Impact of the proposed PBMR Plant on Terrestrial Fauna and Flora

Dune Regimes

A stable and diverse plant community has taken over the stabilised dune area

A total of 280.63 ha of dune area is still untouched and is being conserved with the minimum of disturbance. The stability of these dunes is regularly monitored.

Land Ecosystem

Conservation objectives that receives attention are:

• 
  The alien eradication programme,
  
• 
  Environmental education,
  
• 
  Research and the improvement of visitors facilities on the hiking trails.
  

The reserve also offers an opportunity for the local community to gain income by cutting Rooikrans trees in a woodlot area to sell for fire wood. This activity serves a dual purpose. It aids in removing the invasive alien species and supports ±50 - 100 people in receiving an income. The area owned by Eskom on the eastern side of the R27 is 90% infested by Port Jackson. Biological control methods were introduced into this area in 1991 by the Plant Protection Unit, as a long term solution to the problem.

All roads and fences on the reserve are maintained and the entire fence line has been cleared to a width of ± 10 m, (using a tractor-drawn bushcutter), to serve as a fire belt.

The Cape Metropolitan Council (CMC) and CSIR jointly manage an underground aquifer which is used to pump water to Atlantis for industrial and domestic use. Approximately 5 300 000 m³ water is drawn each year.

Conclusions

• 
  The proposed Plant will have no significant impact on the existing fauna and flora on the site and provided that detailed rehabilitation procedures/plans are implemented, only temporary ecosystem disruption on a very limited scale, will be caused.
  
• 
  The construction area needs to be fenced, to deny the antelope entry to the area.
  
• 
  The exclusion zone area and remaining Eskom land is managed according to scientific method, thus preserving a valuable natural asset.
  

1. 
   Currie, B and Cook, PA; Report on Biological Investigation for the Proposed Eskom Nuclear Power Station at Duynefontein; University of Cape Town, 1975.
   
2. 
   Cook, PA; A Prediction of Some Possible Effects of Thermal Pollution on Marine Organisms on the West Coast of South Africa, with Particular Reference to the Rock Lobster, Jasus Lalandii, University of Cape Town 1978.
   
3. 
   Cook, PA; Baseline Ecological Report 1981 - 1984, Marine Environmental Monitoring Programme, Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, Zoology Department, University of Cape Town, 1984.
   
4. 
   Cook, PA; Final Report, Marine Environmental Monitoring Programme, Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, Zoology Department, University of Cape Town, December 1989.
   
5. 
   Rattey, D and Potgieter, F; Warm Water Plume Report, Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, August 1987.
   
6. 
   Rattey, D and Potgieter, F; Interpretation of Physical Oceanographic Data for Koeberg 1985 - 1988, July 1989.
   
7. 
   Cook, PA; Marine Environmental Reports, 1990 - 1996, Zoology Department, University of Cape Town.
   
8. 
   ESK 02 C; Koeberg Nature Reserve, Environmental Management Programme, 1996.
   
9. 
   ESKPBAAD6; Eskom Environmental Management Policy, January 1996.
   

Archaeological and Paleaontological Characteristics of the proposed Plant Site

Introduction

During the development of the Koeberg site all archaeological and palaeontological sites of scientific value were identified, registered and recorded by the SA Museum. These sites are however in the eastern region of the Koeberg Reserve and remote from the proposed Plant site with proper fencing and access control.

The largest excavated sites are Duynefontein and Duynefontein 2, which are Middle to Later Stone Age Layers of the Die Kelders Cave 1. Ad hoc excavation work is still being carried out on these sites by the S. A. Museum and Universities.

These sites will not be affected by the construction, or operation of the proposed PBMR Plant.

During the excavation for the PBMR Plant building foundations (which will be some +22 meters deep over an area of about 60m x 40m = 2 400m²) palaeontological finds may be discovered. The construction EMP will however direct contractors on the procedures to follow in such event(s).

Conclusions

• 
  The proposed Plant site and its development is free of any known archaeological material of scientific note. Construction and operation activities for the proposed Plant will also not affect the known sites.
  
• 
  EMP construction procedures must be developed to direct contractors when paleaontological finds may be discovered during foundation excavations. The operators of excavation equipment must receive basic awareness training to identify such objects/materials.
  
  
  

Directory: system -> files
files -> Haiti Relief – esf 15 Support Organization Situation Report # 17 1/28/10
files -> Haiti Relief – esf 15 Support Organization Situation Report # 16 1/27/10
files -> Right to Carbon or Right to Life: Human Rights Approaches to Climate Change
files -> Enhancing interactive learning in the classroom with Turning Point
files -> Curriculum vita
files -> -
files -> Acknowledgements
files -> Nw, Washington D. C 20037 Telephone: (202)884-1080, (202)939-6125/7
files -> Grey-headed Flying-fox Management Strategy for the Lower Hunter Grey-headed Flying-fox

Download 3.55 Mb.

Share with your friends: