Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment Report: Proposed Eskom Dutywa-Gatyana 132kV Power Line and Construction of Gatyana Substation, Mbhashe Local Municipality, Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa Prepared for Arcus GIBB Engineering and Science 9 Pearce Street, Berea, East London 5241 Box 19844, Tecoma 5214 Telephone Mary-Anne Crocker 043 706 3610; 071 546 0937 Fax 043 721 0141 [email protected] Prepared by eThembeni Cultural Heritage Heritage Len van Schalkwyk and Elizabeth Wahl Box 20057 Ashburton 3213 Pietermaritzburg Telephone 033 326 1136 / 082 655 9077 / 082 529 3656 Facsimile 086 672 8557 [email protected] 4 June 2012 PHASE 1 HIA OF 132kv POWER LINE, DUTYWA TO GATYANA SUBSTATIONS, AMATHOLE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, EASTERN CAPE Management Summary eThembeni Cultural Heritage was appointed by Arcus GIBB Engineering and Science to undertake a Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) of a electrical transmission line in the Eastern Cape Province, in terms of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 as amended, in compliance with Section 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999, as amended. This report represents compliance with a full Phase 1 HIA. Heritage resource descriptions, significance and development impacts We observed no visually sensitive categories of heritage resource within the proposed development corridor. However, we did notice various abandoned homesteads around and between existing villages that may include ancestral graves. The Lower Beaufort Group bedrocks in the study region are generally deeply weathered and mantled in unfossiliferous superficial sediments (e.g. soils, alluvium). Furthermore, their original fossil content has probably been compromised by thermal metamorphism (baking) during dolerite intrusion. Hitherto major vertebrate fossil finds are unknown from the study area, although recent impact studies in the region suggest this may be partially due to insufficient palaeontological research. Substantial sectors of the power line route traverse Karoo dolerite outcrops of no palaeontological significance. Alluvial sediments near Dutywa are of low palaeontological sensitivity. Recommended mitigation A heritage practitioner should complete a ‘walk-through’ of the final selected power line route and all other activity areas (access roads, construction camps, materials’ storage areas, etc.) prior to the start of any construction activities and assess direct impacts on discrete resources such as archaeological sites. Mitigation can usually be achieved by micro-adjustment of tower positions, the exclusion of sensitive areas, basic recording and/or obtaining a permit for alteration, destruction or removal from SAHRA. Tower placements should be negotiated with residents to ensure that no ancestral graves are affected. Significant impacts on local fossil heritage are not anticipated during the operational phase of the transmission line development. Should substantial fossil remains be exposed during construction, however, such as vertebrate bones and teeth, plant-rich fossil lenses or dense fossil burrow assemblages, the Environmental Control Officer should safeguard these, preferably in situ, and alert SAHRA as soon as possible so that appropriate action (e.g. recording, sampling or collection) can be taken by a professional palaeontologist (refer to Section 9). Recommended monitoring None at present. Conclusion We recommend that the development proceed with the proposed heritage mitigation and have submitted this report to SAHRA in fulfilment of the requirements of the NHRA. Relevant staff members may be contacted at the SAHRA Cape Town head office (Mariagrazia Galimberti telephone 021 462 4502; [email protected]). If permission is granted for development to proceed, the client is reminded that the NHRA requires that a developer cease all work immediately and follow the protocol contained in Section 9 of this report should any heritage resources, as defined in the Act, be discovered during the course of development activities. eThembeni Cultural Heritage for Arcus GIBB Engineering and Science Page 2 PHASE 1 HIA OF 132kv POWER LINE, DUTYWA TO GATYANA SUBSTATIONS, AMATHOLE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, EASTERN CAPE Contents Page 1 Introduction 4 2 Terms of reference 4 3 Project description 5 4 Project location and environmental description 6 5 Methodology and approach 7 6 Observations 10 7 Recommended mitigation 11 8 Recommended monitoring 11 9 Protocol for the identification, protection and recovery of heritage resources during construction and operation 11 10 Conclusion 12 11 Bibliography 13 Appendix A Statutory requirements 14 Appendix B Archaeological and historical context of the study area 19 Appendix C Palaeontological Specialist Study: Desktop Assessment 23 Appendix D Determination of significance of and impacts on heritage resources 43 Appendix E Specialist competency and Declaration of independence 47 List of figures Figure 1 Locality map of the project relative to Dutywa and Willowvale in the Eastern Cape Province. 6 Figure 2 Locality map of the proposed Gatyana substation. 6 eThembeni Cultural Heritage for Arcus GIBB Engineering and Science Page 3 PHASE 1 HIA OF 132kv POWER LINE, DUTYWA TO GATYANA SUBSTATIONS, AMATHOLE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, EASTERN CAPE 1 Introduction eThembeni Cultural Heritage was appointed by Arcus GIBB Engineering and Science to undertake a Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) of a electrical transmission line in the Eastern Cape Province, in terms of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 as amended (NEMA), in compliance with Section 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999, as amended (NHRA) (refer to Appendix A). South Africa’s heritage resources are both rich and widely diverse, encompassing sites from all periods of human history. Resources may be tangible, such as buildings and archaeological artefacts, or intangible, such as landscapes and living heritage. Their significance is based upon their aesthetic, architectural, historical, scientific, social, spiritual, linguistic, economic or technological values; their representivity of a particular time period; their rarity; and their sphere of influence. The integrity and significance of heritage resources can be jeopardized by natural (e.g. erosion) and human (e.g. development) activities. In the case of human activities, a range of legislation exists to ensure the timeous identification and effective management of heritage resources for present and future generations. This report represents compliance with a full Phase 1 HIA for the proposed development, including a specialist palaeontological study. 2 Terms of reference An HIA must address the following key aspects: the identification and mapping of all heritage resources in the area affected; an assessment of the significance of such resources in terms of heritage assessment criteria set out in regulations; an assessment of the impact of the development on heritage resources; an evaluation of the impact of the development on heritage resources relative to the sustainable social and economic benefits to be derived from the development; the results of consultation with communities affected by the proposed development and other interested parties regarding the impact of the development on heritage resources; if heritage resources will be adversely affected by the proposed development, the consideration of alternatives; and plans for mitigation of any adverse effects during and after completion of the proposed development. In addition, the HIA should comply with the requirements of NEMA, including providing the assumptions and limitations associated with the study; the details, qualifications and expertise of the person who prepared the report; and a statement of independence. eThembeni Cultural Heritage for Arcus GIBB Engineering and Science Page 4 PHASE 1 HIA OF 132kv POWER LINE, DUTYWA TO GATYANA SUBSTATIONS, AMATHOLE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, EASTERN CAPE 3 Project description The Willowvale (Gatyana) area has about 10 700 outstanding electrification connections under the accelerated electrification programme. However, it is anticipated that the 22kV networks supplying this area will have reached the limits of their supply capacity by 2011. There will thus be no capacity to supply the outstanding connections beyond 2011. In order to address this limitation and to provide spare capacity for future load growth, it is necessary to strengthen the supply to the 22kV network by upgrading the 132kV network in the area. This will provide the needed spare capacity, improve back-feed capabilities and improve the reliability of supply to the Willowvale area The planned network strengthening entails: Construction of 132/22kV 2x20MVA Gatyana substation in the Willowvale area. Construction of ±40km of 132kV Chicadee line from Idutywa substation to Gatyana substation. Upgrade existing 22kV link lines and build new 22kV link lines. The project is needed in order to provide capacity for existing and future developments in the area; improve reliability of supply and maintain acceptable voltage levels on this network. NEMA Section 24(5) stipulates that “listed activities” require environmental authorization. Government Notice No. 544 (June 2010 EIA Regulations) identifies the following listed activities as requiring environmental authorization by means of a Basic Assessment Process: Activity No. 10 “The construction of facilities or infrastructure for the transmission or distribution