OUTCOME OF THE APPEAL BY BIRDLIFE OVERBERG AGAINST THE AUTHORISATION OF THE KLIPHEUWEL/DASSIESFONTEIN WIND ENERGY FACILITY

Amendment of the Environmental Authorisation for the proposed establishment of the Klipheuwel/Dassiesfontein  Wind Energy Facility (WEF) and associated infrastructure within the jurisdiction of Theewaterskloof Local Municipality, Western Cape Province.

As a result of the Appeal by BirdLife Overberg, the DEA decision of 27 June 2011 to authorize this development was varied so as to strengthen the requirements for bird and bat monitoring, to specify that the guidelines published by BLSA and EWT should be used, and to instruct the applicant to provide monitoring data on a quarterly basis to all stakeholders, including the Appellants. Here follows a summary of the salient sections:

  

• The bird monitoring programme to be undertaken by an independent bird monitoring specialist

• A batmonitoring programme must be implemented to document the effect of the operation of the WEF on bats. This must commence prior to construction and continue during operation of the WEF

• The bat monitoring programme to be undertaken by an independent bat monitoring specialist

• The reports from the bat monitoring programme will be submitted to affected stakeholders, including the appellants and DEA, on a quarterly basis

• The birds and bat monitoring programmes must cover all listed and threatened species (TOPS), as well as other significant species identified by the respective specialists, and must include collision and mortality date during operation

• Baseline bird and monitoring must continue at least every 2^nd month for as long as possible before, and during the construction phase of the WEF

• Bird impact monitoring must produce data in the format required by the “Best practice Guidelines for Avian Monitoring and Impact Mitigationat proposed Wind Energy Development Sites in Southern Africa”, published by BLSA and EWT

• Bat impact monitoring must produce data in the format required by the “SA Guidelines for Surveying Bats in Wind Farm Developments” published by EWT

• Post constructiom monitoring must start as soon as possible, within the first few weeks of operation, and should last for at least 2 years – as opposed to the original EIA recommendation that monitoring starts 6 months after commissioning and is reviewed after 1 year of operation

• If problems are identified in the first 2 years, mitigation measures should be included in the EMP and monoitoring to continue to determeine the effectiveness of those measures

• The bat monitoring reports must be submitted quarterly to EWT, BLSA, CapeNature and DEA. The reports will assist all stakeholders in identifying potential and additional mitigation meassures and to establish protocols for bat monitoring programmes of EF development in SA

• Should monitoring results reveal serious impact on Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS), including among others, local extinction, all work must cease immediately in that area whilst all relevant authorities are notified

It was admitted by the DEA that a bat report was not considered by them as it had not been provided by the Applicant until long after the final EIA submission. After a retrospecive review the DEA states that it would nevertheless not have come to a different conclusion…

The applicant provided a copy of the Bat and Bird Reports to the Appellants only following the Appeal result. It would not appear that other registered I&APs were afforded this opportunity.

Comments on Langhoogte Final Scoping Report

Please follow the link to read Greytonian's comments on the Langhoogte Final Scoping Report - COMMENTS ON LANGHOOGTE FSR

WHY DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE GREYTON NATURE RESERVE 

Cape Grassbird

Nature reserves are havens created to support, protect and conserve the flora and fauna in these wilderness areas.  They are home to numerous species of plants, mammals, and birds under threat from disturbance and dislocation elsewhere. 

A balance must be found between allowing access to enjoy nature reserves whilst continuing to protect them. 

Dog walking is one issue where this balance is difficult, with various people wishing to walk their dogs in these areas. The fact is that dogs in reserves can cause a significant amount of damage, mostly unnoticed by visitors. International research has repeatedly shown that dogs in natural areas, on or off a lead, result in displacement of many species of wildlife, particularly birds. Not only does this negatively affect the biodiversity of the area, but in turn impacts on ecotourism, including bird watching, which is an increasingly popular pastime throughout the world.

Orange-breasted Sunbird

Dogs by their very nature are hunters, whilst birds and small animals, by their nature, are prey. 

 

Dogs have been domesticated and bred for thousands of years and are not a natural part of our wildlife. They may be man’s best friends but they are seen as major predators by wildlife. When a dog quarters an area, it is in reality looking for prey to hunt or retrieve. Even though you may not see your dog chasing a bird or animal, wild animals sense your dog’s presence, thus causing unnecessary stress. We are talking not only of dogs that are allowed to roam, but that the very presence of dogs can disturb wildlife, for example by driving birds away from their nests to seek refuge. Many bird species are ground-nesters, such as Spotted Eagle-owls, Francolin and the Cape Rock Thrush. A mere bark is enough to disturb and affect young birds. Worse still, they can kill and maim animals.

 

Remains of a Klipspringer

The presence of dog faeces and its scent can cause animals to stay away from surrounding areas. All this has the potential to create significant disturbance to wildlife throughout the nature reserve and may also result visitors to the reserve being less likely to see and hear wildlife.

Nerine pudica

 Dog faeces are rich in nutrients – wildflowers need low nutrient soils in which to flourish. Soils over-enriched with dog faeces encourage the growth of coarser plants which compete and outgrow our unique flora.

 

If hands or food are contaminated by dog faeces serious diseases in humans can ensue, such as canine roundworm and hydatid disease, especially in young children. The water in the streams and in the Noupoort leiwater dam can also be contaminated. Other diseases such as canine distemper can also be transmitted to wildlife including various members of the cat family

One of the principle reasons people want to walk in the Greyton Nature Reserve is because it is a quiet sanctuary in which to enjoy the peace and quiet of this near-pristine environment and its wildlife.

Spotted Eagle-Owl

Rock Agama

 

We have a combined responsibility to ensure that it stays that way.

Leopard tortoise

 We hope that by spreading the message about the unique quality and value of the Reserve and the negative impact that dogs can have on wildlife and other people’s enjoyment, that dog owners will be more considerate and walk their dogs in the other extensive areas of the Commonage where dog walking is allowed. Just as importantly they must ensure that their dogs remain on their properties and are not allowed to roam.

Scrub hare

The Society takes responsibility for the day to day management with volunteer workers and part-time employees working tirelessly to maintain the habitat and facilities through track maintenance, rebuilding bridges after fires and floods, and removing invasive alien vegetation, with practically no external financial support. 

Last but not least, there are the Municipal By-Laws, the Provincial Nature and Environmental Conservation Regulations of 1975, and the NEMA: Protected Areas Act 2003 Regulations. The Greyton Nature Reserve Advisory Board is responsible for the protection and management of the Reserve and is represented by the Theewaterskloof Municipality, CapeNature and members drawn from the Conservation Society.

Please help us to conserve this special area for the protection of our wildlife and for the enjoyment of future generations of residents and visitors.

 Greyton Nature Reserve Advisory Board and the Greyton Conservation Society

Comments on Langhoogte Draft Scoping Report

Please follow the link to read Greytonian's comments on the Langhoogte Draft Scoping Report - COMMENTS ON LANGHOOGTE DSR

YET ANOTHER LOCAL WIND FARM PROPOSAL

The EIA process has started for the proposed Langhoogte wind farm which will be cheek by jowl with 3 other developments, 2 of which have received environmental authorisation.  If all projects are approved, the cumulative environmental impacts could be devastating.

Please register as an I&AP at langhoogtewef@gibb.co.za

More information is available at: LANGHOOGTE WIND FARM

On a more cheerful note

BIRDLIFE OVERBERG COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT EIA FOR THE PROPOSED CALEDON WIND FARM

BirdLife Overberg has submitted comments on the Draft EIA for the proposed Caledon wind farm project near Bot River. To view please go to CALEDON WIND FARM COMMENTS