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	      	<h1 itemprop="headline">SKA is ruining the Karoo's future</h1>

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	      <span id="authinfo">Written by <span itemprop="author">savethekaroo group</span>, <span itemprop="datePublished">2017-01-16</span></span>

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		<meta itemprop="name" content="Save The Karoo">
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	    <p id="sm">Please support us by signing our <a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/en-ca/takeaction/984/402/144/"> care2 online petition</a>. Thank you.

            <h2>Welcome to Save The Karoo's website.</h2>
            <p>The aim of this site is to share experiences and concerns of Karoo inhabitants due to the Square Kilometer Array project in South Africa. The beautiful Karoo and the life it sustains is under threat. If we do not act now it will be too late to protect this unique part of our planet. Construction of a "SKA phase 1" is already planned to commence in 2018, or perhaps even sooner.</p>
	    <br>
	    <p>
	    <b>press: </b> 
	    <a href="http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21713855-radio-telescope-project-encounters-nimbyism-remote-part-south">
	      <img alt="economist logo" src="img/economist-logo.png">
	    </a>
	    


	    
	    
	    
	    
	    <h2>Some Background Information</h2>

	    <p>Many South Africans have been keen and excited about the radio astronomy, Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project. SKA marketing strategies and the <a href="http://www.ska.ac.za/">SKA website</a> present a convincing and impressive picture of SKA South Africa. There is no need to argue the scientific merits of the project.</p>
	    <p>The "other side" of the project is less convincing. It is the SocioEconomic impact and the Ecocide which will affect communities and the environment due to SKA phase 1, and the later phases 2 and 3. Construction of phase 1 is planned to start soon. Later SKA phases 2 and 3 are planned to reach far into the African Continent. According to the <a href=Documents/79_Report_of_The_Expert_Panel_on_Radio_Quiet_Zone_and_RFI_Regulation.pdf>Radio Quiet Zone Document</a>, page 10, remote stations are proposed to be placed in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia. The RQZ document goes on to state that these African countries have "basic law", implying  that enforcing a RQZ would be possible.</p>
	    <p>The current SKA site in the Karoo consists of two farms (Losberg and Meysdam) and covers 13,406 ha. Here pathfinder and precursor radio telescope dishes have been erected. The Kat-7 project, a test bed of seven dishes, was completed years ago. The MeerKAT project will eventually comprise of 64 dishes, a technology demonstrator for South Africa's bid to host the Square Kilometer Array, is under construction and will form part of SKA phase 1. MeerKat is still far form completion, and has suffered many delays.</p>
<p> <img class="img-responsive" src="img/kat7.jpg" alt="Kat7">
 <figcaption class="figure-caption text-right">The seven-dish MeerKAT precursor array, KAT-7</figcaption></p>

	
 
        <p> South Africa and Australia jointly won the bid in 2012 and are both official hosts, but South Africa will host the majority share. <a href=Documents/SKA-Site-Advisory-Committee-16-Feb-2012.pdf>An International Site Advisory Committee decided which criteria determined the SKA host</a>. The South African SKA foundation is currently negotiating to buy more land (about 118 000 ha / or + - 36 farms) around the initial site, to create a larger core area of about 130 000 ha.</p>
        <p>SKA phase 1 does not only consist of the above mentioned core area, but also includes three long arm-like spiralling corridors. Along these corridors additional satellite dishes are to be constructed. These corridors are planned to run over "active farms". Servitudes on roads, power lines and pockets of land are planned. Construction along the spirals are expected to interupt farming activities over extended periods. Along these spirals restrictions will protect radio astronomy and affect farming activities for up to 11 km on either side of the spirals, totaling corridors of 22 km (or more in places) in width. These restrictions reduce or prohibit the generation of  power via certain generators, wind chargers and solar panels. Electric fencing, spark plugs (petrol driven vehicles included),flying an aeroplane, constructing roads and houses, broadcasting a radio signals, operating microwaves, arc welding and the use of certain machines will be prohibited or restricted. Even appliances like TV`s, decoders, stoves, fridges, washing machines, electric geysers, alarm systems, remote controls, laptops, printers, digital cameras, lathes, trucks and bulldozers or graders will be restricted. Cell phones are banned outright. A SKA official, Mr <NAME>, confirmed that signals have been "modified" in the past, and will continue to be "modified" to protect radio astronomy. The scientific term of "modification" in practical terms results in the loss of mobile communication systems. Only radio frequencies below 100 Mhz, and above 25.5 Ghz will be tolerated. Therefore the use of mobile handhelds will become impossible</p>
        
        <p><figure class="figure">
        <img class="img-responsive" src="img/sea-study-area.jpg" alt="SEA study area">
	<figcaption class="figure-caption text-right"> The total SEA area (SKA phase 1) comprises of 268 000 ha. Restrictions diminish farming activity beyond the wide corridors indicated in blue.</figcaption>
	</figure></p>
	
	
        <p>A person who contravenes the restrictions will face a fine of up to R 1 000 000 (one million rand) or imprisonment, or both according to a warning issued by Government Gazette. Within South Africa one million Rand would represent a challenging amount for an average person. Currently an ordinary loaf of bread in South Africa cost from under R10 and may go up up to R15 depending on the type of bread, a litre of petrol sells for approximately R 13, while aviation fuel (Avgas) sells at just over R20 a litre.</p>
        
        <p>The above mentioned core area and corridors (SKA phase 1) are situated in a semi-desert called the Karoo. The Karoo makes up most of the Northern Cape Province and this province covers 30 % of South Africa's total land surface. Here sheep farming upholds the economy. Agricultural land is therefore under discussion and the stability of 3 municipalities with 46 000 inhabitants is questioned. <a href=https://www.karoomeatoforigin.com/>Karoo, Meat of Origin</a>, a well-known organic lamb label with impressive export credentials, is proudly produced in the area. Arguably it is of the best meat in the world. SKA has already bought huge tracks of land in and around the intended core area, without waiting for the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to first conclude an investigation and findings. This report was only published on 31 January 2017. This report clearly warns that the SKA phase 1 will impact negatively on the affected area and that SKA plans will cause the communities and towns to disintegrate. The <a href=http://www.skaphase1.csir.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SKA-IEMP-2016-1.pdf>report (Integrated Environmental Management Plan for the South African mid-frequency array of SKA Phase 1)</a> suggests that alternatives must be looked at to prevent disintegration of the affected communities. <a href=Documents/comments-and-inputs-form.pdf>Comments from the public may be submitted</a> by Friday the 3rd of March 2017. The <a href=mailto:<EMAIL>>CSIR may be contacted via email at <EMAIL></a>, via post "PO Box 320, 7600, Stellenbosch, or via telephone nationally at 021 88 82429, or internationally +27 21 88 82429.</p>
        <p>In a document published in 2005, <a href=Documents/26437_73_RITaskForce.pdf>"SKA Task Force on Regulatory Issues, November 2005"</a>,  International experts recommend how to  implement the SKA project. On page 7 is stated "...a  radio-quiet  zone  (RQZ) is  necessary..." and on page 8, "Typical sectors that may be affected would be communications (both regulation  and communications infrastructure),land affairs, environmental  affairs, civil aviation  and  mineral  affairs. There  may be further impact at the state or provincial level in terms of roads, distribution networks of electrical power and other public services." These experts do not mention human rights, ecocide or the social and economic impact.</p>
	    <p>SKA phase 1 will be largely funded by the SKA International Partner States. An amount of Euro 650 million has been mentioned for the first phase. These financial contributors are  the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Italy, The Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, India and China, according to the SKA official website. The SKA Organisation is a private company incorporated and has its <a href=https://www.skatelescope.org/ska-organisation/>head office in the United Kingdom</a> (The SKA Organisation, SKAO, is responsible for coordinating the global activities of the SKA project. This includes engineering, science, site evaluation, operations and public outreach. While the latter point, public outreach, has not occured in the affected area at all.) In addition there are several non-member States which benefit by receiving research data, such as Universities and the Max Planck Institution in Germany. The USA has part of its HERA project on the South African SKA core site. Further non-member states include France, Japan, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. The "Save the Karoo" team has made concerted efforts to contact teh Interantional member States but has not received much reaction."</p>
	    
	    <figure class="figure">
	    <img class="img-responsive" src="img/hera.jpg" alt="Hera">
	    <figcaption class="figure-caption text-right">The US National Science foundation has provided $9.5 million funding to HERA in the Karoo.</figcaption>
	    </figure>
	    
	    
	    <h2>Contents</h2>


	    <ul>
		    
            <li><a href="#impacts">Impacts, Aviation and Communication</a></li>
            <li><a href="#council-for-scientific-and-industrial-research-(CSIR)">Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - (CSIR)<a></li>
            <li><a href="#economic-impact">Economic impact</a></li>
            <li><a href="#environmental-impact">Environmental impact</a></li>
            <li><a href="#social-impact">Social impact</a></li>
            <li><a href="#heritage">Heritage and cultural impact</a></li>
		    <li><a href="#public-participation-process">Public Participation Process</a></li>
            <li><a href="#maps">Maps</a></li>
		    <li><a href="#ideal-radio-astronomy-sites">Ideal radio astronomy sites</a></li>
		    <li><a href="#epilogue">Epilogue</a></li>
	    </ul>



	    <h2 id="impacts">Impacts, Aviation and Communication</h2>
        
        <h3>Aviation</h3>

        <p>Radio frequency restrictions and aviation laws are obviously contradictory concepts. Almost all flights to and from Cape Town have always flown over the Northern Cape as Cape Town is geographically at the southern tip of Africa. Therefore the Karoo was never a radio quiet area. Obviously the availability of radio frequencies are paramount to aviation safety with regard to radar, navigation and radio communications. These rights were stipulated in the <a href=Documents/Chicago-Protocol.pdf>Chicago Convention of 1944</a> and most nations are signatory to this agreement. Should many flights to and from Cape Town be re-routed to protect astronomy within the Karoo? How much will this cost travellers? How would this affect the carbon footprint of air travel? Many SKA articles suggest that the Karoo and Karoo towns are "beautifully radio quiet and ideal for radio astronomy". This is not so, many national and international flights routes go over the Central Karoo area and the Northern Cape. Besides most rural towns and even some farms have their own airstrips, indicating recreational aviation and emergencies services. <a href=http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/first-radio-licence-sa-issued-dr-j-van-rensburg-carnarvon>Carnarvon was never radio quiet...</a><p> 

        <h3>Communication</h3>

        <p>The AGA Act no 21 of 2007, was drafted to allow for an Astronomically Advantaged Area (AAA) where legislation prohibits the frequencies allowing cellphone signals. Admittedly cellphone communication vastly improved since 2007. By 2015 when SKA phase 1 was presented to the public, mobile technology had already changed the world. Smartphones are a way of life today. It is unthinkable to sacrifice the freedoms, safety, business opportunities and access to information afforded by mobile hand-held devices. Should cellphone signals be cut off due to legislation people affected by SKA phase 1 will be left with weather-sensitive satellite land-line connections and wifi within their homes. Many members of society, especially finacially weaker ones, will be deprived of their only means of communication. A "souped-up" walkie-talkie with a vastly limited sms function and without internet connection has been offered to stakeholders by SKA, but nobody is excited about this option. Cellphones remain the chosen and only practical means of communication for most in the affected area.</p>
        <figure class="figure">
        <img class="img-responsive" src="img/AAA-area.png" alt="AAA area">
	<figcaption class="figure-caption text-right">The Central Karoo Astronomically Advantaged Area (AAA)</figcaption>
	</figure>
  
        <h2 id="council-for-scientific-and-industrial-research-(CSIR)">CSIR</h2>

	    <p>The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) commissioned several experts to perform a <a href=https://www.ska.ac.za/about/strategic-environmental-assessment/>Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)</a> within the area affected by SKA phase 1. <a href=http://www.skaphase1.csir.co.za/?page_id=984>Research was collected on economic, social, environmental and heritage and cultural issues</a>. This study ran throughout most of 2016 and the <a href=http://www.skaphase1.csir.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SKA-IEMP-2016-1.pdf>report</a> was published on January 30th 2017.</p>

     

        <p>The CSIR website stated in November 2016 that its board members were appointed by the Minister of the Department of Science and Technology from 2015 through 2018. These dates co-inside with the initial announcement of the land acquisition for SKA phase 1 and the intended start of construction for SKA phase 1. This has raised questions about a possible conflict of interests. Despite this concern the report and specialist studies clearly warn that the impact of SKA will disintegrate communities, hurt the local and national economies and perhaps result in a destructive down spiral for SKA and the local population due to public resistance.</p>


	     <h2 id="economic-impact">Economic Impact</h2>

	   	 <p>The <a href=http://www.skaphase1.csir.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Agriculture-Economic-Study.pdf>CSIR's Agricultural Economic Study</a> has presented a very conservative view and calculated according to lamb prices in early 2016. The price paid for lamb has increased considerably since early 2016. About 15 000 to 16 000 lambs and 7000 adult sheep are annually marketed on the farms SKA intends for its core area of phase 1. Save The Karoo puts the annual loss at 20 to 30 million and this certainly will impact hard on the local communities. (The figure in the report is somewhat lower but this could be due to price fluctuations on the meat market over the last year). Abattoirs will be affected and the profitability of these companies will not be sustained, as they would drop about 10% in slaughter volumes. One may consider that a minimum monthly wage of about R 3 500, is being debated in South Africa. This puts the loss of 20 to 30 million into perspective. Lamb and mutton is not the only source of income in this area. Stud farming, wool and feed-lots also generate capital.</p>
	   	 


	
	<p>
         	   	 <figure class="figure">
        <img class="img-responsive" src="img/karoo-lamb2.jpg" alt="south african karoo lamb">
	
	</figure>
	</p>
         <p> Farm workers will not find new employment easily as unemployment figures are around 32 % in the area. Alternative job opportunities are not being created. There are no government incentive programs to attract new business opportunities to the area.</p> 

	     <p>Abattoirs, fuel suppliers, agricultural co-operatives, hardware stores, supermarkets, banks, tradesmen, construction and engineering services will all lose customers. Suppliers of veterinarian products, solar power and pumps, irrigation and water systems, fencing and general farm equipment will drop sales. Remote monitoring equipment used to track stock, read water levels, ensure safety of people and animals and prevent stock theft will suffer a decline in sales. Meat agents, marketing-, transport- and packing companies, retailers, the hospitality industry and finally ordinary consumers will be affected nationally. The highly respected and famous brand, "Karoo, Meat of Origin", with export credentials to many parts of the world including Europe and Switzerland will be dealt a great setback.</p>  
	<p>
	  <figure class="figure">
	    <img class="img-responsive" src="img/karoo-meat-of-origin.jpg" alt="Karoo meat of origin display in a shop">
	    <figcaption class="figure-caption text-right">Karoo meat of origin display at a supermarket in Cape Town</figcaption>
	  </figure>
	</p><commit_msg>adding csir links<commit_after>
<?php
$PageTitle="SKA is ruining the Karoo's future - savethekaroo";
$MetaDescription="SKA is ruining the karoos future' is an article focusing on land acquisition and socioeconomic effects of the SKA project in South Africa";
include('header.php');
?>
    



        
	    <div itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Article">
	      <meta itemscope itemprop="mainEntityOfPage"  itemType="https://schema.org/WebPage" itemid="http://savethekaroo.com/ska-ruins-karoo"/>
	      
	      
	      
	      <div class="jumbotron">
	      	<h1 itemprop="headline">SKA is ruining the Karoo's future</h1>

	      </div>
	      
	      
	      <span id="authinfo">Written by <span itemprop="author">savethekaroo group</span>, <span itemprop="datePublished">2017-01-16</span></span>

	      <div itemprop="publisher" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Organization">

		<meta itemprop="name" content="Save The Karoo">
	      </div>
	      <meta itemprop="dateModified" content="2016-02-23"/>
	      <span itemprop="text">
	    <p id="sm">Please support us by signing our <a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/en-ca/takeaction/984/402/144/"> care2 online petition</a>. Thank you.

            <h2>Welcome to Save The Karoo's website.</h2>
            <p>The aim of this site is to share experiences and concerns of Karoo inhabitants due to the Square Kilometer Array project in South Africa. The beautiful Karoo and the life it sustains is under threat. If we do not act now it will be too late to protect this unique part of our planet. Construction of a "SKA phase 1" is already planned to commence in 2018, or perhaps even sooner.</p>
	    <br>
	    <p>
	    <b>press: </b> 
	    <a href="http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21713855-radio-telescope-project-encounters-nimbyism-remote-part-south">
	      <img alt="economist logo" src="img/economist-logo.png">
	    </a>
	    


	    
	    
	    
	    
	    <h2>Some Background Information</h2>

	    <p>Many South Africans have been keen and excited about the radio astronomy, Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project. SKA marketing strategies and the <a href="http://www.ska.ac.za/">SKA website</a> present a convincing and impressive picture of SKA South Africa. There is no need to argue the scientific merits of the project.</p>
	    <p>The "other side" of the project is less convincing. It is the SocioEconomic impact and the Ecocide which will affect communities and the environment due to SKA phase 1, and the later phases 2 and 3. Construction of phase 1 is planned to start soon. Later SKA phases 2 and 3 are planned to reach far into the African Continent. According to the <a href=Documents/79_Report_of_The_Expert_Panel_on_Radio_Quiet_Zone_and_RFI_Regulation.pdf>Radio Quiet Zone Document</a>, page 10, remote stations are proposed to be placed in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia. The RQZ document goes on to state that these African countries have "basic law", implying  that enforcing a RQZ would be possible.</p>
	    <p>The current SKA site in the Karoo consists of two farms (Losberg and Meysdam) and covers 13,406 ha. Here pathfinder and precursor radio telescope dishes have been erected. The Kat-7 project, a test bed of seven dishes, was completed years ago. The MeerKAT project will eventually comprise of 64 dishes, a technology demonstrator for South Africa's bid to host the Square Kilometer Array, is under construction and will form part of SKA phase 1. MeerKat is still far form completion, and has suffered many delays.</p>
<p> <img class="img-responsive" src="img/kat7.jpg" alt="Kat7">
 <figcaption class="figure-caption text-right">The seven-dish MeerKAT precursor array, KAT-7</figcaption></p>

	
 
        <p> South Africa and Australia jointly won the bid in 2012 and are both official hosts, but South Africa will host the majority share. <a href=Documents/SKA-Site-Advisory-Committee-16-Feb-2012.pdf>An International Site Advisory Committee decided which criteria determined the SKA host</a>. The South African SKA foundation is currently negotiating to buy more land (about 118 000 ha / or + - 36 farms) around the initial site, to create a larger core area of about 130 000 ha.</p>
        <p>SKA phase 1 does not only consist of the above mentioned core area, but also includes three long arm-like spiralling corridors. Along these corridors additional satellite dishes are to be constructed. These corridors are planned to run over "active farms". Servitudes on roads, power lines and pockets of land are planned. Construction along the spirals are expected to interupt farming activities over extended periods. Along these spirals restrictions will protect radio astronomy and affect farming activities for up to 11 km on either side of the spirals, totaling corridors of 22 km (or more in places) in width. These restrictions reduce or prohibit the generation of  power via certain generators, wind chargers and solar panels. Electric fencing, spark plugs (petrol driven vehicles included),flying an aeroplane, constructing roads and houses, broadcasting a radio signals, operating microwaves, arc welding and the use of certain machines will be prohibited or restricted. Even appliances like TV`s, decoders, stoves, fridges, washing machines, electric geysers, alarm systems, remote controls, laptops, printers, digital cameras, lathes, trucks and bulldozers or graders will be restricted. Cell phones are banned outright. A SKA official, Mr <NAME>, confirmed that signals have been "modified" in the past, and will continue to be "modified" to protect radio astronomy. The scientific term of "modification" in practical terms results in the loss of mobile communication systems. Only radio frequencies below 100 Mhz, and above 25.5 Ghz will be tolerated. Therefore the use of mobile handhelds will become impossible</p>
        
        <p><figure class="figure">
        <img class="img-responsive" src="img/sea-study-area.jpg" alt="SEA study area">
	<figcaption class="figure-caption text-right"> The total SEA area (SKA phase 1) comprises of 268 000 ha. Restrictions diminish farming activity beyond the wide corridors indicated in blue.</figcaption>
	</figure></p>
	
	
        <p>A person who contravenes the restrictions will face a fine of up to R 1 000 000 (one million rand) or imprisonment, or both according to a warning issued by Government Gazette. Within South Africa one million Rand would represent a challenging amount for an average person. Currently an ordinary loaf of bread in South Africa cost from under R10 and may go up up to R15 depending on the type of bread, a litre of petrol sells for approximately R 13, while aviation fuel (Avgas) sells at just over R20 a litre.</p>
        
        <p>The above mentioned core area and corridors (SKA phase 1) are situated in a semi-desert called the Karoo. The Karoo makes up most of the Northern Cape Province and this province covers 30 % of South Africa's total land surface. Here sheep farming upholds the economy. Agricultural land is therefore under discussion and the stability of 3 municipalities with 46 000 inhabitants is questioned. <a href=https://www.karoomeatoforigin.com/>Karoo, Meat of Origin</a>, a well-known organic lamb label with impressive export credentials, is proudly produced in the area. Arguably it is of the best meat in the world. SKA has already bought huge tracks of land in and around the intended core area, without waiting for the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to first conclude an investigation and findings. This report was only published on 31 January 2017. This report clearly warns that the SKA phase 1 will impact negatively on the affected area and that SKA plans will cause the communities and towns to disintegrate. The <a href=http://www.skaphase1.csir.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SKA-IEMP-2016-1.pdf>report (Integrated Environmental Management Plan for the South African mid-frequency array of SKA Phase 1)</a> suggests that alternatives must be looked at to prevent disintegration of the affected communities. <a href=Documents/comments-and-inputs-form.pdf>Comments from the public may be submitted</a> by Friday the 3rd of March 2017. The <a href=mailto:<EMAIL>>CSIR may be contacted via email at <EMAIL></a>, via post "PO Box 320, 7600, Stellenbosch, or via telephone nationally at 021 88 82429, or internationally +27 21 88 82429.</p>
        <p>In a document published in 2005, <a href=Documents/26437_73_RITaskForce.pdf>"SKA Task Force on Regulatory Issues, November 2005"</a>,  International experts recommend how to  implement the SKA project. On page 7 is stated "...a  radio-quiet  zone  (RQZ) is  necessary..." and on page 8, "Typical sectors that may be affected would be communications (both regulation  and communications infrastructure),land affairs, environmental  affairs, civil aviation  and  mineral  affairs. There  may be further impact at the state or provincial level in terms of roads, distribution networks of electrical power and other public services." These experts do not mention human rights, ecocide or the social and economic impact.</p>
	    <p>SKA phase 1 will be largely funded by the SKA International Partner States. An amount of Euro 650 million has been mentioned for the first phase. These financial contributors are  the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Italy, The Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, India and China, according to the SKA official website. The SKA Organisation is a private company incorporated and has its <a href=https://www.skatelescope.org/ska-organisation/>head office in the United Kingdom</a> (The SKA Organisation, SKAO, is responsible for coordinating the global activities of the SKA project. This includes engineering, science, site evaluation, operations and public outreach. While the latter point, public outreach, has not occured in the affected area at all.) In addition there are several non-member States which benefit by receiving research data, such as Universities and the Max Planck Institution in Germany. The USA has part of its HERA project on the South African SKA core site. Further non-member states include France, Japan, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. The "Save the Karoo" team has made concerted efforts to contact teh Interantional member States but has not received much reaction."</p>
	    
	    <figure class="figure">
	    <img class="img-responsive" src="img/hera.jpg" alt="Hera">
	    <figcaption class="figure-caption text-right">The US National Science foundation has provided $9.5 million funding to HERA in the Karoo.</figcaption>
	    </figure>
	    
	    
	    <h2>Contents</h2>


	    <ul>
		    
            <li><a href="#impacts">Impacts, Aviation and Communication</a></li>
            <li><a href="#council-for-scientific-and-industrial-research-(CSIR)">Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - (CSIR)<a></li>
            <li><a href="#economic-impact">Economic impact</a></li>
            <li><a href="#environmental-impact">Environmental impact</a></li>
            <li><a href="#social-impact">Social impact</a></li>
            <li><a href="#heritage">Heritage and cultural impact</a></li>
		    <li><a href="#public-participation-process">Public Participation Process</a></li>
            <li><a href="#maps">Maps</a></li>
		    <li><a href="#ideal-radio-astronomy-sites">Ideal radio astronomy sites</a></li>
		    <li><a href="#epilogue">Epilogue</a></li>
	    </ul>



	    <h2 id="impacts">Impacts, Aviation and Communication</h2>
        
        <h3>Aviation</h3>

        <p>Radio frequency restrictions and aviation laws are obviously contradictory concepts. Almost all flights to and from Cape Town have always flown over the Northern Cape as Cape Town is geographically at the southern tip of Africa. Therefore the Karoo was never a radio quiet area. Obviously the availability of radio frequencies are paramount to aviation safety with regard to radar, navigation and radio communications. These rights were stipulated in the <a href=Documents/Chicago-Protocol.pdf>Chicago Convention of 1944</a> and most nations are signatory to this agreement. Should many flights to and from Cape Town be re-routed to protect astronomy within the Karoo? How much will this cost travellers? How would this affect the carbon footprint of air travel? Many SKA articles suggest that the Karoo and Karoo towns are "beautifully radio quiet and ideal for radio astronomy". This is not so, many national and international flights routes go over the Central Karoo area and the Northern Cape. Besides most rural towns and even some farms have their own airstrips, indicating recreational aviation and emergencies services. <a href=http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/first-radio-licence-sa-issued-dr-j-van-rensburg-carnarvon>Carnarvon was never radio quiet...</a><p> 

        <h3>Communication</h3>

        <p>The AGA Act no 21 of 2007, was drafted to allow for an Astronomically Advantaged Area (AAA) where legislation prohibits the frequencies allowing cellphone signals. Admittedly cellphone communication vastly improved since 2007. By 2015 when SKA phase 1 was presented to the public, mobile technology had already changed the world. Smartphones are a way of life today. It is unthinkable to sacrifice the freedoms, safety, business opportunities and access to information afforded by mobile hand-held devices. Should cellphone signals be cut off due to legislation people affected by SKA phase 1 will be left with weather-sensitive satellite land-line connections and wifi within their homes. Many members of society, especially finacially weaker ones, will be deprived of their only means of communication. A "souped-up" walkie-talkie with a vastly limited sms function and without internet connection has been offered to stakeholders by SKA, but nobody is excited about this option. Cellphones remain the chosen and only practical means of communication for most in the affected area.</p>
        <figure class="figure">
        <img class="img-responsive" src="img/AAA-area.png" alt="AAA area">
	<figcaption class="figure-caption text-right">The Central Karoo Astronomically Advantaged Area (AAA)</figcaption>
	</figure>
  
        <h2 id="council-for-scientific-and-industrial-research-(CSIR)">CSIR</h2>

	    <p>The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) commissioned several experts to perform a <a href=https://www.ska.ac.za/about/strategic-environmental-assessment/>Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)</a> within the area affected by SKA phase 1. <a href=http://www.skaphase1.csir.co.za/?page_id=984>Research was collected on economic, social, environmental and heritage and cultural issues</a>. This study ran throughout most of 2016 and the <a href=http://www.skaphase1.csir.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SKA-IEMP-2016-1.pdf>report</a> was published on January 30th 2017.</p>

     <p>Stakeholders, interested and affected parties may <a href=http://www.skaphase1.csir.co.za/?page_id=175>register on the CSIR website</a> and also <a href=Documents/comments-and-inputs-form.pdf>comment, object or question</a> the <a href=http://www.skaphase1.csir.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SKA-IEMP-2016-1.pdf>CSIR's Integrated Environmental Management Plan</a>.
     </p>

        <p>The CSIR website stated in November 2016 that its board members were appointed by the Minister of the Department of Science and Technology from 2015 through 2018. These dates co-inside with the initial announcement of the land acquisition for SKA phase 1 and the intended start of construction for SKA phase 1. This has raised questions about a possible conflict of interests. Despite this concern the report and specialist studies clearly warn that the impact of SKA will disintegrate communities, hurt the local and national economies and perhaps result in a destructive down spiral for SKA and the local population due to public resistance.</p>


	     <h2 id="economic-impact">Economic Impact</h2>

	   	 <p>The <a href=http://www.skaphase1.csir.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Agriculture-Economic-Study.pdf>CSIR's Agricultural Economic Study</a> has presented a very conservative view and calculated according to lamb prices in early 2016. The price paid for lamb has increased considerably since early 2016. About 15 000 to 16 000 lambs and 7000 adult sheep are annually marketed on the farms SKA intends for its core area of phase 1. Save The Karoo puts the annual loss at 20 to 30 million and this certainly will impact hard on the local communities. (The figure in the report is somewhat lower but this could be due to price fluctuations on the meat market over the last year). Abattoirs will be affected and the profitability of these companies will not be sustained, as they would drop about 10% in slaughter volumes. One may consider that a minimum monthly wage of about R 3 500, is being debated in South Africa. This puts the loss of 20 to 30 million into perspective. Lamb and mutton is not the only source of income in this area. Stud farming, wool and feed-lots also generate capital.</p>
	   	 


	
	<p>
         	   	 <figure class="figure">
        <img class="img-responsive" src="img/karoo-lamb2.jpg" alt="south african karoo lamb">
	
	</figure>
	</p>
         <p> Farm workers will not find new employment easily as unemployment figures are around 32 % in the area. Alternative job opportunities are not being created. There are no government incentive programs to attract new business opportunities to the area.</p> 

	     <p>Abattoirs, fuel suppliers, agricultural co-operatives, hardware stores, supermarkets, banks, tradesmen, construction and engineering services will all lose customers. Suppliers of veterinarian products, solar power and pumps, irrigation and water systems, fencing and general farm equipment will drop sales. Remote monitoring equipment used to track stock, read water levels, ensure safety of people and animals and prevent stock theft will suffer a decline in sales. Meat agents, marketing-, transport- and packing companies, retailers, the hospitality industry and finally ordinary consumers will be affected nationally. The highly respected and famous brand, "Karoo, Meat of Origin", with export credentials to many parts of the world including Europe and Switzerland will be dealt a great setback.</p>  
	<p>
	  <figure class="figure">
	    <img class="img-responsive" src="img/karoo-meat-of-origin.jpg" alt="Karoo meat of origin display in a shop">
	    <figcaption class="figure-caption text-right">Karoo meat of origin display at a supermarket in Cape Town</figcaption>
	  </figure>
	</p>
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