Ezendalo Environmental Consultants Tel: 043 760 0165 9 Baldwin Road Cell: 078 827 3985 Highgate Fax: 086 587 9523 East London Email: [email protected] 5247 [email protected] ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR PROPOSED PLANTATIONS FOR MALANGENI EXTENSION OF 433 HECTARES AND BHUKAZI 194 HECTARES ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS FINAL SCOPING REPORT FOR EIAR Prepared by: Ezendalo Environmental Consultants On behalf of: Ingquza Hill Local Municipality Contact Person: Ayanda Matiwane-Matyeni Cell: 078 827 3985 Tel: 043 760 0165 Fax: 086 587 9523 Email: [email protected]/[email protected] August 2020 i Final Scoping Report Malangeni and Bhukazi Forest Plantations Report Title: Final Scoping Report: Proposed plantations for Malangeni (extension of 433 hectares) and Bhukazi new plantations of 194 hectares DEDEA REF NO: EC153/ORT/LN2/M/20-28 Report Version: Volume 2 – Final Report Compiled by: Ms Ayanda Matiwane Environmental Consultant, Ezendalo Environmental Consultants E-mail: [email protected]/ [email protected] Internally reviewed by: Simnikiwe Maqubela Consultant, Ezendalo Environmental Consultant E-mail: [email protected] Copyright This document contains intellectual property and propriety information that are protected by copyright in favour of Ezendalo Environmental Consultants. The information contained herein has been provided by its client as well as third parties, which information has been presumed to be correct. The document may therefore be treated as confidential unless specifically identified as a public document by law. It may not be reproduced, used or distributed to any third party without the prior written consent of Ezendalo. The document is prepared exclusively for submission to Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, it may not be copied, reproduced in whole or parts, or used for any manner prior written consent from Ezendalo. This document is subject to confidentiality, copyright and trade secrets, rules intellectual property of South Africa. i Final Scoping Report Malangeni and Bhukazi Forest Plantations EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report is the second in a number of reports produced during the Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (S&EIA) process for the proposed Malangeni extension and Bhukazi new plantations. This Scoping Report concentrates on the proposed Malangeni extension of 433 hectares in Lusikisiki, ward 24 and 194 hectares of new plantations in Bhukazi in Lusikisiki, ward 12. The area falls under the jurisdiction of the Ngquza Hill Local Municipality which is situated within the O R Tambo District Municipality. The site locations which are known as Malangeni and Bhukazi are located in the North Eastern region of the Eastern Cape, in Lusikisiki. The Draft Scoping Report (this document) represents the initial identification of key issues as highlighted by the relevant authorities, Interested and/or Affected Parties (I&AP) and professional judgment of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner. Scoping allows for the identification of the anticipated impacts, particularly those, which require specialist investigations in order to inform decision making in terms of environmental sustainability of the site and natural resource management. The results of all the specialist studies, a full assessment of the impacts and proposed alternatives will form part of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR). The key issues and associated potential impacts include: 1.1 Geology and Soils Impacts related to soil erosion, loss of topsoil and sedimentation. The area also has underlying dolomite rock strata which will present limitations in terms of the type of developments allowed. 1.2 Hydrology Risk of contaminating the surface water is always a possibility with every development activities. Change in the hydrological regime by increased sedimentation, amplified storm water run-off, quality of storm water discharge and higher peak flows may present negative impacts) ii Final Scoping Report Malangeni and Bhukazi Forest Plantations 1.3 Biodiversity . Loss of open space, grassland and associated habitats (albeit disturbed). Reclamation of disturbed, old quarry (positive impact). Removal of alien vegetation (positive impact). 1.4 Services and urban planning . Increased demand for the supply of electricity. Increased demand for the supply of potable water. Increased effluent loading on the waste water treatment works. Increased demand for handling and disposal of solid waste. Traffic volumes and associated safety issues. Improved service delivery (Housing & economic activities) for the area. Issues around the Urban Edge (EIA Regulations‟ interpretation v/s Municipal Urban Edge). Realisation of municipal planning objectives: SDF, IDP & LED. 1.5 Socio-economic Issues . Creation of jobs during the construction phase as well as employment opportunities associated with the operational phase (positive impact). Extensive economic spin-off can be expected in the area as a direct result of the development (positive impact). Development of mixed use residential housing (positive impact). Visual impact due to a change in the visual character from open space to residential (negative impact). Compromising the rural sense of place (negative impact). 1.6 Heritage Impact on heritage / cultural attributes (Expected). iii Final Scoping Report Malangeni and Bhukazi Forest Plantations 1.7 Construction . Destruction of vegetation. Impacts associated with the loss of topsoil (erosion, sedimentation etc.). Pollution of the ground and surface water resources. Noise pollution. Atmospheric pollution in the form of dust. Visual intrusion of construction activities (untidy building sites, denuded areas, material stockpiles, dust etc.). Social issues associated with construction camps. Creation of local employment. Generation of building rubble, spoil material, domestic waste, hazardous waste and liquid waste during construction. Traffic impact on the R61 Road. Unearthing of archaeological artefacts and possible damage of archaeological sites. iv Final Scoping Report Malangeni and Bhukazi Forest Plantations CONTENTS PAGE Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................... ii 1.2 Hydrology.......................................................................................................................................... ii 1.3 Biodiversity .......................................................................................................................................iii 1.4 Services and urban planning...........................................................................................................iii 1.5 Socio-economic Issues ....................................................................................................................iii 1.7 Construction ....................................................................................................................................... iv CONTENTS PAGE ........................................................................................................................................... v LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................................................... vii CONTENT OF APPENDICES .................................................................................................................................... viii ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................................................................................... ix 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 1 1. 1PURPOSE ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background ................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Scoping Report Requirement Checklist ........................................................................................................ 2 1.4 Structure of this report ................................................................................................................................. 5 2. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER ................................................................................................ 7 2.1 Details of the EAP ......................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Expertise of the EAP representative ............................................................................................................. 8 2.3 Public participation officer ........................................................................................................................... 9 2.4 Ezendalo Company Profile ............................................................................................................................ 9 3. RELEVANT ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION AND GUIDELINES ....................................................................... 9 3.1 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA (ACT 108 OF 1996) .................................................... 9 3.2 OTHER RELEVANT