SABIE GORGE NR 4 CC DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED TOWNSHIP ESTABLISHMENT AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE ON PORTION 2 OF THE FARM COOYONG 1100-LS, HAENERTSBURG, LIMPOPO PROVINCE REF: 16/1/7/1p-M2 SEPTEMBER 2012 Tel: 015 307 3606 Fax: 086 527 0012 / 015 307 3080 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.polygonenvironmental.co.za Post: PO Box 1935, 21C Peace Street, TZANEEN, 0850 Draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed township establishment and associated infrastructure on Portion 2 of the farm Cooyong 1100-LS, Haenertsburg, Limpopo Province Contents Table of Contents ………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 2 Abbreviations ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5 Contact Details …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6 1. INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION ........................................................................... 7 1.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................7 1.2. Project description .................................................................................................................................7 1.3. Site description ......................................................................................................................................8 2. INVESTIGATION OF ALTERNATIVES ............................................................................................. 9 2.1. Project Alternatives ...............................................................................................................................9 2.1.1. Project Alternative A: Forestry .......................................................................................... 9 2.1.2. Project Alternative B: Township establishment ................................................................. 9 2.2. Site Alternatives ....................................................................................................................................9 2.3. Layout alternatives ................................................................................................................................9 2.4. Alternative Sewerage Treatment Facilities ........................................................................................ 11 2.4.1. Sewerage Alternative A: Waterborne sewer reticulation ................................................. 11 2.4.2. Sewerage Alternative B: Conservancy tanks .................................................................. 11 2.4.3. Sewerage Alternative C: Septic tank with French drain on each stand .......................... 11 2.4.4. Sewerage Alternative D: Lilliput system .......................................................................... 11 2.4.5. Sewerage Alternative E: Calcamite system (preferred option) ..................................... 13 2.5. No-go Alternative ................................................................................................................................ 16 3. APPLICABLE LEGISLATION ......................................................................................................... 18 3.1. Environmental Legislation .................................................................................................................. 18 3.2. Other Legislation ................................................................................................................................ 19 4. SERVICES ....................................................................................................................................... 20 4.1. Water .................................................................................................................................................. 20 4.2. Sewerage ........................................................................................................................................... 20 4.3. Electricity ............................................................................................................................................ 21 5. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT – .............................................................................. 21 BIO-PHYSICAL INVESTIGATIONS ........................................................................................................ 21 5.1. Climate ............................................................................................................................................... 22 5.1.1. Status quo ........................................................................................................................ 22 5.1.2. Potential impacts .............................................................................................................. 23 5.2. Topography, Soils, Geology and Hydrology ...................................................................................... 23 5.2.1. Topography ...................................................................................................................... 24 5.2.2. Geology ............................................................................................................................ 24 5.2.3. Soils .................................................................................................................................. 24 5.2.4. Surface hydrology ............................................................................................................ 25 5.2.5. Geo-hydrology .................................................................................................................. 25 5.2.6. Slope stability model ........................................................................................................ 27 5.2.7. Slope stability analysis ..................................................................................................... 28 5.2.8. Potential impacts .............................................................................................................. 30 5.3. Vegetation .......................................................................................................................................... 31 P O Box 1935 TZANEEN 0850 Tel 015 – 307 3606 Fax 015 – 307 3080 [email protected] 2 www.polygonenvironmental.co.za Draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed township establishment and associated infrastructure on Portion 2 of the farm Cooyong 1100-LS, Haenertsburg, Limpopo Province 5.3.1. Ecological Assessment – Dr Buks Henning (AGES) ....................................................... 31 5.3.2. Specialist Vegetation Assessment – Prof George Bredenkamp (Eco-Agent) ................. 36 5.3.3. Vegetation description ...................................................................................................... 38 5.3.4. Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 42 5.3.5. Potential impacts .............................................................................................................. 42 5.4.1. Ecological Assessment – Dr Buks Henning (AGES) ....................................................... 43 5.4.2. Specialist Faunal Assessment – Mr Dewald Kamffer (Ecocheck) ................................... 47 5.4.3. Specialist Herpetological Assessment – Prof Les Minter (University of Limpopo) .......... 52 5.4.4. Specialist Reptile Assessment – Bateleur Environmental Services ................................ 63 5.4.4. Potential impacts .............................................................................................................. 68 6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT – .............................................................................. 69 SOCIO-ECONOMIC INVESTIGATIONS ................................................................................................. 69 6.1. Heritage Assessment ......................................................................................................................... 69 6.1.1. Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 69 6.1.2. Resource Inventory .......................................................................................................... 69 6.1.3. Resource evaluation ......................................................................................................... 70 6.1.4. Impact identification and assessment .............................................................................. 71 6.1.5. Resource management recommendations ...................................................................... 71 6.1.6. Potential impacts .............................................................................................................. 71 6.2. Social Aspects .................................................................................................................................... 71 6.2.1. Haenertsburg and surrounds ........................................................................................... 72 6.2.2. Greater Tzaneen Municipality .......................................................................................... 72 6.2.3. Infrastructure and services ............................................................................................... 74 6.2.4. Potential impacts .............................................................................................................