Issues and Responses Report (Version 2) i 12726 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS AND WATER USE LICENSE APPLICATION Proposed integration of the Concentrated Solar Park (CSP) into the Eskom network DEA REF: 12/12/20/2606 to 12/12/20/2610 NEAS REF: DEA/EIA/0000767/774/778/785/786/2011 Issues and Responses Report Version 2 The Issues and Responses Report (IRR) captures the comments and issues raised by stakeholders during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Water Use License Application processes for the proposed integration of the Concentrated Solar Park (CSP) just outside Upington into the Eskom network. As part of the announcement, a Background Information Document (BID), with a comment and registration sheet was distributed to potentially interested and affected parties during November 2011. The BID was also handed out and site notices were put up during the second week of November 2011 along the various alternative corridors being investigated for this proposed development. An advertisement was also placed in various newspapers along the proposed corridors during November 2011 to announce this project. Comments received as a result of the announcement process were captured in Version 1 of this report, which is an appendix to the Draft Scoping Report (DSR). The DSR was available for public review from 23 January to 2 March 2012. Stakeholders were notified of the availability of the DSR for comment through the placement of advertisements, notification letters as well as the distribution of a technical summary of the report with a comment sheet. Meetings were also held from 6 to 9 February 2012 in Kathu, Olifantshoek, Upington, Keimoes, Kakamas and Kenhardt to discuss the content of the DSR with stakeholders. Comments and issues raised at these meetings and as a result of the public review process of the DSR are captured in Version 2 of this report which will be an appendix to the Final Scoping Report. Issues and Responses Report (Version 2) ii 12726 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSES ............................................................................................................................................................. 1 2 ALTERNATIVE ROUTES ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2 (2.1) Solar Park to Ferrum (Kathu) ............................................................................................................................................................... 5 (2.2) Solar Park to Nieuwehoop ................................................................................................................................................................... 8 (2.3) Solar Park to Aries (near Kenhardt).................................................................................................................................................... 10 3 BIOPHYSICAL COMMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................... 12 (3.1) Avi-fauna ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 (3.2) Soils ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12 (3.3) Water-related matters ......................................................................................................................................................................... 13 (3.4) Climate ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 14 (3.5) Biodiversity ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 (3.6) Electromagnetic fields ........................................................................................................................................................................ 15 (3.7) Ecology ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 15 (3.8) Visual ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 4 SOCIO-ECONOMIC COMMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................... 16 (4.1) Social ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 (4.2) Land Use .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 (4.3) Health issues ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 5 CONSTRUCTION .................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 (5.1) Deterioration of roads ........................................................................................................................................................................ 18 6 TRANSMISSION LINE SERVITUDE ....................................................................................................................................................... 18 7 OTHER ISSUES ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 (7.1) Solar Park .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 Issues and Responses Report (Version 2) 1 12726 COMMENTS, QUESTIONS AND COMMENTATOR(S) SOURCE(S) RESPONSE(S) ISSUES 1 ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSES 1 The feasibility of the proposed project should be Mr Albert van Niekerk, Registration The aim of the EIA and the specialist investigated. In this study, the specific area and Klipkoppies, PO Box 1831, sheet November studies will be to determine the feasibility its special features should be assessed. Upington, 8800 2011 as well as the impacts of the project. 2 Why can the Solar Park not be built where there Mr Theo Spengler, Rooiwal Registration The bulk of the power from the CSP will be is a need for power such as in Sishen? That will Farmers Association, sheet November fed into the Upington area and the Sishen- minimise the length of the proposed power lines Olifantshoek and other 2011 Saldanha railway line, not the mine. In that has to be constructed now. stakeholders addition a solar development has to be in an area where there is enough sunlight to Mr John Becker, Stellaland Public meeting in generate the power, so the location of the Upington at plant was placed in an area with very high 18:00:30 on 7 solar radiation, and water is also vital for February 2012 to this process and the plant needs to be discuss the DSR near a major water source such as the Orange River. 3 The local municipalities must be invited to these Mr Theo Spengler, Rooiwal Public meeting in All local and district municipalities in the meetings in order to take part in the discussions Farmers Association, Olifantshoek on 6 study area have been invited. regarding proposed projects taking place in the Olifantshoek February 2012 to district. discuss the DSR 4 Who is funding this project? Mr Theo Spengler, Rooiwal Public meeting in Eskom is funding the whole integration Farmers Association, Olifantshoek on 6 project (transmission lines and substation Olifantshoek February 2012 to upgrades and construction). discuss the DSR 5 How do you communicate with the local Stakeholder at meeting. Public meeting in Information on this project has been sent communities and municipalities? Olifantshoek on 6 to affected communities, landowners and February 2012 to municipalities and they were also invited to discuss the DSR attend the stakeholder meetings. 6 Investigate the: Mr Rudi Oosthuizen, PO Box Comment sheet This will all be investigated in the next • impact on my farm, 3, Olifantshoek on 20 February phase of the EIA phase as part of the • the environment, 2012 specialist studies. • the aesthetic impact of a transmission line, • access control, • deterioration of roads and • possible theft. Issues and Responses Report (Version 2) 2 12726 COMMENTS, QUESTIONS AND COMMENTATOR(S) SOURCE(S) RESPONSE(S) ISSUES 2 ALTERNATIVE ROUTES 1 Please provide us with detailed maps of the Mr Limpho Mongoato, Registration Detailed maps will be provided at the final routes for the proposed power lines. Department of Agriculture, sheet November public meetings