APPENDIX D SPECIALIST REPORTS (INCLUDING TERMS OF ... · 2 TERMS OF REFERENCE AND STUDY METHODS 2.1 Aquatic Assessment The Specialist Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Surface Water

APPENDIX D

SPECIALIST REPORTS

(INCLUDING TERMS OF REFERENCE)

D1 – ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT REPORT

D2 – SECTION 21c AND i WATER USE RISK ASSESSMENT

D1 – ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT REPORT

PROPOSED UPGRADE OF THE GRASSRIDGE – SUNNYSIDE – MELKHOUT 132 KV POWERLINE, EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE

ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

Prepared for:

JG Afrika

Port Elizabeth

Prepared by:

Scherman Colloty & Associates

1 Rossini Road

PORT ELIZABETH, 6070

November 2017

SPECIALIST REPORT DETAILS

This report has been prepared as per the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment

Regulations and the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998), any subsequent

amendments and any relevant National and / or Provincial Policies related to biodiversity

assessments.

Report prepared by: Dr. Brian Colloty Pr.Sci.Nat. (Ecology) / Certified EAP / Member SAEIES.

Expertise / Field of Study: BSc. Botany & Zoology, BSc (Hons) Zoology, MSc Botany, Ph.D

Botany, acting as an independent consultant from 1996 to present.

I, Dr. Brian Michael Colloty declare that this report has been prepared independently of any

influence or prejudice as may be specified by the National Department of Environmental Affairs

Signed: ……………… Date:…5 November 2017…………

This document contains intellectual property and proprietary information that is protected by

copyright in favour of Scherman Colloty & Associates cc. The document may therefore not be

reproduced, or used without the prior written consent of Scherman Colloty & Associates cc. This

document is prepared exclusively for JG Afrika (Pty) Ltd and is subject to all confidentiality,

copyright, trade secrets, and intellectual property law and practices of SOUTH AFRICA

Ecological Assessment – August 2017

Scherman Colloty & Associates 1 JG Afrika (Pty) Ltd

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 4 2 Terms of reference and study methods ............................................................................................. 4

2.1 Aquatic Assessment ........................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Vegetation assessment ...................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Limitations .......................................................................................................................................... 8

3 Project locality AND dESCRIPTION .................................................................................................. 8 4 Results ............................................................................................................................................... 9

4.1 Vegetation map of South Africa (2014) .............................................................................................. 9 4.2 Vegetation survey results ................................................................................................................. 12 4.3 Plant Species of Special Concern (SSC) and protected species .................................................... 14 4.4 Aquatic environment......................................................................................................................... 18 4.5 Provincial, Regional Biodiversity Conservation Plans and Protected Areas .................................... 29

5 Ecological sensitivity assessment .................................................................................................... 32 6 Provincial legislation and policy ....................................................................................................... 33 7 Assessment of Impacts and Identification of Management Actions ................................................. 33

7.1 Impact 1: Loss of vegetation ........................................................................................................... 33 7.2 Impact 2: Loss habitat of containing protect species or Species of Special Concern .................... 35 7.3 Impact 3: The potential spread of alien vegetation .......................................................................... 35 7.4 Impact 4: Loss of Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBA), Protected Areas and habitat fragmentation .. 36 7.5 Impact 5: Loss of aquatic habitat .................................................................................................... 36 7.6 Impact 6: Changes to the hydrological regime – sedimentation and erosion ................................. 37 7.7 Impact 7: Potential water quality impacts ........................................................................................ 37

8 Conclusion and recommendations ................................................................................................... 38 9 References ....................................................................................................................................... 39 10 Appendix 1 -DWS Risk assessment Matrix........................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Dominant plant species observed ..................................................................................................... 12 Table 2: Plant species protected in terms of the Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance (PNCO) of 1974

recorded in the study site. ................................................................................................................ 15

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Google Earth image indicating the alignment of the existing alignment shown by the blue line ....... 9 Figure 2: The South African Vegetation Map (Mucina and Rutherford, 2012) in relation to the western half of

the existing line ................................................................................................................................. 10 Figure 3: The South African Vegetation Map (Mucina and Rutherford, 2012) in relation to the eastern half of

the existing line ................................................................................................................................. 11 Figure 4. The study area in relation to the NEMA listed Threatened Ecosystems .......................................... 11 Figure 5: Mainstem rivers and the quaternary catchments associates with the study area ............................ 19 Figure 6: The existing alignment spans numerous watercourses, with no towers currently located in any of

these systems .................................................................................................................................. 19 Figure 7: The known wetlands within the western portion of the current alignment ...................................... 20 Figure 8: The known wetlands within the eastern half of the current alignment ............................................ 20 Figure 9: The Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (Berliner & Desmet, 2007), Terrestrial CBAs .. 29 Figure 10: The Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (Berliner & Desmet, 2007), Aquatic CBAs .... 30 Figure 11: NMBM Bioregional conservation plan CBAs ................................................................................. 31



LIST OF PLATES

Plate 1: A view of the high degree of landscape transformation within areas located in the Gamtoos Estuary

floodplain .......................................................................................................................................... 21 Plate 2: Alien vegetation that dominates the Van Stadens to St Albans areas, of which large areas had recently

burnt ................................................................................................................................................. 22 Plate 3: Housing development within the upper Chatty and Swartkops valleys.............................................. 22 Plate 4: A view of the existing tracks in the servitude within Ticket looking towards African Dawn ............... 23 Plate 5: A view of the transmission line servitude as it exists Hopewell Conservation Estate and traverses’

degraded thicket within the proposed KwanoBuhle EXT site .......................................................... 24 Plate 6: The transmission line within the KwanoBuhle area, show the ease of access from the existing track

.......................................................................................................................................................... 24 Plate 7: An existing track connecting various transmission line servitudes within Coega Bontveld .............. 24 Plate 8: A view of the transmission line within Humansdorp Shale Renosterveld .......................................... 25 Plate 9: An individual Milkwood below the transmission line........................................................................... 26 Plate 10: A typical example of an unchanneled valley bottom wetland within the region near the Swart River

.......................................................................................................................................................... 26 Plate 11: A channelled valley bottom wetland near the transmission line near the Gamtoos River ............... 27 Plate 12: Several pans like the one shown in this image occur within the region within the thicket areas ..... 27 Plate 13: An Endorheic Pan that has been avoided by the transmission line ................................................ 28 Plate 14: a view of the transmission line crossing point over the Swartkops Estuary ..................................... 28



ACRONYMS

CBA Critical Biodiversity Area

CBD Central Business District

DAFF Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry

ECBCP Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

GIS Geographic Information System

NEMBA National Environmental Management Act (Act 10 of 2004)

NEMBA AIS National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act – Alien

Invasive Species Regulations of 2014.

NFEPA National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (CSIR)

PNCO Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance

POSA Plants of South Africa database – SANBI plant distribution checklist

QDS Quarter Degree Square

SABIF South African Biodiversity Information Facility, a SANBI database

that contains both faunal and floral species records

SANBI South African National Biodiversity Institute

SC&A Scherman Colloty & Associates

SSC Species of Special Concern

EN Endangered

Vu Vulnerable

NSBA National Biodiversity Assessment



1 INTRODUCTION

Scherman Colloty & Associates cc (SC&A) was appointed by JG Afrika (Pty) Ltd as an

independent specialist to evaluate the terrestrial and aquatic environments that may be affected by

the proposed upgrade.

This document follows on from results obtained in a survey of the regional literature and

observations made during a site visit conducted in September 2017 via aerial reconnaissance and

then groundtruthing several areas in October 2017, that were identified as important such as Thicket

/ Bontveld areas or would contain a high number of specie of special concern. The main objective

of this report is to provide comment on the potential impact of the activities when upgrading, the

transmission line (Figure 1), but for the purposes of this report and the impact assessment it has

been assumed that no water courses or wetlands will be disturbed or need to be crossed, and that as

far as possible the existing track within the servitude will be used.

Several important national and provincial conservation plans were also reviewed, with the results of

those studies being included in this report. Most conservation plans are produced at a course scale

so it thus important to verify the actual status of the study area during this initial phase, prior to the

final of the development plan being produced.

2 TERMS OF REFERENCE AND STUDY METHODS

2.1 Aquatic Assessment

The Specialist Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Surface Water Impact Assessment were as

follows:

• Identify and delineate aquatic systems and associated biota that may be impacted upon by the

proposed project;

• Identify and rate potential environmental impacts;

• Provide a significance rating of surface water impacts which included a rating of the ecological

sensitivity of the site, and the effect of the development on the ecology of the site;

• Identify mitigation for negative and positive impacts; and

• Make recommendations for the Environmental Management Programme Report.

This report thus includes following aspects:

• A map demarcating the relevant local drainage area of the respective and watercourses or wetland/s,

i.e. the waterbody, its respective catchment and other areas within a 500m radius of the study area.

This will demonstrate, from a holistic point of view the connectivity between the site and the

surrounding regions, i.e. the hydrological zone of influence. Maps depicting demarcated waterbodies

will be delineated to a scale of 1:10 000, following the methodology described by the DWS, together

with a classification of delineated waterbodies and their functionality.

• The determination of the ecological state of any waterbodies incl wetlands, estimating their

biodiversity, conservation and ecosystem function importance with regard ecosystem services.

• Recommend buffer zones and No-go areas around any delineated aquatic zones based on the

relevant legislation, e.g. any bioregional plans of conservation guidelines or best practice.



• Assess the potential impacts, based on a supplied methodology

• Provide mitigations regarding project related impacts, including engineering services that could

negatively affect demarcated waterbodies.

• Geo-referenced GIS shape files of the wetland / riverine areas.

• The Risk Assessment in the DWS format which will determine if a GA or full WULA will be required for any of the activities if required.



2.2 Vegetation assessment

The Specialist Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Vegetation Impact Assessment were as follows:

• Desktop assessment of available data layers (vegetation types, red data book species, bioregional

plans, etc.);

• Site assessment to ground truth desktop assessment;

• Provide a significance rating of ecological impact which included a rating of the ecological sensitivity

of the site, and the effect of the development on the ecology of the site; and

• Identify mitigation for negative and positive impacts; and

• Make recommendations for the Environmental Management Programme Report

SC&A endeavours to provide a separate which would include the following aspects:

A desktop and literature review of the area under investigation will be conducted to collate as much

information as possible prior to any detailed fieldwork. The purpose of the desktop assessment is to

rank relevant areas according to their ecological sensitivity and to identify areas of least ecological

risk (to be assessed during the EA phase).

Other relevant literature for e.g. South African Biodiversity Information Facility (SABIF, which

includes the PRECIS plant distribution database), South African Bird & Herpetological Atlas

Projects, relevant Red Data books, provincial ordinances and all systematic bioregional /

conservation plans, will also be consulted. Attention would be paid to the CBA 1 & 2 areas shown

in the Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (ECBCP) and where relevant the Nelson

Mandela Bay Municipality Bioregional Plan.

Fieldwork will be limited to visual sightings by means of transect walks and plot-based sampling,

while particular attention will also be paid to the occurrence Red Data species or Protected species.

Vegetation units will be sampled by means of the following techniques as per each site: • Data collection will be plot-based and in the form of vegetation samples within selected reference

areas to categorise the various vegetation units.

• Results from the data analysis will provide a description of the dominant and typical species occurring

on the site(s), and will include:

o Threatened, endemic or rare species, with an indication of the relative functionality and

conservation importance of the specific community in the area under investigation

o Invasive or exotic species present in the area

o The functional and conservation importance of all vegetation communities in investigation

Additional information of faunal community residing on the area of investigation will be sourced

from distributional data/records (both recent and historical), relevant literature, the private sector

and other atlas projects.

Habitat areas (based on the species compositions of the vegetation analysis, topography and soil

study) will be ranked into high, medium or low classes in terms of their significance based on the

Ecological Sensitivity and Conservation Importance. A sensitivity and habitat map (including buffer

zones if applicable) will be produced based on the above information.

Recommendations and mitigation measures, where required, will also be included in the report with

proposed buffers





2.3 Limitations

Fieldwork was limited to visual sightings while walking the transmission line alignment, while

attention was paid to the occurrence of Red Data species and/or Protected species, while recording

as many of general species observed together with photographic records. An opportunity was

presented by an unrelated project that may also require a transmission line from Humansdorp to the

San Souci Sub Station, thus the same alignment was flown during September 2017.

To obtain a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of the flora communities within a study

site, as well as the status of endemic, rare or threatened species, assessments should always consider

investigations at different time scales (across seasons/years) and through replication. However, due

to time constraints these long-term studies are not feasible and are mostly based on instantaneous

sampling.

Therefore, due to the scope of the work presented in this report, a detailed investigation over time

was not possible, coupled to the fact that little rain had fallen during the spring growth period prior

to sampling, while a significant portion had burnt during the recent fires (although mostly alien

species). Thus, several other assessments, regional vegetation studies and scientific literature was

also consulted to determine the type and nature of the vegetation found present.

3 PROJECT LOCALITY AND DESCRIPTION

(Excerpt from the BAR)

The area under investigation is contained within the existing powerline servitude, which measures

31 m in width (15.5 m to either side of the centre line of the existing powerline). The route of the

powerline, which measures 93 km in length, starts at the Grassridge Substation, located within the

Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, runs past the Sunnyside Substation, and

terminates at the Melkhout Substation, both of which are located within the Kouga Local

Municipality.

The following activities are proposed to be undertaken to upgrade the existing 132 kV powerline: • Replacement of the existing Chicadee conductor with Kingbird conductor, which is a slightly thicker

and heavier conductor, and therefore has the capacity to conduct higher current loads;

• Replacement of the existing All Dielectric Self Supporting (ADSS) optic cables with 10kA greased

Optical Ground Wire (OPGW). The proposed OPGW can perform the dual function of providing an

electrical groundwire for the network, whilst the optical fibres within the cable create an independent

telecommunication system;

• Strengthening of the existing poles by installation of stay brackets on the intermediate structures as

well as additional middle stays on strains, to accommodate the additional weight of the proposed

conductor;

• Installation of additional stays, possibly requiring the construction of new stay foundations, on both

intermediate and strain structures; and

• Establishment of temporary, 4 m wide, jeep-track roads to allow access to the powerline by

construction vehicles during the construction phase. All access roads will be routed within the



powerline servitude area (31 m in width). Establishment of these roads will require the clearance of

vegetation, but will not include any excavation or the importation of construction materials.

It must be noted, that no access roads will be routed through any watercourses or wetland areas.

The existing structures currently in use on the line comprise guyed monopoles. These structures

will be retained, and no new structures will be installed.

Figure 1: Google Earth image indicating the alignment of the existing alignment shown by the blue line

4 RESULTS

4.1 Vegetation map of South Africa (2014)

The Vegetation Types of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (Mucina and Rutherford, 2006 with

2012 2014 spatial data), indicated that the alignment will intersect four plant community types as

shown in Figure 2 and 3. These included the following:

Vegtation Type Mucina &

Rutherford

Vegetation Code

NSBA Listing NEMBA Listing

Albany Alluvial Vegetation Aza6 Endangered Endangered

Albany Coastal Belt AT9 Least Threatened Not Listed

Algoa Sandstone Fynbos FFs29 Endangered Vulnerable

Coega Bontveld AT7 Least Threatened Not Listed

Gamtoos Thicket AT4 Least Threatened Not Listed



Humansdorp Shale

Renosterveld

FRs19 Endangered Endangered

Kouga Grassy Sandstone

Fynbos

FFs28 Least Threatened Not Listed

Sundays Thicket AT6 Least Threatened Not Listed

Three are listed in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (10 of

2004), Government Notice No 1002 (11 December 2009), i.e. as critically endangered or

endangered in terms of the National List of Ecosystems, see above and Figure 4.

Figure 2: The South African Vegetation Map (Mucina and Rutherford, 2012) in relation to the western half of the existing line



Figure 3: The South African Vegetation Map (Mucina and Rutherford, 2012) in relation to the eastern half of the existing line

Figure 4. The study area in relation to the NEMA listed Threatened Ecosystems



4.2 Vegetation survey results

According to the SANBI PRECIS database the study area Quarter Degree Squares contain

approximately 4253 plant species. This high number of plant species was associated with the large

variety of vegetation types and habitats found in the region. These range from Fynbos, Thicket,

Bontveld and Renosterveld areas located within the study area. These habitats did coincide with the

vegetation units described in Figure 2 and 3, although impacts had altered the species compositions

within the landscape and within the existing servitude.

The greatest impact observed was the conversion / transformation of natural vegetation for grazing

agriculture / pivots near the Gamtoos (Plate 1), alien vegetation cover near Thornhill / Van Stadens

and Lady Slipper to St Albans (Plate 2), and large-scale housing development within the Swartkops

/ Chatty Valley (Plate 3), amongst others.

The study area alignment or access track has also lead to the removal of thicket vegetation,

particularly in the Gamtoos / Thornhill areas (Plate 4) and to a degree in the Hopewell /

KwanoBuhle environs (Plate 5 & 6). The servitude impact within the Bontveld and fynbos

vegetation types has had lesser impact as most of the vegetation has remained intact, except for the

jeep track that has been created to access the transmission line servitude (Plate 7 & 8).

Approximately 189 species were recorded in the actual alignment with the dominant species listed

below (Table 1). This low overall species diversity when compared to the surrounding region and

the anticipated species checklists was attributed to the fact that the creation of the access track and

the overall land use impacts have diminished the overall plant diversity.

The exception again being the thicket areas between the Gamtoos River, Van Stadens River, any

remaining Sundays Thicket and Coega Bontveld, although with impacts still show a high degree of

species diversity alongside the existing transmission line.

Table 1: Dominant plant species observed

Plant Type Species

Trees and shrubs: Aloe africana, A. arborescens, A. ferox, A. ciliaris, Cussonia spictata,

Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis, Helichrysum spp., Vachellia natalita, Schotia

afra, Ziziphus mucronata, Leonotis leonurus, Tecoma capensis, Clutia

alaternoides Vachellia karroo, Olea europea, Searsia, Carissa bispinosa,

Pteroclestrus tricuspdatus, Plumbago, Cussonia spictata,

Chrysanthemoides monelifera

Herbs and

shrublets:

Aloe striata, A. maculate, Rhoicissus tridentate, Ledebouria spp.,

Pelargonium, Sansevieria hyacinthoides, Asparagus aethiopicus, A.

africanus, A. falcatus, Haemanthus coccineus, Dicerothamnus

rhinocerotis, Helichrysum teretifolium, H. spp, Erica spp., Syncarpha spp,

Agathosma mucronulata, Metalasia densa, Helichrysum anomalum,

Helichrysum nudifolium, Felicia filifolia, Ledebouria revoluta, Satyrium

membranaceum, Passerina obtusifolia, Stoebe plumosa, Tephrosia

capensis, Centella asiatica, Anthospermum galioides, Disparago ericoides,

Scenecio spp,

Succulents: Lampranthus tenuifolias, Crassula compacta, Bulbine, Euphorbia

triangularis, E. stellata, E meloformis, E. globosa.

Reeds: Phragmites australis, Thypha capensis, Cypersus textilis



Grasses: Themeda triandra, Aristida junciformis, Brachiaria serrata, Cymbopogon

marginatus, Cynodon dactylon, Eragrostis capensis, E. curvula, Ficinia

nigrescens Melinis repens subsp. repens, Tristachya leucothrix,

Alien species: Psidium guajava, Solanum mauritianum, Opuntia ficus-idinca, Acacia

longifolia, A. cyclops, A. mearnsii, Eucalyptus spp, Pinus spp., Amaranthus

thunbergii, Cirsium vulgare, Conyza candensis, Ditricha graveolans, Picris

echioides, Senecio ilicifolius, Limonium sinuatum, Plantago lanceolate,

Pennisetum clandestinum



4.3 Plant Species of Special Concern (SSC) and protected species

Several plant Species of Special Concern (Protected) were successfully identified in the study area,

and only those found within in the alignments are shown Table 2.

All Mesembryanthemaceae and Aloes species (except for Aloe ferox), are protected in terms of the

Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance (19 of 1974). These species will require a

permit from the Provincial Environmental Affairs Department to be removed/destroyed (Port

Elizabeth Branch: Mr Alan Southwood). Several Erica species were also observed and are also

listed under the PNCO. While an isolated Milkwood trees (Sideroxylon inerme) was also observed

(e.g. 33.913341S 25.60624E) (Plate 9). These are protected under the National Forestry Act under

DAFF.

However, it is unlikely that any of these protected trees would need to be disturbed if no new tracks

are created or the final placement of any additional stays are adjusted within these areas. This

should be considered during the final walk down phase, by a botanist that must mark the thicket

areas that may contain these species and should be avoided then be avoided by the contractor.

No listed red data species, which encompasses threatened or rare species, were observed either

within the existing access track that follows the current line (listed in terms of the International

Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN see Red List of South African Plants

(http://redlist.sanbi.org/index.php - accessed 17 September 2017).

http://redlist.sanbi.org/index.php



Table 2: Plant species protected in terms of the Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance (PNCO) of 1974 recorded in the study site.

Species Threatened, Endemic and/or

Protected

Aloe africana

All species of the genus Aloe except

Aloe ferox are Protected by the

Provincial Nature Conservation

Ordinance.

Aloe striata

Haemanthus coccineus

All species of Amaryllidaceae are

Protected by the Provincial Nature

Conservation Ordinance.

Crassula perfoliata

Protected by the Provincial Nature




Sideroxylon inerme

Protected by the National Forest Act

Carpobrotus deliciosus

All Mesembryanthemaceae species

are Protected by the Provincial Nature


Ruschia sp.



Corpuscularia lehmannii

Drosanthemum hispidum

Delosperma sp.

Bergeranthus scapiger



Ericaceae All Erica species

Euphorbiacae Euphorbia globosa, E. meloformis

4.4 Aquatic environment

The preferred alignment occurs within the following catchments within the South Eastern Coastal

Belt Ecoregion located within the Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma Water Management Area (Figure 5) • K90F – Seekoei / Swart rivers

• K90G - Kabeljous River

• L90C – Gamtoos River

• M20B – Van Stadens / Maitlands rivers

• M10C - Brak River

• M10D – Swartkops / Chatty rivers

• M30B – Coega / Brak rivers

These catchments are characterised by perennial, non-perennial water courses and drainage lines

associated with these mainstem systems listed above (Figure 6).

In terms of the National Freshwater Ecosystems Priority Areas (NFEPA) assessment, all of

watercourses within the site have been assigned a condition score ranging from C to E/F (Nel et al.

2011), indicating that they are mostly moderately to largely modified but with some biological

significance. This is largely due to the high degree of transformation that has taken place within the

catchments of these systems through to conversion of the natural fynbos to pasture. The only

remaining riparian zones are located within the steep river valleys associated with the study area,

most of which have been lost to alien tree invasion, while several wetlands remain as these areas are

too wet for agricultural production or grazing. The only exceptions being the portions of the Coega,

Brak, Swartkops and Chatty river reaches that were rated as E/F, i.e. no longer have any natural

function. This is due to the industrial development, large scale transformation for housing and the

associated illegal dumping and leaking sewers that have affected these systems.



Figure 5: Mainstem rivers and the quaternary catchments associates with the study area

Figure 6: The existing alignment spans numerous watercourses, with no towers currently located in any of these systems



Figure 7: The known wetlands within the western portion of the current alignment

Figure 8: The known wetlands within the eastern half of the current alignment



According to the National Freshwater Ecosystems Priority Area (NFEPA) wetland data, and the

National Wetland Inventory Data being updated by CSIR/ SANBI (currently version 5.1) indicated

several wetlands could occur within the study area. It should be noted that the report author is

currently assisting the CSIR / SANBI team in updating this database, thus the wetlands within the

study area have been delineated or verified.

These were classified as follows as shown in Figure 7 and 8:

1. Valley bottom wetlands – unchanneled (Plate 10)

2. Valley bottom wetlands – channelled (Plate 11)

3. Endorheic pan / depressions (Plate 12 & 13)

4. Artificial or man-made systems such as dams, reservoirs / irrigation balancing dams

5. Estuaries (Plate 14)

Plate 1: A view of the high degree of landscape transformation within areas located in the Gamtoos Estuary floodplain



Plate 2: Alien vegetation that dominates the Van Stadens to St Albans areas, of which large areas had recently burnt

Plate 3: Housing development within the upper Chatty and Swartkops valleys



Plate 4: A view of the existing tracks in the servitude within Ticket looking towards African Dawn



Plate 5: A view of the transmission line servitude as it exists Hopewell Conservation Estate and traverses’ degraded thicket within the proposed KwanoBuhle EXT site

Plate 6: The transmission line within the KwanoBuhle area, show the ease of access from the existing track

Plate 7: An existing track connecting various transmission line servitudes within Coega Bontveld



Plate 8: A view of the transmission line within Humansdorp Shale Renosterveld



Plate 9: An individual Milkwood below the transmission line

Plate 10: A typical example of an unchanneled valley bottom wetland within the region near the Swart River



Plate 11: A channelled valley bottom wetland near the transmission line near the Gamtoos River

Plate 12: Several pans like the one shown in this image occur within the region within the thicket areas



Plate 13: An Endorheic Pan that has been avoided by the transmission line

Plate 14: a view of the transmission line crossing point over the Swartkops Estuary



4.5 Provincial, Regional Biodiversity Conservation Plans and Protected Areas

The provincial conservation authority, Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development,

Environment Affairs & Tourism (DEDEAT) together with a broad range of stakeholders assessed

the conservation status of the province using a GIS based Systematic Conservation Planning System

(Berliner and Desmet, 2007). The Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (ECBCP) was

produced containing conservation related maps for the province. Several criteria were used in the

assessment to determine Terrestrial Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) (Figure 9) and the Aquatic

CBA’s (Figure 10). The study area thus intersects both Terrestrial CBA 1, CBA 2 and CBA 3

habitats (Figure 9) and Aquatic CBA 1 and CBA2 habitats (Figure 110). However, as the

transmission line is already existing and if new tracks can be avoided in intact vegetation then any

new impacts within these areas will be minimal in the long-term.

Figure 9: The Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (Berliner & Desmet, 2007), Terrestrial CBAs



Figure 10: The Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan (Berliner & Desmet, 2007), Aquatic CBAs

Figure 11 presents a finer scale map of the study area compiled as part of the NMBM Bioregional

Plan, which was promulgated in 2014. The results of the assessment conducted by SRK Consulting

(2014), indicated that due to the level of impact and alien plant cover, the study area contains no

species with conservation concern (mostly NMBM endemics), but does contain Ecological Support

Areas or Critical Biodiversity Areas (Figure 11). Importantly except for Hopewell Conservation

Estate (not shown in the map below), the transmission line has avoided all protected areas. Several

additional protected areas or areas with conservation status (e.g. Ramsar Listing for the Swartkops

Estuary, Coega IDZ Open Space Management Plan)), which are indirectly marked as CBA’s have

also been considered in this assessment Figure 11).



Figure 11: NMBM Bioregional conservation plan CBAs



5 ECOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT

Based on the findings of this study, the various habitats (vegetation & wetlands) were ranked in

terms of their sensitivity to development, using the following criteria, listed in order of importance,

i.e. the habitat or vegetation unit:

• Contained Species of Special Concern (SSC)

• Habitat was protected under a form of legislation

• Exhibited a high degree of biodiversity

• Exhibited a limited degree of degradation

• A unique habitat that is not well represented within the region

• Provided an important ecosystem role or support system, e.g. ecological corridor

This was then used to rate against observed vegetation units / habitats and is summarised as

follows:

• Habitats containing high densities of SSC or exhibit high levels of species abundances were rated as

HIGH

• All intact vegetation units or unimproved vegetation types, i.e. these have been impacted upon, but are still able to contribute at the landscape level towards ecosystem function and / or assist in the maintenance of ecological corridors, were rated as MODERATE

• All modified, transformed or man-made systems were rated as LOW. These systems have limited restoration / rehabilitation potential.

Based then on these criteria, the study area was found to have no HIGH sensitivity habitats, while

the remaining Thicket areas (Figure 2&3) or areas listed as under the NEM:BA Threatened

ecosystems (Figure 4) were rated a HIGH – MODERATE dependent on the degree of impacts

already occurring. Therefore, no new tracks should be placed within any intact areas, and as

indicated previously these should be marked out prior to construction once the final design has been

completed (I.e. placement of additional stays).



6 PROVINCIAL LEGISLATION AND POLICY

Regard the protected flora, the Eastern Cape Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance (PNCO)

includes a list of protected flora (See Table 2). Any plants found within the sites will be described

in this report. Should any species that are listed in the ordinance be found, the relevant permits

should be obtained by the proponent for their relocation or destruction, as required.

This also pertains the Protected Trees listed under the National Forestry Act (Act of 84 1998) under

the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Only one species, namely

Sideroxylon inerme (Milkwood) was observed within the project alignment, particularly in the

thicket and Bontveld areas between the Gamtoos and Van Staeden’s River and in remaining thicket

areas in the KwanoBuhle to Grassridge areas.

It therefore recommended that a follow-up survey is conducted to prior to construction as part of a

Plant Search and Rescue operation as part of the final walkdown, to identify the exact number of

trees that may be affected once the final design is known, e.g. the placement of new stays.

However, in this final Walkdown any stays that wold impact on any of the species listed under the

PNCO or NFA, should be moved to avoid any of these species.

7 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS AND IDENTIFICATION OF MANAGEMENT ACTIONS

During this investigation, it was found that the proposed footprint has been disturbed in the past,

and the only direct impacts would be the following.

Note as the transmission line is an existing structure within the landscape, and associated with

several other existing larger transmission lines, the impacts on birds was not assessed, but it is

advised that a suitable specialist form part of the ECO team, to indicate where new or upgraded bird

diverters may be required, e.g. large floodplain areas.

7.1 Impact 1: Loss of vegetation

Environmental Impact:

Due to the nature of the project, vegetation will be limited to new stays and certain areas where additional access may be required

Activity/Aspect & Impact Source:

Due to the nature of the proposed project this would start at the onset of the construction phase, but persist in the medium term in the operational phase impact. New tracks within intact areas of vegetation is not advised

Proposed Mitigation:

• Clearing of vegetation should be kept to a minimum, an making use of the existing roads and tracks where possible.

• Alien plant regrowth should also be monitored, and any such species should be removed during the construction phase.

• Where soils are slow to revegetate, these areas should be grubbed and plant with grass seed suitable for the region

• Any baresoils exposed to surface water runoff should be managed to prevent erosion / sedimentation.

Reference to EMP section:

EMP to be completed after review of draft basic assessment report.

Impact Significance

Without Mitigation:

Duration: Magnitude Extent/Scale: Probability: Impact Status: Significance: Medium term (3)

Moderate (6) Local (2) Medium (3) NEGATIVE Medium

With Mitigation:

Duration: Magnitude: Extent/Scale: Probability: Impact Status: Significance: Medium term (3)

Low (4) Site impact (1) Improbable (1) NEGATIVE Low

Potential to Mitigate: Moderate potential / easy to mitigate

Assessment Confidence: Complete





7.2 Impact 2: Loss habitat of containing protect species or Species of Special Concern

Environmental Impact: Due to the nature of the project, vegetation will be cleared contains species shown in this report, which are protected under the Provincial Nature Conservation Ordinance (PNCO) or the NFA. This does not however prohibit the development from continuing, as these species are common within the region.


Due to the nature of the proposed project this would start at the onset of the construction phase, but persist in the short term in the operational phase impact.


• Clearing of vegetation should be kept to a minimum, and making use of the existing roads and tracks where possible.



• A permit application for the removal of any of the Provincially Protected Plant Species must be submitted to the EC DEDTEA and it must be approved prior to

removal. A similar permit must be obtained in any of the

Milkwood’s indicated in this report will be disturbed from the Department of Fisheries and Forestry



Impact Significance

Without Mitigation:

Duration: Magnitude Extent/Scale: Probability: Impact Status: Significance: Medium term (3)

Moderate (6) Local (2) Medium (3) NEGATIVE Medium

With Mitigation:

Duration: Magnitude: Extent/Scale: Probability: Impact Status: Significance: Medium term (3)

Low (4) Site impact (1) Improbable (1) NEGATIVE Low



7.3 Impact 3: The potential spread of alien vegetation

Environmental Impact: 4 invasive species were recorded during the survey


Due to the nature of the proposed project this would start at the onset of the construction phase, but persist in the medium term in the operational phase impact.







Impact Significance

Without Mitigation:

Duration: Frequency: Extent/Scale: Probability: Impact Status: Significance: Long term Occasional Site Probable NEGATIVE High

With Mitigation:

Duration: Frequency: Extent/Scale: Probability: Impact Status: Significance: Medium term Occasional Site Impact Probable NEGATIVE Low





7.4 Impact 4: Loss of Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBA), Protected Areas and habitat fragmentation

Environmental Impact: Based on the information contained within the ECBCP and NMBM Bioregional plan the site is within Critical Biodiversity Areas and close to or within several protected areas.


Due to the nature of the proposed project this would start at the onset of the construction phase, but persist in the medium term in the operational phase impact. As the pipeline is buried and evidenced in the recovery of the vegetation along older portions of the pipeline, the vegetation/ habitat does show a high degree of recovery.



• Construction activities should not exceed the proposed construction boundaries by more than 2m to avoid the secondary impact of construction and increasing the areas that would require clearing and rehabilitation



Impact Significance

Without Mitigation:

Duration: Frequency: Extent/Scale: Probability: Impact Status: Significance: Long term Occasional Site impact Probable NEGATIVE Medium

With Mitigation:


7.5 Impact 5: Loss of aquatic habitat

Environmental Impact: The proposed works will require any disturbance of any known aquatic features and have been avoided by the current placement of the towers


No activities within the aquatic environment are expected but this concomitant on the mitigations being upheld


• No new tracks or stays should be placed within the delineated waterbodies.

• All disturbed areas near water courses should be returned / reinstated to follow the natural ground levels, i.e. no mounds that can alter or disturb flow

• Any bare soils exposed to surface water runoff should be managed to prevent erosion / sedimentation.



Impact Significance

Without Mitigation:


With Mitigation:






7.6 Impact 6: Changes to the hydrological regime – sedimentation and erosion

Environmental Impact: Any changes to surface levels within the water course can lead to changes in the localised hydrological regime, which could then lead to sedimentation and erosion due to increases in flow velocities.


Due to the nature of the proposed project this would start at the onset of the construction phase, but persist in the medium term in the operational phase impact. As the pipeline is buried and evidenced in the recovery of the vegetation along older portions of the pipeline, the vegetation/ habitat does show a high degree of recovery.



• Construction activities should not exceed the proposed construction boundaries by more than 2m to avoid the secondary impact of construction and increasing the areas that would require clearing and rehabilitation

• All disturbed areas within the water course should be returned / reinstated to follow the natural ground levels, i.e. no mounds that can alter or disturb flow

• Any baresoils exposed to surface water runoff should be managed to prevent erosion / sedimentation.



Impact Significance

Without Mitigation:


With Mitigation:




7.7 Impact 7: Potential water quality impacts

Environmental Impact: Spills and leaks from any plant or the mixing of cement / concrete near or within a water course.


Due to the nature of the proposed project this would remain a construction phase impact only


• Chemicals used for construction must be stored safely on site and surrounded by bunds. Chemical storage containers must be regularly inspected so that any leaks are detected early.

• Littering and contamination of water sources during construction must be prevented by effective construction camp and on-site management.

• Emergency plans must be in place in case of spillages onto road surfaces and water courses.

• No stockpiling should take place within a water course.

• All stockpiles must be protected from erosion, stored on flat areas where run-off will be minimised, and be surrounded by bunds.

• Stockpiles must be located away from river channels.

• The construction camp and necessary ablution facilities meant for construction workers must not be located in any of the delineated watercourses or wetland areas (including 50m buffer)

Reference to EMP section: EMP to be completed after review of draft basic assessment report.

Impact Significance

Without Mitigation:


With Mitigation:

Duration: Frequency: Extent/Scale: Probability: Impact Status: Significance: Short term Occasional Site Impact Probable NEGATIVE Low





8 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The information collected in the field indicated that site (alignment) are situated within mostly

disturbed areas, showing various degrees of recovery. Of importance was the existing track which

limit the degree of impact on any intact vegetation types or areas with conservation concern. The

Preferred Alternative option is thus supported, but on condition that no wholesale clearing occurs,

and that any new tracks must be constructed once a site-specific assessment has been conducted by

a Botanist.

It is the reasoned opinion of the specialist, therefore, that the development should be allowed to

proceed, on the following conditions: • Clearing of vegetation should be kept to a minimum, and making use of the existing roads and tracks

where possible. More specifically, construction activities should not exceed the proposed construction boundaries by more than 2m to avoid the secondary impact of construction and increasing the areas that would require clearing and rehabilitation.



• A permit application for the removal of any of the Provincially Protected Plant Species must be submitted to the EC DEDEAT and it must be approved prior to removal. If possible the Milkwood’s mentioned in this report should be avoided.

• The attached Risk Assessment Matrix (Appendix 1) be submitted with this report to the Department of Water and Sanitation as part of the requisite Water Use License Application process (potential General Authorisations), Altough based on the project description provided no crossings will be required and it is thus only the activities within 500m of a wetland boundary that would require authorisation, such as the new cable stays. However, this should be discussed with DWS once the final positions are known. A separate map/s could then be provided indicating the stay position in relation to the wetlands, their Present Ecological State, for DWS to make an informed decision in this regard.



9 REFERENCES

Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 (Act No. 43 of 1983).

Berliner D. and Desmet P. 2007. Eastern Cape Biodiversity Conservation Plan: Technical Report.

Department of Water Affairs and Forestry Project No 2005-012, Pretoria. 1 August 2007

Bromilow, C. 2010. Problem Plants and Alien Weeds of South Africa. Briza Publications (Third

edition). Pretoria.

Fish, L., Mashau, A.C., Moeaha, M.J. & Nembudani, M.T. 2015. Identification guide to southern

African grasses. An identification manual with keys, descriptions and distributions. Strelitzia 36.

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Germishuizen, G. and Meyer, N.L. (eds) (2003). Plants of southern Africa: an annotated checklist.

Strelitzia 14, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002), as amended.

Mucina, L. and Rutherford, M.C. (2006). South African vegetation map. South African National

Biodiversity Institute – Accessed: http://bgis.sanbi.org/vegmap/map.asp, 18 September 2009.

Mucina, L., Rutherford, M.C., Powrie, L.W., van Niekerk, A. & van der Merwe, J.H. 2014.

Vegetation Field Atlas of Continental South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelitzia 33. South

African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), as amended.

National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998), as amended

SRK Consulting, 2014. Final Bioregional Plan for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Port

Elizabeth, South Africa, December.

Van Oudtshoorn, F.P. 1992. Guide to Grasses of South Africa. Briza Publications



D2 – DWS RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX



NAME and REGISTRATION No of SACNASP Professional member: ……Dr Brian Colloty………………………….. Reg no. ……Ecologist 400268/07……………………………….

No. Phases Activity Aspect Impact Flow

Regime

Physico &

Chemical

(Water

Quality)

Habitat

(Geomorph +

Vegetation)

Biota Severity Spatial scale Duration ConsequenceFrequency of

activity

Frequency of

impact

Legal

IssuesDetection Likelihood Significance Risk Rating Confidence level Control Measures

Borderline LOW

MODERATE

Rating Classes

1Construction

phaseClearing of vegetation

Clearing of remaining

vegetation within the channelNone anticipated 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 LOW 90-100 Construction EMP

2Construction

phaseClearing of vegetation

Clearing of remaining

vegetation within the channelNone anticipated 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 LOW 90-100 Construction EMP

3Construction

phase

Loss of Species of

Special Concern

Several plant species within

the region are conservation

worthy or are protected by the

Provincial Nature

Conservation Ordinance or

NFA

Loss of threatened or protected plant species,

although NO aquatic related species were

observed within the site

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 LOW 100 Construction EMP

5Construction

phase

Spills and leaks from

construction vehicles /

machinery

Impact on localised surface

water quality

Leaks from plant / machinery during the

construction phase2 1 1 1 1.25 1 1 3.25 2 2 5 1 10 32.5 LOW 90-100 Construction EMP

8 Operational Phase Water quality impactsAny spills or leaks from the

washing facility

All designs should include bunds or other

suitable mechanisms to prevent any additional

water quality impacts from reaching the

wetlands or channels

1 3 1 2 1.75 1 2 4.75 1 1 5 1 8 38 LOW 90-100 Construction EMP

RISK MATRIX (Based on DWS 2016 publication: Section 21 c and I water use Risk Assessment Protocol)

Risk to be scored for construction and operational phases of the project. MUST BE COMPLETED BY SACNASP PROFESSIONAL MEMBER REGISTERED IN AN APPROPRIATE FIELD OF EXPERTISE.

Severity

Documents

APPENDIX D SPECIALIST REPORTS (INCLUDING TERMS OF ... · 2 TERMS OF REFERENCE AND STUDY METHODS 2.1 Aquatic Assessment The Specialist Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Surface Water