ESSELEN-NORTHRAND CHLOORKOP - Eskom

ESSELEN-NORTHRAND
CHLOORKOP
AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
JON SMALLIE
ENDANGERED WILDLIFE TRUST
30 OCT 2008

Assessment of impacts on birds:
Electrocution – not likely to be possible due to large
clearances on lines
Habitat destruction – not likely to be significant due to already
impacted nature of area, and streams/wetlands can be
spanned by the lines
Disturbance – not likely to be significant due to general high
levels of disturbance in the study area – and low likelihood of
very sensitive species occurring
Collision – Likely to be the most significant impact of these
lines

132kV power line evaluation:
.
Since the corridors are reasonably close to each other, comparison based on
subjective observations:
Alternative 1: - passes through an area without existing linear infrastructure,
although close to a mining area.
Alternative 2: - adjacent to an existing road, which is an advantage as the road is
an existing source of disturbance in the landscape.
Alternative 3: - adjacent to an existing 132kV power line for its entire length. This is
an advantage as this corridor is already disturbed, and placing a new line adjacent
to an existing line partially mitigates for the impact of collision of birds, since the
more lines that are placed together, the more visible they become.
Preference Rating (1 is no go, 10 is highly preferred)
Alt 1 8
Alt 2 8
Alt 3 9
It is also strongly recommended that both new lines are constructed
on the same corridor. This consolidates impacts, which is strongly
advised in terms of avifauna.

400kV power line evaluation
The evaluation has been based on field observation of the corridors.
Alternative 1:
• Close to Northrand Substation it passes through some relatively open areas where certain non Red
Data bird species could exist.
• This route then passes through residential area for the southern part, a distance of approximately
4km. This area will be relatively unattractive to most bird species.
• This route passes a small pan approximately 4km from Esselen Substation. This pan could attract
certain bird species.
Alternative 2:
• In the south it passes through relatively densely developed area for approximately 3km (relatively
unattractive for birds).
• This route goes up a small stream/drainage line/wetland area for a distance of approximately 2km.
During this section it passes a small dam. This area is significant for various non Red Data bird
species, and should be avoided.
• It crosses an arable area close to Esselen Substation. Arable areas attract certain bird species to
feed at various times of the year.
Alternative 3:
• This route crosses several slimes dams close to Northrand Substation.
• It then passes along the edge of a residential area and an open area (this area and the above
described area are relatively unattractive to birds).
• It then crosses a large grassland/wetland area just west of Kempton Park Golf Course. This area will
be important to certain bird species.
• From there, it runs up the course of a small stream/drainage line/wetland for a distance of
approximately 4.5km. See above comment on this drainage line.
• In the far north, it runs close to and through arable lands. See above comment.

400kV power line evaluation – contd.
Alternative 4:
• This route passes through several relatively open areas in the southern parts, although mostly mined.
This area will not be particularly attractive to most bird species.
• During this section it also passes several dams and evaporation ponds. These could attract some bird
species at times although it is unlikely to represent important habitat due to the steep sides of the
dams and other factors.
• In the northern section it is exactly the same as Alternative 1.
Alternative 5:
• This route differs only very slightly from Alternative 2 above.
• In the mid section it runs further east, which does not have a material effect in terms of avifauna.
Preference scores
Alt 1 8
Alt 2 4
Alt 3 2
Alt 4 6
Alt 5 4
It is also strongly recommended that both new lines are constructed on the same corridor. This
consolidates impacts, which is strongly advised in terms of avifauna.