Zitholele Consulting
Reg. No. 2000/000392/07
PO Box 6002 Halfway House 1685
South Africa
Thandanani Park, Matuka Close
Halfway Gardens, Midrand
Tel + (27) 11 207 2060
Fax + (27) 86 674 6121
E-mail : mail@zitholele.co.za
REPORT ON
Final EMPr for the proposed New Golela
Substation and two Associated 132kV TurnIn Lines from the existing Mkuze-Pongola
132kV Power Line
Report No : 12722 FEMP v2
Submitted to:
Department of Environmental Affairs
Private Bag X447
PRETORIA
0001
DISTRIBUTION:
2 Copies Private
PRETORIA
0001
Department
1 Copy
Zitholele Consulting (Pty) Ltd – Library
-
of
Environmental
Bag
13 October 2014
Directors: S Pillay (Managing Director); N Rajasakran (Director); Dr RGM Heath (Director)
Affairs
X447
12722
October 2014
ii
12722
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION
1
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 2
1.1
2
3
4
5
11.2
15
Planning Phase ....................................................................................19
Construction Phase ..............................................................................24
Operational Phase ................................................................................30
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT REGISTER ........................... 31
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ............................................................. 46
ENVIRONMENTAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ............................. 46
18.1
18.2
18.3
18.4
19
20
21
22
23
Integration of the Environmental Management Programme into the
Contract ................................................................................................14
Specification structure and Application .................................................15
11.2.1 Method statements..................................................................15
11.2.2 Site documentation and record keeping ..................................16
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS TRAINING ........................................... 17
PROVISIONS FOR ADDRESSING NON-CONFORMANCE ..................... 18
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS IN ADJUDICATION OF
TENDER ...................................................................................................... 18
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR THE
PROJECT .................................................................................................... 19
15.1
15.2
15.3
16
17
18
Power Line Servitude ............................................................................12
132 kV Towers ......................................................................................12
Access Roads.......................................................................................12
Fencing, Gates and Access Control ......................................................12
Expansion of the existing Pongola Substation and Candover
Switching Station ..................................................................................12
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ................................................................... 13
OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES ...................................................................... 13
DECOMMISSIONING ACTIVITIES ............................................................. 14
SCOPE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME ..... 14
11.1
12
13
14
Objectives of the Environmental Management Programme ................... 7
Structure of this Document .................................................................... 8
PROJECT LOCATION .................................................................................. 8
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT COMPONENTS ......................................... 12
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
8
9
10
11
Background Information ......................................................................... 2
ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES OF STUDY AREA ..................................... 3
LEGAL FRAMEWORK .................................................................................. 4
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER (EAP) ....................... 6
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES OF THIS REPORT...................................... 7
5.1
5.2
6
7
PAGE
Department of Environmental Affairs ....................................................46
Eskom ..................................................................................................46
Environmental Control Officer ...............................................................48
Contractors ...........................................................................................49
TRAINING .................................................................................................... 50
PROJECT COMPLIANCE REPORTING .................................................... 51
REPORTING PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION........................... 51
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTACT PERSON................................................... 51
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS........................................................ 51
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
October 2014
iii
12722
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 : Locality Map of the Study Area.........................................................................11
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Document Roadmap ........................................................................................... 5
Table 2: Impacts, Management/ Mitigation Measures during the Planning Phase ............20
Table 3: Construction Process for sub transmission lines ................................................24
Table 4 : Impacts, Management/ Mitigation Measures during Construction Phase ...........25
Table 5: Environmental Aspects and Impacts Register ....................................................31
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
October 2014
iv
12722
GLOSSARY OF TERMINOLOGY
Contractor
means the main contractor as engaged by the Eskom for the
construction of the subject infrastructure, including all Subcontractors and service provides appointed by the main
contractor of his own volition for the execution of parts of the
Works. “Contractor” also includes any other contractor
engaged by Eskom directly in connection with any part of the
construction, which is not a nominated sub-contractor to the
main contractor.
Environment1
(i) the land, water and atmosphere of the earth;
(ii) microorganisms, plant and animal life;
(iii) any part or combination of (i) and (ii) and the
interrelationships among and between them; and
(iv) the physical, chemical, aesthetic and cultural properties
and conditions of the foregoing that influence human health
and wellbeing.
Environmental
Means a person who is responsible for the monitoring of the
Control Officer
implementation of the requirements of an EMPr on behalf of
the applicant.
Environmental
Means a person who is responsible for the implementation of
Officer
the requirements of an EMPr on behalf of the contractor.
Environmental
Impact Assessment
(EIA)
Environmental
means a study of the environmental consequences of a
proposed course of action.
means an environmental change caused by some human act.
impact
1
As defined in terms of the National Environmental Management Act No. 107 of 1998 (NEMA).
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
October 2014
Method Statement
v
12722
means setting out in detail how the management actions
contained in an EMPr will be implemented, in order to ensure
that the environmental objectives are achieved.
Public Participation
means a process of involving the public in order to identify
Process
needs, address concerns, in order to contribute to more
informed decision making relating to a proposed project,
programme or development.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
1
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
BA ..................................................................................................... Basic Assessment
CH4 .................................................................................................................. Methane
DME........................................................................ Department of Minerals and Energy
DWS ...................................................................... Department of Water and Sanitation
EA....................................................................................... Environmental Authorisation
EIA ...........................................................................Environmental Impact Assessment
EMPr ............................................................. Environmental Management Programme
ECO……………………........................................................ Environmental Control Officer
EO .................................................................................................. Environmental Officer
DEA........... ............................................................ Department of Environmental Affairs
GNR................................................................................ Government Notice Regulation
I&AP ................................................................................ Interested and Affected Party
NEMA ............................... National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of 1998)
NEM: AQA........... National Environmental Management Air Quality Act (No 39 of 2004)
NEM:WA................... National Environmental Management Waste Act (No. 59 of 2008)
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
2
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background Information
Eskom Distribution’s - KwaZulu-Natal Operating Unit, is currently upgrading the electricity
infrastructure on the Makhathini Flats in northern KwaZulu-Natal. With the proposed
construction of three new 132/22kV substations for the supply of the greater Makhathini area
viz. Ndumo Substation, Skhemelele, Gezisa Substation, Manguzi, and Mbazwana substation,
Mbazwana, the existing Pongola-Candover 132kV power line will be overloaded by 2013.
Should the existing Pongola-Candover 132kV power line be out of service, for whatever
reason, then Makhathini, Gezisa, Ndumo and Nondabuya Substation loads will be shed
resulting in an inevitable loss of supply on the greater Makhathini area and an unacceptable
service to customers. As a solution Eskom proposes to construct infrastructure to strengthen
and upgrade the network in the Pongola, Mkuze and Golela areas. The objective of the
proposed construction of a second 132kV overhead distribution line between the Pongola
Substation and Candover Switching Station is to increase the reserve capacity in the existing
lines, while providing additional capacity to supply anticipated load growth on the Makhatini
Flats in the Jozini and Umhlabuyalingana Local Municipalities.
In order to accommodate the second Pongola-Candover 132kV power line, modifications to
the existing Pongola 132/22kV substation and the existing Candover switching station will
have to be undertaken. In addition, a proposed 132kV power line and substation will be
required to tee-off the existing Mkuze-Pongola 132kV power line to feed a proposed Golela
substation to be located on the MR8 road which leads to the Golela border post with
Swaziland. The proposed project activities will accommodate future electrical loads for
proposed developments at the border post and localised 22kV networks.
Construction and operation of the above 132kV power lines and Golela substation are subject
to Basic Assessments (BA) in terms of Section 14 of the National Environmental Management
Act (107 of 1998) (NEMA), as amended. In fulfilment of this requirements, Eskom has
appointed Zitholele Consulting to act as the independent environmental assessment
practitioner (EAP) and to undertake the BA process. The proposal, as part of the electrification
of the greater Makhathini area, includes the following principal activities for which authorisation
is sought.
 Activity 1: Construction of a second 132kV power line within a 36 m wide servitude from
the existing Pongola substation to the existing Conover switching station. The estimated
length of the power line will be approximately 50 to 60km long depending on the option
adopted.
 Activity 2: Modification of the existing Pongola Substation and Candover Switching Station
to accommodate the second Pongola-Candover 132kV power line;
 Activity 3: Location of a new 132/22kV substation on the secondary road to the Golela
border post;
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
3
 Activity 4: Construction of two 132kV power lines either as single or double circuit
configuration to supply the proposed Golela Substation.
Although the BA for all the above activities has been conducted simultaneously due to their
overlapping study areas, the results of the BA have been provided in two separate Basic
Assessment Reports (BAR) covering the above activities as follows:
 Basic Assessment Report 1: Activities 1 and 2 – Proposed new Pongola-Candover second
132kV Power line and associated modifications to the existing Pongola substation and
Candover switching station is dealt with; and
 Basic Assessment Report 2: Activity 3 and Activity 4 - Location of two 500 m wide, 15 km
long corridors for the construction of two 132kV tee-off power lines from the Mkuze-Pongola
132kV power line to provide supply to and from the proposed Golela Substation.
With the construction of three proposed new 132kV substations for the supply of the greater
Makhathini area viz. Ndumo, Gezisa and Mbazwana substations, the existing PongolaCandover 132kV line will be overloaded by 2013. Should the existing Pongola-Candover
132kV line be out of service for whatever reason then Makhathini, Gezisa, Ndumo and
Nondabuya loads will be shed resulting in an inevitable loss of supply on the greater Makhatini
area and an unacceptable service to customers.
A second 132kV line from Pongola to Candover therefore needs to be constructed for electrical
purposes and to enhance security of supply for the Makhatini substations of Ndumo, Gezisa
and Mbazwana. In order to accommodate a second Pongola-Candover 132kV line
modifications to the existing Pongola 132/22kV substation and the end point, the existing
Candover switching station will have to be undertaken. A 132kV power line and substation is
also required to tee-off the existing Mkuze-Pongola 132kV power line (also called MkuzePongola line 1). This substation is required close to the turn-off from the N2 to the road leading
to the Golela border post with Swaziland. This is to accommodate the electrical load for
developments within the vicinity of the border post.
2
ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES OF STUDY AREA
The topography of the study area is predominantly rolling hills, but relatively high escarpments
traverse the study area from north to south. Game farms and cattle farms, game reserves
and some sugar cane are the predominant land uses in the study area. The vegetation
consists of Zululand Lowveld and Northern Zululand Bushveld and is very dense in the central
and south eastern portions of the study area.
The mountainous terrain and dense vegetation generally coincide and will impose access
constraints and poses challenging conditions for undertaking the necessary construction
activities. According to the Local Municipalities’ Integrated Development Plans for the
uPhongolo Area some important conservation areas require careful management in the
unfolding development pattern. These conservation areas include the Pongolapoort Dam and
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
4
nature reserve, the area surrounding the Mkuze River as well as the area between the R66
and the N2 Roads.
3
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
An Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) is guided by sound environmental
management practices and is based on national and international best practices, and relevant
legislation, policies and guidelines. All stakeholders should note that obligations imposed by
the EMPr are legally binding in terms of environmental statutory legislation and in terms of the
additional conditions to the general conditions of contract that pertain to this project. In the
event that any rights and obligations contained in this document contradict those specified in
the standard or project specifications then the latter shall prevail.
All legislation applicable to the development must be strictly enforced, and may including the
following:
 The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996, (Chapter 2: Bill of Rights,
Section 24: Environmental right, Section 25: Rights in property);
 National Environmental Management Act, 107 of 1998, as amended;
 Environment Conservation Act, 73 of 1989;
 National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 57 of 2003;
 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 10 of 2004;
 National Forests Act, 43 of 1983;
 The National Water Act, 36 of 1998;
 Hazardous Substances Act, 15 of 1973;
 National Heritage Resources Act, 25 of 1999;
 Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 43 of 1983;
 Occupational Health and Safety Act, 85 of 1993;
 National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 101 of 1998;
 Fertilisers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 36 of 1947;
 National Environmental Management: Waste Management Act, 59 of 2008;
 Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 28 of 2002; and
 Health Act, 63 of 1977.
A detailed account of all environmental legislation including specific Environmental
Management Acts which have a bearing on the proposed Pongola-Candover 132kV power
line and associated modifications to the existing Pongola 132/22kV Substation and Candover
Switching Station is provided in Part 11 of Section A: Activity Information of the Basic
Assessment Report (BAR).
This Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) must be read along with the BAR.
Specific provisions which are included in Regulation 33 of the Environmental Impact
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
5
Assessment (EIA) Regulations 2010 (R.5432) relating to the contents of an EMPr is provided
in Table 1. Although the EMPr is a living document and should be continually updated and
improved, any amendments which are made to the approved document must be done in
accordance with Regulation 46 of the EIA Regulations 2010 (R.543). It should be noted that
obligations imposed by the EMPr are legally binding in terms of environmental statutory
legislation and in terms of the additional conditions to the general conditions of contract that
pertain to this project. Non-compliance to environmental law is a criminal offence and if
prosecuted Eskom will be liable for any environmental damage incurred.
Table 1: Document Roadmap
DOCUMENT ROADMAP
Regulation 33 of the
EIA
Regulations
(2010)
Description of Regulation
Relevant chapter
of document
details of –
Regulation 33(a)
Regulation 33(b)
Regulation 33(c)
Regulation 33(d)
Regulation 33(e)
Regulation 33(f)
(i)
the person who prepared the environmental
management programme; and
(ii) the expertise of that person to prepare an
environmental management programme;
Information on any proposed management or mitigation
measures that will be taken to address the environmental
impacts that have been identified in a report contemplated
by these Regulations, including environmental impacts or
objectives in respect of—
(i)
planning and design;
(ii)
pre-construction and construction activities;
(iii)
operation or undertaking of the activity;
(iv)
rehabilitation of the environment; and
(v)
closure, where relevant.
A detailed description of the aspects of the activity that
are covered by the draft environmental management
programme;
An identification of the persons who will be responsible for
the implementation of the measures contemplated in
paragraph (b);
Proposed mechanisms for monitoring compliance with
and performance assessment against the environmental
management programme and reporting thereon;
As far as is reasonably practicable, measures to
rehabilitate the environment affected by the undertaking
of any listed activity or specified activity to its natural or
predetermined state or to a land use which conforms to
the generally accepted principle of sustainable
development, including, where appropriate, concurrent or
progressive rehabilitation measures;
2
Chapter 4
Chapter 15
Chapter 8-10
Chapter 16
Chapter 8-10
Chapter 16
Chapters 13, 20
and Chapter 21
Chapter 8-10
Chapter 16
South Africa. 2010. National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) Environmental Impact
Assessment Regulations, 2010. (Notice 543). Government gazette 33306:3, 18 June
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
6
DOCUMENT ROADMAP
Regulation 33 of the
EIA
Regulations
(2010)
Regulation 33(g)
Regulation 33(h)
Regulation 33(i)
Regulation 33(j)
Regulation 33(k)
4
Description of Regulation
A description of the manner in which it intends to—
(i)
modify, remedy, control or stop any action,
activity or process which causes pollution or
environmental degradation;
(ii)
remedy the cause of pollution or degradation
and migration of pollutants;
(iii)
comply with any prescribed environmental
management standards or practices;
(iv)
comply with any applicable provisions of the
Act regarding closure, where applicable;
(v)
comply with any provisions of the Act
regarding
financial
provisions
for
rehabilitation, where applicable;
Time periods within which the measures contemplated in
the environmental management programme must be
implemented;
The process for managing any environmental damage,
pollution, pumping and treatment of extraneous water or
ecological degradation as a result of undertaking a listed
activity;
An Environmental Awareness Plan describing the manner
in which —
(i)
the applicant intends to inform his or her
employees of any environmental risk which
may result from their work; and
(ii)
risks must be dealt with in order to avoid
pollution or the degradation of the
environment;
Where appropriate, closure plans, including closure
objectives.
Relevant chapter
of document
Chapter 8-10
Chapter 16
Chapter 8-10
Chapter 16
Chapter 8-10
Chapter 16
Chapter 12
Not Applicable
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER (EAP)
In terms of the NEMA (1998) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations
(Government Notice Regulation [GNR] 543 to 546, June 2010) the proponent must appoint an
Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to undertake an EIA and / or PPP for listed
activities regulated in terms of the aforementioned Act. In this regard, Eskom appointed
Zitholele Consulting (Pty) Ltd. (Zitholele) to undertake the PPP and complete the Amendment
Application for the proposed project, in accordance with the aforementioned regulations.
Zitholele is an empowerment company formed to provide specialist consulting services
primarily to the public sector in the fields of Water Engineering, Integrated Water Resource
Management, Environmental and Waste Services, Communication (public participation and
awareness creation) and Livelihoods and Economic Development.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
7
Zitholele Consulting has no vested interest in the proposed project and hereby declares its
independence as required by the EIA Regulations. The details of the EAP representatives are
listed below.
The details of the key individuals representing Zitholele, and acting as the EAP on these
projects are given below.
Sharon Meyer Douglas, as Project Director
Name:
Sharon Meyer Douglas
Company Represented:
Zitholele Consulting (Pty) Ltd.
Address:
P O Box 6002, Halfway House, 1685
Telephone:
011 207 2060
Fax:
086 674 6121
E-mail:
sharonm@zitholele.co.za
5
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES OF THIS REPORT
This Final EMPr has been drafted according to the findings of the impact assessment, and is
included as an appendix to the BA Report (BAR) and submitted to the authorities for approval
along with EA evaluation process. The Final EMPr is published as a standalone document for
ease of use.
5.1
Objectives of the Environmental Management Programme
Environmental management does not end with obtaining the required EA. Rather there is a
need to ensure that the remedial requirements identified during the environmental process are
effectively realised during project implementation, and this is where EMPrs have a key role to
play.
An EMPr, in the context of the EIA Regulations (2010), is a tool that takes a project from a
high level consideration of issues down to detailed workable action plan that can be
implemented in a cohesive and controlled manner. An EMPr is defined as “an environmental
management tool used to ensure that undue or reasonably avoidable adverse impacts of the
construction phase of a project are prevented and that the positive benefits of the projects are
enhanced”. Impacts range from those incurred during start up (site clearing, erection of the
construction camp), and to those incurred during operation. Specifically, the objectives of this
EMPr can be articulated as follows:
 To give effect to the construction related requirements;
 To give effect to the environmental commitments to the various role players;
 To ensure that these requirements / commitments are expressed in a manner that is
accessible to all parties and is binding upon those responsible for project implementation;
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
8
 To ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to the project budget in order to give effect
to the environmental requirements / commitments, and to ensure that the scale of EMPrrelated interventions is consistent with the significance of identified impacts;
 To provide a coherent and pragmatic framework for the implementation of the
requirements, ranging from the roles and responsibilities of the key project participants to
the auditing and reporting of compliance;
 To facilitate appropriate and proactive response to unforeseen events or changes in project
implementation that were not considered in the BA process; and
 To ensure that the construction phase of the project does not result in undue or reasonably
avoidable adverse environmental impacts, and that any potential environmental benefits
are enhanced.
5.2
Structure of this Document
This document has been divided into four parts, each addressing a different aspect of the
Environmental Management Programme (EMPr).




6
Part A provides a brief introduction, details of the person who prepared the EMPr and his /
her expertise; and overview of the purpose and structure of this document;
Part B sets the context for the EMPr by providing an overview of the project, summarising
the objectives of the EMPr, highlighting the scope of the EMPr and briefly emphasising
Eskom’s environmental commitments;
Part C provides an overview of the structure and application of the environmental
management plan and highlights the environmental considerations that should inform the
construction and operation phases;
Part D provides guidance in terms of the on-site implementation of the EMPr, highlighting
the organisation structure and various roles and responsibilities, emphasising the
importance of awareness training, summarising the requisite approach to monitoring and
auditing and addressing the requirement for review and amendment of the environmental
specifications; and
Part B Setting the Context.
PROJECT LOCATION
This proposed new 132/22kV substation will be located about 1 km north-east of the
intersection of the N2 and the secondary road to the Golela border post.
Corridors of about 500 metre wide will be investigated in which to locate the 36m wide
servitudes for the two approximately 15 km long loop-in and loop-out lines to run from the
existing Mkuze-Pongola 132kV line (Mkuze-Pongola Line 1) at two points to the proposed
Golela Substation. The co-ordinates for the approximate start-middle-end points of the
development corridor are given below.
Northern Corridor
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
9
Location along the corridor
Starting point of the activity
Middle/Additional point of the
activity
End point of the activity
South
27° 26' 53.437" S
East
31° 38' 20.980" E
27° 24' 44.040" S
31° 50' 30.528" E
27° 32' 57.097" S
31° 59' 14.825" E
South
East
Central Corridor
Location along the corridor
Starting point of the activity
27° 26' 53.437" S
31° 38' 20.980" E
Middle/Additional point of the
27° 31' 12.640" S
31° 49' 33.486" E
27° 32' 57.097" S
31° 59' 14.825" E
activity
End point of the activity
Southern Corridor
Location along the corridor
Starting point of the activity
Middle/Additional point of the
activity
End point of the activity
South
East
27° 26' 53.437" S
31° 38' 20.980" E
27° 32' 1.670" S
31° 50' 1.610" E
27° 32' 57.097" S
31° 59' 14.825" E
The development corridor is located on the farms:
Farm Name
Portion Number
Farm Name
Portion Number
Bedrog En Ontrecht
801, 326
Mooiplaats
606
Bethel
247
N2 Road Reserve
772
Bloemhof
649
Nooitgedacht
614
Bosveld
745, 860
Ongeluk
622
Burgersrust
672
Paardenfontein
674
Clerkness
13459
Sandduinen
652
Dubula
91
Soetveld
775
Erfenis
621, 17634
Steenboklaagte
202
Goedgeloop/F
17323
Sunland
72
Gollel
16936
Tamboti Ridge
81
Helena
759
Uitgevallen
599
Klipfontein Helena
17542, 17543
Uitsig
861
Koedoesberg
747
Uitzicht
624
Konkoni
0, 772
Ulrica
17330
Langgewacht
646
Vergelegen
17058
Leeuwkop
580, 859
Verwijderd
618
Lelieshoek
730, 746
Warrick
13436
Magut
817, 818, 819
Welverdiend
104
Meijershoek
602
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
10
A layout map showing the site boundaries, the development corridor, and other project
components is shown in Figure 1
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
11
Figure 1 : Locality Map of the Study Area
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
12
7
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT COMPONENTS
7.1
Power Line Servitude
Each 132 kV Power Line requires a servitude of 36 m wide. The proposed power lines for this
project will be built in parallel alignment. The total servitude width for the seven power lines
will thus be 252 m.
7.2
132 kV Towers
The proposed power lines will consist of twin turn cables capable of distributing up to 200 MVA
at 132 kV, connected by a series of towers (pylons) located approximately 200 m apart,
depending on the terrain and soil conditions. The exact tower type to be used will be
determined (based on load calculations) during the final design stages of the power line. At
this stage, it is proposed that either the Guyed Lattice or Steel Monopole tower type will be
used for the proposed power lines. Such a tower is typically 18 m in height and each tower
will have a footprint of between 1.21 m² and 16.81 m².
7.3
Access Roads
Existing farm roads will be used to access the servitude for construction purposes. A
maintenance road of 5 m wide within the servitude will be retained post construction for
maintenance of the power line during the operational phase.
7.4
Fencing, Gates and Access Control
The power line servitude will be fenced with a diamond mesh fence approximately 1, 8 m
height to prevent unauthorised access for reasons of safety and security.
7.5
Expansion of the existing Pongola Substation and Candover Switching
Station
The expansion of the existing Pongola Substation and Candover Switching Station will involve
expanding the foundation of the substation and the erection of additional bays to take in the
new line:





Expansion of fence line;
Construction of terrace and foundations;
Assembly and erection of new bays;
Rehabilitation of disturbed areas; and
Testing and commissioning.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
13
8
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
The Construction Phase for the proposed project will take 60 months to complete (from the
time Environmental Authorisation has been received). The Construction Phase for the
proposed project will include the following activities:
 Construction camps will be sited in areas where the least disturbance to potentially
sensitive environments will be caused;
 If Ready-mix concrete is not available, small mobile batching plants will have to be
established in the area close to the power line;
 Access will have to be created in places to allow for large construction vehicles to gain
access to the proposed servitude;
 A 36 metres wide servitude is required for the proposed 132kV power line. Trees and
shrubs will be cleared where required along the entire length of the servitude for access,
erection of the pylons and stringing of the conductor (the vegetation will also be maintained
by Eskom during the Operational Phase);
 During construction the route will be surveyed, pegged and the soil nominations excavated
for each and every pylon foundation;
 Foundations will be laid for the footings of the pylons. The first step is the excavation of the
pylon foundations, the reinforcing thereof and finally the concreting of the foundations. The
equipment required to excavate the foundations can be manual labour, a Tipper Loader
Backhoe (i.e. TLB). In the case of hard rock a drilling rig or blasting may be required to
excavate the foundations. The concrete will be transported via concrete trucks to the
required locations;
 The towers will be erected in piece-meal; that is to say in segments. After the foundations
and footings have been installed the construction team will transport the various steel parts
of the towers to the site and either assemble the pylons lying down on the ground or from
the base upwards. This process again requires a lot of manual labour and mobile cranes
are used to assembly towers which have been assembled lying down;
 Once the towers have been assembled, the conductors and shield wire/s will be strung
between the towers. Once stringing and tensioning is complete the line is considered
constructed, where after it will be tested prior to being commissioned;
 Rehabilitation of disturbed areas and protection of erosion sensitive areas; and
 Testing and commissioning.
9
OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES
During the Operational Phase and Maintenance Phase of the project, Eskom SOC Limited
requires access to the servitude for maintenance activities which may include repairs and
replacement of various hardware on the towers and the conductor and, in very rare cases,
repairs to the foundations.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
14
10
DECOMMISSIONING ACTIVITIES
During the Decommissioning Phase the following activities will be carried out:
 The physical removal of the power line infrastructure would entail the reversal of the
construction process;
 A rehabilitation programme would need to be agreed upon with the landowners (if
applicable) before being implemented; and
 Materials generated by the decommissioning process will be disposed of according to the
Waste Hierarchy i.e. wherever feasible, materials will be reused, then recycled and lastly
disposed of. Materials will be disposed of in a suitable manner, in a suitably licensed facility.
All of the aforementioned decommissioning activities would be subject to a separate
Environmental Authorisation Process at the appropriate time.
11
SCOPE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
This EMPr is applicable to the construction phase of the project only. The EMPr must be read
in conjunction with the BAR and EA issued for the project.
11.1
Integration of the Environmental Management Programme into the Contract
As mentioned in Section 2, this EMPr has been written in a form and language that is
consistent with the tender / contract documentation used for engineering contracts i.e. the
EMPr takes the form of a set of environmental specifications that can integrate with the civil,
mechanical and electrical tender / contract documentation. There are various advantages to
this approach:
 The Contractor is made aware of the EMPr at the tender stage;
 The Contractor is able to cost for compliance with the EMPr;
 The EMPr is presented to the Contractor in the language and terminology with which he/she
is familiar, and unnecessary duplication and contradiction is eliminated;
 Inclusion of the EMPr within the contract ensures that the EMPr becomes a legally binding
document within a well-developed legal framework; and
 The standardised form and structure of the environmental specifications ensures that with
time and each new contract, the Contractor becomes increasingly familiar with, and thus
more accepting of, the EMPr and implements it with the same diligence as any other set of
specifications contained within the contract.
Ultimately, by measuring compliance against an explicit set of environmental controls that are
well located within a robust legal framework, the approach has been proven to enhance
success in the implementation and enforcement of the EMPr significantly.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
15
11.2
Specification structure and Application
These specifications are not exclusive and could, within reason, be expanded on or amended
at any time during the contract by the Environmental Control Officer (ECO).
11.2.1
Method statements
Environmental practitioners are not specialists with regard to construction techniques.
Therefore, so as not to hinder construction activities by stipulating elaborate, costly and/ or
ineffective mitigation measures, the environmental specification is underpinned by a series of
Method Statements, within which the Contractor is required to outline how they propose to
mitigate any identified environmental risks. For example, if the specification states that
“cement contaminated water shall not be allowed to contaminate the soil or adjacent
watercourse”, the Method Statement compiled by the Contractor would be required to outline
how he or she intends to achieve this requirement.
In terms of the environmental specifications for the proposed 132 kV power lines, the
Contractors must submit various written Method Statements to the Engineer and ECO as
requested in the Specification.
For the purposes of the environmental specifications, a Method Statement is defined as “a
written submission by the Contractor to the Engineer in response to the Specification or a
request by the Engineer, setting out the materials, labour and method the Contractor proposes
using to carry out an activity, identified by the relevant specification or the Engineer when
requesting the Method Statement, in such detail that the Engineer is enabled to assess
whether the Contractor's proposal is in accordance with the Specifications and/or will produce
results in accordance with the Specifications”.
The Method Statement must cover applicable details with regard to:













Retrofit (Construction) procedures,
Materials and equipment to be used,
Getting the equipment to and from site,
How the equipment/ material will be moved while on site (including crane operation),
How and where material will be stored,
Removal of construction related waste,
The containment (or action to be taken if containment is not possible) of leaks or spills of
any liquid or material that may occur,
Timing and location of activities,
Removal of fauna and flora;
Removal of bees on site;
Removal of snakes on site;
Compliance/ non-compliance with the Specifications, and
Any other information deemed necessary by the Engineer.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
16
The environmental specifications set very stringent requirements in terms of the provision of
Method Statements and the commencement of the activities they cover:
 Any Method Statement required by the Engineer/ECO or the specification must be
produced within the timeframes specified by the Engineer or the specification (typically two
weeks);
 The Contractor may not commence the activity covered by the Method Statement until it
has been approved, except in the case of emergency activities and then only with the
consent of the Engineer;
 The Engineer may require changes to a Method Statement if the proposal does not comply
with the specification or if the proposed methodology carries an unreasonable risk of
excessive damage to the environment;
 Approved Method Statements must be readily available on the site and must be
communicated to all relevant personnel;
 The Contractor is required to carry out the activities covered by the Method Statement in
accordance with the proposed approach; and
 Approval of the Method Statement does not absolve the Contractor from their obligations
or responsibilities in terms of the Contract.
11.2.2
Site documentation and record keeping
The following documents must be kept on site:










Access negotiations and physical access plans;
Site instructions;
Pre-construction audit report;
Complaints register;
Records of all remediation / rehabilitation activities;
Copy of this EMPr;
Copy of the Environmental Authorisation;
Monthly compliance report;
Environmental training records;
Emergency response procedures.
The monthly compliance report should include:




Complaints received from affected parties and details of the actions taken;
Environmental incidents, spills of hazardous substances, etc.
Environmental damage which requires rehabilitation;
Damages of private property such as buildings or crops.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
17
12
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS TRAINING
Training is required for all personnel involved in the proposed project. This includes all
employees working on the site including temporary labourers, contractors and subcontractors.
The Environmental Awareness Training should cover the following:



















The importance of the EMPr;
Specific details of the EMPr;
Employees role in compliance with the EMPr;
Environmental effects associated with the activities;
Training targeted at specific personnel for example operators of heavy machinery;
The environmental impacts, actual or potential, of their work activities;
The environmental benefits of improved personal performance;
Their roles and responsibilities in achieving conformance with the environmental policy and
procedures;
Emergency preparedness and response requirements;
The potential consequences of departure from specified operating procedures;
The mitigation measures required to be implemented when carrying out their work activities;
Environmental legal requirements and obligations;
Details regarding floral/faunal species of special concern and protected species, and the
procedures to be followed should these be encountered;
The impacts and consequences of poaching of animals or removal of indigenous
vegetation;
The importance of not littering;
The importance of using supplied toilet facilities;
The need to use water sparingly;
Details of and encouragement to minimise the production of waste and re-use, recover and
recycle waste where possible; and
Details regarding archaeological and/or historical sites which may be unearthed during
construction and the procedures to be followed should such be encountered.
Training should be conducted by a suitably qualified person and if necessary in more than one
language to ensure it is understood by all workers. Copies of the environmental training must
be available on site in languages appropriate to the work force. Records of training session
including attendance, nature of training and date of training should be kept to ensure all staff
members have received the necessary training. In addition to training, general environmental
awareness must be fostered among the project’s workforce to encourage the implementation
of environmentally sound practices throughout its duration. Environmental awareness and
training is an important aspect of the implementation of the EMPr.
Environmental awareness could be fostered in the following manner:
 Induction course for all workers on site, before commencing work on site.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
18
 Refresher courses as and when required.
 Daily toolbox talks at the start of each day with all workers coming on site, where workers
might be alerted to particular environmental concerns associated with their tasks for that
day or the area/habitat in which they are working.
 Courses must be given by suitably qualified personnel and in a language and medium
understood by workers/employees.
13
PROVISIONS FOR ADDRESSING NON-CONFORMANCE
Ultimately, the key to construction phase is ensuring that the requirements of the EMPr are
adequately and appropriately implemented on site. Accordingly, monitoring performance and
addressing non-compliance are key attributes of any environmental interventions. Part D
addresses the actual process for identifying and addressing non-compliance, whilst this
section provides an overview of the provision made for this in the environmental specification.
Broadly, the mechanisms for addressing non-compliance that are provided for in the
environmental specifications and associated contract documentation can be divided into the
following categories:
 Controlling performance via the certification of payments;
 Requiring the Contractor to “make good”, at their own cost, any unjustifiable environmental
degradation; and
 Implementing a system of penalties to dissuade environmentally risky behaviours; and
 Removing environmentally non-compliant staff/ plant from site, or suspending part or all of
the activities on site.
14
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS IN ADJUDICATION OF TENDER
In terms of this EMPr, Eskom has an obligation to ensure compliance by various parties with
a suite of environmental requirements related to the construction phase. To ensure that these
obligations continue to be fulfilling during the actual construction processes, it requires the
Eskom team to ensure that the appointed Contractors possess the requisite environmental
management experience and expertise. Accordingly, it would be prudent for the Eskom team
to ensure that environmental considerations form part of the contractual process undertaken
during the appointment of contractors and consultants. Key considerations in this regard would
be as follows:
 To request on appointment that the Contractor provide his environmental policy and
indicate how this will influence the way the construction process is approached and
managed on site. At the tender stage the Contractor would merely be asked to provide the
overarching environmental policy for the Company or Joint Venture;
 To request as part of the tender process a list of the Contractor’s previous experience in
terms of the onsite implementation and management of environmental requirements;
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
19
 To request as part of the tender process an indication of the proposed organisational
structure for the Contract, and specifically for the Contractor to indicate which staff would
be acting in the capacity of Environmental Officer (EO) and which senior staff member
would have overall responsibility for ensuring compliance by the Contractor with the
specified environmental requirements; and
 To confirm, upon receipt of the Tender, that the Contractor has made sufficient allowance
in his Tender Price for meeting the various environmental requirements.
During the tender adjudication process for each Contract, each Contractor should be scored
in terms of the aforementioned considerations and allocated an environmental competency
score. This score should form a key consideration in the final decision-making regarding the
award of the various contracts.
15
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR THE PROJECT
The management measures documented in each of the sub-sections below have been
compiled using the following information:
 Impact Assessment and mitigation measures documented in the BAR for the proposed
132 kV power lines; and
 Mitigation and management recommendations provided by the specialist studies.
In addition to the abovementioned information sources, the EMPr will be updated to include
the conditions documented in the Environmental Authorisation (EA) to be received upon
approval of the Basic Assessment (BA).
15.1
Planning Phase
To mitigate the negative environmental impacts, a number of measures would have to be
addressed in the design of the salvage during the planning phase. An inspection must be
carried out on the design before commencement of the upgrade in order to ensure that the
mitigation measures have been incorporated in the design.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
20
Table 2: Impacts, Management / Mitigation Measures during the Planning Phase
Planning Phase
Environmental
Consideration
Training and Health
and Safety
Mitigation Measures




Eskom is to appoint an ECO
Introduce the ECO to the Project Team.
Training of the Contractor’s employees on the EMPr
Elucidation of environmental monitoring protocol to the Project Team by the ECO.
Project Manager
Project Manager
ECO


All correspondence from ECO must be filed and kept on site.
Staff responsible for construction should be issued with the appropriate PPE and trained in safe
working procedures concerning the various processing action.
In consultation with the ECO, demarcate the suitable site identified for the laydown area. The site
office as well as parking areas for construction vehicles should be confined to disturbed areas,
away from drainage lines.
Chemical toilets must be provided at a ratio of at least one per 15 employees in terms of ablution
facilities.
Chemical toilets must be serviced and emptied on a regular basis to avoid leaks and spillage.
Camp sites must be negotiated with the land owner.
No fires or dumping of waste to take place at the camp sites.
Landowners must be notified and negotiated with where construction camps may be established
on their property.
Access procedures to privately owned land must be negotiated with the land owners.
No chemical toilet may be within 100 m of a natural water body.
Identify suitable hazardous/general Waste Disposal Sites which will accept waste material to be
generated.
Provide a plan for the collection, storage and transport of waste a recognized landfill site.
All metal off-cuts and metal waste must be recycled.
Local suppliers must be used, as far as possible; and
Local labour should be employed.
Communicate in a cultural sensitive way the next phase of project.
Communicate process in language of choice.
Ensure that the retrofit is designed to fit inside the existing casing.
Ensure that all machinery on site is in a good working order.
Project Manager and ECO
Project Manager


Construction
Camp/laydown area







Waste
Social
Designs
Vehicles
Responsible Party(ies)








ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Contractor and the ECO
Project Manager, Contractor
Project Manager, Contractor
Eskom and Contractor
Eskom
Contractor
21
Planning Phase
Environmental
Consideration
Mitigation Measures

Responsible Party(ies)
Identify areas where known nesting grounds are located and avoid taking access roads near these
areas. Sensitise employees to issue. Ensure all construction remains in minimal footprint area.
Ensure access roads clearly marked and adhered to at all times.

The exact locations of the towers along the power line route alignment within the corridor should be
determined in consultation with an appointed Avifauna Specialist;

An Avifauna Specialist should be advised regarding the proximity of the power line route alignment
to habituated feeding sites (i.e. Vulture Restaurants);

Factors taken into account when selecting the tower design must include the risk of electrocution of
birds posed by each tower design;

It is recommended that reflectors with LED lights should also be used particularly near nest sites and
on the western and eastern routes that lie in relatively close proximity to water;
Avifauna

Appoint an avifauna specialist to provide recommendations regarding the placement of Bird
diverters;

Pylons should preferably be positioned so as to alternate with those of the existing power line (i.e.
out-of-step) and not be placed opposite one another (in-step). This mitigation will increase the
visibility of both sets of power lines to flying large raptors and the birds may then be in a better
position to take timely collision avoidance action. Where the possibility or risk of a 'flash-over' might
occur it is then essential that additional mitigation measures that would increase the visibility of the
power line be instituted should towers be positioned 'in-step'; and

The Delta pylon design preferably should not be used. A re-design of the Delta type tower that avoids
any risk of electrocution to birds could be considered and may be acceptable. The principle would
be to place the live conductors further away from the lower arm that is, at a distance greater than the
wing span of a vulture (i.e. > 2.5 m).
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Contractor and Eskom
22
Planning Phase
Environmental
Consideration
Mitigation Measures

Responsible Party(ies)
Select route within corridor least likely to impact on heritage sites. Appoint heritage specialist at
design phase to assist with identification of sites and placement of towers. Avoid location of towers
on or near heritage sites;

Prior to the commencement of the Construction Phase the holder of the Environmental Authorisation
must appoint an accredited Heritage Specialist to conduct a phase I Paleontological Assessment as
the area is known to be rich in fossil finds;

An Amafa accredited Archaeologist must to do a walk down of the final route alignment and tower
placements before construction activities commence;

The final route should be confined to the most feasible alignment within the western and northern
route alignments. The Archaeologist in conjunction with the Palaeontologist should compile a
Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) to ensure that heritage resources are not inadvertently
damaged. The CHMP and Palaeontology Assessment should also include cover access roads and
site camps. The Paleontological Report and CHMP should be furnished with Amafa and Amafa will
Heritage
issue further comment thereafter. The Construction Activities should only proceed once Amafa has
reviewed the CHMP and issued a written approval;

Amafa should be contacted if any heritage objects are identified during earthmoving activities and all
development should cease until further notice; and

No structures older than sixty years or parts thereof are allowed to be demolished altered or extended
without a permit from Amafa.

Ensure access plan detailing exact access routes is developed prior construction. Appoint heritage
specialist to review proposed access plan and routes to verify that they do not pass through or close
to heritage sites; and

The final route should be confined to the most feasible alignment within the western and northern
route alignments. The Archaeologist in conjunction with the Palaeontologist should compile a
Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) to ensure that heritage resources are not inadvertently
damaged. The CHMP and Palaeontology Assessment should also include cover access roads and
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Eskom
23
Planning Phase
Environmental
Consideration
Mitigation Measures
site camps. The Paleontological Report and CHMP should be furnished with Amafa and Amafa will
issue further comment thereafter. The Construction Activities should only proceed once Amafa has
reviewed the CHMP and issued a written approval.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Responsible Party(ies)
24
15.2
Construction Phase
Sub-transmission lines are constructed in the following simplified sequence:
Table 3: Construction Process for sub transmission lines
Step
Sequence
Step 1:
Determination of technically feasible alternatives
Step 2:
Basic Assessment input into route selection and obtaining of relevant environmental permits and Authorisations
Step 3:
Negotiation of final route with affected landowners
Step 4:
Apply for necessary permits and licenses for vegetation clearance
Step 5:
Survey of the route
Step 6:
Selection of best-suited structures and foundations
Step 7:
Final design of sub-transmission line and placement of towers
Step 8:
Issuing of tenders and award of contract to construction companies
Step 9:
Vegetation clearance and construction of access roads (where required)
Step 10:
Pegging of structures
Step 11:
Construction of foundations
Step 12:
Assembly and erection of structures
Step 13:
Stringing of conductors
Step 14:
Rehabilitation of disturbed area and protection of erosion sensitive areas
Step 15:
Testing and commissioning
Step 16:
Continued maintenance
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
25
Table 4 : Impacts, Management/ Mitigation Measures during Construction Phase
Construction Phase
Environmental
Consideration
Mitigation Measures







Soil








Air Quality



Fauna and Flora
Salvage and stockpile topsoil (top 30 cm of the soil profile). This soil can be returned to the
construction area to encourage vegetation growth;
Topsoil shall not be stored higher than 1.5 m.
Avoid unnecessary removal of vegetation cover;
Use existing access roads as far as possible;
If a new road is constructed, ensure that the Eskom erosion prevention guideline is followed and
adhere to the Eskom tower construction specification TRMSCAAC1 Rev 3;
Take land use into consideration when choosing pylon types, it is recommended that smaller footprint
pylons be used in cultivated areas;
Avoid placement of pylon footings in clay soils as well as on dunes, towers to be sited in between
dunes in the so-called dune-streets;
Avoid the construction of access roads through dunes;
Spread absorbent sand on areas where oil spills are likely to occur, such as the refueling area in the
hard park;
Oil-contaminated soils are to be removed to a contained storage area and bio-remediated or disposed
of at a licensed facility;
Use berms to minimise erosion where vegetation is disturbed, including hard parks, plant sites, borrow
pit and office areas;
If soils are excavated for the footing placement, ensure that the soil is utilised elsewhere for
rehabilitation/road building purposes; and
Ensure that soil is stockpiled in such a way as to prevent erosion from wind/storm water.
Vehicles to be properly maintained to avoid unnecessary emissions.
The proposed construction operator should control on-site dust emissions by effective management
and mitigation according to the existing procedures for the power lines.
Construction vehicles must travel at low speeds to reduce the effect of dust.
Where necessary spraying of haul roads with water or dust suppressant must be carried out to reduce
dust generation.
A walk through of the selected alignment as well as tower positions should be conducted by a suitable
qualified botanist as well as zoologist in order to ascertain for the presence of any threatened, protected,
endemic or plant or animal species of special concern within or in close proximity to the construction
areas (tower supports) for the presence of any animal burrows (including spiders and scorpions), rocky
outcrops, logs, stumps and other debris and relocate any affected animals to appropriate habitat away
from the servitude or tower.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Responsible
Party(ies)
Contractor and
ECO.
Contractor
Contractor/ECO
26
Construction Phase
Environmental
Consideration
Mitigation Measures












Social






Protected trees within the servitude will necessitate that appropriate permits are applied for before these
trees are damaged or removed.
General mitigation measures would include the avoidance of any physical damage to natural vegetation
on the periphery of the proposed servitude and is of particular importance in all riparian areas and areas
of steep slopes.
No construction activity or disturbance to vegetation or habitat is to take place within 50m of a
delineated wetland or riparian zone.
No hunting permitted by Eskom employees or contractors.
All construction areas should be demarcated prior to construction to ensure that the footprint of impacts
are limited.
All alien invasive species on site should be removed and follow up monitoring and removal
programmes should be initiated once construction is completed.
Adhere to the Eskom vegetation management guideline.
The ECO should identify any sensitive species or habitats along the servitude, particularly in relation to
large terrestrial species and notify the faunal specialist of these so that he can advise on how best to
handle these.
The construction of new access roads should be limited.
All vehicle and pedestrian movement should be restricted to the actual construction site and servitude.
Removal of plants should be restricted to only those trees that pose a risk to the power line.
Sensitive alluvial vegetation should be avoided and construction restricted within 50m from the edge of
an endangered habitat.
Roads should be maintained or improved on.
Have a trained first aid person on site.
No squitter camps should be erected near construction camps.
HIV/AIDS awareness training must form part of the induction of staff.
Condoms must be freely available.
Access to construction camps should be security controlled.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Responsible
Party(ies)
Eskom,
Contractor
27
Construction Phase
Environmental
Consideration
Aesthetics
Mitigation Measures






Noise






Heritage Resources





Construction
Materials





Sound housekeeping and waste management measures to be employed.
Location of construction camp to be determined by ECO to minimise visual intrusion.
Construction material to be stored in a neat and safe manner, in designated areas.
Waste should be restricted to storage in specifically designated areas, and removed daily.
Any complaints regarding the appearance of the construction site must be recorded and addressed
promptly.
Ensure that all litter and pollution is cleared from the site (including remaining building rubble).
All machinery to be maintained and fitted with equipment to reduce noise levels.
Laborers to be provided with hearing protection (PPE).
No loud music allowed from the construction camp or anywhere else within the work footprint.
Construction working hours should be limited to 06:00 to 17:00 from Monday to Saturday with no
construction taking place on Sundays.
Placement of infrastructure should avoid potential sites of high archaeological sensitivity such as pans,
rocky ridges and river beds.
Where bedrock is disturbed there should be paleontological monitoring in order to identify any potential
sensitive areas that may be exposed.
Any cultural, archaeological or paleontological sites that are identified during construction should be
reported to SAHRA / Amafa and investigated by a Heritage Resources expert.
On uncovering a possible grave or burial site, it is imperative that construction cease
The grave must be fenced off and SAHRA / Amafa must be notified immediately.
Construction material must be stored under a roof or inside a suitable container.
The construction material must be mixed in designated areas, on impermeable surfaces. The batching
plant must be bonded to prevent storm water entry, and to contain dirty water.
Material must be stored in a safe and neat manner.
Site offices, parking areas for construction vehicles should be confined to disturbed areas.
Mixing of concrete/cement must take place on impermeable surface, or where it is happening on site
on a plastic liner.
All concrete spills must immediately be cleaned up.
Oil spill kits must be available on site.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Responsible
Party(ies)
Contractor;
Contractor and
Eskom
Contractor, Eskom
and ECO.
Contractor and
ECO
28
Construction Phase
Environmental
Consideration
Mitigation Measures
Responsible
Party(ies)

Occupational Health
and Safety
Waste
All projects must be conducted in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of
1993).
 The contact details of the Safety Officer/Representative should be provided to the ECO.
 Safety induction must be expanded to include environmental risks and mitigation measures.
Fire prevention:
 At least two staff of the site contractor should be trained or be proficient in firefighting and prevention,
and at least one staff should be on site at all times.
 Adequate firefighting equipment should be available on site at all times.
 The Contractor must take all the necessary precautions to protect the materials on site and to avoid
fires.
 No waste material may be burnt.
 Designated areas must be provided, where smoking can occur in a controlled environment.
 A firebreak must be put around the construction camp.
 Provide area with relevant warning signage (e.g. no smoking and open fires, fire extinguisher).
 Littering on site and the surrounding areas is prohibited.
 Clearly marked litterbins must be provided on site.
 All bins must be cleaned of litter regularly.
 All general waste will be removed and disposed of at a registered Waste Disposal Site.
 The contractor must install and maintain mobile chemical toilets at work sites if existing facilities are not
available.
 Drip trays must be used under all machinery, including generators and vehicles.

Sanitation
Infrastructure,
Vehicles and Plant
Equipment





Under no conditions may the surrounding areas be used for ablution purposes. Sufficient chemical
toilets to be provided (if no existing facilities are available). Chemical toilets to be placed at strategic
points (with minimal visual impact).
Chemical toilets must be professionally serviced and emptied on a regular basis.
Chemical toilets must be provided at a ratio of at least 1 toilet per 15 employees on site.
The equipment and plant to be used at for the power line construction must be suitable for the application
and prevailing site conditions, of adequate rated capacity, in good working condition, and shall be so
designed and constructed as to cause minimum environmental pollution.
The plant, vehicles and equipment necessary for the operation shall be properly maintained and the
vehicles serviced at the required service intervals to ensure road worthiness.
All vehicles are inspected on a daily basis for roadworthiness.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Contractor
Contractor
Contractor
Contractor
29
Construction Phase
Environmental
Consideration
Mitigation Measures
Responsible
Party(ies)



Stakeholder Liaison
Vegetation
Access to the servitude and construction site must be negotiated with the landowners.
Construction camp establishment on privately owned land must be negotiated with the land owner.
All gates to privately owned land must be closed and/or locked at all times to minimize the disturbance
to the land owner.
 Land owners should be notified when Eskom staff will be active on their property and when that activity
will cease. Any changes to these schedules should be communicated to the land owner.
 An agreement will be drawn up between the Reserve and an Eskom SOC Limited negotiator. The
agreement will provide details regarding consensus that is reached between the Reserve and Eskom
regarding the scheduling of Construction Activities and the implication thereof on the hunting season.
 Vegetation clearing should be:
o Limited to 8m within the working area; and
o Vegetation should only be removed from the minimum required construction and / or working area, within
the servitude.
 The removal of vegetation from the required working area within the servitude, should be done in
accordance with Eskom’s Vegetation Management and Maintenance within Eskom Land, Servitudes and
Rights of Way Standard (240- 70 0172585).
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Eskom
Eskom &
Contractor
30
15.3
Operational Phase
Once construction of the power lines have been completed, the proposed operation is to be
undertaken according to the existing operating procedure and associated procedures for
transmission lines by Eskom. The Responsible Party from Eskom will monitor the activities of
the operational team on site to ensure all mitigatory measures are implemented and to prevent
any additional impacts from occurring. Alien vegetation, as well as indigenous invasive species
such as Dicrostachys cinerea must be controlled and eliminated on a regular ongoing basis
along the cleared working area within the servitude during the operational life of the power
line.
An annual Project Compliance Audit should be undertaken, which should focus on the
adherence to the procedures.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
31
16
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT REGISTER
All environmental aspects as well as environmental impacts that are associated with the Proposed New Golela Substation and two Associated
132kV Turn-In Lines from the existing Mkuze-Pongola 132kV Power Line Project is tabulated below. An environmental aspect is defined as an
“element of an organization’s activities or products or services that can interact with the environment” while an environmental impact is defined
as “any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting form an organization’s environmental aspects”
(ISO314001:2004). The table below considers all Environmental Aspects and Environmental Impacts throughout the Project Lifecycle of the
proposed project.
Table 5: Environmental Aspects and Impacts Register
No.
1.
3
Project
Lifecycle
Phase
Planning and
Design Phase
Environmental Aspect
Environmental Impact
Mitigation Measures
Determining the location of each
tower along the power line route
alignment and substation.
The towers may be placed on or extend
through areas in which heritage and / or
archaeological resources may be found. As
the study area and surrounds have a rich
historical and archaeological history, the
construction of the towers and access roads
may in result in damage to burried and / or
unexposed heritage and / or archaeological
resources.
 Select route within corridor least likely to impact
on heritage sites;
 Appoint heritage specialist at design phase to
assist with identification of sites and placement
of towers; and
 Avoid location of towers on or near heritage
sites.
ISO: International Standards Organisation
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
32
No.
2.
3.
Project
Lifecycle
Phase
Planning and
Design Phase
Planning and
Design Phase
Environmental Aspect
Environmental Impact
Mitigation Measures
Determining the alignment and
location of access roads.
The access roads may be extend through
areas in which heritage and / or
archaeological resources may be found. As
the study area and surrounds have a rich
historical and archaeological history, the
construction of the towers and access roads
may in result in damage to burried and / or
unexposed heritage and / or archaeological
resources.
 Ensure access plan detailing exact access
routes is developed prior construction; and
 Appoint heritage specialist to review proposed
access plan and routes to verify that they do not
pass through or close to heritage sites.
The natural habitat along the entire length of
the access road will be transformed largely
by the removal of vegetation.
 Select the route within corridor that requires
least amount of invasive road construction
works;
 Access plan to be developed prior to the
commencement of construction as a means of
ensuring that only access routes which will
require minimal cutting; and
 Repair existing access routes before
establishing / constructing new access routes.
Determining the alignment and
location of access roads and
substation.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
33
No.
4.
Project
Lifecycle
Phase
Planning and
Design Phase
Environmental Aspect
Determining feasible alternative
power line route corridors and
substation.
Environmental Impact
Mitigation Measures
The positioning of the towers and power
lines in areas where high bird activity has
been recorded will amplify the risk of bird
electrocution and collisions with the
conductors.
 The exact locations of the towers along the
power line route alignment within the corridor
should be determined in consultation with an
appointed Avifauna Specialist;
 An Avifauna Specialist should be advised
regarding the proximity of the power line route
alignment to habituated feeding sites (i.e.
Vulture Restaurants);
 Factors taken into account when selecting the
tower design must include the risk of
electrocution of birds posed by each tower
design;
 It is recommended that reflectors with LED
lights should also be used particularly near nest
sites and on the western and eastern routes
that lie in relatively close proximity to water;
 Appoint an avifauna specialist to provide
recommendations regarding the placement of
Bird diverters; and
 For the northern route, pylons should preferably
be positioned so as to alternate with those of
the existing power line (i.e. out-of-step) and not
be placed opposite one another (in-step). This
mitigation will increase the visibility of both sets
of power lines to flying large raptors and the
birds may then be in a better position to take
timely collision avoidance action; and
 Where the possibility or risk of a 'flash-over'
might occur it is essential that additional
mitigation measures that would increase the
visibility of the power line be instituted should
towers be placed.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
34
No.
Project
Lifecycle
Phase
Environmental Aspect
Environmental Impact
Planning and
Design Phase
Determining feasible alternative
power line route corridors and
substation.
The routing of the power line through areas
which are known as suceptable to
electrocution or collision, will increase the
possibility of death and / or injury of birds by
electrocution and / or collisions with the
power line.
6.
Planning and
Design Phase
Determining the location of each
tower along the power line route
alignment and substation.
As the working area and footprint of the
tower cannot be utilised for any other use
whilst the tower structure remains, the
possibility of utilising the land for agricultural
purposes will be lost.
7.
Planning and
Design Phase
Determining feasible alternative
power line route corridors and
substation.
The visibility of the power line may give rise
to a visual disturbance on tourism route /
operations and residential homes.
5.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Mitigation Measures
 Ensure tower design and type is best for
preventing the electrocution of birds and
discourages the roosting of birds on the
structures;
 It must be ensured that suitable bird repelling
structures, such as bird guards are considered
in the design; and
 Ensure that the cross arms of the tower
structures in areas of heavy bird activity (such
as wetlands and vulture nesting grounds and
vulture restaurants) are all fitted with antiroosting spikes.
 Where possible the placement of towers within
crop lands must be avoided; and
 The construction footprint must be confined to
the smallest require area, not exceeding a
width of 16 meters.
 Where possible avoid placing towers in the
view of sight from front of homesteads, lodges;
 Keep towers below escarpments or hills to
ensure visual obscuring. In the case of the
northern corridor tower spacing should match
existing line;
 The placement of towers in static view areas,
where the relationship between the proposed
power line and the landscape remains
unchanged should be avoided. Examples of
static views includes views from a farmhouse,
lodge and homestead; and
 Provided that Environmental Authorisation is
granted for the Northern Corridor, the new
towers should be placed adjacent to the
existing towers to reduce and confine the visual
impact to the disturbed area.
35
No.
8.
9.
Project
Lifecycle
Phase
Planning and
Design Phase
Planning and
Design Phase
Environmental Aspect
Environmental Impact
Determining feasible alternative
power line route corridors and
substation.
All indigenous vegetation as well as
endangered / protected species within the
selected corridor and construction footprint
will be cleared thereby resulting in:
 Loss of species of conservation
importance;
 Habitat loss and degradation; and
 Habitat fragmentation and
transformation.
Determining feasible alternative
power line route corridors and
substation.
The power line extending through a
conservation, ecological sensitivity and / or
protected area will negatively impact on the
pristineness of the area and introduce
adverse environmental impacts such as the
loss of vegetation within the working area.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Mitigation Measures
 Select corridor and route least likely to impact
on indigenous vegetation;
 Where possible locate towers and alignment in
areas of least dense indigenous bush and tree
cover to minimise the amount of bush clearing
required;
 Also attempt to select a route where minimal
bush clearing is required for the purposes of
access;
 Where possible locate towers and alignment in
areas identified as consisting of species typical
and numerous in the area. Make use of
specialist during alignment and identification of
access routes to achieve this;
 Select corridor and route least likely to require
habitat transformation though excessive bush
clearing or platform cutting (soil disturbance);
 Where possible towers along the power line
route alignment should be placed in areas
where the habitat has been transformed and /
or disturbed; and
 Use specialist to identify rare and endangered
species and to assist in aligning power line and
placement of towers within corridor to reduce
potential for impact on rare endangered
species.
 Select corridor and route least likely to
introduce new impact in previously nonimpacted conservation areas;
 If possible, the selected power line corridor
route should bypass / avoid any a conservation,
ecological sensitivity and / or protected areas;
and
 Where the selected power line corridor route
cannot bypass / avoid any a conservation,
36
No.
Project
Lifecycle
Phase
Environmental Aspect
Determining feasible alternative
power line route corridors and
substation.
Conducting
the
Basic
Assessment Process for the
proposed project as part of the
Environmental
Authorisation
Process.
Environmental Impact
Introduction of a non-compatible land use
into an area due to inappropriate alignment
of the power line.
10.
Construction
Phase
11.
Construction
Phase
12.
Construction
Phase
Excavation
foundations.
13.
Construction
Phase
The movement of construction
vehicles
and
construction
activities may disrupt breeding
activities and alter the specific
conditions for breeding within the
area.
Disturbance of breeding activities of local
birds.
14.
Construction
Phase
Construction of towers within
croplands.
Vegetation clearing surrounding towers will
result in the loss of crops within the
construction footprint.
of
the
pylon
Strengthening of the grid will ensure
uninterrupted electricity supply in Northern
Zululand.
Damage to or destruction of archaeological
and heritage sites as a result of construction
activities.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Mitigation Measures
ecological sensitivity and / or protected areas
the working area and extent of the power line
must be confined to the absolute minimum
area.
Select corridor and route within corridor least likely
to introduce new incompatible land use into new
areas.
The new 132kV power line must be constructed to
strengthen the grid of the region and to ensure the
success and efficiency of all the other grid
strengthening activities that are being planned in
the region.
 Ensure all identified sites are clearly
demarcated prior to construction and that all
persons on site are sensitised to the issue and
the significance;
 Stop work if new archaeological or heritage site
exposed during construction; and
 Notify the provincial heritage authority of the
discovery of any exposed archaeological or
heritage site.
 Identify areas where known nesting grounds
are located and avoid taking access roads near
these areas;
 Ensure that the Environmental Awareness
Training provided to the employees address the
required measures to prevent disturbance of
the breeding activities of birds;
 Ensure all construction remains in minimal
working area; and
 Ensure access roads clearly marked and
adhered to at all times.
 Negotiate access to agricultural lands with
landowner;
37
No.
Project
Lifecycle
Phase
Environmental Aspect
Environmental Impact
Mitigation Measures
15.
Construction
Phase
Construction of power line and
substation.
The visibility of the construction of the power
line may give rise to a visual disturbance on
tourism route / operations and residential
homes.
16.
Construction
Phase
Construction
activities
undertaken during the hunting
season and in close proximity to
hunting concession game farms.
Disturbance to hunting activities on hunting
concession game farms.
17.
Construction
Phase
Employment of local labour for
the duration of Construction
Phase.
Creation of
construction.
18.
Construction
Phase
Clearing all vegetation within the
construction footprint.
temporary
jobs
during
Loss of rare and endangered species due to
bush clearing and access activities.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
 Ensure that all construction activities remains
within the minimum required working area; and
 Ensure access roads clearly marked and all
vehicle movement is restricted to the
demarcated access roads.
 Design and time construction activities in
association with landowners to minimise the
interference effects; and
 Landowners can arrange tourism activities to
avoid construction area for duration of contract.
 Design and time construction activities in
association with landowners to minimise the
interference effects; and
 Landowners can arrange hunting activities to
avoid construction area for duration of contract
or can arrange with contractor to work
elsewhere while hunters are on the property i.e.
an operation plan to minimise impacts on the
hunting season between May and October can
be developed to suit landowner and contractor.
Contractor to employ as many local labourers as is
feasibly possible.
 Prior to the commencement of the Construction
Phase an ECO should carry out a survey of the
final route alignment to determine / identify
specific sites along the route alignment where
vegetation species of conservation importance
(Red List and protected) are found;
 Prior to commencement of the Construction
Phase, permits to remove all protected species
within the route alignment must be applied for
and obtained from the relevant national and/or
provincial authority; and
38
No.
Project
Lifecycle
Phase
Environmental Aspect
Environmental Impact
19.
Construction
Phase
Clearing of all vegetation within
the construction footprint.
Loss of indigenous vegetation due to bush
clearing and access activities
20.
Construction
Phase
Selected alternative power line
route corridors may extend
through or within close proximity
to the extent of the riparian area.
Placing the towers within the riparian area
will alter the characteristics of the associated
watercourses and require the removal of
riparian vegetation.
21.
Construction
Phase
Movement
of
construction
vehicles
outside
of
the
demarcated access roads.
Uncontrolled vehicle access can result in
unnecessary loss of indigenous and riparian
vegetation.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Mitigation Measures
 The relevant national / provincial authority must
be consulted to determine any specific
requirements which the authority may have and
authorisations / permits required for the
management of all species along the power line
route which have been categorised by the
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Near
Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered or
Critically Endangered species.
 Ensure competent bush clearer appointed to
clear alignments;
 Ensure only required clearing is undertaken;
and
 Ensure area to be cleared is properly and
clearly demarcated.
 Bush clearing through riparian areas must be
kept to a minimum and must permit access on
foot only i.e. clearance of a narrow strip only
and selective trimming for the purposes of
maintaining electrical clearances;
 Ensure all wetlands and streams along the
power line route are identified;
 Access routes, laydown area, drum stations
etc. will not be permitted within the buffer zones
of any wetland; and
 The stockpiling of soil, topsoil or any other
material will not be permitted within the
watercourse, riparian area or within the 1:100
year flood line, so as to prevent the impediment
of surface water flow.
 Ensure access routes are planned, clearly
demarcated and suitable for the vehicles that
will be using them;
 Ensure drivers are sensitised and disciplined to
the issue; and
39
No.
Project
Lifecycle
Phase
Environmental Aspect
22.
Construction
Phase
Clearing of natural vegetation
may create conditions conducive
to the establishment and
colonisation of exotic and/or
declared CARA Category 1, 2
and Category 3 invader plants.
23.
Construction
Phase
Clearing of all vegetation within
the construction footprint.
Environmental Impact
Establishment of exotic and / or declared
Category 1, 2 and Category 3 invader
species.
The bare ground will be prone to erosion as
a result of the vegetation clearing. Increased
velocity of runoff across bare soil surface
may result in soil erosion.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Mitigation Measures
 Vehicle access through riparian or wetland
system should as far as possible be limited to
pre-existing formal access routes.
Alien vegetation, as well as indigenous invasive
species such as Dicrostachys cinerea must be
controlled and eliminated on a regular ongoing
basis along the cleared working area within the
servitude during the operational life of the power
line.
 Bush clearing may only occur through cutting or
trimming;
 Breaking the soil through scalping or ploughing,
except where the de-stumping of trees are
necessary, should be avoided;
 Suitable
erosion
measures
must
be
implemented in areas prone to erosion and
should include:
o Vegetation clearance within the working
area should be undertaken within and
restricted to an 8m vegetation clearance
path;
o Remove vegetation only as it becomes
necessary for work to proceed;
 Prevent the unnecessary removal of
vegetation;
 De-stumping of trees on stream and river banks
will not be permitted;
 The site should be graded to ensure the free
flow of run-off and to preventing the ponding of
water; and
 Drainage must be controlled to ensure that
runoff from the site will not culminate in off-site
pollution or cause water damage to surrounding
properties.
40
No.
Project
Lifecycle
Phase
Environmental Aspect
within
during
Environmental Impact
Mitigation Measures
24.
Construction
Phase
Removal of topsoil
construction footprint
excavations.
25.
Construction
Phase
Movement
of
construction
vehicles across cleared areas.
Hardening and compaction of soil can
prevent the revegetation of an area and
promote erosion.
26.
Construction
Phase
Clearing of all vegetation within
the construction footprint.
Construction
fragmentation
construction.
27.
Construction
Phase
The operation of equipment and
implementation of construction
activities which generate noise.
Increased ambient noise levels.
Vegetation removal can result in the loss of
topsoil.
activities
will
of
habitats
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
cause
during
 Bush clearing may only occur through cutting or
trimming;
 No scalping or ploughing will be permitted; and
 Topsoil removed from foundation sites or drum
stations must be removed and stored for
rehabilitation and protected from erosion during
storage.
All hardened surfaces will be ripped during the
rehabilitation phase to assist with rapid vegetation
re-establishment.
 Vegetation clearing must be limited by
minimising clearance wherever possible; and
 The movement of all construction vehicles must
be confined to demarcated access roads.
 All machinery to be maintained and fitted with
equipment to reduce noise levels;
 Operations should occur during acceptable
working hours;
 All noise complaints shall be recorded,
investigated and rectified immediately;
 Unless agreed to by the particular landowner,
construction camps and batching plants must
be sited outside of conservation / game farms /
nature reserve areas;
 During hunting season, negotiations to keep
hunting concessions away from work areas will
be required; and
 Contractor employees to be sensitised to
requirement to keep all noise to a minimum.
41
No.
Project
Lifecycle
Phase
Environmental Aspect
Environmental Impact
Mitigation Measures

28.
Construction
Phase
Vehicle
and
construction
equipment activity.
Exhaust emissions from construction
vehicles and equipment as well as the dust
generated by the movement of vehicles
across bare soil surfaces thereby adversely
impacting on the ambient air quality.




29.
Construction
Phase
Movement of vehicles through
dry grassland and workers
starting open uncontrolled fires.
Damage to receiving environment (e.g. loss
of vegetation, injury to fauna) caused by
fires.


30.
Construction
Phase
Movement
of
construction
vehicles to and from the Site
Camp and construction area.
Construction will result in increased traffic
flow in specific routes in the region which
may impact on other users.
31.
Construction
Phase
Movement
of
construction
vehicles to and from the Site
Camp and construction area.
Deterioration of public and private roads due
to passage of construction vehicles.
32.
Construction
Phase
Storage and use of hazardous
substances.
Spillage of hazardous substances into the
natural environment
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Where sensitive environments are identified or
complaints received, dust suppression must be
implemented;
Vehicle speeds must be limited to slow speeds
(less than 30 km/h) on gravel roads and track;
and
Dust complaints must be recorded, investigated
and addressed immediately.
No open fires will be permitted on site;
Smoking may only occur during controlled
breaks at a designated smoking area with
appropriate fire protection facilities;
Long grass to be trimmed or flattened along
access routes; and
Contractor to join the local fire protection
association.
Construction vehicle drivers must be considerate to
all other road users at all times.
The frequency and number of trips taken by
construction vehicles on public roads to and from
the Site Camp and construction area should be
kept as low as possible.
 All vehicles and equipment must be in good
working order;
 Equipment/ vehicles with permanent leaks
must be removed from site;
 Drip trays must be available with all vehicles
and all areas where hazardous substances are
being used;
 Hydro-carbons should be stored in a bunded
storage area;
 All hazardous materials inter alia paints,
turpentine and thinners must be stored
42
No.
Project
Lifecycle
Phase
Environmental Aspect
Environmental Impact
Mitigation Measures



ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
appropriately to prevent these contaminants
from entering the environment;
Spill-sorb or similar type product must be used
to absorb hydrocarbon spills in the event that
such spills should occur;
Precautionary measures specific to the
storage, handling and transport of hazardous
materials
must
be
formulated
and
implemented; and
In the event of an event resulting in the pollution
of surface / groundwater resources the
Department of Water and Sanitation must be
contacted.
43
No.
Project
Lifecycle
Phase
Environmental Aspect
Environmental Impact
Mitigation Measures

33.
Construction
Phase
34.
Construction
Phase
35.
Operational
Phase
Poor waste management.
Conducting
the
Basic
Assessment Process for the
proposed project as part of the
Environmental
Authorisation
Process.
Conductor failure or flash overs
caused by bird streamers and / or
lightning strikes.
Pollution of receiving environment.
Strengthening of the grid will ensure
uninterrupted electricity supply in Northern
Zululand.
Ignition of veld due to conductor failure or
flash overs
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
An integrated waste management plan must be
compiled during site establishment and must be
implemented continuously throughout the
construction phase;
 Demarcated areas where waste can be safely
contained and stored on a temporary basis
during the construction phase should be
provided at the hard park;
 When adequate volumes (not more than
1 month) have accumulated all waste is to be
removed from site and disposed of at a licensed
facility;
 Waste may not to be buried on site;
 Hydro-carbons should be stored in a bunded
storage area;
 All hazardous materials inter alia paints,
turpentine and thinners must be stored
appropriately to prevent these contaminants
from entering the environment;
 Spill-sorb or similar type product must be used
to absorb hydrocarbon spills in the event that
such spills should occur; and
 Chemical toilets and / or any effluent treatment
facilities may not be placed within the 1:100
year flood line and should be regularly emptied
by a professional service provider.
The new 132kV power line must be constructed to
strengthen the grid of the region and to ensure the
success and efficiency of all the other grid
strengthening activities that are being planned in
the region.
Regular line inspections to ensure the integrity of
the line.
44
No.
Project
Lifecycle
Phase
Environmental Aspect
Environmental Impact
Mitigation Measures


36.
Operational
Phase
Avifauna collisions with power
lines.
Electrocution of avifauna and collisions with
the conductor





37.
Operational
Phase
Overgrown servitude.
Overgrown servitude and
electrical clearance problems
associated


38.
Operational
Phase
Poor maintenance of access
tracks.
Poor maintenance of access tracks results in
erosion of these tracks.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING

Ensure that all bird diversion structures
recommended by the specialist remain in
working order at all times;
Bird diverter and bird guard placement may
improve the electrocution and collision
percentage;
Use an alternative tower configuration with
proven reduced risk of bird electrocution, or
Amend the design of the delta configuration to
allow for a greater distance between
conductors and therefore reduced risk of
electrocution; and/or
Will include bird diversion mitigation to the
selected tower configuration to discourage
roosting on the towers.
Eskom to ensure that the vegetation clearance
and line maintenance occurs as per Eskom
Policies;
The width of the power-line corridor where
vegetation is actively maintained during the
operational phase must be kept at an absolute
minimum that permits safe operation of the
power line, as per Eskom’s Vegetation
Management and Maintenance within Eskom
Land, Servitudes and Rights of Way Standard
(240-70172585); and
Ensure that as much natural vegetation as
possible is retained within the corridor once the
servitude is cleared to ensure visual screening.
Movement of vehicles must be confined to
established access tracks; and
Suitable erosion management measures as per
Eskom’s maintenance programme should be
implemented.
45
No.
Project
Lifecycle
Phase
Environmental Aspect
39.
Operational
Phase
Poor management on Eskom
servitude gates.
40.
Operational
Phase
Electrical faulting.
Environmental Impact
Poor lock management on Eskom servitude
gates exposes landowners to illegal
trespassers and provides access to
criminals and creates a poaching risk.
Faulting causing loss of stable electricity
supply i.e. outages which impacts negatively
on businesses hospitals, schools etc.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
Mitigation Measures
Eskom to ensure that the access maintenance
occurs as per Eskom Policies.
The implementation of the proposed project will
contribute to ensuring a stable supply of electricity.
46
17
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
The organisational structure identifies and defines the responsibilities and authority of the
various role-players (individuals and organisations) involved in the project. All instructions and
official communications regarding environmental matters shall follow the organisational
structure.
The organisational structure reflected has been developed to ensure that;
 There are clear channels of communication;
 There is an explicit organisational hierarchy for the integration project; and
 Potential conflicting or contradictory instructions are avoided.
In terms of the defined organisational structure reflected in the figure, all instructions that relate
to environmental matters will be communicated to the Contractor via the Site supervisor. The
only exception to this rule would be in an emergency (defined as a situation requiring
immediate action and where failure to intervene timeously would, in the reasonable opinion of
the ECO, result in unacceptable environmental degradation), where instructions may be given
directly to the Contractor .The detailed roles and responsibilities of the various role-players
identified in the organisational structure are outlined in Section 11.
18
ENVIRONMENTAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As is evident from Figure 5, the key-role-players for the integration project are the DEA, Eskom
(including the Environmental Control Officer) and the Contractor. The detailed roles and
responsibilities of each of these organisations are outlined below.
18.1
Department of Environmental Affairs
As the competent environmental authority, the DEA has the responsibility to ensure that the
proponent, viz. the Eskom, complies with the conditions of the Environmental Authorisation
for the FFP project (once received) as well as the requirements of the broader environmental
legislation, specifically the NEMA - National Environmental Management Act (No. 107 of
1998). Compliance would be confirmed via the following mechanisms:
 Receipt and review of the environmental reporting required in terms of the EA; and
 Ad hoc and planned site inspection by the DEA Compliance and Enforcement
18.2
Eskom
As the Proponent, Eskom must ensure that the implementation of all components of the Solar
Park project comply with the requirements of the DEA Environmental Authorisation (once
received), this EMPr, as well as any obligations emanating from other relevant environmental
legislation. Although part of this obligation is being met by the development of the EMPr, and
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
47
its integration into the contract documentation, and the appointment of the ECO, the Eskom
cannot delegate out of this responsibility. Accordingly, Eskom retains various key roles and
responsibilities during the decommissioning of the components of the Solar Park project and
associated infrastructure. These are outlined below.
Eskom, as an organisation must ensure that adequate funding is made available for the
implementation and monitoring of the environmental controls emanating out of the Basic
Assessment, Environmental Authorisation (once received), EMPr and applicable
environmental legislation. This would include the appointment of the ECO as this is an explicit
requirement of the EMPr. It should be noted that the ECO can be an existing environmental
employee, for example the Environmental Manager.
The Eskom Project Manager must:
 Be fully conversant with the BA reporting for the project, the conditions of the Environmental
Authorisation (once received), the EMPr and all relevant environmental legislation.
 Ensure that all the specifications and, legal constraints pertaining to the project, specifically
with regards to environment management, are highlighted to the Eskom and its
Contractor(s) so that they are aware of these; and
 Ensure that the environmental specifications are correctly implemented throughout the
project by means of site inspections and meetings. This will be documented as part of the
site meeting minutes.
Eskom’s Representative (≈ Eskom’s Construction Manager) must:
 Be fully knowledgeable with the contents of the BA Reporting;
 Be fully knowledgeable with the contents and conditions of the Environmental
Authorisation;
 Be fully knowledgeable with the contents of the EMPr, specifically as articulated into the
environmental specifications attached to each Contract;
 Be fully knowledgeable with the contents of all relevant environmental legislation and
ensure compliance with these;
 Have overall responsibility of the environmental specifications and their proper
implementation;
 Ensure that regular audits are conducted to confirm compliance with the environmental
specifications;
 Ensure there is communication with the Eskom Project Manager or his delegate, the ECO
and the relevant Site Engineers on matters concerning the environment; and
 Ensure that no actions are taken which will harm or may indirectly cause harm to the
environment, and take steps to prevent pollution on the site.
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
48
18.3
Environmental Control Officer
The Eskom must appoint a suitable qualified ECO to monitor compliance with this EMPr,
environmental legislation and the Environmental Authorisation (once received). To fulfil these
requirements, the ECO would need to have relevant on site experience. It should be noted,
unless otherwise stated in the Environmental Authorisation, the ECO could be a Eskom
employee, as long as they have the requisite environmental training and experience.
The ECO will be responsible for monitoring, reviewing and verifying compliance by the
Contractor with the environmental specification. Accordingly, the ECO would be required to:

Be fully knowledgeable with the contents of the BA Reporting;

Be fully knowledgeable with the contents and conditions of the Environmental
Authorisation;

Be fully knowledgeable with the contents of the EMPr, specifically as articulated into the
environmental specifications attached to each Contract;

Be fully knowledgeable with the contents of all relevant environmental legislation and
ensure compliance with these;

Ensure that compliance with the conditions of the Environmental Authorisation and
environmental specification are monitored and verified through regular and
comprehensive inspections of the site and surrounding areas, and that the results of
these inspections are reduced to writing;

Ensure that if the environmental specifications are not followed then appropriate
measures are undertaken to address this; and

Report to the DEA every three months regarding compliance with the requirements of
the EMPr, environmental legislation and the Environmental Authorisation (once
received);
In meeting the aforementioned obligations, the ECO's specific duties would include the
following:
 Assisting the Eskom Project Manager in ensuring necessary environmental authorizations
and permits have been obtained;
 Confirming that activities on site comply with legislation;
 Monitoring and verifying that the conditions of the Environmental Authorisation and
environmental specifications are adhered to at all times and requiring the Contractor to take
action if these are not followed;
 Monitoring and verifying that environmental impacts are kept to a minimum;
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
49
 Giving a report back on the environmental issues at the monthly site meetings and other
meetings that may be called regarding environmental matters;
 Inspecting the site and surrounding areas regularly with regard to compliance with the
environmental specifications;
 Ensuring that a register of complaints is kept by the Contractor and that all complaints are
appropriately recorded and addressed;
 Assisting the Engineer in certifying payment for items related to the environmental
specification;
 Approving any method statement required by the contractor;
 Recommending the issuing of penalties for contraventions of the environmental
specifications;
 Advising on the removal of person(s) and/or equipment, not complying with the
specifications, from site;
 Completing the requisite environmental reporting, which should include a daily site diary
entry, weekly audit checklists, a bi-monthly (viz. every second month) environmental
compliance report;
 Keeping a photographic record of progress on Site from an environmental perspective; and
 Undertaking project and contractors audits.
As outlined previously, all instruction issued by the ECO would go through the Engineer’s
Representative, who will then convey these to the Contractor.
18.4
Contractors
By virtue of the environmental obligations delegate to the Contractor through the Contract
Document, all contractors (including subcontractors and staff) and service providers appointed
for this component of the Solar Park project would be responsible for:
 Ensuring adherence to the environmental specifications;
 Ensuring that any instructions issued by the Engineer, on the advice of the ECO, are
adhered to;
 Ensuring that there must be communication tabled in the form of a report at each site
meeting, which will document all incidents that have occurred during the period before the
site meeting;
 Ensuring that a register is kept in the site office, which lists all the transgressions issued by
the ECO; and
 Undertaking subcontractor’s audits.
Ensure that all employees, including those of sub-contractors receive training before the
commencement of construction in order that they can constructively contribute towards the
successful implementation of the environmental requirements of the Contract.
The most important actions by the Contractor to ensure compliance with the environmental
requirements, relates to the establishment of an adequate and appropriate organisational
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
50
structure for ensuring the implementation and monitoring of the requisite environmental
controls.
The EO's specific duties relate to the implementation of the environmental controls contained
within the EMPr, and which are audited by the ECO. Accordingly, the EO’s duties include:
 Ensuring that activities on site comply with legislation;
 Monitoring and verifying that the environmental specifications are adhered to at all times
and taking action if the specifications are not followed;
 In consultation with the engineers, develop any method statements required in this EMPr;
 Monitoring and verifying that environmental impacts are kept to a minimum and taking
action to address any environmental degradation;
 Proactively developing environmentally responsible solutions to problems, in consultation
with the EO where necessary;
 Giving a report back on the environmental issues at the monthly site meetings and other
meetings that may be called regarding environmental matters;
 Keeping records of all activities / incidents concerning the environment on site;
 Inspecting the Site and surrounding areas regularly with regard to compliance with the
environmental specifications;
 Maintaining a register of complaints, ensuring that all complaints are appropriately recorded
and addressed and notifying the ECO of each complaint and how it was resolved;
 Completing the requisite environmental reporting, namely a daily compliance checklist, a
record of staff induction and incidence reports, for submission to the ECO;
 Keeping a photographic record of progress on Site from an environmental perspective; and
 Undertaking subcontractor audits.
19
TRAINING
 The ECO shall be appropriately trained in environmental management and shall possess
the skills necessary to impart environmental management skills to all personnel involved in
the construction, of the proposed construction of the 132kV power lines;
 Eskom, together with the Environmental and Safety Manager and the ECO, shall ensure
that the employees (including construction workers, engineers, and long-term employees)
are adequately trained on the EMPr; and
 All employees shall have an induction presentation on environmental awareness. The cost,
venue and logistics shall be for Eskom’s account.
Where possible, training must be conducted in the language of the employees. The induction
and training shall, as a minimum, include the following:
 The importance of conformance with the EMPr, other environmental policies and
procedures;
 The significant environmental impacts, actual or potential, related to their work activities;
 The environmental benefits of improved personal performance;
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
51
 Their roles and responsibilities in achieving conformance with the EMPr and other
environmental policies and procedures;
 The potential consequences of departure from specified operating procedures; and
 The mitigation measures required to be implemented when carrying out their work activities.
20
PROJECT COMPLIANCE REPORTING
Regular monitoring of all the environmental management measures and components shall be
carried out by the Eskom and ECO to ensure that the provisions of this plan are adhered to.
Ongoing and regular reporting of the progress of implementation of this Programme should be
done. Various points of compliance will be identified with regard to the various impacts that
the construction will have on the environment.
Inspections and monitoring shall be carried out the implementation of the plan. Visual
inspections on erosion and physical pollution shall be carried out on a regular basis.
21
REPORTING PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION
Record keeping and monitoring of documentation is a vital part of compliance with the
environmental management system, record-keeping procedures for the 132 kV power line
construction has to be in order.
Accurate records must be kept of all waste exiting the construction site. Waste must be
categorised by the number of loads, defined by mass, type and origin. Records must be kept
on both a daily and a cumulative basis. One or a combination of the following systems could
be used for record keeping:
 An electronic, totally computerised, mass measuring device providing detailed records of
daily, weekly and monthly transactions. This system should be used with the proposed
weighbridge and computer system; and
 A mass measuring unit with hand capturing of data for manual or computerised collation.
This would also be used as backup when the computer is out of action.
Details of waste category, quantities and origin will be obtained and recorded for all wastes
accepted by the Contractor’s access controller. A daily summary of the wastes accepted must
be recorded by the Contractor in the Daily Diary in the Contractor’s site office.
22
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTACT PERSON
Information to be provided subsequent to the granting of Environmental Authorisation.
23
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
 Police:
10111
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
52





Ambulance
Netcare 911
ER24
Emergency
Crimestop
10177
082 911
084 124
107
08600 10 111
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING (PTY) LTD
Sharon Meyer Douglas
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING
ZITHOLELE CONSULTING