HOUMOED AVENUE EXENSION PHASE 2 FAUNAL IMPACT STUDY PRODUCED FOR CHAND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS BY [email protected] August 2017 Fauna Baseline Specialist Study CONTENTS 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 3 1.1 Assessment Approach & Philosophy .................................................................. 3 1.2 Relevant Aspects of the Development ............................................................... 5 2 Methodology ........................................................................................................ 6 2.1 Data Sourcing and Review .............................................................................. 6 2.2 Site Visit & Sampling ...................................................................................... 8 2.3 Sensitivity Mapping & Assessment.................................................................... 8 2.4 Sampling Limitations and Assumptions ............................................................. 9 3 Description of the Affected Environment- Baseline .................................................... 9 3.1 Broad-Scale Vegetation Patterns ...................................................................... 9 3.2 Critical Biodiversity Areas & Broad-Scale Processes ............................................ 9 3.3 Faunal Communities ..................................................................................... 11 3.4 Site Sensitivity Assessment ........................................................................... 13 4 Identification & Nature of Impacts ........................................................................ 15 5 Assessment of Impacts ....................................................................................... 16 5.1 Construction-Phase Impacts .......................................................................... 16 5.2 Operational Phase Impacts ............................................................................ 18 5.3 Cumulative Impacts ..................................................................................... 19 6 Conclusion & Recommendations ........................................................................... 20 7 References ........................................................................................................ 22 Annex 1. List of Mammals ......................................................................................... 23 Annex 2. List of Reptiles ............................................................................................ 24 Annex 3. List of Amphibians ...................................................................................... 25 Annex 4. List of Avifauna .......................................................................................... 26 2 Houmoed Avenue Extenson Phase 2 Fauna Baseline Specialist Study 1 INTRODUCTION The City of Cape Town is proposing to extend Houmoed Avenue from Noordhoek Main Road in Kommetjie up to Fish Eagle Road. This would however take place in two phases with Phase 2 considered here being the extension of the road from the intersection with Lekkerwater Road to Fish Eagle Road. This would provide an alternative route for traffic using the Ou Kaapse Weg/Kommetjie Road intersection as well as a non-motorised transport (NMT) route between Kommetjie Road and Noordhoek Road. At the same time, the affected parts of Masiphumelele would be reblocked and the roads and housing upgraded. The total length of the roadworks for the road link is approximately 1000m. Chand Environmental Consultants is conducting the required environmental authorisation process for the development and has appointed Simon Todd Consulting to provide a specialist faunal assessment as part of the above process. The full scope of the study is detailed in Section 1.1 below. Terms of Reference The terms of reference for the study are as follows: a) Undertake a site inspection and compile (where possible / relevant) a photographic record of relevant findings and overall site conditions as it relates to faunal habitats and aspects. b) Describe the site, project and the route alternatives. c) Description of the faunal species noted and likely to be found in the study area, including the likely presence of any sensitive species, the overall condition and significance of habitats, the conservation importance/priorities of species etc. d) Identify and assess the impacts of the proposed project on the faunal resources, using the appropriate assessment criteria. e) This would culminate in a faunal impact assessment report that must meet the requirements for specialist reports as contained in the 2014 EIA Regulations. f) The assessment of potential impacts under d) should include and be presented according to the assessment methodology format as provided by Chand for each site alternative: g) The assessment of potential impacts should include the identification and description of cumulative impacts; h) The report referred to in e) should include a description of any assumptions, uncertainties and gaps in knowledge. 1.1 ASSESSMENT APPROACH & PHILOSOPHY The assessment is conducted according to the EIA Regulations, as published and amended by the Department of Environmental Affairs (2017), as well as within the best-practice 3 Houmoed Avenue Extenson Phase 2 Fauna Baseline Specialist Study guidelines and principles for biodiversity assessment as outlined by Brownlie (2005) and De Villiers et al. (2005). This includes adherence to the following broad principles: That a precautionary and risk-averse approach be adopted towards projects which may result in substantial detrimental impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, especially the irreversible loss of habitat and ecological functioning in threatened ecosystems or designated sensitive areas: i.e. Critical Biodiversity Areas (as identified by systematic conservation plans, Biodiversity Sector Plans or Bioregional Plans) and Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas. Demonstrate how the proponent intends complying with the principles contained in section 2 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), as amended (NEMA), which, amongst other things, indicates that environmental management should. In order of priority aim to: avoid, minimise or remedy disturbance of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity; Avoid degradation of the environment; Avoid jeopardising ecosystem integrity; Pursue the best practicable environmental option by means of integrated environmental management; Protect the environment as the people’s common heritage; Control and minimise environmental damage; and Pay specific attention to management and planning procedures pertaining to sensitive, vulnerable, highly dynamic or stressed ecosystems. These principles serve as guidelines for all decision-making concerning matters that may affect the environment. As such, it is incumbent upon the proponent to show how proposed activities would comply with these principles and thereby contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development as defined by the NEMA. In order to adhere to the above principles and best-practice guidelines, the following approach forms the basis for the study approach and assessment philosophy: The study includes data searches, desktop studies, site walkovers / field survey of the property and baseline data collection, describing: Fauna Describe and assess the terrestrial fauna present in the area that will be affected by the proposed development. 4 Houmoed Avenue Extenson Phase 2 Fauna Baseline Specialist Study Conduct a faunal assessment that can be integrated into the ecological study. Describe the existing impacts of current land use as they affect the fauna. Clarify species of special concern (SSC) and that are known to be: endemic to the region; that are considered to be of conservational concern; that are in commercial trade (CITES listed species); or, are of cultural significance. Provide monitoring requirements as input into the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for faunal related issues. Other pattern issues Any significant landscape features or rare or important faunal habitat 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). The condition of the site in terms of current or previous land uses. In terms of process, the following will be identified or described: 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. 1.2 RELEVANT ASPECTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT Due to significant traffic increases in this area and with a view to supporting the traffic during the Kommetjie Road upgrade, the City of Cape Town is proposing to extend Houmoed Avenue from the junction with Noordhoek Main Road