An environmental impact assessment of the alternative access routes, the Western Access Route, and the Least Cost Alternative Route, to the proposed Mohale Dam, Lesotho

This report is concerned with the environmental impact assessment of two alternative access roads, the Western Access Route (WAR) and the Least Cost Alternative Route (LCAR), to the proposed Mohale Dam site, Lesotho. The procedure adopted by the Environmental Evaluation Unit (EEU) study team for the assessment of environmental impacts associated with the development of the two routes, is critically reviewed. A comparative evaluation of the alternative routes is undertaken. The preferred access route, which best satisfies the above environmental criteria, is recommended . In January 1993, the Environmental Evaluation Unit (EEU) of the University of Cape Town was appointed by Gibb-Bergman Joint Venture (GBJV), to assess the environmental impacts associated with the development of an access road from the Lesotho-South Africa border to the construction site of the proposed Mohale Dam (Phase lB), Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), Lesotho. An existing road, termed the Western Access Route (WAR), was identified as a possible access route. This route would require upgrading to a suitable standard for the passage of heavy construction vehicles, and, in addition, the construction of a bypass of the central business district of Maseru . At an early stage of the study, an alternative access route to the WAR was identified from eight possible alternative routes. This route has been termed the Least Cost Alternative Route (LCAR). The EEU study team undertook a full assessment of the environmental impacts associated with upgrading the Mountain Road/Western Access Route (WAR) and the construction of the LCAR. These detailed impact assessments are documented in Report EEU/2/93/104a, EEU/2/93/104b and EEU/2/93/104c, submitted with this report.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Environmental and Geographical Science

Year dc:date.issued

1993

Author dc:creator

• McMurray, Helen Frances

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21619

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/21619