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Integrated Coastal Management Amendment Bill - Public Hearings

This talk outline provides an overview of the amendments proposed in the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Amendment Bill. The amendments aim to clarify definitions, extend powers, simplify administration, and revise offences and penalties. The talk also addresses key definitions related to coastal waters, estuaries, and high-water marks.

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Integrated Coastal Management Amendment Bill - Public Hearings

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  1. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: INTEGRATED COASTAL MANAGEMENT AMENDMENT BILL PCWEA PUBLIC HEARINGS 23 JULY 2013

  2. TALK OUTLINE • Process • Over-view of amendments • Overview of proposed changes to key definitions • Overview or key proposed amendments, following the format: • Problem • Solution

  3. PROCESS • Published – public comment 25 Nov 2011 – end 31 Jan 2012 • 330 comments • Organs of state, NGOs, academic institutions, individuals. • Special stakeholder workshop ‘high-water mark’ • Surveyor General, experts provinces – 26 July 2012 • Revised Draft Cabinet approval 7 NOV 2012 • Certified State Law Advisers 18 Mar 2013

  4. OVERVIEW OF AMENDMENTS (1 of 3) • A number of definitions are amended to: • clarify language; • broaden terms; or • insert definitions which were previously omitted • Predominantly un-contentious definitions – mostly technical improvements • A few textual amendments / corrections due to errors: • Incorrect cross-references; • Typos during Parliamentary printing process

  5. OVERVIEW OF AMENDMENTS (2 of 3) • Alignment with NEMA • Extend the powers, including delegation powers, of MECs • Clarify composition and ownership of coastal public property • Ensure that coastal public property does not impact on the ownership of assets and operations of other organs of state • Clarify and expand provisions on reclamation

  6. OVERVIEW OF AMENDMENTS (3 of 3) • Simplify the administration of coastal access fee approvals • Simplify and amend powers relating to coastal leases and authorisations • Abolish the National Coastal Committee • Revise offences and penalties • Provide for exemptions

  7. KEY DEFINITIONS Key definitions proposed for amendment: • “coastal waters”; • “estuary”; • “high water mark”

  8. “coastal waters” • “ “coastal waters” means− • [marine waters that form part of ]the internal waters,[or] territorial waters or exclusive economic zone of the Republic referred to in sections 3, [and] 4 and 7 of the Maritime Zones Act, 1994 (Act No.15 of 1994), respectively; and • subject to section 26 of this Act, [any] an estuary;”;

  9. ‘coastal waters’ Problem and Proposed Solution PROBLEM: The current wording was confusing: • Marine waters was not defined - raised in comments • Coastal public property (part of coastal waters) included resources within EEZ but not EEZ itself. SOLUTION: • Remove reference to marine waters • Clarify the inclusion of EEZ not just resources

  10. PROPOSED WORDING “estuary” “estuary” means a body of surface water— (a) [that is part of a water course] that is permanently or periodically open to the sea; (b) in which a rise and fall of the water level as a result of the tides is measurable at spring tides when the water course is open to the sea; [ or] and (c) in respect of which the salinity is [measurably] higherthan fresh water as a result of the influence of the sea[;], and where there is a salinity gradient between the tidal reach andthe mouth of the body of surface water;”;

  11. “estuary” Problem and proposed solution PROBLEM: • “water course” not defined - raised in comments • Certain canal systems need to be included in estuaries – influence of the sea SOLUTION: • Remove reference to water course • Make definition scientifically wide enough to cover only the canal systems that are influenced by the sea – must meet all 3 scientific criteria

  12. “high-water mark” “high-water mark” means the highest line reached by coastal waters, but excluding any line reached as a result of— (a) exceptional or abnormal [floods or stormsthat occur no more than once in ten years] weather or sea conditions; or (b) an estuary being closed to the sea;”;

  13. “high-water mark” Problem PROBLEM: • Current wording incorporates reference to 1: 10 year flood line. • Floods and storms too restrictive • 1:10 yr flood line problem • (when does 10 yr start? • could be more than one storm in 10 yr period • HWM can only be determined after extensive mathematical modelling every six months – especially for sandy coastlines; • Any fixed line rather than natural boundary rejected by SG and majority of experts

  14. Proposed Solution SOLUTION: • Amend definition wording by removal of reference to 1: 10 yr flood line revert back to wording similar to the previous Sea Shore Act (with improvements) • Not broken don’t fix it!

  15. “Coastal Public Property” - S 7 PROBLEM: CPP cannot be owned – s 11 vests ownership in the citizens to be held in trust by the state • Section 7 confusing • Large area – certain exclusions. Not clear what was in and what out • Not exclude buildings and structures below the HWM (also error in text (h) (iii) • Transnet – believed that all buildings etc. within ports now became part of CPP and therefore they are disowned by s11 and wanted exclusion from CPP – Problem (see slides) • Section 11 not commenced pending an amendment to clarify CPP and ownership irtTransnet

  16. “coastal public property”Cl 4, PROPOSED SOLUTION • Separate clause clarifying exclusions • Clearly exclude exclude buildings and structures below the HWM (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), coastal public property does not include− (a) any immovable structure, or part of an immovable structure, including harbour installations and infrastructure, whether located on land or the seabed lawfully constructed by an organ of State; • Transnet believes this does not go far enough

  17. RECLAMATION - Cl 5 S7A PROBLEM: • Currently reclamation is in S 27 - was inserted late during the parliamentary process to address ad hoc concerns • Inappropriately placed • Current S 27(6) is inadequate. SOLUTION: • New clause drafted and more appropriately placed • Established criteria • More comprehensive

  18. Position of HWM – Current • Properties with curvilinear boundary/ stated distance HWM – substitute for fixed • Agreement LSAct – Minister real rights holder • If HWM moves inland – 2yrs > SG may make new boundary line • Agreement LSAct Min, municipality, owner and real rights holder • If HWM moves inland of the boundary line – erosion etc – 3yrs – Owner loses ownership

  19. “Position of high-water mark” s14 Problem • Implementation challenges; • Allows owners to change their moveable boundary to fixed boundaries, that will: • Cut off public access along the coast; and • Could lead to abandoned structures below HWM • 2 and 3 yr periods arbitrary - many complaints

  20. “Position of high-water mark” Cl19 Proposed Solution • Simplifying procedures; • Retaining the owners property rights as per their title deed; and • Removing the option to fix boundaries, • Allowing natural movement of the coast

  21. Example of coastal erosion

  22. Exclusion from CPP Cl 18 PROPOSED SOLUTION • Clarified ownership of Transnet assets in S 7 • Delete provision allowing for exclusion from CPP in S 27 • Reverse Parliamentary exclusions of all port footprints Cl 59; S 97A • Dealt with the issue in a different way

  23. ABOLISH NCCREPEAL S35-39; Cl 20-24 PROBLEM: • Duplication of function IGRF Act SOLUTION: • Decision to use existing functioning inter-governmental forums – (MINMEC/ MINTEC) to perform the functions

  24. LEASES ON CPP CL34, 35; S65, 66 PROBLEM: • Any activity on CPP requires a lease or concession - organs of state and anyone present in the sea or sea-shore needs lease or concession from the Minister • Environmental value questionable already regulatory systems in place SOLUTION: • Only regulate activities where legal gap – via published lists

  25. Transitional Provisions Cl 56; S 95 • No need to keep ALL existing leases alive, but require ALL holders of existing leases to submit copies: • To have a complete inventory • To inform listing of activities for coastal use permits • Identify cases where stricter control might be required

  26. OFFENCES AND PENALTIESCl 43 - 45, S 79 -81 PROBLEM: • Complaints that sentencing is inadequate and there are gaps in the law (penalties for subsequent offences inconsistent) SOLUTION: • Offences and penalties tightened up: • Now only two categories of offences instead of 3 • Sentences for category two offences have been increased (R500 000 to R2 m)

  27. THANK YOU

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