EIA for the Proposed Eskom Bantamsklip Transmission Lines and Associated Infrastructure Multi-Stakeholder Workshop Overberg Agri Training Centre Bredasdorp 27 November 2009
Workshop Agenda REGISTRATION 1. Introduction and Objectives of the Workshop ( NMA ) 2. Overview of the EIA process leading up to the Workshop ( Arcus GIBB ) 3. Discussions regarding way forward 4. Technical Considerations and Challenges Environmental ( Arcus GIBB ) • Technical ( Eskom ) • 5. Input of stakeholders and review of information provided ( Arcus GIBB ) Development of alternative corridors ( All ) 6. Summary of outcomes, and closure ( NMA ) 7.
Ground Rules This Multi-Stakeholder Workshop brings together key stakeholder organisations from the Overberg area to develop alternative corridors. These ground rules are offered as a guide to conducting the workshop so that participants are able to take part effectively and achieve the desired outcomes within the timeframes provided.
Ground Rules • Only one person speaks at a time, no one to interrupt whilst someone else is speaking (Avoid side conversations please!). • Signal the facilitator and wait to be acknowledged. • Everybody agrees to make a strong effort to keep on track with the agenda and move deliberations forward. • Each person reserves the right to disagree with proposals and may offer alternatives. • Avoid “grandstanding” (i.e. extended comments/ speaking) so that every one has a fair chance to speak.
Objectives of the Workshop • Present the EIA process to date to put the MSW in context • Present an overview of the environmental and technical considerations in the routing of transmission lines • Report back on the input provided by key stakeholders into the MSW process and the review of this input by Eskom and the independent specialists • The above steps are in preparation for the main objective of the workshop which is to develop, through consensus, section by section, alternative corridors for the Bacchus – Bantamsklip - Kappa transmission lines
Role Players Interested and Affected Parties • Raise comments and issues regarding the proposed project for inclusion in the relevant documentation Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd • Independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner NMA Effective Social Strategists • Public Participation Consultant Department of Environmental Affairs • Decision-maker for the Environmental Authorization Application Eskom Holdings (Pty) Ltd • Applicant
What Does the EIA Process Entail? • The EIA process can be divided into 4 distinct phases: 1. Application and Initial Notification 2. Scoping Phase 3. Impact Assessment Phase 4. Environmental Authorisation
The EIA Process �����������
Study Area
Alternatives • Tower Alternatives – Compact Cross Rope Suspension Tower – Cross Rope Suspension Tower – Guyed Suspension Type Tower – Self Supporting Strain Tower – Self Supporting Tower • Corridor Alternatives – A number of revisions have taken place over the course of the scoping studies • Mitigation Alternatives
Public Participation in Scoping Phase • Posted project notification posters at substations, municipal buildings, libraries, shops, etc. ( August 2008 ) • Placed adverts in 19 local and regional newspapers ( 26 July – 2 August 2008 ) • Distributed I&AP letter, BID & comments sheet to 1286 I&APs on project database • Distributed BID at local libraries & municipal buildings in study area • Meetings with relevant ward councillors & municipalities to inform them about the project & our processes and to gain information • Interviewed relevant community leaders & key stakeholders • Registering of I&APs ( ongoing ) • 24 “information sharing” meetings (ward councillors, municipal officials, business and tourism leaders, agricultural association representatives, etc) • 22 Focus Group Meetings held with agricultural associations (25 AAs), community groups and organisations (includes ABI & OICG workshop) • Minutes of all meetings distributed to attendees
DSR Comment Period • 60-day comment period (2 March – 30 April 2009) • Adverts in 24 local and regional newspapers (20 Feb – 6 Mar) • Sent notification letters to 1732 I&APs on database (Reminder of meetings by email and SMS plus contact with key stakeholders) • Sent registered letters to 106 key stakeholders (ward councillors, municipal managers and organs of state) • Distributed DSR in 40 local libraries and public places in study area and placed on Eskom and Arcus GIBB websites • Held Key Stakeholder Meeting in Cape Town Held 15 Public Meetings (Robertson, Villiersdorp, Caledon, Stanford, Pearly • Beach, Bredasdorp, Swellendam, Barrydale, Riviersonderend, Wolseley, Worcester, Koo, Touws River, Wellington, Tesselaarsdal) • Extended Comment Period by 3 weeks to 22 May ( Total of 81 days )
Comments on DSR • 234 written submissions received by close of comment period • All issues from written submissions and minutes of meetings entered in IRR KEY CONCERNS • Process issues: want to submit alternative alignments, request workshop to develop alternatives, extension of comment period, inadequate PPP • Biophysical: Concerns for fauna/avifauna, flora, National Parks, nature reserves • Visual: Visual impact / sense of place • Socio-Economic: Decrease in land / property values, job creation – important to PDI communities / ward councillors but feared by landowners (crime), EMF impacts on human health • Agricultural: Loss of agricultural land, impact on intensively used and/or small farming areas, space needed to manoeuvre farming equipment, EMF impacts on animals and crops, impacts on crop spraying / centre pivot irrigation / precision farming methods, burning and clearing of vegetation, shock factor under lines (vineyard trellises, humid and misty days)
PPP Way Forward Until Submission of Final Scoping Report (FSR) • Multi-Stakeholder Workshops on Alternative Corridors • Eskom to determine alternative crossing points for mountain ranges • Specialists to assess mountain crossing points and linkages • PPP for deviations (identify and contact I&APs, focus group meetings, IRR) • Specialist screening studies of corridors and deviations • Produce Revised DSR • Revised DSR made available for 30-day comment period • Notify I&APs on database • Complete and submit FSR and POS-EIA
Multi-Stakeholder Workshops Multi-Stakeholder Workshops on Alternative Corridors • 2 workshops: Witzenberg and Overberg • Mandated representatives of key stakeholder organisations invited to attend (AAs, Municipalities, Representative CBOs, Nature Conservation, Tourism, other directly impacted stakeholders – SAAF, etc.) • Distribute Proposed Process document • Respond to comments and requests for additional participants • 4 weeks for key stakeholder organisations to develop alternative corridors and identify areas of high sensitivity within their area of interest / influence with written motivation for start / end points, route, and high sensitivity areas
Multi-Stakeholder Workshops • Collate information & consolidate overlay map - distribute to specialists / Eskom • Workshop: Eskom and specialists develop viable alternative corridors and critique key stakeholder input • Workshop with key stakeholders to develop alternative corridors • Eskom and specialists screen key stakeholder alternatives for possible inclusion in the EIA
EIA Phase • Specialist Studies • Produce Draft EIR and put out for 60-day comment period • Draft EIR in libraries and public places, notices in local and regional newspapers, notify I&APs on register • Key Stakeholder Meeting • Public Open Days with Public Meetings (±13) • Complete IRR and Final EIR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION • Notify I&APs of authorisation and appeal process
Technical Considerations and Challenges ENVIRONMENTAL Specialist criteria used to inform specialist assessment of transmission lines: • Land capability Impact Assessment • Botanical Assessment • Fauna Assessment • Avifauna Assessment • Social Impact Assessment Heritage Impact Assessment • • Visual Impact Assessment
Stakeholder Inputs MAP 1 – Baardskeerdersbos Home Owners Association Social (1 + 2): • - Impact on small holdings used for small scale farming / country lifestyle properties (Water catchment area (Boskloofspruit) main water supply • Visual / sense of place (1) - DR1205 & DR 1211 important scenic routes • Tourism / Heritage (1 + 3) - BBos areas high sensitivity tourism and social - Skyline is undisturbed with panoramic views over the valley and surrounding mountains – negative impact on tourists visiting the area / tourist-related business - Retention of the unique and unspoilt rural village - Survey commissioned by Overstrand Municipality on heritage resources within the whole municipal area to comply with NHRA. Heritage overlay zone has been demarcated for BBos (includes all properties and historical buildings) • Agriculture (4, 5 + 6) – high sensitive agricultural areas • Biodiversity (6) - Boesmans River and surrounding wetlands – high sensitivity biodiversity area, and important water resource - Grain land and planted pastures near the river is a well-known congregation area for Blue Cranes
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