Part 2 - Eskom
Part 2 - Eskom
Part 2 - Eskom
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ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED 40MW OPEN CYCLE GAS TURBINE POWER<br />
PLANT IN THE AMERSFOORT AREA, MPUMALANGA<br />
Bohlweki-SSI Environmental<br />
regarded as Vulnerable 2 , with a planned conservation target of 27%. None is<br />
however formally protected. Some 25% of this unit (Amersfoort Highveld Clay<br />
Grassland) is transformed, predominantly by cultivation (22%). The area is not<br />
suited to forestation. Silver and black wattle and Salix babylonica invade drainage<br />
areas. Erosion potential is low.<br />
Overgrazing leads to invasion of Stoebe vulgaris (Bankrupt Bush). <strong>Part</strong>s of this unit<br />
(Amersfoort Highveld Clay Grassland) were once cultivated and now lie fallow and<br />
have been left to re-vegetate with pioneer grass species. These transformed areas<br />
are not picked up by satellite for transformation coverage and the percentage of<br />
grasslands still in a natural state may be underestimated.<br />
The study area is situated within the African Grasslands/Ekengela Initiative Transition<br />
Zone, rendering all areas of natural grassland sensitive 3 .<br />
7.1.10.2. Soweto Highveld Grassland<br />
This vegetation type comprises a gently to moderately undulating landscape on the<br />
Highveld plateau supporting short to medium-high, dense, tufted grassland<br />
dominated almost entirely by Themeda triandra and accompanied by a variety of<br />
other grasses such as Elionurus muticus, Eragrostis racemosa, Heteropogon<br />
contortus and Tristachya leucothrix. Only scattered small wetlands, narrow stream<br />
alluvia, pans and occasional ridges or rocky outcrops interrupt the continuous<br />
grassland cover.<br />
This vegetation type is regarded Endangered with a planned conservation target of<br />
24%. Erosion is generally very low.<br />
7.2. The Social Environment<br />
7.2.1. Social<br />
As mentioned earlier, the study area falls within the Pixley ka Seme Local<br />
Municipality (PSLM). According to the Spatial Development Framework (SDF) 4 of the<br />
PSLM, the current spatial pattern within the municipal area can be divided into 7<br />
broad categories of land use, namely: Urban land use, rural land use, mines and<br />
quarries, conservation areas, agriculture, tourism areas, and the transport network.<br />
• Urban land use: The towns of Volksrust and Vukuzakhe are classified as major<br />
urban areas whereas Wakkerstroom, Daggakraal and Amersfoort are regarded<br />
as minor urban areas. An area such as Perdekop is regarded as a declining<br />
urban area.<br />
2<br />
Vegetation types that have lost up to 20% of their original extent, which could result in some<br />
ecosystem function being altered.<br />
3<br />
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism; 2001. Environmental Potential Atlas. Pretoria.<br />
4<br />
Pixley ka Seme Local Municipality, 2001. Pixley ka Seme Local Municipality IDP. Available at URL<br />
http://pixleykaseme.local.gov.za.<br />
E02.JNB.000308<br />
ESKOM HOLDINGS LIMITED<br />
01<br />
51<br />
08/10/2009