Wetland Offsets

Wetland OffsetsJeffrey ManuelBiodiversity Planning and Mainstreamingj.manuel@sanbi.org.zaStephen Holness on behalf ofSANBI and team

Talk outline• Wetland offsets purpose and place in themitigation hierarchy• Where wetland offsets fit into broaderoffsets policy development• Content of the best-practice guideline forwetland offsets in South Africa• Current revisions• Technical & political approval process

The offsets definition we are using• “Biodiversity offsets are measurableconservation outcomes resulting fromactions designed to compensate forsignificant residual adversebiodiversity impacts arising from projectdevelopment after appropriate preventionand mitigation measures have beentaken.” (Business and Biodiversity Offsets Programme , 2009)

Overall purpose• The goal of biodiversity offsets is toachieve no net loss and preferably a netgain of biodiversity on the ground withrespect to species composition, habitatstructure, ecosystem function and people’suse and cultural values associated withbiodiversity.” (BBOP, 2009)

M I T I G A T I O N H I E R A R C H YThe place of offsets in the mitigationhierarchyAvoid or preventMinimiseRehabilitateOffset

Wetland offsets are part of broaderoffsets policy developmentIAIAdiscussionon offsetscasesIAIAdiscussionon NationalFrameworkBBOPtrainingand IAIAdiscussionNFBOinceptionworkshopNFBOdraft 1submittedto DEA2007 2008 2009 201020112012WCapedraftGuidelineWcapeTreasuryopinionCity of CapeTownlegal opinionCity of CapeTownDraft PolicystatementKZN draftGuidelineGautengconcept forstrategy &guidelineinitiationSANBI initiateswetlandsoffsets metricsdevelopmentWetlandoffsetsmetricssubmittedto DWA

Wetland offset policy goals in SouthAfrica1. Formally protecting wetland systems in agood condition so as to contribute tomeeting national conservation targets;2. No net loss in the overall wetland functionalarea by providing gains equivalent toresidual impacts;3. Providing appropriate and adequatecompensation for residual impacts on keyecosystem services;4. Adequately compensating for residualimpacts on threatened or otherwiseimportant species.

Principles• Adherence to the mitigation hierarchy• Limits to what can be offset• Catchment context• No net loss• Account for risks and uncertainties• Additionality of conservation outcomes• Enduring conservation outcomes• Stakeholder participation

Wetlands offsets document -contents• Wetland offsetsdocument sets out clearpractical guidelines forimplementing wetlandoffsets in a consistentway• Increase predictability ofoffset implementation• Designed to fit in withbroader national policy– Not in itself a policydocument

Design and implementation ofoffsets• Step-by-step process guide– Assessment of impact– Reporting into EIA process– Acceptable offsets– Identifying Offset Receiving Areas– Securing land– Assessing financial implications

Required offsetsConservationsignificanceHow important isthe wetland incontributingtowardsconservation goals?EcosystemservicesWhat are the keyservices that thewetland providesand to what extentwill these benegativelyaffected?WetlandconditionWhat is the currentstate of the wetland,and to what degreewill the developmentcause furtherdegradation?Key speciesAre threatened andother importantspecies associatedwith the wetland andto what degree arethey likely to beimpacted?

Calculator & ratios (1)

Calculator & ratios (2)

Ways of achieving wetland offsetsProtectionAverted lossRehabilitation/ restorationEstablishmentDirectCompensation

Offset receiving areas

Revision & approval processWetland offset technical document1 st version SANBI technical document Testing on mines and other projects FeedbackDWA reviewInternal DWA technical reviewRevised versionStronger discounting of heavily impacted wetlandsBetter incorporation of water resource issuesDWA draft versionDWA intra-governmental process Stakeholder process Revision as requiredDWA approved guidelinesAim for formal DWA endorsement 2013Will have same status as Wetland Delineation Guidelines

Key messages1. Offsets are the last stage in the application of themitigation hierarchy to compensate for significantresidual impacts2. Wetland offsets are part of the nationalbiodiversity offsets policy development process,including alignment of goals and principles3. Wetland offsets document sets out clear practicalguidelines for implementing offsets in aconsistent way4. Anticipated to become an official DWA guidelinein late 2013

Thank you• Wetland offset guideline available onrequest from sholness@nmmu.ac.za