Annexure: B INFORMATION. Responsible Executive Manager: Division/Unit Responsible for Formulation: Writer/s: Date + Number of Revision: Review Date:

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1 PROTOCOL FOR THE INSTALLATION OF TELECOMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK Reference Ref: Number: 17/Pr/KNP/pro/telecom mast/vs2 (02-11) INFORMATION Responsible Executive Manager: Mr VA Sibiya Division/Unit Responsible for Formulation: Writer/s: KNP Conservation Management and Technical Services T.A. Petersen, N. Zambatis and H. Beneke Date + Number of Revision: Review Date: 2 nd Draft 07 January January 2012 Consultation Process: Number of Pages: Review by Conservation Management Committee Meeting Approval by KNP MANCO 8 REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESS Reviewed by: Signature: Date: Recommended by MANCO: Reference in Minutes Date: Signed into Effect: Signature: Date: ADMINISTRATION Approved Protocol submitted to Policy Unit: Approved Protocol submitted to Records Management + Information Department TABLE OF CONTENTS Date: Signature: Date: Date: Approved Protocol made available on SANParks intranet Signature: Date: Annexure: B 1

2 CONTENTS PG 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 4 2. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES 4 3. LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS 4 4. PROTOCOL 5 5. MONITORING AND EVALUATION 7 6. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 7 APPENDICES Appendix 1: KNP Management Plan s Zonation map 2

3 DEFINITIONS External service providers refers to a service provider proposing to install any telecommunication infrastructure in the KNP Network infrastructure includes all infrastructure associated with internet access and wireless devices. Radio transmission infrastructure includes all infrastructure associated with radio communications. Telecommunication infrastructure includes all infrastructure associated with landline and cellular communication transmission. Protocol refers to the Protocol for the Installation of Telecommunication Infrastructure in the Kruger National Park. ABBREVIATIONS BAR DEA EAP EIA EMP I&AP ICASA KNP Basic Assessment Report National Department of Environmental Affairs Environmental Assessment Practitioner Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Management Plan Interested and Affected Party Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Kruger National Park NEMA National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 NEMA: PAA National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003, as well as National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Amendment Act 31 of 2004 WAN Wide Area Network 3

4 1. Introduction and Background In the past decade there has been a marked increase in our reliance on telecommunications. The Kruger National Park (KNP) is not excluded from this need and telecommunications and radio transmissions play a vital role in conservation and operations within the park as well as with the outside world. Tourists visiting the park also expect a limited amount of cell phone signal especially in the larger rest camps. However, cell phone activity does have the potential to compromise and detract from the sense of place and the wilderness experience. Increased access to telecommunication signal also poses a threat to the security of the national park and aids criminal activity. Currently telecommunication infrastructure, network infrastructure and WAN applications exist at most camps /entrance gates and ranger posts in the KNP. There have been requests from concession lodges who have very limited telecommunication and network accessibility to have radio streaming and antennae installations. The erection of cell phone masts on the borders of the park threaten the sense of place and compromise environmental integrity as well as aiding criminal activity inside the park. 2. Purpose and Objectives The overall purpose of this protocol is to inform and guide the placement and installation of telecommunication infrastructure in a manner that limits signal range and connectivity for the preservation of the wilderness experience and to mitigate potential adverse impacts on the environment. 3. Legislative Requirements The Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations Listing Notice 3 (BAR Geographic Areas) of 2010 of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998: Activity 3 (a) (ii) (aa) The construction of masts or towers of any material or type used for telecommunication broadcasting or radio transmission purposes where the mast: is to be placed on a site not previously used for this purpose, and will exceed 15 m in height but excluding attachments to existing buildings and masts on rooftops. 4

5 This listing notice makes special provision for construction of masts in protected areas as identified by NEM: Protected Areas Act 57 of According to NEMA S28 (2) Duty of Care and remediation of environmental damage there is an obligation to take reasonable measures to prevent degradation of the environment. All communications to comply with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act 13 0f 2000 (ICASA) Processes and Procedures regulations as amended by the Broadcasting Amendment Act 64 of Protocol 4.1. If the installation of a mast s criteria triggers a BAR as determined by NEMA: EIA Regulations it is to be assessed and submitted by an independent EAP to the competent authority If the installation or upgrade of an existing mast does not fit the criteria for BAR, an EMP must be compiled by the KNP: Environmental Manager in consultation with KNP: Technical Services and the external service provider and contractor If an existing mast is to be replaced and it exceeds the height of 15m, the new mast does not require a BAR. However, the installation must still comply with specifications as set out in the protocol The EMP must mitigate visual impacts and any other negative impacts on the environment as well as to inform rehabilitation where there has been damage No telecommunication or radio transmission structures will be erected in Wilderness areas as identified in the KNP: Management Plan s Zonation Map (Appendix 2) Any requests from external service providers for the erection of masts, antennae and dishes must be carefully considered according to need and make use of existing infrastructure as much as possible. Any new sites for installation will be carefully considered by the KNP Management and only if no existing alternative sites are available. 5

6 4.7. Concessions, operators and external / internal service providers must make formal requests to the KNP Management for the erection and placement of telecommunication and radio transmission infrastructure and must comply with the specifications as set out in the protocol The following specifications are required and must be approved by KNP Management before installation: a) Installations must be erected in KNP Management approved sites that would limit the visual impact on the visitor experience. b) KNP Management approved engineers drawings including specifications that would prove the installation would be resistant to the elements i.e. heat, wind, rain. c) Masts, antennae and dishes must be painted with a colour approved by the KNP Management in order to limit visual impacts. d) Masts, antennae and dishes must be of a specification in order to limit the visual impact of glare from the installations. e) Masts or towers with a height of 15 m or higher must have safety guards installed around the steps as a safety precaution. f) Containers used to house equipment must comply with KNP: Technical Services standard specifications. g) *Cell phone signal range for public use within a main rest camp in the KNP must not exceed a 5km connectivity radius around the installation site. h) *Cell phone signal range at a section ranger post or concession lodge must not exceed a connectivity radius of more than 500m or otherwise determined by the KNP: Environmental Manager in consultation with KNP: Technical Services. i) Dish installations, antennae and point-to-point transmission panels must be mounted to a minimum height of 2 metres above the ground to avoid or limit human and animal exposure to radio/microwave transmissions and signals. 4.8 KNP Management reserves the right to exclude any new sites for installation and to limit signal range to a radius less than specified in this document when required. This will be guided by factors such as increased criminal activity, wilderness zones and guided activities. 6

7 4.9 KNP Management must register as an I&AP as per standard agreement with the DEA to be consulted with and to obtain approval for the erection of masts on the borders of the park. *This excludes connectivity radius for radio/micro-wave point-to-point transmission which is unrestricted. 5. Monitoring and Evaluation The EMP provides recommendations for the avoidance of potential impacts generated during the construction and operational phases of the development. The EMP stipulates mitigation and monitoring measures to ensure that impacts are identified proactively and can be minimised timeously. Monitoring programmes must be prepared in the case of the undertaking of an EIA process in terms of NEMA to determine the effectiveness of the EMP and to understand the actual impact of the construction and/or operations on the environment. These monitoring programmes must be implementable and designed by independent consultants in consultation with the relevant stakeholders. Compliance monitoring in terms of the EMP and the protocol must be implemented to ensure that the prescribed mitigation measures have the predicted and desired effect and must be conducted periodically by the KNP: Environmental Manager. Negative impact findings may or may not result in a breach of contract and must be addressed timeously as outlined in the EMP. Appropriate penalties and fines may be instituted against the service provider for continuous non-compliance with an aspect as described in the EMP. 6. Roles and Responsibilities KNP: Environmental Manager: i. Drafting of EMPs in consultation with KNP: Technical Services and external service providers. ii. Compliance monitoring of the EMP and Protocol. 7

8 KNP: Technical Services: i. Involved extensively in site planning, approval of engineers plans and specifications. ii. Consultation with KNP: Environmental Manager in specifying in the installation in order to minimize visual impacts. iii. In consultation with external telecommunication service providers and concessions, ensure that signal range does not extend the prescribed connectivity radii. External Telecommunication Service providers: i. Ensure that all plans and specifications are approved by KNP: Technical Services before construction. ii. Ensure that signal range does not exceed the prescribed connectivity radius. iii. Consult with KNP: Environmental Manager in the preparation of EMPs. iv. Appoint an independent EAP and apply to the competent authority if the installation triggers a BAR. v. Comply with the contents of the EMP and with all legislative requirements related to the installation. Non-compliances must be addressed timeously and in consultation with the KNP Management. 8

9 Appendix 1: KNP Management Plan Zonation Map (2008) 9