The quality of Ecological Reserve Inputs in Environmental Impact Assessments for water resource development projects in South Africa

Abstract

The Ecological Reserve characterises the quantity and quality of water required to maintain long-term ecological functioning of an aquatic ecosystem and is regarded as a key element of integrated water resource management. Furthermore, in South Africa obligations for implementation of the Ecological Reserve are binding in terms of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998). Water resource developments such as dams and hydropower developments are associated with several environmental and social impacts, which may implicate meeting the Ecological Reserve within a water resource. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is one of the most important and widely implemented regulatory instruments for protection of the environment. The quality of EIAs may therefore, exercise an influence on the protection of aquatic ecosystems and the statutory obligation of realising the Ecological Reserve. The quality of Ecological Reserve Inputs in Environmental Impact Assessments for water resource development projects in South Africa was investigated as part of this study. A review package was developed in order to determine the quality of Ecological Reserve inputs in EIAs. Similar to previous studies the Lee and Colley review package was adapted. Key criteria related to the Ecological Reserve were added to the Lee and Colley Review package and applied to 7 water resource development EIAs. This quality review of Ecological Reserve inputs into EIAs for water resource developments in South Africa shows that seventy-one percent (71%) of the selected EIAs were satisfactory. This demonstrates a relatively good overall quality of the EIAs in the water resource development sector. Areas of strengths include descriptive and presentational areas. However, several omissions and inadequacies, specifically at subcategory level, were shown in all the EIAs despite the overall satisfactory results, which included hydrology and flow inputs, ecosystem goods and services, significance to the affected community, and public participation.