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Environmental Management Plan
DUVHA MINE WATER RECOVERY PROJECT AT
DUVHA POWER STATION, MPUMALANGA
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
PREPARED FOR:
Eskom Generation Group
P. O. Box 1091
Johannesburg
2157
Eskom purchase order number: 4500025763
Tel: (011) 800-2465
Fax: (011) 800-3917
E-mail: john.geeringh@eskom.co.za
COMPILED BY:
P D Naidoo & Associates / GFJ
P O Box 7707
Johannesburg
7000
Strategic Environmental Focus (Pty) Ltd
P O Box 74785
Lynnwood Ridge
0040
Tel: (011) 877-0000
Fax: (011) 482-4717
E-mail: admin@pdna.co.za
Website: www.pdna.co.za
Tel: (012) 349-1307
Fax: (012) 349-1229
E-mail: sef@sefsa.co.za
Website: www.sefsa.co.za
DATE: NOVEMBER 2003
SEF Ref. No. 0413
DEAT reference no: A 24/16/3/462
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Environmental Management Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
Background ................................................................................................................... 3
1.1.
Phases of the project ..............................................................................................3
1.2.
The Environmental Control Officer ..........................................................................3
1.2.1. Liaison with Authorities........................................................................................4
1.2.2. Liaison with Contractors ......................................................................................4
1.2.3. Environmental Liaison Officer (ELO) ...................................................................4
1.2.4. Routine Monitoring ..............................................................................................4
2. Environmental Management Plan ................................................................................ 5
3. Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 12
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1.
Environmental Management Plan
Background
Eskom Transmission Group appointed Strategic Environmental Focus (SEF) on behalf of
Eskom Generation Group as environmental impact assessment practitioners to undertake an
environmental scoping exercise in terms of the environmental impact assessment regulations,
for the construction of a pipeline from Driefontein Dam to the Duvha power station. This
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is designed to address the environmental impacts
identified in the scoping report. Eskom and the contractor can use the EMP on site as a standalone document during the construction and operational phases of the development.
The EMP is meant to address potential problems pro-actively before they occur. This will limit
unnecessary damage to the environment and corrective measures needed during construction
and operation. Additional mitigation should be undertaken throughout the project’s life cycle as
necessary.
1.1.
Phases of the project
This EMP addresses the following phases of the development:
a)
The Planning Phase
The planning phase is the ideal opportunity to incorporate pro-active measures to ensure that
environmental impacts are avoided and mitigated from the outset. Proper planning during this
phase can ensure that the likelihood of certain impacts taking place is minimised.
b)
The Construction Phase
The bulk of the impacts during this phase will have immediate effect (e.g. noise-, dust- and
water pollution). If the site is monitored on a continual basis during the construction phase, it
is possible to identify these impacts as they occur. These impacts will then be mitigated
through the contingency plans identified in the planning phase, together with a commitment to
sound environmental management from the developer.
c)
The Operational Phase
Impacts during the operational phase of a development of this nature, will be few in number
and low in intensity. By taking pro-active measures during the construction phase, potential
environmental impacts emanating during the operational phase will be minimised. Monitoring
of certain issues such as the success of vegetation re-establishment and erosion control will
be required to continue during operation.
1.2.
The Environmental Control Officer
It is recommended that an independent Environmental Control Officer (ECO) be appointed by
the Developer to oversee all the environmental aspects relating to this development. The
ECO should be appointed during the planning phase and form part of the project team.
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Environmental Management Plan
He/she should attend relevant project meetings, conduct inspections to assess compliance
with the EMP and be responsible for providing feedback on potential environmental problems
associated with the development. In addition, the ECO would be responsible for:

liaison with relevant authorities;

liaison with contractors regarding environmental management; and

undertaking routine monitoring and appointing a competent person/institution to be
responsible for specialist monitoring, if necessary.
1.2.1.
Liaison with Authorities
The ECO would be responsible for liasing with the Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture
Conservation and Environment (MDACE). Due to the short time span of the
construction phase, it is not considered necessary to submit monthly environmental
monitoring reports on the development to DEAT and MDACE, but rather a single
monitoring report at the end of construction. This report should be based on
compliance with the mitigating measures in the EMP and should include a description
of the general state of the site, with specific reference to sensitive areas and areas of
non-compliance. In order to keep a record of any unexpected impacts, an incidents
and accidents log (refer to Appendix 1) should be maintained. Records of incidents
should be sent to the authorities immediately after the incident has been recorded.
1.2.2.
Liaison with Contractors
The ECO will be responsible for informing the contractors of any decisions that are
taken concerning environmental management during the construction phase. This
would also include informing the contractors of the necessary corrective actions to be
taken.
1.2.3.
Environmental Liaison Officer (ELO)
The contractor must appoint an Environmental Liaison Officer (ELO) to assist with the
more regular monitoring of the construction activities. Any issues raised by the ECO
will be routed to the ELO for the contractors’ attention. The ELO shall be permanently
on site to ensure daily environmental compliance with the EMP and would ideally also
be a senior and respected member of the construction crew. Past experience has
revealed that ELO’s that can relate to the work force are the most effective for
information transfer and ensuring compliance with the EMP.
1.2.4.
Routine Monitoring
Routine monitoring will be necessary during the construction (monthly) and
operational phases of this development. The ECO will be responsible for monitoring
during construction, which will entail auditing environmental performance against the
mitigatory actions recommended in this report. Monitoring during the operational
phase should be done by Eskom once a year for a period of two years.
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2.
Environmental Management Plan
Environmental Management Plan
The following table forms the core of this EMP for the construction and operational phases of
this development. This table should be used as a checklist on site, especially during the
construction phase. Compliance with this EMP must be audited monthly during the
construction phase and once immediately following completion of construction. This must be
followed up with annual audits for a period of two years during the operational phase.
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Environmental management plan
Table 1. Environmental management plan for the proposed Duvha Mine Water Recovery project
Phase of
Development
Activity
Action
Responsible Party
Frequency of Action
This EMP must be made binding on the contractor and should be included in
tender documentation for the construction contract.
Developer, ECO
Once off
Eskom must appoint an independent Environmental Control Officer (ECO)
who must monitor the contractor’s compliance with the environmental
management plan.
Developer
Once off
The contractor must make use of local labour where possible in order to
stimulate the local economy.
Contractor
Once off
The contractor must appoint one of his employees to act as an Environmental
Liaison Officer. This person will be required to monitor the situation with a
direct hands-on approach.
Contractor
Once off
The contractor must establish a construction camp in an area as agreed with
the ECO. The site for the construction camp must not be in an environmentaly
sensitive area such as in close proximity to a watercourse, on a steep slope or
on erosive soils. The area must be properly demarcated prior to establishment
to prevent the construction camp from being unnecessarily large. The camp
must be properly fenced. The ELO must liaise with surrounding communities
(e.g. Lesedi) to ensure that the construction camp is not located in an area
where it will cause a nuisance to the community.
ECO, Contractor
Once off
The working width of the construction area must be clearly demarcated by the
installation of coloured pegs prior to construction. Particularly sensitive areas
(e.g. wetlands or drainage lines) must be demarcated with danger tape.
ECO, Contractor
Once off, monitor weekly
The lateral spread of the construction must be monitored on a weekly basis.
ECO, ELO,
Contractor
Monitor monthly
ELO will also be required to monitor unauthorised movement of construction
crew.
ELO, Contractor
Once off, monitor daily
The developer should provide dustbins to be used during site preparation and
surveying.
Developer
Once off, monthly
Planning
Putting the
construction out on
tender
Construction
Recruitment of labour
Site establishment
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Phase of
Development
Activity
General: waste
General:
noisy activities
General: activities
that can cause dust
Action
Environmental management plan
Responsible Party
Frequency of Action
To prevent excessive disturbance of natural vegetation, the contractor should
use existing disturbed or paved areas wherever possible.
Contractor, ECO
Once off, monitor weekly
To prevent the deterioration of surface water quality, the contractor must
provide adequate ablution facilities. However these facilities must not be
placed within the vicinity of any watercourses. Toilets are to be emptied
regularly throughout the construction phase. Every effort must be made to
prevent the contamination of surface or sub-surface water.
Contractor
Bi-weekly inspections
Litter generated by the construction crew must be collected in rubbish bins and
disposed of weekly at registered sites.
ELO, Contractor
Weekly
All building rubble, solid and liquid waste etc must be disposed of as
necessary at an appropriately licensed refuse facility.
ELO, Contractor
Once off, as necessary
Ensure that no refuse wastes are burnt on the premises or on surrounding
premises. No fires will be allowed on site.
ELO, Contractor
Monitor daily
The construction site must be kept in a clean and orderly state at all times.
Contractor,
Construction crew
Monitor daily
Ensure that no litter, refuse, wastes, rubbish, rubble, debris and builders
wastes generated on the premises be placed, dumped or deposited on
adjacent/surrounding properties during or after the construction period of the
pipeline but disposed of at dumping site as approved by the Council
ELO, Contractor
Monitor daily - weekly
Construction and the use of construction machinery should be limited between
06h00 and 18h00 on weekdays only.
Developer, Contractor
Monitor daily
Inform residents of nearby residential areas of unusual planned noisy
activities.
ECO, ELO,
Contractor
Once off, as necessary
Control noise from labourers.
ELO, Contractor
Monitor daily
Wet all unprotected cleared areas and stockpiles with water to suppress dust
pollution during dry and windy periods.
ECO, ELO
Monitor daily
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Phase of
Development
Activity
General: safety
Road construction
Action
Environmental management plan
Responsible Party
Frequency of Action
Contractors should cover all vehicles transporting material that can be blown
off (e.g. soil, rubble etc.), with a tarpaulin.
ELO, Contractor
Once off, as necessary
Ensure that the construction vehicles are under the control of competent
personnel and are in proper working order.
Contractor
Before construction
commences & continual.
Ensure that only suitably qualified personnel use construction vehicles
Contractors
Before construction
commences & continual
Ensure that the contact details of the police or security company and
ambulance services are available on site.
Contractor
Once off, monitor weekly
Limit access to the construction crew camp to construction workers through
access control.
ELO, Contractor
Once off, Continual
Comply with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act
85 of 1993) requirements.
ELO, Contractor
Continual
Ensure that the construction crew is accommodated on the site according to
the local authorities by-laws.
ELO, Contractor
Monitor daily
Ensure that the handling of equipment and materials is supervised and
adequately instructed.
ELO, Contractor
Continual
The removal of vegetation must be minimised by keeping the width of the road
at a minimum.
Contractor, ELO
Once-off
In the areas where the pipeline is to be laid within the power line servitudes,
continue to use the existing tracks or roads for the power lines as maintenance
and inspection roads for the pipeline instead of clearing an additional road for
the pipeline.
Contractor, ELO
Once-off, weekly
monitoring
Erosion control measures must be implemented to avoid erosion in areas that
are prone to erosion, e.g. steep slopes and drainage lines. These measures
must include the construction of cross drains and berms.
Contractor, ELO
Once-off, monitor weekly
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Phase of
Development
Activity
Stripping of
vegetation
Excavation
Action
Environmental management plan
Responsible Party
Frequency of Action
The working strip required for pipeline construction must be effectively
monitored to prevent excessive vegetation removal. By maintaining the
maximum amount of stabilising vegetation, the extent of erosive action will be
contained.
ELO, Contractor
Monitor weekly
Should the construction phase occur in the rainy season, the erection of berms
may be necessary in areas prone to erosion (e.g. steep slopes or erosive
soils). These bermed areas must be monitored frequently for signs of erosion.
ELO, Contractor
Once off, monitor weekly
Vegetation to be retained during the construction phase must be clearly
demarcated with danger tape.
ELO, Contractor
Once off, as necessary
No vegetation may be harvested for fuel.
ELO
Daily inspections
The topsoil cleared must be retained. The topsoil contains most of the
inorganic matter, decomposed organisms and nutrients, thus the removal of
the topsoil constitutes a major loss in terms of ecosystem function. In order to
ensure that the minimal amount of soil is removed with vegetation clearance, it
is strongly advised that vegetation be harvested as close to ground level as
possible before earthworks machinery is utilised. Soil removed in this manner
will contain the existing seed bank, stolons, rhizomes and runners as well as
an additional supply of organic matter that will be beneficial during the early
stages of vegetation reinstatement. Harvested grass should be retained and
used as a mulch to combat erosion.
Contractor, ELO,
ECO
Once off, monitor weekly
Topsoil and subsoil must be placed on opposite sides of the trench and must
be kept separate throughout construction and rehabilitation.
Contractor, ELO,
ECO
Monitor weekly
Topsoil must not be stockpiled for an extensive period (> 3 months). This is to
prevent the redundance of the existing seed bank as well as the alteration of
the soil characteristics (permeability, bulk density etc.).
Contractor, ELO,
ECO
Monitor weekly
Erect signs and/or danger tape around the exposed excavations to warn the
public of the inherent dangers.
ELO, Contractor
Continual
Where the pipeline crosses the provincial road, the pipeline should be jacked
underneath the road instead of making an excavation in the road surface.
Contractor, ECO
Once-off
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Phase of
Development
Activity
Removal of
excavated material
Stockpiling soil
Backfilling
Re-vegetation /
reseeding
Action
Environmental management plan
Responsible Party
Frequency of Action
Trucks removing excavated material can cause compaction of soil if new
pathways are created, Vehicles should therefore use existing roads. If the
creation of new roads is unavoidable, these temporary roads should be ripped
and re-vegetated after use.
Contractor, ECO
Monitor weekly
Excess excavated material must not be left in heaps in the veld. This material
must be disposed of in the open cast pits of the Middelburg South Mine.
Eskom must liaise with the management of Middelburg South Mine to ensure
that permission is granted for this to be done.
Contactor, Eskom
Once off
Ensure that excavated and stockpiled soil material is stored and bermed on
the higher lying areas of the site and not in any storm water run-off channels
or any other areas where it is likely to cause erosion or where water would
naturally accumulate.
Contractor, ECO
Once off, Daily
The areas where excavated soil will be stockpiled must be bordered by berms
to prevent soil loss caused by rain.
Contractor, ELO
Once off, monitor weekly
Subsoil must be returned into the trench after the pipeline has been installed
and topsoil must be reinstated on top of the subsoil.
ELO, Contactor
Once off, monthly and
after construction
Re-vegetation must occur as soon as possible. Grassed areas can reduce the
velocity of stormwater runoff and have the ability to increase infiltration of the
water intercepted.
Developer, ELO
Once off, immediate after
construction
Reseeding must be with locally indigenous species. Time permitting, the
natural seed bank and vegetative structures retained in the topsoil can be
utilised instead of various seed mixtures. A seed mix will have to be used to
revegetate disturbed areas, should the time period prior to revegetation
commencement be excessive. Areas identified as potentially subject to
erosion must be vegetated with indigenous grass species (e.g. Eragrostis
sp.and Aristida sp.). This action will reduce the time the barren areas will be
subject to the agents of erosion.
Developer, contractor
Once off, as necessary
The emergence of invasive alien species must be monitored on a monthly
basis. Invasive species must be removed by hand or poisoned.
Contractor, ECO
Monthly monitoring
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Phase of
Development
Activity
Leakage
Invasive species
Operation
Effectiveness of revegetation
Vehicles
Action
Environmental management plan
Responsible Party
Frequency of Action
Pipeline monitoring will be the most effective measure in identifying possible
leakages. Laying the pipes in soils that are not conductive to lateral flow may
prevent excessive erosive action should a leakage occur.
Eskom
Once off, monitor weekly
If leaking occurs.
The emergence of invasive alien species must be monitored on a monthly
basis. Invasive species must be removed by hand or poisoned.
Eskom
Monthly monitoring
The effectiveness of re-vegetation and erosion control must be monitored
periodically after construction. In the event that rehabilitation is not successful,
corrective action must be taken. This may include bringing in additional topsoil,
reseeding and mulching, depending on the reasons for the failure of the prior
re-vegetation methods.
Eskom
Quarterly monitoring
during the rainy season
for one year after the end
of construction
Vehicles must be kept on existing tracks and should not driven through the
veld or through rehabilitating areas.
Eskom
Indefinite
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3.
Environmental management plan
Conclusion
Provided this project is mitigated, as per the EMP, the project will result in limited negative
environmental impacts that can be mitigated through implementation of this Environmental
Management Plan. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that this EMP is made binding
on rhe contractor by including the EMP in the contract documentation. The contractor should
thoroughly familiarise himself with the requirements of the EMP and appoint an environmental
liaison officer (ELO) to oversee the implementation of the EMP on a day-to-day basis.
Parties responsible for transgression of this EMP should be held responsible for any
rehabilitation that may need to be undertaken. Parties responsible for environmental
degradation through irresponsible behaviour/negligence should receive penalties.
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