ESKOM CLOCOLAN-FICKSBURG 88 KV POWERLINE, FREE STATE DRAFT BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT PUBLIC REVIEW LANDOWNERS MEETING FICKSBURG 23 JULY 2013 T his project is being conducted on behalf of Eskom PRESENTATION OUTLINE Purpose of Meeting Meeting Guidelines Project Background and Purpose Project Specifications Basic Assessment Process: Legal Requirements Findings of the Basic Assessment Process Recommendations by the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) Discussion The Way Forward PURPOSE OF MEETING To present the findings of draft Basic Assessment Report and to provide landowners with an opportunity to raise their views or concerns (negative and positive). MEETING GUIDELINES Language of choice. Switch off cellphones/silent Focus on project issues. Please work through the Facilitator. Wait until discussion session to ask questions. Please identify yourself prior to asking a question / comment for record keeping. PROJECT BACKGROUND In 2011, Eskom conducted a study to assess the capacity of supply of electricity in the Ficksburg region. The study revealed that demand was high (at 84% of the available capacity) and growing. There are approx. 9000 customers. At present, Ficksburg is supplied by a single 88 kv power line from the Clocolan Substation. One of the drawbacks of this configuration is that should a fault occur on this power line, supply is lost to all customers. STUDY AREA MAP 1
PROJECT BACKGROUND To address this issue, Eskom plans to build a second 88 kv powerline between Clocolan and Ficksburg. To upgrade the sub-station infrastructure at the Ficksburg Substation in order to improve capacity. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Power line length: approx. 35 km Power line width (servitude): 31 m Tower height: 18 21 m Tower type: monopole structure Power line spans: 225 250 m PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Other requirements: Access created for the construction of towers and the stringing of conductors. Contractors will drive over the veld creating tracks, with no blading of vegetation or the soil. Tower type: monopole structure ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION PROCESS: The project requires environmental authorisation from National Department of Environmental Affairs, in terms of NEMA (Act No. 108 of 1998) and the 2010 EIA Regulations. The project triggers listed activities from Listing Notice 1 (GN R. 544, 18 June 2010) and Listing Notice 3 (GN R. 546, 18 June 2010). LIST OF ACTIVITIES TRIGGERED ListingNotice 1 GN. R. 544 Item 10 GN. R. 544 Item 11 GN. R. 544 Item 18 GN. R. 544 Item 24 ListingNotice 3 GN. R. 546 Item 12 GN. R. 546 Item 13 GN. R. 546 Item 14 GN. R. 546 Item 16 Description of the activity The construction of infrastructure for the distribution of bulk electricity The construction of infrastructure within a watercourse or 32m from a watercourse Disturbance of watercourses during construction Transformation of land zoned open space or conservation or equivalent Description of the activity The clearance of 300 m 2 of indigenous vegetation The clearance of 1 ha of indigenous vegetation The clearance of 5 ha of indigenous vegetation The construction of infrastructure covering 10m 2 or more within a watercourse or 32m from a watercourse 2
OTHER REQUIRED APPROVALS Water Use License Application (Department of Water Affairs) In progress Heritage Permits (South African Heritage Resources Agency ) Submitted BASIC ASSESSMENT PROCESS: Basic Assessment (BA) process which comprises an abridged environmental impact assessment and public participation. Eskom appointed ACER (Africa) Environmental Management Consultants (ACER) as the independent environmental assessment practitioner (EAP). BA PROCESS No. Task Description 1 Application for Authorisation Compile and submit the Application to DEA. 2 Project Announcement (40 days) (First Round of Public Consultation) 3 Compilation of the Draft Basic Assessment Report (BAR) 4 Announcement of the Draft BAR (40 days) Placement of media adverts, on-site notices and the distribution of letters to interested and affected parties (I&APs). This includes the appointment of environmental specialists. All registered I&APs are notified via email and post. The report is also placed at public places. 5 Compilation of a Final BAR This report contains all the comments received and responses provided during public consultations. 6 Submit the Final BAR to DEA to review and decision-making All registered I&APs are notified via email and post. 7 Environmental Authorisation All registered I&APs are notified via email and post. 8 Appeal (20 days) All appeals must be submitted to the Minister. Task Date Submit Application to DEA Nov 2012 Announce the Project (40 days) Jan - Feb 2013 Investigationsand Reporting May June 2013 Circulate the Draft BAR to all interested and affected parties (40 days) Compile a Final BAR and Submit to DEA for review and decision-making July - Aug 2013 Aug 2013 Issuing of the Environmental Authorisation Sep 2013 Appeal (30 days) Sep - Oct 2013 Compile and submit Water Use Licence Application to DWA Free State BA PROCESS Summary of project timeframes: Aug - Sep 2013 BA PROCESS Public Participation Task Project Announcement 2 x media adverts (Vrystaatand Free State Express) Letter drop at the Post Offices (Ficksburgand Clocolan) Initial consultation with the Gumtree Farmers Association Initial consultation with organs of state including the local and district municipalities Placement of On-site Notices at the Ficksburgand Clocolan sub-stations Announcement of the Draft BAR Notification of registered I&APsincluding landowners Notification of organs of state (DWA, DEA, DTEEA, SAHRA) Placement of hardcopies in public places (libraries). All correspondence was made available in English, Sesotho and Afrikaans. Date Jan 2013 Jul 2013 ISSUES IDENTIFIED/RAISED The following issues were raised during the Initial Consultation process: Impact on agricultural land Impact on existing structures and infrastructure Impact on future-planned developments (pivots) Access and security (during construction) 3
The BAR comprises of the following sections: Project description Description of alternatives Description of the study area (land use, topography, ecology and social environment) Description of the Public Participation Process Assessment of environmental impacts during construction and operation Recommendation by the EAP The BAR also contains findings of specialist studies: Vegetation, Terrestrial Fauna and Wetlands Cultural Heritage Resources Avifauna Visual and Aesthetics Summary of Terms of Reference for s Vegetation, Terrestrial Fauna and Wetlands - Description of the current state of veg, fauna and wetlands - Describe and delineate wetlands and riparian zones - Recommend a buffer zone for wetlands and riparian zones - Identify red data species - Identify existing and future-planned conservation areas - Identify impacts (construction and operation) - Provide mitigation measures (construction and operation) Summary of Terms of Reference for s Cultural Heritage - Identify and map heritage resources - Identify impacts (construction and operation) - Provide mitigation measures (construction and operation) Summary of Terms of Reference for s Avifauna - Description of the current state of avifauna - Description of species-specific habitats - Identify bird species including red data and vulnerable species - Identify impacts (construction and operation) - Provide mitigation measures (construction and operation) Summary of Terms of Reference for s Visual and Aesthetics - Description of visual landscape - Description of viewpoints and absorption capacity of the landscape - Identify impacts (construction and operation) - Provide mitigation measures (construction and operation) 4
2013/08/07 INTEGRATION OF FINDINGS (BA REPORT) Route Alternative 1 Two route alternatives were investigated by the Environmental Team. Route 1: Next the main road (R26) between Clocolan and Ficksburg Route 2: Next to the existing power line The no-development alternative is the status quo. The Environmental Team comprised of ACER and the specialists appointed to assess the following disciplines: Vegetation, Terrestrial Fauna and Wetlands Avifauna (birds) Visual and Aesthetics Heritage Route Alternative 2 FINDINGS OF THE BA REPORT FINDINGS OF THE BA REPORT Technical activities undertaken by the Environmental Team: Review of existing local and district municipal reports (IDP, SDF, LED, WSP). Field work Detailed investigations by each specialist: Protected areas, red data plants, conservation areas, protected plants and wild animals, status wetlands and rivers, ecological habitats Monuments, burial grounds, historic objects Protected and endangered birds, bird habitats Scenic areas and landscapes, key viewpoints Summary of investigations: Veg, Fauna and Wetlands Route Alt 1 (next to the main road) Route Alt 2 Most preferred Least preferred Avifauna Visual and Aesthetics Least preferred Most preferred Heritage Based on the integration of results, the most preferred route is Route Alternative 1. 5
FINDINGS OF THE BA REPORT Route Alternative 1 was selected due to the extensive presence of wetlands (mainly seep areas) along Route Alternative 2. RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE EAP No fatal flaws were identified by the Environmental Team. The EAP recommends the approval of Alternative 1 subject to the strict implementation of an Environmental Management Programme during construction. This route also falls along existing infrastructure (the R26 Road). Should approval be given by the Department of Environmental Affairs, Eskom will commence a landowner negotiation process for the registration of the power line servitude. DISCUSSION WAY FORWARD The Draft BAR is available for comment from 02 July 2013 06 Aug 2013. The Draft BAR can be viewed at the Ficksburg and Clocolan Libraries, and the ACER website (www.acerafrica.co.za under current projects ). Comments must be submitted to ACER in writing: Fax: 035 340 2232 Email: ppp@acerafrica.co.za Post: PO Box 503, Mtunzini, 3867 WAY FORWARD We request all directly affected landowners to complete and sign the Landowner Notification Forms and return to ACER. These forms will form part of the Final BAR. Summary of project timeframes: Task WAY FORWARD Date Submit Application to DEA Nov 2012 Announce the Project (40 days) Jan - Feb 2013 Investigationsand Reporting May June 2013 Circulate the Draft BAR to all interested and affected parties (40 days) Compile a Final BAR and Submit to DEA for review and decision-making July - Aug 2013 Aug 2013 Issuing of the Environmental Authorisation Sep 2013 Appeal (30 days) Sep - Oct 2013 Compile and submit Water Use Licence Application to DWA Free State Aug - Sep 2013 6
THANK YOU DANKIE RE A LEBOHA 7