/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa, has published the draft coastal waters discharge permit regulations in Government Notice R. 214 in Government Gazette No. 40674 on 10 March 2017, for public comment.

The regulations seek to provide an administrative framework to implement Section 69 of the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act (ICMA), 2008 (Act No. 24 of 2008) relating to coastal effluent discharges from land-based sources.

The ICMA empowers the department to manage the discharge of effluent into coastal waters in a manner that ensures that beneficial users of coastal water are not adversely affected upon and that the environmental integrity of the coast is not compromised.

The discharge of effluent into South Africa’s coastal waters was previously administered by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in terms of Section 21 of the National Water Act (NWA), 1998 (Act 36 of 1998).

With existing outfall operators continuing to discharge and new applications for proposed (new) discharges being made to the Department, there is a need to regulate the permitting (administrative) process.

The draft regulations provide the much needed guidance sought by operators and stipulates time-frames, renewal application process, applicable fees and the required information and processes that allows the delegated authority to make an informed decision on coastal waters discharge permit applications.

These draft regulations are part of the suite of tools that will be used to assist in the protection and governance of ocean resources.

The ocean is a shared space and all beneficial users must have access to good water quality for their benefit. A better environmental protection, will result in better goods and services from our coastal environment, which is the desired outcome of the draft regulations.

The Minister invites any person to submit written comments on the draft regulations within 30 days of the publication of the notice in the Government Gazette, to the following addresses:

By post to:
The Deputy Director-General: Department of Environmental Affairs
Branch: Oceans and Coasts
P.O Box 52126
V&A Waterfront,
Cape Town
8002

By hand at:
Department of Environmental Affairs
Branch: Oceans and Coasts
East Pier Building 2
East Pier Road
V&A Waterfront
Cape Town

By email: Nbpillay@environment.gov.za

Any enquiries in connection with the regulation can be directed to Ms Nitasha Baijnath-Pillay on 021 819 2409.

Comments received after the closing date may not be considered.

To access the regulation click on the links below:

Draft Coastal Waters Discharge Regulations:
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/gazetted_notices/nemba24of2008_draftcoastalwatersdischarge_permitregulations_gn40674.pdf

Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Report:
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/seias_proposedcoastal_watersdischarge_permitregulations.pdf

Issued by Department of Environmental Affairs