ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT: PROPOSED INSTALLATION OF VODACOM OPTIC FIBRE CABLE BETWEEN NELSPRUIT, KABOKWENI AND WHITE RIVER, MPUMALANGA PROVINCE

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1 WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT: PROPOSED INSTALLATION OF VODACOM OPTIC FIBRE CABLE BETWEEN NELSPRUIT, KABOKWENI AND WHITE RIVER, MPUMALANGA PROVINCE 11 May 2016 Prepared for:

2 Table of Contents 1. Background to the Project Method of installation Relevant Environmental Legislation Description of Environmental Management Processes Water Act Findings of the Site Visit Recommendations for the proposed Nelspruit, KABOKWENI WHITE RIVER VODACOM OPTIC FIBER INSTALLATION Conclusion

3 ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT: PROPOSED INSTALLATION OF VODACOM OPTIC FIBRE CABLE BETWEEN NELSPRUIT, KABOKWENI AND WHITE RIVER, MPUMALANGA PROVINCE. This report serves four purposes: 1. To determine the need for Environmental Authorisation from the Mpumalanga Department Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (DEDET); 2. To determine the need for a water use license from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS); 3. To inform the proposed applicant of possible sensitive areas; and 4. To provide recommendations to minimise and mitigate possible negative impacts. 1. BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT Neotel, on behalf of Vodacom, proposes to install approximately 83 kilometres of fibre optic cable along provincial and local road reserves and within the municipal boundaries of Nelspruit, Kabokweni and White river, Mpumalanga Province (refer to Appendix B). The applicant will have to apply for the relevant wayleaves from all Stakeholders, i.e. Municipalities, roads authorities etc. Thereafter, they can proceed with construction if they adhere to the recommendation and limitations as set out in this report. 2. METHOD OF INSTALLATION The installation will occur by means of two (2) installation methods, namely, overhead cable installation and underground cable installation. Below is a detailed explanation of the two installation methods to be used: Overhead cable installation: Approximately kilometres of the line will be constructed using overhead cables. The installation will occur by using 9 meter and 11 meter poles: The 9m poles will be planted at a depth of 1.5 m and a hole will be opened for this purpose with the dimensions of 0.35m x 0.35m (= m² or m³); The 11m poles will be planted at a depth of 1.7m and a hole will be opened for this purpose with the dimensions of 0.45m x 0.45m (= m² or m³); and Poles will be planted at intervals ranging between 80 and 280 metres. When watercourses are to be crossed, poles will be planted outside the 32 meter range of either side of the watercourse. This means that the cable will stretch a maximum distance of 164 meters, and falls within the limit of 280 meters. For this reason, no poles will be planted within the 32 meters of a watercourse, nor within the watercourse itself. Road crossings will take place in the same manner as above and poles will be planted on either 2

4 side of the road to meet national and provincial road regulations. Underground cable installation: Approximately 5.39 kilometres of the line will be constructed using underground cables. The installation will occur by means of trenching: Trenches with a width of 450 mm and one (1) meter deep will be opened. In areas (most of the urban areas) where mechanical trenching is impossible, hand trenching methods will be used. This will be done by using picks and shovels. In instances where roads and or railways are to be crossed, a directional drilling method will be used. This means drilling below the road surface from one side to the other. In instances where watercourses (Rivers / Steams) are to be crossed, a directional drilling method; bridge attachment or overhead method will be used. This will however not constitute a Water Use in terms of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998 as the installation will not change the characteristics of such watercourse and will not impede or divert the flow of water in anyway. Crossing of watercourses: Overhead crossings: Nineteen (19) overhead cable crossings will take place as indicate in the stream crossings Table below. The coordinates of the crossings is also in the table for reference together with a photo of the crossing. The Method of installation will take place as follows: The 9m poles will be planted at a depth of 1.5 m and a hole will be opened for this purpose with the dimensions of 0.35m x 0.35m (= m² or m³); The 11m poles will be planted at a depth of 1.7m and a hole will be opened for this purpose with the dimensions of 0.45m x 0.45m (= m² or m³); and Poles can be planted up to 280 metres from each other. When watercourses are to be crossed (only where the watercourse crossings are 100 meters or less), poles will be planted outside the 32 meter range of either side of the watercourse. This means that the cable will stretch a maximum distance of 164 meters, and falls within the limit of 280 meters. For this reason, no poles will be planted within the 32 meters of a watercourse, nor within the watercourse itself. Directional Drilling Methods (HDD): Six (2) directional crossings will take place as indicate in the stream crossings Table below. The coordinates of the crossings is also in the table for reference together with a photo of the crossing. The Method of installation will take place as follows: Drilling will be used to drill below the watercourse, from one end to another. Drilling will start outside the 32 meters on the one side, and will surface again outside the 32 3

5 meters on the other side. Drilling will be two meters below the water surface of the watercourse. No material will be imported or exported from the watercourse. Drilling will also be used to drill below roads, and railway lines (if applicable). 3. RELEVANT ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION Enviroworks has identified, based on the information provided to us by the client and during a site visit undertaken on 23 March 2016, the following Environmental Legislation: Legislation and Process Name Permit Type Competent Authority National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) (NHRA) Notification in terms of Section 38 South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) 4. DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROCESSES The following Listed Activities, in terms of the EIA Regulations of 2014 and the NHRA will be triggered by the proposed optic fibre route. Table 1: Activities listed under Section 38 of the NHRA, National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999 Section 38: Activities triggered 38. (1) Subject to the provisions of subsections (7), (8) and (9), any person who intends to undertake a development categorised as (a) the construction of a road, wall, powerline, pipeline, canal or other similar form of linear development or barrier exceeding 300m in length; Project Activity/ Component The proposed optic fibre cable is a linear activity with a length exceeding 300m and therefore the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) must be notified of the project. must at the very earliest stages of initiating such a development, notify the responsible heritage resources authority and furnish it with details regarding the location, nature and extent of the proposed development. 4

6 5. WATER ACT In terms of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998, any water use that is made in terms of Section 21 of the Act, requires authorisation from the Department of Water Affairs (DWA). As a result that bridge attachments or overhead cables will be used, it is our opinion that the activity will not constitute a Water Use in terms of Section 21 of the Act. Figure 1: Google Earth Image of the stream crossings along the proposed fibre route 5

7 Pictures, method of crossing and coordinates of the 26 stream crossings No. Coordinates Photo 1 Stream Crossing Directional Drilling 25 28'11.63"S, 30 59'1.49"E 2 Stream Crossing Directional Drilling 25 27'54.87"S 30 59'14.54"E 3 Stream Crossing Directional Drilling 25 27'50.57"S, 30 59'13.78"E 6

8 4 Stream Crossing 25 27'39.81"S, 30 59'23.53"E 5 Crocodile River Directional Drilling 25 27'50.20"S, 30 59'54.77"E 6 Stream crossing Directional Drilling 25 27'16.57"S, 31 0'47.16"E 7

9 7 Stream crossing 25 27'2.26"S, 31 2'13.29"E 8 Stream crossing S, E 9 Stream crossing Directional Drilling 25 27'53.57"S, 31 5'0.18"E 8

10 10 Stream crossing 25 28'33.05"S, 31 9'4.42"E 11 Stream crossing 25 28'47.41"S, 31 10'21.69"E 12 Stream crossing 25 28'35.48"S, 31 10'30.28"E 9

11 13 Stream crossing 25 28'19.97"S, 31 10'32.28"E 14 Stream crossing 25 27'37.23"S, 31 10'35.43"E 15 Stream crossing 25 24'46.06"S, 31 9'28.01"E 10

12 16 Stream crossing 25 24'19.76"S, 31 9'2.47"E 17 Stream crossing 25 23'14.07"S, 31 8'56.97"E 18 Stream crossing 31 8'56.97"E, 31 8'59.45"E 11

13 19 Stream crossing 25 22'41.71"S, 31 8'57.41"E 20 Stream crossing 25 22'9.23"S, 31 8'48.17"E 21 Stream crossing 25 21'17.69"S, 31 7'56.36"E 12

14 22 Stream crossing 25 20'54.90"S, 31 7'57.54"E 23 Stream crossing 25 20'49.27"S, 31 7'3.86"E 24 Stream crossing 25 20'20.37"S, 31 4'15.81"E 13

15 25 Stream crossing 25 19'3.23"S, 31 3'43.03"E 26 Stream crossing 25 18'13.78"S, 31 2'29.38"E 6. FINDINGS OF THE SITE VISIT This section indicates possible sensitive areas, with photographs, as identified during the site assessment. Refer to Appendix A for additional photographs of the proposed development area. Findings of the Nelspruit, Kabokweni White River Optic Fibre Route The proposed route of the cable is shared between the towns of Nelspruit, Kabokweni and White River with the majority of the fibre route situated on the road reserve and rural areas between the two municipal areas. A total of twenty six (26) water courses were identified along the proposed optic fibre route during the site visit. The banks of the watercourses in general is much degraded with the presence of several Alien Invasive Plant Species. Several indigenous tree species were found along the proposed route. None of these tree species is 14

16 protected, vulnerable or threatened. The tree species includes the following: Celtis africana White stinkwood Erythrina lysistemon Common coral tree Ficus sur Broom cluster fig Vachellia sieberana Paper bark thorn Vachellia xanthophloea Fever tree These trees will not be affected by the installation methods. Other areas are mostly covered by grass. The following Aloe Simii species is Critically Endangered and needs to be protected at all times. Figure 2: Critically Endangered Aloe Simii not to be removed or damaged without the required permits. 15

17 If any of these species (Aloe Simii), or any other endangered species, needs to be relocated, a Permit must be applied for in terms of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, Act 10 of It is also important to note that the the proposed route will traverse a Bird Sanctuary (Gazetted as a Nature reserve) just North East of the Town White River as per the image below. No more than 300m 2 of vegetation may be cleared in this area. This will result in a Basic Assessment report to be Approved by the Department of Environmental Affairs. Figure 3: Google Earth Image of the bird sanctuary Northeast of White River 16

18 7. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PROPOSED NELSPRUIT, KABOKWENI WHITE RIVER VODACOM OPTIC FIBER INSTALLATION In order to minimise environmental impacts on the area, the following recommendation are made by Enviroworks: Due to the length of the proposed cable route, SAHRA must be informed of the proposed activity (Enviroworks is willing to undertake such consultation sessions); It is recommended to compile a Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) for the construction and operational phase of the project (Enviroworks can assist in the preparation of such a EMPr); Limit the removal of natural vegetation in the areas; It is recommended that no trees may be removed without the required authorisation; and The applicant will have to apply for the relevant way leaves from all Stakeholders, i.e. municipalities, road authorities etc. 8. CONCLUSION It is Enviroworks opinion, based on the terrain assessment, desktop study and legislative review, that the proposed optic fibre route does not trigger any listed activities in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 and therefore does not need Environmental Authorisation before commencement of construction. Enviroworks is also of the opinion that no water use in terms of Section 21 of the National Water Act. Act 36 of 1998 will be triggered and therefore the project does not need a Water Use license. However, an application for exemption must be submitted to the relevant Department of Water and Sanitation. The South African Heritage Resources Authority must be informed as the activity triggers Section 38(1) of the Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 38 of 1999). The following should be done before construction may commence: Due to the length of the proposed activity (exceeding 300m in length) the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) must be notified of this development in terms of Section 38(1)(a) of the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 38 of 1999). It is recommended that an Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) be compiled for the project and must be available upon commencement of construction activities. It is recommended to appoint a suitable qualified Environmental Control Officer during the construction of the proposed project. An application for Amendment to the Water Use License must be submitted to the Relevant Department of Water and Sanitation. 17

19 Appendix A Photographs of the Nelspruit, Kabokweni- Witrivier route 18

20 19

21 Appendix B Google Earth image of the Nelspruit, Kabokweni White river route 20

22 1