PD Naidoo & Associates Cape Strengthening Programme
ACER (Africa) Gamma-Omega 765kV Transmission Line
PBA International (SA) Draft EIR Report
CHAPTER 5
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAMME REPORT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
background
This report provides an account of the Public Participation Programme conducted for the Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed development of the 765 kV Transmission line from the Omega Sub-station (near Victoria West) to the proposed Gamma Sub-station (near Koeberg). ACER (Africa) Environmental Management Consultants was appointed by PD Naidoo and Associates, in association with PBA International, as Public Participation Consultant to undertake the Public Participation Programme.
In keeping with the spirit of Integrated Environmental Management and environmental legislation, the Public Participation Programme attempted to provide Interested and Affected Parties the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the environmental investigations. Recognising that this is a vast study area with a diverse public, the overall communication strategy was to target at National, Provincial, Regional and local level, organisations that understand and represent the interests of stakeholders across the study area. However, it is important to note that the Public Participation Programme Strategy set in place sufficient mechanisms to also allow individual Interested and Affected Parties the opportunity to participate in the Environmental Impact Assessment through various activities. Time lapses between the initial start of the project in November 1999 and the restart of the Scoping Phase in July 2001 necessitated a revision of the consultation process to ensure continuity within a robust process.
purpose of this report
The intention of this Public Participation Report is to provide the relevant National and Provincial Government Departments charged with Environmental Affairs and Interested and Affected Parties with a comprehensive documentary of public participation activities undertaken during the Scoping and Impact Assessment Phases of the project, focusing on three areas:
Meetings.
Services.
Products.
This report has evolved from the Plan of Study for Scoping, Draft Scoping Report and Addendum to the Draft Scoping Report as submitted to the authorities. The main body of this report is supported by ancillary documentation, in particular, all documents issued in the public domain (provided in Appendices).
draft and final scoping reports and draft environmental impact report
The Draft Scoping Report was issued in the public domain in July 2001. Comments from stakeholders pertained mainly to the Draft Issues Table that captured all issues and concerns raised by stakeholders during the Scoping Phase. The Environmental Review Forum that had been established with the co-operation of Interested and Affected Parties[1] and the representative[2] Key Stakeholders from various organisations met in August 2001 to review the Draft Scoping Report). In particular, discussion focused on the Draft Issues Table, the level of further studies required, identifying additional areas of concern in the study areas, and marking these on maps provided. These issues were incorporated in an Addendum to the Scoping Report and sent to the relevant authorities for comment.
issues table
Interested and Affected Parties raised various issues during the Scoping and Impact Assessment Phases. These were captured in a Draft Issues Table, which was presented in the Draft Scoping Report and at the Environmental Review Forum for comment. The Revised Issues Table was used, in consultation with stakeholders, to make recommendations on which issues should be further investigated in the Impact Assessment Phase. This table has subsequently been revised and incorporated in this report.
consultation with potentially affected landowners
Although the new transmission line will be brought into operation only at the time when growth and demand require it, it is necessary to secure the servitude prior to this need arising. By securing the servitude, Eskom Transmission will ensure that no further development takes place within the servitude. Furthermore, this will assist directly affected stakeholders to plan developments accordingly. As there is no existing servitude, the objective of this project is to identify and recommend to Eskom Transmission a preferred servitude route for the 765 kV Transmission line.[3] As such potentially affected landowners became a key focus of the Public Participation Programme. Extensive discussions were held with an environmental lawyer and the authorities to agree on an approach through which, in terms of legislation, every reasonable effort would be made to contact this stakeholder group, viz. landowners. This approach focused on meetings with the Farmers’ Associations along the study corridor as these organisations are considered to be most representative of landowners and who would best understand the environmental issues that could result from the construction of the proposed Transmission line. These discussions were used as a mechanism to also identify landowners, record environmental issues and to distil personal issues that would be addressed with the Eskom Transmission negotiator during the negotiation process. Additionally, other actions, which have been undertaken, and these are also documented in this report.
interested and affected parties issues and concerns
Issues and concerns raised by Interested and Affected Parties through the various channels provided by the Public Participation Programme pertained mainly to:
Compensation for loss of land and potential drop in land values.
Visual impacts.
Potential impacts on tourism; particularly where game farms may be negatively impacted.
Job creation.
The position of the Transmission line in terms of gravesites.
Loss of residences.
Impact on agricultural activities.
Impact on infrastructure.
Impact on the biophysical environment, particularly birds and wetlands.
Erosion.
Access roads.
proposed future actions
Issues and comments raised by Interested and Affected Parties in response to this Draft Environmental Impact Report will be incorporated in a final report to be submitted to the authorities for environmental authorisation.
Issues pertaining to construction and operational activities will be dealt with as part of Eskom Transmissions Environmental Management Plans (EMPs). Eskom will maintain, through its standard communication channels, a level of interaction commensurate with the project and standard operating procedures for a Transmission line. It is important that a dedicated Environmental Officer be appointed to oversee the construction and operational activities and that one of his/her key responsibilities is on-going communication between Eskom Transmission, the construction teams and landowners.
concluding remarks
Although there has been a time lapse between the implementation of the project and issuing of the Draft Environmental Impact Report it is the opinion of the Public Participation Consultant that due process has been followed. This is especially so considering that a wide range of Interested and Affected Parties has been afforded the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the process to date, primarily by commenting on the draft Scoping Report and this report. In addition, Key Stakeholders participated actively by commenting on the Revised Issues Table and participating in the Environmental Review Forum.
With reference to potentially affected landowners, despite the apparent low level of interest shown in the Northern Cape area, the Public Participation Consultant is confident that every reasonable effort has been made to contact potentially directly affected landowners along the study corridor and that various mechanisms were set in place for individuals to respond.
Nevertheless, it is important that Eskom Transmissions set in place measures for Interested and Affected Parties to continue to have input into the project in terms management of impacts and monitoring the effectiveness of management programmes during construction and operation
In concluding, the Public Involvement Programme has afforded at National, Provincial and local level, various mechanisms for representative structures as well as individuals, the opportunity to participate in various activities, however, it remains incumbent on Interested and Affected Parties to accept the responsibility of actively participating in the Environmental Impact Assessment. It is also important to note that this is part of a planning process and that directly affected landowners will be contacted during the servitude negotiation phase.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ii
TABLES viii
ACRONYMS ix
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS x
1. Public participation Process 1
1.1. Scope of work 2
1.1.1. Terms of reference 2
1.2. Assumptions and limitations 2
1.2.1. Assumptions 3
1.2.2. Limitations 3
1.3. Approach and methodology 3
1.3.1. Principles 3
1.3.2. Methodology 4
1.3.2.1. Meetings 5
MAP 4a 7
MAP 4b 8
MAP 4c 9
1.3.2.2. Environmental Review Forum Workshops 4
1.3.3. Services 7
1.3.3.1. Public Involvement Officers 8
1.3.4. Products 9
1.3.4.1. Public information documents 9
1.3.4.2. Notification material 9
1.3.4.3. Reports 11
2. Issues raised by Interested and Affected Parties 11
3. ANALysis of the Public Participation Programme 11
4. Proposed future actions 12
5. Concluding Remarks 13
NOTE: 1
APPENDIX 2 2
APPENDIX 2A: STRATEGIC WORKSHOP 3
APPENDIX 2B: PUBLIC OPEN DAYS 4
APPENDIX 2C: FARMERS’ ASSOCIATION MEETINGS 5
APPENDIX 2D: ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FORUM 6
APPENDIX 2E: LIST OF I&APS (DATABASE) 7
APPENDIX 2F: BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENTS 8
APPENDIX 2G: MOBILE DISPLAY 9
APPENDIX 2H: MEDIA ADVERTISEMENTS 10
APPENDIX 2I: COPIES OF LETTERS SENT TO I&APS 11
TABLES
Table 1: Listing of Public Open Days 1
Table 2: Farmers’ Association Consultation Programme 3
Table 3: Venues at which the Final Scoping Report and Draft Environmental Impact Reports will have been placed at the time of the distribution of this report. 8
ACRONYMS
ACER : ACER (Africa) Environmental Management Consultants
BID : Background Information Document
DEAT : Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism
EMP : Environmental Management Plan
ERF : Environmental Review Forum
I&APs : Interested and Affected Parties
IEM : Integrated Environmental Management
NGO : Non-Government Organisation
PIO : Public Involvement Officer
POD : Public Open Day
PPC : Public Participation Consultant
PPP : Public Participation Programme
ROD : Record of Decision
TLC : Transitional Local Council
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ACER should like to acknowledge the contributions of all Interested and Affected Parties who participated in the Public Participation Programme, particularly those who assisted with the identification of additional Interested and Affected Parties and provided various documents to the assist in the study.
C5 Eskom 765 kV PIP Report ver 2 .doc Public Involvement Programme - i -
PD Naidoo & Associates Cape Strengthening Programme
ACER (Africa) Gamma-Omega 765kV Transmission Line
PBA International (SA) Draft EIR Report
1. Public participation Process
The objective of the Public Participation Programme (PPP) Chapter is to provide an account of the PPP undertaken for the proposed 765 kV Transmission line between the proposed Gamma Sub-station (near Victoria West) and the proposed Omega Sub-station (near Koeberg) as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This will enable the authorities and Interested & Affected Parties (I&APs) to assess the process followed in terms of its effectiveness, appropriateness and transparency, within the framework of environmental legislation.
The proposed Gamma-Omega 765 kV Transmission line forms part of the original Cape Strengthening Programme and, as was the case with the other components, was viewed independently as the viability of each project is unaffected by decisions made on the individual projects[4]. Thus, ACER, the Public Participation Consultant (PPC) had to structure the PPP in such a manner that would allow for the optimisation of time and resources, while allowing for a global understanding of the Cape Strengthening Programme and in particular, the 765 kV Transmission line. The PPP aimed to establish efficient communication channels that would provide I&APs the opportunity to participate meaningfully and timeously in the environmental investigations.
This report describes the process followed to achieve the above-mentioned objectives in terms of proposed 765 kV Transmission line. Appendices A1 - 9 contain a record of I&AP interaction conducted during the PPP, including the following:
List of registered I&APs.
An overview of Public Open Days.
A register of all documents issued in the public domain.
The terms of reference described below formed the scope of work for ACER as the PPC for the Cape Strengthening Programme, and in particular, the 765kV Transmission line.
1.1. Scope of work
1.1.1. Terms of reference
The PPP terms of reference were revised during the course of the study to accommodate the revised EIA programme. These are described below:
The initial and on-going identification and categorisation of stakeholders and their incorporation into the PPP and the Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) process, making use of existing data bases where possible.
Establish and maintain liaison channels with stakeholders and stakeholder groups. Assist stakeholder groups to elect contact persons through whom the PPC can operate.
Act as facilitator and mediator on behalf of PDNA and Eskom Transmission.
The arrangement, co-ordination, facilitation and documentation of all PPP activities, processes and results, including public open days, environmental interest group meetings and individual contact.
Maintain public awareness of the proposed 765 kV Transmission line and Environmental Study through a range of information dissemination activities, including background information documents, general information documents, general information correspondence and media announcements (print and radio), in close co-operation with PDNA and Eskom Transmission.
To raise issues which will be recorded in the Issues Report in order to be addressed.
To facilitate an External Strategic Workshop with key stakeholders to discuss the project in terms of EIA strategy, policy issues, communication channels and geographic boundaries.
To facilitate and arrange meetings for the Eskom Transmission negotiating team and the relevant Farmers’ Associations along the proposed study corridor.
To arrange Environmental Review Forum workshops with key stakeholders to review and comment on work done during the Scoping Phase.
1.2. Assumptions and limitations
The PPP was founded on a number of assumptions and limitations that have influenced the methodologies selected. Importantly, however, despite assumptions and limitations, ACER is confident that the PPP for the 765 kV Transmission line, has provided a reasonable opportunity for I&APs to participate meaningfully and timeously during the EIA.
1.2.1. Assumptions
All information provided by Eskom Transmission, PDNA and I&APs to the PPC was correct and valid at the time that it was provided.
There had been no final decision regarding the nature of the proposed 765 kV Transmission line prior to embarking on the PPP. By inference, where environmental sensitivities have been identified within the project parameters, these will be factored into project planning, technical design and operation.