OLIFANTS RIVER WATER RESOURCES …

1 DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRS AND FORESTRY DIRECTORATE OPTIONS ANALYSIS REPORT NO.: P WMA 04/B50/00/3204 OLIFANTS RIVER WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (ORWRDP) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (12/12/20/553) INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE Final June 2005 Compiled for: ACER (Africa) Environmental Management Consultants/ CSIR Environmentek PO Box 503 Mtunzini 3867 Compiled by: Environmental Assessment Technologies CC Box 74564 Lynnwood Ridge 0040 OLIFANTS RIVER WATER RESOURCES Development Project Environmental Assessment Strategic Perspective i REPORT DETAILS Project name: OLIFANTS RIVER WATER RESOURCES Development Project Report Title: Environmental Impact Assessment: Infrastructure Development Specialist Study: Strategic Perspective Authors: JS Ballot Departmental report reference no.: P WMA 04/B50/00/3204 PSP project reference no.

2 : ORWRDP Strategic Perspective Specialist Study Status of report: Final First issue: April 2005 Final issue: June 2005 Environmental Assessment Technologies Approved for PSP by: JS Ballot Study Leader Date INDEPENDENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT Accepted by the Independent Environmental Consultant by: Dr PJ Ashton EIA Co-Leader Date Dr R-D Heinsohn EIA Co-Leader Date PROJECT CO-ORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT TEAM Accepted by the PCMT by: MS Basson Project Co-ordinator and Manager Date DEPARTMENT WATER AFFAIRS AND FORESTRY Accepted for DWAF by: OJS van den Berg Manager: Options Analysis (North) Date LS Mabuda Senior Manager: Options Analysis Date OLIFANTS RIVER WATER RESOURCES Development Project Environmental Assessment Strategic Perspective ii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The OLIFANTS RIVER WATER RESOURCES Development Project (ORWRDP) consists of two phases.

3 Phase 1 is currently underway. Its main component is the raising of the Flag Boshielo Dam. Phase 2 will consist of a major dam at De Hoop and the construction of other infrastructure such as pipelines, specifically within the Middle OLIFANTS region. The ORWRDP is not a project which exists in isolation. It is part of a bigger development scenario that is being played out in the north eastern part of South Africa, particularly the north western parts of Mpumalanga and the south eastern parts of Limpopo. What this Strategic Perspective study has essentially done is to try to answer the key questions around the substantial influence and effect that the ORWRP will have on the greater environment around it and conversely what effect the environment will have on the development. This has been done by using the following assessment framework.

4 Understanding the relevant elements in the existing environment. Establishing the strategic intent of the development or projects undertaken. Understanding the boundaries and issues involved in the assessment. Analysis of trends and forces that shape and direct development. Strategic assessment Recommendations and mitigation General Government policy as well Provincial Growth Government Strategies, see the role of mining as a future platform for development and further economic growth on a regional basis. In the light of this and seen together with the current situation of industry and development in the Middle OLIFANTS area, it would appear that the strategic intent of the ORWRDP must be: To enable and underpin further mining development in a large area of the middle OLIFANTS region particularly the Steelpoort Valley.

5 To attract further/continued investment in secondary development such as roads, housing and municipal services. To provide the means for augmenting bulk WATER supplies to urban, mining and/or industrial sectors in Polokwane and Mokopane at a later date. Delivery of basic WATER services to many more people in the Nebo plateau and Sekhukhuneland region in the future by other agencies. In terms of the important questions identified during the formal EIA scoping process, the fact that the study must of necessity set wide boundaries, together with the strategic context of the ORWRDP, the main issue that this strategic perspective must address is: To what extent or in what way will the ORWRDP contribute to, support or detract from the sustainable development and use of the WATER and all the other RESOURCES of value in the the OLIFANTS WMA?

6 During the analysis process the following important RESOURCES of value were used to better understand the different environmental effects that can be expected from the ORWRDP. 1 The physical infrastructure of the ORWRDP. 2 The WATER RESOURCES of the OLIFANTS WMA. 3 WATER quality in the OLIFANTS RIVER . 4 The coal mining areas of the Upper OLIFANTS Region. 5 The mineral RESOURCES of the Middle OLIFANTS region. 6 The mining areas of the Lower OLIFANTS . OLIFANTS RIVER WATER RESOURCES Development Project Environmental Assessment Strategic Perspective iii 7 The Kruger National Park and adjacent conservation areas. 8 The large ecotourism areas like the Highlands Meander and Panorama ecotourism routes in Mpumalanga and the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve area in the Central Lowveld. 9 The rural human population of the Greater Sekhukhune District.

7 What was found from the analysis and assessment was that there are three cumulative impacts that are of greatest significance when considering the place or part that the ORWRP has in the greater development picture in the Middle OLIFANTS region. 1 Reduced WATER quantities and quality for all the WATER RESOURCES of the OLIFANTS RIVER System. (High negative cumulative impact under existing/current conditions) 2 It will bring some development and social upliftment in Sekhukhune Region. (Low positive cumulative impact under existing/current conditions). 3 The degree of negative risk that the Mpumalanga Panorama, Highlands Meander and Kruger to Canyons ecotourism areas are exposed to mainly as a result of the effect of developments on the WATER RESOURCES of the OLIFANTS RIVER (high negative cumulative impact under existing current conditions).

8 The cumulative effects are not caused primarily by the impacts of the ORWRDP itself. They come from indirect effects caused by secondary development. The main problem, particularly in terms of the WATER RESOURCES is the development of mining. All of these impacts can be mitigated (-ve) or enhanced (+ve) through appropriate management action. The interventions that have been recommended in all cases require cooperation between different spheres of government, along with different sectors of civil society. In terms of the WATER RESOURCES in general, it is important is that institutional, legal and administrative structures are put in place to manage the WATER RESOURCES of the OLIFANTS RIVER System on a catchment wide basis. This must happen sooner rather than later. The main functions of such institutional arrangements must be to: Oversee WATER allocations and WATER use in an equitable way for the whole OLIFANTS System.

9 Monitor and regulate the consumptive use of WATER . Monitor and regulate non consumptive uses such as waste discharge and disposal. Enforcement of pollution control regulations. Facilitate cooperation and integration of WATER resource use and protection on a catchment wide basis. In terms of WATER RESOURCES and mining, it is important that collective action is taken. 1 The full reality of the cumulative effects that will occur and the possible direct impact that this will have on the WATER RESOURCES of the region must be fully understood and the responsibility for managing the impacts must be accepted, by those that advocate and promote mining development. 2 Genuine commitment and effective cooperation between DWAF, DME and the mining companies involved will be necessary to ensure that the WATER RESOURCES are used sustainably and properly protected.

10 3 From the start, not at the end of the mining cycle, the regulators and all the mines involved must work together and take action on a collective basis in a "cluster" arrangement, to manage the impacts on the WATER RESOURCES of the region, rather than OLIFANTS RIVER WATER RESOURCES Development Project Environmental Assessment Strategic Perspective iv on an individual basis as is currently the case in typical EMPR and EMP authorisation processes. 4 This must also be seen as part of and aligned with the overall management of the whole OLIFANTS RIVER System, as advocated above. In terms of WATER RESOURCES and the ecotourism areas, what must be realised is that they originate or are situated in some prime natural areas. Within these areas there are already some large cluster developments and it is planned to develop more agriculture and mining.