Business Case forthe Pongola-Umzimkulu Catchment Management ...

Business Case for the Pongola-Umzimkulu Catchment Management Agency
When established, CMAs are expected to carry out their initial and inherent functions (as
specified in Section 80 of the NWA). Apart from these functions, all other functions must be
delegated or assigned to the CMA. As discussed above, the Minister may delegate or assign
a wide range of additional powers and duties to a CMA, including those of a responsible
authority (Chapter 4) and any of those in Schedule 3 of the NWA. This section sets out a
generic phasing of the transfer of functions that should be used as a guideline in the
development of a plan for the transfer of functions for each CMA.
Three phases of the development of a CMA and the associated transfer of functions are
envisaged, as described below.
6.4.1 Phase 1: Developing relationships and legitimacy
The first two years of the CMA’s existence are seen as being focused on developing
administrative systems, developing a catchment management strategy, building
relationships and building its profile amongst stakeholders in the WMA.
During this period the CMA will be engaged in implementing its initial functions, such as
development of the catchment management strategy and engagement with stakeholders
and the delegation of functions will be minimal.
Within the first two years, the following additional functions may be delegated to the CMA:
• Involvement in water use registration and verification of water use
• Advising and supporting licence applicants on the licensing process and requirements
• Advising DWA on water use authorisations and licenses
• Checking of water use against licence conditions and informing DWA of the results
where compliance enforcement is required.
• Validation of information submitted for registration.
As an inherent function, CMAs should, during this phase, be responsible for determining
their water user charges for abstraction uses, based on information provided by DWA in
relation to registered water use and allocable water quantity.
The CMA should also be responsible, during this phase, for verifying account information
generated by DWA before the distribution of bills, and the managing of customer queries
and customer care.
6.4.2 Phase 2: Build capacity and consolidate
The second phase will start after the CMS has been developed and will see an increase in
capacity within the CMA and the undertaking of WRM functions as they have been
prioritised in the CMS. Functions to be performed and delegated are outlined below:
(i) Resource Directed Measures
The NWA prescribes in chapter 3 that for all significant water resources, the class, reserve
and resource quality objectives have to be determined as soon as reasonably practicable.
S14 requires that all water management institutions give effect to these while executing
their functions. During this second phase, the CMA should be in a position to determine
these factors for water resources within the WMA that are not considered to be of national
significance, and the relevant powers must be delegated to the CMA. All reserve
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