Sani Pass Upgrade

Hey BB, good to see you on the forums again.

I guess the Roads Department should protect themselves better legally when it comes to Sani Pass and other similar ones. This case does set a bit of a precedent. Though Sani Pass is classified as more than simply a 4x4 track - it is an established route, and border point.

As much as previously it was a reasonably good 4x4 track, it was recently scoured out by a decent flash flood, in which the river left the original river bed and flowed down the road leaving it fairly bony. So much so that a friend crashed his motorbike and spent a month and a half in a cast, unable to ride his bike. One of the reasons (and one which I personally support) is that the erosion of the upper areas due to stormwater not being treated effectively, is degrading the area completely.

Being a grassland scientist with a passion for the Berg, I can say that most of the upper lying areas are quite sensitive in that as soon as the topsoil is removed, the toxicity of the soil (as a result of free aluminium due to the high rainfall) is increased to the point where nothing grows. This is true of the upper zigzags of Sani Pass, and upgrading the pass will upgrade the stormwater which will have a positive impact on the continued decay of the surrounds to the pass.

@BB. Currently it is a little more technical, but still do-able!

Things have been quiet on this front. No-one really knew what as going on, and those that did were not talking.

In a recent news release on the KZN Wildlife site however, it was indicated that things are due to pick up again. Two things are on the agenda: moving the SA border post further away, and the upgrade of the road itself.

It is not clear that the road will be tarred however. It will be hardened and stabilised in some way:

The contractors, he said, were especially cognisant of the need to harden the road’s surface in a manner that prevents any further erosion to the surrounding environment. Equally, they want to construct it from natural material, material that is more congruent with its surroundings, than say concrete or asphalt.

The motivations and plans for moving the border post:

The motivation for it being re-positioned onto the border of the Park has been accepted as being entirely logical. Not only is its current site impractical and unsuitable within the Park – a World Heritage Site - causing unregulated daily traffic associated with this business, but it is also located on a flood plain.

Equally, the border post is too small with no room to expand, causing congestion at the post as tourism and commercial operations increase. Crowson, who motivated for the border relocation project back in 2003, said he really hoped that the “recent noises” turned into reality.

“Aside from the overwhelming common sense related to its move, the movement of the border post would make a Sani Pass visit so much more tourist-friendly.”

An Ezemvelo tourism centre is included in the larger border post development to enhance the tourist experience. This would offer tourists either leaving SA or coming into the country from Lesotho, information pertaining to both countries.

Further, a small auditorium would be established to market the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, offering both a cultural and environmental perspective on the Park.

www.kznwildlife.com/index.php?/The-Long-And-Winding-Road.html

A 40 day comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for Phase 2 of the Sani Pass Upgrade began on 17 October 2011 and will close on 25 November 2011. For all relevant information refer to:
projects.gibb.co.za/en-za/projects/sanipassphase2eia.aspx

The Department of Transport (DOT) proposes to continue with the upgrading of the existing Sani Pass Road (P318), which transects the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site (UDP WHS) near Himeville, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The proposed Phase 2 upgrade entails a complete re-grading and resurfacing of the Sani Pass from a gravel to a hardened surface, all-weather road. The upgrade will include road widening, re-alignment of sections, new bridges, stormwater control and attenuation systems, bank and slope stabilisation and road servitude rehabilitation.

In order to undertake the proposed upgrade, the KZNDOT is required to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), 1998 (Act 107 of 1998). Arcus GIBB (Pty) Ltd was appointed as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to conduct the EIA for the Upgrading of the Sani Pass Road (DEA Ref. No.: 12/12/20/1184).

This environmental authorisation process commenced with an Environmental Scoping Phase in January 2008. Following approval of the Final Scoping Report (FSR) and associated Plan of Study for the Impact Assessment Phase by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on 01 July 2009, the Impact Assessment Phase was undertaken. This document constitutes the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report (Draft EIAR), which documents the Impact Assessment process followed, the analysis undertaken and results reached. The Draft EIAR is now available for public review and comment prior to submission of the Final EIAR to the DEA for review and a decision.

A number of detailed documents are available for review. For the interested reader the executive summary contains the salient details. A copy of it also available in the downloads section for your convenience: click here to download .

A public meeting is being held to discuss the findings of the draft EIA for Phase 2.

Date: 10 November 2011
Time: 17h30
Venue: Kwa Sani Municipality Hall, 32 Arbuckle Street, Himeville

From Snow Report SA's FB page

Sani Pass to be closed off for 4hrs daily , 11am to 3pm, between 3 May to 14 June, blasting of 2 corners to improve drainage & road width.

More info www.southernbergescape.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=105%3Asbe-sani-pass-repairs&catid=1%3Alatest-news&Itemid=2

So it would appear that National Department of Environmental Affairs have approved the Sani Pass Upgrade, although it is not abundantly clear what they have authorised. From my cursory look through the Authorisation, it would appear that only the stormwater management of the pass is to be improved, and a re-gravelling. One can download the authorisation from here projects.gibb.co.za/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=zOflw7bYV4A%3d&tabid=364&mid=1145&language=en-US&forcedownload=true

Would love to hear others inputs.

I am assuming that this authorisation will be appealed by some lobbyists, which will delay the actual work, but I don't foresee the pass being open during construction which will be an issue!

The provincial Department of Transport (DOT) has appealed the decision as it would prefer to tar the road. Local organisations such as the Southern Drakensberg Community Tourism Organisation (SDCTO) and the Sani Wildlife branch of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) will oppose the appeal.

New battle over Sani Pass road

I actually thought to have the road hard-topped was a good compromise. Something does need to be done to stabilise the road and reduce erosion etc, but it isn't tarring it either. Listen to the people on this one, DOT!

A good opinion expressed here .