vegetation management plan (portion 2) - enviro d · 2015. 1. 12. · environmental management plan...

1

EIA for the Proposed 400 kV Transmission Line From Kunene to Omatando

Enviro Dynamics CC

July 2014 Client Review

Vegetation Management Plan (Portion 2)

November 2014

2

EIA for the Proposed 400 kV Transmission Line From Omatando to Oshivelo (Portion 2)

Environmental Management Plan

November 2014

1 INTRODUCTION

This document details specific mitigation measures pertaining to the management of

affected vegetation along Portion 2 of the 400 kV transmission line from Omatando

Substation to Oshivelo Substation. This document forms part of the Specific

Environmental Management Plan for Portion 2

2 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Summarised below (Table 1) are the activities associated with the construction and

operation of the transmission line that have specific requirements in terms of national

legislation (such as permits) pertaining to vegetation.

Table 1: Activities requiring permits in terms of national legislation

LEGISLATION REQUIREMENT

Forestry Act No 27

of 2004

Provision for the protection of various plant species. A photographic index

of the sensitive plant species occurring along the power line is contained

in Appendix A. A permit will be needed for removal or destruction of

protected species such as Acacia erioloba.

The act also requires any removal of any living tree, bush or shrub growing

within 100 metres of a river, stream or watercourse to be done under to

auspices of a permit issued by an appropriate official from the Directorate

of Forestry.

The forms can be obtained from Ms Ebben Haufiku at the Ongwediva

forestry office: Tel +264 65 230 0947. A period of three months should be

allowed for obtaining this permit. Species and numbers/quantities involved

will need to be specified.

Nature

Conservation

Ordinance 4 0f

1975

Permit needed for the removal or destruction of protected species such as

Acacia erioloba and Ficus sycomorus (See Table 2 for a complete list).

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November 2014

3 DESCRIPTION

Many protected trees are known to occur along the proposed route of the

transmission line. These species are protected mostly for their value as a source of

nutritional diversity, food security and cash crops for the local populace and their

stock animals (Mannheimer, 2014). Although some endemic species are also listed

to potentially occur along the route, the overall level of endemicity in the north-

central regions of Namibia is low. Of the listed endemic species, many have a wide

distribution and are therefore not limited to any section of the transmission line. None

of the restricted range species occur directly on the path of the proposed

transmission line and will therefore not be directly affected by the project. Potential

impacts on vegetation in the project area include:

Destruction of protected and important fruit and fodder trees;

Destruction of other useful trees (wood, timber, fuel etc.); and

Destruction of endemic and range-restricted plant species.

Mannheimer (2014) indicates three sections on Portion 2 likely to contain sensitive

plant species. These areas are indicated as High Value Trees 1 and 2 on Figure 1

below.

Table 2 provides a list of protected and other important tree species known to occur

along the final proposed transmission line route (Figure 1).

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Figure 1: Areas likely to contain high value plant species as indicated by Mannheimer (2014)

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November 2014

Table 2: Protected tree species and a description of where they are likely to occur along the proposed line.

GENUS &

SPECIES

COMMON NAME STATUS DISTRIBUTION RANGE AND

VALUE

LOCATION

ALONG

PORTION 2

PHOTO RECORD

Protective

legislation

Red data

status

Acacia erioloba Camelthorn,

Omwoonde

Forestry Act -- Widespread, but increasingly

threatened countrywide

Uses: Wood, fuel, fodder.

Shade.

All along except

Cuvelai

See Appendix A

Acacia

sieberiana

Paper-bark acacia,

Omuyele

Forestry Act -- Reasonably widespread

Uses: Wood, shade.

High Value trees 2

(Figure 1)

See Appendix A

Adansonia

digitata

Baobab, Omukwa -- -- May be more widespread

along the route, but sparsely

distributed. Very valuable to

humans and animals.

Uses: Shade, bee tree, food,

rope, water.

High Value trees 2

(Figure 1)

See Appendix A

Aizoanthemum

dinteri

N/A Least

Concern

Widely distributed and

endemic to Namibia

High Value trees 3

(Figure 1)

N/A

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November 2014

GENUS &

SPECIES


VALUE

LOCATION

ALONG

PORTION 2

PHOTO RECORD

Protective

legislation

Red data

status

Albizia

anthelmintica

Worm-cure albizia Forestry Act -- Widespread. Animal

medicinal uses. Avoid if

possible.

Uses: Wood, fuel, veterinary

medicine.

Almost entire

route.

N/A

Aptosimum

suberosum

N/A Near

Endangered


endemic to Namibia

High Value trees 3

(Figure 1)

N/A

Berchemia

discolor

Bird plum, Omuve Forestry Act -- Reasonably widespread. Very

valuable to humans and

animals.

Uses: Fruit to eat fresh, store

for the dry season, or sell as a

cash crop, dyes for baskets

that are sold for cash,

medicine, wood, shade.

Leaves eaten by game and

livestock. Bee tree.

High Value trees 2

and 3 (Figure 1u)

See Appendix A

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November 2014

GENUS &

SPECIES


VALUE

LOCATION

ALONG

PORTION 2

PHOTO RECORD

Protective

legislation

Red data

status

Boscia albitrunca Shepherd’s tree,

Omutendereti

Forestry Act -- Widespread. Valued for

numerous human and animal

uses. Spare where possible.

Uses: Shade, fodder, food.

High Value trees 2

(Figure 1)

See Appendix A

Burkea africana Burkea, Omutundungu Forestry Act -- Reasonably widespread. Try

to spare large specimens.

Valuable wood.

Uses: Timber, wood, fuel,

shade, edible resin, host to

edible larvae.

High Value trees 2

and 3 (Figure 1)

See Appendix A

Colophospermum

mopane

Mopane, Omusati Forestry Act Least concern Widespread. Spare large

specimens where possible.

Uses: Hosts edible larva

(mopane worm), wood, fuel,

medicine, fertiliser, rope,

tanning. Leaves eaten by

game and stock. Shade.

Almost

throughout.

n/a

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November 2014

GENUS &

SPECIES


VALUE

LOCATION

ALONG

PORTION 2

PHOTO RECORD

Protective

legislation

Red data

status

Combretum

imberbe

Leadwood, Omukuku Forestry Act -- Widespread but extremely

slow-growing.

Uses: Wood, fuel, medicine.

Leaves browsed by livestock

and game. Shade.

Likely to be found

almost

throughout,

although not

common.

See Appendix A

Diospyros

mespiliformis

Jackal-berry, Omwandi -- -- Distributed mainly in or near

Cuvelai.

Uses: Fruit, fresh or dried,

timber, wood, fuel, watos,

medicine. Shade

High Value trees 2

(Figure 1)

See Appendix A

Entandrophragma

spicatum

Owambo wooden-

banana, Omataku

Forestry Act -- Limited range, and

uncommon to rare.

Uses: Shade, often a meeting

point for the community.

High Value trees 2

(Figure 1)

See Appendix A

Ficus petersii Strangler fig, Omulemba,

Omungholyo, Omupuya

-- -- Reasonably widespread.

Uses: Fruit eaten, raw or dried,

rope, shade, birdlime.

Unknown N/A

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November 2014

GENUS &

SPECIES


VALUE

LOCATION

ALONG

PORTION 2

PHOTO RECORD

Protective

legislation

Red data

status

Ficus sycomorus Sycamore fig, Omukuyu Forestry Act Least concern Reasonably widespread. Very

valuable to humans and

animals

High Value trees 2

(Figure 1)

See Appendix A

Geigeria

odontoptera

-- Least concern Reasonably wide distribution

in the central north and the

north-west. Endemic to

Namibia

High Value trees 3

(Figure 1)

N/A

Maerua schinzii Ringwood tree,

Omupopola

Forestry Act Least concern Widespread. Spare large

specimens where possible.

Uses: Medicine, food. Shade.

Browsed by livestock.

High Value trees 3

(Figure 1)

N/A

Monechma

tonsum

-- Least

Concern

Reasonably wide distribution

in the central north and the

north-west. Endemic to

Namibia

High Value trees 3

(Figure 1)

N/A

Peltophorum

africanum

African wattle,

Omupalala

Forestry Act Least concern Widespread.

Uses: Wood, fuel, medicine.

Shade. Browsed by game

and livestock.

High Value trees 2

and 3 (Figure 1)

N/A

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November 2014

GENUS &

SPECIES


VALUE

LOCATION

ALONG

PORTION 2

PHOTO RECORD

Protective

legislation

Red data

status

Philenoptera nelsii Kalahari apple-leaf,

Omupanda

Forestry Act -- Widespread.

Uses: Wood, food, browse

and fodder for livestock and

game. Shade.

Throughout

woodland areas.

N/A

Schinziophyton

rautanenii

Manketti, Omunkete Forestry Act -- May be more widespread

along route

Uses: Food, cosmetic and

cooking oil, timber, wood,

water. Shade.

High Value trees 2

(Figure 1)

See Appendix A

Sclerocarya

birrea

Marula, Omungongo Forestry Act -- Reasonably widespread

elsewhere.

Uses: Fruit eaten fresh and

made into jam, food, cooking

and cosmetic oil, medicine,

wood, watos. Leaves

browsed by livestock and

game. Shade.

Almost

throughout.

See Appendix A

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November 2014

GENUS &

SPECIES


VALUE

LOCATION

ALONG

PORTION 2

PHOTO RECORD

Protective

legislation

Red data

status

Spirostachys

africana

Tamboti, Omuhongo Forestry Act -- Reasonably widespread.

Uses: Timber, wood, insect

repellent. Leaves browsed by

game, dried leaves eaten by

game and livestock. Shade.

High Value trees 2

and 3 (Figure 1)

N/A

Sueda articulata -- Least

concern


common in the area in an

around the Etosha pans, in

the national park. Endemic

to Namibia.

High Value trees 3

(Figure 1)

N/A

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November 2014

3.1 MITIGATION AND MANAGEMENT

It should be noted that due to the similarity of some of the aspects pertaining to the

clearing of vegetation along the transmission line route the report prepared by

Strohbach (2013) for the 330 kV transmission line from the Zambezi SS to the

Wenela/Sesheke border, was used (with permission) to derive some of the mitigation

measures contained in the table below.

MITIGATION/MANAGEMENT ACTION RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT PHASE

Align route as far as is practically possible to avoid large

fruit trees

Undertake careful and detailed route planning to

avoid big trees, particularly the fruit trees of high

concern as discussed above. Clearly mark trees

that should be avoided and photograph them.

Site the substations to avoid trees of high concern

and other large trees.

Conserve big fruit trees as far as possible,

irrespective of requests for their removal from local

residents.

NamPower Prior to construction

All trees are to be felled in collaboration with the

Directorate of Forestry (DoF):

Large trees are to be felled using chain saws or

other appropriate mechanical devices;

Bulldozing is to be limited to the absolute minimum

– only along the 12 m width strip of land

underneath the transmission line route; and

Wood from all other species, including Mopane,

should be left along the clearing for the local

population to collect and utilise.

NamPower,

Contractor

During vegetation

clearance

Prevent unnecessary collateral damage by controlling

activities of construction vehicles.

NamPower

Contractor

During construction

Avoid any additional vehicular damage outside the

servitude.

NamPower

Contractor

Operation

Training should be given by a specialist consultant

concerning the application of herbicides before any

vegetation is cleared (Mr Ben Strohbach tel.: (061) 202-

Contractor Before vegetation

clearing and during

operation/

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November 2014

MITIGATION/MANAGEMENT ACTION RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT PHASE

2017 or Dr David Joubert tel.: (061) 207-9111). This

training is to include safety aspects, as well as

environmentally friendly herbicide application.

maintenance

Stump treatment with herbicides is strongly

recommended (as opposed to soil or aerial

application). Either herbicides with Picloram and

Triclopyr, mixed with diesel as carrying agent (e.g.

Tordon Super), or with Tebuthiuron, mixed with

water (e.g. Access) can be used.

Herbicides should not be used indiscriminately. No

herbicides should be used:

o within the Cuvelai drainage i.e. the entire

Section 1 – Omatando SS to Okatope SS;

and

o anywhere that it may readily be spread by

water courses during the rainy season i.e. no

herbicide use within 500 m from the banks of

any river.

Regrowth can be prevented by either annually

mowing the cutline (with use of large scale rotary

mowers) below the transmission line, or by treating

excessive regrowth of tree species on a five-year

cycle (the maximum recurring period) with foliar

(application to the foliage/leaves) sprays. The

felling and stump treatment of such regrowth can

also be considered.

NamPower,

Contractor

During vegetation

clearance and

operation/

maintenance

3.2 MONITORING

MITIGATION/MONITORING ACTION RESPONSIBILITY SCHEDULE

Individual trees of high concern (Table 2 above)

close to the route that can be spared should be

mapped, clearly marked and pointed out to

construction teams (i.e. Fixed point photography,

done along sections where compliance is important

(e.g. High Value Trees 2 & 3) and at other random

but fixed points).


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November 2014

MITIGATION/MONITORING ACTION RESPONSIBILITY SCHEDULE

These points should regularly be reassessed by the

environmental section of NamPower for compliance

during the construction phase of the project.

NamPower Once before, during and

after the construction and

decommissioning phases

Penalties for damage to these trees should be

predetermined, high and contractually stipulated.

NamPower Throughout the project

3.3 AUDITING

AUDIT ACTION RESPONSIBILITY SCHEDULE

Vegetation protection records:

Record of co-ordinates of final route and pylon

positions captured.

Co-ordinates of positions for fixed-point

photography captured.

Photographic records of trees to be conserved

captured.


Vegetation management records:

Records of felled trees captured. Records

include permits and photos of felled trees.

Records of weekly review of sections

containing trees identified for conservation

captured.

Herbicide training minutes and attendance

register captured.

Records of stumps treated with herbicide

captured. Records include co-ordinates of

stumps treated and the amount/volume of

herbicide used.

Complaints regarding vegetation removal

captured in Vegetation Complaints Register.

Vegetation regrowth monitoring records

captured. These include the co-ordinates of

positions for fixed point photography of at least

two sample areas per section and the date

when captured.

NamPower,

Contractor

During vegetation

clearance

vegetation management plan (portion 2) - enviro d · 2015. 1. 12. · environmental management plan...

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