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

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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

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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