Eskom 400kV Transmission Line Garona-Aries

108 Pages·2006·2.74 MB·English

Draft Environmental Scoping Report:
Eskom 400kV Transmission Line
Garona-Aries
Assignment No. 0608
March 2006
Prepared by:
Tswelopele Environmental (Pty) Ltd.
P.O. Box 2083, Pinegowrie, 2123
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]
Proponent:
ESKOMTRANSMISSION
P.O. Box 1091, Johannesburg, 2000
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
EskomGarona-Aries400kVTransmissionLine DraftEnvironmentalScopingReport
APPROVAL
COMPILED BY CHECKED BY APPROVED BY
Name: Name: Name:
Brian Whitfield Liam Whitlow Dr. Margaret Kalule-Sabiti
Signature Signature Signature
Date: Date: Date:
DISTRIBUTION LIST
AGENCY, ORGANISATION OR PERSON NO. OF COPIES
National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Northern Cape Department of Tourism, Environment and Conservation
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
South African Heritage Resource Agency
REVISION
DATE NO. DESCRIPTION OR REVISION OR AMEMDMENT INITIAL
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TABLEOFCONTENTS
APPROVAL..........................................................................................................................................I
DISTRIBUTION LIST............................................................................................................................I
REVISION.............................................................................................................................................I
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................1
2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................................3
3 INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................4
3.1 TERMSOFREFERENCE ...........................................................................................................4
3.2 AIMSOFTHEENVIRONMENTALSCOPINGSTUDY........................................................................4
4 DESCRIPTIONOF THE PROJECT.............................................................................................5
4.1 NEEDSANDJUSTIFICATIONFORTHEPROJECT..........................................................................5
4.1.1 Eskom Transmission inthe Cape region.......................................................................5
4.1.2 The needfor additional transmission capacity inthe corridor supplying theCape area.6
5 DESCRIPTIONOF THE ENVIRONMENT AND ISSUES IDENTIFIED.........................................8
5.1 LOCATION..............................................................................................................................8
5.2 TOPOGRAPHY.......................................................................................................................11
5.3 CLIMATE ..............................................................................................................................16
5.4 HYDROLOGY.........................................................................................................................17
5.4.1 SurfaceWater Hydrology............................................................................................17
5.4.2 Geohydrology.............................................................................................................17
5.5 GEOLOGY............................................................................................................................17
5.6 SOILS ..................................................................................................................................18
5.6.1 Soil Capability.............................................................................................................20
5.6.2 Land Capability...........................................................................................................21
5.7 ECOLOGY.............................................................................................................................24
5.7.1 Flora...........................................................................................................................25
5.7.2 Fauna.........................................................................................................................34
5.7.3 Avifauna......................................................................................................................36
5.8 AREASOFHISTORICAL/CULTURALSIGNIFICANCE.....................................................................40
5.8.1 Archaeological resources in theKaroo........................................................................40
5.8.2 Relevant observations................................................................................................41
5.9 VISUALIMPACT....................................................................................................................41
5.9.1 Land use.....................................................................................................................42
5.9.2 Landscape character..................................................................................................43
5.9.3 Visual Resource..........................................................................................................44
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5.9.4 Views..........................................................................................................................45
5.9.5 Visual Resource Management (VRM) resources........................................................47
5.9.6 Visual Issues...............................................................................................................48
5.10 SOCIO-ECONOMICENVIRONMENT...........................................................................................49
5.10.1 Social Impact Assessment..........................................................................................49
5.10.2 Historical Backgroundtothetowns.............................................................................50
5.10.3 Baseline description of the socio-economic environment............................................53
5.10.4 Social Change Process...............................................................................................62
5.10.5 Tourism Background...................................................................................................67
6 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED...............................................................................................72
6.1 STATUSQUOALTERNATIVE..................................................................................................72
6.2 ALTERNATIVELOCATION.......................................................................................................72
6.3 ALTERNATIVELANDUSE.......................................................................................................74
6.4 ALTERNATIVEDESIGN/ NEWGENERATIONSYSTEMS.............................................................74
6.5 DEMANDSIDEMANAGEMENT.................................................................................................75
7 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.........................................................................................................77
7.1 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................77
7.2 METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................................77
7.2.1 Identification of Interested and Affected Parties (I&AP’s)............................................77
7.2.2 Advertisement and Notices.........................................................................................77
7.2.3 Public meetings andFocus Group Meetings...............................................................78
7.3 RECORDING.........................................................................................................................78
7.4 REPORTING.........................................................................................................................78
8 ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS.........................................................................................80
9 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS..........................................................................81
10 REFERENCE LIST................................................................................................................83
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List of Figures:
Figure 1. Proposed future network showing the Garona to Aries sub-station link with a 400kV
Transmission line.................................................................................................................6
Figure 2. A 1:750 000 map of the study area showing the proposed transmission line, study area
and sensitive areas delineated. ...........................................................................................9
Figure 3. An aerial view of the Garona Substation located in the northern section of the study area
(showing thelocation of the proposedextension)...............................................................10
Figure4. An aerial viewof the Aries Substation located inthesouthern section of the study area.....10
Figure 6. An aerial view of the general topography of the study area (sparsely vegetated, flat
landscape)..........................................................................................................................11
Figure7. An aerial viewof therailway line located within the study area............................................12
Figure8. A southerly viewalong therailway line showing the adjacent service road..........................12
Figure 9. An aerial view of the mountainous region in the north-eastern section of the study area
(Neus seBerg)...................................................................................................................13
Figure 10. A ground view of the mountainous region (Neus se Berg) in the north-eastern section of
the study area.....................................................................................................................13
Figure 11. An aerial view of the Orange River with associated vineyards and the town of
Groblershoop inthefarground...........................................................................................14
Figure 12. An aerial view of the Orange River. Note the vineyards along the southern bank of the
river....................................................................................................................................15
Figure 13. The proposed crossing of the transmission powerline across the Orange River will follow
therailway bridge crossing.................................................................................................15
Figure14.The broadsoil patternfor the study area...........................................................................19
Figure15.The landcapability classes within the study area..............................................................23
Figure 16. The dominant form of agriculture along the bank of the Orange River consists of
vineyards for theproduction of wines. ................................................................................24
Figure17. Sensitive vegetation units within and surrounding the study area......................................32
Figure18. Sensitive viewing locations within the study area..............................................................47
Figure19. Population of Kai!Garib and!Kheis Municipalities 1996.....................................................54
Figure20. Population of Kai!Garib and!Kheis Municipalities 2001.....................................................55
Figure21. Kai!Garib and!Kheis highest education 1996....................................................................56
Figure22. Kai!Garib and!Kheis highest education 2001....................................................................56
Figure23. Kai!Garib and!Kheis Industries, 1996...............................................................................57
Figure24. Kai!Garib and!Kheis Industries, 2001...............................................................................58
Figure25. Dwelling types, 1996.........................................................................................................59
Figure26. Dwelling types, 2001.........................................................................................................59
Figure27. Services, 1996, 2001........................................................................................................61
Figure28. Energy, 1996, 2001...........................................................................................................62
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Figure29. Aviewof thelocationof theexisting ThuruLodgeshowing theproposedextensionof the
Lodgetothenorth-west......................................................................................................74
Figure30. Preferred alternatives based onall investigations undertaken...........................................82
List of Tables:
Table 1. Average climatic data from the Upington weather station (28º24'S; 21º16'E, 836m in
elevation) for theperiod1961-1990....................................................................................16
Table 2. Broad soil patterns occurring in theGarona-Aries study area...............................................19
Table 3. Terrain, soil andclimatefactors constituting soil capability classes I toVIII..........................21
Table 5. Terrain, soil andclimatefactors constituting land capability classes I toVIII.........................22
Table 7. Value of thevisual resource- scenicquality.........................................................................45
Table 8. Scheduleof public meetings andthefocus groupmeeting...................................................78
List of Appendices:
Appendix A: AgriculturalSpecialist Report.........................................................................................84
Appendix B: Avifaunal Specialist Report............................................................................................85
Appendix C: EcologicalSpecialist Report..........................................................................................86
Appendix D: HeritageImpact Assessment.........................................................................................87
Appendix E: Social Impact Assessment.............................................................................................88
Appendix F: Tourism Report..............................................................................................................89
Appendix G: Visual Impact Assessment.............................................................................................90
Appendix H: Public Involvement Process...........................................................................................91
Appendix I: Map of the study area....................................................................................................101
Appendix J: A schematic representation of the proposed extension of theGarona sub-station........102
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1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As support to social and economic development, Eskom is committed to provide reliable supplies of
electricity to all parts of South Africa. In terms of Regulation 4 (6) of the regulations, published in
Government Notice. R. 1183, of the Environment Conservation Act (Act No. 73 of 1989), Eskom
proposes to construct a 400 kV transmission powerline (155km) from the existing Garona substation
to the existing Aries substation, located in the Northern Cape Province.
Due to the increase in demand for electricity in the Cape region, the current transmission network
capacity cannot adequately cater for its load. It is for this reason that Eskom is planning to reinforce
the power supply to the area by construction of a 400kV Transmission powerline from the Garona to
Aries Substations. The proposed transmission powerline will necessitate an extension of the Garona
substation to accommodate the 400kV line.
This report will be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and will
also be made available at various places for Interested and Affected parties (I&AP’s) for review and
comment.
Four initial alternative routes around sensitive features have been proposed for this transmission
powerline. The first two alternative routes are in the North-eastern section of the study area
(Alternative Routes 1A & 1B) in order to traverse this mountainous region (Neus se Berg) and the
second two alternative routes areintheSouth-westernSectionof thestudyarea(AlternativeRoute2A
& 2B) and are the result of a combination of visual and ecological concerns in that region.
As part of the Scoping process, the key authorities such as DEAT, Provincial and Local Government
have been adequately informed of the proposed development.
The following processes have been successfully carried out:
(cid:127) Consultation of key authorities and stakeholders;
(cid:127) Two public participation meetings and a key stakeholder meeting;
(cid:127) Interested and affected parties (I&APs) have been contacted and given the Background
Information Document (BID);
(cid:127) Comments were received from I&APs and summarized in the Issues and Response Report
(IRR);
(cid:127) Specialist studies identifying key environmental issues were completed by relevant specialists.
Results have given a clear indication of the preferred alternative.
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Environmental Impacts
The four proposed alignments (Northern and Southern) traverse sensitive environments. The issues
identified in these environments are highlighted below:
(cid:127) Social and economic issues;
(cid:127) ecological constraints;
(cid:127) visual impacts;
(cid:127) game farming;
(cid:127) Tourism; and
(cid:127) Bird impacts;
Specialist studies undertaken have identified sensitive features across the study area and additional
input from I&AP’s has resulted in the selection of a preferred alignment of the proposed transmission
line. Alternative Route 1A is preferred over 1B as the proposed expansion of the Thuru Game Lodge
and associated air traffic (helicopters) renders Alternative Route 1B a potential serious hazard to this
activity. Alternative Route 2A is favoured over 2B due to the recommendations from the above
mentioned specialist studies. The northern alignment (i.e. 2A) will result in the least potential impacts
on the receiving environment. A detailed evaluation of the impacts associated with the transmission
powerline as well as the two preferred routes will be undertaken during the EIA phase.
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2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Tswelopele Environmental wishes to thank the following for information provided during the writing of
this report:
(cid:127) Chris van Rooyen and Jon Smallie (Endangered Wildlife Trust)
(cid:127) David Hoare (David Hoare Consulting)
(cid:127) Dr. David Morris (McGreggor Museum)
(cid:127) ESKOMTRANSMISSION
(cid:127) Garry Patterson (ARC)
(cid:127) Graham Young and Ida Breed (Newtown Landscape Architects)
(cid:127) Ilse Aucamp (Strategic Environmental Focus)
(cid:127) Mark Thornton (ECO Africa)
(cid:127) National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
(cid:127) Northern Cape Department of Tourism, Environment and Conservation
(cid:127) Northern Cape Local Authorities
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3 INTRODUCTION
According to section 21 of the Environment Conservation Act (No. 73 of 1989, ECA), and the
subsequent Government Notice R1182, an application for facilities for commercial electricity
generation and supply (Activity 1a), requires authorization from the competent environmental
authority.
This environmental scoping report has been compiled by Tswelopele Environmental (Pty) Ltd. The
applicant (Eskom Transmission) would like to construct a 400kV transmission powerline between the
existing Garona and Aries substations in the Northern Cape Province. This development will
necessitate the expansion of the Garona substation to include the infrastructure necessary for the
400kV line. The study area currently comprises predominantly farmland and the proposed powerline
would require a 55m servitude, Eskom will negotiate with the affected landowners for the rights to
traverse their farms. This scoping report serves to describe the environment and identify potential
environmental impacts associated with the proposed development.
3.1 TERMSOFREFERENCE
Tswelopele Environmental (Pty) Ltd. has been appointed by Eskom Transmission to conduct an
independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed 400kV transmission powerline
in the Northern Cape Province. To enable Tswelopele Environmental to perform the stated duties, a
variety of sub-consultants have been appointed to conduct specialist studies pertaining to various
aspects of the investigation. The terms of reference for this study are defined by the EIA regulations
as well as the Plan of Study for Scoping, approved by the Provincial and National Environmental
Authorities.
3.2 AIMSOFTHEENVIRONMENTALSCOPINGSTUDY
The aim of the environmental scoping study is to investigate and describe the biophysical, social and
economic environment surrounding the proposed development and to determine a preferred route for
the line as well as propose suitable alternatives around sensitive features.
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