RESERVE DETERMINATION STUDIES FOR RESERVE DETERMINATION STUDIES FOR SELECTED SURFACE WATER, GROUNDWATER, SELECTED SURFACE WATER, GROUNDWATER, ESTUARIES AND WETLANDS IN THE GOURITZ ESTUARIES AND WETLANDS IN THE GOURITZ
WMA – PSC MEETING NO 1WMA – PSC MEETING NO 1
OVERVIEW OF THE RESERVE PROCESS AND THE NEED FOR PROTECTION
24 JULY 2014
1
OUTLINE
• Why do we need to protect?• Strategy for Protection• What is the Reserve and where does it fit in?• 8-Steps Process of the Reserve
Need for water resource protection • NWA mandate ( NWRS, chapter 3, and other environmental legislation)• Water resource are (Rivers, Estuaries, Wetland and groundwater)• Water resource protection is not about conserving the fish and birds only but
the: • Objectives for water resource protection are to :
– ensure long-term sustainable use of water resources– balance the need for long-term protection against the
need for economic growth and social development
CLASS I CLASS II CLASS III UNACCEPTABLE
Natural Variation
Ecosystem in near natural state
Natural Variation
Ecosystem modified but still functioning - removal of weight results in a return to near natural conditions.
Natural Variation
Ecosystem significantly modified but still functioning - removal of weight results in a return to near natural conditions
Ecosystem completely modified. Will no longer return to natural conditions
THE RESERVE
Notes: In Class I the spring is in a near natural state. In Classes II and III, it’s shape is modified but it still functions as a spring. Beyond the Reserve it no longer functions as a spring. While it is possible to re-coil the spring, it is generally expensive. Highly modified systems may also lose species and genetic material which may be irreplaceable.
OVER UTILISATION OF A WATER RESOURCE
OVERABSTRACTIONPOLLUTION
GEOMORPHOLOGY MODIFIED
EWR
Resource Directed MeasuresResource Directed MeasuresA strategy to ensure sustainability and A strategy to ensure sustainability and
protectionprotection
RESOURCE PROTECTION
Pollution sources•Discharges•Run-off (Agricultural, settlements, urban areas)• Illegal water use – Water abstraction LicensesBest Practices for water use
Setting the rules for managing and controlling activities impacting on water resources through:•Management Objectives (Class & Resource Quality Objectives)• Human Needs & Aquatic Health (Reserve)
Managing and controlling activities impacting on water resources (abstraction of water & the disposal of effluents )
Setting management requirements in water resources (rivers, wetlands, estuaries & groundwater)
Strategy for protection
RDM – Strategy for protection
2
8-step process1. INITIATE STUDYDefine study areaSelect level and eco- system
components Select study team
4. QUANTIFICATIONQuantify the EWRs and scenarios, including quality
2. DEFINE RESOURCE UNITS & SELECT EWR SITES
3. FIELD SURVEYS & ASSESSMENTSUndertake specialist field surveysAssess the present state and recommend future state
5. Operational Scenarios & ConsequencesImpacts of development scenarios Ecological and socio-economic consequences
7. SELECT BEST DEVELOPMENT OPTION & DEVELOP A MONITORING PROGRAMME
8. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
6. DWA MANAGEMENT CLASS Decision-making process