Draft Status Quo Report for the Pixley Ka Seme ... - SRK Consulting

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SRK Consulting in association with BKS Pixley Ka Seme Local Municipality EMF – Draft Status Quo Report Page 51 4 Assets, opportunities, constraints and threats This first phase of the EMF process (i.e. the status quo assessment) provides a description of the existing environmental and social baseline conditions in the PSKLM. During the next phase, the desired state of environment will be defined. The main objective of the status quo assessment is to identify the environmental and social assets that have importance or value, and the associated constraints and/or threats on these assets. These assets in turn assist in developing the desired state. The following definitions apply: Assets are characteristics or features in the study area that have importance or value. These include biophysical as well as socio-economic aspects. These assets induce a management response – normally protection or sustainable use. Assets may present constraints and/or opportunities for the project/environment and may or may not be spatially defined. Constraints are limitations or restrictions placed on the project/environment by the asset. Development activities could threaten the asset. There are various types of constraints and threats. These are defined as follows: Physical constraints/threats are physical limitations or restrictions placed on the environment by the asset (constraints) OR threats posed by the physical development activity on the asset (threat). Policy constraints/threats are policy-level limitations or restrictions placed on the environment by the asset (constraints) OR threats posed by policy weaknesses on the asset (threat). Institutional constraints/threats are institutional limitations or restrictions placed on the environment by the asset (constraints) OR threats posed by institutional weaknesses on the asset (threat). Developmental constraints/threats are developmental limitations or restrictions placed on the environment by the asset (constraints) OR threats posed by developmental weaknesses on the 1asset (threat). The assets and constraints/threats within the study area are described in this section. This was done by synthesising and interpreting the baseline data and information of the study area. Assets that are spatial in nature are depicted on maps. Tables 4-1 to 4-8 depict each asset with corresponding opportunities and constraints/threats. KILI/BEAT G:\404946_PIXLEY EMF\7REPORTS\Status Quo report\Draft report\Draft status quo report, July 2010.docx July 2010
SRK Consulting in association with BKS Pixley Ka Seme Local Municipality EMF – Draft Status Quo Report Page 52 Table 4-1: Assets, opportunities and constraints/threats associated with surface and groundwater Asset Opportunity Constraint / Threat The strong legislative and framework is a powerful asset for the sustainable management of the water resource in the PKSLM Civil society individuals and groupings eager for sound management of the water resource Acceptable water quality from the three WMAs of the PKSLM. This water is of high strategic importance (both quantity and quality) for power generation, irrigation and other economic uses beyond the WMAs both in South The legislative framework sets in place the opportunity for effective catchment management structures including the development of CMA and catchment management strategy for the WMA. A strong CMA will provide direction and focus for towards Integrated Catchment Management (ICM). CMAs bring a catchment perspective to the IDP spatial planning process coordinated by Department of Planning and Local Government in IDP forums and undertaken by municipalities; align the licensing process with the EIA process from a catchment management perspective; work with provincial government to draft an Environmental Implementation Plan, as a NEMA requirement. There are numerous instruments for water quality management, covering regulatory, market-based, self-regulatory and civil management approaches. Non-compliance with authorisations and the legislative framework can result in successful prosecution, including through the involvement of ‘Green & Blue Scorpions’ where necessary. Use of the toll free hotline – 0800 205 005 with supporting information should be encouraged. The surface- and groundwater monitoring programme run by DWA, River Health and Local Authorities are a critical component for the management of the water resource of the PKSLM, and can assist with the identification of non-compliance. Partnerships between government and stakeholders who have an interest in a well managed water resource, such as Rand Water ecotourism initiatives, irrigation boards and Water Use Areas, ESKOM, and conservation groupings can be strengthened. Building of knowledge of the legislative framework amongst local stakeholders, and the channels through which they can ‘whistle-blow’ suspected transgressions can assist authorities with taking action. Active monitoring of the area will bring about proactive identification of existing and potential water pollution sources, the implementation of pollution prevention, effective containment, and treatment at source. The Usutu to Mhlatuze WMA is a net exporter of water via transfer schemes. In terms of the DWA raw water pricing policy, this will provide the CMAs with the facility to gain additional income for catchment management. Opportunities for the sustainable Poor implementation of the legislative framework, such as exceedances of authorisations, poses a threat to achieving and maintaining good water quality in the PKSLM. Impetus to implement and effectively run CMAs. There is insufficient on-the-ground law enforcement capacity. Insufficient coordination between local municipalities, district municipality, provincial authorities and national authorities can hamper effective management of the water environment. Lack of active catchment/river forums in the PKSLM. Responsibility to neighbouring countries and requirement to comply with associated international obligations to ensure that they receive water supply of sufficiently good water quality and quantity. Availability of water for activities including forestry, agriculture and coal mining is a KILI/BEAT G:\404946_PIXLEY EMF\7REPORTS\Status Quo report\Draft report\Draft status quo report, July 2010.docx July 2010
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Draft Status Quo Report for the Pixley Ka Seme ... - SRK Consulting

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