FEIR for Boitshepi Landfill Site .pdf - Zitholele.co.za

96August 2010 8848indicative of the surrounding environment, mostly due to the large reed bed and wetland tothe south of the site. In addition, the surrounding informal settlements and heavy industrialdevelopments have also contributed to this impact to the fauna and flora.The initial impact to ecology is therefore rated as a HIGH negative impact occurring in thestudy area and acting in the long term. This impact has already occurred and as such israted as a High impact.Additional ImpactThe additional impact during the construction phase of the development of the extended sitewill be mostly from the earthworks and earth-moving equipment. This will clear the littlevegetation that is left. Due to the highly impacted nature of the site the additional impact toecology during the construction phase is a LOW negative impact occurring in the study areaand acting in the short term. This impact could occur and as such is rated as a Low impact.The rating same is relevant during the operational and closure phases. Due to the lack ofhabitat on site, the impact to ecology is anticipated to remain Low as indicated in the tablebelow.Cumulative ImpactThe cumulative impact during the construction and operational phases remains as assessedin the initial impact assessment above. Therefore the impact remains a High impact duringconstruction phase.Mitigation Measures• All construction areas should be demarcated prior to construction to ensure that thefootprint of the impacts are limited (including areas where vehicles may traverse);• All alien invasive species on site should be removed and follow up monitoring andremoval programmes should be initiated once construction is complete; and• Ensure that natural grasses are used as part of the site rehabilitation and closure phase.Residual ImpactThe residual impact will remain as assessed in the cumulative impact assessment for all thedevelopment phases. Even with the implementation of mitigation measures, the existingimpact is so large that the additional impact will barely be noticed. This impact rating will bethe same for all three alternatives.ZITHOLELE CONSULTING