Environmental considerations of the Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme

Environmental considerations played an important role during the planning, design and construction of the Drakensberg Pumped Storage Scheme. The Drakensberg Environmental Committee, composed of representatives from the public and private sector, was appointed to examine the environmental implications of the project and to recommend measures which would reduce or eliminate adverse effects. The paper discusses the environmental impact assessment, the main features of the environmental design for the project and the restoration of disturbed areas. Examples of the measures which were implemented are given. The experience gained on this project has been applied to various other projects throughout South Africa. Gedurende die beplanning, ontwerp en konstruksie van die Drakensberg Pompopgaarskema het omgewingsoorwegings 'n belangrike rol gespeel. Die Drakensberg-Omgewingskomitee, saamgestel uit verteenwoordigers van die openbare sowel as privaatsektor, is aangestel om die gevolge van die projek op die omgewing te ondersoek en aanbevelings te maak ten einde die ongunstige gevolge te verminder of uit te skakel. Hierdie referaat handel oor die omgewingsinvloed- bepaling, die hooftrekke van die omgewingsontwerp en die herstel van versteurde gebiede. Voorbeelde van die stappe wat geneem is word getoon. Die ervaring wat tydens dle ontwikkeling van die projek opgedoen is word by verskeie ander projekte in Suid-Afrika toegepas.