FINAL BASIC ASSESSMENT: Proposed Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN) Bus Depot

Transcription

1 PS-PT 38/2013 CONTRACT 1 PHASE 1A AND PHASE 1B OF THE INTEGRATED RAPID PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK (IRPTN) NORTH/SOUTH CORRIDOR FINAL BASIC ASSESSMENT: Proposed Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN) Bus Depot GAUT 002/14-15/E0143 January 2016 Prepared by: UWP/SMEC South Africa JV DOCUMENT No. PS-PT38/2013/1/ PS-PT38/2013/1/ENV/ 19 Rev Date Preparation (Responsible Person) Review Work Stream (Accountable Person) Approved JV Approved CoE Description of Revision 1 04/08/2015 Erika van den Heever Johan Barnard THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF THE CITY OF EKURHULENI AND CANNOT BE USED, REPRODUCED, TRANSMITTED AND/OR DISCLOSED WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION

2 EXPERTISE OF SPECIALISTS Name: Qualification: Professional Registration: Experience in Years: Experience Erika van den Heever Ba.Hons Environmental Management IAIASA 3 Years Erika van den Heever has been doing environmental impact assessments for Newtown Landscape Architects since She has experience in a Basic Assessments, Environmental Impact Assessments, Environmental Management Plans and S24G Applications. Projects that she worked on includes: Rietfontein BA (MCLM Residential Development) Vaalbank- EIA (MCLM Residential development) Obed Nkosi 2A&B- ECO (Dept of Human Settlement) Heidelberg Housing ECO (Dept of Human Settlement) Name: Qualification: Professional Registration: Experience in Years: Experience Johan Barnard BL (1988 UP), MEP (1993 WITS) SACLAP, ILASA, UDISA, IAIASA, 24 years Landscape architect with 24 years experience in landscape architecture and urban design. Specializing in construction detailing and contract documentation, site supervision and contract management. Also lectured urban and landscape design at Wits University and Wits Technicon. He is a past President of 1) The Institute of Landscape Architects of South Africa and 2) The South African Council for the Landscape Architectural Profession 1

3 1. INTRODUCTION PS-PT 38/2013 CONTRACT 1 2. BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT SECTION A: ACTIVITY INFORMATION ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION APPLICABLE LEGISLATION, POLICIES AND/OR GUIDELINES ALTERNATIVES PHYSICAL SIZE OF THE ACTIVITY SITE ACCESS SECTION B: DESCRIPTION OF RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT PROPERTY DESCRIPTION Activity POSITION GRADIENT OF THE SITE location in landscape GroundwateR, Soil and Geological stability of the site Agriculture Groundcover Land use character of surrounding area SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT Cultural/Historical Features Section C: public participation ADVERTISEMENT LOCAL AUTHORITY PARTICIPATION CONSULTATION WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS GENERAL PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS WATER USE POWER SUPPLY ENERGY EFFICIENCY Section E: impact assessment Issues raised by interested and affected parties Impacts that may result from the CONSTRUCTION and operational PHASE Impacts that may result from the decomissioning and closure phase 2

4 Cumulative impacts PS-PT 38/2013 CONTRACT 1 Environmental impact statement IMPACT SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSAL OR PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE Recommendation of practitioner ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (EMPr) 3. APPENDIX APPENDIX A: SITE PLAN(S) & PROPERTY DESCRIPTION APPENDIX B: PHOTOGRAPHS APPENDIX C: FACILITY ILLUSTRATION(S) APPENDIX D: ROUTE DETERMINITAION NOT APPLICABLE APPENDIX E: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION INFORMATION APPENDIX 1: PROOF OF SITE NOTICE APPENDIX 2: WRITTEN NOTICES ISSUED TO THOSE PERSONS DETAILED IN 1(B) TO 1(F) ABOVE & LIST OF ORGANS OF STATE NOTIFIED APPENDIX 3: PROOF OF NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS APPENDIX 4: COMMUNICATIONS TO AND FROM PERSONS DETAILED IN POINT 2 AND 3 ABOVE APPENDIX 5: MINUTES OF ANY PUBLIC AND/OR STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS APPENDIX 6: COMMENTS AND RESPONSES REPORT APPENDIX 7: COMMENTS FROM I&APS ON BA REPORT APPENDIX 8: COMMENTS FROM I&APS ON AMENDMENTS TO THE BA REPORT APPENDIX 9: COPY OF THE REGISTER OF I&APS APPENDIX 10: COMMENTS FROM I&APS ON THE APPLICATION APPENDIX 11: OTHER APPENDIX F: WATER USE LICENSE(S) APPLICATION / SAHRA APPENDIX G: SPECIALIST REPORTS APPENDIX H: EMP APPENDIX I: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CRITERIA CV s 3

5 ABBREVIATIONS PS-PT 38/2013 CONTRACT 1 BA BAR CLO DWA ECO EIA EMM EMP EWT EXT GDARD Ha I&APs NEMA NHRA NLA NWA SAHRA SDF Basic Assessment Basic Assessment Report Community Liaison Officer Department of Water Affairs Environmental Control Officer Environmental Impact Assessment Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Environmental Management Plan Endangered Wildlife Trust Extension Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Hectare Interested and Affected Parties National Environmental Management Act National Heritage Resource Agency Newtown Landscape Architects National Water Act South African Heritage Resource Agency Spatial Development Framework 4

6 1. INTRODUCTION PS-PT 38/2013 CONTRACT INTRODUCTION The proposed project entails the development of a Bus Depot for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN) Bus Rapid Transport (BRT). The proposed development of the depot will occur on a site that has been previously used for a Depot site. The development will include the decommissioning of 83m 3 diesel and 9m 3 oil storage tanks currently located on the property, furthermore the development will include the following activities: Administrative building Gym, canteen, staff bathroom facilities Vehicle maintenance area Wash bay for busses Infrastructure for storage of fuel, oil cooler 2 Diels tanks of liters 7 x 5000 litre storage of oil (will be stored in Jo-Jo chemical tanks within a bunded area) o 2x 5000litre Engine oil o 1x 5000litre Hydraulic oil o 2x 5000litre Transmission oil o 1x 5000litre Coolant o 1x 5000litre Axle (diff) oil A 3500 litre waste oil tank Newtown Landscape Architects cc (NLA) is a sub consultant to the UWP / SMEC South Africa JV that was appointed by EMM, as the Environmental Specialist, to conduct the Basic Assessment for the project in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 (NEMA) purpose of this document. According to the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) Regulations 2010 the following activities were triggered by the proposed project: 5

7 Listing notice 1 Indicate the number and date of the relevant Government Notice: NEMA Notice 1 (544), 18 June 2010 NEMA Notice 1 (544), 18 June 2010 Activity No (s) (in terms of the relevant notice): e.g. Listing notices 1, 2 or 3 Describe each listed activity as per the wording in the relevant 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 meters. 1 (27 v) The decommissioning of existing facilities or infrastructure, for- (i) electricity generation with a threshold of more than 10MW (ii) electricity transmission and distribution with a threshold of more than 132kW (iii) nuclear reactors and storage of nuclear fuel (iv) activities, where the facility or is located is contaminated (v) storage, or storage and handling of dangerous goods of more than 80 cubic meters 1.2 LOCATION The proposed project is located in the Tembisa on erf 123 of Ehlanzeni (previously Portion 123 of the farm Kaalfontein 13 IR). The site is located south of the railway lane and station in Tembisa. The immediate surrounding area is a high residential area with the Ehlanzeni hostel neighbouring the site on the east. The property receives access from Nakuru Street which connects with Andrew Mapehto drive Refer to Figure 1: Locality Map and Annexure A 6

8 1.3 ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS Environmental assessment procedure followed so far, according to the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998) as amended and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 are: Submission of application form to the Gauteng Department of Agricultural and Rural Development (GDARD) on 18 September 2014 Statutory advertising on site on 31 October 2014 Advertising in local newspaper. o The Tembisan Notices were placed around the proposed site and in surrounding locations. Photographic record can be vied in Appendix E. Notice period for I&APs to register is from 29 October 2014 until 1 December

9 The Draft BA Report will be circulated to all registered I&APs, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Department of Water Affairs (DWA) and submission to GDARD. No comments were received during the Draft BA report review period. Final report was made available for comment from the 2 February 2016 to 25 February ALTERNATIVES Alternative 1: Preferred option The preferred alternative of developing the site into a Bus depot for the IRPTN BRT service is essential to the functionality of the system. The IRPTN BRT requires a Bus Depot as it will provide refuelling, maintenance and wash bay facilities. The proposed Bus Depot will be located within a 0.5km of the trunk route of the BRT system. The proposed Bus Depot will have a footprint of approximately 3.5 ha in extent. The development of the new depot will require the decommissioning of one litre diesel tank and one 9000 litre oil tank, as the new facility will require a fuel capacity of litres. Furthermore the proposed development will include the following facilities and infrastructure: Administrative building Gym, canteen, staff bathroom facilities Vehicle maintenance area Wash bay for busses Infrastructure for storage of fuel, oil cooler 2 Diels tanks of litres 7 x 5000 litre storage of oil (will be stored in Jo-Jo chemical tanks within a bunded area) o 2x 5000litre Engine oil o 1x 5000litre Hydraulic oil o 2x 5000litre Transmission oil o 1x 5000litre Coolant o 1x 5000litre Axle (diff) oil A 3500 litre waste oil tank Alternative 2: No go option The No-Go alternative will leave the proposed area as is. Should it be decided that the proposed development does not come to pass, the degradation of environment will continue. The no go alternative will not only have negative impacts for the environment but also socio-economic factors, as the communities in EMM would still not have a reliable and safe public transport network, and 8

10 traffic congestion would not decrease. The no go option will also eliminate the proposed economic hubs that will be formed around stations and depots. Furthermore should the no-go alternative be decided upon the removal and decommissioning of the old fuel tanks will not continue resulting in possible contamination Alternative 3: Alternative property Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality does not own an alternative property in the surrounding facility that would meet all the criteria needed for the proposed Bus Depot such as size and proximity to the IRPTN BRT route. Thus no alternatives properties have been considered for the proposed development. 1.5 MOTIVATION Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) plans to provide integration of public transport with the emphasis being on the delivery of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. This includes an extensive effort to integrate the system with an array of other services, including train services, feeder vehicles, taxis, non motorised transport infrastructure (pedestrian walkways and cyclist paths), and private vehicles. The IRPTN BRT is essential, as the lack of quality public transport services in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan area is not only detrimental from a transportation perspective but also negatively impacts on the economic competitiveness, environmental well-being and social equality standards of the EMM area. IRPTN is a high performance public transport bus service which aims to combine bus lanes with high quality bus stations. The IRPTN project will improve access between residential areas and major economic employment nodes and in so doing to reduce present public transport journey time and traffic. The preferred alternative of developing the site into a Bus depot for the IRPTN BRT service is essential to the functionality of the system. The IRPTN BRT requires a Bus Depot as it will provide refuelling, maintenance and wash bay facilities. The proposed Bus Depot will be located within a 0.5km of the trunk route of the BRT system. 9

11 The proposed development will require larger / more storage tanks for fuel as the current tank does not meet the projected capacity requirements. Furthermore the current tanks that have been applied to be decommissioned have not been used in a significant period of time and the maintenance record of the tanks is limited, thus it has been recommended that the tanks be decommissioned and replaced to minimise risk of contamination of spillage from old tanks and pipes. 1.6 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION During the public participation process the proposed project was advertised on site, surrounding locations and in the Tembisan local newspapers. No public meetings were held as there was no public interest in the project and no one registered as an I&AP. Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) were given the opportunity to register and to submit their comments / objections from the 29 October 2014 until the 1 December No comments were received. The BA Report was made available to the I&APs for review from the 18 June 2015 to the 28 July 2015, however no comments were received. The final report has been made available for comment from the 2 February SPECIALIST STUDIES A habitat scan was conducted in November 2014 to investigate the condition and presence of the Flora, Fauna and wetlands of the proposed IRPTN Bus Depot site. The habitat scan identified that the site is extremely disturbed. The following studies were incorporated into the Basic Assessment Report: 10

12 1.7.1 Flora: The study found that a large area of the site is paved and that the third of the site consist of vegetation. The vegetation found on the site was found to be very disturbed grassland dominated by Hyparrhenia hirta and Tagetes minuta. The site does not have suitable habitat for any of the Red List or Orange List species known to occur in the 2628AA q.d.s. and was not considered sensitive. Figure 1: Degraded Grassland with rubble (Biodiversity scan) Faunal The Biodiversity scan identified that the entire study site is highly disturbed and transformed by past and present human activities and is entirely surrounded by urban sprawl. It was identified that no suitable habitat, on and surrounding the study site for any Red Data faunal species and no rupiculous, arboreal or wetland habitats are present. The site was found by the specialist to be disturbed and that the proposed development would not have a negative effect in on any Red Data faunal species or any other faunal species found on site Wetlands: The proposed site has been transformed by human activities such as the transformation to a bus depot (current land use). No indicators of wetland conditions were observed on site. The local landscape is known to have seepage wetlands (conducive to granite geology) but none was observed 11

13 during the site visit. There is however a large riparian area within the 500 meter extended study area to the west of the site. The following mitigation measures are recommended: Storm water management should have a strong emphasis on sustainable attenuation methodologies. Due to the current and proposed land use hydrocarbon scrubbers in the form of hydrophytes should be investigated and implemented if possible Bulk Fuel Storage and Dispensing Risk Assessment: Bulk fuel storage and dispensing risk assessment was undertaken to assess the risks associated with the receiving fuel in the storage tanks, bulk fuel storage, dispensing of the fuel to busses and risks associated with the maintenance and servicing of system related to bulk fuel storage. The mitigation measures identified in the assessment was incorporated into the EMPr and design of the bus depot. Prior to the decommissioning of the current diesel and oil tanks, a specialist in decommissioning of tanks must be appointed to conduct a study to establish the state of the tanks and pipes and to compile and submit a detailed method statement of how they will be removed to GDARD Stromwater Management Plan: The site will largely be impervious once developed it will have an increased runoff from the site. The addition of fuel tanks, wash bays and maintenance areas will greatly increase the risk of pollutants, which need to be managed. The runoff will be drained along the surface to channels along the admin and maintenance building. These channels will drain the runoff to the recreational area (artificial soccer field) where it will be used as an attenuation chamber. Astro turf surface will be installed for the attenuation pond / soccer. This surface will be constructed on engineered layers with subsoil drainage system below. The storm water will first drain into a contained area with sustainable urban drainage systems. Wetland plants will be introduced in this area that will be able to manage short periods of flooding. The outlet from the attenuation pond will be designed in such a way to ensure that the flow for various return period is less than the pre-development flow for the same return period. The outlet 12

14 will release flow at various evaluation to accommodate the increased volume of one return period below the outlets designed for the next return period. Runoff from areas where oil or fuel spills are expected, will be treated as industrial effluent and will be collected in a separate system where oil and solids separation will be done before releasing it in the sewer system. This will minimise the amount of pollutants that will be introduces into the stromwater system. It was calculated that the recreation l area will be sufficient for the attenuation as the calculation indicated that the water depth for the 1 in 20 year flood is only 0.283m Geotechnical The geotechnical investigation was undertaken for a basis for the proposed activities. Fill material encountered in one trial pit (DP/TP1) was demolition rubble (brick, concrete and glass - probably associated with the buried concrete floor slab encountered in that trial pit) combined with the natural sands and is very likely to be inert. No visual or olfactory evidence of contamination was observed in that trial pit. Some of the trial pits refused in the shallow soft rock granite at the depths indicated above, but, where the ground conditions allowed in deeper soils, the other trial pits were excavated to the full reach of the TLB (3-3.5m). It is the opinion of the specialist that deeper investigations are not necessary as the strata encountered were suitable founding conditions for the proposed development. Furthermore the geotechnical investigation indicated that although no underground water was encountered within the trail pits, perched water tables were anticipated following periods of heavy rainfall. It is the opinion of the specialist that the prevailing water table is likely to be at depth (>10m). The report indicated that due to the presence of existing building and concrete hard standing, additional excavations should be undertaken to confirm the ground conditions for the whole site. It has been recommended that the additional excavations must be conducted and the prior to commencement of decommissioning of current tanks. Furthermore, additional trial pits should be located near DP/TP1 to determine the extent of the fill and hence the impact on the proposed development. Please see Appendix G for all specialist reports. 13

15 1.8 DECOMMISSIONING OF CURRENT DIESEL AND OIL TANKS Prior to the commencement of construction for the decommissioning the following information must be compiled and submitted to GDARD and EMM: The location of all existing services must be determined and mapped to avoid accidental damage. A specialist in decommissioning of fuel and oil tanks must be appointed. A method statement stating in detail how the tanks will be removed. All fuel lines will be drained of product and flushed prior to being disconnected from tanks. All sludge/ remaining product contaminated water shall be collected and removed from site, and disposed of at a licensed hazardous facility or recycled. Tanks must be dismantled on a impermeable surface to avoid spillage and contamination of soil or water. A geotechnical investigation of the soil surrounding the tanks must be completed prior and after the decommissioning of the tanks Conformation from a waste facility that they have capacity for general and hazardous waste. 1.9 CONCLUSION The Biodiversity Scan has indicated that no sensitive areas or red and orange data species were found on the site. The habitat was identified as of poor quality of habitat due to the dumping of rubble and the burning of the vegetation. It is the specialist opinion that the proposed development will have no impact on the species richness or conservation of the site. The Bulk fuel storage and dispensing risk assessment mitigation measures to possible risks have been included into the EMPr as well as design measures to ensure the development has assessed all possible impacts relating to the fuel storage and dispensing. Should the proposed development receive authorisation, the following must be considered: The municipality must commit to removing all invasive plants and maintain landscaped area to ensure no alien and invasive reoccur. The EMM must confirm, by means of a formal letter, that there is sewer capacity for the development to proceed 14

16 A soil and groundwater contamination investigation must be conducted to determine the presence, nature and extent of any contamination prior and after the decommissioning and removal of current fuel (diesel) and oil storage tanks. Additional excavations must be conducted and the prior to commencement of decommissioning of current tanks Proper traffic signage must be implemented to inform residence of the development and alternative routes; Adhere to the Environment Management Programme; All designs must be compliant with SANS A fire detection and alarm system as per SANS T The area should be kept clear of litter and construction rubble; The storm water management plan must be implemented; Proper site management must be undertaken; The ECO must be appointed to enforce the EMP The residents adjacent to the proposed development area must be notified of any activity at least 2 weeks before the commencement of construction; Should the proposed upgrade proceed both the socio-economic and environmental impacts can be mitigated and managed with an overall benefit for the community and environment. The environmental degradation will be reduced by means of management plans and rehabilitation. Figure 2: Overall Sensitivity of the site 15

17 2. BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT Refer to the attached Final Basic Assessment Report and Environmental Management plan as attached. 16