Digital Terrestrial Television Infrastructure Rollout. Environmental Impact Assessment - Tsumkwe -

Transcription

1 Digital Terrestrial Television Infrastructure Rollout Environmental Impact Assessment - Tsumkwe -

2 1 1 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: TSUMKWE 1.1 RATIONALE FOR THE SITE Tsumkwe is a small town located close to the eastern border of Namibia and Botswana. Tsumkwe is on the tourist route accessing Khaudum connecting tourists with the Okavango Delta situated in Botswana. Settlements around Tsumkwe will be serviced by the proposed NBC project providing improved radio and television transmissions. These settlements depend on radio broadcasts connecting them with news, educational and social media sources. 1.2 SITE DESCRIPTION The proposed site is situated on a flat plain with homogenous vegetation and sandy soils. It is also situated far enough from Tsumkwe to prevent any risk of radiation exposure. Its location is represented in the following image (refer to the Google Earth image below). Figure 1: Proposed location of a NBC mast close to Tsumkwe. The following table (Table 1: Site description) depicts the completed description for this site:

3 2 Table 1: Site description ACTIVITY INFORMATION Proposed site 1 Position of the site Latitude 19 37'31.60"S Longitude 20 31'0.50"E 2 Footprint of mast Proposed height of mast 150m Diameter of stay wires Describe how the stay wires will be anchored to the ground (e.g. concrete, rock foundation). 3 Land ownership To who does the land on which the proposed site is located, belong? (E.g. Private land, state land, town lands, etc.) 26mm 48mm Concrete blocks with fence Local Authority of Tsumkwe 4 Description of the site General locality, surrounding landscape, etc. The site is natural veld with some trees, shrubs and grass. 5 Project outputs Define any nuisances or negative impacts that could result from the project during the construction and operation (e.g. vibration, noise, radiation, dust). There are no receptors in close vicinity to the proposed site. 6 Access to site Existing Road (Yes/No) Yes New Road (Yes/No) Distance of new road Grading of new road (paved, unpaved, tar or gravel, etc.) Slope where new road will be situated Best position for new road (photo nr) Yes 100m Gravel Flat Existing access 7 Civil Aviation Distance to the nearest airport 8 km 8 Waste generation Distance to nearest dump site Town of Tsumkwe 9 Energy provision Distance to nearest power line 5 km Required structures (e.g. substations, steel structures) Power lines

4 3 Length of the required power line Is the power line more than 2 km? If yes, then the assessment of the proposed location for the power line should be included in the assessment of the site for the mast. 1 Landscape Describe the surrounding landscape, e.g. Ridgeline, plateau, side slope of hill/mountain, closed valley, open valley, plain, undulating plain/low hills, dune, sea-front, etc. How accessible is the site by vehicle? 2 Soil and Geology Unstable rocky slopes/ steep slopes with loose soil/ rocky with limited soil Describe soil (e.g. clay, sand, etc.) Identify areas where erosion is likely (Photo nrs). 3 Habitat Natural veld in good condition, natural veld with scattered aliens, natural veld with heavy alien infestation, build-up area, bare soil. a Vegetation Describe the natural vegetation on the site (e.g. dwarf-shrub land) b Birds Is the area likely to be sensitive for birds (i.t.o. Cliffs, Ridges, possible flight paths, trees, water sources)? 5km Yes Plains Very accessible Kalahari basin with sandy soils Sand Unlikely to erosion Natural veld in pristine condition. Trees, shrubs and grass veld. Specialist reports record 19 IUCN red listed species c Reptiles Is the area likely to be sensitive for reptiles (e.g. rocky outcrops)? d Archaeology Take a picture facing towards the proposed site (photo nr). e Surface water Are there any surface water sources located close to the proposed site (e.g. Rivers, Pans, dams, farms dams, oshanas, etc). Estimate the distance from the site. No Archaeological significance Yes

5 4 Are there any signs of a wetland located close to the proposed site (e.g. mottled soil, grass with plumes, reeds, two-tone vegetation, standing water, birdlife). Estimate the distance from the site. To the west 4 Visual Take 360 picture from the site (Picture nrs). Particularly the four major directions (i.e. N, E, S, W). Consider the aesthetic value of the area (Is it located in a scenic area, what are the lines of sight, are there tourism activities in the area?). Identify possible sensitive receptors (e.g. neighbours, road users, tourism ventures etc.) If a new road will be constructed to the site, what will the visual impact be? (e.g. will it be highly visible or will it be out of sight for the largest group of sensitive receptors). There are no receptors in close vicinity to the proposed site. None No Consider the following: * The potential location of a development on landform features within the landscape will influence the visual absorption capacity. For example, structures will be difficult to hide on a ridgeline compared to a deeply incised valley. The tower will be visible from an unknown distance but the auxiliary infrastructure will be hidden due to the absence of receptors in the area. * Developments on lower slopes will be potentially easier to hide than those on upper slopes. * The visibility of a location of a structure is also influenced by the location height relative to the heights of surrounding topographic features. For example, if a location is lower than the majority of the immediately surrounding landscape it will be less visible and intrusive than a location which is generally higher than the immediate surrounds. N/A N/A

6 5 * A potential tower location will be easier to hide in a very rugged/diverse landscape and more difficult to do so if the landscape is more homogenous, such as a plain. 5 Social context Describe the surrounding community and land uses (e.g. urban, sub-urban, grazing livestock, grazing game, crops (type), tourism activities, mining, industrial etc.). There are no activities to be found around the proposed site. How far is the nearest inhabited area from the centre point of the mast? (i.t.o. the radiation). Give a short description of the populated area. What type of settlement is it? Tsumkwe lies about 3.5 km north west of the proposed site. 1.3 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was no public participation done during or before this site visit. Public consultation will be done before commencement with the construction activities. 1.4 ASSESSMENT OF SITE SUITABILITY Due to the distance to the town (i.e. 3.5 km) the proposed site poses a low visual impact. Although the top part of the tower may be visible from the town, the auxiliary infrastructure will not be visible to sensitive receptors. In addition to this, the site is located too far from any inhabited area to pose a radiation exposure risk. The site is also easily accessible by road. Should the mast be erected at this site, the potential impacts on the receiving biophysical and social environment will be minimal. Therefore, from an environmental point of view the proposed site would be a suitable location for the erection of an NBC mast. However, despite these positive attributes, from a technical perspective it is likely that a mast at this location may cause an overlap in coverage with other NBC masts in the vicinity. This may necessitate the relocation of the site to a more suitable area (See map below). Specific criteria (based on specialist recommendations) are listed below that aids in determining an optimal area within which a suitable site may be located (Table 2):

7 6 Table 2: Criteria for determining a sufficient site. ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURE CRITERIA SITE S ADHERENCE TO THE CRITERIA Distance to nearest populated area Biodiversity Civil Aviation Visual Impacts Infrastructure Archaeology Birds No mast should be erected within a 3km radius of an inhabited area to minimize the effect of radiation. The construction of a mast in close vicinity to a pan should be avoided. There is a strong correlation between pans and areas of biodiversity significance. Any mast to be erected within an 8km radius from any aerodrome, airfield, airstrip or airport needs clearance from the Directorate of Civil Aviation in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization. The visibility of the mast should be kept as low as possible. The perspective of all sensitive receptors, including the road user and the nearest residents to the site should be taken into account. Avoid or minimize the construction of infrastructure e.g. roads or power lines. If new infrastructure is to be built, its length should be kept to a minimum. Detailed surveys of the Tsumkwe area have shown that archaeological sites are strongly clustered along pan margins and in the vicinity of ancient baobab groves. These areas should be avoided if possible. The Nyae Nyae pans close to Tsumkwe is known as an important bird area and a minimum of 21 bird species (out of 39) are likely to be affected. Of these 21 bird species 19 are Red listed species including amongst others the Secretary bird and Kori bustard). Since most of the sensitive bird species are associated with wetlands, the avoidance of A 3km radius buffer zone around all permanently inhabited areas. No mast erected within this buffer zone. A 500m radius buffer zone around all significant pans. No mast erected within this buffer zone. An 8km buffer zone has been created around the aerodrome, airfield, airstrip or airport. A buffer zone of 800m to either side of all major roads to limit the visual impact for road users. Located at least 3km outside of town. Solar power will be utilized at the Tsumkwe site. Buffer of 100m radius around pan margins and baobab groves (clusters). Buffer of 100m radius around significant pan margins

8 7 ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURE CRITERIA SITE S ADHERENCE TO THE CRITERIA pans as a possible site is crucial. By mapping the buffer zones set out above different areas can be shown according to their adherence to the criteria. These areas range from being suitable for the construction of the mast to inadequate areas (i.e. no-go areas). All sites existing within the suitable area adhere to the entire set of criteria and are automatically considered sufficient for the construction of a mast. Figure 2 below shows these different areas identified for the Tsumkwe site.

9 8 Figure 2: Map of sensitivities for the Tsumkwe site 1.5 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS Should the mast be constructed within the suitable area, environmental impacts will be minimal. However, residual impacts associated with construction and operation activities will still need to be mitigated and monitored in order to ensure that the negative effects are avoided or minimized while optimizing the positive ones.

10 9 Table 3: Impact Evaluation ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF PROJECT ON FEATURE KEY IMPACT DEGREE OF SENSITIVITY ISSUES ADDRESSED IN: CONSTRUCTION PHASE GEOLOGY SOILS AND The movement of vehicles will impact on Soil compaction Low Sandy soils and this aspect. existing access TOPOGRAPHY No topographical high or low points will be affected. Visual impact Low situated far enough from Tsumkwe WATER QUALITY Construction vehicles, domestic and construction waste generated on site. Water pollution Low flat area with no rivers or other water features FLORA Clearing and grubbing during construction. Destruction natural vegetation of Medium pristine area Site specific EMP Encroachment of alien invasive species. The establishment and spreading of alien invasives Low pristine area REPTILE/ MAMMALS/ SPECIES SMALL BIRD Occurrence of these species on the site. disturbance of nests and habitats Medium fauna will move away from activities Site specific EMP Illegal poaching. Killing of fauna for usage by contractors. Low AIR QUALITY Movement of vehicles during construction Dust generated. Low short hauling and sandy soils ARCHAEOLOGICAL / CULTURAL Disturbance archaeological landscape. of Heritage impact Medium Site specific EMP SOCIO-ECONOMIC Spreading of HIV/AIDS by contractors. Increased HIV/AIDS Low few receptors and small construction force

11 10 ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF PROJECT ON FEATURE KEY IMPACT DEGREE OF SENSITIVITY ISSUES ADDRESSED IN: OPERATIONAL PHASE FAUNA The stay wires and the mast might pose a threat to birds Loss of birds due to collisions High no major migratory routes or pans in close vicinity Site specific EMP SOCIO-ECONOMIC Radiation emitted by the mast. Radiation impact Low due to few receptors Civil aviation Not within 8km of an airstrip Low sensitivity Waste generated should there be personnel on site Waste generated Low Construction and operation of the mast. Visual and aesthetic deterioration Low few receptors Positive impact due to the educational value of the project Social improvement due to NBC radio broadcasts Medium small villages around Tsumkwe Table 3 shows the impacts that can be sufficiently addressed through the implementation of a generic EMP. Other key impacts, that do not necessarily require specialist inputs, can be addressed through specific management measures in an additional appendix. The overall sensitivity of the sufficient area can thus be rated as medium as indicated in the table below.

12 Implication Description 11 Table 4: Sensitivity rating and required actions 1 LOW MEDIUM HIGH The site is not sensitive at all. No additional specialist studies are required. The site is moderately sensitive and although specialist inputs are not required, it requires specific management X measures. The site has sensitive elements that need to be further investigated by a specialist. Sites that have a "high" sensitivity rating should only be used as the preferred alternative once all other options have been eliminated. is sufficient An additional Appendix is required to the document that contains site specific mitigation measures. Specialist investigations are required. This site has an overall Sensitivity Rating Medium. 1 Enviro Dynamics (Pty) Ltd 2011

13 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS During the site assessment it was determined that, from an environmental point of view, the proposed site for Tsumkwe is sufficient for the erection of an NBC transmitter. However, because the proposed site might cause an overlap in coverage from other NBC masts in the vicinity, other suitable sites need to be investigated. A suitable area has been indicated on a site sensitive map that adheres to the specific criteria recommended by the specialists. Should the site be constructed within this area, the environmental impact will be minimal. Although a full EIA is not necessary, certain mitigation measures as specified in generic and site specific EMPs will need to be addressed and adopted to address residual impacts expected during construction and operation of the mast. 1.7 PHOTOS OF THE SITE The natural environment around Tsumkwe is pristine dominated by Terminalia species and good grass ground cover.