comments and responses report for the construction of a

DEA Ref: 12/12/20/2118

Comments and Responses Report

for the construction of a 220kV

Transmission line from the

Aggeneys to Paulputs Substation:

Northern Cape

July 2011 A Proposal for: Eskom Transmission

Tel: 011 798 6458

Email: [email protected]

Building No 5, Country Club Estate, 21 Woodlands Drive, Woodmead, 2191

DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION

Client:

Eskom Transmission

Proposal Name:

Comments and Responses Report for the construction of a 220kV Transmission line from the Aggeneys to Paulputs Substation: Northern Cape

SSI Environmental Reference Number:

EO2.JNB.000818

Authority Reference:

DEA Ref: 12/12/20/2118

Compiled by:

Frank Benedek

Date:

July 2011

Location:

Northern Cape

Reviewer:

_____________________________

Signature

Approval:

______________________________

Signature

© SSI Environmental

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission from SSI Environmental.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 ALTERNATIVES 2

2 INFORMATION PROVIDED TO INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES 4

3 DETAILED PROJECT METHODOLOGY 1

Table of Figures

FIGURE 1: LOCALITY MAP 3 FIGURE 2: GOOGLE LOCALITY MAP 4

List of Tables

NO TABLE OF FIGURES ENTRIES FOUND.

Basic Assessment for the Construction of a 220kV Transmission line from the Aggeneys to Paulputs Substation: Northern Cape: Issue and Responses Report

EO2.JNB.000818 Page 1 SSI Environmental

1 INTRODUCTION The proposed project entails the consideration a best environmental practicable 2km wide corridor

(measured 1 kilometre on either side of a proposed powerline alignment) for purposes of constructing a

220 kilovolt (kV) Sub-transmission powerline within such corridor. The powerline will extend over a 97

km distance (approximately) connecting the Aggeneys and Paulputs substations (see Figure 1: Locality

Plan) – referred to as the Aggeneys-Paulputs powerline. Furthermore the project scope includes the

upgrade of the Aggeneys substation to accommodate the newly proposed Aggeneys-Paulputs

powerline. Three corridor alternatives with an associated powerline alignment are being considered by

Eskom Transmission and will be evaluated during the Basic Assessment Process to determine the best

environmentally practicable alignment.

In terms of the 2010 EIA Regulations the proposed project requires the undertaking of a Basic

Assessment in terms Government Notice (GN) R.543 for listed activities requiring environmental

authorisation from the relevant competent authority, The Department of Environmental Affairs

(DEA).The following activities listed in GN. R544 (Listing Notice 1) and GN. R546 (Listing Notice 3)

respectively is applicable to the project:

Government Notice

Activity

number Description

No R 544

(Listing Notice 1)

10 The construction of facilities or infrastructure for the transmission

and distribution of electricity –

i. Outside urban areas or industrial complexes with a capacity of

more than 33 but less than 275 kilovolts.

The project will entail the construction of a 220kV sub-transmission

line outside an urban area.

No R 544

(Listing Notice 1)

13 The construction of facilities or infrastructure for the storage, or for

the storage and handling, of a dangerous good, where such

storage occurs in containers with a combined capacity of 80 but not

exceeding 500 cubic metres

During the construction phase the storage and handling of

dangerous good (i.e. diesel) will be required.

No R 544

(Listing Notice 1)

22 The construction of a road, outside urban areas,

i. With a reserve wider than 13.5 meters, or

ii. Where no reserve exists where the road is wider than 8 meters.

Access roads for the construction and maintenance of the

powerline may be required. Existing access roads will be utilised as

best practice and where practical.

No R 544

(Listing Notice 1)

24 The transformation of land bigger than 1000 square metres in size,

to residential, retail, commercial, industrial or institutional use,

where, at the time of the coming into effect of this schedule such

land was zoned open space, conservation or had an equivalent

zoning.



An portion of land in ownership of Black Mountain Mining is zoned

for conservation purposes and will be affected by the proposed

powerline alignments.

No R 544

(Listing Notice 1)

26 Any process or activity identified in terms of Section 53(1) of the

National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, (Act No. 10

of 2004)

Indigenous vegetation will be cleared as part of site preparation for

construction.

No R 544

(Listing Notice 1)

38 The expansion of facilities for the transmission and distribution of

electricity where the expanded capacity will exceed 275 kilovolts

and the development footprint will increase.

Upgrade of to the Aggeneys substations will be required to

accommodate the new poweline line. This will increase the total

output of the substation and the development footprint.

No R 544

(Listing Notice 1)

47 The widening of road by more than 6 meters, or the lengthening of

a road by more than 1 kilometre –

where no reserve exists, where the existing road is wider than 8

metres

Existing access roads along the poweline alignment may required

widening or lengthening for the poweline construction and

maintenance.

The entire project is within the Western Grid and forms part of the Northern Cape Strengthening.

The area between Aggeneys and Paulputs is dry as it forms part of the Kalahari. The vegetation is

mainly thorny trees with very small leaves. The main drive of the economy is live-stock farming. The

land owners farm with cattle and some of game products (See Figure 2).

1.1 Corridor Alternatives

Corridor Alternative 1(Pink line):

Alternative 1 is proposed to run parallel to the existing 400kV line. This alternative will add to the visual

impact for the motorist travelling in that area as it will be very close to the N14. This alternative will be

cost effective in terms of construction as it has very few bending points. This alternative will also cluster

the cumulative impacts together as it will be close to the already disturbed environment.

Corridor Alternative 2 (Orange line):

Alternative 2 is proposed to run on the south-eastern side of the existing 400kV line from Aggeneys. At

about 20km it then crosses the existing line towards the north-western side. Further north there are

mountains which prevent this alternative from proceeding up. The route is then forced to link up with

Alternative 3. This alternative is comparatively more expensive to build when compared to the other

two.

Corridor Alternative 3 (Blue line):

Alternative 3 will also run parallel to the existing 400kV line with slight deviations and bends. This

alternative will add to the visual impact for the motorist travelling in that area as it will be very close to



the N14. This alternative will also be cost effective in terms of construction as it has almost similar

bending points as Alternative 1.

FIGURE 1: LOCALITY MAP



FIGURE 2: GOOGLE LOCALITY MAP

This document provides responses to all comments, concerns and issues raised during the Public

Participation Process.

2 INFORMATION PROVIDED TO INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES

All interested and Affected Parties (I&AP’s), stakeholders, landowners, Authorities and governmental

institutions were notified of the proposed project by using the following mediums:

Direct letters to the landowners, stakeholders and the local Authorities

Direct emails to stakeholders and other concerned or possibly affected parties

A newspaper advertisement in a local publication for the local public during the Notification and

Public Comment Phase.

Site notice boards at the substations and along the proposed routes (some of the notice boards was

placed on the boundary of the site, in a clearly visible area, but not close to the alignment)

Background Information Document were given to owners of local stores and garages for distribution

among the local community

Briefing papers were hand delivered to the landowners adjacent to the proposed development

Refer to Annexure A for a copy of the distributed mediums.



3 DETAILED PROJECT METHODOLOGY

Issue/ Comment Raised By Response

NOTIFICATION PERIOD

The Aggeneys, Pofadder and Pauputs area consists of limited means of communication. This made notification of many of

the landowners very difficult. In lieu of the above landowners were notified via advertisements, hand delivery of the BID

document, telephonic conversations, agricultural associations or BID’s left a stores and post offices.

The following means of communication was used during the Notification period.

- Hand delivery of the BID document during the Site Visit undertaken on 01- 04 November 2010.

- Advertisement placed in the Gemsbok Newspaper on 24 November 2010, Page 24.

- BID Documents were placed at the following places for collection:

Aggeneys Kaffee;

Aggeneys Liquor Store;

Aggeneys Post Office;

Aggeneys Checkin Grocer;

Khai – Ma Municipality;

Pofadder: Proe- I- Biekie Store;

Pofadder Agriwire; and

Pofadder Post office.

During the Notification period an Email or Fax was sent to landowners with contact information.

Please refer to Annexure B for a copy of the email and Faxes sent.

No responses were received from I&APs during the Notification period 05 November 2010- 10 December 2010.

PUBLIC COMEMNT PERIOD

The following was undertaken during the Public Comment Period: 15 March 2011 – 25 April 2011.

- An advertisement was placed in the Gemsbok Newspaper on 09 March 2011.




- A public Meeting was held on 16 March 2010 at the Pofadder Hotel at 18:00 – 20:00.

- A Stakeholder meeting with Khai- Ma Municipality at Khai- Ma offices at 9:30 – 10:30.

- Focus Group Meeting with Black Mountain at SSI Offices in Johannesburg at 15: 30 – 16:30.

The following comments were received during the Comment period.

Is SSI aware of the renewable energy

project that is proposed next to the

Aggeneys Substation.

Mr Xavier Rayem: Councilor at

Pofadder Municipality: Comment

raised at Public Meeting.

Mr Benedek responded that we are

aware of the project. However the

project Authorisation is undertaken

by another independent company.

What level of significance will the

Visual Impact Assessment place on

Impact ratings. The visual impact is

very important compared to the impact

on the ground.

Gerrit Visser: President of the

Farmers Association and

Landowner : Comment raised at

Public Meeting.

Mr Benedek explained that all

specialist studies are based and

rated on the same impact criteria.

Their level of significance is based on

the impact ratings they provide.

Why did Eskom not consider the

construction of a 400kV or 765kV line

rather than an additional 200kV line.

This will have a smaller footprint on the

ground.




Public Meeting.

Mr Makhanya reported that an

upgrade of the line would still have

implications should a fault occur a

back-up line would not be available.

One of the reasons for an additional

line is to maintain stability of power if

one line was to fail.

Mr Wimpie reported that at present a

765kV line would be very expensive

to erect.

Would Eskom consider an agreement

stating that additional lines would not

be added at a later stage.




Public Meeting.

Kentridge Makhanya reported that

this will be taken into consideration

and a response will be provided at a

later stage.

Response after the Meeting:

There is no foreseeable need for

additional lines between Aggeneis




and Paulputs, nor a possibility to run

those lines at 400kV. Our solution in

the Transmission Distribution Plan

remains a 220kV line.

Should there be a need for additional

lines in future, we would first consider

re-cycling the servitude at 400kV

before putting additional lines if the

area is sensitive.

A double line would have a greater

impact on Avi-fauna, thus Eskom

should consider a single line.




Public Meeting.

Mr Makhanya reported that bird

diverters would be used to mitigate

the impact on avi-fauna.

Plastic bird diverters currently fall off

the transmission line within one month

after installation. Thereafter birds are

left vulnerable to the line.

Pieter v.d Heever: Landowner :

Comment Raised at Public Meeting

Mr Wimpie reported that this will be

taken into consideration and will be

added to the monitoring/

maintenance plan.

An additional line would leave farmers

vulnerable to additional veld fires, as

fires under power lines cannot be

distinguished.

Gerrit Visser: President of the Farmers Association and Landowner : Comment raised at Public Meeting.

Mr Makhanya reported that to

prevent fires all servitudes are

cleared of all vegetation preventing

veld fires.

Clearing of vegetation would place

stress on the environment since the

clearing would also remove food for

animals.


Mr Wimpie reported that based on

the terrain and vegetation within the

area, it would not be necessary to

remove any vegetation

The frequency of the line is the problem

not the need for the line. Gerrit Visser: President of the Farmers Association and Landowner : Comment raised at Public Meeting.

Comment noted.

The number of towers is now becoming Pieter v.d Heever: Landowner : Comment noted




a problem, leaving farmers with less

grazing land.

Comment Raised at Public Meeting

Where is power generated and how is it

transmitted to the towers?

Pieter v.d Heever: Landowner : Comment Raised at Public Meeting

Mr Makhanya reported that the

power was generated in

Mpumalanga and transmitted to

Aggeneys and Paulputs substations

for distribution. The existing line has

been built to transmit 220 kV of

power, however ideally they should

be transmitting less than the required

amount .

Mr Wimpie reported that if necessary

an Eskom representative from the

planning department could provide a

presentation on how power is

generated and transmitted.

The endangered species highlighted by

the avi-fauna specialist are situated

throughout the route and not restricted

to the areas he wants to avoid.

This should not be a deciding factor

since these species occur on other

farms aswell.


Ms Naidoo reported that one of the

integral areas the option 2 avoids the

Black Mountain Nature Reserve that

provides a habitat and protection of

these endangered species. Thus

every effort was made to avoid this

reserve.

Ms Naidoo reported that she would

contact the Avi-fauna specialist to

comment and provide additional

clarity on his decision.

Response from Avi-Fauna Specialist

The Ludwig Bustard is a plains

species that occurs along all 3

alternatives. Based on this species




alone a preferred alternative cannot

be chosen. However Alternative 2 is

preferred since it runs parallel to an

existing line and avoids the Black

Mountain Nature Reserve which is

home to many endangered species

and does not cross the highway.

Should alternative 2 be authorised my

farm would be impacted. Pieter v.d Heever: Landowner : Comment Raised at Public Meeting

Comment noted.

A filling station is currently being applied

for authorisation, this will have an

impact on Alternative 2 if authorised.

Pieter v.d Heever: Landowner : Comment Raised at Public Meeting

Comment noted.

Is the project linked to the Aggeneys –

Oranjemond and Aggenys to Helios

projects.

Mr PJ Baker: Khai- Ma Muncipality Municipal Manager: Comment Raised at FGM.

Mr Benedek that the projects are all

Eskom projects. Authorisation for

each project is undertaken by an

independent company.

A project by Verdanta for mining at

Gamsburg has been authorised and

could impact on the proposed

alignment.

Mr PJ Baker: Khai- Ma Muncipality Municipal Manager: Comment Raised at FGM.

Mr Benedek reported that he had

heard about the project, and will

discuss this with the representative at

the Focus Group meeting with Black

Mountain.

Verdanta has bought off Anglo Coal

zinc mining division and have acquired

a mining authorisation for Gamsberg.

The proposed Eskom project will have

an impact on their mining activities. Mr

Venter will forward the co-ordinates for

their proposed project activities to

determine impact.

Mr Pieter Venter: Black Mountain: Comment Raised at FGM

Ms Naidoo explained that this

information will be forwarded to

Eskom with the co-ordinates for

consideration.

Alternative 2 would not have a severe

impact on Black Mountain. Mr Pieter Venter: Black Mountain: Comment Raised at FGM

Comment Noted.




Afternoon Melissa

Attached please find a plan with the

placement of the tailing dam and other

infrastructure for the Gamsberg project as

discussed last Friday. The dam placement

will be at site 7 ( Map was attached)

Mr Pieter Venter: Black Mountain: Email sent to Melissa Naidoo on 25 March 2011 at 12:48 pm.

Eskom will liase directly with Black

Mountain to determine the most

feasible option once Authorisation is

recived.