Appendix I - Minutes of the Public Meeting.pdf - Zitholele.co.za

Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed expansion
of the Tabor substation and the deviation of the existing Tabor-
Louis Trichardt 1power line (132 kV) north of Polokwane
(DEA Ref No 12/12/20/1776)
Recordof the publicmeetingheld atLalapanziHotel andConference
Centre nearMakhadoon Thursday,13May2010topresentthe Draft
ScopingReporttoInterested andAffectedParties
Please see Appendix A foralist of the stakeholders who attended the meeting.
1. INTRODUCTION
A public meeting was held on Thursday, 13 May 2010 at 15:00 at the Lalapanzi Hotel and
Conference Centre south of Makhado as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
process to obtain environmental authorisation for the proposed expansion of the Tabor substation
and the deviation of the existing Tabor-Louis Trichardt 1power line (132 kV) between Polokwane
and Makhado/Louis Trichardt.
Notification of the meeting was sent to all stakeholders on the database and advertisements were
placed in the Capricorn Voice, Informant, Northern Review Weekend, Polokwane Express,
Polokwane Observer, Seipone, Bosvelder, Vhembe Herald, Limpopo Mirror and the
Soutpansberger during the last week of April 2010 to invite the public to the meeting to discuss the
Draft Scoping Report.
The meeting was attended by 16 stakeholders, which included Government representatives, three
Eskom officials and two people from Zitholele Consulting.
This document presents asummary report of the deliberations of the meeting. In addition the
issues and comments raised at the meeting are captured in an Issues and Responses Report. This
report captures the concerns and issues from stakeholders throughout the EIA.
2. OBJECTIVES OFTHE MEETING
The objectives of the meeting were to:
• Present to stakeholders the Draft Scoping Report (DSR) of this Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA), which wasavailable for publicreview from 30 April to 28 May 2010;
• Obtain comments and inputs from stakeholders with regard to the DSR; and
• Obtain suggestions for the planning, impact assessment and public participation processes
ahead.
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3. BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSED TABOR PROJECT
Mr Vuledzani Thanyani, Eskom Project Manager explained why the expansion of the Tabor
Substation was necessary and the vital role it will play in providing additional reliable electricity to
the northern region of South Africa.
The Tabor Substation must be upgraded because:
• The Polokwane area has experienced good economic growth, due to urban growth,
electrification, mining and industrialization;
• Eskom has to support this growth in the Limpopo by strengthening the transmission
network that will also add extra power supply options to the South African electricity grid;
• The 275kV Tabor-Spencer and 400kV Tabor-Witkop power lines have received
environmental authorisation from the Department of Environmental Affairs in 2007 and
2008 respectively; and
• In order to integrate these additional lines into the Tabor Substation it must be upgraded
and expanded to carry the increased load of the new transmission power lines.
4. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND AUTHORISATION PROCESS
Ms Jacqui Hex, Zitholele Consulting gave an overview of the EIA process and explained and
presented the contentsof the DSR.
The purpose of the DSR is to identify alternatives and potential impacts requiring more detailed
investigation in the Environmental Impact Report phase. This is based on:
• Literature review;
• Professional input (technical and environmental); and
• Public input.
Potential impacts to be investigated during the EIA process are:
• Visual;
• Terrestrial flora and fauna;
• Heritage resources;
• Soils and land capability;
• Avi-fauna; and
• Society.
5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
Mr Joubert gave an overview of the public participation process that was followed to date and the
next steps to be followed in the process. He also highlighted the role of stakeholders and the value
that they can contribute to aproject.
Please see Appendix B forall the presentations delivered at the meeting.
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6. DISCUSSION
The questions asked, responses provided and any other comments made during the public
meeting are summarised below:
1. Ms Joyce Mashiteng (Eskom) asked that the proposed size of the expansion 300 metres X
300 metres be explained to the meeting. Ms Hex said the area would be the size of three
school football/rugby fields.
2. Ms Olga Ligege (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries - DAFF) said her
Department uses a different list of protected plants than that of the Department of
Environmental Affairs. Ms Hex thanked Ms Ligege for this information and said this will be
taken into consideration during the specialist studies and requested acopy of the list.
3. Mr Modige Monakedi (Limpopo Department of Agriculture) asked what route the line to be
deviated will follow and how big the impact will be on the land. Ms Hex explained that the
impact is dependent on the deviation alternative. She explained that there are three corridor
alternatives that will be assessed for the proposed deviation. During the impact assessment
phase of the project the impacts of each of these alternatives on the environment (social,
bio-physical and cultural) will be assessed and determined. This information will then be
presented in the Draft Environmental Impact Report and stakeholders will have an
opportunity to comment on these findings. Based on this information together with
stakeholder comments a preferred alternative will be presented to the Department of
Environmental Affairs for adecision.
4. Mr Khathutshelo Ramukosi (Limpopo Department of Agriculture) asked if there are any land
claims against the land Eskom has earmarked for the expansion and should there be any
claims, if the claimants would be compensated for their loss of land. Ms Mashiteng said the
chances are small that there are any outstanding land claims against the land on which the
substation is built upon, because Eskom already has aservitude on this property and it is
registered as such in the Surveyor-General’s office. However, Eskom will clarify if there are
any land claims against the land needed for the expansion of the substation and will further
investigate the matter.
5. Mr Monakedi asked what is being done by Eskom to lessen the impact of power lines on
people. Ms Mashiteng said studies undertaken during an EIA will come up with aproposed
route with the lowest impact on the environment as well as people living in the affected
area. After Environmental Authorisation has been granted, Eskom officials walk the entire
route of aproposed power line to negotiate the exact position of pylons with landowners. Mr
Thanyani added that farmers can plant maize, wheat, etc underneath power lines and
animals can also graze there, but structures such as houses and buildings are not
permitted underneath power lines.
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6. Mr Monakedi said he is concerned about people who could be negatively affected, because
there have been instances in the Limpopo where Eskom constructed power lines without
consulting the affected people. People have also been moved without receiving any
compensation. Ms Mashiteng said unfortunately some mistakes were made. Eskom is
aware of the problems in the Burgersfort area and is in the process of rectifying that
mistake. The reason why this meeting is being held is to prevent mistakes like that. An EIA
done for Eskom will always be consultative and the public participation process is,
therefore, very important.
7. Mr Mfundi Songo (Eskom) said the expansion of the Tabor substation and other
developments planned in the Limpopo are to the assist with the electrification of the
province and reduce the electricity backlog in the province.
7. NEXT STEPS
The next step in the process would be for these comments to be included in the Final Scoping
Report. The Final Scoping Report will then be submitted to the Department of Environmental
Affairs (DEA)for their review and approval.
Participants were reminded that they all have the opportunity to comment on the DSR until 28
May 2010.
Once the DEA has approved the report, the next phase of the project will commence, which is
the Impact Assessment Phase. In this phase, the specialist studies will be conducted. The
findings of the specialist studies will be incorporated in the Draft Environmental Impact Report.
Copies of the report will be made available to stakeholders for comment and review.
A meeting to present these findings is also being planned towards the end of 2010 and
stakeholders will again be invited.
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EIA PROCESS
Presentation of DraftScoping Report
Public Meeting
TaborSubstationProject
Proposedupgrade /extensionof the Tabor Substation and
Deviationof the Tabor-Louis Trichardt132kVpowerline
Agenda
14:30 Registration
15:00 Welcome,introduction andobjectives
15:10 Backgroundto project
15:30 Questionsfor clarification
15:45 PresentationonDSR
16:15 Publicparticipation
16:30 Discussionon DraftScoping Report
17:00 Nextstepsandclosure
May 2010
Welcomeand Introduction
• VuledzaniThanyani -Eskom
• JoyceMashiteng -Eskom
Welcomeand Introduction
AndreJoubert
• DuduHadebe -Eskom
• MfundiSongo -Eskom
• JacquiHex -ZitholeleConsulting
• AndreJoubert -ZitholeleConsulting
Objectivesofthe Meeting
Objectivesof the Meeting
• Present the contents of the DraftScoping Report
• Obtaincomments and inputs fromstakeholders
on the Draft Scoping Report
• Obtainsuggestions for the planning, impact
assessment and public participationprocesses
ahead
• Weare here to:
SHARE information
OBTAINcomments
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Guidelinesfor ProductiveDiscussion
•Focus onissues, not people
•Courtesy
•One person at a time
•Workthrough facilitator
•Agreeto disagree
•Cellphones onsilent
Overviewof the ProposedProject
Brief background to project
Eskom
Agenda
15:45 Presentationon DSR
16:15 Public participation
16:30 Discussionon DraftScoping Report
17:00 Nextstepsand closure
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment
Process
Jacqui Hex
Purposeofthe EIA process
• Tosatisfy requirements of:
–National Environmental Management Act
–National Heritage Resources Act
• Identify potential environmental impacts
(social and biophysical) and determine their
likely significance
• Allow for public involvement
• Inform Eskom’s decision-making
• Inform Environmental Authority’s decision
February 2010
March 2010
April 2010
June 2010
September 2010
November 2010
Initial Application Phase
Authority Review
è
è
è
Authority Review
è
è
Applicationform
Scoping Report Phase
Initial public consultation
Draft Scoping Report inc.
Plan ofStudy for EIR
Final Scoping Reportinc.
Planof Study for EIR
EIR Phase
Draft EIR &EMP
Final EIR &RevisedDraft EMP
Authority Review
March 2011
Environmental Authorisation
è
Weare
here
è
Opportunity forAppeal
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Purposeofthe ScopingPhase
DraftScopingReport
Jacqui Hex
•Identify alternatives and potential impacts
requiring moredetailed investigation in
the EIR phase
•Basedon:
–Literature review
–Professional input (technicaland environmental)
–Public input
•Formsbasis forPlan of Study forEIA
AvailabilityofDSR
• Lodged,from 30 April to 28 May 2010, at
–Makhado Public Library
–Polokwane City Library
• Available on the Internet:
– http://www.eskom.co.za/eia
– http://www.zitholele.co.za/tabor
• Available fromZitholele Consulting
Commenton DSR
• Captured at this Public Meeting (13 May2010)
and on response forms
• Allcomments responded to in Issues and
Response Report
• Allcomments will be considered in Final
Scoping Report submitted to the Department of
Environmental Affairs (DEA)
• DEAmay require additional changes to Plan of
Studyfor EIA
Alternatives
Identificationof Alternatives
Alternative:
‘apossible course of action, in place of
another, that would meet the same purpose
and need’
Ref: DEAT, 2004
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Alternatives
Criteriaforassessingalternatives
• Activity alternatives
–Dealt with through strategic policies/plans
• Location alternatives
–Substation extension
–132kVpower line deviation
• Bio-physical constraints
• Social constraints
• Technical feasibility
• Financial feasibility
Substation
• Thesubstation canonly
beextended to the north
for the following reasons:
LocationAlternativesin EIA
– Theexisting / currentlayout
of thesubstation is such
that inorder for it to be
extended only the northern
portionis technically
feasible.
– Several planned future
power lines will beentering
thesubstation from the
north.
132kVpower line alternatives
PotentialImpacts
• Visual
• Terrestrialflora and fauna
• Heritage resources
• Soils and land capability
• Avi-fauna
• Society
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Context
ü Slightly to moderately undulating plains
ü Somesmall scattered dams and pans
occurin thearea with noridges
PotentialImpact
ü Constructionmay alter thevisual
environment
ü The presence ofaextended substation
may decrease quality of the visual
environment
VisualAesthetics
Recommendation
ü Visual impact assessment professional
opinionto be conducted with
consideration from arange ofreceptor
points
Context
ü Makhado Sweet Bushveld
ü Vegetation type is poorlyconserved
ü 27 % transformed by cultivation with
some urban and builtup areas
PotentialImpact
ü Vegetation clearing will result in
erosionwhich may contribute to
sedimentation
ü Disturbed areas will be prone to alien
invasive species
Recommendation
ü Terrestrial ecological impact
assessment professional opinion
ü Recommend mitigation measures
TerrestrialEcology
Context
ü Maindrainage feature ofthearea is
theunnamed stream which drains
south westwards, several unnamed
tributaries and dams
ü Species uniquely adapted to these
aquatic ecosystems
PotentialImpact
ü Eroded materials may contribute to
sedimentation
ü Crossing ofstreams and/orrivers
can be destructive tosensitive
habitats
Recommendation
ü No specialist study proposed as no
surface water in direct footprintof
alternatives
ü Recommendmitigation measures
SurfaceWater
Context
Avi-fauna
ü Habitat for sensitive species (rivers and dams) present in
studyarea
PotentialImpact
ü Destructionof habitatsand therefore loss of sensitive
species
ü Collisions with power lines, pylons and steel structuresat
substation
Recommendation
ü Anavi-fauna impact assessment on thealternative
ü Recommend mitigation measures
HeritageResources
Context
ü Graveyards and buildings over 60 years old may be
present in the area
PotentialImpact
ü Destructionof heritage material during construction
ü Vandalism of heritage material, through easier access to
thesites
Recommendation
ü Phase 1 Heritage Assessment
Context
ü Area underlain by the gneisses and
migmatites oftheHout River Gneiss
ü Sandstones and mudstones ofthe
Matlabas Subgroup are also found
ü Soilsinclude deep, greyish sands,
eutrophic plinthic catenas, red-yellow
apedal freely drained soils with high
basestatus, clayey in bottom lands
Geologyand Soils
PotentialImpact
ü Insufficient control measures during the
construction phase may result in
erosion,compaction and sterilisation of
soilresources
ü Reduction in landcapability
ü Poorsoil ameliorationmeasures may
result in alack ofvegetation
establishment
Recommendation
ü Soilimpact assessment on theroutes
ü Recommendmitigationmeasures
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LandUse /AgriculturalPotential
SocialImpact
Context
ü Dominatedbythicketand bushland
whichispredominantlyutilisedfor
gamefarmsand cattlegrazing
PotentialImpact
ü Reductioninfarm size
ü Safetyofanimalsandworkers
ü Lossof grazing land
Recommendation
ü Recommendmitigationmeasures
Context
ü Lowdensity rural land uses with Various farming
practicesin area
Potential Impact
ü Negative perceptions
ü Senseof place
Recommendation
ü Undertake aSocial Impact Assessment professional
opinion
ü Recommend mitigation measures
PublicParticipationProcess
PublicParticipationProcess
Andre Joubert
• It is aprocess in the EIA that is regulated
under NEMA
• Itisto obtain andshare information and to
verifythat commentshave been considered
v Publicparticipation is:
Aprocess leadingto a joint effortby
stakeholders,technicalspecialists, the
authoritiesand the applicantwho work
togetherto producebetterdecisionsthanif
they have acted independently
PublicParticipationProcess
Public participation process is designed to
servethe following objectives:
• Toprovide sufficient and accessible
information to stakeholders in an objective
manner
• Toassist in raising issues of concern and
suggestions for enhanced benefit
• Toverify that their issues have been captured
March10
April10
PublicParticipationProcess
Announcement of the
EIA
Issues and Response
Report (1)
Draft Scoping Report and
ToRfor Specialist
Studies withIRR
Issues and Response
Report (2)
Letter to announce project,
BIDswith comment/
registrationsheets,
advertisements, site
notices
Letter to announce public
review ofDraft Scoping
Report,public places and
meeting
SubmitFinal Scoping
Report
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PublicParticipation:Examples
PublicParticipation:Adverts
• Adverts were placed to
announcethe project
(24-31March 2010)and for
theDraft ScopingReport
(26to 30 April2010)
–CapricornVoice
–Informant
–Northern Review Weekend
–Polokwane Express
–Polokwane Observer
–Seipone
–Bosvelder
–Vhembe Herald
–Limpopo Mirror
–Zoutpansberger
PublicParticipation: ImpactAssessment Phase
PublicParticipation: Documents foryour input
Feedback toI&APs
Letter announcing approval
andnext steps in the
ImpactAssessment
• BID, follow-up letter and comment/reply sheet
Oct2010
Dec2010
PublicReview of
DraftEIR
Issues and
Response Report (3)
SubmitFinal EIR
Letter to announce the public
review,public places and
reviewmeetings
Collate response to draft
report
Letters and Environmental
Authorisation notification
• Draft Scoping Report (IRR Version 1)
• Draft EIR (IRR Version 3) and EMP
• Environmental Authorisation
GeneralDiscussion
Next Steps
AndreJoubert
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Next Steps
• Comment period forScoping Phase ends on
28May 2010
• Finalise Scoping Report /Plan of Study for EIA
and submitto the DEA(June 2010)
• Revise Plan of Study to satisfyDEA
requirements (July 2010)
• Complete specialist studies (Sept 2010)
• Compile draft EIR (July -Sept 2010)
• Comment period on draft EIR (Oct2010)
• Finalisation and submission toDEA (Dec 2010)
Commentson DSR
• Sendcomments to:
–Anelle Lotter or Andre Joubert
Zitholele Consulting
P. O. Box 6002, Halfway House, 1685
Tel: (011) 2072076 / 2077 or 082-804-5890
Fax: 086 676 9950
Email: alotter@zitholele.co.za
andrej@zitholele.co.za
• Allcomments responded to in the Issues and
Response Report in Final Scoping Report
Thankyou for your time
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6/9/2010
Thenature of bulk electricitysupply
2
TRANSMISSION
SUBSTATIONS
MUNICIPALITIES
1
TaborSubstation
POWERSTATIONS
GENERATION
TRANSMISSION LINES
3
DISTRIBUTION
LINES
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTIONSUBSTATIONS
Vuledzani Thanyani
RETICULATIONHVLINE
(22/11kV)
SERVICECONNECTION
RETICULATION LV LINE
(380/220V)
Generation
Transmission
1

6/9/2010
Distribution
Current Network2006
Polokwane
Pretoria
Johannesburg
Upington
Bloemfontein
Durban
EastLondon
CapeTown
PortElizabeth
Overviewof
Transmissionline
buildingpractices
2

6/9/2010
Motivation of upgrade of
the TaborSubstation
• ThePolokwane area has experienced good
economic growth, due to urban growth,
electrification, mining and industrialization
• Eskomhas tosupport this growth in the Limpopo
bystrengthening the transmission network that
will also add extra power supply options to the
South African electricity grid
Cont…
• A275kVTabor-Spencer and 400kVTabor-
Witkoppower line have received environmental
authorisation from the DEA in 2007 and 2008
respectively
• Inorder to integrate these additional lines into
theTabor Substation the substation needs to be
upgraded and expanded to carry the increased
load of the new transmission power line
Future Plans
Future WitkopTabor
400kVline
Tabor Nzhelele 400kv
Line
FuturePlans
• -1xWitkopTabor 400kV line
• -1x500MVA400/132kV transformer at Tabor
• -1xTabor -Nzhelele 400kV line
1x500MVA
400/132kV
transformerat
Tabor
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6/9/2010
Thankyou
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