Final EIAR - Aurecon AME Environmental | Environmental Projects

Proposed Wind and Solar (Photovoltaic) Energy Facilities on Kangnas Farm near Springbok in the Northern Cape: Final EIR 56
o Visual impacts;
o Impact on local economy (employment) and social conditions;
o Impact on transport;
o Noise pollution;
o Storage of hazardous substances on site; and
o Dust impact.
Each of these impacts is assessed in detail in a section below. The baseline and potential
impacts that could result from the proposed developments are described and assessed. It
should be noted that this assessment considers the impacts of the revised final layouts (dated
November 2012, whilst the specialist assessment considered the focus areas shown in Figure
3.4 and Figure 3.8. The proposed layouts (dated November 2012) (Figure 3.5 and Figure 3.9)
take into account all of the buffers recommended by the specialists. Specialists confirmed that
the revised layouts do not impact on any sensitive areas or features and align with their
reporting and recommendations. Comments from the specialists on the layout revisions are
included in the specialist annexures, namely Annexures E to M.
Mitigation measures are also recommended below. Finally, comment is provided on the
potential cumulative impacts 25 which could result should these developments, and others like it
in the area, be approved.
The methodology used to assess the potential impacts is detailed in Annexure D. The (+) or (-)
after the significance of an impact indicates whether the impact is positive or negative,
respectively.
A brief assessment to determine the extent to which the proposed projects comply with the
Equator Principles has also been undertaken and a summary of this information has been
provided at the end of this chapter.
4.2 OPERATIONAL PHASE IMPACTS ON BIOPHYSICAL
ENVIRONMENT
4.2.1 Impact on Flora
The dominant vegetation type found in the vicinity of the site is Bushmanland Arid Grassland, a
widespread vegetation type in the Bushmanland Bioregion and as such is listed as least
threatened. The proposed projects could have impacts on flora through the footprint of
infrastructure, particularly that of the solar facility, turbines and access roads. A specialist
botanical assessment was undertaken by Dr Dave MacDonald of Bergwind Botanical Surveys
and Tours cc. Dr MacDonald undertook a verification site visit on 23 & 24 July 2012 in order to
better inform the botanical assessment. The botanical study is included in Annexure E. The
findings and recommendations of the botanical study are summarised below.
25
EIA’s are typically carried out on specific developments, whereas cumulative impacts result from
broader biophysical, social and economic considerations, which typically cannot be addressed at the
project level.
© Aurecon (2012) No unauthorised reproduction, copy
or adaptation, in whole or in part, may be made.
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