ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Utilization of a Borrow Pit, south east of Willowvale, Eastern Cape Mbhashe Local Municipality Report Number 2011-R472 March 22, 2011 Biotechnology & Environmental Specialist Consultancy cc PO Box 8241, Nahoon, 5210, East London, South Africa 9 Douglas Road, Vincent, 5241, East London, South Africa Telephone 043 726 4242; Facsimile: 043 726 3199 E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.besc.co.za Leaders in Industrial Ecology, Environmental Impact & Site Assessments & Safety Health & Environmental Management Systems 2011-R472 – EMP - Borrow Pit– Willowvale- MLM Prepared on behalf of Mbhashe Local Municipality by Biotechnology and Environmental Specialist Consultancy cc PO Box 8241, Nahoon, 5210, East London, South Africa 9 Douglas Road, Vincent, 5241, East London, South Africa Telephone 043 726 4242; Facsimile: 043 726 3199 E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.besc.co.za Page 2 of 145 Leaders in Industrial Ecology, Environmental Impact & Site Assessments & Safety, Health & Environmental Management Systems PO Box 8241, Nahoon, 5210, East London, South Africa 9 Douglas Road, Vincent, 5247, East London, South Africa Telephone 043 726 4242; Facsimile: 043 726 3199 E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.besc.co.za 2011-R472 – EMP - Borrow Pit– Willowvale- MLM CONTENTS 1 Report Release Notice...................................................................................................................... 8 2 Limitations......................................................................................................................................... 9 3 Limiting Conditions ........................................................................................................................... 9 4 Special conditions............................................................................................................................. 9 5 Natural Science Professions Act..................................................................................................... 10 6 Primary Legislative Specifications .................................................................................................. 11 7 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 12 7.1 Objectives of the Environmental Management Plan ...............................................................13 7.2 Integrated Environmental Management..................................................................................13 7.3 Project Details......................................................................................................................... 14 8 Project Description.......................................................................................................................... 15 8.1 Study Area .............................................................................................................................. 15 8.2 Current Land Use.................................................................................................................... 16 8.3 Surrounding Land Use ............................................................................................................ 16 8.4 Proposal.................................................................................................................................. 17 8.5 Borrow pit................................................................................................................................ 18 9 Legal Requirements........................................................................................................................ 22 9.1 National Acts and Regulations................................................................................................22 9.1.1 The Constitution of South Africa, Act No 106 of 1996 .....................................................22 9.1.2 Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act......................................................22 9.1.3 Mineral and Petroleum Resources Regulations..............................................................22 9.1.4 Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Act .................................23 9.1.5 National Environmental Management Act.......................................................................23 9.1.6 National Environmental Management Amendment Act...................................................24 9.1.7 Environment Conservation Act........................................................................................25 9.1.8 National Water Act ..........................................................................................................25 9.1.9 National Forests Act........................................................................................................25 9.1.10 Conservation of Agricultural Resources..........................................................................26 9.1.11 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act...................................................30 9.1.12 Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance .....................................................................30 9.1.13 Eastern Cape Environment Conservation Bill, 2003 .......................................................30 9.1.14 National Heritage Resources Act ....................................................................................31 9.1.15 National Environment Management: Air Quality Act .......................................................31 9.1.16 Explosives Act, 1956 (Act No 26 of 1956).......................................................................31 9.1.17 Occupational Health and Safety Act................................................................................32 9.1.18 Mine Health and Safety Act.............................................................................................32 9.2 Plans, Policies & Guiding Principles .......................................................................................33 9.2.1 Provincial Spatial Development Plan ..............................................................................33 9.2.2 Amathole District Municipality - Integrated Development Plan........................................33 9.2.3 Mbhashe Local Municipality – Integrated Development Plan, 2008 – 2009......................34 Page 3 of 145 Leaders in Industrial Ecology, Environmental Impact & Site Assessments & Safety, Health & Environmental Management Systems PO Box 8241, Nahoon, 5210, East London, South Africa 9 Douglas Road, Vincent, 5247, East London, South Africa Telephone 043 726 4242; Facsimile: 043 726 3199 E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.besc.co.za 2011-R472 – EMP - Borrow Pit– Willowvale- MLM 9.2.4 DWAF – Best Practice Guidelines....................................................................................34 9.2.5 Department of Environmental Affairs Guidelines ............................................................35 10 Environmental Setting..................................................................................................................... 37 10.1 Landform & Geology ............................................................................................................... 37 10.1.1 General Description: .......................................................................................................37 10.1.2 Structural Geology: .........................................................................................................37 10.2 Archaeology, Palaeontology & Heritage Sites ........................................................................37 10.3 Topography and Drainage ......................................................................................................38 10.4 Climate.................................................................................................................................... 39 10.5 Fauna...................................................................................................................................... 40 10.5.1 Reptiles ........................................................................................................................... 40 10.5.2 Amphibians .....................................................................................................................40 10.5.3 Mammals......................................................................................................................... 41 10.5.4 Birds ................................................................................................................................ 42 10.5.5 Invertebrates ................................................................................................................... 42 10.6 Flora........................................................................................................................................ 44 10.6.1 Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan................................................................. 44 10.6.2 General vegetation description .......................................................................................45 10.7 Socio - Economic Environment ...............................................................................................47 11 The Affected Environment/ Site Description ...................................................................................49 11.1 Geology