Abagold WEC BAR - Anchor Environmental

construction phase of the project, and will be relatively short-lived. However, the larger size of this WECand the increased depth of water will require considerably greater volumes of construction material andlonger construction times than for Alternative 1 and 2. The southern side wall of the proposed WEC damfor Alternative 3 will cut across the channel directly in front of the Aquafarm intake, thereby severelyhindering their seawater intake capability. The lack of a phased-implementation approach on thisalternative also renders it less attractive than Alternative 1 in that it does not allow for the viability ofthe project to be assessed before full implementation has taken place. Identified positive impacts of thisalternative are as for Alternative 1 and 2, but increased construction costs render this alternative lesssecure from a financial perspective.No-go alternative (compulsory)No potential negative biophysical impacts were identified as being as being associated with the No-goalternative. However, escalating costs of electricity coupled with the high demand for this resource byAbagold pose a significant threat to the current and future viability of company’s abalone farmingoperations, and hence its ability to retain existing jobs and to secure new jobs in the future. Thisrepresents a highly significant potential negative socio-economic impact associated with this Alternativeand strongly mitigates against adopting this Alternative.RECOMMENDATIONSIt is a recommendation of this study that Environmental Authorisation be issued for Alternative 1 asoutlined in this report. Such Environmental Authorisation should, however, be subject to the conditionsand mitigation measures listed below.Design1. To mitigate the potential impacts of altered wave and current patterns a detailed study must beconducted prior to the commencement of construction activities to inform the design of a rockslope to mitigate the reflections of waves and storm surge during severe storms towards theexisting Aquafarm infrastructure adjacent to the proposed development.Construction2. To mitigate the potential impacts of blasting on marine fauna the contractors must follow thefollowing conditions: No blasting or drilling in the sea must be conducted during the period between June 30 andDecember 31 as southern right whales are likely to be in the vicinity of Walker Bay. Observations with binoculars must be sited on key vantage points immediately before theintended blast. Blasting should only commence when cetaceans are not seen to be diving orresting on the sea surface within two kilometres of the blast site. All blasting must be conducted using a rock breaking technology known as NoneX(www.nonex.co.za). This is not an explosive technology. It is propellant compound encased ina cartridge which reacts very quickly to produce high volumes of harmless gas (nitrogen,carbon dioxide and steam). The cartridge is sealed inside a drilled hole and ignited. Highpressure gas is released and enters into the fractures caused by drilling and natural fracturesor planes of weakness in the rock. The gas pressure causes the fractures to expand and the16