily on disturbed areas of no or very low botanical significance, but the infrastructure will also impact on relatively small areas (<1.2 ha in total) of Western Rûens Shale Renosterveld and Greyton Shale Fynbos – the former a Critically Endangered vegetation type and the latter Vulnerable. Loss of any area of intact Critically Endangered vegetation should be strenuously avoided in any development application, as loss of any Critically Endangered vegetation will have a High negative impact, especially where the relevant vegetation type is likely to support various plant Species of Conservation Concern, such as on this site. It is evident from the vegetation and landuse map in Figure 8.2 that not all of the Renosterveld is considered as in good condition, and portions of it are rather in moderate or degraded condition. Of the five turbines occurring within Renosterveld, WT3a and WT5a are the only two occurring in Renosterveld considered in good condition. WT17, 20 and 36 are all located in Renosterveld of moderate condition.

Much of the loss of Western Rûens Shale Renosterveld would occur in the footprint of likely internal access roads and the associated cable trenches, notably between turbines 2 and 4, between turbines 4 and 6, and between turbines 8 and 9. Although there is an existing farm track on the northeastern ridge this will need to be significantly upgraded to accommodate the abnormally large vehicles required to transport the turbine components to site. This upgrading will cause permanent loss of existing Renosterveld, perhaps totaling about 0.3 ha. It must however be noted that for the purposes of moving the crawler crane from one turbine position to another, the machine is disassembled and transported by means of an ordinary 4 m wide vehicle to the next turbine position where it is re-assembled and this will in turn reduce the impact on natural vegetation between the turbines. Additional sources of permanent habitat loss are the foundation areas for the five turbines located within natural or largely natural Renosterveld vegetation (WT3a, WT5a, WT17, 20, and 36). 3 and 3,6 MW turbines require very large foundations, which displace large quantities of soil (and thus also vegetation).

Direct impacts on individuals of some of the possible plant Species of Conservation Concern are likely within all development footprints referred to above. This may result in a reduction in total number of these species on site by between 1 and 10% (estimated). In a regional context, these losses range from insignificant to low- medium significance.

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Table 8.1: Nature of impact - Permanent loss of vegetation in footprint (up to about 1.2 ha) Without mitigation With Mitigation

Nature Negative Negative Extent Local and regional Local Duration Permanent Permanent Magnitude Moderate Minor Probability Definite Improbable Significance Medium - High Low Confidence Is impact reversible? No No Irreplaceable loss of Technically – yes (Critically No vegetation? Endangered vegetation type) Can impacts be Yes mitigated?

8.4.3 Direct Impact: Long Term but Temporary Loss of Natural Vegetation

The existing natural vegetation may be severely disturbed (but not totally lost) in the areas adjacent to those referred to in Section 8.4.2: i.e. the substation construction; heavy machinery movement through some sensitive areas; road construction; and cable trench excavation through sensitive areas. Most of these areas should eventually recover to a significant degree (if natural vegetation is retained in the adjacent areas), but the crushed and dug up vegetation will take at least 12 years (and possibly much longer if rainfall is below normal) in order to recover to a point where at least 80% of the original diversity is once again present. Certain species may not return for many additional years, due to changes in soil structure (compaction or chemical changes). The impacts in this case thus rate as being long term.

Primary sources of temporary disturbance will be the construction of the foundations of the five turbines within natural vegetation; construction of the substation; the large crawler crane that is used to erect the turbines, which has caterpillar tracks and a width of 13 m; turning circles for long trucks; and the burying of the underground cabling on site. It must however be noted that for the purposes of moving the crawler crane from one turbine position to another, the machine is disassembled and transported by means of an ordinary 4 m wide vehicle to the next turbine position where it is re-assembled and this will in turn reduce the impact on natural vegetation between the turbines.

Table 8.2: Nature of Impact - Long Term but Temporary Loss of Natural Vegetation Without mitigation With Mitigation Nature Negative Negative Extent Local and regional Local Duration Long term Long term

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Magnitude Low – Moderate Minor Probability Definite Improbable Significance Medium – High Low Confidence High High Is impact reversible? Mostly No Irreplaceable loss of No No vegetation? Can impacts be mitigated? Yes

8.4.4 Indirect Impacts

The indirect, negative botanical impacts are not likely to be critically important, but are likely to include a small degree of habitat fragmentation, possibly some siltation of existing drainage lines where roads cross these areas, and introduction and/or spread of invasive alien plants (mainly along access roads, due to soil disturbance caused). A further potential (but unlikely) indirect impact relates to the source of the gravel for the roads (material from the cut operations will be used as far as possible and should additional be required it is proposed that this will be sourced from an existing licensed quarry operating in the Theewaterskloof area) – many gravel quarries are located close to or in Renosterveld areas (pers. obs.). This impact has been deemed to be unlikely as the soils in the area are not deep sands and should not need to be extensively graveled.

The indirect impacts noted above are thus a mix of those that occur at the site and at the regional scale.

Indirect ecological impacts are often difficult to identify, and even more difficult to quantify. In many cases baseline monitoring prior to the impacts is necessary in order to detect indirect impacts. Some possible indirect negative effects on the vegetation (shading, disturbance of wind flow, etc.) are likely to be minimal and are not assessed further.

Other indirect impacts are likely to be only moderately important, notably the likely disruption in optimal/natural fire regimes in the areas of natural vegetation, although this has probably already been partly disrupted by agriculture on site.

Fynbos and Renosterveld are both fire driven vegetation types that require fire at least once every 15 years, and fire dependant vegetation types are not generally compatible with embedded and costly infrastructural developments. If Shale Fynbos and Renosterveld are not burnt for over 40 years it can be assumed that at least 30% of the species will become locally extinct, including many of the Species of Conservation Concern. This is one of the many reasons why infrastructure should not be placed within areas of natural vegetation, and developments that take this into account (such as the current one) largely avoid this issue, although where the five proposed turbines within areas of natural vegetation are concerned this will obviously be an issue.

The effects of habitat fragmentation may also be important in some cases (including in the vicinity of the five problematic turbines), but the proposed development (after mitigation) should not result in significant further fragmentation of the remaining natural habitat on this site.

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Perhaps the most important indirect impact is likely to be the spread of alien invasive vegetation (mainly grasses and herbs) into currently mostly natural areas of vegetation. This is likely to happen as a result of the soil disturbance associated with the development of the various new internal access roads and the associated cable trenches, and to a lesser extent the areas around the foundations for the five problematic turbines (turbines WT3a, WT5a, WT17, 20 and 36).

A further possible indirect impact is the source of road surfacing material. The gravel is usually quarried from borrow pits, which may be in sensitive ecological areas (often Renosterveld areas), and could have significant negative impacts if not sourced from an appropriate area. However, at this stage the source, or indeed the need, has not been confirmed (and is deemed unlikely), and material would presumably be only from approved sites (although this does not mean that they are without impact).

Table 8.3: Nature of Impact: Various Indirect Impacts - Mainly Alien Invasive Vegetation Spread and Minor Habitat Fragmentation

Without mitigation With Mitigation

Nature Negative Negative Extent Local Local Duration Long term to Permanent Long term Magnitude Low to Moderate Low Probability Probable Improbable Significance Medium Low Is impact reversible? Partly – in the case of fire. Partly Irreplaceable loss of Unlikely Unlikely vegetation? Can impacts be Partially mitigated?

8.4.5 Cumulative Impacts

To some extent a cumulative impact is a regional impact, rather than the local site scale impact, i.e. if something has a regional impact it also has a cumulative impact.

The impacts of this type of development, and this development in particular, will be significantly less than for various existing and expanding agricultural operations in the region, as well as for the many unmanaged and expanding alien plant invasions on numerous properties in the area.

The proposed wind farm thus has a fairly small but still important Low negative cumulative impact in the region, but this can be effectively mitigated on site by redesigning the layout as recommended to avoid the identified High sensitivity areas identified in previous sections, and further by formal conservation and active management of the natural area on site. If effectively mitigated the overall effect could even be positive, due to the management of the areas of natural vegetation and the layout redesign.

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8.4.6 Positive Impacts

The primary positive impacts will only come about if recommendations noted under Mitigation are effectively implemented and enforced.

If most of the natural vegetation on the site (exact extent not known, but estimated to be at least 250 ha) is managed as a formal conservation area this would be a very positive local and regional impact. Western Rûens Shale Renosterveld is a very poorly conserved vegetation type (<1% of original extent conserved, with a national target of 29%), and thus any addition to the total area conserved is to be welcomed. Formal conservation of these natural areas is best achieved by signing these areas up as a Contract Reserve within the Stewardship Program of CapeNature, and details of this are provided in the Mitigation section below.

Seasonal removal of livestock from High sensitivity areas of vegetation on the site could have a positive effect on the natural vegetation, in that it would allow plants to flower and set seed more readily, without being heavily grazed. Disturbed areas will not only rehabilitate faster without livestock grazing but many rarer, currently heavily grazed species may have a chance of increasing their numbers. Heavy grazing and trampling can also lead to erosion, eutrophication of wetlands, etc.

The proposed wind farm could have a slight positive impact in terms of helping to reduce CO2 emissions by generating “clean energy”.

8.5 Impact Statement and Summary Table

Overall the proposed wind farm is likely to have a Medium to High local (site scale; approx 3 500 ha site) and Low to Medium regional (western Overberg; <100 000 ha) negative impact on the vegetation on site, prior to mitigation. This could be reduced to Low negative (local) and Low negative (regional) after basic layout mitigation (this would be an acceptable level of impact), or even Low or Medium positive if most natural areas on site are formally conserved and managed (as recommended in this report).

The primary negative impacts on the site are mainly the result of direct impacts, including loss of natural, Critically Endangered or Vulnerable vegetation (<1.2 ha) and possible associated Species of Conservation Concern in the development footprints, and medium to long term loss of natural vegetation (2 – 3 ha) in adjacent areas that will be disturbed by heavy construction machinery, temporary dumping, etc. Most (but not all) of these impacts can be avoided / mitigated, by simply re-aligning the proposed layout in the five areas where this is an issue and where alternative alignments or positions are possible. In some cases it may not be possible to realign turbines and in that case it will be necessary to eliminate these from the proposed layout.

It should be noted that, even if the five problematic turbine positions are eliminated or relocated to low sensitivity areas, access roads and cable trenches will still need to cross three High sensitivity areas of natural vegetation on the main summit ridge, in order to connect three discrete areas of cultivated land. There will be unavoidable loss and damage to vegetation in these areas.

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Indirect impacts are often difficult to quantify and measure, and are often equally difficult to avoid or mitigate. If the mitigation recommendations are all implemented then indirect impacts on the vegetation on site could be reduced to Low negative.

The primary and important potential positive impact of the development will depend to a large degree on the proper management of the remaining natural vegetation on the sites (exact area unknown, but probably at least 250 ha) as formal conservation areas under the Stewardship Program of CapeNature. The likelihood of this being implemented is not known, but is deemed to be relatively low, as the applicant is not the landowner, and this would thus require contractual agreements between landowner and applicant if the project goes ahead. An indirect positive impact is obviously the small contribution that this wind farm would make to reducing CO2 emissions, and the associated very small reduction in global warming effects.

Table 8.4: Overall Summary Table of Proposed Wind Farm Impacts on Vegetation Without mitigation With Mitigation

Nature Negative Negative Extent Local and regional Local Duration Long term to Permanent Mostly long term Magnitude Moderate Minor Probability Definite Improbable Significance Medium – High Low Confidence High High Not in direct building Not in direct building footprints (<1.2 ha), but footprints (<1.2 ha), but some are in other some are in other Is impact reversible? disturbance areas (2 – 3 ha), disturbance areas (2 – 3 although will take many ha), although will take years; indirect impacts many years; indirect difficult to reverse. impacts difficult to reverse. Irreplaceable loss of Yes, but relatively small No vegetation? areas Can impacts be Yes mitigated?

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8.6 Mitigation Measures

8.6.1 Site Specific Mitigation Measures

The following site specific mitigation measures have been proposed:

• All infrastructure must be located within existing areas of Low sensitivity, as far as possible. This means that some relocation of infrastructure out of Critically Endangered and Vulnerable natural vegetation remnants will be necessary. • Turbines WT3a, WT5a, WT17, 20, and 36 must be relocated to Low sensitivity areas (i.e. currently cultivated areas) or eliminated altogether, as they all are located within natural or partly natural areas of Renosterveld vegetation. The associated internal access roads and cable trenches to these five turbines will also need to be relocated outside of High sensitivity areas of natural vegetation. • The access road and cable trench to turbine 14a must be rerouted at least 110m to the southwest to avoid crossing the 180 m long section that it currently traverses through High sensitivity Renosterveld vegetation. Similarly, the proposed cable trenches to turbines 23 and 24 are shown running through High sensitivity Renosterveld vegetation for at least 180 m, and must be properly aligned with the proposed access roads, outside areas of currently natural vegetation. • An ECO must be permanently on site throughout the road construction, cable laying, turbine foundation excavation, and during the erection of the turbines, and at other times should visit the site at least once a week until the construction phase is completed. • Any excavation, including those for cables, must be supervised by the ECO. No excavations may be left open for more than 1 week, and they should preferably be closed up within 1 day, using the carefully stockpiled soil that came out of the trench. In the case of turbine footings some 45m3 of soil will presumably be displaced by the concrete, and this should not be dumped on any natural vegetation. • No dumping or temporary storage of any materials may take place outside designated and demarcated laydown areas, and these must all be located within areas of Low botanical sensitivity (agricultural areas). • All feasible (as determined by CapeNature) areas of High botanical sensitivity (identified in the Scoping Report) must be formally declared and registered as a Contract Nature Reserve/s with CapeNature’s Stewardship Program, within one year of project initiation (defined as installation of the first project related infrastructure; subject to CapeNature capacity in the area). This may entail a rezoning of these areas (to Open Space), and will require that a management plan for these areas is drawn up, which should include the clause that these areas may not be grazed by livestock between 1 May and end October. In some cases small, isolated patches or strips of mapped High sensitivity habitat may not be deemed feasible or suitable by CapeNature, and in this case these areas could then be excluded from the final Contract Reserve. Significant financial incentives are available for landowners who register land as a Contract Reserve, including write-offs of the management costs and portions of the capital costs, and a reduction in annual Land Tax. Associated with these benefits are requirements for a management plan and environmental auditing to ensure that management is adequately carried out. In this case all costs associated with rezoning and

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management of these areas will remain the responsibility of the applicant and/or landowners. • The contract between the landowner/s and the applicant must include the relevant clauses concerning the need for CapeNature Stewardship Program involvement in the identified priority conservation areas on the site (as outlined in the previous bullet). The independent botanist and the CapeNature Stewardship Program coordinator must both confirm in writing that these clauses are in the contract, within 3 months of any authorisation. • Both the botanist and the CapeNature Stewardship Coordinator must verify in writing, within 1 year of project inception, that the Stewardship Program commitments involving both the landowner/s and the applicants have in fact been adequately implemented. • A botanist familiar with the vegetation of the area should ensure that adequate botanical inputs are made into the construction and operational phase EMPs.

8.6.2 Construction Activities within Close Proximity to Sensitive Areas

The following mitigation measures have been proposed:

• If any infrastructure is to be placed within areas of high botanical sensitivity as identified in the Flora Impact Assessment, then these development footprints should be surveyed and fenced off with two strand wires that must be kept erect by droppers every 10 metres. • These areas must be clearly indicated with flags and/or coloured ropes and signage saying “Sensitive Area – Keep Out” placed every 50m. • It should be made very clear to all contractors that there is to be no disturbance outside these demarcated areas, at least not without the permission of the ECO. • It must be ensured that there is no loss of or damage to sensitive vegetation in areas outside the immediate development footprint. • An ECO must be appointed to monitor all construction areas on a weekly and monthly basis until all construction is completed. • Immediate report backs must be provided to the site manager • The ECO is to speak to the contractors responsible for any infringements. • No dumping or temporary storage of any materials may take place outside designated and demarcated laydown areas. • All temporary fencing and coloured rope should be removed once the construction phase has been completed.

8.6.3 Earthworks within Sensitive Areas . The following mitigation measures are provided:

• A plant Search and Rescue program should be undertaken prior to any earthworks within high sensitivity Renosterveld areas. • Provided that all recommended mitigation is put in place this should only be applicable in very limited areas. • Search and Rescue (S&R) of certain translocatable, selected succulents, shrubs and bulbs occurring in long term and permanent, hard surface development footprints (i.e. all buildings, new roads and tracks, laydown areas, and turbine positions) should take place. • All such development footprints must be surveyed and pegged out as soon as possible, and a local horticulturist with S&R experience should be appointed to undertake this process.

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• All rescued species should be bagged (and cuttings taken where appropriate) and kept in the horticulturist’s nursery, and should be returned to site once all construction is completed and rehabilitation of disturbed areas is required. • Replanting should only occur in autumn or early winter (April – May), once the first rains have fallen, in order to facilitate establishment. • Genera that can be considered for rescue are all bulbs and tuberous species plus selected specimens of succulents such as Ruschia and Lampranthus species. • It must be ensured that at least 20% of the natural vegetation in all development footprints within any areas of High sensitivity natural vegetation on site is rescued, maintained and subsequent replanted. • The ECO is to monitor the Search and Rescue procedure. • The horticulturist is to liaise with botanist and the botanist is to review rehabilitation success after 3 months of replanting of rehabilitation areas. • Any excavation within designated High sensitivity areas, including those for cables, must be supervised by the ECO. • No excavations may be left open for more than 1 week, and they should preferably be closed up within 1 day, using the carefully stockpiled soil that came out of the trench. • All stockpiled sand should be replaced within one week of trench opening. • All cable trenches, etc, through sensitive areas should be dug by hand in order to minimise damage to surrounding areas. • Only suitable locally indigenous Western Ruens Shale Renosterveld species should be used for rehabilitation or planting anywhere on site. No exotic or invasive species should be used for rehabilitation which includes commonly used invasive grass species.

8.6.4 Requirements for the Operational Phase

The following mitigation measures are provided:

• Grazing and trampling substantially decreases rehabilitation success, posing a risk of erosion and biodiversity loss. Grazing and trampling also impacts negatively on flowering and seed set of many rare plant species. It is therefore strongly recommended that the landowners should refrain from grazing livestock in the High sensitivity vegetation areas as identified by the Flora Impact Assessment in the main winter and spring growing and flowering periods (1 May – end October). If the nearby annuals and other plants are not grazed this means that natural rehabilitation of the areas disturbed by the project will be significantly improved, as there will be much more locally indigenous seed available nearby for establishment in the disturbed areas, and the site may also act as a seed source for some nearby overgrazed areas. • The botanist is to review regeneration and seed set success in palatable species every two years, and to check site for compliance in terms of livestock. • Ongoing alien plant monitoring and removal should be undertaken on all areas of natural vegetation within the project area on an annual basis, with emphasis on areas within 200 m of any infrastructure. • The Department Water Affairs approved methodology should be employed for all alien clearing operations. • No earthmoving machinery should be used for this purpose, as this disturbs the soil and creates ideal conditions for re-invasion. • All stems of resprouting species (notably Acacia saligna) must be cut as close to ground level as possible, using loppers or chainsaws (depending on size), and stumps must be immediately hand painted with a suitable Triclopyr herbicide (e.g.

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Chapter 8: Impacts on Flora

Garlon, Timbrel, with colour dye) to prevent resprouting. If this is not done within 5 minutes of being cut, Acacia saligna will resprout, wasting the original effort. • Small seedlings may be hand pulled. • No bulldozing or removal by any machinery is allowed, as this disturbs the soil and creates ideal conditions for re-invasion. • No herbicide spraying should be undertaken anywhere within natural vegetation, due to the extensive collateral damage. • All cut branches should be stacked into a pyramid (cut ends up) and left to dry. • Annual follow ups are required in all areas that have been previously cleared. • It must be ensured that all high Sensitivity areas within 200m of any infrastructure are clear of alien vegetation within 2 years of project inception. • Areas should not be burnt until an area has been clear for at least one year, in order to prevent coppicing and massive seed germination. • Annual follow ups are required in all areas that have been previously cleared (to be undertaken from October to April). • The applicant must ensure that there is sufficient budget to implement all management recommendations noted above.

8.7 Conclusions

There are two natural vegetation types on site, one of which is regarded as Critically Endangered on a national basis and the other Vulnerable, and most of the remaining areas of natural vegetation can be expected to support various plant Species of Conservation Concern. Significant portions of the study area support vegetation in medium to pristine condition, and were mapped as being of High sensitivity in the baseline study done as part of the Scoping Report. Ideally no development should occur within identified High sensitivity areas, and all infrastructure should ideally be located at least 30m from the edge of these High sensitivity areas. The majority of the study area (>60%) is cultivated or disturbed land of Low botanical sensitivity, and presents no botanical constraints to the proposed facility.

Overall the proposed wind farm is likely to have an unacceptable Medium – High negative impact on the vegetation on site, prior to mitigation. This could easily be reduced to an acceptable Low negative level with basic mitigation involving realignment or removal of eight turbines and associated infrastructure.

The proposed wind farm could even have a Low or Medium positive impact if all areas of High sensitivity vegetation in the study area are managed appropriately (annual alien vegetation management, no grazing in winter – spring flowering season), and are formally conserved within CapeNature’s Stewardship Program. The likelihood of this happening is however not known, and is considered to be low, as it would require negotiated contracts between the landowners, the applicant and CapeNature.

If the essential mitigation and the CapeNature Stewardship Program recommendation are all implemented then this project could potentially serve as an example of best practice wind energy facility development and management.

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Chapter 9: Impacts on Fauna

9 IMP ACTS ON FAUNA

9.1 Introduction

David Hoare Consulting cc. undertook an assessment of the impact of the development on fauna. Rare, threatened, protected and conservation-worthy species and habitats are considered to be the highest priority, the presence of which are most likely to result in significant negative impacts on the ecological environment. This assessment therefore focuses on such species. A copy of the full fauna report is included in Appendix J.

9.2 Methodology

9.2.1 Establishing the Baseline Conditions

A detailed desktop and field based evaluation of the site was undertaken to determine the value of the site for threatened species. Firstly a list of species of conservation concern (Red Data species) occurring in the geographical area of the site was compiled. Secondly, a desk top study and site visit was undertaken to determine the suitability of the on-site habitats to support the threatened species. The habitats were rated as high, medium or low as defined in Table 9.1. Finally, using this information the likelihood of the identified threatened species occurring on the site was rated as low, medium or high as defined in Table 9.2.

Table 9.1: Habitat Sensitivity analysis Sensitivity Description Lower Habitat with no breeding, inhabiting or foraging importance for animal Sensitivity species of conservation concern Medium Habitat with breeding, inhabiting or foraging importance for animal species Sensitivity of low conservation concern (Near Threatened, Declining, Rare or Restricted) Higher Habitat with breeding, inhabiting or foraging importance for animal species Sensitivity of high conservation concern (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable)

Table 9.2: Likelihood of Endangered Species Occurring on the Site Likelihood Description Low No suitable habitats occur on site / habitats on site do not match habitat description for species Medium Habitats on site match general habitat description for species (e.g. fynbos), but detailed microhabitat requirements (e.g. mountain fynbos on shallow soils overlying Table Mountain sandstone) are absent on the site or are unknown from the descriptions given in the literature or from the authorities

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Chapter 9: Impacts on Fauna

High Habitats found on site match very strongly the general and microhabitat description for the species (e.g. mountain fynbos on shallow soils overlying Table Mountain sandstone)

9.2.2 Impact Assessment

The impacts of the following components of the project were individually assessed:

• turbines and substations; • internal access roads and underground cables (the footprint of these two infrastructure components coincide; and • overhead power lines.

Using professional judgement, the significance of the potential impacts was assessed according to the following criteria:

• nature of the impact: positive or negative • extent: low (site-specific - affecting only the footprint of the development), medium (limited to the site and its immediate surroundings and closest towns) and high (regional and national); • duration: low (short-term - 0-9 years, typically impacts that are quickly reversible within the construction phase of the project), medium (medium-term 10-15 years, reversible over time) and high (long-term, 15-60 years, and continue for the operational life span of the WEF); and • magnitude: small (no effect), minor, low, moderate, high or very high; • probability of occurrence: low (improbable), medium (distinct possibility), and high (most likely).

Each criterion was given a score (from 1 – 5) and the significance of the impact calculated as (magnitude+duration+extent) x probability. The significance was then classified as either being low (score <30), medium (score 30 – 60) or high (score>60).

Where negative impacts were identified, mitigation measures were proposed where feasible.

Further detail on the methodology applied is available in the full Fauna report included in Appendix J.

9.3 Baseline Conditions

9.3.1 Geology

The main geological types in the study area are as follows:

• Bidouw Subgroup of the Bokkeveld Group, consisting of shale, siltstone and arenite; • Ceres Subgroup of the Bokkeveld Group, consisting of shale and arenite; and • Weltevrede Subgroup of the Witteberg Group, consisting of arenite and shale.

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Chapter 9: Impacts on Fauna

Soils derived from Cape Supergroup rocks tend to be course-grained, rocky and shallow, whereas soils derived from Bokkeveld shales tend to be clay-rich and more fertile. The geology and soil-type may affect the distribution of some fauna species, especially small mammals that rely on substrate properties to locate suitable habitats.

9.3.2 Vegetation and Landuse

The study site is located within the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), which is recognized as one of the principal centres of diversity and endemism in Africa. Fynbos and Renosterveld are considered to be the main vegetation types in the CFR. Fynbos is very species rich, but has been transformed or degraded to a high degree and is therefore considered to be of high conservation concern. Most of the site occurs within a vegetation type classified as Western Rûens Shale Renosterveld which is classified as Critically Endangered (Mucina et al. 2005, Mucina & Rutherford 2006).

A map of remaining natural habitats on site is provided in Figure 9.1.

Figure 9.1: Landcover of the proposed Caledon Wind Energy Facility.

As can be seen from Figure 9.1, most of the study site consists of cultivated lands. There are however some significant patches of remaining vegetation along the upper parts of the ridge in the north-eastern part of the site and overlooking the Botrivier in the north-western part of the site. This includes some Greyton Shale Fynbos which is classified as Vulnerable. Some Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos also occurs along the Botrivier valley in the north-west of the site which is classified as Least Threatened.

Other natural vegetation consists primarily of drainage lines between cultivated fields and small patches scattered throughout the site. This includes strips of thicket in areas of steeper topography and wetland vegetation.

It can therefore be concluded that despite the high levels of cultivation on the site, there are a number of different habitat types which may provide suitable habitat for a

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Chapter 9: Impacts on Fauna

variety of faunal species. There is however a high degree of fragmentation between these areas.

9.3.3 Fauna

Various mammal species are protected in the Western Cape, including insectivores, primates, bats and carnivores. All amphibians (e.g. frogs and toads) are protected in the Western Cape. Amongst reptiles, all lizards, tortoises, turtles and snakes of the families Typhlopidae, Leptotyphlopidae and Colubrinae are protected in the Western Cape. Lizards are a diverse group and include agamas, chameleons (including dwarf chameleons), monitors, lacertids, amphisbaenids, skinks, cordylids, plated lizards and geckos. It should be noted that whilst protected species are safe-guarded against hunting and trading by the Western Cape Nature Conservation Laws Amendment Act of 2000 (Act 3 of 2000), there are no specific permit requirements for protected species that may be affected by a proposed development.

There are a number of species of conservation concern that have a geographical distribution that includes the study area. These are listed in Appendix 1 of Appendix J. However, based on the habitat composition of the site, only those species listed in Table 9.3 are considered to have a high possibility of occurring on the site or making use of the habitats available on the site.

Table 9.3: Species of Conservation Concern having a High Possibility of Occurring on the Site Species Classification

Rare Restricted Critically Endangered Endangered (EN) Vulnerable (VU) Near Threatened Declining Natal Long-fingered Bat √ Cape Horseshoe Bat √ Temminck's Hairy Bat* √ Geoffroy’s Horseshoe Bat* √ Cape Rain Frog √ Cape Mountain Toad √ Montane Marsh Frog √ Geometric Tortoise √ Yellow-bellied House Snake √ Hawequa Flat Gecko √ * Near Threatened in SA only

The ‘Vulnerable’ and ‘Endangered’ species identified above are of high concern and ‘Near Threatened’ species a lower category of concern.

9.4 Impact Assessment

The proposed development could give rise to the following impacts:

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• Loss of terrestrial habitat (fynbos and/or Renosterveld) suitable for threatened fauna; • Loss of wetland habitat suitable for threatened fauna; • Displacement of threatened fauna due to construction disturbance (noise, dust and general disturbance); • Fragmentation of populations of threatened fauna species of conservation concern; and • Loss of individuals of bat species through collision with wind turbines.

These impacts could be caused by the following components of the development:

• The wind turbines and substation; • The underground cables and internal access roads; and • The overhead powerlines.

9.4.1 Construction Phase

Wind Turbines and Substation The construction of the wind turbines and substation will result in a very small loss of terrestrial habitat potentially suitable for the Yellow-bellied House Snake, the Hawequa Flat Gecko and the threatened Cape Rain Frog (VU) and Geometric Tortoise (EN). The loss would be permanent. However, given that there is only a moderate probability of threatened species occurring in these habitats it is considered that the impact of this loss of terrestrial habitat for threatened fauna would be of low significance.

No wetland habitat suitable for threatened fauna would be lost, the impact is therefore rated as zero.

Underground Cables and Internal Access Roads Some of the roads proposed in Phase 1 of the project are located within natural vegetation that may constitute habitat for the Yellow-bellied House Snake, the Hawequa Flat Gecko and the threatened Cape Rain Frog (VU) and Geometric Tortoise (EN). This would result in a medium significant impact on fauna due to the permanent loss of a small amount of suitable terrestrial habitat.

The loss of suitable wetland habitat and potential fragmentation of ground dwelling fauna populations would have a low significant impact.

Overhead Powerlines The construction of transmission lines associated with the wind farm would lead to a permanent loss of a small amount of habitat directly around each pylon. This would result in a low significant impact on threatened fauna due to a loss of suitable terrestrial habitat; loss of suitable wetland habitat and fragmentation of fauna populations.

As described previously, bat echo-location would enable bats to detect the overhead powerlines, thus ensuring that collisions with the powerlines would be unlikely. The significance of the impact is thus rated as zero.

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Chapter 9: Impacts on Fauna

Mitigation Measures A number of mitigation measures are proposed to minimise the potential impacts identified above. These are as follows:

• Any sensitive habitat outside the direct construction zone should be demarcated and no activities should take place within these areas. Demarcation should be with “danger tape” and/or appropriate fencing. • No construction activities should occur outside the servitude, where there is any sensitive habitat outside the power line servitude. Demarcation should be with “danger tape” and/or appropriate fencing. • Tower structures should be located a minimum of 50 m outside of mapped wetland and drainage line areas. • Power line service roads should not cross drainage lines unnecessarily. • Clearing should be minimised and restricted to the area required for construction and lay-down purposes only and disturbance to adjacent vegetation should be limited. All impacts should be contained within the defined impact zone. • Habitat should be protected through implementation of erosion and sediment control measures, including storm water management and providing grassy channels at storm water outlets. • Stockpiles, site offices and infrastructure should be appropriately located to limit damage to any nearby sensitive fynbos vegetation. • Proper culvert and bridge structures are required for internal access road wetland crossings. • Water-flow under internal roads must not be channelled in such a way as to promote erosion channels or channels where none existed previously. • A Water Use License (WUL) must be obtained for any impacts on water courses or wetlands. • Disturbed areas as a result of the proposed project should be rehabilitated through re-vegetation with site indigenous species. This can provide a buffer to protect indigenous vegetation from invasion by weeds.

Summary The impacts identified during the construction phase (without and with mitigation) are summarised in Table 9.4 to Table 9.6 below.

Table 9.4: Loss of Terrestrial Habitat for Threatened Fauna (construction phase) Wind Turbines and Underground Cables and Overhead Powerlines Impact Substation Access Roads Without With Without With Without With

mitigation Mitigation mitigation Mitigation mitigation Mitigation Nature Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative Extent Local Local Local Local Local Local Duration Permanent Permanent Permanent Permanent Permanent Permanent Magnitude Low Very Low Low Low Low Very Low Improbabl Probability Improbable Improbable Probable Improbable Improbable e Significance Low Low Medium Low Low Low Confidence High High High High High High Is impact

reversible?

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Chapter 9: Impacts on Fauna

Irreplaceable loss of vegetation? Can impacts Yes Yes Yes be mitigated?

Table 9.5: Loss of Wetland Habitat for Terrestrial Fauna (construction phase) Wind Turbines and Underground Cables and Overhead Powerlines Impact Substation Access Roads Without With Without With Without With

mitigation Mitigation mitigation Mitigation mitigation Mitigation Nature n/a n/a Negative Negative Negative Negative Extent n/a n/a Local Local Local Local Duration n/a n/a Long Term Long Term Long Term Long Term Magnitude n/a n/a Low Low Low Low Very Improbabl Probability n/a n/a Improbable Improbable Improbable e Significance n/a n/a Low Low Low Low Confidence n/a n/a Is impact n/a n/a reversible? Irreplaceable loss of n/a n/a Yes Yes vegetation? Can impacts n/a n/a be mitigated?

Table 9.6: Fragmentations of Threatened Fauna Populations (construction phase) Wind Turbines and Underground Cables and Overhead Powerlines Impact Substation Access Roads Without With Without With Without With

mitigation Mitigation mitigation Mitigation mitigation Mitigation Nature n/a n/a Negative Negative Negative Negative Extent n/a n/a Local Local Local Local Duration n/a n/a Permanent Permanent Permanent Permanent Magnitude n/a n/a Very Low Very Low Very Low Very Low Highly Highly Probability n/a n/a Improbable Improbable Improbabl Improbable e Significance n/a n/a Low Low Low Low Confidence n/a n/a Is impact n/a n/a reversible? Irreplaceable loss of n/a n/a vegetation? Can impacts n/a n/a Yes Yes be mitigated?

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Chapter 9: Impacts on Fauna

9.4.2 Operational Phase

Wind Turbines and Substation The loss of terrestrial habitat would occur during the construction phase and no additional impacts are expected during the operation of the development. No wetland habitat suitable for threatened fauna would be lost.

The presence of the wind turbines may disrupt migration or foraging routes for bats (the Natal Long-fingered Bat, the Cape Horseshoe Bat, Temminck's Hairy Bat and Geoffroy's Horseshoe Bat, none of which are threatened). As a result, population processes would likely continue but in a modified way. The resulting impact is considered to be of low significance. Bats could also be affected directly through collisions with the turbines, the impact of which is considered to be of medium significance.

Underground Cables and Internal Access Roads The loss of terrestrial and wetland habitat would occur during the construction phase and no additional impacts are expected during the operational phase.

In terms of fragmentation, individuals may return once the construction activities are completed.

Overhead Powerlines The loss of terrestrial and wetland habitat would occur during the construction phase. Some additional impacts could occur as a result of management of the servitude, for example clearing tall vegetation under power lines. The impact on fauna resulting from the loss of these vegetation types is therefore considered to be low.

In terms of fragmentation, individuals may return once the construction activities are completed.

Mitigation Measures A number of mitigation measures are proposed to minimise the potential impacts identified above. These are as follows:

• Ongoing monitoring and maintenance of any re-vegetation works. • Implement an environmental monitoring programme prior to construction to document the impact on affected bat species. This should involve the following: . Determine densities of affected species within the area occupied by the wind farm before construction; . Document patterns of bat movement in the vicinity of the WEF; . Record bat mortalities and, as far as possible, the circumstances surrounding collisions. Standard protocols should be used when undertaking such surveys; and . If significant bat movements are found to occur on site, halt turbine operation during low wind speeds when bats are most active.

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Chapter 9: Impacts on Fauna

Summary The impacts identified during the construction phase are summarised in Table 9.7 to Table 9.10 below.

Table 9.7: Loss of Terrestrial Habitat for Threatened Fauna (operation phase) Wind Turbines and Underground Cables and Overhead Powerlines Impact Substation Access Roads Without With Without With Without With

mitigation Mitigation mitigation Mitigation mitigation Mitigation Nature Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative Negative Extent Local Local Local Local Local Local Duration Permanent Permanent Permanent Permanent Permanent Permanent Magnitude Very Low Very Low Very Low Very Low Low Very Low Very Very Very Improbabl Probability Improbable Improbable Improbable Improbable Improbable e Significance Low Low Low Low Low Low Confidence Is impact

reversible? Irreplaceable loss of vegetation? Can impacts Yes Yes Yes be mitigated?

Table 9.8: Loss of Wetland Habitat for Terrestrial Fauna (operation phase) Wind Turbines and Underground Cables and Overhead Powerlines Impact Substation Access Roads Without With Without With Without With

mitigation Mitigation mitigation Mitigation mitigation Mitigation Nature n/a n/a Negative Negative Negative Negative Extent n/a n/a Local Local Local Local Duration n/a n/a Long Term Long Term Long Term Long Term Magnitude n/a n/a Low Low Low Low Very Improbabl Probability n/a n/a Improbable Improbable Improbable e Significance n/a n/a Low Low Low Low Confidence n/a n/a Is impact n/a n/a reversible? Irreplaceable loss of n/a n/a vegetation? Can impacts Yes Yes n/a n/a be mitigated?

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Chapter 9: Impacts on Fauna

Table 9.9: Fragmentations of Threatened Fauna Populations (operation phase) Wind Turbines and Underground Cables and Overhead Powerlines Impact Substation Access Roads Without With Without With Without With

mitigation Mitigation mitigation Mitigation mitigation Mitigation Nature Negative Negative n/a n/a n/a n/a Extent Regional Regional n/a n/a n/a n/a Duration Long Term Long Term n/a n/a n/a n/a Magnitude Moderate Low n/a n/a n/a n/a Probability Improbable Improbable n/a n/a n/a n/a Significance Low Low n/a n/a n/a n/a Confidence n/a n/a n/a n/a Is impact n/a n/a n/a n/a reversible? Irreplaceable loss of n/a n/a n/a n/a vegetation? Can impacts Yes n/a n/a n/a n/a be mitigated?

Table 9.10: Loss of Bats through Collisions with Turbines (operation phase) Wind Turbines and Underground Cables and Overhead Powerlines Impact Substation Access Roads Without With Without With Without With

mitigation Mitigation mitigation Mitigation mitigation Mitigation Nature Negative Negative n/a n/a n/a n/a Site Extent Site Specific n/a n/a n/a n/a Specific Duration Long Term Long Term n/a n/a n/a n/a Magnitude Moderate Low n/a n/a n/a n/a Highly Probability Probable n/a n/a n/a n/a Probable Significance Medium Low n/a n/a n/a n/a Confidence n/a n/a n/a n/a Is impact n/a n/a n/a n/a reversible? Irreplaceable loss of n/a n/a n/a n/a vegetation? Can impacts Yes n/a n/a n/a n/a be mitigated?

9.4.3 Decommissioning Phase

The decommissioning phase of the wind farm will have a similar impact to the construction phase. A specific decommissioning assessment was therefore not undertaken at this stage. A study of the fauna impact of the decommissioning stage should be undertaken once the decommissioning date is determined.

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9.4.4 Summary and Conclusions

An evaluation of the habitat on site in association with the potential occurrence of species of conservation concern indicates that only a small number of species (10 species in total) are likely to be negatively affected by the proposed infrastructure. Of these, only the Cape Rain Frog (VU), Cape Mountain Toad (VU) and the Geometric Tortoise (EN) are listed in a threatened category. The other species are listed as Near Threatened, which is a lower category of concern. The majority of the impacts identified would have an adverse impact of low significance on threatened fauna.

However, the impact of the loss of terrestrial habitat for threatened fauna due to the construction of internal access roads (in combination with underground cables) is considered to be of medium significance. The most important habitat to protect is the Renosterveld in good condition, fynbos and rocky fynbos found in the north-eastern part of the site (refer to Figure 9.1). Mitigation measures to protect remaining suitable natural habitat are proposed that would reduce the significance of this potential impact to low. These measures include minimising the clearing of vegetation, ensuring no construction works occur within demarcated sensitive habitat areas outside the construction zone, and re-vegetation of disturbed areas with site indigenous species.

Bat mortality during the operation of the development is also considered to have an adverse impact of medium significance prior to mitigation. This would occur through direct collisions with turbine blades or barotrauma caused by moving turbine blades leading to mortality. Proposed mitigation measures, in the form of an environmental monitoring programme, could reduce the significance of this impact to low.

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Chapter 10: Impacts on Avifauna

10 IMP ACTS ON AVIFAUNA

10.1 Introduction

The site is located in the Overberg Wheatbelt, part of which is classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Wind farms have the potential to impact upon avifauna through disturbance, displacement and collisions with the wind farm infrastructure. Chris van Rooyen Consulting was therefore appointed to undertake an independent assessment of the proposed development on birds. A copy of the full avifauna report is included in Appendix K.

10.2 Methodology

10.2.1 Establishing the Baseline Conditions

Initially a desk study was undertaken to establish the likely presence of birds within the study area. This involved reviewing the following data sources:

• Bird distribution data and classification of vegetation types from the South African Bird Atlas Project; • Information on large terrestrial avifauna and habitat use from the Coordinated Avifaunal Roadcounts project; • The national conservation status of bird species from Eskom Priority Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (2000); • Detailed satellite imagery from Google Earth (2009); and • Literature review on birds and wind farm impacts.

A reconnaissance site visit was then undertaken in November 2009 to verify the above information.

A series of interviews were also undertaken with:

• One of the site’s landowners, Hennie Lötter, regarding the birds that breed and forage on the site; • Kevin Shaw (ornithologist, Cape Nature), Kevin McCann (ex-chairman of the South African Crane Working Group), and Bronwyn Botha (ex-field worker of the Overberg Crane Working Group) regarding Blue Crane flight and foraging patters in the Overberg; and • Dr. Anton Odendal of BirdLife Overberg and Mick D’Alton, chairman of the Overberg Crane Group.

10.2.2 Impact Assessment

The assessment focuses on priority bird taxa1 that may potentially be affected by the proposal. A number of criteria were applied to indentify these priority taxa. These are

1 Unit used in the science of biological classification, or taxonomy. Taxa are arranged in a hierarchy from kingdom to subspecies, a given taxon ordinarily including several taxa of lower rank. In the classification of protists, plants, and animals, certain taxonomic categories are universally recognized; in descending order, these are kingdom, phylum (in plants, division), class, order, family, genus, species, and subspecies, or race. [http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/584691/taxon; 7 February 2011]

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detailed in Appendix K but in summary include nationally threatened species, protected species, species naturally occurring in low densities, taxa that are of special cultural significance and / or species for which the site is particularly significant.

It should be noted that no detailed surveys of flight patterns at the site have been undertaken to date. Rather primary observations were made during site visits and the Precautionary Principle2 has been applied throughout the assessment to determine the potential impact upon avifauna.

The habitat in the study area was categorized in terms of the potential for an impact on avifauna to occur as set out in Tables 10.1 to 10.4. The higher the sensitivity, the higher the likelihood for an impact to occur.

Table 10.1: Impact: Displacement Due to Disturbance and Habitat Transformation Description Lower Sensitivity Exotic trees, homesteads, roads Medium Sensitivity Natural vegetation Higher Sensitivity Agricultural areas, wetlands, drainage lines and dams

Table 10.2: Impact: Collisions with the Turbines Description Lower Sensitivity Exotic trees, homesteads, roads Medium Sensitivity Agricultural areas Higher Sensitivity Natural vegetation on steeper south facing slopes, wetlands, drainage lines and dams

Table 10.3: Impact: Collisions with the Powerline Description Lower Sensitivity Exotic trees, homesteads, roads Medium Sensitivity Natural vegetation Higher Sensitivity Agricultural areas, wetlands, drainage lines and dams

Table 10.4: Combined Sensitivity Analysis: All impacts Description Lower Sensitivity Exotic trees, homesteads, roads Medium Sensitivity Agricultural areas, natural vegetation Higher Sensitivity Wetlands, drainage lines, dams and steeper south facing slopes with natural vegetation

2 The World Charter for Nature, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1982, was the first international endorsement of the precautionary principle. The principle was implemented in an international treaty as early as the 1987 Montreal Protocol and among other international treaties and declarations is reflected in the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration 1992 states that: “in order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall be not used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.”

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10.3 Baseline Conditions

10.3.1 Bird Habitat in the Study Area

The site is located within the Overberg Wheatbelt, marginally outside the formal borders of the area classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) (refer to Figure 10.1). The topography of the Overberg Wheatbelt consists of low-lying coastal plains and primarily of cereal croplands.

Overberg Wheatbelt IBA

Figure 10.1: Location of the study area relative to the Overberg Wheatbelt IBA.

The site is situated in an area of primarily agricultural activity. There are however large areas of natural vegetation remaining which comprises fynbos and renosterveld. In addition to natural vegetation, the following bird micro-habitats are present on the site (only priority bird species are discussed):

• Cereal Crops and Pastures This habitat is specifically important to the Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradiseus) which favours agricultural areas above natural vegetation. The Overberg holds the largest population of Blue Cranes in the world. Large numbers of Denham’s Bustard (Ardeotis denhamii) and White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) also occupy the area during summer. Other birds found in the region include the Black Harrier (Circus maurus), Secretary Birds (Sagittarius serpentarius) and the endemic Karoo Korhaan (Eupodotis vigorsii).

During the site visits several small groups of Blue Cranes were recorded in the cereal crops and pastures on and adjacent to the site.

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• Drainage Lines and Wetlands This habitat is sometimes used as roosting areas for Blue Cranes and White Storks, as well as for foraging and breeding African Marsh-Harrier (Circus ranivorus). Other species which could use the wetlands include the Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus), Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis), and the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra). The Secretary Bird uses the short trees that line some of the drainage lines for roosting and breeding.

• Dams These provide roosting habitat for Blue Cranes. They are also important for Egyptian Goose, White Stork, Spur-winged Goose and possibly the Black Stork.

• Other Habitats Stands of exotic eucalyptus created an attractive habitat for Black Sparrowhawk (Accipiter melanoleucus), Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk (Accipiter rufiventris) and Jackal Buzzard (Buteo rufofuscus).

Figures 10.2 and 10.3 below provide an indication of dams and watercourse located within the study area and respectively IBAs identified for the site. The IBAs have been determined by presence of either steep slopes, important for soaring raptors and waterbodies, important for the breeding and roosting of water birds.

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Figure 10.2: Locality Map indicating Waterbodies and Perennial Rivers within the Proposed Wind Farm Site

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Figure 10.3: Map indicating Important Bird Areas within the Proposed Wind Farm Site

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10.3.2 Avifauna in the Study Area

Table 1.5 in Appendix xxx details the priority species that are considered likely to occur on the site based on the habitats available. Table 10.5 below provides a summary.

Table 10.5: Summary of the Priority Species Likely to Occur on the Site Conservation Status (Barnes Likelihood of occurrence at Common Name 2000) the wind farm site Black Stork NT, AEWA Medium Secretarybird NT, Ra High African Marsh-Harrier VU, Ra Medium Black Harrier NT, Ra High Peregrine Falcon NT, Ra Low Lanner Falcon NT, Ra High Lesser Kestrel VU, Ra High Blue Crane VU, CS High Denham’s Bustard VU High Aghulhas Long-billed Lark NT, SS Medium Little Grebe AEWA High Little Egret AEWA High Grey Heron AEWA High Purple Heron AEWA Low Black-headed Heron AEWA High Great Egret AEWA Low Cattle Egret AEWA High Black-crowned Night-Heron AEWA Low Little Bittern AEWA Low White Stork AEWA High African Sacred Ibis AEWA High African Spoonbill AEWA High Egyptian Goose AEWA High South African Shelduck AEWA Medium Yellow-billed Duck AEWA High Cape Teal AEWA Medium Spur-winged Goose AEWA High Red-billed Teal AEWA Medium Southern Pochard AEWA Low Cape Shoveler AEWA Medium Red-knobbed Coot AEWA High Common Moorhen AEWA High African Rail AEWA Low Black Crake AEWA Low Black-winged Stilt AEWA Low Kittlitz's Plover AEWA Low Crowned Lapwing AEWA High Three-banded Plover AEWA High Common Sandpiper AEWA Medium Common Greenshank AEWA Medium Black-shouldered Kite Ra High Booted Eagle Ra Medium African Fish-Eagle Ra Medium

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Conservation Status (Barnes Likelihood of occurrence at Common Name 2000) the wind farm site Steppe Buzzard Ra High Jackal Buzzard Ra High Black Sparrowhawk Ra Medium African Goshawk Ra Low African Harrier-Hawk Ra Low Osprey Ra Low Rock Kestrel Ra High Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk Ra Low Spotted Eagle-Owl Ra High Marsh Sandpiper AEWA Medium Wood Sandpiper AEWA Medium VU = Nationally vulnerable (Barnes 2000) NT = Nationally near threatened (Barnes 2000) AEWA = Listed in Annexure 2 of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement Ra = Raptor SS = Special regional significance CS = Cultural significance

10.4 Impact Assessment

10.4.1 Identification of Potential Impacts

Birds could be impacted by the proposed development in the following principle ways:

• Collision mortality on the wind turbines; • Collision with the proposed power line; • Displacement due to disturbance; and • Displacement caused by habitat transformation.

Caledon Wind Farm EIA November 2011 Draft EIA Report 10-8 Chapter 10: Impacts on Avifauna

• Collision Mortality on Wind Turbines Of the 54 priority species that could potentially occur at the site, 34 (63%) are associated with aquatic habitats. The dams occurring on the site therefore constitute high risk habitat as far as potential collisions are concerned. Pre-construction surveys will therefore be required to determine the actual usage of these dams.

20 of the 54 priority species (37%) are soaring species. These species could use wind currents in slopes for lift. Dominant wind directions at the site are south-east in the summer and south-west in the winter. The biggest collision risk for these species would therefore be wind turbines located against slopes, particularly southern slopes. Turbines 1 – 13 are located on a ridge approximately 160m behind a southerly slope with natural vegetation and thus in a marginal position in terms of collisions. Surveys will need to be undertaken prior to construction to determine the actual usage of these slopes by soaring species.

The agricultural lands on and surrounding the site may be used by foraging Blue Cranes and Denham’s Bustards. Pre-construction surveys will therefore be required to determine the flight paths of these species over the site.

• Collision Mortality with the Proposed Power Line The proposed power line could result in bird mortality due to collisions and electrocution. The literature review undertaken revealed that power line collisions have long been recorded as a major source of avian mortality, the most numerous victims being the Blue Crane and Denham’s. Annual mortalities have been estimated at up to 10% of the Blue Crane population and 30% of the Denham’s Bustard population in the Overberg. Collision rates have been found to be higher for birds in flock. Cultivated land also poses a higher collision risk due to this being the preferred habitat for Blue Cranes in the Overberg, as do dams that are used as roosts.

• Displacement due to Disturbance The displacement of birds may be caused by visual, noise and vibration impacts occurring as a result of construction activities, operating wind turbines, or site maintenance activities (e.g. vehicles and personnel movement). Displacement may take the form of birds being absent or less abundant in areas within and surrounding a wind farm or the alteration of bird migration flyways / local flight paths. The literature review undertaken as part of the desk study revealed a dearth of studies on the displacement effect of wind farm developments on key species assemblages in the study area, particularly cranes and bustards. Indications are that Great Bustards (Otis tarda) are displaced up to 1 km from a wind farm. Should this happen with the Denham’s Bustard and Blue Crane occurring at the site, this could lead to longer term habitat fragmentation impacts if the number of wind farms in the Overberg increases significantly. A monitoring programme should therefore be implemented to establish whether the wind farm will result in the displacement of priority species. This will involve comparing pre and post construction densities of the key species.

The literature study revealed that night time lighting of turbines could attract birds rather than disorientate or repel them, resulting in collision mortality. This would mostly be a problem for nocturnal migrants (primarily passerines) during poor visibility conditions. However, due to the phenomenon of mass nocturnal passerine migrations not being a feature of the study area, the potential for collisions with the turbines is not envisaged to be significant. Nevertheless, post construction monitoring (in the form of carcass searches) should be undertaken to determine the extent of any nocturnal fatalities as a result of the proposed development.

Caledon Wind Farm EIA November 2011 Draft EIA Report 10-9 Chapter 10: Impacts on Avifauna

• Displacement caused by Habitat Transformation Bird species may be displaced due to direct habitat loss resulting from the construction of the wind farm.

10.4.2 Assessment of Potential Impacts

The potential impacts identified above have been assessed in line with the methodology set out in Chapter 6 of the EIA Report.

• Construction Phase Construction activities would result in the displacement of birds due to disturbance (e.g. visual, noise and vibration). This would result in a short term, local negative impact of low significance.

• Operational Phase During the operation of the wind farm, priority bird species could collide with the wind turbines. It is considered probable that this impact would occur. The impact of the resulting bird mortality is considered to be long term, local negative impact of low significance.

Priority bird species may also collide with the proposed power lines. The likelihood of this occurring is considered highly probable. The resulting impact is considered to have a long term negative impact of medium significance on the local priority species populations.

Movement and activity associated with the operation of the wind farm could also result in the displacement of priority bird species. In conjunction with other wind farms proposed in the Overberg, this could have a long term negative cumulative impact on the local populations; the significance of which is considered to be medium.

Habitat suitable for priority bird species would be lost within the footprint of the proposed wind farm infrastructure. This would have a negative, long term impact low significance on local populations.

• Decommissioning Phase

The decommissioning phase of the wind farm will have a similar impact to the construction phase. A specific decommissioning assessment was therefore not undertaken at this stage. A study of the avifauna impact of the decommissioning stage should be undertaken once the decommissioning date is determined

10.4.3 Mitigation Measures

In order to ensure that potential impacts identified are minimised, the following mitigation measures are proposed for the development:

• Ensuring that key areas of conservation importance and sensitivity are avoided. Turbines 10, 11, 19, 32, 34, 42, 44, 45, 46, 51, 63, 69, 71, and 72 are located in high risk areas and their relocation is recommended where feasible. • Implementing appropriate working practices to protect sensitive habitats. Habitat destruction should be limited to what is absolutely necessary for the construction of the infrastructure, including the construction of new roads;

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• Providing adequate briefing for site personnel. Personnel should be adequately briefed on the need to restrict habitat destruction, and must be restricted to the actual building sites; • Undertaking pre-construction surveys to determine the usage of the on-site dams, usage of the on-site slopes by soaring species, and flight paths over the site; • Implementing an agreed monitoring programme to establish potential and actual collision and displacement impacts on priority species. This should be designed and implemented under the guidance of a suitably qualified and experienced ornithological consultant, starting at least one year prior to the construction of the infrastructure; • Based on the results of the monitoring, a policy of adaptive management should be implemented, which could include the halting of turbines during peak flight periods, or the relocation of problem turbines; • Timing construction to avoid sensitive periods; • Implementing habitat enhancement for species using the site. [this is from the generic mitigation measures list – not sure if proposed for the wind farm?]; • Lighting the turbines with red intermittent lights; • Placing electricity cables between turbines underground; and • Marking the transmission line with Bird Flight Diverters on the earth wire.

10.4.4 Summary of Potential Impacts

Table 10.6 and Table 10.7 below provide a summary of the potential impacts with and without mitigation during construction and operation respectively.

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Table 10.6: Impact Assessment Summary for the Construction Phase

Impact description Mitigation Status Extent Duration Intensity Probability Confidence level Consequence Probability Significance Confidence

Displacement Without Negative Local Short High Highly High Low Highly Low High due to Mitigation term probable probable disturbance With Negative Local Short High Probable High Low Probable Low High during Mitigation term construction activities

Table 10.7: Impact Assessment Summary for the Operational Phase

Impact description Mitigation Status Extent Duration Intensity Probability Confidence level Consequence Probability Significance Confidence

Bird Without Negative Local Long Low Probable Medium/low Low Probable Low Medium/low collisions, of Mitigation term due to lack due to lack priority of South of South African species, with African precedents. the wind precedents. turbines With Negative Local Long Low Improbable Medium/low Low Improbable Low Medium/low Mitigation term due to lack due to lack of South of South African African precedents. precedents.

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Impact description Mitigation Status Extent Duration Intensity Probability Confidence level Consequence Probability Significance Confidence

Bird Without Negative Local Long High Probable High High Highly Medium High collisions, of Mitigation term Probable priority With Negative Local Long Medium Probable High Medium Probable Low High species, with Mitigation term (for the 33 the power kV line) lines Displacement Without Negative Local Long Medium – the Probable Low due to Medium Probable Medium due to Mitigation term cumulative lack of disturbance impact of South several wind African because of farms may precedents. movement affect the and activity capacity of Low due to associated the lack of with the wind environmental South turbines. resources African within the precedents. geographic area to respond to change and withstand further stress With Negative Local Long Medium (see Probable Low due to Medium Probable Medium Low due to Mitigation term cumulative lack of lack of impacts South South above) African African precedents. precedents. Habitat Without Negative Local Long Low Probable Low due to Low Probable Low term lack of Medium/low

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Impact description Mitigation Status Extent Duration Intensity Probability Confidence level Consequence Probability Significance Confidence change and Mitigation South due to lack loss due to African of South the footprint precedents. African precedents. of the infrastructure With Negative Local Long Low Probable Low due to Low Probable Low Medium/low Mitigation term lack of due to lack South of South African African precedents. precedents.

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10.5 Summary and Conclusions

The site is located in the Overberg Wheatbelt. Part of the Overberg Wheatbelt has been classified as an Important Bird Area. In particular, the Overberg holds the largest population of Blue Cranes in the world.

Whilst having similar habitat to the IBA, the site of the proposed wind farm is located marginally outside the formal borders of the IBA. Nevertheless, based on the habitat composition of the site, 54 priority bird species were identified as potentially occurring on the site. The majority of these are associated with aquatic habitats (dams) followed by soaring species (e.g. Blue Crane and Denham’s Bustard).

The proposed wind farm development could give rise to the following impacts on avifauna:

• Collision mortality on the wind turbines; • Collision with the proposed power line; • Displacement due to disturbance; and • Displacement caused by habitat transformation.

The assessment undertaken identified that the impacts arising during the construction and operation of the proposed wind farm would be local, negative and of low to medium significance. Various mitigation measures have been proposed to reduce these impacts. These include implementing appropriate working practices to avoid sensitive habitats, appropriate briefing of staff, marking the transmission line with Bird Flight Diverters on the earth wire, undertaking pre-construction surveys and post development monitoring and implementing a policy of adaptive management as necessary. As a result the residual impacts are all of low significance, except for the impact of movement and activity associated with the operation of the wind farm which could result in the displacement of priority bird species. In conjunction with other wind farms proposed in the Overberg, this could have a long term negative cumulative impact of medium significance on the local populations.

Caledon Wind Farm EIA January 2012 Final EIA Report 10-15 Chapter 11: Soils and Agricultural Potential

11 SOILS AND AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL

11.1 Introduction

The site is located in the Overberg Wheatbelt, north of the N2 national road along the section between Caledon and Botrivier, in the Western Cape. The proposed site has possible soil and agricultural potential. ARC-Institute for Soil, Climate and Water was contracted as an independent specialist to assess the soils occurring on the site, and aspects concerning their broad agricultural potential of the proposed site. A copy of the full agricultural report is included in Appendix L.

11.2 Methodology

The information on land type was compiled from the 1:250 000 scale land type survey of the area. Each land type comprises a unique combination of broad soil pattern, terrain type and macroclimate. All of the information contained in the land type survey has been digitised using ArcGIS. Each land type occurring in the proposed site for the wind farm was assessed in terms of the relevant features of the soils occurring in the area (depth, texture, form etc), as well as the terrain features (slope and terrain position), to determine the broad agricultural potential of the area.

11.3 Baseline Conditions

The proposed site for the construction of the wind farm is defined by characteristics of the environment. There characteristic are as follows:

• Locality; • Terrain; • Climate; and • Geology.

Figure 11.1 below shows the location of the proposed Caledon wind farm.

Caledon Wind Farm EIA January 2012 Final EIA Report 11-1 Chapter 11: Soils and Agricultural Potential

Figure 11.1: Locality map

• Terrain The area of the proposed wind farm lies at an altitude of around 200 to 350 m above sea level, and has generally undulating topography.

• Climate The climate of the area is characterised by a rainfall pattern of all-year-round rainfall, with peaks in the winter months. Temperature in the area ranges from an average daily minimum and maximum of 15.5oC and 28.6oC to 5.6oC and 17.7oC for January and July respectively.

• Geology The area consists of rocks of the Cape Supergroup, namely siltstone and mudstone of the Klipbokkop Formation, Bidouw Subgroup.

The area under investigation is covered by four land types, as shown on the map in Figure 11.2

Caledon Wind Farm EIA January 2012 Final EIA Report 11-2 Chapter 11: Soils and Agricultural Potential

Figure 11.2: Land use types.

A summary of the dominant soil characteristics of each land type is given in Table 11.1 below; the colours correspond to those used in the map above in Figure 11.2.

Table 11.1: Soil characteristics of the site % of Agric. Land Depth Dominant soils land Characteristics Potential Type (mm) type (%) Fa206 Rock - 28% - High:4.5 Mispah 10 50-250 25% Brown, sandy topsoils on hard rock Mod: 1.6 Cartref 20 50-250 21% Grey-brown, sandy topsoils on hard rock Low: 93.9 Fa207 Glenrosa 13/16/19 250-450 41% Grey-brown, sandy/loamy topsoils on High:4.6 Mispah 10 50-250 27% weathering rock Mod: 16.8 Swartland 300-500 15% Grey-brown, sandy/loamy topsoils on Low: 78.6 11/12/31/32 hard rock Brown, loamy topsoils on brown to red- brown, blocky structured clay subsoils on rock Fb106 Glenrosa 13/16 200-400 42% Grey-brown, sandy/loamy topsoils on High:1.6 Swartland 31/32 350-600 16% weathering rock Mod: 26.7 Mispah 10 50-150 14% Brown, loamy topsoils on brown, blocky Low: 71.7 structured clay subsoils on rock Grey- brown, sandy/loamy topsoils on hard rock Fb110 Glenrosa 13/16 250-450 30% Brown, loamy topsoils on weathering rock High: 4.1 Cartref 11/12 250-450 21% Grey-brown, sandy topsoils on hard rock Mod: 3.8 Mispah 10 50-150 15% Grey-brown, sandy/loamy topsoils on Low: 92.1 hard rock Ib113 Rock - 79% - High:0.0 Mispah 10 50-150 9% Grey-brown, sandy/loamy topsoils on Mod: 3.0 hard rock Low: 97.0

Very little of the area contains high potential soils, and all land types are dominated by soils with low agricultural potential. Due to the rainfall pattern in the area there is only

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potential for arable agriculture in the area during winter and is therefore more suitable for grazing. The grazing capacity of the area is moderately low, around 14-20 ha/large stock unit (ARC-ISCW, 2004).

Figure 11.3: The Google Earth image showing cultivated lands in the area.

Due to the soil characteristics, much of this cultivation shown above is forage crops for supplementary feed for livestock, rather than high-intensity arable cultivation.

11.4 Impact Assessment

The major impact on the natural resources of the study area would be the loss of potential agricultural land due to the construction of the turbines and associated infrastructure. The impact would be local. The fact that the turbines will be placed far apart would mean that cultivation, as well as grazing, would still be possible between the structures.

There are certain mitigation measures that have been proposed in order to minimize the impact of the construction of the wind farm. These mitigation measures are as follows:

• Ensure that as much as possible of the planned infrastructure be confined to transformed land, or non-arable areas; • Ensure that use is made of existing roads, servitudes etc where at all possible; and

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• Most of the infrastructure could be dismantled at a future stage to return the environment to approximately its original state.

The impact can be summarised as follows:

Table 11.2 Impact Significance Nature Loss of agricultural Land that is no longer able to be utilized of impact land due to construction of infrastructure Extent Site only Confined to areas within the site where of impact turbines (15x15m), substation (80x100m), and access roads etc will be located Duration Long-term Will cease if operation of activity ceases of impact Probability Highly probable of impact Severity Moderately severe of impact Significance Low Mainly due to low potential of area, as well of impact as scattered/random nature of infrastructure which allows for almost all agricultural activities to continue on the land Mitigation • Ensure that as much as possible of the planned infrastructure be factors confined to transformed land, or non-arable areas • Ensure that use is made of existing roads, servitudes etc where at all possible. • Most of the infrastructure could be dismantled at a future stage to return the environment to approximately its original state.

11.5 Summary and Conclusions

The site is located in the Overberg Wheatbelt, between Caledon and Botrivier, in the Western Cape. The information on land type was compiled from the 1:250 000 scale land type survey of the area. The proposed site has possible soil and agricultural potential but due to the absence of any large component of high potential soils no fatal flaws were identified. If the mitigation measures mentioned above are implemented then the effects on agriculture are not likely to be severe, and the absence of any large component of high potential soils supports this.

Caledon Wind Farm EIA January 2012 Final EIA Report 11-5 Chapter 12: Social Economic Impact Assessment

12. SOCIO-ECONOMICS

12.1 Introduction

Tony Barbour Environmental Consultants, independent social consultants, were appointed to undertake a specialist Social Impact Assessment (SIA) as part of the EIA process for the proposed development. This involved:

• Identification of components of the environment that may be affected by the activity, and the manner in which the environment may be affected by the proposed facility; • A description and assessment of the potential social issues associated with the proposed facility; and • Identification of enhancement and mitigation aimed at maximizing opportunities and avoiding and or reducing negative impacts.

This chapter is supported by the full specialist report included in Appendix M which contains further technical information on the assessment undertaken.

12.2 Methodology

The approach to the SIA is based on the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) Guidelines for Social Impact Assessment (February 2007). These guidelines are based on international best practice and have also been endorsed by the DEA.

12.2.1 Establishing Baseline Conditions

To establish the existing socio-economic conditions, a desk based assessment was undertaken which involved:

• Review of demographic data from available sources (principally the 2001 Census data1); • Review of relevant planning and policy frameworks for the area; • Site specific information collected during the site visit to the area and interviews with interested and affected parties; • Experience from SIAs undertaken for other Wind Energy Farms (WEFs); and • Literature review of social issues associated with wind energy facilities.

A site visit and interviews were also undertaken with Interested and Affected Parties during May 2011.

1 The last comprehensive national census was conducted in 2001. Census 2001 provided demographic and socio-economic data from National to Municipal Ward level. The next comprehensive national census is planned for October 2011. The 2001 data provides useful information on the demographic profile of the affected area; however it is dated and thus has been treated with care Caledon Wind Farm EIA November 2011 Draft EIA Report 12-1

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Based on the above information and professional experience with other similar projects and the area, the potential socio-economic issues associated with the development were identified.

12.2.2 Impact Assessment

Direct, indirect and cumulative impacts resulting from the development during its construction, operation and decommissioning were identified and their status recorded as either being positive, neutral or negative.

The significance of the impacts was then assessed according to the following criteria:

Where negative impacts were identified, mitigation measures were proposed where feasible.

12.3 Baseline Conditions

12.3.1 Study Area Context

The site is located within the Theewaterskloof Local Municipality (TLM) (refer to Figure 12.1) of the Western Cape Province. The TWK LM is the largest of the four constituent B-Municipalities making up the Overberg District Municipality (ODM). It covers approximately 3,246 km², and was estimated to have a population of 103,2812 in 2007 (43.5% of the ODM’s population) (Provincial Treasury, 2007).

With the exception of land uses associated with the fruit producing area around Grabouw in the extreme west, the settlement pattern is relatively sparse, essentially comprising open space, farms and smallholdings. Only approximately 1% of the municipal area is comprised of urban areas. Caledon, Botrivier, Grabouw, Villiersdorp, Greyton, Genadendal and Riviersonderend are the most significant towns in the TWK LM. Caledon constitutes the leader town in the study area, and is of

2 This figure is disputed in the TWK 2010-2011 IDP. The TWK Mayor’s own estimate for 2007 is around 135 000 people. This higher figure is based on what is perceived to be significant and continuous in-migration into the fruit- growing areas around Grabouw and Villiersdorp. Caledon Wind Farm EIA November 2011 Draft EIA Report 12-2

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regional significance as a service centre to the surrounding hinterland. Smaller settlements include Elgin, Middleton, Bereaville and Tesselaarsdal.

Figure 12.1: Towns and Wards within the Theewaterskloof Local Municipality

The TWK LM is comprised of 12 administrative wards. The proposed site essentially straddles Wards 4 and 7, but also includes small portions of Wards 5 and 6 (refer to Figure 12.1). The Ward 4 area essentially consists of rural, agricultural land located immediately to the south and west of Caledon, and includes the small settlement of Tesselaarsdal. The Ward 7 area is located west of the Ward 4 area, and is comprised of the area west of the R43. The Ward 7 area largely consists of rural, agricultural land, but also includes the small town of Botrivier.

12.3.2 Road Network and Tourism

Figure 12.2 shows the road network close to the site. The site is located to the north of N2 (less than 1.5 km at the closest point). From Riviersonderend, approximately 54 km east of Caledon, the N2 forms the world-renowned “Garden Route” scenic drive. This section of the N2 passing through the TWK LM between Botrivier and Caledon therefore functions as the primary conduit of tourism traffic between Cape Town and the Garden Route, as well as connecting the settlements of Greyton and Genadendal (popular tourist destinations), the Overstrand seaboard area and the eastern seaboard of the Agulhas Peninsula (Struisbaai, Arniston). This segment of the N2 has also been identified as a scenic drive within the 2010 Draft TWK LM Spatial Development Framework. The road however currently experiences significant HGV traffic (approximately 15% of the total traffic) and may therefore be considered a heavy vehicle route (refer to Chapter 16: Transport). Caledon Wind Farm EIA November 2011 Draft EIA Report 12-3

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WEF Site N2 R43 R406 Helderstroom rd Boontjieskraal rd

Figure 12.2: Study Area Road Network

Other key points to note in relation to the road surrounding the site include the following:

• The proposed site is located approximately 7.5 km from the scenic Houwhoek pass on the N2; • The R43 provides a direct link between the Overberg and Boland regions; • Only the R406 segment between Caledon and Greyton is currently tarred, effectively preventing tour buses from using the road as a circular tourist route; • The N2 between Caledon and Botrivier intersects with the R320 and R316 both of which are considered to be significant roads in terms of regional tourism; and • The R43 intersects with Boontjieskraaal Road and Hawston View Road (both these road serve as primary and/or secondary access routes to farms) and Helderstroom Road (this road is considered to have significant potential as a scenic route once the proposed upgrading and tarring of the road is complete).

Dedicated tourism flows to the study area are currently relatively modest but appear to be growing. Agro-tourism outdoor activities (mountain biking) and conservation (hikes) predominate in the rural study area. Other attractions include spring wildflowers, blue cranes, the Caledon Nature Reserve and Wildflower Garden, Caledon Casino and hot springs as well as the expansive, undeveloped agricultural landscapes and “scenic meanders”. Some farms also have established tourist accommodation facilities. The majority of urban Caledon’s visitor flow is associated with conferencing facilities. Botrivier forms part of the Botrivier Wine Route and gradual development of the scenic Van Der Stel Pass road is occurring (wine tasting centres, restaurants, conservation etc).

12.3.3 Land Use and Settlement Patterns

The majority of the site is located in the agricultural area known as the Overberg Rûensveld. The westernmost portion of the site is however located in the transition Caledon Wind Farm EIA November 2011 Draft EIA Report 12-4

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zone between the Rûensveld and the eastern footslopes of the Houwhoek Mountains. Land use in this area comprises mixed farming, mainly consisting of the cultivation of cereals, canola and fodder crops, and stock farming, mainly consisting of sheep.

Persons interviewed during the assessment indicated that ownership patterns are largely stable, and that commercial farming remains the primary form of land use on farms in the area. Farmsteads are typically inhabited by an owner, direct relatives or farm manager. Labourer’s housing is traditionally located in close proximity to farmsteads. The agricultural activities are not very labour intensive, and labourer tenure is therefore generally restricted to around 5 households per farming operation, or less. Additional temporary opportunities are largely linked to sheep shearing.

The largest town with the TWK LM is Caledon which is located approximately 12 km south east of the proposed site. Caledon is a working town, serving as a primary urban node, administrative seat and agricultural service centre within TWK LM. Its central location enables it to function as a vital transport and economic link between the primary and secondary agricultural sectors, nearby towns and rural settlements with the TWK LM.

The small town of Botrivier is located approximately 6.5 km south west of the site. It is located just west of the fertile Botrivier Valley where agricultural activities include dairy, viticulture, fruit and limited nut crops. The town is essentially residential with a settlement on either side of the Cape Town – Caledon railway line which transports goods only. Two relatively large informal and formal low income areas are located on the north western margin of the town.

The town has attracted relatively large numbers of economic migrants from the Eastern Cape due to its proximity to perceived employment opportunities associated with orchards and vineyards. However, business and services opportunities are limited and essentially comprise a hotel, fuel station, agricultural / hardware outlet and OK Mini-Market. Although the Botrivier wine route traverses the town, tourism facilities in the town are also limited, consisting of the hotel and one two restaurants. Many residents therefore commute as far as Hermanus and Cape Town for work, although the town is not serviced by any public transport services.

The town’s economic base is described in the 2004 Growth Potential of Towns in the Western Cape study as an “agricultural service centre”. The TWK Integrated Development Plan (2010 / 2011) has identified Botrivier for the establishment of a light industrial node in the TWK municipal area.

12.3.4 Population

According to Census data, the total population of Botrivier was 4,052, and that of Caledon 10,647 in 2001, as detailed in Table 12.1.

Table 12.1: Population for Botrivier and Caledon Botrivier Caledon Population Group Number % Number % Black African 564 14 648 6 Coloured 3,202 79 7,204 68

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Indian or Asian 9 <1 33 <1 White 277 7 2,762 26 Total 4,052 100 10,647 100 Source: Census 2001

It should be noted that the interviews undertaken during the assessment indicated that the number of Black Africans living in Botrivier is likely to have increased significantly since 2001 due to in-migration from the Eastern Cape as previously discussed.

12.3.5 Education Levels

As detailed in Table 12.2, the Census data revealed that the population of Botrivier and Caledon aged 15 and older that was functionally illiterate/ innumerate in 2001 was 23.3 % and 18.4 % respectively. Due to the strong correlation between education and skills level, it is assumed that a significant proportion of the working age population in the vicinity of the site have skills suitable for elementary jobs.

Table 12.2: Botrivier and Caledon education levels (population 15 years and older)

Description Botrivier % Caledon % No schooling 4.8 3.6 Some primary 18.5 14.8 [% functional illiteracy/ innumeracy]3 [23.3%] [18.4%] Complete primary 12 8.3 Some secondary 43.2 42.3 Std 10/Grade 12 16 23.2 Higher 5.5 7.8 Source: Census 2001

12.3.6 Employment

The Census confirmed that in 2001, 50 % and 52.5 % of the Botrivier and Caledon populations respectively were employed (refer to Table 12.3). Unemployment levels were 17.5 % and 10 % respectively. The present unemployment levels are likely to be higher as a result of rationalisation in the provincial agricultural sector during the past decade and in light of the current global economic downturn. The TWK Integrated Development Plan estimated that 21 %, 14 % and 2 % of the TWK Black African, Coloured and White groups respectively were unemployed in 2007.

3 In the South African context, having obtained a primary qualification (i.e. having successfully passed Grade 7) is generally held as the absolute minimum requirement for functional literacy/ numeracy. The National Department of Education’s ABET (Adult Basic Education and Training) programme provides education and training up to the equivalent of Grade 9. In this more onerous definition, Grade 9 is required as the minimum qualification for having obtained a basic education (www.abet.co.za). Caledon Wind Farm EIA November 2011 Draft EIA Report 12-6

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Table 12.3: Botrivier and Caledon Employment Levels (15 – 64 year age group)

Description Botrivier % Caledon % Employed4 50 52.5 Unemployed 17.5 10 Not Economically Active5 32.5 37.5 Source: Census 2001

Table 12.4 provides an overview of the proportional employment per economic sector for Botrivier and Caledon according to the Census data. Employment in the primary agricultural sector was the most significant for Botrivier (27.4 %), followed by wholesale and retail trade (26.3 %). Together, more than 50% of all household heads were employed in either of the two sectors, which is closely related to Botrivier’s rural setting. Caledon’s function as seat of the TWK LM is reflected by the primacy of employment in service-related activities (31.3 %) followed by wholesale and retail trade (20.9 %).

Table 12.4: Sectoral Contribution to Employment Description Botrivier % Caledon % Agriculture, hunting, 27.4 6.8 forestry and fishing Mining and quarrying 0.3 0.2 Manufacturing 14.9 7.3 Electricity, gas and water supply 0.8 1.7 Construction 8 10.2 Wholesale and retail trade 26.3 20.9 Transport. Storage and communication 2.6 3.6 Fin., real estate and bus. Services 2.9 9 Community, social and personal services 14.8 31.3 Other and not adequately defined - - Private households6 2.1 9.1 Source: Derived from Census 2001

12.3.7 Household Income

Census data indicated that in 2001, 45.9 % of the Botrivier households and 34.9 % of Caledon households earned less than the R1,600 per month minimum subsistence level (refer to Table 12.5).

4 Census 2001 official definition of an unemployed person: “A person between the ages of 15 and 65 with responses as follows: ‘No, did not have work’; ‘Could not find work’; ‘Have taken active steps to find employment’; ‘Could start within one week, if offered work’.” (www.statssa.gov.za).

5 The term “not economically active“ refers to people of working age not actively participating in the economy, such as early retirees, students, the disabled and home-makers.

6 This category mainly comprises domestic workers and gardeners. Caledon Wind Farm EIA November 2011 Draft EIA Report 12-7

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Table 12.5: Household Income (by head of household) Income per month Botrivier % Caledon % No formal income 10.4 7.8 R 1 – R 400 1.9 2.8 R 401 – R 800 14.2 9.9 R 801 - R 1 600 19.4 14.4 [% households below minimum subsistence level] [45.9] [34.9] R1 601 - R 3 200 25.9 21.9 R 3 201 – R 6 400 18.3 20.6 R 6 401 – R 12 800 7.5 14.6 R 12 801 – R 25 600 1.6 6 R 25 601 and higher 0.8 2 Source: Census 2001

12.3.8 Affected Farms

A summary of ownership, land use, associated employment and tenure for the properties making up the site is provided in Table 12.6 below.

Table 12.6: Overview of Properties Constituting the Caledon WEF Site Landowner Property Land uses Owner(s) Dedicated Labour/ resident associated tenure G le Roux De • Cultivation of Yes 3 permanent Pty Ltd Vleytjies wheat and fodder labourers. Farm crops on 550 ha arable land; 3 Families tenured. • Sheep (approximately 1,200 ewes). JS Maree Witkop • Cultivation of Yes (two 1 permanent labourer Trust Farm cereals and fodder farmsteads) associated with crops; farming operation. • Sheep (approximately 1 Family tenured on 1,200-1,500 ewes). Hawson View.

Klipfontein Klipfontein • Cultivation of No, but 8 permanent labourers Trust Farm cereals, canola resides on associated with and fodder crops adjacent De farming operation on 1,400 ha arable Vlei (not part (which also includes land; of the site). De Vlei which does • Sheep not form part of the (approximately Klipfontein site). All relevant 3,000 ewes). farmstead families tenured on inhabited by farm. farm manager. 30 permanent opportunities associated with farm stall complex.

Most of the operations in the area use a private company for security, principally in relation to sheep theft.

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12.4 Policy and Planning Review

The following planning policy documents were assessed as part of the assessment:

• The National White Paper on Renewable Energy; • Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for the Western Cape (2008); • White Paper on Sustainable Energy for the Western Cape; • Western Cape Regional Methodology for Wind Energy Site Selection (2006); • Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Plan (PSDF) (2009); • Guideline for the Management of Development on Mountains, Hills and Ridges in the Western Cape (2003); • Theewaterskloof Municipality Integrated Development Plan (2010 – 2011); • Theewaterskloof Municipality Draft Spatial Development Framework (SDF) (September 2010); • Theewaterskloof Municipality Wind Energy Regional Assessment (March 2010); and • Tourism Development in Theewaterskloof: A Strategic Plan (2010).

In addition, various international studies on wind farms were reviewed.

The proposals were compared with the findings of this policy review and assessed in terms of:

• South Africa’s policy with regards to renewable energy; • Site related aspects within the context of the principles contained within the Western Cape PSDF, Regional Methodology for Wind Energy Site Selection and Guidelines for development on Mountains, Hills and Ridges as well as the spatial framework provided by the Theewaterskloof Wind Energy Regional Assessment; and • The TWK LM local policy and planning context.

The conclusions are summarised below with full details provided in Appendix M.

12.4.1 International Experience with Wind Farms

Key social issues associated with wind farms based on international experience were obtained from the following three documents:

• National Wind Farm Development Guidelines produced by the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) of Australia (Draft, July, 2010); • research on wind energy development in Scotland undertaken by Warren and Birnie in 2009 (Warren, Charles R. and Birnie, Richard V.(2009) 'Re-powering Scotland: Wind Farms and the 'Energy or Environment?' Debate'); and • Review of the potential health impacts associated with wind farms undertaken by the Australian Health and Medical Research Council (July, 2010).

Amongst the three documents considered, international comments on the following aspects addressed:

• Noise Impacts; • Landscape Impacts;

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• Electromagnetic Interference Impacts; • Shadow Flicker; • Blade Glint; • Tourism Impacts; • Public Perceptions; and • Health Impacts.

12.4.2 Energy Policy

The development of renewable energy in South Africa is supported at both national and provincial (Western Cape) levels; the following targets having been set:

• National White Paper on Renewable Energy (2003): 10,000 Gwh renewable energy contribution by 2013; • White Paper on Sustainable Energy for the Western Cape (2008): 15 % of energy consumption - against 2006 values - from renewable sources by 2014; • White Paper on Sustainable Energy for the Western Cape (2008): 10 % reduction in emissions - against 2000 values - by 2014; and • Provincial Spatial Development Framework (2009): 25 % renewable energy contribution by 2020.

The proposed development is proposed to provide 243 MW of wind generated energy to the national grid and would therefore make a contribution to achieving the station national and provincial energy principles and targets.

12.4.3 Site Related Aspects

Using the principles set out in the provincial key provincial documents, the TWK Wind Energy Regional Assessment provides spatial guidance for the siting of wind energy farms within the TWK LM area. The Regional Assessment is currently being incorporated into the TWK SDF.

According to the Regional Assessment, a portion of the site would occur within an area identified as “highly restricted”. The infrastructure proposed in these areas includes the bulk of the Phase 1 turbines, a number of the Phase 2 turbines and small portion of the 33 kV line. These turbine locations are essentially along the crest line of the ridge located on either side of the R43.

The remainder of the site is located in an area identified as “restricted”. Most of this area falls within the buffer zone of roads identified as scenic routes.

It is however noted that the TWK Regional Assessment was carried out at a relatively coarse resolution. Mitigation in the form of micro-siting of the turbines and infrastructure may therefore be possible for some of the turbine locations.

12.4.4 Local Level Development

The local planning and policy documents reviewed confirm the following:

• Unemployment and poverty levels are high within the TWK, whilst education and skills levels are very low; • The importance of preserving the visual integrity of the TWK’s major tourism corridors (N2 and R43) and designated scenic drives (Houwhoek Pass and R406); Caledon Wind Farm EIA November 2011 Draft EIA Report 12-10

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• Tourism is identified as a growth sector; and • Renewable energy generation and demand management initiatives are supported within TWK in an effort to seek carbon neutrality in the future.

In line with the above objectives, the development proposes the generation of renewable energy. Although the development will not contribute significantly to local employment and skills-training opportunities (refer to the Impact Assessment section below), it will however generate capital inflows (in the form of accommodation, catering, transport and retail) into towns such as Caledon and Botrivier during the construction phase. The visual impacts of the development are assessed within Chapter 15: Visual Impact Assessment.

12.5 Impact Assessment

The impact assessment considered the socio-economics impacts of the development during its construction, operation and decommissioning.

12.5.1 Construction Phase

In order to assess the construction impacts, the following assumptions have been made:

• It is anticipated that Phase 1 of the development would take approximately 12 months to complete. Phases 2 and 3 would take a further 36 – 48 months; • The estimated construction costs for the development have been assumed to be in the region of R8 billion; • The construction works will be undertaken by appointed independent contractors; • Approximately 74 direct construction employment opportunities will be created during the construction period (48 – 60 months). It is likely that these would comprise 10 special skills positions (mainly turbine construction), 12 skilled positions engineers, technicians, management and supervisory), 10 semi-skilled positions (drivers, equipment operators) and 42 low skilled positions (general construction labourers, security staff etc.); • Contractors typically make use of their own skilled and semi-skilled staff; • Direct employment opportunities to members of local communities are therefore likely to be limited to low skilled opportunities; • The total wage bill associated with the construction phase is estimated at R54 million; • Turbine components would require transport as abnormal loads; • Only skilled staff (engineers) would be accommodated on-site in four residential facilities; • Semi-skilled and low skilled workers (at least 52) will be transported to and from the site on a daily basis; and • Overnight on-site worker presence will be limited to security staff.

Creation of Local Employment, Training and Business Opportunities

The majority of employment opportunities are likely to be associated with the appointed contractors who are likely to come from Cape Town and other areas outside TWK. Contractors typically make use of their own skilled and semi-skilled staff and thus the jobs available to the local communities are likely to be the 42 low Caledon Wind Farm EIA November 2011 Draft EIA Report 12-11

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skilled positions. The majority of these jobs are likely to benefit Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI). Increased benefits could arise should TWK-based contractors be appointed, however the local capacity is unknown. In the absence of specific commitments from the development and contractor at this stage of the development, it is assumed that limited skills development and training for local community members will be provided.

The construction of the development will also give rise to business opportunities for the local economy in particular the service industry, regional and local transport sectors, after hours site security and catering for on-site personnel. In addition, a number of the highly skilled / managerial workers may reside in the vicinity of the site which will create opportunities for local hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, guest farms and landlords. The retail sector will also benefit from local spending by the employees, consultants and product representatives visiting the site.

It is therefore concluded that the local employment, training and business opportunities created by the development would give have a short term positive impact of low significance.

Table 12.7: Assessment of Local Employment, Training and Business Opportunities Without Mitigation With Enhancement Nature Positive Positive Extent Local – Regional (2) Local – Regional (3) (Rated as 2 due to potential (Rated as 3 due to opportunities for local potential communities and businesses) opportunities for local communities and businesses) Duration Short term (2) Short term (2) Magnitude Low (4) Moderate (6) Probability Probable (3) Probable (3) Significance Low (24) Medium (33) Reversibility N/A N/A Irreplaceable loss of resources? N/A N/A Can impact be enhanced? Yes Mitigation: See below Cumulative impacts: Opportunity to up-grade and improve skills levels in the area. However, due to relatively small number of local employment opportunities and limited skills range, this benefit is likely to be limited. Residual impacts: Improved pool of skills and experience in the local area. However, due to relatively small number of local employment and skills-transfer opportunities this benefit is likely to be limited.

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Impact of Construction Workers on Local Communities

It has been estimated that approximately 42 low skilled jobs would be available for the local communities. This could increase to include the estimated 10 semi-skilled jobs should TWK contractors be used.

The presence of construction workers poses a potential risk to local family structures and social networks due to potentially risky behaviour of male construction workers, including:

• An increase in alcohol and drug use; • An increase in crime levels; • The loss of girlfriends and or wives to construction workers; • An increase in teenage and unwanted pregnancies; • An increase in prostitution; and • An increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

The use of local community members and appointment of local contractors would mitigate these potential risks. Furthermore, only skilled engineering staff would be accommodated on the site in the main laydown area. This area would provide sleeping, eating and ablution facilities for the staff (both resident and non-resident). All other construction workers would be transported to and from site on a daily basis from towns such as Caledon and Botrivier. Exposure to farm worker communities would thus be minimal whilst the communities of Caledon and Botrivier are sufficiently large enough to comfortably absorb the small number of potential outside workers. Given the proximity of Cape Town, outside workers would also be able to return home over weekends and holidays. It is therefore concluded that the potential impact on the local community as a whole would be of low negative significance, although specific individuals could experience a moderate – high negative impact should they be affected by STDs etc.

Table 12.8: Assessment of potential impacts of construction workers on local communities Without Mitigation With Mitigation Nature Negative Negative Extent Local (2) Local (1) (Rated as 2 due to potential severity of (Rated as 1 due to potential impact on local communities) severity of impact on local communities) Duration Short term for community as a whole Short term for community as (1) a whole (1) Long term-permanent for individuals Long term-permanent for who may be affected by STDs etc (5) individuals who may be affected by STDs etc (5) Magnitude Low for the community as a whole (4) Low for community as a whole High -Very High for specific individuals (4) who may be affected by STDs etc (10) High-Very High for specific individuals who may be affected by STDs etc (10) Probability Probable (3) Probable (3) Significance Low for the community as a whole (21) Low for the community as a Moderate-High for specific individuals whole (18) who may be affected by STDs etc (51) Moderate-High for specific individuals who may be

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affected by STDs etc (48) Reversibility No in case of HIV No in case of HIV Irreplaceable Yes, if people contract HIV/AIDS. loss of resources? Can impact be Yes, to some degree. However, the risk cannot be eliminated mitigated? Mitigation: See below Cumulative impacts: Impacts on family and community relations that may, in some cases, persist for a long period of time. Where unplanned / unwanted pregnancies occur, or members of the community are infected by an STD, specifically HIV, the impacts may be permanent and have long term to permanent cumulative impacts on the affected individuals and/or their families and the community. Residual impacts: See cumulative impacts.

Increased risk to stock, crops, pasture, game and farming infrastructure

The movement of construction workers on and off site pose a potential risk to existing farming operations and associated employment opportunities in the following ways:

• Damaging fences and gates; • Stock losses from gates being left open / damaged fences; and • Veld fires.

The potential impacts would however be minimised through the following measures:

• The main laydown area would cater for the daily needs of the staff and thus reduce the risk to farming operations from the presence of construction workers on the site; • The indigenous fynbos occurring on the site is fire prone and thus mitigation measures should be adopted to minimise the risk of destructive fires; • The landowners reside and work on their properties and thus can regularly monitor activities and liaise with the contractor accordingly; • It assumed that agreements have been reached between the landowners and applicant regarding work agreements and compensation; • Given that none of the farms stock game and that only a small number of workers will be housed on the site, the risk of poaching is considered limited; and • Stock theft of sheep is currently low in the area and not an issue of concern.

Consequently it is considered that the construction of the development, without mitigation, poses at worst a negative impact of medium significance on existing farming operations.

Table 12.9: Assessment of Potential Risks to Stock, Crops, Grazing, Game and Infrastructure Without Mitigation With Mitigation Nature Negative Negative Extent Local (3) Local (2) (Rated as 3 due to potential severity of impact on local farmers) Duration Short term (2) Short term (2)

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Magnitude Moderate (6) Low (4) (Due to reliance on agriculture and livestock for maintaining livelihoods) Probability Probable (3) Probable (3) Significance Medium (33) Low (24) Reversibility Yes, compensation paid for stock losses Yes, compensation etc paid for stock losses etc Irreplaceable loss of No No resources? Can impact be Yes mitigated?

Mitigation: See below

Cumulative impacts: None, provided that losses are adequately compensated for. Residual impacts: See cumulative impacts.

Assessment of No-Go option There is no impact as the current status quo is maintained. Potential negative impacts on commercial cropping and stock farming operations and associated employment opportunities would be avoided.

Impact on Roads

The impact on the transport network is assessed in the Transport Impact Assessment (TIA) included in Chapter 16. In line with the TIA, the potential negative impacts on farming operations and other livelihoods due to potential damage to the road surfaces (and consequent higher maintenance costs for road users), tourism flows, property access and road safety associated with the movement of construction related traffic to and from the site is assessed as being of low significance.

Table 12.10: Assessment of impacts on Local Roads Without Mitigation With Mitigation Nature Negative Negative Extent Local (3) Local (2) (Rated as 3 due to potential severity of impact on local farmers) Duration Short term (2) Short term (2) Magnitude Low (4) Minor (2) Probability Probable (3) Probable (3) Significance Low (27) Low (18) Reversibility Yes Irreplaceable loss of No No resources? Can impact be Yes mitigated? Mitigation: See below Cumulative impacts: If damage to roads is not repaired then this will impact on the farming activities in the area and also result in higher maintenance costs for vehicles of local farmers and other road users. The costs will be borne by road users who were not

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responsible for the damage. Residual impacts: See cumulative impacts

Assessment of No-Go option There would be no impact as the current status quo is maintained. Potential negative impacts on local roads and road use would be avoided.

Damage to Farm Land

The proposed infrastructure will be located in areas which essentially constitute steep slopes and lower potential soils. Relatively small areas of pasture and arable land may be affected, but due to the farms being spatially extensive, the impacts on overall productivity would be minimal to insignificant. Furthermore, the resident landowners would be able to monitor construction activities and input regarding appropriate areas for movement and storage of equipment and components. The potential negative impact of a loss of farm land and associated livelihoods is therefore considered to be of low significance.

Table 12.11: Assessment of Impact on Farmland due to Construction Related Activities Without Mitigation With Mitigation Nature Negative Negative Extent Local (2) Local (1) Duration Long term-permanent if disturbed Short term if damaged areas are not rehabilitated (5) areas are rehabilitated (1) Magnitude Low (4) Minor (2) Probability Highly Probable (4) Highly Probable (4) Significance Medium (44) Low (16) Reversibility Yes, but long period required Yes, but long period required Irreplaceable loss No. Affected land can be restored, provided appropriate of resources? rehabilitation is implemented. Can impact be Yes, provided efficient site rehabilitation is carried out, and the mitigated? movement of heavy loads on the site are strictly limited to designated on-site roads and construction areas. . Mitigation: See below Cumulative impacts: The impacts would occur on land not currently affected by similar impacts. No additional impacts to the Caledon development are currently proposed on the relevant properties. No cumulative impacts are therefore associated with the development. Residual impacts: Potential localised deep soil compaction resulting from the movement of abnormally heavy equipment and components.

Assessment of No-Go option There would be no impact as the current status quo is maintained. Potential negative impacts on local soils and vegetation would be avoided.

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12.5.2 Operational Phase

The following assumptions have been used in the assessment of the operational development:

• The annual operating budget for the full development would be approximately R3,500,000.00 per annum (Depending on the exchange rate at the time); • 10 – 12 permanent staff would be employed by the operational development. This would comprise 3-4 skilled operational staff, 4-9 semi-skilled to skilled support, maintenance and admin staff, and 3 low skilled security and grounds permanent positions; • The wind farm would be remotely operated on a 24/7 basis from an office in Caledon. The 3 security staff would be employed on the site whilst the remaining staff would be based in Caledon, only travelling to the site to undertaken scheduled maintenance and repairs; • From previous experience on similar projects it is assumed that the total annual wages for the staff would be in the region of R 2.5 million per year at current value would be typical; • Given the requirement of specialized skills and that the wind energy sector in South Africa is relatively new, it may be necessary to import the required operation and maintenance skills from other parts of South Africa or overseas; and • The remaining areas of the site not occupied by the wind farm infrastructure will continue to be used for agricultural purposes.

Creation of Employment and Business Opportunities

The total number of employment opportunities created during the operational phase is small, namely 10 - 12. Given the requirement for specialized skills and the newness of the wind energy sector in South Africa, some operational and maintenance skills may be needed from other parts of South Africa or overseas. The implementation of a skills development and training programme could increase the number of local employment opportunities. In addition, the local hospitality industry is likely to benefit from site visits by company staff and other professionals (engineers, technicians etc).

The TWK LM has also made it a requirement for all potential WEF operators who are granted to license to establish and operate a WEF in the TWK LM to become members of and contribute to a Community Trust. The Caledon Wind Farm is one of the founding members of the Trust. In terms of the structure of the Trust 20% of the dividends from the WEFs will be allocated to projects in the area that have been identified in the TWK IDP (Integrated Development Plan). Of this total 50% of the revenue will be allocated to infrastructure projects and the remaining 50% to social projects and initiatives, such as skills development and training. The number of jobs will be linked to the contribution to the trust from the Caledon Wind Farm and the type of projects that are funded. In this regard the TWK has indicated that for every R1m spend on infrastructure development approximately 5-10 permanent and 30 – 35 temporary jobs can be created.

However, the TWK has acknowledged that the number of employment opportunities associated with the Trust is difficult to ascertain, for a number of reasons. The two most crucial factors that will play a role in this sector are the following:

• Most of the projects identified by the community are the competency of the Provincial and National Government, with their own budgets and budget priorities;

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• The income generated for the Community Trust during the first few years will be limited. The Trust cannot therefore be expected to address all the issues at once.

By stating these two factors, it is envisage that the Community Trust, other than helping address the critical infrastructure backlog and providing job opportunities, will in the first years have to build partnerships with the Provincial and National Departments to align the different budgets and to make sure that that each of the projects that they are involved in will be sustainable in terms of completion built programs and that adequate funding will be available for the staff component by the other (non-local) spheres of government. For example, the Community Trust may contribute to the extension of a particular school or hospital, but the provincial department or school governing body may not have the required resources to fund additional staff. These are issues that the TWK is aware off and is taking the necessary steps to address.

In the medium to the long term the establishment of WEFs in the TWK and the associated Community Trust is seen by the TWK as a key mechanism for contributing towards the current budget shortfall that the LM faces (between R 60 and R 72 million per annum). This contribution will in turn assist the TWK LM to address the existing infrastructure backlog and costs associated with meeting existing infrastructure maintenance costs. As indicated above, this is identified in the LEDS as one of the key challenges facing the future economic development of the TWK LM. The proposed CaledonWind WEF will not address the high unemployment levels in the TWK LM. However, through the contribution to the Community Trust, the WEF will contribute to addressing the current high unemployment rates via contribution funds to infrastructure projects and addressing backlogs, and also contribution to skills development and training programmes.

In addition the LEDS recommends the establishment of a green campus that offers courses linked to sustainable practices and building. Linked to this the TWK LM has initiated contacts with the Universities of Cape Town and Stellenbosch, to look at skills development and transfer programmes linked to the establishment of WEFs and green industries in the TWK LM.

The local hospitality industry is also likely to benefit from the operational phase. These benefits are associated with site visits by company staff members and other professionals (engineers, technicians etc) who are involved in the company and the project but who are not linked to the day-to-day operations.

Research undertaken by Warren and Birnie (2009) also highlights the importance of addressing community benefits in the development and implementation of WEFs. The findings of the research found that wind farms in Europe became more socially acceptable when local communities were directly involved in, and benefited from the developments. In Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, where wind farms have typically been funded and controlled by local cooperatives, there has been widespread support for wind power. However, in Britain where the favored development approach has been the private developer/public subsidy model, many proposals have faced stiff local opposition. This is an issue that should be addressed in the South African context.

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Table 12.12: Impact Assessment of Employment and Business Creation Opportunities Without Mitigation With Enhancement Nature Positive Positive Extent Local (1) Local and regional (4) Duration Long term (4) Long term (4) Magnitude Minor (2) High (8) Probability Probable (3) Highly Probable (4) Significance Low (21) High (64)7 Reversibility N/A Irreplaceable loss of resources? No Can impact be enhanced? Yes Enhancement: See below Cumulative impacts: Creation of permanent employment and skills and development opportunities for members from the local community and creation of additional business and economic opportunities in the area Residual impacts: See cumulative impacts

Assessment of No-Go option There is no impact, as the current status quo will be maintained. The potential employment and economic benefits associated with the proposed WEF would however be forgone. The potential opportunity costs in terms of local capital expenditure, employment, skills development and opportunities for local business are therefore regarded as a negative.

Development of Infrastructure for the Generation of Clean, Renewable Energy

The development would assist in reducing South Africa’s reliance on coal-powered energy to meet its energy needs. However, the overall contribution of the proposed development to South Africa’s total energy requirements would be small (243 MW). Table 12.13: Implementation of Clean, Renewable Energy Infrastructure Without Mitigation With Mitigation Nature Positive Positive Extent Local, Regional and National (4) Local, Regional and National (4) Duration Long term (4) Long term (4) Magnitude Low (4) Low (4) Probability Highly Probable (4) Highly Probable (4) Significance Medium (48) Medium (48) Reversibility Yes Irreplaceable Yes, impact of climate change on

7 This rating is linked to the establishment of the Community Trust and the funds generated from wind farms being used address infrastructure backlogs and promote economic development in the TWK LM. Based on interviews with representatives from the TWK LM the commitment to meeting this objectives is regarded a high, hence the allocation of a High Probability. Caledon Wind Farm EIA November 2011 Draft EIA Report 12-19

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loss of ecosystems resources? Can impact be Yes mitigated? Enhancement: See below Cumulative impacts: Potential contribution to establishing an economically viable commercial renewables generation sector in the Western Cape and South Africa. Residual impacts: See cumulative impacts

Assessment of No-Go option The No-Development option would represent a lost opportunity for South Africa to supplement its current energy needs with clean, renewable energy. This would represent a negative opportunity cost. However, as the WEF proposal is one of a relatively large number of WEF/ SEF applications in the Western Cape, the development of the Caledon WEF as such is not a prerequisite for achieving national, provincial or even local level renewables development objectives.

Tourism

As noted previously, tourism has been identified as a key economic development sector within the TWK. Established attractions include spring wildflowers, blue cranes, expansive, undeveloped agricultural landscapes, the Caledon Nature Reserve and wildflower garden (located on the Klein Swartberg north of the N2), Genadendal, Greyton and the Caledon Casino and hot springs. Other attractions include “scenic meanders” (which forms part of Caledon Tourism Association’s marketing strategy), agro-tourism, outdoor activities (mountain biking) and conservation (hikes). The introduction of the wind turbines in an otherwise agricultural landscape would impact on the areas current rural-agricultural sense of place and landscape character and consequently have the potential to impact upon the areas current tourism appeal and marketing strategy. The visual impact is assessed in the Visual Impact Assessment included in Chapter 15.

On the other hand, the establishment of renewable energy infrastructure within TWK may benefit public perception of the area as committed to clean, eco-friendly energy. Whilst research undertaken in Scotland indicates that there appears to be no clear evidence that tourists would be put off by the presence of wind farms in a tourism area, the proximity of the proposed turbines to the N2 and R43 and, in particular, the siting of the Phase 1 turbines on the visually prominent and sensitive ridgeline, is of concern.

Table 12.14: Potential Impacts on Tourism Without Mitigation With Mitigation Nature Negative Negative Extent Local and Regional (4) Local and Regional (3) Duration Long term (4) Long term (4) Magnitude Moderate (6) Moderate (6) Probability Highly Probable (4) Highly Probable (4)

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Significance8 Medium (56) Medium (52) Status Negative Negative Reversibility Yes, turbines can be removed Irreplaceable No, wind turbines can be removed loss of resources? Can impact be Yes, selective sighting to wind turbine to avoid prominent ridgelines mitigated? Enhancement: See below Cumulative impacts: The proposed WEF is one of a number of WEFs proposed in the TWK area. While it should be noted that all proposals are currently at an application stage, the approval of a number of applications may potentially lead to an association of the relevant area(s) with the WEF’s. This would impact on the areas agricultural sense of place and landscape character. Residual impacts: See cumulative impacts

Assessment of No-Go option No-Development option would avoid the risk of compromising the landscape amenity in a recognised scenic area located in proximity to a major tourism route.

Visual Impact and Impact on Sense of Place and Landscape

As well as having a visual impact, a wind farm may also impact upon community values and perceptions of landscape which may include associations, memories, knowledge and experiences or other cultural or natural values. The sense of place in the vicinity of the site is of a landscape extensively used for commercial cropping farming activities, one often associated with “rolling wheat fields”. Receptors will include residents on local farms as well as traffic on the N2 and segments of a number of designated scenic routes. The assessment of the visual impact is provided in Chapter 15 and is therefore not repeated in this chapter.

Health Impacts

The potential health impacts typically associated with wind farms include noise, shadow flicker and electromagnetic radiation. The findings of a literature review undertaken by the Australian Health and Medical Research Council published in 2010 indicate that there is no evidence of wind farms posing a threat to human health. The research also found that wind energy is associated with fewer health effects than other forms of traditional energy generation, and may therefore in fact result in the minimisation of adverse health impacts for the population as a whole (WHO, 2004). Based on these findings it is assumed that the potential health risks posed by the proposed development are of low significance. This conclusion is reinforced by the relatively small number of turbines proposed on the site.

The noise impact of the proposed development is assessed in Chapter 14 and therefore not repeated in this Chapter.

8 The proposed WEF does have the potential to impact negatively on existing tourist related facilities located in the vicinity of the site. The establishment of WEFs also has the potential to impact negatively on the TWK’s country meander tourism strategy. However, this impact is likely to be confined to those sections of the route from which the proposed WEF is visible and not the entire TWK region. Caledon Wind Farm EIA November 2011 Draft EIA Report 12-21

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12.5.3 Decommissioning Phase

The decommissioning phase of the wind farm will have a similar impact to the construction phase. A specific decommissioning assessment was therefore not undertaken at this stage. A study of the social impact of the decommissioning stage should be undertaken once the decommissioning date is determined.

12.6 Mitigation Measures

In order to mitigate or enhance the impacts identified above, the following mitigation measures are proposed.

12.6.1 Construction Employment

• Where reasonable and practical, the Applicant should seek to appoint TWK-based contractors; • Where reasonable and practical, the Applicant should make it a requirement for contractors to implement a ‘locals first’ policy, especially for semi and low-skilled job categories; • Prior to commencement of the construction phase, the Applicant should meet with representatives from the TWK Local Municipality to establish the existence of skills and unemployment databases for the relevant municipal areas. If such databases exists, they should be made available to the appointed contractors; • The local authorities, community representatives and organisations on the interested and affected party database should be informed by the Environmental Consultants or the Applicant of the final decision regarding the project and the potential job opportunities for locals and the employment procedures which the Applicant intends to implement during the construction phase; • Where feasible, training and skills development programmes for locals should be initiated prior to the initiation of the construction phase.

12.6.2 Business Opportunities during Construction

• The Applicant should develop a database of local companies, specifically companies that qualify as Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) companies, which qualify as potential service providers (e.g. construction companies, catering companies, waste collection companies, security companies etc.) prior to the commencement of the tender process for construction contractors. These companies should be notified of the tender process and invited to bid for project- related work; • Where possible, the Applicant should assist local HD companies to complete and submit the required tender forms and associated information; • The TWK Local Municipality, in conjunction with representatives from the local hospitality and retail industries, should identify strategies aimed at maximising the potential benefits associated with the project.

It should be noted that while preference to local employees and companies is recommended, it is recognised that a competitive tender process may not guarantee the employment of local labour for the construction phase.

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12.6.3 Risks Associated with Construction Workers

The measures to mitigate the risks identified associated with construction workers should be outlined in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the Construction Phase. Aspects that should be covered include:

• Where possible, the Applicant should make it a requirement for contractors to implement a ‘locals first’ policy for construction jobs, specifically for semi and low- skilled job categories; • The Applicant should consider the establishment of a Monitoring Forum in order to monitor the construction phase and the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures. The Monitoring Forum should be established before the construction phase commences, and should include key stakeholders, including representatives from local communities, local TWK councillors, farmers and the contractor(s). The Monitoring Forum should also be briefed on the potential risks to the local community associated with construction workers; • The Applicant and the contractor(s) should, in consultation with representatives from the Monitoring Forum, develop a code of conduct for the construction phase. The code should identify which types of behaviour and activities are not acceptable. Construction workers in breach of the code should be dismissed. All dismissals must comply with the South African labour legislation; • The Applicant and the contractor should implement an HIV/AIDS awareness programme for all construction workers at the outset of the construction phase; • The movement of construction workers on and off the site should be closely managed and monitored by the contractors. In this regard the contractors should be responsible for making the necessary arrangements for transporting workers to and from site over weekends or after hours; • The contractors should make the necessary arrangements for allowing workers from outside the area to return home over weekends and/ or on a regular basis. This would reduce the risk posed to local family structures and social networks.

12.6.4 Risks to Farming Practices during Construction

Mitigation measures which may be considered in order to address potential risks to livestock, crops and farm infrastructure should be detailed in the EMP and include the following:

• The Applicant should consider the need to establish a Monitoring Forum (see above). The Monitoring Forum should include local farmers, and develop a Code of Conduct for construction workers. This committee should be established prior to commencement of the construction phase. The Code of Conduct should be signed by the Applicant and all relevant contractors prior to the commencement of any on-site construction activities; • The Applicant should hold contractors liable for compensating farmers and communities in full for any stock losses and/or damage to farm infrastructure that can be linked to construction workers. This should be contained in the Code of Conduct, to be signed between the Applicant, the contractors and neighbouring landowners. The agreement should also cover loses and costs associated with fires caused by construction workers or construction related activities (see below); • A designated Control Officer should be appointed to monitor the conduct of staff. Affected landowners should have ongoing access to this Officer; • The EMP must outline procedures for managing and storing waste (including arrangements for plastic waste etc) on site;

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• Contractors must ensure that all workers are informed of the conditions contained on the Code of Conduct at the outset of the construction phase. The consequences of stock theft, poaching and trespassing on adjacent farms should be emphasised; • Contractors must ensure that workers who are found guilty of stealing livestock, poaching and/or damaging farm infrastructure are dismissed and formally charged. This should be contained in the Code of Conduct. All dismissals must be in accordance with South African labour legislation; • The contractor must ensure that open fires on the site for cooking or heating are not allowed except in designated areas; • The contractor must ensure that construction related activities that pose a potential fire risk, such as welding, are properly managed and are confined to areas where the risk of fires has been reduced. Measures to reduce the risk of fires include clearing working areas and avoiding working in high wind conditions when the risk of fires is greater. In this regard special care should be taken during the high risk dry, windy summer months; • The contractor must provide adequate fire fighting equipment on-site; • The contractor must provide fire-fighting training to selected construction staff. This must take place before construction activities commence; • As per the conditions of the Code of Conduct, in the advent of a fire being caused by construction workers and or construction activities, the appointed contractors must compensate farmers for any damage caused to their farms. The contractor should also compensate the fire fighting costs borne by farmers and local authorities; and • The Applicant should enter into legally binding arrangements with regard to compensation with all relevant property owners prior to the start of construction.

12.6.4 Road Impacts during Construction

Measures to mitigate the impact on roads should be outlined in the EMP, and should include:

• Movement of construction traffic should be limited to weekdays; • Potentially affected farmers should be made aware in advance of planned movements of abnormal loads on local roads; • The contractor must ensure that damage caused to roads by the construction related activities, including heavy vehicles, is repaired before the completion of the construction phase. The costs associated with the repair must be borne by the Applicant; and • All vehicles must be road-worthy and drivers must be qualified and made aware of the potential road safety issues and need for strict speed limits.

12.6.5 Damage to Farm Lands during Construction

• The footprint associated with the construction related activities (access roads, turning circles, construction platforms, workshop etc) should be minimised; • An Environmental Control Officer (ECO) should be appointed to monitor the entire duration of the construction phase; • All areas disturbed by construction related activities, such as access roads, construction platforms, workshop area etc, should be rehabilitated at the end of the construction phase; • The implementation of a rehabilitation programme should be included in the terms of reference for the contractor/s appointed to establish the development. The

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specifications for the rehabilitation programme should be drawn up the Environmental Consultants appointed to undertake the EIA; • The implementation of the Rehabilitation Programme should be monitored by the ECO; • Compensation should be paid to farmers that suffer a permanent loss of land due to the establishment of the development. Compensation should be paid by the Applicant; and • The Applicant needs to consult with affected property owners in a timeous fashion in order to enable them to factor construction activities into their rotational land use schedules.

12.6.6 Employment Opportunities during Operation

The enhancement measures listed above, i.e. to enhance local employment and business opportunities during the construction phase, also apply to the operational phase. In addition:

• The Applicant should implement a training and skills development programme for locals during the first 5 years of the operational phase. The aim of the programme should be to maximise the number of people from local communities and the broader TWK area employed during the operational phase of the project; and • The Applicant, in consultation with the TWK LM, should investigate the possibility of opportunities for the project to contribute income generated from the sale of energy from the development to the newly established TWK Community Development Trust.

12.6.7 Renewable Energy Generation

In order to maximise the benefits of the proposed development, the Applicant should:

• Use the project to promote and increase the contribution of renewable energy to the national energy supply; and • Maximise the public’s exposure to the project via an extensive communication and advertising programme.

12.6.8 Impacts on Tourism

• The recommendations contained in the VIA should be implemented; and • The location of the wind turbines associated with Phase 1 should be reconsidered. These turbines are located along a prominent ridgeline that is visible from a number of key vantage points and tourist routes and facilities, including Rouxwil Farm, Dassiessfontein Farm Stall on the N2, the N2, the Helderstroom Road and the R43.

12.6.8 Decommissioning

• The Applicant should ensure that retrenchment packages are provided for all staff who stand to lose their jobs when the WEF is decommissioned; • All above ground structures and infrastructure associated with the development should be dismantled and transported off-site on decommissioning; • The Applicant should establish an Environmental Rehabilitation Trust Fund to cover the costs of decommissioning and rehabilitation of disturbed areas. The Trust Fund should be funded by a percentage of the revenue generated from the sale of energy to the national grid over the entire operational life of the facility. Caledon Wind Farm EIA November 2011 Draft EIA Report 12-25

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12.7 Cumulative Impacts

At the time of undertaking the assessment it was understood that there are currently five wind energy farms (including the proposed development) being investigated within the TWK LM. Only one of the proposals (the Bio-Therm Energy Klipheuwel / Dassiesfontein WEF) is currently at the advanced planning stage, however no Record of Decision had yet been received. This wind energy farm proposes the construction of up to 16 x 3.3 MW turbines with a total combined output capacity of 52.8 MW. The remaining two developments are being considered north of the N2 between Caledon and Botrivier but no development proposals have been formalised.

The establishment of more than one wind energy farm in the area is likely to have a significant negative cumulative impact on the area’s sense of place and the landscape. These impacts would relate to Combined Visibility (i.e. whether two or more wind farms will be visible from one location) and Sequential Visibility (i.e. the effect of seeing two or more wind farms along a single journey, e.g. road or walking trail). The landscape around the N2 corridor and R43 is of prime concern. The findings of the SIA indicate that the establishment of wind energy farms in the area conflicts with a number of key principles contained within the local planning policy.

Table 12.15: Cumulative Impacts on Sense of Place and the Landscape Without Mitigation With Mitigation Nature Negative Negative Extent Local and Regional (4) Local and Regional (3) Duration Long term (4) Long term (4) Magnitude Moderate (6) Moderate (6) Probability Definite (5) Definite (5) Significance High (70) High (65) Reversibility Yes. Wind turbines and other infrastructure can be completely removed. Irreplaceable No loss of resources? Can impact be Yes mitigated? Enhancement: See below Cumulative impacts: Potential impact on current rural sense of place and landscape character of the area. Residual impacts: See cumulative impacts

Assessment of No-Go option There is no impact as it maintains the current status quo.

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Chapter 12: Social Economic Impact Assessment

12.8 Assessment of the No-Development Option

As indicated above, South Africa currently relies on coal-powered energy to meet more than 90% of its energy needs. As a result South Africa is one of the highest per capita producers of carbon emissions in the world and Eskom, as an energy utility, has been identified as the world’s second largest producer carbon emissions. As discussed in 5.2.1, both national and the Western Cape provincial governments have set targets for renewables substitution.

The No-Development option would represent a lost opportunity for South Africa to supplement is current energy needs with clean, renewable energy. Given South Africa’s position as one of the highest per capita producer of carbon emissions in the world, this would represent a High negative social cost.

In addition, the No-Development option would compromise the objectives of the TWK LEDS. The LEDS identifies existing infrastructure backlogs and costs associated with meeting existing infrastructure maintenance costs as a key constraint facing the future economic development of the LM. In this regard a budget shortfall of between R 60 and R 72 million per annum currently exists. The establishment of a Community Trust by the TWK, which requires a contribution from all wind farm operators who are awarded an operating license, is seen by the LM as a key source of revenue to address this backlog. The establishment of WEFs in the TWK LM is therefore a key component of the areas LEDS.

The information provided by CaledonWind indicates that the first dividend will be paid to the Community Trust in the 6th year of operation and will amount to a total of approximately R14.6 million of which 50% will be allocated to critical infrastructure projects and 50% to social infrastructure projects. The estimated dividend payment in year 21 of the project is R 50 million (Annexure D).

However, at a provincial and national level, it should be noted that the Caledon WEF development proposal is not unique. In that regard, a significant number of WEF developments are currently proposed in the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces. Foregoing the proposed Caledon WEF development would therefore not necessarily compromise the development of renewable energy facilities in the Western Cape or South Africa.

Table 12.16: Assessment of No-Development Option Without Mitigation With Mitigation (implies establishment of the proposed WEF) Nature Negative Negative Extent Local-International (4) Local-International (4) Duration Long term (4) Long term (4) Magnitude Low (4) Low (4) Probability Highly Probable (4) Highly Probable (4) Significance Medium (56) Medium (56) Reversibility Yes Irreplaceable Yes, impact of climate change on ecosystems loss of

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resources? Can impact be Yes mitigated? Enhancement: See below Cumulative impacts: The cumulative impacts associated with the proposed WEF include an increased awareness of role of renewable energy and the impact of on climate change associated with the reliance of fossil fuels. Residual impacts: See cumulative impacts

12.9 Summary of Impacts

The following potential positive impacts have been identified:

• Construction: Creation of employment and business opportunities and opportunity for skills development and on-site training; • Operation: Creation of employment and business opportunities. The operational phase will also create opportunities for skills development and training; and • Operation: The establishment of infrastructure for the generation of renewable, clean energy.

The following potential negative impacts have been identified:

• Construction: Impacts associated with the presence of construction workers on local communities; • Construction: Increased risk of stock theft, poaching and damage to farm infrastructure associated with presence of construction workers on the site; • Construction: Impact of heavy vehicles on local roads; • Construction: Loss of agricultural land associated with construction related activities; • Operation: Impact of the proposed wind energy facility on the current and future tourism potential of the area; • Operation: The visual impacts and associated impact on sense of place; and • Decommissioning: The decommissioning of the development is likely to be deferred through the upgrading of equipment at the end of its 20 year lifespan. However, when the development is finally decommissioned 10 – 12 jobs would be lost.

In addition, the following impacts were identified:

• Cumulative Impacts: It is understood that there are currently five wind energy farms (including the proposed development) being investigated within the TWK LM. The construction of these wind farms would have a significant negative cumulative impact on the area’s sense of place and the landscape; • Health Impacts: no impact identified; and • No-Development Option: The no-development option would represent a lost opportunity for South Africa to supplement is current energy needs with clean, renewable energy.

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12.10 Summary and Conclusions

Table 12.17 below provides a summary of the impact identified during the construction, operation and decommissioning of the proposed development.

Table 12.17: Summary of Potential Social Impacts Impact Significance Significance No Mitigation With Mitigation CONSTRUCTION Creation of employment and Low Low business opportunities (Positive impact) (Positive impact) Presence of construction Low Low workers and potential impacts (Negative impact for (Negative impact for on family structures and social community as a whole) community as a whole) networks Medium-High Medium-High (Negative impact of (Negative impact of individuals) individuals) Risk of stock theft, poaching Medium Low and damage to farm (Negative impact) (Negative impact) infrastructure Impact of heavy vehicles on Low Low roads (Negative impact) (Negative impact) Loss of farmland Medium Low (Negative impact) (Negative impact) OPERATION Creation of employment and Low Low business opportunities (Positive impact) (Positive impact) Promotion of renewable Medium Medium energy projects (Positive impact) (Positive impact) Impact on tourism Medium Medium (Negative impact) (Negative) Visual impact and impact on Refer to Chapter 15 Refer to Chapter 15 sense of place DECOMMISSIONING Loss of jobs Low (Negative impact) Low (Negative impact)

In addition, the following impacts were identified:

• Cumulative Impacts: It is understood that there are currently five wind energy farms (including the proposed development) being investigated within the TWK LM. The construction of these wind farms would have a significant negative cumulative impact on the area’s sense of place and the landscape; • Health Impacts: No impact identified; and • No-Development Option: The no-development option would represent a lost opportunity for South Africa to supplement is current energy needs with clean, renewable energy (a positive impact of medium significance after mitigation).

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Chapter 13: Heritage Assessment

13 HERITAGE ASSESSMENT

13.1 Introduction

The site is located in the Overberg Wheatbelt in the Western Cape, with the farms being positioned between Botrivier and Caledon. Sites such as these may have some significance in terms of heritage, as heritage forms a link between the past and the present. Once a heritage site has been destroyed it cannot be renewed in any way. As a result a heritage assessment was undertaken by Tim Hart of the Archaeology Contracts Office (ACO) at the University of Cape Town, as well as David Halkett and Lita Webley. The ACO are independent heritage consultants and the heritage practitioners are registered in the following categories with the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA).

13.2 Regulatory and Legislative Context

The National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999 has defined certain kinds of heritage as being worthy of protection, by either specific or general protection mechanisms. Protection of human made heritage is protected by the South African law. Heritage protection also includes intangible heritage, such as traditional activities, oral histories and places where significant events happened. Generally, protected heritage which must be considered in any heritage assessment includes:

• Cultural landscapes; • Buildings and structures (greater than 60 years of age); • Archaeological sites (greater than 100 years of age); • Palaeontological sites and specimens; • Shipwrecks and aircraft wrecks; and • Graves and grave yards.

13.2.1 Cultural Landscapes

Landscapes have in their own sense a significance importance in term of heritable knowledge. As a result Section 3(3) of the NHRA, No 25 of 1999 defines the cultural significance of a place or objects with regard to the following criteria:

• Its importance in the community or pattern of South Africa’s history; • Its possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of South Africa’s natural or cultural heritage; • Its potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of South Africa’s natural or cultural heritage; • Its importance in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of South Africa’s natural or cultural places or objects; • Its importance in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics valued by a community or cultural group; • Its importance in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period; • Its strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social cultural or spiritual reasons;

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• Its strong or special association with the life or work of a person, group or organisation of importance in the history of South Africa; and • Sites of significance relating to the history of slavery in South Africa.

13.2.2 Sensitivity Grading

Heritage sites once destroyed cannot be renewed. The sensitivity criteria for heritage sites are defined in Table 13.1 below:

Table 13.1: Grading of heritage resources (Source: Winter and Baumann 2005: Box 5). Level of Grade Description significance Of high intrinsic, associational and contextual heritage 1 National value within a national context, i.e. formally declared or potential Grade 1 heritage resources. Of high intrinsic, associational and contextual heritage 2 Provincial value within a provincial context, i.e. formally declared or potential Grade 2 heritage resources. Of high intrinsic, associational and contextual heritage 3A Local value within a local context, i.e. formally declared or potential Grade 3A heritage resources. Of moderate to high intrinsic, associational and contextual 3B Local value within a local context, i.e. potential Grade 3B heritage resources. Of medium to low intrinsic, associational or contextual 3C Local heritage value within a national, provincial and local context, i.e. potential Grade 3C heritage resources.

Scenic routes are also recognised by DEA&DP as a category of heritage resource. It is important to take into account the visual intrusion of the development on the scenic route and should be considered as a heritage issue as well. Wind energy facilities can also have a significant impact on the landscape in terms of the quality of the area. It is recommended that a buffer zone of 500 m from all heritage sites is maintained.

13.3 Methodology

13.3.1 Establishing Baseline Conditions

Initially the scoping phase involved a single day visit to the site, as well as a second site visit consisting of two days and the collection of primary and secondary literature sources for the general area. The impacts as a result of the wind farm were assessed in terms of accumulated knowledge in the area. The following was assessed:

• Scientific publications were reviewed related to archaeological work undertaken in the Study Area and other unpublished reports on the history of the region;

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• A survey of heritage resources has been conducted on site and heritage indicators (conservation-worthy buildings, archaeological sites and places celebrated as heritage) identified and mapped where appropriate; • Definitions of heritage and criteria for assessment of heritage are indicated in the National Heritage Resources Act while the Provincial Guidelines for assessing heritage in the Western Cape applies; and • Cultural landscapes and areas of particular aesthetic and/or cultural heritage significance are included in the assessment.

On the two day site visit all the potential substation sites, as well as the access roads and cable routes were visited.

13.3.2 Base Line Conditions

After all the site visits and evaluations of historic records, the Overberg Wheatbelt in the Western Cape was found to have many heritage indicators. Each of these indicators has their own level of historical significance. The heritage indicators are:

• Scatters of Early Stone Age material occur across many of the ploughed fields. They are not in context and are of low significance; • Five homesteads were identified within the borders of the wind farm. Four are occupied while one is abandoned. The occupied farm houses have been modernised and retain little original fabric, they have low historical significance. The early 20th century, abandoned, Klein Windheuwel farmhouse is in a state of neglect, and has medium historical significance; • There is one early 20th century cemetery within the wind farm, at Klein Klipheuwel. It is close to the farmhouse and is not threatened by the development; • The proposed wind farm is located on either side of the R43 to Villiersdorp, which is an access route to the Riviersonderend Valley a known scenic route, and the historic villages of Genadendal, which is a provincial heritage site, and Greyton; and • The most significant heritage impact will be of visual nature to the Riviersonderend Mountains, Groenland Mountains and Kleinrivier Mountains back drop. The cumulative impact of four adjoining wind farms in the Caledon area will be high.

Figure 13.1 shows the proposed Caledon wind farm as well as the proposed positions of the wind turbines.

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Figure 13.1: The proposed Caledon wind farm on either side of the R43 (shown as yellow). The laydown areas for the turbines are shown as blue patches, the access roads as red lines and the underground cables as a turquoise colour.

Figure 13.2 shows the scenic view of the study area without the turbines.

Figure 13.2: View from the study area toward Villiersdorp, showing a typical Overberg landscape. Note the brown wheat fields, the valleys which have retained some indigenous vegetation, the groves of trees associated with farmsteads.

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Figure 13.3 to 13.6 shows early Stone Age tools found in the proposed wind farm site.

Figure 13.3: Tools found from Site 3 Figure 13.4: View of core.

Figure 13.5: Flakes from Site 9. Figure 13.6: A handaxe from Site 9.

The propose wind farm will be located around five proposed farmsteads. Figure 13.7 shows the farm house Vleitjies as well as the Figure 13.8 shows the farm house Klein Klipheuwel, these farms are the ones that will be the most impacted with the construction of the wind farm.

Figure 13.7: The main farmhouse at Vleitjies which dates to 1907. The windows have been replaced and only some original features remain.

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Figure 13.8: The main farmhouse at Klein Klipheuwel.

Below Figure 13.9 shows where the proposed laydown area of the turbines will be in respect to the Farm house Vleitjies, as well as, the position of the substations and control rooms.

Table 13.2: Heritage sites identified during survey and scoping of the proposed wind farm site. Site GPS Co- Description Significance Name ordinates A1 S 34 07 58.0 A single quartzite handaxe (ESA) Low E 19 17 44.6 located close to a recent stone navigation beacon. A2 S 34 09 24.9 A quartz flake, silcrete blade and Low E 19 17 08.0 quartzite cobble on top of koppie in Renosterveld – near T 14a A3 S 34 09 26.3 Quartzite flakes, cores both discoid Low E 19 17 09.9 and irregular, some bifacial elements including 2 handaxes (1 on cobble, 1 on flake) A4 S 34 09 27.4 Quartzite flakes, cores both discoid Low E 19 17 10.5 and irregular. Some quartz chunks. A5 S 34 09 28.3 Quartzite flakes, cores both discoid Low E 19 17 09.0 and irregular. Some quartz chunks A6 S34 09 28.4 1 flaked hammerstone, 1 broken Low E19 17 08.2 fine-grained quartzite lower grindstone A7 S 34 10 33.1 ESA scatter near T69. A few silcrete Low E 19 17 32.1 cores, cores and flakes on quartzite A8 S 34 10 11.5 Scatter of ESA artefacts near T55 Low E 19 18 35.0 A9 S 34 12 11.7 On route to T61. ESA flakes and 1 Low E 19 16 47.7 bifacial element Graveyard S 34 10 17.9 Klein Klipheuwel, family graveyard. High E 19 17 41.0 At least 16 graves, 3 with marble headstones, others unmarked. Dating to early 20th century. Surrounded by “ring muur”, with packed stone walling.

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13.4 Impact Assessment

13.4.1 Identification of Potential Impacts on Heritage

The construction of the turbines, substations, access roads and under ground cabling will have the following impacts on the heritage of the study area, by affecting:

• Pre-colonial and colonial archaeology; • Colonial period heritage; • Graveyards; and • Cultural landscape and scenic routes.

13.4.2 Assessments of Potential Impacts on Heritage

• Pre-Colonial and Colonial Archaeology Early Stone Age tools have been discovered and recorded, and are widely scattered across the landscape and ploughed fields. The construction of the wind farm will result in physical disturbances of these tools and their context. Once these tools are removed from the area they loose their historical significance. These early Stone Age artefacts have already been subjected to ploughing for at least 200 years. However, ploughing only impacts on the top 60cm of the soil and there is the possibility that deeply buried material, which may be in its original context, may be uncovered during the deep excavations for the turbine bases

• Colonial Heritage No direct impact is expected to affect the five farmsteads. The impacts on the farms Vleitjies and Klein Klipheuwel are expected to be local. The farm Klein- Windheuwel has moderate historical significance but the construction of the turbines only 100m away from the farm house will affect the landscape context negatively, however this farm is vulnerable to vandalism buy construction workers living in the vicinity. The Witkop and Hawston View farms have low historical significance and the impacts on the farms will be low. The impact on all the farms is reversible once the turbines are removed.

• Graveyards The graveyard on the farm Klein Klipheuwel, has a high historic significance value. The graveyard however is not threatened by the development of the wind farm.

• Cultural Landscape and Scenic Routes The turbines require vast amounts of landscape and as a result could have a significant impact in terms of potential loss of iconic vista and landscape character change to the proposed site. The cultural landscape comprises typical Overberg wheat fields and pasture lands, characterised by rolling landscapes, ploughed lands and blue gum tree groves and wind breaks. The Riviersonderend Mountains, Groenland Mountains and Kleinrivier Mountains form an important backdrop to the agricultural lands. The proposed farm will affect the area’s sense of place as well as cause a visual intrusion, which could in turn affect tourism in the area.

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13.4.3 Mitigation Measures

In order to ensure that the potential impacts identified above are minimized, the following mitigation strategies are proposed:

• Pre-colonial and Colonial Archaeology Early Stone Age tools have been discovered and recorded, and are widely scattered across the landscape and ploughed fields. These are of low significance and it is suggested that photographic record be taken of the Early Stone Age artefacts excavated as a mitigation measure.

• Colonial Heritage No mitigation has been proposed for the five farmsteads. In order to prevent vandalism of the abandoned farmhouse of Klein Windheuwel, it is recommended that the house is fenced off during the construction phase. Alternatively it has been recommended that the structure be upgraded and used as accommodation for construction crews according to the Heritage Western Cape guidelines for buildings over 60 years.

• Graveyards No mitigation is necessary for the graveyard. However should any burials be uncovered during the construction phase then work should cease immediately in that area and Heritage Western Cape should be notified.

• Cultural Landscape And Scenic Routes No mitigation is possible to reduce the effects of the wind farms on the scenery of the area, as the size of the turbines precludes proposing a feasible buffer on either side of the scenic R43. The impact of the turbines on the cultural landscape will be very high and no mitigation measures are feasible.

• Substation Locations There are no foreseen significant impacts with regard to the Phase 1 substation. Whereas, option B of the Phase 2 substation will have a high, negative impact on the scenic route.

• Transmission Lines The impacts of the transmission lines that connect the substations to the existing transmission lines which cross the western section of the study are not seen as significant. This is due to the fact that they do not cross the R43 and are out of sight.

13.4.4 Summary of the Potential Impacts on Heritage

The tables 13.3 to 13.6 below provide a summary of the potential impacts before and after mitigation has occurred.

Table 13.3: Impact Assessment on Pre-Colonial and Colonial Archaeology Impact Nature Intensity Extent Duration Probability Confidence Before Negative Low Local Long Term Highly High Mitigation probable After Neutral Negligible Local Long Term Highly High Mitigation Probable

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Table 13.4: Impact Assessment on Colonial Period Heritage Impact Nature Intensity Extent Duration Probability Confidence Before Neutral to Medium Local Long Term Probable Medium Mitigation Negative After Neutral Low Local Long Term Probable Medium Mitigation

Table 13.5: Impact Assessment on Graveyards Impact Nature Intensity Extent Duration Probability Confidence Before Neutral Low Local Long Term High High Mitigation After Neutral Low Local Long Term High High Mitigation

Table 13.6: Impact Assessment on Cultural Landscapes and Scenic Routes Impact Nature Intensity Extent Duration Probability Confidence Before Negative High Local – Long Term Definite High Mitigation surrounding area After Negative High Local – Long Term Definite High Mitigation surrounding area

13.5 Summary and Conclusions

The site of the proposed wind farm is located in the Overberg Wheatbelt in the Western Cape, with the farms being positioned between Botrivier and Caledon. The proposed construction of turbines will have impacts on the heritage of the area. Once heritage sites have been destroyed they cannot be renewed.

The historical area’s that will be affected by the construction of wind turbines, substations as well as access roads, underground cabling and transmission lines to the national electrical network are listed below:

• Pre-colonial and colonial archaeology; • Colonial period heritage; • Graveyards; and • Cultural landscape and scenic routes.

The assessment revealed that the impacts during the construction of the wind farm and the operation of the wind farm will be on a local scale, with low to high significance. Mitigation measures have been recommended where they are possible.

Proposed mitigation measures include photographic records being used to document and record any excavated early Stone Age artefacts, as well as transforming and upgrading the abandoned farmhouse of Klein Windheuwel into accommodation for construction crews according to the Heritage Western Cape guidelines for buildings over 60 years. It is also recommended that turbines in close proximity to the farm houses be moved as they will negatively impact the surrounding landscape. No mitigation measure are required for the graveyard as it is not affected by the construction, as well as no mitigation measures are applicable in terms of reducing the effects of the turbine construction on the landscape and scenery of the area.

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14 NOIS E

14.1 Introduction

dBAcoustics undertook a Noise Impact Assessment of the site to determine the impact of the proposed development on Noise Sensitive Area’s (NSA’s) in and around the site.

Two aspects are important when considering potential noise impacts of a project:

• The increase in the noise level; and • The overall noise level produced.

In terms of noise increases, people exposed to an increase of 2 dBA or less would not notice the difference. Some people exposed to increases of 3-4 dBA will notice the increase in noise level, although the increase would not be considered serious. Noise increases of 5 dBA and above are very noticeable, and, if these are frequent incidents, or continuous in nature, could represent a significant disturbance. The Western Cape Noise Control Regulations allow for an increase of 7.0 dBA before a noise intrusion is classified as a noise disturbance.

14.2 Methodology

The following methodology has been undertaken in determining the noise impact of the proposed development:

14.2.1 Instrumentation

Noise survey

The noise survey was conducted in terms of the provisions of SANS 10103 of 2008 (The measurement and rating of environmental noise with respect to annoyance and to speech communication).

The following instruments were used in the noise survey:

• Larsen Davis Integrated Sound Level meter Type 1 – Serial no. S/N 0001072; • Larsen Davis Pre-amplifier – Serial no. PRM831 0206; • Larsen Davis ½” free field microphone – Serial no. 377 B02 SN 102184; • Larsen Davis Calibrator 200 – Serial no.3073.

The instrument was calibrated before and after the noise readings were done and coincided within 1.0 dBA. Batteries were fully charged and a windshield was in use at all times.

The calibration certificates are attached in the noise specialist report included in Appendix O.

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The measured ambient noise level during the daytime and night time periods will be the baseline ambient noise criteria for the study area and will be evaluated in terms of SANS 10103 of 2008.

14.2.2 Methodology:

• Identify all the noise sensitive areas within the vicinity of the proposed wind farm and identify such by means of their spatial position on Google Imagery; • Determine the prevailing ambient noise level at each of the above measuring points by means of the recommended noise measuring procedure in SANS 10103 of 2008; • Calculate or determine the acceptable rating level for each measuring point; • Calculate, determine and/or research the projected noise level of each noise source that is part of the construction and/or operational phase of the project; • Calculate the noise impact at each of the noise sensitive areas; • Assess the proposed project in terms of the SANS 10103 of 2008, SANS 10328 of 2008, Western Cape Noise Control Regulations, Environmental Health and Safety Guidelines for Wind energy by the World Bank, World Health Organizations Health Guidelines and any other International Guidelines on wind energy; • Evaluate all possible noise mitigatory measures to reduce, minimize or eliminate the alleged noise intrusion; • The field study noise data and available noise data on Vestas V90 3MW turbines were evaluated and the noise report was compiled for the EIA process.

14.2.3 Noise Sensitive Areas

In order to determine the ambient noise levels in study area, 27 noise measuring points (A to Zi) were identified corresponding to NSA’s (e.g. farmhouses) in the vicinity of the site. These are shown in Figure 14.1 and detailed in Table 14.1.

Of the 27 measuring points, 4 represent farmhouses located within the boundaries of the proposed wind farm, namely Vlytjies (S), Klipfontein (G), Witkop (H) and Horst & View (I). De Vlei farm (J) lies on the south-eastern boundary of the wind farm along the R43 Road.

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Figure 14.1: Measuring Points and Identified Noise Sensitive Areas (NSA’s)

Table 14.1: Measuring Points and Co-ordinates Co-ordinates Position Remarks X WGSDD Y WGSDD

0 0 A 34 09,319 S 019 22,989 E The property is surrounded by trees and the wind turbines will be visible. 0 0 B 34 09,079 S 019 22,274 E At the farmhouse of the farm Tierfontein with trees. The eastern turbines will be visible. 0 0 C 34 11,063 S 019 22,419 E At the farmhouse of Wolfkraal with trees along the boundary of the farm house. Turbines not visible. 0 0 D 34 11,626 S 019 21,317 E Trees around the farmhouse at Remkuil. Turbines will be visible from the northern side of the farm house. 0 0 E 34 10,403 S 019 19,474 E Trees at the farmhouse and the turbines will be visible from the northern side of the farm house. F 340 11,093 S 0190 18,861 E Bruinklip farm. Trees at the entrance road and at the house. The turbines will be visible from the northern side of the house. 0 0 G 34 10,400 S 019 17,707 E Klipfontein farm. Trees along the northern side of the house and the turbines will not be visible. 0 0 H 34 10,546 S 019 16,140 E Witklip farm. Trees around the northern and eastern side of the house. Turbines will be visible. I 340 11,036 S 0190 15,589 E Trees along the northern boundary of the house and there is a hill on the northern side of the house. Some of the turbine will be visible. 0 0 J 34 11,945 S 019 16,116 E De Vlei farm next to the R43 road with trees along the boundaries facing the turbines. 0 0 K 34 13,348 S 019 16,819 E At the intersection of the N2 National road and the R43 Provincial road. Turbines will not be directly visible.

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Co-ordinates Position Remarks X WGSDD Y WGSDD

0 0 L 34 13,405 S 019 12,301 E Northern side of Botrivier. Turbines not visible. N2 traffic noise audible. 0 0 M 34 11,644 S 019 13,454 E Hoekplaas. In the valley and wind turbines not visible. Trees around the farm house. 0 0 N 34 10,579 S 019 13,549 E Boutros wines. Along gravel road in the valley. Wind turbines not visible. O 340 09,941 S 0190 13,453 E Trees and turbines not visible.

P 340 08,555 S 0190 14,843 E In the valley with trees. Turbines not visible.

0 0 Q 34 06,982 S 019 14,027 E Porcupine guest house with trees on the eastern side. Turbines will not be visible. 0 0 R 34 06,637 S 019 12,839 E P.P Mong Trust/Hou moed farm. Trees and turbines will not be visible. 0 0 S 34 08,389 S 019 17,894 E Vlytjie farm with trees along the eastern and western sides. Turbines will be visible. 0 0 T 34 07,444 S 019 18,705 E Rouxville farm. Close to Helderstroom road. Trees and the wind turbines will be visible. U 340 06,426 S 0190 19,108 E Mariusdal amongst trees and turbines behind hill.

0 0 V 34 06,217 S 019 19,567 E Phisantekraal with trees along the southern boundary. Turbines visible. 0 0 W 34 06,066 S 019 19,866 E House with trees. Behind a hill and along the Helderstroom road. 0 0 X 34 04,813 S 019 22,025 E At Helderstroom jail along Helderstroom road. Turbines visible. 0 0 Y 34 05,372 S 019 22,751 E Spesbona farm with trees and turbines not audible at all. Z 340 05,487 S 0190 21,400 E Ongegund farm with trees. Turbines will be visible.

0 0 Zi 34 07,352S 019 23,104 E Ou Noordekloof along the ridge, with trees at the farmhouse. Turbines will be visible.

14.2.4 Noise Survey

This time-varying characteristics of environmental noise are described using statistical noise descriptors:

• Leq: The Leq is the constant sound level that would contain the same acoustic energy as the varying sound level, during the same period of time. • LMax: The instantaneous maximum noise level for a specified period of time. • LMin: The instantaneous minimum noise level for a specified period of time.

The following relationships occur for increases in A-weighted noise levels:

• The trained healthy human ear is able to discern changes in sound levels of 1 dBA under controlled conditions in an acoustic laboratory;

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• It is widely accepted that the average healthy ear can barely perceive noise level changes of 3 dBA; • A change in sound level of 5 dBA is a readily perceptible increase in noise level; • A 10-dBA change in the sound level is perceived as twice as loud as the original source.

A noise survey was carried out from 16th to 19th November 2010. 06h00 to 22h00 represented the day time period and 22h00 to 06h00 the night time period. The LAeq was measured over a representative sampling period exceeding 10 minutes at each measuring point.

14.3 Baseline Conditions

There are various types of noise exposure:

• Continuous exposure to noise – The level is constant and does not vary with time e.g. traffic on freeway and an extractor fan; • Intermittent exposure to noise – The noise level is not constant and occurs at times e.g. car alarms and sirens; and • Exposure to impact noise – A sharp burst of sound at intermittent intervals e.g. explosions and low frequency sound.

The World Bank in the Environmental Health and Safety Regulations has laid down the following noise level guidelines:

• Residential area – 55 dBA for the daytime and 45 dBA for the nighttime period; and • Industrial area – 70 dBA for the day- and nighttime periods.

SANS 10103 of 2008 has laid down noise levels for specific districts and has provided the following continuous noise levels per district as given in Table 14.2.

Table 14.2: SANS Noise Level Guidelines Equivalent continuous rating level LReq.T for ambient noise dBA Indoors, with open Outdoors windows Type of district

Day- Day- Day- Night- Day- Night- night time time night time time LRdn LRd LRn LRdn LRn LRn a) Rural districts 45 45 35 35 35 25

b) Suburban districts with little 50 50 40 40 40 30 road traffic

c) Urban districts 55 55 45 45 45 35 d) Urban districts with some workshops, with business 60 60 50 50 50 40 premises and with main roads e) Central business district 65 65 55 55 55 45

f) Industrial districts 70 70 60 60 60 50

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The noise survey undertaken revealed the following noise sources in the vicinity of the site:

• Heavy duty vehicle noise and motor-vehicle noise along R43 Provincial road; • Rattling sounds from heavy-duty vehicles traveling on the gravel roads; • Existing traffic noise along the gravel roads; • Distant traffic noise from N2 Road; • Farming type noise; • Train noise; • Birds; and • Wind noise.

Table 14.3 indicates the prevailing noise levels identified for the 27 measuring points, which include all the noise sources currently in the study area. The noise levels increased according to the wind speed as the wind is a major source of noise. The wind speed at each of the measuring points is given as it was what the wind speed was during the time of the noise survey. There is a difference in the wind speeds because of the locality of the measuring point in relation to the undulated topography of the study area. The wind speed was between 0.9 m/s to 6.9 m/s during the daytime and no wind to 5.3 m/s during the night time.

The variation in the wind speed is the reason why the prevailing ambient noise levels differ. There was however other noise sources such as traffic noise, farming activity noise, insects and birds at some of the measuring points that also added up to the prevailing ambient noise level.

Table 14.3: Noise levels for the Day and Night Time Periods for the NSA’s at the Caledon Wind Farm Project. Day time Night time Position Lmax Lmin Wind Lmax Lmin Wind Leq-dBA Leq- (Fast)- (Fast)- Speed (Fast)- (Fast) - Speed dBA dBA dBA m/s dBA dBA m/s A 54.1 61.2 42.5 5.1 42.9 44.9 37.4 1.9 B 48.9 55.1 43.6 5.2 41.4 46.5 39.6 2.1 C 47.3 63.3 39.0 3.1 40.9 46.9 39.2 2.3 D 46.1 53.7 41.8 3.6 40.9 46.8 39.2 1.6 E 44.3 57.3 35.1 2.7 35.9 39.9 32.9 1.3 F 54.4 66.2 31.8 5.9 34.9 45.6 30.2 1.3 G 44.6 65.2 30.9 2.7 37.7 40.2 35.5 1.0 H 40.3 50.9 29.1 1.0 43.8 58.6 42.9 0 I 34.5 63.9 28.5 1.6 38.7 43.8 33.9 0.4 J 40.6 61.4 27.4 2.1 45.8 55.4 31.7 5.3 K 60.5 75.6 35.7 1.1 35.9 39.9 32.9 4.2 L 42.3 57.6 35.5 1.9 41.7 49.7 37.5 1.4 M 42.7 53.7 35.5 3.1 38.5 42.1 35.7 0.5 N 37.2 47.9 26.9 1.5 31.9 41.1 27.3 0.8 O 41.9 50.9 34.4 1.4 44.3 47.7 38.8 1.0 P 36.2 56.6 28.1 1.2 40.7 50.3 33.6 2.5 Q 36.6 57.6 27.0 2.3 38.3 46.6 28.3 2.3 R 35.4 58.3 31.0 0.9 39.2 46.8 30.1 2.0 S 53.5 58.6 42.9 5.1 47.0 53.4 42.1 2.3 T 46.9 55.5 38.6 4.2 40.5 55.1 34.0 1.1 U 42.2 54.6 35.8 3.5 37.6 51.1 34.5 1.1 V 52.5 68.2 33.7 2.1 45.4 51.6 39.7 3.7

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Day time Night time Position Lmax Lmin Wind Lmax Lmin Wind Leq-dBA Leq- (Fast)- (Fast)- Speed (Fast)- (Fast) - Speed dBA dBA dBA m/s dBA dBA m/s W 42.2 54.6 35.8 3.7 42.2 49.2 37.4 1.8 X 46.4 60.4 36.2 3.7 39.1 50.8 33.4 3.5 Y 54.9 62.6 45.3 3.1 43.3 52.7 36.0 2.1 Z 50.6 59.1 41.3 3.1 42.2 49.2 37.4 2.3 Zi 58.9 65.5 53.2 6.9 46.3 56.4 36.0 3.4

14.4 Impact Assessment

14.4.1 Construction Phase

The following activities have the potential to give rise to noise impacts during the construction phase:

• Grading and building of new internal roads; • Preparation of the footprint area, earthworks & construction; and • Construction of the wind turbines.

The noise impacts associated with each of the above are provided in Table 14.4 below.

Table 14.4: Noise Impacts during the Construction Phase Impact Nature Intensity Extent Duration Probability Confidence Significance

Grading Before Neutral Medium Local Short-term Highly High Medium and building Mitigation probable of new internal roads After Neutral Low Local Short-term Probable High Low

Mitigation

Preparati Before Neutral Medium Local Short-term Highly High Medium on of the footprint Mitigation probable area, earthwork s & After Neutral Low Local Short-term Probable High Low constructi on Mitigation

Construct Before Neutral Medium Local Short-term Highly High Medium ion of the wind Mitigation probable turbines After Neutral Low Local Short-term Probable High Low

Mitigation

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14.4.2 Operational Phase

Two aspects are important when considering potential noise impacts of a project and it is:

• The increase in the noise level, and; • The overall noise level produced

There will be an upwards shift in the immediate prevailing noise level and to a lesser degree some distance from the wind turbines.

The prevailing ambient noise level may change according to the season of the year when farming activities such as ploughing and harvesting becomes the pre-dominant contributor to the higher ambient noise levels.

The prevailing noise levels at the different noise sensitive areas when the wind was blowing were as follows:

• 1.0m/s – 40.3dBA; • 2.1m/s – 40.6dBA; • 3.1m/s – 42.7dBA; • 4.2m/s – 46.9dBA; • 5.2dBA – 48.9dBA; • 6.9dBA – 58.9dBA; • 7.7m/s – 67.6dBA, and at; • 15.2m/s – 70.8dBA.

The noise impact at the different noise sensitive areas can be seen in Table 14.5. The calculated noise level for the wind turbine in the vicinity of the noise sensitive area is evaluated in terms of the prevailing noise level for the specific area.

Table 14.5: Noise intrusion at the Phase 1 Wind Turbines Noise Prevailing Cal- Intrusion Prevailing Cal- Intrusion sensitive noise level culated - dBA noise level culated area at wind noise at wind noise speed of level speed of level 1m/s - dBA 5m/s - dBA Prevailing ambient noise level higher than S 40.3 45.0 4.7 48.9 45.0 the calculated noise level Prevailing ambient noise level higher than T 40.3 35.0 None 48.9 45.0 the calculated noise level Prevailing ambient noise level higher than G 40.3 43.0 2.7 48.9 43.0 the calculated noise level Prevailing ambient noise level higher than H 40.3 45.0 4.7 48.9 45.0 the calculated noise level Prevailing ambient noise level higher than I 40.3 35.0 None 48.9 35.0 the calculated noise level

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The noise contour for Phase 1 of the project is given in Figure 14.2. Noise sensitive areas S, G, H, I am situated within the boundaries of the wind farm. The red line is the 55.0dBA contour, green line is the 50.0dBA contour, the brick line is the 45.0 dBA contour, the blue line is the 40.0dBA contour and the purple line is the 35.0 dBA contour.

Figure 14.2: Noise contour for Phase 1 of the Project.

The biggest intrusion will be at the 50.0 dBA contour which is the green line, but there are no noise sensitive areas within the contour.

The noise impact at the noise sensitive areas with the different wind speeds can be seen in Table 14.6.

Table 14.6: Noise Impact at the Different Noise Sensitive Areas. Wind speed and Radius of Radius of Radius of Radius of 1 Radius of 2 subsequent noise 100m – 300m – 750m – 500m – 500m – level 55.0dBA 50.0dBA 45.0dBA 40.0dBA 35.0dBA

1.0m/s – 40.3dBA 14.7 9.7 4.7 No intrusion No intrusion 2.1m/s – 40.6dBA 14.4 9.4 4.3 No intrusion No intrusion 3.1m/s – 42.7dBA 12.3 7.3 2.3 No intrusion No intrusion 4.2m/s – 46.9dBA 8.1 3.1 No intrusion No intrusion No intrusion 5.2dBA – 48.9dBA 6.1 1.1 No intrusion No intrusion No intrusion 6.9dBA – 58.9dBA No intrusion No intrusion No intrusion No intrusion No intrusion 7.7m/s – 67.6dBA No intrusion No intrusion No intrusion No intrusion No intrusion 15.2m/s – 70.8dBA No intrusion No intrusion No intrusion No intrusion No intrusion

There is a slight intrusion at 500 m from the turbines when the wind speed is only 1.0m/s because the wind speed noise is the least at low wind speeds. The higher the wind speed the lower the noise intrusion. This will be applicable on all the wind turbines throughout the wind farm. Figure 14.3 is the noise contours for the entire

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wind farm. The green line is the 50,0 dBA contour, the blue line is the 45.0 dBA contour and the purple line is the 35.0 dBA contour.

The linear distance between the individual turbines are in excess of 400 m. The turbines can therefore be evaluated in terms of point sources.

Figure 14.3: Noise contour for the entire Caledon Wind Farm.

The noise contours in Figure 14.2 and Figure 14.3 excludes the other noises and indicate only the wind turbine noise (Vestas V90 3MW) at a wind speed of 8.0m/s at the wind turbine site.

In terms of noise increases, people exposed to an increase of 2 dBA or less would not notice the difference. Some people exposed to increases of 3-4 dBA will notice the increase in noise level, although the increase would not be considered serious. Noise increases of 5dBA and above are very noticeable, and, if these are frequent incidents, or continuous in nature, could represent a significant disturbance.

The position of the wind turbines are in excess of 400 m from each other and the topography is of such nature that noise reduction will take place as the sound propagates from the source to the noise sensitive areas as indicated by the contours in Figure 14.3 where the closest contour indicates a 55.0 dBA noise area and the pink contour the 35.0dBA noise area.

There will be an increase in the immediate vicinity of the wind turbines but this will become part of the noise level that is generated when there is an increase in the wind speed at the noise sensitive areas.

The potential operation phase noise impacts are provided in Table 14.7 below.

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Table 14.7: Noise Impacts during the Operation Phase Impact Nature Intensity Extent Duration Probability Confidence Significance

Wind turbines less than 400m from Before Neutral High Local Long-term Highly High High noise sensitive areas Mitigation probable Wind turbines less than 400m from After Neutral Low to Local Long-term Highly High Low to noise sensitive areas Mitigation Medium probable Medium Wind turbines – Mechanical noise Before Neutral High Local Long-term Highly High High Mitigation probable Wind turbines – Mechanical noise After Neutral Low to Local Long-term Probable High Low to Mitigation medium Medium Wind turbine – Normal wear and tear, Before Neutral High Local Long-term Highly High High poor component design, lack of Mitigation probable preventative maintenance Wind turbine – Normal wear and tear, After Neutral Low to Local Long-term Probable High Low to poor component design, lack of Mitigation medium Medium preventative maintenance Wind Turbine - Aerodynamic noise Before Neutral High Local Long-term Highly High High Mitigation probable Wind Turbine - Aerodynamic noise After Neutral Low to Local Long-term Probable High Low to Mitigation medium Medium Sub-station Before Neutral High Local Long-term Highly High High Mitigation probable Sub-station After Neutral Low Local Long-term Probable High Low Mitigation

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Figure 14.4 shows the location of the proposed wind turbines in relation to the noise measuring points in Table 14.1. The wind turbines for Phase 1 are marked WT 1 to 17 and the positions of the other wind turbines are marked 18 to 74. The biggest concentration of the wind turbines is on the south western side of the proposed wind farm.

Figure 14.4: Proposed wind turbines throughout the wind farm.

As already noted, the distance between the wind turbines and the NSA’s, noise from prevailing winds as well as the surrounding topography plays an important role on how the sound from the wind turbine is propagated. Whilst international best practice guidance sets 2,000m as a sufficient distance from a turbine for there not to be an impact, the actual impact distance is very project specific.

NSA’s A, B, C, D, L, M, Q, R, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, Zi are further than 2 000m away from the proposed turbines and thus will not be impacted by the proposed development.

NSA’s E, F, G, H, I, J, K, N, O, P, S, T are within 2 000m of the wind turbines. Tables 5 to 34 of Appendix xxx detail the distances and visibility of these turbines from the NSA’s. Table 14.6 below summarises the results.

Table 14.6: Turbines whose direct line of sight is 2 000 m or less from the Noise Sensitive Areas (NSA’s) Noise Turbines directly visible from the NSA’s and located 2,000m or less from the noise Sensitive sensitive area Area E 71, 72, 73, 74 F 66, 67, 70, 71, 72, 73 G 14, 15, 16, 31, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 H 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 64, 68 I 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 50, 51, 52, 64 J 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 61, 62, 63, 64

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Noise Turbines directly visible from the NSA’s and located 2,000m or less from the noise Sensitive sensitive area Area K 46 N 19, 20, 21, 22 O 19, 20, 21 P 36, 37 S 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 T 44, 45

From Table 14.8 it can be seen that noise intrusion occurs at 100 m, 300 m and 750 m from the wind turbine at low wind speeds. The higher the wind speed the lower the noise intrusion. At distances of 500 m or greater no noise intrusion is experienced.

The recommended distance according to International Guidelines for wind turbines between a noise sensitive area and a wind turbine is 400 m. Wind turbines 32, 26 and 42 will have to be re-positioned as the wind turbines are 200 m, 180 m and 340 m from noise sensitive areas H, I and S respectively.

14.4.3 Decommissioning Phase

The following activities have the potential to give rise to noise impacts during the decommissioning phase:

• Removal of infra-structure; and • Rehabilitation of wind turbine area.

The potential noise impacts identified for the decommissioning phase of the project are set out in Table 14.10.

Table 14.10: Noise Impact Assessment during the Decommissioning Phase Impact Nature Intensity Extent Duration Probability Confidence Significance

Removal Before Neutral Medium Local Long-term Highly High Medium of infrastructure Mitigation probable

Removal After Neutral Low Local Long-term Probable High Low of infrastructure Mitigation

Rehabilita Before Neutral Medium Local Long-term Highly High Medium tion of Mitigation wind probable turbine areas Rehabilita After Neutral Low Local Long-term Probable High Low tion of Mitigation wind turbine areas

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14.5 Recommendations

The following three primary variables should be considered when designing acoustic screening measures for the control of sound and/or noise:

• The source - Reduction of noise at the source; • The transmission path - Reduction of noise between the source and the receiver; • The receiver - Reduction of the noise at the receiver.

14.5.1 General Construction Activities

• Selecting equipment with lower sound power levels • Installing silencers for fans; • Installing suitable mufflers on engine exhausts and compressor components; • Installing acoustic enclosures for equipment causing radiating noise; • Installing vibration isolation for mechanical equipment; • Limiting the hours of operation for specific equipment and mobile sources with high sound power outputs; • Re-locate noise sources to areas which are less noise sensitive, to take advantage of distance and natural shielding; • Taking advantage during the design stage of natural topography as a noise buffer; • Develop a mechanism to record and respond to complaints.

Noise monitoring to be carried out during the construction and operational phases of the project.

The project will have to be actively managed during the different phases by means of:

14.5.2 Construction Phase of Wind Turbines

Management measures to be implemented – Equipment and machinery which will be used during the construction phase to comply with the above health and safety guidelines by the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank.

Table 14.11: Noise Mitigation Measures during the Construction Phase Aspect Mitigation Responsible EMP person Grading and Construction equipment to Site engineer Environmental audits during the building of new comply with the standards construction phase internal roads as for construction vehicles as explained in the IFC’s Environmental Health & Safety Regulations. Preparation of Construction equipment to Site engineer Environmental audits during the the footprint area, comply with the standards construction phase earthworks & as for construction construction vehicles as explained in the IFC’s Environmental Health & Safety Regulations. Construction of Construction of wind Site engineer Environmental audits during the the wind turbines turbines to take place construction phase during day time only.

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Construction equipment to comply with the standards as for construction vehicles as explained in the IFC’s Environmental Health & Safety Regulations.

14.5.3 Operational Phase of Wind Turbines

Wind turbine mechanical noise - Acoustic insulation on the inside of the turbine housing, acoustic insulation curtains and anti-vibration support footing for the wind turbine.

Normal wear and tear, poor component design and a preventative maintenance programme of the wind turbines - Cyclic maintenance programme of the wind turbines, withdraw from service should a wind turbine create excessive noise due to wear and tear or poor maintenance.

Aerodynamic noise - Careful design of the blades by the manufacturers and lower blade tip speed

Sub-station - A bund wall to be erected around the sub-station with screen walls on top of the berm, the sub-station not be erected within 1 000m from a noise sensitive area

Table 14.12: Noise Impact Assessment during the Operational Phase Aspect Mitigation Responsible EMP person Wind turbines in close Environmental Noise monitoring to be done proximity (less than 400m) acoustic Wind turbines of noise sensitive areas to specialist be re-positioned. Acoustic insulation on the Design phase of Engineering drawings to be inside of the turbine the turbine – provided and acoustic housing; Design compliance certificate to be Wind turbine - Acoustic insulation engineers issued mechanical noise curtains; Ant-vibration support footing. Cyclic maintenance Site Engineer; Regular noise monitoring to Wind turbine – programme of the wind take place to identify noisy wind Normal wear and turbines; Acoustic noise turbines tear, poor Withdraw from services specialist component should a wind turbine design, lack of create excessive noise preventative due to wear and tear or maintenance poor maintenance Careful design of the Manufacturers Noise monitoring and adjust- blades by the to provide ments during the testing phase Wind Turbine - manufacturers; information on of the wind turbine. Aerodynamic Lower blade tip speed; the final results noise of the blade noise A bund wall to be erected Environmental Noise monitoring at specific around the sub-station acoustic locations with screen walls on top of specialist Sub-station the berm; The sub-station not be erected within 1 000m from a noise sensitive

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area.

14.5.4 Decommissioning Phase

Dismantling activities and rehabilitation of the areas to take place during day time period only and construction equipment to comply with the standards as for construction vehicles as explained in the IFC’s Environmental Health & Safety Regulations.

Table 14.13: Noise Impact Assessment during the Decommissioning Phase Aspect Mitigation Responsible Monitoring person Construction equipment to Site engineer Noise monitoring comply with the standards Removal of infra- as for construction vehicles structure as explained in the IFC’s Environmental Health & Safety Regulations. Construction equipment to Site engineer Noise monitoring comply with the standards Rehabilitation of as for construction vehicles wind turbine as explained in the IFC’s areas Environmental Health & Safety Regulations.

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14.6 Summary and Conclusions

There will be a shift in the prevailing ambient noise level due to the continuous nature of the noise in and around the wind turbines but at a distance exceeding 500 m from the wind turbine the intrusion level will be minimal and in line with the western Cape Noise Control Regulations as the wind noise will create the predominant noise level.

The relationship between the noise level and the wind speed is illustrated in Figure 14.5 where a test was done at a measuring point 300 m from the wind turbine. There was a varying wind speed from 1 to 9 m/s during the time of the noise survey which was for a period of 2 weeks. The wind turbine noise is in independent of the wind speed for a distance exceeding 300 m. The noise level varied between 30 dBA and 40 dBA over the two week period, which is in line with the recommended noise levels for a rural type district according to Table 2 of SANS 10103 of 2008.

Figure 14.5: Wind speed in relation with the noise level at 300m from wind turbine

There is however a large distance between the noise sensitive areas in and around Phase 1 of the project except. The noise intrusion is 0.6 dBA (wind speed of 4.2 m/s) to 7.2 dBA (wind speed of 1.0 m/s) at 500 m from the wind turbines. The Western Cape Noise Control Regulations allow for an increase of 7.0 dBA before a noise intrusion is classified as a noise disturbance. The International Guidelines on the Noise from Wind Turbines recommend a distance between noise sensitive area and the wind turbine in excess of 400 m.

Noise from wind farms tends to increase with the speed of wind as does the overall background noise due to the friction of air over existing landscape features. The increased wind speed will mask the noise emitted by the wind farm itself and the wind speed and direction may affect the direction and extent of noise propagation. The location of these wind turbines will be on the high points of the undulated landscape of the area and the noise sensitive areas are situated in the lower-lying areas of the landscape.

The prevailing ambient noise levels are largely created by emissions from a combination of noise sources of which the main source is wind noise and the wind turbines can only operate when the wind is blowing. The large variations in the

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meteorological conditions and the geographical relations between the wind turbine positions and the noise sensitive receptors allow for the decrease in the noise as it propagates from the wind turbines. There are other prevailing noise sources inside a house at the noise receptors such as amplified music, televisions and fridges amongst other that increases the noise levels inside the house. This will mask distant noise sources in excess of 500 m from the receptor. In the outdoor environment the wind noise, farming activity noise, traffic noise will mask the alleged wind turbine noise.

The establishment of the wind farm will not create a contravention of the Western Cape Noise Control Regulations at the noise sensitive areas in and around the proposed wind farm. The projected noise levels will increase the prevailing noise level in the immediate vicinity of the wind turbines but the sound will be filtered the further one moves from the wind turbines. The people that will work in the vicinity of the wind turbine up to 300 m from the wind turbine will experience an increase in the prevailing ambient noise level. The increase will however not have an impact or impair the hearing of people.

Wind turbines 32, 26 and 42 will have to be re-positioned as the wind turbines are 200 m, 180 m and 340 m from noise sensitive areas H, I and S respectively. The recommended distance according to International Guidelines for wind turbines between a noise sensitive area and a wind turbine is 400 m.

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15 VISUAL ASSESSMENT

15.1 Introduction

CNdV Africa were appointed to undertake a specialist Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) of the proposed wind farm. This involved determining the area from which the proposed development will be potentially visible (‘the viewshed’), identification and assessment of any visual impacts and identification of potential mitigation measures.

This chapter is supported by the Avifauna Report included in Appendix P which contains further technical information on the assessment undertaken.

15.2 Methodology

The assessment has been undertaken in line with the following provincial guidelines:

 Guidelines for Involving Visual and Aesthetic Specialists in EIA Processes compiled for the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape (June 2005); and  Guidelines for the Management of Development on Mountains, Hills and Ridges of the Western Cape. Originally for the then Western Cape Department of Environmental and Cultural Affairs and Sport (April 2002).

The following activities were undertaken:

 A desktop survey was undertaken using aerial photographs and 1:50 000 maps. These were used to identify landforms and landscape patterns, as well as to determine the viewshed;  A photographic survey of the site and surrounding areas was conducted which determined the visibility of the site and the proposed development from within the surrounding landscape;  A 3D computer model generated by Google Earth was used as a means of analysis;  Significant viewpoints and areas where views of the site are possible were identified and analysed;  An evaluation was made of potential visual impacts on all areas where visual influence is anticipated; and  Relevant mitigation measures were proposed.

It should be noted that 3 MW wind turbines were modeled. Should larger 3.6 MW turbines be built, this is not expected to significantly affect the assessment of the visual impacts.

The methodology used to assess the impacts follows the general assessment methodology described in Chapter 6. However, the methodology has been slightly adapted so as to conform to the requirements of the provincial guidelines and read logically in this report. Several assessment categories that are specific to visual impact assessment have been added.

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15.3 Baseline Conditions

15.3.1 General Description of the Site and Surrounding Area

The site consists of a number of agricultural erven that follow a series of ridges and hills that rise above the surrounding landscape. These hills lie in a large valley bordered to the north by the line of the Riviersonderend Mountains, to the west by the Franschhoek Mountains and Houwhoek Mountains, to the south by and the Onrus Mountains and the Kleinrivier Mountains and to the east by Swartberg.

The general terrain is undulating and complex and almost completely reworked by farming. The ploughing follows the contours and creates a sense of order in the landscape which changes colour and texture with the seasons. At certain times of the year some of the land is used for grazing, mainly sheep.

Natural fynbos only exists in limited areas where ploughing is difficult or the soil is not suitable for agriculture (e.g. steeper slopes, kloofs and upper slopes of mountains).

The landscape is characterised by small stands of trees, often associated with small dams or water troughs for sheep. Larger stands, including plantations, occur near Caledon and adjacent to the R43. In the area of the site, however, there is very little in the way of potential vegetative screening.

Two rivers cross the valley:

 The Riviersonderend which lies north of the site and drains into the Theewaterskloof Dam to the north; and  the Botrivier which runs to the east of the site and drains into the Botrivier Estuary to the south.

The areas along these rivers are more treed and green compared to the surrounding landscape. Fruit orchards occur in some places.

Innumerable seasonal water courses occur in the kloofs and folds of the hills and mountains, which are dry for much of the year. Many farm dams are constructed on these waterways. There are two large dry pans immediately adjacent to the southernmost boundary of the site.

The hills on the site rise above the surrounding landscape. They form an intermediate visual feature which is generally seen against the backdrop of the more distant mountains but sometimes creates a skyline of its own.

The landscape dictates the pattern of the roads. Views from the roads change continually from relatively intimate agricultural scenes to vast panoramic views taking in the distant mountains. This creates a very rich visual experience when travelling through the area.

Human settlement is limited to farm houses and other agricultural buildings. The farms are large resulting in the density of the farm buildings being low.

Other sensitive visual receptors or viewpoints include:

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 The Caledon Nature Reserve which lies to the south-east of the site on the slopes of Swartberg. The site can be clearly seen from the portion of the reserve that occupies the north-westerly facing slopes of the mountain;  The Botrivier River estuary. The estuary is visible in the distance (approximately 30km) from the R43. The remainder of the viewpoints are on farmland or mountain slopes, many of them being on the site;  Person travelling along the Houwhoek Pass eastwards towards Caledon. Panoramic views over the entire valley, including the site, are possible; and  Portions of Botrivier to the west and Caledon to the east and the estuary areas to the east of Kleinmond.

15.3.2 The Visual Environment and Sense of Place

Panoramic views of the valley are possible from a number of viewpoints, in particular the Houwhoek Pass and R43. There is a sharp contrast between the agricultural and natural areas of the landscape with the steepness and wildness of the mountains clearly visible above the ploughed lands. The visual nature of the landscape varies during the different seasons from green and yellow (canola fields) during spring to golden wheat, stubble and finally during summer ploughed earth with contrasting patches of fynbos.

The skyline created by the surrounding mountains and from some viewpoints the hills in the valley form an important visual element which helps define the space and create a sense of scale. In turn, the agricultural activities provide a story of human activity in the area and therefore form an important informant to the visual nature of the area.

The resulting landscape is a rich blend of natural and man-made elements, the scope of which is unique in South Africa and carries with it a unique sense of place. Several important tourist corridors pass through this visually significant landscape:

 The N2;  The R43; and  The R406.

The valley itself has very limited tourist facilities. However, the general store and restaurant at Dassiesfontein has a direct view of the site and attracts many passing visitors. The main tourist destinations are the coastal towns which will not be directly visually affect by the development (see below) and Caledon which will be partially affected (see below).

Whilst a limited number of people living in the valley within sight of the development or commuting from their farms, the greater number of people experiencing a visual impact will be tourists passing through the area on the N2, R43 and R406.

15.4 Impact Assessment

There are several different aspects of the implementation of the wind farm that will incur differing visual impacts, namely:

 Wind turbines;

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 Road network;  Transmission line and connection to the national grid;  Temporary construction phase requirements;  Transport; and  Operational on-site activities (maintenance, security personnel, road maintenance).

It should be noted that the total amount of road traffic during the operation of the wind farm will be very low and therefore the additional visual impacts will also be very low. These impacts are therefore not assessed further.

Similarly, in terms of the decommissioning phase, should the turbines be renewed it is likely that the impacts will be the same as during construction and operational phase. Should the wind farm be dismantled, the visual environment would return to the existing visual status quo. The decommissioning phase will therefore not be assessed further.

15.4.1 The Viewshed

The viewshed is defined as the theoretical outermost limit of the area from which views of development on the site may be possible. The viewshed therefore defines the area that has been assessed in the VIA.

The surrounding mountains mark the outer boundaries of the viewshed. The following factors will influence the visibility of the development within the viewshed:

 The scale of the turbines (up to 160m in height);  The positioning of the turbines along an intermediate ridgeline which lifts them above the surrounding terrain and allows for views into the adjacent valleys, i.e. the turbines will be clearly visible from some viewpoints in the Villiersdorp Valley;  The required light colouring of the turbines to make them visible to aircraft and birds;  The movement of the blades which will draw attention to the turbines when in use;  The presence of the red aviation warning lights at night which will be visible over a considerable distance; and  From many viewpoints the turbines will be seen against the skyline thus emphasising their nature and making them stand out.

In addition panoramic views of the entire viewshed area are visible from several roads and viewpoints. The wind farms stands squarely in the centre of the view-frame from many of these viewpoints.

As a result, the entire viewshed will be visually influenced to a lesser or greater degree by the proposed development. It should however be noted that for each turbine there will be large ‘shadow’ areas within the viewshed which will be shielded from view resulting in most views of the development only being partial.

Figure 15.1 and Figure 15.2 at the end of this chapter illustrate the viewshed.

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15.4.2 Extent of the Visual Impact

Due to the following reasons the extent of the visual impact is assessed as regionalU U for both the construction and operational phases and at night:

 the visual impacts extending up to approximately 30km in every direction and the adjacent valleys outside the immediate area; and  people passing through the area via the scenic and tourist routes to destinations beyond the viewshed will be effected if only temporarily.

15.4.3 Visual Influence

The visual influence of the development from key viewpoints has been assessed. Corresponding figures are provided in Figures 15.3 – 15.14.

The R43

Reference should be made to Figure 15.3 and Figure 15.4. The R43 is the road that will be most significantly visually affected by the development as it passes through the centre of the wind farm. Several turbines will be adjacent to the road, some within 130m of it, and during the construction period the construction compound will be directly adjacent to the road north of the entrance to the farm De Vleytjes. Approximately 15km of the road will be affected.

Panoramic views over the entire site are possible from the R43 to the north of the site. Many turbines will therefore be seen against the skyline. The substation will also be visible over a short stretch of road although the local topography will shield it to most views.

The visual influence on this road will be highest during the construction period due to the proximity of the construction compound, construction activities and transport activities.

The visual influence on the R43 is therefore assessed as highU U for most of its length

and mediumU U for those portions of the road where the local topography limits the views of the wind farm.

The N2

Reference should be made to Figure 15.5. Almost the entire length of the N2 within the viewshed (from midway down Houwhoek Pass to just before Caledon) will be visually affected. The closest turbine to the N2 lies 1,500m from the road. Impacts will arise from the following:

 Many of the turbines will break the skyline thus raising their visibility;  Aviation warning lights will be seen as blinking red stars above the skyline;  Construction activities will be clearly visible from the N2; and  Construction vehicles using the N2 / R43 route to and from the site.

The Substation should not be visible from the N2 and the overhead transmission lines will only be marginally visible, if at all, from limited viewpoints.

The visual influence on the N2 is assessed at highU U for most of its length to non-U

existent forU those stretches of road where the site is shielded from view by the local

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topography. The visual influence will be the same for the night time impacts and will be slightly higher during the construction period.

The R406

Reference should be made to Figure 15.6. The R406 is considered significant in terms of its potential visual impacts because it is the main tourist route giving access to the historic village of Genadendal. The entire first phase of the wind farm will be seen against the skyline at a minimum distance of 4.8km and parts of the rest of the development will also be readily visible from this road. Many of the turbines to the east of the site will however be shielded from view, as will the general construction activities, overhead transmission lines and substation.

The visual influence on this road is assessed as highU U for both day and night.

Caledon

Reference should be made to Figure 15.7. The Swartberg will shield the proposals from the majority of Caledon. In particular, the historic town centre, warm baths and tourist facilities will not be affected.

The development will however be visible from the area around the grain silos and more elevated portions of Bergsig. Most turbines will be seen against the backdrop of the distant mountains however turbines 1 – 7 will be seen against the skyline from certain viewpoints.

The visual influence on the viewpoints in Caledon is assessed at mediumU U for both the day and the night.

Botrivier

Reference should be made to Figure 15.8. Some of the turbines will be seen at a distance of 6km and further and be visible against the mountain backdrop and skyline from Botrivier. The number of turbines visible will be dependant on the position of the viewer.

The overhead transmission lines will be partially visible from more elevated portions of Botrivier but the substation should be shielded from view.

In terms of construction activities, the raising of towers and aviation lights will be visible.

Many of the potential views from Botrivier will be shielded by the local vegetation and structures in Botrivier itself.

The visual influence of the project on Botrivier is assessed at mediumU U for both day and night.

Houwhoek Pass

Reference should be made to Figure 15.9. Limited views over the site are possible from the lower reaches of the Houwhoek Pass at an approximate distance of 8 kilometres and less. These views will only be significant when descending the pass. When ascending the pass the valley is behind the viewer and so not directly in view,

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however, the site is significantly visible from a viewpoint and parking area along the road.

When descending the lower part of the pass a panoramic view of the whole pass is visible. The line of hills on which the wind farm is situated forms the central feature in the overall view. The presence of the turbines will add an entirely new visual element to the vista and the turbines will be seen against the skyline. They are likely to attract attention to themselves, especially when the blades are moving, as the rest of the vista will be still. Under certain light and atmospheric conditions the presence of the turbines will be accentuated.

The construction activities, specifically some of the roads, will stand out, especially in the growing season, and the aviation lights will be clearly visible both on the skyline and slightly below the viewer.

The visual influence on views from the Houwhoek pass is therefore assessed as

mediumU U for the lower reaches and nonU existent U higher up the pass.

The Bot River Estuary

Reference should be made to Figure 15.10. It will be possible to see the turbines from limited places in the Bot River Estuary and Nature Reserve but at approximately 30km distance these views will only be possible under exceptionally clear atmospheric conditions. The turbines will not be seen against the skyline and so will be able to blend into the background under most conditions.

The construction activities, aviation lights, overhead transmission lines and substation will not be visible from these viewpoints.

The visual influence on this area is therefore assessed as lowU .U

Helderstroom Road

Reference should be made to Figure 15.11. The views to the south of the road for the first few kilometres will include approximately twelve turbines directly on the ridgeline above the road. Further along the local topography results in the views becoming intermittent. The farms along the road will be similarly affected. The construction compound, substation and overhead lines will not be visible from this road, but the aviation lights will have a significant impact at night.

The visual influence on this road is assessed as highU U for the first five kilometres from

the R43 and then mediumU U to lowU U further eastwards along the road.

Caledon Nature Reserve

Reference should be made to Figure 15.12. Views of the wind farm from the Caledon Nature Reserve will only be possible on the ridgeline and the northern facing slopes of the mountain. The entrance and visitor facilities will not be affected but those that climb to the top of the mountain will have panoramic views over the site. The added elevation of the viewer places the turbines lower in the view and always against the backdrop of the mountains to the north of the site.

The construction compound, substation and overhead transmission lines will not be significantly visible from Swartberg.

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The visual influence on the potential viewpoints within the Caledon Nature reserve is

assessed as mediumU .U

Villiersdorp Valley and Theewaterskloof Dam

Reference should be made to Figure 15.13. There is a large area to the north of the Villiersdorp valley, including parts of the Theewaterskloof Dam from which several of the turbines will be clearly visible against the skyline at a distance of approximately 14km when looking southwards.

The construction compound, overhead lines and substation will not be visible, but the aviation warning lights will be clearly seen at night.

The visual influence on these views is assessed at mediumU .U

Surrounding Farms

Reference should be made to Figure 15.14. Several houses are located on the farms adjacent to the site. These are located between 300m and 1200m from the closest turbines. Although there is some tree cover around the houses, direct views of the wind farm will still be possible through gaps in the trees.

Similarly, houses on the western side of the Bot River will see several of the turbines against the skyline in their easterly views.

The visual influence on these houses is assessed as being highU .U

Houses to the east of Bot River will have their views blocked by the slope up to the site and thus only partial views may be visible. Other farm houses in the area will have partial views of the site but are located further away from the site and thus the visual influence will be less.

Surrounding Mountains

The turbines will be visible from hiking trails along the ridgelines and facing slopes of all the mountains within the viewshed. The visual influence will be mitigated by the distance to the site as well as the elevated position of the viewer placing the turbines against the backdrop of the valley floor and mountains on the opposite side of the valley enabling them to blend in better with the background.

The visual influence is considered to be mediumU U for viewpoints in the Houwhoek

Mountains and lowU U for all other viewpoints.

15.4.4 Visual Impact of the Development

Where areas of visual influence have been identified above, the potential visual impacts were assessed giving account of the factors summarised in Table 15.1.

Table 15.1: Visual Impact factors Factor Assessment Visual Absorption Capacity of the Landscape Low:  The topography leaves the site very visually exposed over a large area; and  The scale of the individual turbines and size of the area over which they are spread

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reduces the effect if normal mitigation measures (e.g. vegetative screening) Compatibility of the Development with the Low: Surrounding Landscape  The Development introduces an entirely new visual element into the landscape – an industrial element will be added to the existing agricultural and natural environment;  The geometry of the turbines will stand out in contrast to the flow of the natural lines of the landscape;  The aviation warning lights will alter the night time visual experience; and  The sense of place will be altered significantly.

Duration of Impacts  Short-term during construction (4 years); and  Long-term during operation (20 years plus possible renewal). Reversibility Low:  Once the turbines are removed, the visual environment will recover completely to its original state within the short term. Perception of Visual Impacts  Negative in the short term;  Neutral in the long term for residents; and  Positive in the long term for some visitors to the area.

Confidence High due to the use of a 3D model to test the impacts Impact on Irreplaceable Resources No:  The new visual element will not alter the basic landform and traditional land use patterns in a way that destroys them; and  The visual alterations will be entirely reversible upon decommissioning. Probability Definite. It is highly unlikely that any changes to the turbine design or wind farm layout will have any significant effect on the assessments Intensity High:  Considerable change to the perceived sense of place due to the visibility of the turbines generated by them breaking the skyline from many viewpoints; their light colouring; movement and aviation lighting. Cumulative Impacts High:  A number of other wind farms are being proposed in the area of the site. The construction of these wind farms will increase the area over which the visual impacts are spread including the area to the south of the N2. The overall viewshed will however remain, the same intensity of the visual impacts within the viewshed increasing.

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15.4.5 Consequence and Significance of the Impacts

Taking account of the visual influence and factors discussed above, the consequence of the Development without mitigation is considered to be high (refer to Table 15.2). A high consequence is defined as:  High intensity at a regional level and endure in the long term;  High intensity at a national level and endure in the medium term;  Medium intensity at a national level and endure in the long term;  High intensity at a regional level and endure in the medium term;  High intensity at a national level and endure in the short term;  Medium intensity at a national level and endure in the medium term;  Low intensity at a national level and endure in the long term;  High intensity at a local level and endure in the long term; and  Medium intensity at a regional level and endure in the long term.

Similarly, the significance of the impacts without mitigation is considered to be high (refer to Table 15.3). The significance of the impact is defined as a combination of the consequence of the impact occurring and the probability that the impacts will occur. A high significant impact would strongly influence the decision to proceed with the proposed project.

Table 15.2: Consequence of Visual Impacts without Mitigation Intensity Extent Duration Consequence General visual High Regional Long term High impact

Table 15.3: Significance of Visual Impacts without Mitigation Confidence Probability Significance Significance General visual High Definite High High impact

15.5 MITIGATION MEASURES

Micro-siting of the wind turbines has been carefully studied to mitigate the impacts identified above. Due to the large size of the turbines, shielding them from some views or keeping them off the skyline, would require that they are moved to place where their operating efficiency would be seriously compromised and the resulting mitigation of the impacts would be at best minimal. Placing turbines along a ridgeline in the centre of a valley is good in terms of operation efficiency, but allows views of the structures from all sides. Moving a turbine from one position in order to avoid a particular visual impact would necessitate creating a similar visual impact in its new position but over a slightly different local viewshed.

15.5.1 Construction Phase

Mitigation measures can be employed during the construction phase to lower the intensity of the visual impacts on certain viewpoints. These measures include the following which should be included in the Environmental Management Programme to be implemented during the construction works:

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 The construction compound is to be carefully planned specifically will the visual impact on the users of the R43 in mind;  The stands of existing trees adjacent to the construction compound are to be retained and extended along the northern boundary and the northern section of the western boundary of the compound so as to fully shield the activities in the compound from the adjacent road;  Lighting in the compound, and anywhere else on the site that might need lighting, even if temporarily, must be shielded in such a way as to not cause light pollution away from the site. This applies specifically to any security lighting;  Littering by the construction crews must be strictly controlled around the compound and also at the turbine erection sites. Littering must not be allowed to affect the surrounding environment, specifically the existing Fynbos;  The construction crews must not be allowed to cross the terrain on any routes other than the new and existing road reserves and access to the fynbos areas outside of the turbine laydown areas for any reason whatsoever must be prohibited;  Rehabilitation of the disturbed areas must take place immediately after construction is complete. This applies specifically to the rehabilitation of the excess road reserve that will be required to enable the delivery of the turbines and the activities of the crane;  A professional landscape architect with specific knowledge in fynbos rehabilitation must be appointed to oversee the fynbos rehabilitation process and the restoration of the original profiles of the excavated areas;  All cut and fill areas must be profiled in such a way that erosion is avoided and it is possible for the natural vegetation to re-establish itself adequately. The scars resulting from steep cut and fill slopes are to be avoided entirely;  The excavations on the site of the substation are to favour cut rather than fill areas so that structures are lowered into the landscape rather than placed on a podium created by fill areas; and  Vegetative screening is to be used around the substation site but this is subject to the safety measures required by the electrical engineers.

15.5.2 Operational Phase

Whilst micro-siting of the turbines is not feasible in terms of mitigation, mitigation measures can be employed to reduce the impacts where small incremental visual impacts may occur over time. These measures include the following:

 All necessary lighting, even if it is only used sporadically, must be shielded so as to avoid light spillage and pollution and to preserve the rural night time ambience. This is specifically true of any security lighting that may be required at the substation, and any external lighting that may be required at the turbines;  Littering by the maintenance crews must be strictly controlled; and  Any soil erosion that occurs as a result of the implementation of the wind farm must be timeously addressed in a way that is visually unobtrusive.

These measures should be included in the long term environmental management plan adopted for the development which will include monitoring of these measures from time to time.

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15.6 Residual Impacts

The consequence and significance of the visual impacts after the implementation of the above mitigation measures are provided Table 15.4 and Table 15.5.

Table 15.4: Consequence of Visual Impacts with Mitigation Intensity Extent Duration Consequence General visual High Regional Long term High impact

Table 15.5: Significance of Visual Impacts with Mitigation Intensity Extent Duration Significance General visual High Definite High High impact

As can be seen from comparing Tables 15.4 and 15.5 with Tables 15.2 and 15.3 respectively, due to there being no meaningful form of visual mitigation that can be applied to the turbines themselves, the pre and post mitigation visual impact of the development will remain essentially the same. The mitigation measures proposed above will not be able to change any of the assessment by a ratings category and thus reduce the significance of the impact.

15.7 Summary and Conclusions

The overall significance of the visual impact of the development will be high irrespective of any visual mitigation that may be undertaken. The following factors contribute towards this conclusion:

 The exceptional and unique visual nature of the environment;  The scale of the turbines and the area over which they will be spread;  The fact that many of the turbines will be sited along a ridgeline that lies centrally in a valley surrounded by higher mountains;  The large viewshed that will be affected, including some areas that are outside the Caledon Valley;  The need for safety measures such as the light colour of the turbines for visibility during the day and the presence of the aviation warning lights at night.  The fact that the blades of the turbines will be moving thus drawing the attention of the viewer;  The presence of several elevated viewpoints which will allow panoramic views over the entire viewshed;  The change in the sense of place within the valley that will be incurred by the new visual elements that will be introduced by the wind farm; and  And the presence of the N2, R43 and R406 scenic routes that carry a large number of visitors through the area.

The highU U significance rating means that the visual impact should strongly influence the decision as to whether to authorise the implementation of the project or not.

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However it must be noted that the visual impact is only one factor that needs to be taken into consideration in the decision making process and other factors may ultimately carry more weight. Furthermore, two mitigating factors concerning the wind farm need to be emphasised:

 It appears that no tourist facilities , (except for the views from the top of Swartberg in the Caledon Nature Reserve,) will be directly visually affected, such facilities as the Caledon Spa and Casino being shielded to views of the wind farm; and  The visual impacts are entirely reversible should the wind farm be decommissioned after the initial 20 year lifespan of the turbines.

There is also evidence to suggest that in countries where wind farms have been established, the presence of the turbines in the scene has become accepted and although the sense of place will be altered by the addition of new elements in the visual environment, this might be seen by many as positive in the long term. While the visual impact of the turbines themselves cannot be meaningfully mitigated, every endeavour must be made to mitigate the construction phase impacts so that the intensity of these is minimised. Additionally a binding environmental management plan for the operational phase must be implemented that prevents any cumulative impacts occurring or any degradation of the environment as a result of the operation of the wind farm.

Careful consideration must also be given to the potential cumulative impacts should other wind farms be sited in the valley and it is suggested that development only take place on one side of the N2, and not on both sides as would be the case if the wind farms to the south of the N2 are implemented.

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Figure 15.1: Approximate viewshed and distance radii

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Figure 15.2: Viewshed – Photographic Analysis

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Figure 15.3: Viewpoint 1 – R43 south of the site

Figure 15.4: Viewpoint 2 – R43 north of the site

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Figure 15.5: Viewpoint 3 – N2 Dassiesfontein

Figure 15.6: Viewpoint 4 – R406

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Figure 15.7: Viewpoint 5 – Caledon

Figure 15.8: Viewpoint 6 – Botrivier

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Figure 15.9: Viewpoint 7 – Houwhoek Pass

Figure 15.10: Viewpoint 8 – Bot River Estuary

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Figure 15.11: Viewpoint 9 – Helderstroom Road

Figure 15.12: Viewpoint 10 – Swartberg (Caledon Nature Reserve)

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Figure 15.13: Viewpoint 11 – Theewaterskloof Dam

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Figure 15.14: Viewpoints 12 – 15 Surrounding Farms

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16 IMP ACTS ON TRANS P ORT

A Transport Impact Assessment (TIA) was undertaken by GIBB to determine the transport impact of the development on the existing transport network during the construction and operational phases of the development.

The TIA has assessed the following stages:

• Status Quo (No-Go Alternative): this determines the extent of the transport impacts of the existing transport network without the impact of the wind farm; • Construction Phase: this determines the impact of the construction of the wind farm; and • Operational Phase: this determines the impact of the operation of the wind farm.

The construction of the proposed wind farm is assumed to take place in three phases. For the purposes of the TIA, it has been assumed that the construction of each phase will only start after construction of the previous phase is completed and that the construction process of Phases 2 and 3 is similar to that of Phase 1.

The decommissioning phase of the wind farm will have a similar transport impact to the construction phase. A specific decommissioning assessment was therefore not undertaken at this stage. A study of the transportation impact of the decommissioning stage should be undertaken once the decommissioning date is determined.

The following transport categories have been assessed:

• Access; • Traffic Analysis; • Heavy Load Transport; • Parking; • Public Transport; • Non Motorised Transport; and • Air Space.

The transport impact of Phases 1, 2 and 3 was assessed in the TIA, except for trip generation and intersection capacity. The trip generation and intersection capacity assessments only assessed the Phase 3 scenario. This is because Phase 3 will generate the greatest amount of electricity of all the three phases and thus is expected to generate the highest transport impact on the existing road network (i.e. a ‘worst case scenario’).

16.1 No-Go Alternative (Status Quo Environment)

16.1.1 Existing Road Network and Access

Figure 16.1 shows the existing road network in the vicinity of the development. The development is accessed from the R43, running between N2 (between Botrivier and Caledon) and the R45 (Villiersdorp).

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The proposed development can be accessed through the existing De Vleytjies Farm. Three access points are provided to the existing farm, as shown in Figure 16.2.

Traffic accident data shows that a total of 137 traffic accidents occurred between 2001 and 2010 on the R43 between the N2 and R45.

16.1.2 Existing Traffic

Traffic in the area behaves in a rural travel pattern, where the traffic volumes peak throughout the day, as opposed to metropolitan areas where traffic volumes peak in the morning and afternoon. The peak hour in the area occurs at 14:00 – 15:00.

The existing farm currently experiences very low traffic volumes at the three access points. The traffic volumes increase slightly during the harvest season (end of October to end of November) to about 20 vehicles a day.

Heavy vehicles comprise an average of 15% of the traffic volumes along the N2 and R43. The route can therefore be considered as a heavy vehicle route.

The relevant intersections that may be affected by the development are identified as follows (see Figure 16.1):

• R43 / R45; • R43 / R321 (MR00281); • R43 / DR01311; • R43 / Boontjieskraal Road (MR00276); • R43 / Hawston View Road (DR01296); and • N2 / R43.

16.1.3 Public Transport

Several railway lines are located in the Overberg area. These are mainly used for freight, with no operational passenger rail transport currently available in the vicinity of the site.

There is basic public transport within the wider Theewaterskloof area. No road-based public transport routes are however located along the section of the R43 between the N2 and R45, although a low volume of buses was observed along this route during the assessment.

16.1.4 Other Transport Facilities

Several aerodromes are located in the vicinity of the proposed development, the nearest being located in Caledon, Grabouw, Middleton and Hermanus.

Large harbours used for freight and industrial transport are located at Saldanha and Cape Town. The closer smaller harbours (e.g. Gordon’s Bay, Kalk Bay, Simon’s Town and Hermanus) are used for leisure and fishing.

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Figure 16.1: Existing Road Network within the vicinity of the proposed wind farm.

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Figure 16.2: Current access points to the proposed wind farm site.

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16.2 Construction Phase Impact Assessment

The construction phase can be separated into two stages:

1) Site establishment: this includes the establishment of access roads within the construction site, a site office, storage area, parking area, generator with fuel storage, and four accomodation units prior to commencing with the erection of the wind turbines; and 2) Construction and erection of wind turbines and substation.

16.2.1 Access

Consideration was given to the three existing access points in terms of their suitability to be used in the proposed development. Safety was the primary consideration.

The key findings of the analysis are summarised below:

• According to the Western Cape’s 2001 Road Access Guidelines, a minimum spacing of 600m is required for a driveway access along a primary arterial road in a rural environment. The distance between the access points and others side roads is greater than 600m. The space between Accesses 1 and 2 is 180m and therefore unacceptable. The space between Accesses 1 and 3 is 506m and although this is still less than 600m it is considered acceptable; • According to the Geometric Design of Rural Roads (DoT, 1988), the recommended shoulder sight distance for stop controlled intersections is 420m for roads with a width of 7.5m. Access 1 and 2 have shoulder site distances of 200m and less; and • Access 3 has a shoulder distance of 525m and 585m t the left and right respectively. Which exceed the minimum 420m specified.

Based on the findings, Access 3 is the only access point that meets the minimum safe sigh distance requirements and is therefore recommended as the access for both the existing farm and the proposed wind farm during the construction period.

Upgrading of the access will be required to provide left and right-turning lanes along the R43 for safety purposes. The proposed layout of the new access is shown in Figure 16.3.

Figure 16.3: Proposed layout of new access

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16.2.2 Trip Generation

As previously mentioned, the construction of Phase 3 has been assessed as a ‘worst case scenario’. The construction of Phase 3 is estimated to last 18 months. The different construction activities will be carried out at different times during the 18 months, generating different volumes of traffic as follows:

• Site Establishment: 20 trips; • Delivery of the wind turbines and materials: 5,535 trips; • Construction of the substation: 170 trips; and • Erection of the turbines: 666 trips.

The greatest potential impact will therefore arise during the delivery of the wind turbines and construction materials. The trips generated will be mostly due to the transportation of construction components and materials. The assessment has calculated that the 5,535 trips generated equate to 12 trips per day and 7 trips during the peak hour (14:00 – 15:00).

16.2.3 Trip Distribution and Traffic Analysis

The aggregates will be transported via the R43 from Villiersdorp Quarry, which is about 3 km north of the proposed site. Other construction materials, such as cement, sand and steel, will be transported from Cape Town via the N2 and the R43.

The turbine components will be transported from Saldanha Harbour via Villiersdorp (R43) as abnormal loads. The transportation vehicles will return to Saldanha via the R43, N2 and N7 as normal loads.

The result of these trips on the road network, specifically the intersections assessed is summarised in Table 16.1.

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Table 16.1: Impact of the Traffic Generated by the Proposed Development on nearby intersections

Intersection Impact of the traffic generated by the proposed development R43 / R45 All approached will continue to operate well during the peak hour with minimal traffic queues. No upgrading is therefore required. R43 / R321 All approached will continue to operate well during the peak hour (MR00281) with minimal traffic queues. No upgrading is therefore required.

R43 / DR01311 All approached will continue to operate well during the peak hour with minimal traffic queues. No upgrading is therefore required. R43 / Access 3 All approached will continue to operate well during the peak hour with minimal traffic queues. No upgrading is therefore required. R43 / All approached will continue to operate well during the peak hour Boontjieskraal with minimal traffic queues. No upgrading is therefore required. Road (MR00276)

R43 / Hawston All approached will continue to operate well during the peak hour View Road with minimal traffic queues. No upgrading is therefore required. (DR01296)

N2 / R43 The N2 approaches will continue to operated well with minimal traffic queue. Upgrading of the R43 approach is recommended to improve the operation of the intersection by adding an additional lane.

16.2.4 Heavy Load Transportation

Construction materials such as cement, sand and re-enforcing steel will be transported by normal heavy load vehicles (10 – 20 tonnes). Table 16.2 summarises the daily average normal heavy load vehicles generated during the construction of the development.

Table 16.2: Daily Average Normal Heavy Load Daily Average Normal Phases Heavy Load Phase 1 8 Phase 2 16 Phase 3 24

As noted above, these vehicles will travel to the site via the R43 from Villiersdorp and N2 / R43 from Cape Town. As previously noted, these routes currently experience an average heavy vehicle traffic of 15%, which indicates that the roads are heavy vehicles roads.

A pavement integrity assessment is, however, recommended to ensure the generated heavy load will not cause excessive deterioration to the road surface.

16.2.5 Abnormal Load Transportation

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The turbine components will be transported from Saldanha Harbour via Villiersdorp (R43) as abnormal loads. The proposed route for these abnormal loads is shown in Figure 16.4. This avoids routing these abnormal loads through roads and intersections with high traffic volumes. Traffic data obtained from the PGWC website indicated that the proposed route currently experiences an average heavy vehicle percentage of 15 %, which indicates that the route is widely used by heavy vehicles.

A maximum of two wind turbines will be transported per week during the construction phase. This results in an average of 3.2 abnormal trips per day over 15 months. The vehicles will as far as practicably possible travel during site hours (08:00 – 17:00 weekdays) and will take approximately 5 hours. Escort vehicles will be required.

Due to height restrictions imposed by two overhead bridges and power lines along the route, it is recommended that heavy load vehicles with a laden height of 5.3 m be used for the transport of abnormal loads.

Figure 16.4 shows 14 intersections which do not have sufficient turning radius for the abnormal load vehicles. Upgrading of these intersections should therefore be negotiated with the affected private landowners and will involve:

• Removal of road furniture; • Removal of fences; and • Levelling and gravel surfacing of bellmouths.

A transportation of loads application will need to be submitted to the provincial government by the haulier in order to transport the abnormal roads.

16.2.6 Parking

A parking area for site engineers and visitors will be provided during the site establishment works. Construction vehicles will be parked within the construction site during non-working hours.

16.2.7 Public Transport

Due to the insufficient public transport services in the area, transportation will required to be provided for the local workers by the contractor during the construction period. No additional public transport trips will therefore be generated.

16.2.8 Non-Motorised Transport and Aviation

Private transportation will be provided for local works. Therefore no Non-Motorised trips will be generated and no additional facilities required.

The proposed development is located within the 35km restricted areas of the Caledon, Grabouw, Middleton and Hermanus aerodromes. An Obstacle Assessment is required to assess the aviational impact of the structures and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) to carry out a detailed analysis of the possible impact of the development. An application was made to CAA by Caledon Wind and was approved.

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16.3 Operational Phase Impact Assessment

No daily traffic is expected to be generated during the operational phase of Caledon Wind Farm, as the operation will be monitored remotely by both manufacturers in Europe and control centre in Caledon on a daily basis. Minor routine maintenance will be undertaken every year for the removal of unwanted vegetation on site. Major maintenance will be carried out every five years to maintain scraping of the roads. Traffic generated by both types of maintenance is considered negligible and assessment of the impact caused by the operational phase is therefore not necessary.

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Figure 16.4: Proposed Route for Abnormal Loads

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16.4 Summary and Conclusions

The existing Access Point 3 is recommended as the access point during the construction and operation of the development. It will require upgrading to include left and right turning lanes.

No daily traffic is expected to be generated during the operational phase of the development as operation will be monitored remotely. Traffic associated with route maintenance will be negligible.

The decommissioning phase of the development is expected to have a similar or less of an impact to that of the construction phase as set out below:

• Background traffic of the surrounding roads shows that traffic in the area follows a rural pattern with the peak hour occurs at 14:00 – 15:00 on a weekday. The construction of the wind turbines during Phase 3 of the development will generate the greatest number of vehicle trips (5,535 over 18 months; 12 trips per day and 7 trips during the peak hour (14:00 – 15:00)). The majority of the intersections assessed along the R43 will continue to operate well with minimal queue lengths. The R43 approach to the N2/R43 intersection is however recommended to improve the operation of the intersection by adding an additional lane.

• Construction materials such as cement, sand and re-enforcing steel will be transported by normal heavy load vehicles (10 – 20 tonnes). These vehicles will travel to the site via the R43 from Villiersdorp and N2 / R43 from Cape Town. These routes currently experience an average heavy vehicle traffic of 15%, which indicates that the roads are heavy vehicles roads. A pavement integrity assessment is, however, recommended to ensure the generated heavy load will not cause excessive deterioration to the road surface.

• The turbine components will be transported from Saldanha Harbour via Villiersdorp (R43) as abnormal loads. The proposed route avoids roads and intersections with high traffic volumes and currently experiences an average heavy vehicle percentage of 15%, which indicates that the route is widely used by heavy vehicles. A maximum of two wind turbines will be transported per week and take 5 hours to reach the site. The vehicles will as far as practicably possible travel during site hours (08:00 – 17:00 weekdays). Escort vehicles will be required. Due to height restrictions along the route laden vehicles should not exceed 5.3m.

• Fourteen intersections along the route will require upgrading to allow sufficient turning radii for the abnormal load vehicles. Assessments of the carrying capacity of the structures and the pavement integrity along the route will be required. A transportation of loads application will need to be submitted to the provincial government by the haulier in order to transport the abnormal roads.

• Designated parking areas will be provided on site for construction personnel and visitors. No parking facilities are required for construction vehicles.

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• Local site workers will be provided with transportation and thus no additional public transport or non-motorised trips will be generated and no associated facilities required.

• The proposed development is located within the wind farm prohibited area of Caledon, Grabouw, Middleton and Hermanus aerodromes. A detailed aviation investigation will be required to be undertaken by the South African Civil Aviation Authority.

Caledon Wind Farm EIA January 2012 Final EIA Report 16-12 17 CONCLUSIONS

17.1 Introduction

17.1.1 Project Background

Epsispan (Pty) Ltd, trading as ‘Caledon Wind’ is proposing to establish a commercial Wind Farm and associated infrastructure on a site near Caledon in the Theewaterskloof Municipality, Western Cape Province. The proposed Caledon Wind Farm was initially expected to generate up to 300 MW and comprising of up to 150 wind turbines. Through further detailed studies and wind modelling the farm proposed to ultimately generate 243 MW, comprising of 21 x 3 MW and 50 x 3,6 MW wind turbines.

In terms of the EIA Regulations, an application of this nature has to undergo both Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd have been commissioned by Caledon Wind, who is the project developer, to undertake the EIA process.

This report documents the tasks which have been undertaken as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment Phase of the EIA. These tasks include the public participation process and specialist studies, as well as the documentation of the issues which have been identified as a result of these activities.

To date, tasks that have commenced as part of the EIA include:

• Identification of Stakeholders or I&APs; • Notification and Advertisements; • Background Information Documents; • Specialist Scoping Studies; • Ongoing Consultation and Engagement; and • Specialist Studies as part of the EIA phase.

Detail on the above has been discussed in the Final Scoping Report.

This Draft Scoping Report was released for public review and comment from 10 December 2009 – 3 February 2010. During the review period, a Public Participation Process (PPP) was undertaken, allowing Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) and Key Stakeholders from government and the private sector to engage with the project proponents and independent environmental consultants. The PPP consisted of key stakeholder workshops, focus group meetings, public meetings and one-on-one interactions. Issues raised by I&APs and key stakeholders during the public participation process were documented and included in this final EIA Report (Appendix E).

The relevant authorities required to review the proposed project and provide Environmental Authorisation were consulted from the outset of this study, and have been engaged throughout the project process. These supervisory authorities include the National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), who are the lead authority for this project. The Western Cape Department Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (WC DEA&DP) is noted as a key commenting authority. In

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addition, a number of other authorities have been consulted. For a comprehensive list refer to Appendix C.

The Scoping phase of an EIA serves to define the scope of the detailed assessment of the potential impacts of a proposed project. The Scoping phase have been undertaken in accordance with the requirements of sections 24 and 24D of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act 108 of 1998), as read with Government Notices R 385 (Regulations 27-36), 386 and 387 of the NEMA and the IEM Information Series (DEA, 2002). The objectives of the Scoping phase were to:

• Ensure that the process is open and transparent and involves the Authorities, proponent and stakeholders; • Identify the important characteristics of the affected environment; • Ensure that feasible alternatives are identified and selected for further assessment; • Assess and determine potential impacts of the proposed project on the biophysical and socio-economic environment and associated mitigation measures; and • Ensure compliance with the relevant legislation.

Specialist studies were undertaken as part of the EIA phase to identify impacts that may occur as a result of the proposed project. The studies undertaken are listed in Table 17.1.

Table 17.1: Specialist Studies undertaken within the Scoping Phase of the Project Specialist Study Name of Specialist

Flora Impact Assessment Nick Helme of Nick Helme Botanical Surveys Fauna Impact Assessment David Hoare of David Hoare Consulting CC Avifauna Impact Assessment Chris van Rooyen of Chris van Rooyen Consulting Agricultural Study Garry Patterson of ARC Social Impact Assessment Tony Barbour of Tony Barbour Environmental Heritage Impact Assessment Dr. Lita Webley/ Tim Hart of UCT Noise Impact Assessment Barend van der Merwe of DBAcoustics Visual Impact Assessment Tanya de Villiers of CNdV Africa Traffic Impact Assessment Nuran Nordien of Arcus GIBB

The specialists listed in Table 17.1 above have since undertaken their assessments and completed their reports. The conclusions of the Environmental Impact Assessment phase specialist studies are discussed below.

17.2 Findings and Recommendations of the Specialist Studies

17.2.1 Flora

The study area presents a viable opportunity for the construction and operation of a wind farm that will not have major negative botanical impacts, provided that the Caledon Wind Farm EIA January 2012 Final EIA Report 17-2

important botanical constraints identified in this study are observed and the recommended mitigation measures put in place.

The following conclusions were drawn from the Flora Impact Assessment:

• There are two natural vegetation types on site, one of which is regarded as Critically Endangered on a national basis and the other Vulnerable, and most of the remaining areas of natural vegetation can be expected to support various plant Species of Conservation Concern. Significant portions of the study area support vegetation in medium to pristine condition, and were mapped as being of High sensitivity in the baseline study of Helme (2009). Ideally no development should occur within identified High sensitivity areas, and all infrastructure should ideally be located at least 30m from the edge of these High sensitivity areas. The majority of the study area (>60%) is cultivated or disturbed land of Low botanical sensitivity, and presents no botanical constraints to the proposed facility. • Overall the proposed WEF is likely to have an unacceptable Medium – High negative impact on the vegetation on site, prior to mitigation. This could easily be reduced to an acceptable Low negative level with basic mitigation involving realignment or removal of eight turbines and associated infrastructure. • The proposed WEF could even have a Low or Medium positive impact if all areas of High sensitivity vegetation in the study area are managed appropriately (annual alien vegetation management, no grazing in winter – spring flowering season), and are formally conserved within CapeNature’s Stewardship Program. The likelihood of this happening is however not known, and is considered to be low, as it would require negotiated contracts between the landowners, the applicant and CapeNature. • If the essential mitigation and the CapeNature Stewardship Program recommendation is all implemented then this project could potentially serve as an example of best practice wind energy facility development and management.

17.2.2 Fauna

An evaluation of the habitat on site in association with the potential occurrence of species of conservation concern indicates that only a small number of species are likely to be negatively affected by the proposed infrastructure. These include the following:

• Natal Long-fingered Bat (Near Threatened); • Cape Horseshoe Bat (Near Threatened); • Temminck's Hairy Bat (Near Threatened in SA only); • Geoffroy’s Horseshoe Bat (Near Threatened in SA only); • Cape Rain Frog (Vulnerable); • Cape Mountain Toad (Vulnerable); • Montane Marsh Frog (Near Threatened); • Geometric Tortoise (Endangered); • Yellow-bellied House Snake (Near Threatened); and • Hawequa Flat Gecko (Near Threatened).

Of these, only the Cape Rain Frog (Vulnerable), Cape Mountain Toad (Vulnerable) and the Geometric Tortoise (Endangered) are listed in a threatened category. The other species are listed as Near Threatened, which is a lower category of concern.

Bats are the species most likely to be affected by the operation of a wind farm. Bat mortality associated with wind turbines is reported to be quite high. The impact is Caledon Wind Farm EIA January 2012 Final EIA Report 17-3

through direct collisions with turbine blades or barotrauma caused by moving turbine blades leading to mortality. The potential significance of this impact was rated as medium. Proposed mitigation measures could reduce the significance of this impact to low. This is an operation phase impact.

One other impact was rated as having medium significance, the potential loss of terrestrial habitat for threatened fauna due to the construction of internal access roads (in combination with underground cables). This is a construction phase impact.

Vegetation in some localities potentially provides habitat for the Cape Rain Frog, the Geometric Tortoise, the Yellow-bellied House Snake and the Hawequa Flat Gecko. Of these, only the Cape Rain Frog (VU) and the Geometric Tortoise (EN) are listed in a threatened category. The other three species are listed as Near Threatened. Neither the Cape Rain Frog nor the Geometric Tortoise were found on site. It was, however, assessed that there is a high probability of the Cape Rain Frog and a moderate probability of the Geometric Tortoise utilizing the types of habitat available on site. Mitigation measures to protect remaining suitable natural habitat are proposed that will reduce the significance of this potential impact to low. The most important habitat to protect is the Renosterveld which are in good condition as well as fynbos and rocky fynbos found in the north-eastern part of the site.

Two alternative power line routes have been proposed. Either route is acceptable from the point of view of potential impacts on threatened fauna, although the more north-westerly route is preferred since it affects a smaller area of natural Renosterveld in moderate condition, which is potential habitat for fauna.

17.2.3 Avifauna

The study site is located in the Overberg wheatbelt. The mosaic of wheat, barley and canola fields interspersed with pastures that comprises the area known as the Overberg Wheatbelt, is classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) – the study area falls marginally outside the formal IBA borders, but in similar habitat. The topography consists of low-lying coastal plains and consists primarily of cereal croplands. The following main habitat types have been identified in the study area:

• Natural vegetation (Fynbos and Renosterveld); • Cereal crops and pastures; • Wetlands and drainage lines; • Dams; and • Exotic trees.

The principal areas of concern with regard to the potential impacts on birds are listed below:

• Collision mortality on the wind turbines; • Collision with the proposed power line; • Displacement due to disturbance; and • Displacement caused by habitat transformation.

a) Collisions

Of the 54 priority species that could potentially occur at the Caledon Wind Farm site, 34 (63%) are associated with aquatic habitats. Wetlands and dams therefore constitute high risk habitat as far as potential collisions are concerned. Determination Caledon Wind Farm EIA January 2012 Final EIA Report 17-4

of the actual use of these dams will require further surveys during the pre-construction period. The next largest group are soaring species, which constitute 20 (37%) out of the 54 priority species. The biggest collision risk for soaring species would be where turbines are situated against slopes, particularly southerly slopes. None of the turbines are currently situated on a south facing slope, but turbines 1-13 are situated on a ridge approximately 160m behind a southerly slope with natural vegetation, which places them in a marginal position. Determination of the actual use of these slopes by soaring species will require further surveys during the pre-construction period.

It is important to note that all the agricultural lands in the study area may be used for foraging purposes by Blue Cranes and Denham’s Bustards. Short flights between foraging areas or foraging areas and roost sites will happen continuously, and specific flight paths cannot be predicted without on site surveys. Due to the high priority ranking of these species, on site, pre-construction surveys are required from strategically placed observation points.

b) Due to disturbance and habitat destruction

There is a dearth of literature on the displacement effect of wind farm developments on key species assemblages in the study area, particularly cranes and bustards. Indications are that Great Bustard Otis tarda is displaced by wind farms within one kilometre of the facility. If this happens with Denham’s Bustard (and Blue Cranes) in the current study area, it may have longer term habitat fragmentation impacts if the number of wind farms in the Overberg increases significantly. The only reliable way of establishing whether the wind farm will lead to the displacement of priority species will be through the implementation of a monitoring programme, by comparing pre- and post construction densities of key species in the wind farm area.

c) Turbine lighting

The consensus among researchers is to avoid lighting the turbines if possible, but that is against civil aviation regulations. Furthermore, the potential for collisions with the wind turbines due to presence of lights is not envisaged to be significant, primarily because the phenomenon of mass nocturnal passerine migrations is not a feature of the study area. Post–construction monitoring (carcass searches) will be required to assess the extent (if any) of nocturnal fatalities that may be linked to the lighting on the turbines

d) Electricity transmission

A proposed 33 kV power line that will link the wind facility to the grid could pose a collision risk, irrespective of which alignment is used. In addition, the turbines will be linked to each other with underground reticulation cables.

e) Mitigation

Despite the fact that wind power has been a feature of the energy industry in the developed world for more than a decade, best practices with regard to bird mitigation are still far from clear and universally accepted. It must be accepted that appropriate best practices and mitigation measures with regard to impacts on birds in a South African context will take a number of years to crystallise, and a measure of trial and error will inevitably be part of the process.

17.2.4 Agricultural Potential

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The effects on agriculture are not likely to be severe, and not fatal flaws were identified. The following mitigation measures are provided:

• Ensure that as much as possible of the planned infrastructure be confined to transformed land, or non-arable areas • Ensure that use is made of existing roads, servitudes etc where at all possible. • Most of the infrastructure could be dismantled at a future stage to return the environment to approximately its original state.

If the mitigation measures listed above are implemented, the effects on agriculture are not likely to be severe, and the absence of any large component of high potential soils supports this.

17.2.5 Geotechnical Study

There are no predictable geological or geotechnical impacts associated with the construction or operations of the wind turbines.

Ground conditions are stable, there are no severe soil erosion and slope stability problems that require unusual or special construction measures to be used. Geotechnical constraints are minor and relate to the presence of shallow rock over much of the area. In terms of foundation conditions this is a highly favourable site condition.

The hard ridges of sandstone and small outcrops are clearly visible and often support patches of indigenous vegetation. These areas can be avoided during the specific location of individual masts to reduce potential impacts due to rock blasting. The soils are highly conductive and will require cathodic protection for the underground powerlines. Similarly the local soil conditions are not ideal in terms of their thermal resistivity, both issues can be mitigated in the selection of an imported quartz sand for pipe bedding

The overall geotechnical assessment is that this site is highly favourable for the operation of a wind farm and that detailed geotechnical investigations are not required for the assessment of environmental potential impacts but should be undertaken to provide detailed information for engineering design once final locations and routes are confirmed.

17.2.6 Social

The key conclusions of the EIA phase Socio-economic study are the following:

Based on the findings of the socio-economic impact assessment it would appear that none of the landowners who stand to be directly affected by the proposed wind energy facility are opposed to the development. The findings of the study also indicate that the employment and business opportunities for the local economy during the construction phase of the project will be limited. However, the establishment of a renewable energy sector based on wind in the TLM does have the potential to create significant employment and business opportunities and support local economic development. This has been recognized by the TLM.

In this regard the TWK Local Economic Development Strategy (2009) indicates that the TLM is positioning itself to become a leader in sustainable practices and creating an attractive investment environment, including a destination for green industries.

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These initiatives are closely linked to and dependent upon the establishment of renewable energy sources in the TLM. The TLM has also made it a requirement for all potential wind farm operators who are granted to license to establish and operate a wind farm in the TLM to become members of and contribute to a Community Trust. The establishment of wind farms in the TLM and the associated Community Trusts is seen by the municipality as a key mechanism for contributing towards addressing infrastructure backlogs and maintenance costs. Addressing these backlogs has been identified by the TLM as one of the key challenges facing the future economic development of the municipality.

At the same time the TLM also recognise the importance of tourism to the local economy. In this regard the TLM have produced a prepare a strategic plan for tourism and have also commissioned a regional assessment aimed at providing the municipality with spatial guidance on where potential wind farms could be located in the area. There are very few if any local municipalities in the Western Cape, or for that matter the rest of South Africa, who have been so proactive in considering the potential issues associated with wind farms, specifically, the potential impact on the rural landscape. In this regard the TLM should be complimented for their proactive approach.

The proposed development also represents an investment in clean, renewable energy infrastructure, which, given the challenges created by climate change, represents a positive social benefit for society as a whole.

However, the impact of large wind farms, such as the Caledon Wind Farm, on the visual and landscape character of the area cannot be ignored. The significance of the impact on the sense of place and landscape is linked to the location of the site in terms of the N2 and R43, both of which are scenic routes, and the importance of tourism to the local economy. In addition, the findings of the socio-economic study indicate that the establishment of the Caledon Wind Farm conflicts with a number of key principles contained in the Western Cape Spatial Development Framework, the Guidelines for development on Mountains, Hills and Ridges, and a Regional Wind Energy Assessment commissioned by the Theewaterskloof Municipality. In order to address these issues it is recommended that the location of the wind turbines associated with Phase 1 be reconsidered.

The impact of wind farms on rural landscapes is an issue that will need to be addressed by the relevant environmental and planning authorities, specifically given the large number of applications for wind farms in the area that have been submitted over the last 12-18 months. In this regard the impacts on the rural landscape associated with the Caledon Wind Farm would be compounded by the development of more than one wind farm in the area. The establishment of more than one, large wind farm in the area is therefore not supported.

17.2.7 Heritage Resources

The conclusions of the heritage study are outlined below:

a) Pre-colonial and Colonial Archaeology

Scatters of Early Stone Age material occur across many of the ploughed fields. They are not in context and are of low significance. It is proposed that a photographic record of a limited collection of the ESA (quartzite hand axe) artefacts is undertaken as part of the EMP programme.

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b) Colonial Period Archaeology

There are 5 homesteads within the borders of the wind farm. Four are occupied while one is abandoned. The occupied farm houses have been modernised and retain little original fabric, they have low heritage significance. The early 20th century, abandoned, farmhouse (Klein Windheuwel) which is in a state of neglect, has medium significance. No mitigation is proposed for the farmsteads. However, in order to prevent vandalism of the abandoned farmhouse of Klein Windheuwel, it is recommended that the house is fenced off during the construction phase. Alternatively, the developers may consider upgrading the structure for accommodation for the construction crews but this should be according to Heritage Western Cape guidelines for buildings over 60 years.

c) Graveyards

There is one early 20th century cemetery within the wind farm, at Klein Klipheuwel. It is close to the farmhouse and is not threatened by the development. No mitigation is required for the family graveyard. However, if burials are uncovered during the excavation for the turbines, access roads, etc then work should cease in that area and Heritage Western Cape should be notified.

d) Cultural Landscape and Scenic Routes

The wind farm is located on either side of the R43 (a scenic route) to Villiersdorp. This is an important access route to the Riviersonderend Valley and the historic villages of Genadendal (Provincial Heritage Site) and Greyton. The proposed wind farm will also be visible from the Houwhoek Pass, the N2, Caledon and Theewaterskloof. At least 19 turbines, which can reach a height of 120m with their blades, will be placed within 350m of the R43. The size of the turbines precludes proposing a feasible buffer on either side of the scenic R43. No mitigation is possible.

The cultural landscape comprises typical Overberg wheat fields and pasture lands, characterised by rolling landscapes, ploughed lands and blue gum tree groves and wind breaks. The Riviersonderend Mountains, Groenland Mountains and Kleinrivier Mountains form an important backdrop to the agricultural lands. The most significant heritage impact will be of visual nature. The cumulative impact of four adjoining wind farms in the Caledon area will be high. The impact of the turbines on the Cultural Landscape will be very high and no mitigation is possible.

e) Substation Locations

There are no significant impacts with regard the placement of the Phase 1 substation. However, Phase 2 substation option B is located next to the R43 and will have a high, negative impact on the R43 scenic route and the option A is preferred.

f) Transmission Line

The impact of the transmission lines connecting the substations to the existing transmission lines which cross the western section of the study area are not considered significant. This is because they will not be crossing the R43, and they will not be a new addition to the landscape. They will be out of view of the R43.

17.2.8 Noise

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There will be a shift in the prevailing ambient noise level due to the continuous nature of the noise in and around the wind turbines but at a distance exceeding 1 500m from the wind turbine the wind noise will create the predominant noise level. There is however a large distance between the noise sensitive areas in and around Phase 1 of the project except for noise one sensitive area on the farm De Vleytjies. The noise intrusion is 4.7dBA. The Western Cape Noise Control Regulations allow for an increase of 7.0dBA before a noise intrusion is classified as a noise disturbance.

A noise disturbance will be created in areas where the turbines will be situated within a radius of 400m from the noise sensitive areas. These turbines have been re- positioned. The prevailing ambient noise levels are largely created by emissions from a combination of noise sources of which the main source is wind noise and the wind turbines can only operate when the wind is blowing. The large variations in the meteorological conditions and the geographical relations between the wind turbine positions and the noise sensitive receptors allow for the decrease in the noise level as it propagates from the wind turbines. There are other predominant noise sources at the noise receptors such as internal noise sources (fridge noise, running water and the structure of the building) inside the farm houses that will mask the sound of the wind turbines. Externally it will be the wind noise, traffic noise, distance from the source and farming activities that will screen the wind turbine noise.

The establishment of the wind farm will not create a contravention of the noise control regulations at the noise sensitive areas in and around the proposed wind farm. The projected noise levels will increase the prevailing noise level in the immediate vicinity of the wind turbines but the sound will be filtered and reduced the further one moves from the wind turbines. The people that will work in the vicinity of the wind turbine up to 300m from the wind turbine will experience an increase in the prevailing ambient noise level. The increase will however not have an impact or impair the hearing of people. According to Table 5 of the SANS 10103 of 2008 the community response to the wind turbine noise will be none too little due to the distance the receptors are from the wind turbines. The significance of the noise impact from the wind turbines will be high at the existing immediate environment and it will become insignificant the further one moves from the wind turbine locations.

17.2.9 Visual

It is clear from the visual analysis in the report that the overall significance of the visual impact will be high irrespective of any visual mitigation that may be undertaken. The following factors contribute towards this conclusion:

• The exceptional and unique visual nature of the environment. • The scale of the turbines and the area over which they will be spread. • The fact that many of the turbines will be sited along a ridgeline that lies centrally in a valley surrounded by higher mountains. • The large viewshed that will be affected, including some areas that are outside the Caledon Valley. • The need for safety measures such as the light colour of the turbines for visibility during the day and the presence of the aviation warning lights at night. • The fact that the blades of the turbines will be moving thus drawing the attention of the viewer. • The presence of several elevated viewpoints which will allow panoramic views over the entire viewshed. • The change in the sense of place within the valley that will be incurred by the new visual elements that will be introduced by the wind farm.

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• And the presence of the N2, R43 and R406 scenic routes that carry a large number of visitors through the area.

All of this has to be seen in the context of the fact that the valley is not in its original state and that the visual environment which is so highly prized has been created, to a certain extent, by human intervention over time.

There is evidence to suggest that in countries where wind farms have been established amidst public outcry at the potential visual impacts, the presence of the turbines in the scene has become accepted, and even embraced, in much the same way that the agricultural alterations to the Caledon valley are valued today.

The sense of place will be altered by the addition of new elements in the visual environment but this might be seen by many as positive in the long term. The high significance rating means that the visual impact should strongly influence the decision as to whether to authorise the implementation of the project or not, but the visual impact is only one factor that needs to be taken into consideration and other factors may ultimately carry more weight.

Two mitigating factors concerning the wind farm need to be emphasized:

• It appears that no tourist facilities , (except for the views from the top of Swartberg in the Caledon Nature Reserve,) will be directly visually affected, such facilities as the Caledon Spa and Casino being shielded to views of the wind farm, and • The visual impacts are entirely reversible should the wind farm be decommissioned after the initial 20 year lifespan of the turbines.

While the visual impact of the turbines themselves cannot be meaningfully mitigated, every endeavor must be made to mitigate the construction phase impacts so that the intensity of these is minimised. Additionally a binding environmental management plan for the operational phase must be implemented that prevents any cumulative impacts occurring or any degradation of the environment as a result of the operation of the wind farm.

Careful consideration must be given to the potential cumulative impacts should other wind farms be sited in the valley and it is suggested that development only take place on one side of the N2, and not on both sides as would be the case if the wind farms to the south of the N2 are implemented. This would allow for the contrast between the pre wind farm and post wind farm visual environments to be emphasised without saturating the visual experience when travelling on the N2.

17.2.10 Traffic

The following is concluded from the traffic study:

• The construction and decommissioning phases will have a transportation impact on the existing road network. • The decommissioning phase of the development is expected to have similar or less impact to that of the construction phase. The assessment of the transportation impact of the decommissioning phase is therefore not included in this study.

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• Access 1 and 2 of the existing farm should not be used as access for the proposed development, as they do not meet the access spacing and shoulder sight distance requirement. • Access 3 is considered acceptable in access spacing and has sufficient shoulder sight distance. Access 3 is therefore recommended as the access for the proposed wind farm and the existing farm during the construction period. • The background traffic of the surrounding roads shows that traffic in the area follows a rural pattern with the peak hour occurs at 14:00 – 15:00 on a weekday. • The route that will be used by both normal and abnormal load vehicles currently experiences a substantial volume of heavy vehicles (15%). The routes can therefore be considered as a heavy vehicle route. • The intersections along the section of the R43 between the N2 and the R45 currently operate well at LOS A to LOS B with minimal traffic queues. Intersection capacity analysis shows that the intersections will continue to operate at such levels of service during the construction phase of the development. No upgrading is therefore required at the intersections, except for the entrance to the site. • The R43 approach to the N2 / R43 intersection currently operates poorly at LOS E with prolonged delay as a result of high traffic volumes along the N2. Results show that the approach will continue to operate at LOS E during the construction period of the development. Minor widening at the R43 approach to create separate right and left-turning lanes will reduce the delay and improve access to and from the site. • The height of abnormal load vehicles should not exceed 5.3m, due to overhead bridges and power lines along the transportation route. • Insufficient turning radius occurs at 14 intersections along the abnormal transportation route. The abnormal load vehicles are expected to cross over bellmouths in order to traverse the intersections. Negotiation with the private land owners with regard to the upgrading of the intersections will be required. • An assessment will need to be undertaken to determine the carrying capacity of structures along the proposed route for transportation of abnormal loads. • Pavement integrity assessment will also be required to determine the capacity of the pavement along the heavy load route. • Parking facilities will be provided in the central area during the construction phase for the site personnel and visitors. No parking facility is required for construction vehicles. • Site workers will be provided with transportation and no public transport or non- motorised transport trips will be generated by the development. No additional public and non-motorised transport facilities are therefore required. • The proposed development is located within the wind farm prohibited area of four aerodromes in the facilities. A detailed aviation investigation has been undertaken and South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorisation has been provided to the applicant (refer Appendix F).

It is therefore recommended that:

• A transport impact assessment for the decommissioning phase is carried out once the decommissioning date is determined. • Access 3 of the existing farm is used as the only access point for the proposed wind farm and the existing farm during the construction period. • The R43 approach to the N2 / R43 intersection is upgraded with an additional right-turning lane.

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• The transportation of abnormal load application is applied for by the haulier in order to determine the load carrying capacity of the structures along the abnormal load route. • Transportation of abnormal loads takes place between 11:00 and 16:00 on weekdays. • Only abnormal load vehicles with a height of less than 5.3 m are used to avoid conflict with overhead structures. • Bellmouths of the 14 affected intersections along the abnormal transportation route are upgraded. • The transportation of abnormal loads is assisted by escort vehicles and traffic police to avoid confliction with the general traffic. • Transportation is to be provided for the site workers to and from the site.

17.3 Final Proposed Wind Farm Layout and Comment Thereon

Taking into consideration various environmental factors identified through the EIA process, as well as additional legislative parameters introduced in the wind farm environment, CaledonWind re-evaluated the alignment and number of turbines to as far as possible accommodate environmental mitigation measures and adhere to legislative procedures. The following aspects in particular were applied:

• Compliance with the Land Use Planning Ordinance (LUPO) regulations of placement of turbines one and a half times the maximum tip height of the proposed wind turbines from boundaries and structures; • Placement of turbines 400m or more from noise receptors; and • Removal of various proposed turbines from the Renosterveld where possible.

The final proposed wind farm layout, taking the above into account, is represented in Figure 17.1 below. This layout was provided to the specialists to provide final comment on. Copies of the specialist comments received are included in the Specialist Appendices, behind the original reports.

The final proposed layout now consists of the following:

• 50 x 3 MW Turbines • 17 x 3,6 MW Turbines • Generating Capacity of 212 MW

Table 17.2 below indicates which turbines were removed or moved and the reasons for doing so.

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Table 17.2: Summary of removed or moved turbines and reasons Turbine No. Placement Reason T1 Moved LUPO T2 Moved LUPO T3 Removed Renosterveld, slope T4 Moved LUPO T5 Removed Renosterveld T8 Removed LUPO, Renosterveld T13 Removed Noise T18 Removed LUPO T21 Removed LUPO T25 Moved LUPO T30 Moved Noise T31 Moved Noise T37 Removed LUPO T45 Moved LUPO T54 Moved Optimisation

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Figure 17.1: Final Proposed Caledon Wind Farm Layout

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The following summarises additional specialist comments on the final proposed wind farm layout:

17.3.1 Flora

• It is noted that turbines 3, 5 and 8 have been moved out of the sensitive area. • Turbines 17 and 20 were not moved out of High sensitivity areas. • The cumulative negative botanical impact of the overall development still remains an issue, and is the primary reason for the Medium to High negative botanical assessment (Flora Impact Assessment February 2011). • The initial assessment of the proposed development as likely to have a Medium to High negative botanical impact prior to mitigation, and Low negative after mitigation remains. • All other mitigation noted in the initial Flora report still stand and should be both required and implemented.

17.3.2 Avifauna

• The revised lay-out does not affect the avifauna findings. None of the high risk turbine positions as recommended in the avifauna report have been adjusted, so the recommendations stand as are.

17.3.3 Heritage

• The new layout map shows that many of the turbine locations are in the same positions which were assessed during the EIA process. Others have been moved a short distance (generally 100m – 200m) from their original location. In a few instances new positions have been proposed for the turbines to accommodate the conditions set out above. • These new locations have not been subjected to a field survey. However, knowledge of the area, acquired during the initial field work, suggests that these alterations will not have any significant impact on the heritage resources of the area. In the majority of cases, the altered turbine positions will be located in ploughed lands. These areas do not have any archaeological materials in primary context. There are no alterations to turbine positions which will impact on the Built Environment, to the contrary, the new turbine positions are further from farm buildings and structures. The impact to the Cultural Landscape remains high, and the alteration to the position of the turbines will not increase or decrease these impacts. • No further fieldwork is recommended to assess these new turbine positions. However, the heritage recommendations for the EMP phase still apply.

17.3.4 Noise

• Wind turbines 13, 30 and 31 were relocated to be in excess of 400m from the abutting noise sensitive areas H, I and S respectively. • This re-arrangement of the wind turbines is now complying with the International Standard by the World Bank where it is required for a wind turbine to be situated more than 300m from a noise sensitive area.

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17.4 Conclusions and Recommendations

The EIA process undertaken for the proposed wind farm and summarised in this EIA Report aims to ensure that the DEA can make an informed decision on the environmental acceptability or otherwise of this proposed development.

The final EIA Report for the proposed Caledon Wind Farm presents the findings of specialist investigations of 10 key areas of concern that were identified during the Scoping and Impact Assessment process. The configuration of the roads and turbines were adjusted on the basis of the initial findings and there is further intention to optimise the layout and design based on the following:

17.4.1 Construction Impacts

In weighing up the construction impacts after mitigation it appears the High positive local, regional, and national impacts outweigh the High, becoming Medium to Low negative impacts and that when, taking all the impacts into account, there is a positive bias. When weighing up the fact that less than 15 % of the area will be permanently altered and that all High negative biophysical impacts can be adequately mitigated, juxtaposed with the fact that there is a pressing need for investment, expenditure and employment in the area, it is concluded that the High positive social impacts which address these social issues outweigh the residual (after mitigation) Medium to Low negative biophysical impacts.

In weighing up all the other positive and negative construction impacts that were not rated as High before or after mitigation, it is concluded that they do not have a significant cumulative negative bearing on the environmental acceptance of this development as long as they are mitigated/enhanced as required.

As the decommissioning stage should have similar impacts to construction the same conclusions can thus be deduced for decommissioning.

17.4.2 Operational Impacts

In weighing up the Operational Impacts after mitigation it appears the High positive local, regional and national benefits outweigh the High negative local impacts and that when, taking all the impacts into account, there is a positive bias.

The impacts with residual (after mitigation) High negative significance are all related to changes in the views due to the wind farm. These predominantly impact on the local population and holiday makers. The residual impacts with a High positive impact are also socio-cultural and have a significant positive spinoff for the regional and national economy as well as the local community in general.

It would thus appear the groups most negatively impacted on by the proposed development also have some gain from the same development. The fact that wind energy will help reduce green house gas emissions and thus also help reduce global

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warming may also have a positive impact in the future on communities such as those in the Overberg which is dependent on agricultural output as a main economic driver.

Furthermore, the benefit of electricity to those fortunate enough to have it must also be taken into consideration when weighing up the pros and cons of this project especially given the dire situation the country faces if significant generation capacity is not brought on line in a very short time frame (one of wind energy’s advantages is that it can be brought on line faster than any other economically viable large scale energy generation technique).

The benefits regionally, nationally and globally due to renewable energy over conventional energy generation are comprehensively documented and the exponential increase of renewable energy production globally is directly linked to these benefits for the global community. The South African Government has also recognized these benefits and that is why renewable energy is such an important part of the governments planning for future energy production in its integrated resource planning. These regional and national benefits also need to be weighed up against the local negative impacts.

The two main negative bio-physical impacts are the contentious impacts on birds and bats. However, the specialists involved believe that with suitable phasing of the project and the correct monitoring procedures these impacts are no longer of a High negative significance rating and are not fatal flaws of the proposed development.

In summary, there are High positive regional and national spinoffs from the proposed project and the local communities who are most negatively impacted are also the ones who gain the most from the related High positive benefits. Thus, there appears to be an overarching positive bias to the development if the project is looked at from a local, regional and national level.

In weighing up all the other positive and negative operational impacts that were not rated as High before or after mitigation it is concluded that they do not have a significant cumulative negative bearing on the environmental acceptance of this development which would alter the positive bias from the highly significant impacts weighed up above. This is as long as all the impacts are mitigated / enhanced as required.

17.4.3 Cumulative Impacts

As has been indicated in the section summarising cumulative impacts above, in weighing up the potential negative and positive cumulative impacts, the balance of probabilities is that the positive cumulative impacts outweigh the negative.

17.4.4 Recommendations

Based on the findings of the EIA process undertaken for the proposed Caledon Wind Farm Development no fatal flaws were identified. As outlined in the Conclusion section above, when weighing up the residual positive and negative impacts for all the phases of the project, there is an inherent positive bias. All the communities that are impacted negatively will also gain positively from the project so no communities are benefiting at the total expense of another.

Furthermore, the positive residual impacts with high significance are local, regional and national whereas all the highly significant residual negative impacts are local, Caledon Wind Farm EIA January 2012 Final EIA Report 17-17

subjective socio-cultural impacts that will not endanger any biophysical environments. Finally, there are also the non-project specific significant positive impacts of renewable energy over conventional energy production, which are both biophysical and socio-cultural, with far reaching and long term implications.

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