Appendix O2 - Biophysical Report.pdf - Zitholele.co.za

February 2011 104 1261910.3.1 Alternative 1The visual sensitivities along this alignment are the N11 highway and several towns found alongthe route. Areas with a landscape character that is sensitive to the erection of power lines includethe Wakkerstroom and Utrech tourism areas, the Babanango natural area and the town ofMelmoth. These sensitivities can however be avoided by choosing other route alternatives. Thebest visual alternative for Alternative 1 is aligned as AB-BC-CD-DE-EF2-FG-SGH-HI-IJ.10.3.2 Alternative 2The Alternative 2 alignment is a very visible alignment that traverses close to several towns androads that elevates the visibility of the alternative. Sensitivities identified along the way include thetowns of Paul Pietersburg, Gluckstadt and Melmoth, the Babanango natural area, and thewilderness/tourism area around the White Umfolozi River. Several of these sensitivities cannot beavoided. The best alignment for Alternative 2 is AM-MN-SNO1-OI-IJ.10.3.3 Alternative 3Alternative 3 is not as visible as Alternative 2 in the northern parts of the study area. In the centraland southern sections they have very similar impacts due to the various overlapping routealternatives. The best alignment is AP-PO-OI-IJ.ZITHOLELE CONSULTING