More turbines for Makana? Numerous applications for wind farms are being processed in South Africa, and Makana is no exception.
More turbines for Makana? Numerous applications for wind farms are being processed in South Africa, and Makana is no exception.
To date, to the west of Grahamstown the proposed Waainek wind farm with eight turbines has been approved.
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a wind facility with 27 turbines about 30 kilometres on the eastern side of town, on the N2 to Peddie, has been completed and is under consideration – subject to completion of a socio-economic assessment requested by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).
The Makanaone* Wind Energy project, which envisages the erection of 77 wind turbines in the Riebeeck East area, is the latest and biggest proposed wind farm for Makana.
The impact assessment for this project is in its early stages and the scoping phase is currently being finalised after the public review of the Draft Scoping Report late last year.
Objections have been raised by neighbouring farmers and local reserve owners regarding the visual impact and noise levels.
The specialist assessments in the impact assessment phase of the EIA process will include a socio-economic impact assessment and a 12-month bird and bat monitoring programme.
For more info contact Jadon Schmidt at 041 585 1715 or j.schmidt@cesnet.co.za.
The Makanaone project also includes a proposal for four solar energy facilities around Riebeeck East.
Icon for our souls
Living in the Eastern Cape, we are constantly reminded of our heritage of awe-inspiring biodiversity — if we keep our hearts and eyes open. As a species however, we have become dehumanised.
Our very existence is being threatened by our collective greed and the rhino crisis is a symptom of that greed.
This is the message that came across at last week’s launch of Harry Owen’s poetry collection, For Rhino in a Shrinking World.
Wildlife veterinarian Will Fowlds’ talks on the current assault on rhinos has touched the hearts of many. People are posting items on Facebook, making donations, writing letters, and more.
Owen put out a call to fellow poets around the world and was overwhelmed by the response.
The result is the international anthology launched last week including the work of 108 poets (38 from SA, 18 from the EC) from 16 countries, as well as wonderfully sensitive drawings by Grahamstown artist Sally Scott.
The message at the launch was clear: There needs to be a global effort to reconnect with our feelings and become aware of our environment.
The atrocities happening right here on our doorstep drive home the urgent need for us to protect the environment and South Africans are being called to lead the way.
Thank you, Will, for continuing to conscientise us, and well done Harry for making us aware that we can all contribute in our own way.
Exhibition: humans vs plants
Dez Weeks has mounted his fourth exhibition of spectacular plant portraits in the foyer of the Albany Natural Science Museum.
The 51 photographic images bring to our attention the incredible plant diversity of the Albany region.
The exhibition titled ‘Confronting the Anthropocene’ serves as a reminder of what we are about to lose as a result of Man’s complete disrespect for nature and is another call for us to reconnect with our heritage.
A poster summarises the ecological interest/distribution and International Union for Conservation of Nature status of the exhibited species.
Signed prints and framed pictures are available for sale, a percentage of which is earmarked for donation to the Albany Museum.
More info: Albany Museum front desk, or email d.weeks@am.org.za.
Umthathi needs your newspapers
The Umthathi Training Project has a continual need for newspaper, which is used in their permaculture plots in their community garden projects.
There is a collection point in Pick n Pay and also at Kisma Kreative in High Street.
People with a lot of newspaper can contact Umthathi on 046 637 0012 to arrange for collection.
Umthathi’s community garden has over 80 participants and they sell vegetables to the public.
More info: www.umthathi.co.za.
Contacts for Makana Enviro-News: Nikki Köhly: n.kohly@ru.ac.za, 046 603 7205 / Jenny Gon: j-gon@intekom.co.za, 046 622 5822 / Ruth Krueger: g10k2679@campus.ru.ac.za, 076 295 8045 / Nick James: nickjames@intekom.co.za, 082 575 9781; Philip Machanick: p.machanick@ru.ac.za, 046 603 8635 / Strato Copteros: strato@iafrica.com, 082 785 6403
