Abbreviations BID Background Information Document CC Close Corporation DWS Department of Water and Sanitation EAP Environmental Assessment Practitioner EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMP Environmental Management Plan Ha Hectares HIA Heritage Impact Assessment I & AP’s Interested and Affected Parties IDP’s Integrated Development Plans Km Kilometres KZN EDTEA KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs m Meters NEMA National Environmental Management Act NEM:WA National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008) NGO’s Non-Governmental Organisations (Pty) Ltd Proprietary Limited SDF Spatial Development Framework WHO World Health Organization
extensive sugarcane fields, timber plantations and coastal holiday resorts, with interspersed secondary Aristida grasslands, thickets and patches of coastal thornveld. Vegetation on site has been disturbed as the site consists of buildings, platform structures, paved areas and a railway line. Areas planted with grass are present on the site. Figure 8: A view of the site Hydrology The site is not affected by surface water bodies. Cultural and social features According to the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) provisions are made to protect national heritage and this forms an integral part of the environmental assessment process. The site has been fully developed and no sites of cultural heritage significance were identified within the development boundary; therefore no specific mitigation measures are needed for the development. Care should however be taken when the construction phase of the project commences. If any historical site features or artefacts are discovered, a qualified archaeologist will be commissioned to investigate and SAHRA or Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali will be informed. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT The impact of the related project activities have been determined by identifying the environmental aspects and then undertaking an environmental risk assessment to determine the significance of the environmental impacts during the construction and operational phases of the proposed development. Due to the nature of the development it is anticipated that the infrastructure will be permanent, thus not requiring decommissioning or rehabilitation. Methodology
Impacts that may result from the construction and operational phase The tables below provide a description of the potential impacts, the significance rating of the impacts, proposed mitigation and significance rating of the impacts after mitigation that are likely to occur as a result of the proposed development. Table 8: Potential impacts for Alternative 1 during the Construction and Operational phase Potential Impact Extent A Intensity B Duration C Consequence A+B+C Probability Impact Significance Status Confidence CONSTRUCTION PHASE 1. ISSUE: AIR QUALITY 1.1 Dust/Air pollution - The generation of fugitive dust associated with construction activities & earthworks Local (1) Medium (2) Short term (1) Very Low (4) Definite Very Low & Definite = Very Low -ve High 2. ISSUE: VISUAL IMPACTS 2.1 Visual impacts due to clearance of site cut and fill Local (1) Medium (2) Short term (1) Very Low (4) Probable Very Low & Probable = Very Low -ve Medium 3. ISSUE: GEOLOGY AND SOILS 3.1 Disturbance of surface geology for development foundations Local (1) Medium (2) Short term (1) Very Low (4) Definite Very Low & Definite = Very Low -ve High 3.2 Soil erosion, loss of topsoil, deterioration of soil quality Local (1) Medium (2) Short term (1) Very Low (4) Definite Very Low & Definite = Very Low -ve High 3.3 Soil and ground water pollution Local (1) High (3) Short term (1) Low (5) Probable Low & Probable = Low -ve High 4. ISSUE: FAUNA AND FLORA 4.1 Degradation, Local Low (1) Short Very Low Probable Very Low & -ve High
destruction of habitats/ecosystems. (1) term (1) (3) Probable = Very Low 4.2 Impacts on fauna and flora Local (1) Low (1) Short term (1) Very Low (3) Probable Very Low & Probable = Very Low -ve Medium 5. ISSUE: HYDROLOGY 5.1 Storm water flow and drainage - Developments cause the modification of drainage patterns. Storm water may be concentrated at certain points, increasing the velocity of flow in one area and reducing flow in another. This may contribute to flooding, soil erosion, and sedimentation Local (1) Medium (2) Short term (1) Very Low (4) Probable Very Low & Probable = Very Low -ve Medium 6. SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL HISTORICAL ENVIRONMENT 6.1 Noise and vibration Local (1) Medium (2) Short term (1) Very Low (4) Definite Very Low & Definite = Very Low -ve Medium 6.2 Job opportunities Region (2) High (3) Short term (1) Medium (6) Definite Medium & Definite = Medium +ve Medium 6.3 Destruction of cultural/heritage sites None (0) None (0) None (0) Not Significant (0) Improbable Not significant & Improbable = Not significant -ve Medium 7. ISSUE: SOCIAL WELL-BEING AND QUALITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT 7.1 Safety and Security Local (1) Medium (2) Short term (1) Very Low (4) Probable Very Low & Probable = Very Low -ve Medium 8. ISSUE: INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES/WASTE 8.1 Waste Local (1) High (3) Short term (1) Low (5) Definite Low & Definite = Low -ve Medium OPERATIONAL PHASE 1. ISSUE: FAUNA AND FLORA