An important aspect of the Scoping Phase is the Public Participation Process (PPP), which aims to:

Transcription

1 3 SCOPING STUDY APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY 3.1 Objectives of the Scoping Phase The Environmental Scoping Phase has been undertaken in accordance with the requirements of sections 24 and 24D of the NEMA, as read with Government Notices R 385 (Regulations 27-36), 386 and 387 of the NEMA and the IEM Information Series (DEAT, 2002). The objectives of the Scoping Phase are to: Ensure that the process is open and transparent and involves the Authorities, proponent and stakeholders; Identify the important characteristics of the affected environment; Ensure that feasible alternatives are identified and selected for further assessment; Assess and determine possible impacts of the proposed project on the biophysical and socio-economic environment and associated mitigation measures; and Ensure compliance with the relevant legislation. An important aspect of the Scoping Phase is the Public Participation Process (PPP), which aims to: Ensure all relevant stakeholders have been identified and invited to engage in the scoping process; Raise awareness, educate and increase understanding of stakeholders about the proposed project, the affected environment and the environmental process being undertaken; Create open channels of communication between stakeholders and the project team; Provide opportunities for stakeholders to identify issues or concerns and suggestions for enhancing potential benefits and to prevent or mitigate impacts; Accurately document all opinions, concerns and queries raised regarding the project; and Ensure the identification of the significant alternatives and issues related to the project. The following sections provide more detail on the tasks undertaken as part of the Scoping Process: 3.2 Pre-application Consultation A pre-application meeting was held at the DEAT offices, in Pretoria, on the 12 December The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the project and to discuss and obtain clarification on the following: The application procedure and provincial environmental authority involvement; The applicable listed activities; Eskom Holdings Limited 3-1 Issue 1.0 / January 2008

2 Other government departments and the legislative requirements; DEAT document review and independent reviewers; The scope of the PPP and advertising requirements; Site alternative assessment scope; and Specific DEAT requirements. 3.3 Scoping and EIA Application Subsequent to the pre-application meeting, the EIA application to undertake the listed activities was submitted to DEAT on the 15 May 2007, with a letter for the amendment of the application form submitted in July (Appendix C). ARCUS GIBB received the acknowledgement of the application form and authorisation to proceed and the project was allocated a reference number (12/12/20/944) Appendix B. 3.4 Scoping Report Requirements as per the NEMA EIA Regulations The Scoping Phase for this project has been undertaken to ensure compliance with the requirements of the NEMA EIA Regulations which states that a scoping report must contain all the information that is necessary for a proper understanding of the nature of issues identified during scoping. As such this Scoping Report has been compiled in accordance with the following requirements: Providing the details and expertise of the EAP undertaking the EIA process; Describing the proposed locations for the activities along with all applicable alternatives; Describing the property on which the the activity will be undertaken; A baseline description of the environment that may be affected by the activity and the manner in which the physical, biological, social, economic and cultural aspects of the environment may be affected by the proposed project; Identifying all relevant legislation and guidelines that have been considered for the project; A description of the environmental issues and potential impacts, including cumulative impacts that have been identified; Providing the methodology that will be adopted in assessing the potential impacts that have been identified, including any specialist studies that will be undertaken; Outlining the PPP that has been undertaken for the project; Providing a Plan of Study for EIA. 3.5 Specialist Investigations As a result of the nature and scale of the proposed project and the potential impacts on the environment, various specialist studies will be undertaken as part of the EIA. In addition, independent specialists will review the specialist reports. The following studies have been initiated during the Scoping Phase and will continue during the Impact Assessment Phase. Table 6 indicates the specialists, their role and fields of expertise. Eskom Holdings Limited 3-2 Issue 1.0 / January 2008

3 Table 6: Specialist Team and their Fields of Expertise Task/ Discipline/ Local Team Involvement Leaders Organisation Qualification Support Team (Reviewers, Advisors and Consultants) Jean-Marc M.Sc. (Geology and Hydrogeology) Nuclear Specialist Reviewers Lavanchy Colenco Power Engineering Ltd., Lucien Switzerland Civil Engineer Electronics Teunckens Peer (Technical and EIA Process) Reviewer Janet Bodenstein UCT Environmental Evaluation Unit M.A. (Environmental Science) Legal Advisor Nicholas M.A. (LLB) Smith, Ndlovu and Summers Smith Ph.D. (Plant Pathology) PPP Consultant (Rivonia and Cape Dieter ACER Africa Town) Heinsohn Climatology Geology and Seismic Risk Geotechnical characteristics Mark Tadross Urna Hattingh Technical Specialists UCT Climate Systems Assessment Group (CSAG) Council of Geosciences Ph.D. (Earth Sciences) M.Sc. (Minerology) Flora (South Coast) Barrie Low Coastec M.Sc. (Botany) Philip Flora (West Coast) Desmet Invertebrate Fauna Independent Consultant (formerly UCT Institute of Plant Conservation) Mike UCT Department of Zoology Ph.D. (Zoology) Picker 15 James UCT Avian Demography Unit M.Sc. (Botany); Ph.D. (Conservation Assessment and Planning) M.Sc. (Nature Conservation) Vertebrate Fauna Harrison Hydrology M.Sc. (Hydrogeology) 15 To be replaced by a suitably qualified and experienced specialist for the EIA phase. Eskom Holdings Limited 3-3 Issue 1.0 / January 2008

4 Task/ Discipline/ Local Team Involvement Leaders Organisation Qualification Geohydrology Peter SRK Consulting Fresh Water Supply Rosewarne Freshwater Ecology Liz Day The Freshwater Consulting Group Ph.D. (Zoology) Oceanography Frank UCT Department of M.Sc. (Physical Oceanography) Shillington 16 Oceanography Marine Biology Charlie UCT Marine Biology Research Ph.D. (Zoology) Griffiths Institute Air Quality Assessment (Emissions, Lucian Airshed Planning Professionals Ph.D. (Chemical Engineering) Health Risk and Dispersion) Burger Economic Gavin Maasdorp Imani Development: Economic, Trade and Development Consultants Ph.D. (Economics) Socio-Economic Alewijn Octagonal Development Hons.B.Diac (Social Work) Dippenaar Willie Van Infotox Ph.D. (Chemistry) Human Health Niekerk International Qualified Environmental Practitioner (QEP) Gavin Imani Development: Economic, Ph.D. (Economics) Agricultural Potential Maasdorp Trade and Development Consultants Noise Adrian Jongens Keet and Associates M.Sc. (Electrical Engineering) Jongens Visual Alan Cave Bapela Cave Klapwijk B.Sc. (Mining Engineering) Archaeology and Heritage Tim Hart UCT Archaeology Unit M.A. (Archaeology) Tourism Gavin Maasdorp Imani Development: Economic, Trade and Development Consultants Ph.D. (Economics) Transport Study Andrew ARCUS GIBB M.Eng. (Engineering in Transportation) Bulman 16 To be replaced by a suitably qualified and experienced specialist for the EIA phase. Eskom Holdings Limited 3-4 Issue 1.0 / January 2008

5 3.6 Public Participation Process This section provides a summary of the PPP, which is recorded in more details in Section 9 and the public participation documentation, which is provided in Appendix G Identification of stakeholders and I&AP The identification and registration of I&APs has been an ongoing activity during the course of the project. ACER Africa, the PPP consultant, has developed, maintained and is constantly updating an electronic I&AP database for the project. The I&APs for this project were identified as a result of the following: Existing I&APs databases obtained from Eskom; Placement of newspaper advertisements in 16 newspapers ranging from national to regional newspapers. The advertisements were placed between the 25 May June 2007; Placement of site notices at the proposed site locations (Refer to Appendix G 1 for photographic evidence); Distribution of Background Information Documents (BIDs); Discussions with community leaders and releavant ward councilors; Completed comments sheets; and Attendance registers at meetings Notification and Advertisements In accordance with the requirements of the NEMA EIA Regulations, the project was advertised in a number of newspapers (Refer to Section for a list of the newspapers in which advertisements were placed and Appendix G1 for copies of the advertisements). The purpose of the advertisement was to notify the public about the proposed project and public meetings and to invite them to register as I&APs and attend public meetings Background Information Document The Background Information Document (BID) briefly describes the proposed project and was compiled in English, Afrikaans and isixhosa and distributed to all identified I&APs (Refer to Appendix G3 for a copy of the BID). The BID introduces the proposed project and contains background information on the project, the proponent, consultants and proposed process to be followed. It also includes an invitation to a public meeting and a locality map. The BID was placed at local public libraries and municipalities. Refer to Table 7 for an indication of the libraries and municipalities that the BID was distributed to Public Meetings Various forms of Public meetings were held. These included Key Stakeholder Workshops, Focus Group meetings, public meetings with various different public sectors, organisations and individuals (Refer to Section for a list of when and where and with whom these meetings were held and Appendix G 6 for minutes of the meetings). Eskom Holdings Limited 3-5 Issue 1.0 / January 2008

6 The purpose of these meeting were to present the public with information pertaining to the project, the process to be followed as well as to document and discuss the issues which the public may have at this initiation stage of the scoping study. These comments, issues or queries have been recorded in the meeting minutes Ongoing Consultation and Engagement The consultation with all stakeholders and I&APs will continue into the Impact Assessment and EMP phase. Consultation will continue in the form of: Distribution of all project information and findings to I&APs; EIA feedback open days; and Information in the media and press Comments and Issues Raised during the Consultation Process An Issues and Response Report (IRR) was developed that details the outcomes of all engagement with stakeholders and I&APs (Refer to Appendix G 8 for the IRR). 3.7 Compilation of the Scoping Report This Environmental Scoping Report was compiled in accordance with the requirements of the NEMA EIA Regulations (DEAT, 2006). I&APs were provided with an opportunity to view the Draft Scoping Report (DSR) and to provide comments, which have been incorporated into this Final Report. A Senior Environmental Scientist as part of the ARCUS GIBB ISO 9001 Quality Management System has reviewed both the Draft and Final Scoping Report (FSR) internally. Externally, UCT s Environmental Evaluation Unit and Smith, Ndlovu and Summers Attorneys reviewed the DSR Public Review of the Draft Scoping Report The DSR was placed at the following public places (Table 7) for public review and comment period of 54 days. Table 7: Availability of the Draft Scoping Report Area Venue Street Address EASTERN CAPE Humansdorp Humansdorp Public Library 9 Vureau Street Humansdorp Ukhanyiso Public Library Nanto Street, Humansdorp Jeffery s Bay Jeffrey s Bay Public Library 33 Da Gama Road Jeffery s Bay Jeffrey s Bay Business Forum Sandown Buildings, Jeffrey Street Jeffery s Bay Jeffrey s Bay Tourism Office De Gama Road, Shell Museum Complex, Jeffrey s Bay Kareedouw Kareedouw Public Library 5 Keet Street Oyster Bay Oesterbaai Eiendome 6 Tornyn Street, Oyste Bay Plettenberg Bay Plettenberg Bay Public Library Building No 29, Spar Centre, Marine Drive St Francis Bay St Francis Bay Public Library No 1 Assissi Drive, St Francis Bay St Francis Bay St Francis Bay Tourism Centre 1 Lyme Road South, St Francis Bay Kruisfontein Kruisfontein Public Library Cucido Street, Kruisfontein NORTHERN CAPE Kamieskroon Succulent Karoo Knowledge Charlotte Street, Kamieskroon Eskom Holdings Limited 3-6 Issue 1.0 / January 2008

7 Area Venue Street Address Centre Kleinsee Houthoop Shed Houthoop Guest Farm, Komaggas Road Komaggas Komaggas Advise Office Van den Heever Street Port Nolloth Richtersveld Public Library Main Road, Port Nolloth Springbok Springbok Public Library Makua Street WESTERN CAPE Cape Town ARCUS GIBB (Cape Town 14 Kloof Street, Cape Town Offices) Cape Town Cape Town Central Library City Hall, 2 nd Floor, Darling Street Atlantis Atlantis Public Library Civic Centre, Grosvenor Avenue Atlantis Wesfleur Library, Atlantis Wesfleur Centre, Atlantis Baardskeerdersbos Baardskeerdersbos Winkel 22km from Gaansbaai on the Elim Road Beaufort West Beaufort West Public Library 15 Church Street Bredasdorp Bredasdorp Public Library Church Street, Bredasdorp Bredasdorp Cape Agulhas Tourism 51 Long Street, Bredasdorp Bureau, Bredasdorp Bredasdorp Welverdiend Public Library Ou Meule Street, Bredasdorp Clanwilliam Clanwilliam Public Library Main Street, Calnwilliam Elim Elim Library Depot 3 Waterkant Street, Elim Gansbaai Gansbaai Public Library Main Road, Municipal Buildings Hermanus Hermanus Public Library Civic Centre, Magnolia Street Koeberg Koeberg Public Library Merchant Walk, Duynefontein Laingsburg Laingsburg Public Library Van Riebeck Street Malmesbury Malmesbury Public Library Voortrekker Road Milnerton Milnerton Public Library Pienaar Road Grabouw Palmiet Pumped Storage Scheme, Visitors Centre Rockview Dam Road, off N2 South, Grabouw Piketberg Piketberg Public Library 13 Church Street Vredenburg Vredenburg Public Library 12 Main Street Wolvengat Jenny s Handelaar Main Road, Wolvengat GAUTENG Bryanston Bryanston Public Library Cnr New & Pyne Streets, Bryanston Rosebank Rosebank Public Library 8 Keyes Avenue, Rosebank Blackheath Blackheath Public Library Heathway Centre, Blackheath Johannesburg Johannesburg Public Library Dr Beyers Naude Square, Cnr Market & Fraser Streets Notification of this placement was sent to all registered I&APs with a request to provide comment on the DSR by the end of the comments period Compilation of the Final Scoping Report (FSR) The DSR has been updated with I&AP comments, received during the Comment Period. The comments have been included and assessed in the FSR. This FSR will be made available for public viewing and simultaneously submitted to the Authorities for consideration. Any further comments that I&APs may have on the FSR will have to be submitted by I&APs directly to DEAT. Eskom Holdings Limited 3-7 Issue 1.0 / January 2008

8 3.8 Assumptions and Limitations The section briefly outlines key assumptions made and limitations encountered during the compilation of the Scoping Report. It should be noted that the Scoping Phase is merely the initial phase of the EIA process and thus some of the limitations indicated below will no longer be addressed through further assessment during the detailed assessment phase of the EIA process Assumptions The infrastructural requirements specifically associated with the NPS will be similar to that of the existing Koeberg NPS, given that similar technology will be employed at the proposed NPS; and Emergency Planning Zones (EPZ), comprised of a Protective Action Zone (PAZ) and an Urgent Protective Action Zone (UPZ), will apply to the proposed NPS. However, the exact delineation of the buffer zones will be determined by the NNR once the site is selected and the exact buffer zone is defined considering surrounding land use such as other nuclear industries, applicable to Duynefontein, as well as advancements in technology, which may necessitate reduced buffer zones when compared with that of Koeberg s existing buffer zone. Refer to Section for further details regarding Koeberg s buffer zones Limitations The preliminary specialist reports, undertaken during the Scoping phase of the EIA process, were based primarily on desktop investigations and limited field investigations in accordance with the requirements for scoping as stipulated in the EIA Regulations. It must be emphasised that the detailed specialists investigations will take place during the detailed assessment phase of the EIA process and the results thereof will form part of the EIA Report; A current limitation, specific to the Scoping Phase of the EIA process pertains to the lack of detailed information in terms of associated infrastructure such as roads, harbours and transmission lines required for the operation of the NPS as well as the integration of the generated power into the network. However, the relevant information will be available during the detailed assessment phase of the EIA process and will therefore form part of the EIA Report; The EIA for the NPS does not assess the full life cycle of impacts associated with the sourcing, processing and transportation of the uranium required to fuel the NPS. The EIA specifically assesses the impacts associated with the NPS only; and Risks associated with the management and disposal of Nuclear Waste will be discussed in the EIA; and This EIA process does not consider assess the permitting process associated with hazardous radioactive waste disposal as hazardous radioactive waste disposal will be dealt with as part of the NNR process. Eskom Holdings Limited 3-8 Issue 1.0 / January 2008