Newsflash October/November 2005

General Environmental Developments

National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Amendment Act 31 of 2004: Commencement on 1 November 2005. (Proclamation 58 Government Gazette 28123 21 October 2005.) (This Amendment Act mostly deals with the inclusion of National Parks in the protected areas regulated by the Protected Areas Act.)

National Environment Management: Protected Areas Amendment Act 31 of 2004: Nominations for appointment of suitable persons as members of the Board of South African National Parks (SANParks) invited by 14 October 2005. (Government Notice 1790 Government Gazette 28072 26 September 2005.)

Notice of intention to declare the Vaal Triangle Air-Shed Priority Area in terms of section 18(1) of the National Environmental Management Act:  Quality Act 39 of 2004

The Minister intends declaring the Vaal Triangle Air-Shed Priority Area in terms of Section 18(1).  Comments are invited within 30 days from the date of notice. (Government Notice 1007 of 14 October 2005 Government Gazette 28132.)

Water

National Water Act 36 of 1998: Establishment of the Crocodile (West)-Marico Catchment Management Agency (Water Management Area Number 3) which covers the northern part of the North West Province, the north-eastern part of Gauteng, the south-west portion of the Limpopo Province and a small portion of Western Mpumalanga and is bordered by Botswana on its north-western side. (Government Notice 939 Government Gazette 28053 30 September 2005.)

National Water Act 36 of 1998: Proposal for the establishment of the Olifants-Doorn Catchment Management Agency in terms of section 78(3). Invitation to comment within 90 days from date of publication. (Government Notice 944 Government Gazette 28053 30 September 2005.)

National Water Act 36 of 1998: Proposal for the establishment of the Gouritz Catchment Management Agency in terms of section 78(3). Invitation to comment within 90 days from date of publication. (Government Notice 945 Government Gazette 28053 30 September 2005.)

Restriction on the use of water for Agricultural, Domestic and Industrial purposes in the Levuvhu/Letaba Water Management Area. (Government Notice 1038 of 21 October 2005 Government Gazette : 28143.)

The Director General of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry issued a notice declaring that a serious water shortage exists in the catchment of the Great Letaba, the Klein Letaba and the Luvuvhu Rivers and restricting the trailing of water from the said rivers.  The notice overrides any other or previous authorization issued by the Department relating to these areas.

Written comments in terms of Section 110 of the National Water Act 36 of 1998 on the proposed construction of phase 2 of the Olifants River Water Resource Development Project and Environmental Impact Assessment relating thereto, are invited.  Comments must be submitted to the Department before 31 December 2005. (Government Notice 1057 of 28 October 2005 Government Gazette 28167.)

Mine health and safety

Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996: Invitation to submit project proposals by Safety in Mines Research Advisory Committee (SIMRAC) on behalf of the Mine Health and Safety Council by 7 November 2005. (Government Notice 1857 Government Gazette 28106 14 October 2005.)

Prepared by the Environment, Mining and Natural Resources Practice Area Bowman Gilfillan.  Please contact Claire Tucker c.tucker@bowman.co.za should you require copies of any of the documents referred to in this news flash or wish to discuss any of the matters raised in this news flash.