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

February 2011 117 12619Table 12-7: Fauna Initial Impact AssessmentImpact Significance SpatialScaleImpact toFaunaTemporalScaleProbabilityRatingHIGH Region Long TermHasoccurredHigh4 4 4 5 4Additional ImpactThe power lines will not directly impact on fauna, but the removal of habitat within the power line isan impact. The species subceptable to direct impact is mostly avifauna, which is assessedseperately in another specialist report.The impact to fauna during the construction phase of the power lines will mostly be in the form ofdisturbance from the removal of habitat, construction workers and vehicle noise. It was found thatthree particular areas have habitat for sensitive species that should be avoided and these includethe Wakkerstroom/Groenvlei wetlands and Montane grassland, and the Black Rhino habitatadjacent to the Hluhluwe Umfulozi Park. These areas are unsuitable and hence the impactassessment described below is for the remainder of the route.The additional impact to fauna is probably MODERATE negative impact acting over the shortterm, and will occur in isolated sites. As indicated in the table below the impact rating class is aLow Impact.Table 12-8: Fauna Additional Impact AssessmentImpact Significance Spatial Temporal Probability RatingScale ScaleIsolatedImpact to MODERATEShort Term Will occur LowSiteFauna3 1 2 5 2Cumulative ImpactThe cumulative impact to fauna remains as assessed for the initial impact assessment due to thelarge scale of the existing impact. Therefore the impact remains a High impact to Fauna.Mitigation MeasuresÜÜÜAll construction areas should be demarcated prior to construction to ensure that thefootprint of the impacts are limited (including areas where vehicles may traverse);The sensitive habitat should be avoided and construction limited to 50 m from the edge ofthe wetlands and streams;Align routes to avoid sensitive habitats;ZITHOLELE CONSULTING