LESEDI ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (EMF) PUBLIC MEETING 25 JANUARY 2006
AGENDA Opening and Welcome Introduction of Consultants Profile of Izwelisha Consortium Explanation of the EMF process Environmental Status Quo in Lesedi Presentation Feedback / Discussion Desired State of the Environment Presentation Feedback / Discussion
PROFILE OF IZWELISHA CONSORTIUM Izwelisha Development Consultants is a BEE Company established in 2002. Main Areas of Expertise: Strategic Planning Local Government Management Planning Land Use Planning and Control Recent and Current Major Strategic Projects: Ekurhuleni GDS, 2025 Sedibeng SDF Govan Mbeki SDF
PROFILE OF IZWELISHA CONSORTIUM (Continue) The Project Team Izwelisha Project Leaders Imvelo - Environmentalists Galago Ventures Fauna & Flora, Ecological Sensitivity MJ van der Walt Geology and Geo-Hydrology Agricultural Research Council Agricultural Potential Valgis Technologies - GIS
WHAT IS AN EMF? (Chapter 5 of NEMA Regulations) Assessment of environmental attributes of a defined geographical area. Identifies conservation and environmental management priorities. Identifies areas to be managed / protected. Identifies inappropriate land uses / development. Identifies environmental considerations to be taken into account during development. Facilitates co-operative governance in relation to environmental decision-making.
THE EMF FORMULATION PROCESS Technical Process Phase 1: Project Inception Finalize T.O.R. Establish Project Steering Committee I.D. Stakeholders I.D. Information Gaps Phase 2: Status Quo Investigation Literature review and primary research Key environmental issues Public Liaison Public Meeting Presentation of status quo Public inputs Phase 3: Strategic EMF Desired state of the environment Land use management areas Environmental control zones
THE EMF FORMULATION PROCESS (Continue) Technical Process Public Liaison Phase 4: Environmental Management Plans Management plans Action plans for implementation Public Meeting Presentation of draft Phase 3 and 4 documentation Public inputs Phase 5: Finalization Preparation of final EMF document and maps Municipal and GDACE approval
PROJECT TIMEFRAME PROJECT PHASE Phase 1: Project Inception Phase 2: Status Quo Phase 3: Strategic EMF Phase 4: EMP s Phase 5: Finalization TIME FRAME September 2005 Start October 2005 end January 2006 Start January 2006 end February 2006 Start February 2006 end April 2006 May, June 2006
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF LESEDI Situated on the southeastern edge of Gauteng. Spans an area of ±1430km² and is largely rural. Two towns: Heidelberg / Ratanda and Devon / Impamelelo. Rural settlements: Vischkuil / Endicott and Jameson Park. Total population: ±100 000 people. Agriculture and Manufacturing are the main contributors to the local economy. Significant environmental features: Two nature reserves Suikerbosrand and Alice Glockner Suikerbosrand hills Pristine areas of highveldt grassland Rivers / streams, waterbodies and wetlands Historic character of Heidelberg CBD
DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE Low population densities in rural areas low human impact on environment pristine habitats remain. Poorest sections of the population are exposed to the most adverse environments, eg. informal settlements.
ECONOMY Pollution caused by industries and agriculture. Ongoing destruction of natural habitats by intensive agricultural practises like monoculture crop cultivation. Natural environment, cultural and historic features offer tourism opportunities.
SETTLEMENT PATTERN Balance must be struck between demands for more urban development and demands for environmental protection. Land uses impacting significantly on the environment: Township areas and informal settlements Industrial areas Slimes dams Intensive agriculture
MINERAL DEPOSITS Sand extraction along rivers and spruits causes wetland habitat destruction. Significant coal deposits in northern, eastern and southern parts of study area. Resurrection of gold mining not foreseen in near future.
TRANSPORTATION, ENGINEERING AND WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICES Traffic on roads in rural areas kills night hunting bird species. Lack of engineering services in informal areas causes health hazards. ESKOM powerlines have an adverse aesthetic effect. Devon landfill site must be upgraded and registered. Littering and illegal dumping in certain areas.
TOPOGRAPHY AND SURFACE HYDROLOGY Suikerbosrand hills and koppies are significant environmental features. Rivers / spruits, waterbodies and wetlands provide rich and diverse habitats.
BIODIVERSITY Habitats with high biodiversity, which should be protected, include: Water bodies, riverine environments and wetlands Remaining natural highveldt grasslands Mountain slopes, summits and rocky outcrops Wooded savannah areas Agricultural activities are the primary threat to remaining diverse natural habitats.
AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL Most of the study area has low to moderate agricultural potential isolated areas of high agricultural potential. The conflict between high potential agricultural land within the urban edge and development demand must be resolved.
POTENTIAL POLLUTION SOURCES Industrial areas Informal settlements Karan Beef (feedlots) Slimesdams Agriculture Sewerage treatment works Landfill sites
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM AREAS Mining activities (mine heaps, slimes dams, quarrying and sand mining). Informal settlements and some township areas. Heidelberg industrial area. Agricultural holdings (illegal land uses eg. small scale industrial uses). Commercial agricultural areas. Overhead powerlines and pylons. Sewerage disposal works and solid waste disposal sites.
SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES Suikerbosrand and Allice Glöckner Nature Reserves. Blesbokspruit and Suikerbosrand Rivers. Dams, pans and wetlands. Natural primary grasslands in the eastern part of the study area. Mountain slopes, summits and rocky outcrops in the southern and western parts of the study area. Wooded savannah areas. Heidelberg CBD with its cultural and historic features. Some red data species hot spots have been identified.
DESIRED STATE OF ENVIRONMENT INTRODUCTION Definition: Environment Development Sustainable Development Holistic & Coherent Approach Principles Legislation
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: LAND USE Introduction & General Increasing population, increasing development Residential Formal Indigenous gardens Character of area Potential impact determination Geological & hydrological suitability No-Go areas Infrastructure Open Space areas Natural habitats
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: LAND USE (Continue) Residential Informal Avoid expansion and new establishments Address pollution Formalisation Service Provision Empowerment : Education & upliftment Industrial / commercial Area free of / minimum pollution Restricted to dedicated areas EMP s Pollution control mechanisms (mitigation, reduce, control, legislation) GDACE: Bufferzone Project
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: LAND USE (Continue) Agriculture Largest sector, biggest impact Commercial farming : EMP s New enterprises : EIA & EMP Education (awareness & informing) Sustainable / responsible farming Promote organic methods Subdivision of land No cultivating along water courses Mining Related EIA & EMP Rehabilitation Pollution control mechanisms Discourage further mining activities
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: INFRASTRUCTURE Road Network Upgrade of gravel roads Maintenance New routes : EIA & EMP Adhere to minimum requirements Engineering Services Ideal : all areas serviced No new developments without services Address informal areas Education : usage
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT HISTORIC CULTURAL New in line with old Management, Legislation & SAHRA Sense of place PUBLIC PARTICIPATION & EMPOWERMENT Bottom-up vs Top-Down Education Legislation Rights and obligations Active involvement SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Waste Management Education Service provision (incl. Clinics, schools, hospitals)
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: BIODIVERSITY Urbanisation environmental pressures Responsible developments Agricultural activities disturbed environments Manmade Habitats Encourage indigenous gardens Encourage open space / recreation areas Remove alien vegetation & replace Agric. organic Mining rehabilitation, EMP s, EIA s Education & information
Natural Habitats NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: BIODIVERSITY Natural waterbodies & courses: high biodiversity, sensitivity & conservation status Floodline control No Development / change in status (Continue) Grasslands Discourage fragmentation Conservation of natural grasslands No development / change in status Management Implementation Subdivisions not permitted Woodland savanna High biodiversity No development / change in status
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: BIODIVERSITY (Continue) Rocky outcrop / slopes Refrain from altering in any way Highly sensitive No development / change in status Western mountains Conservation priority Conserve corridors (natural) between reserves No development / change in status
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY, HYDROLOGY Ridges & koppies : conserve, no development or agricultural activity Avoid change in natural land form Remain natural New development assessment : GDACE Ridges Policy, EIA, EMP, masts, multi storey Natural water courses protect, not altered without DWAF consent, vegetation protected, exotics removed, ensure free flow and drainage ways Erosion Control Soil suitability tested for development
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: AGRICULTURE POTENTIAL Moderate / High conserve Within Urban Edge development takes presedence Determine environmental sensitivity Limit development
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: OPEN SPACE AREAS Provision in new developments Protect existing Natural Indigenous Open Space Management Plan Linkages open space system
CONCLUSION A sound economy cannot be based on a damaged environment and resource base, conversely environmental conservation is not possible without a healthy economy.