(i) Collect and remove old mining machinery, pipes and other equipment throughout the EFZ and in the river bed above the road bridge (#10 in Figure 2). Improve safety and aesthetic appeal of the estuarine area No old mining equipment in EFZ ETT - Lead WCR, De Beers (de Beers until rehabilitation commitments end) R100 000
(iv) Upgrade and maintain bird hide and maintain register of users. Records of numbers of of the bird hide (v) Develop and install effective and informative signage Signage erected (vi). Demarcate public access and sensitive and mark areas with suitable signage Public access and sensitive areas marked (vii) Rehabilitate mined landscape to meet specifications of the of the DMR mining permit EMP in order to restore scenic value Scenic value of the landscape is restored WCR – Lead ETT (viii)Ensure safety of the public. Erect warning signs explaining the danger of episodic flood events and other coastal hazards. Erect warning signs for any remaining mining hazards (until rehabilitation has been completed). Warning have been erected
Key performance indicators 1 2 3 4 5 (i) Ensure that all government departments fulfil their obligations in terms of the TOR of the ETT and the relevant legislation pertaining to public participation, when any management interventions within the management area are being considered. Estuary managed by a fully functional ETT constituted and operating under PCC and in accordance with agreed TOR. Signed formal letters of mandate from various ETT sectors indicating responsible representative ETT, DEA, DAFF, DMR, NKLM, NDM, PCC, DENC, WCR (ii) Review (every two years) the ETT usefulness, structure, representation, TOR and on-going relevance. Amend or revise as required. Functional ETT ETT, PCC (iii) Individual government agencies to make provision for the necessary resources in their short, medium and long-term expenditure frameworks to create and fill posts, and acquire necessary infrastructure and resources to participate effectively in the management of the estuary (e.g. staff, office equipment, water quality meter, vehicle). Sufficient ring-fenced agency budgets to conduct Buffels Estuary management activities ETT – Lead NKLM, NDM, DENC, DAFF, DEA, DMR (iv) Develop a long-term financing plan for the management of the estuary. Explore availability of funding from IDP for implementation of EMP (see 5.3 (i)). Long term finance plan ETT - Lead PCC (v) Build capacity by improving awareness and insight into legal context and obligations of all levels of government involved in the management of the coast and estuary. Records of training initiatives ETT – Lead PCC (vi) Establish and maintain a law enforcement and compliance capacity that is effective in the oversight of both mining and activities. No infringements of mining EMPr, estuary EMP, MLRA, NEMA and all its sub-Acts Decrease in number of illegal activities occurring on Namakwa coastline DENC – Lead ETT, NKLM, NDM Strategy 5.3: Align/Integrate Buffels Estuary management planning with local and regional planning initiatives. Management action Priority Management targets Key performance indicators Responsibility Time frame Travel R15 000 1 2 3 4 5 (i) Attend municipal IDP meetings, with a specific focus on the provision of municipal infrastructure and services to assist in Buffels Estuary and Kleinzee coastal ETT – Lead PCC, NKLM NDM
Table 8.1. Proposed monitoring programme for the Buffels Estuary. Aspect and Indicator Objective Frequency Location Staff required Collection/Analytical method Biological: Numbers and species of birds utilising the estuary. Number and species of birds in EFZ. Fish sampling Determine baselines and responses to season and management interventions Monthly Quarterly Identification and count and of open water and shoreline bird spp. 3 x Fixed transect walk through of EFZ. Open cast netting programme for fish 1 Standardised sampling procedure (time, weather, routes etc) Counts in the course of shoreline patrols and transect walks. Cast netting; species identification and length frequencies Biological: Extent of A. cyclops growth Extent of P. australis growth Monitor spread of alien invasive spp. Monitor habitat change and extent of open water Annual EFZ 1 GPS and digital mapping techniques and/or Remote sensing imagery Physical: Rainfall Monitor climate changes Daily Rainfall: Koingnaas Mining complex. 1 Standard Rain Gauge Beach / sand berm profile and long term mouth sediment dynamics Monitor mouth opening events and factors impacting on estuarine connectivity to the marine environment Quarterly Sand Strategic location to be determined 1 Aerial/standard shoreline photography. Water Quality: Salinity, or conductivity Nutrient levels – Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites, Silicates, Phosphates, E. coli bacteria and other pathogens Determine changes in quality as a result of rainfall, catchment and local activities, golf course watering etc. Monthly Two sample sites in each open water body 1 According to laboratory Specifications. Water quantity: Fresh water flow into the estuary, depth of the estuary. Detect changes in fresh water input into the estuary. Detect potential sedimentation problems quantity: Continuous Depth: Quarterly Water quantity: Strategic location to be determined. Depth: Minimum of two fixed points in each open water body. 1 Methods for the Determination of the Ecological Reserve for Estuaries (DWA, 2010). Standard marked depth gauge. Social: Use of the estuary. Determine types and number of user groups visiting the estuary and coastal zone and their preferred activities preferably otherwise randomised sampling program Bird hide. Road to beach or footpath to the estuary through the golf course. 1 Data collected by tourism booking agency/community guides.