Klein River Estuary planned artificial breach been subverted by legal threats

VIEW THE PROPERTIES CREATING THE POLLUTION IN THE ESTUARY

http://truthabouthermanus.blogspot.com/2011/09/hermaus-lagoon-is-can-of-worms.html

The breaching subcommittee of the Klein River Estuary has been subverted by threatened legal action by some water front property owners. This has led to the announcement of a artificial breach planned for the 9th September. The estuary water level of 2.7m msl.

The blog posting below illustrates the dichotomy of the set back line controversy.

In simple terms it spells coercion. The subcommittee has been coerced into silently approving a breach under threat of legal action, by the very same property owners (properties seen in the photographs below) that have built their homes below the high water line.

Follow this carefully; The present water level is 2.7m msl and it should go to 3m msl for a natural

or artificial breach. Now look at the photographs and see where the properties would stand if the level would be at 3m.

Environmental Affairs, Cape Nature and KREF are in dereliction of their mandates and duties to manage the estuary in terms of their very own rulings.

They have been blackmailed by the property owners and the estuary has been held to ransom by some 'fat cats' who think they own the place.

We will not insist that these properties be demolished and their septic tanks be filled with concrete (which could be suggested) but we will insist on the following;

We are calling for the enforcement of the set back line - 5m above the 3m msl and the instillation of CSIR certified conservancy tanks for all properties falling within this window.

We are also calling for the resignation of all the town planners involved with the approving of the plans of the buildings seen in the photographs below.

Further, there must be a moratorium on all building activities around the estuary until all these submissions have been addressed to there fullest implication.

Below is a letter from KREF anouncing and justifying a pemature artificial breach planned for the 9th September

Klein River

Estuary

FORUM

2011-09-08

Notice of Planned Artificial Breach of the Klein River Estuary

in Terms of the

Maintenance Management Plan: Artificial Breaching of the Klein River Estuary

(DEA & DP Ref No. E12/2/4/7-E2/14-CJ2014/11 dated 2011-03-25)

The breaching subcommittee of the Klein River Estuary Forum, comprising of representatives of

the Overstrand Conservation Foundation, Cape Nature and the Overstrand municipality’s

Environmental Management section, met on 2011-09-07 under the chairmanship of Rob Fryer.

The purpose of the meeting was to review the status of the Klein River Estuary relative to the

criteria and guidelines for artificial breaching set out in the Klein River Estuary Mouth Management

Plan.

The outcome of the meeting was the decision to plan the artificial breaching of the Estuary mouth

at an appropriate time between the 9th and 12th of September 2011.

The time of the breaching will depend upon weather and sea conditions. The earliest the breach

may occur is at high tide at 14:00 on Friday 9th September.

Property owners with Estuary water frontage are advised to take any necessary precautions in

anticipation of the breach. The public is warned that the breaching activities involve earthmoving

activities on Grotto Beach and that the site of the breach is dangerous due to unstable sand banks

and strong currents. People are advised to observe from a distance and not to approach the area

in which the breach is made.

The breaching subcommittee satisfied itself that the prevailing circumstances warrant performing

an artificial breach and that the decision is fully consistent with the Mouth Management Plan, for

which the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA & DP) issued

environmental authorisation. Advice was obtained from reference specialists. The decision was

unanimous.

Amongst the many factors considered prior to making the decision, the following are considered to

be the most important:

1 The water level in the estuary has been steadily rising with the winter rainfall and has reached

2.77 m above mean sea level (amsl). It is evident from the only very slight increase in level

following the most recent rain storm that the level has plateaued.

2 The minimum berm height at the estuary’s mouth is 3 m amsl. This occurs at 3 positions

along the berm. Only one of these low points occurs at the preferred breaching point.

3 The weather forecast for the next week, with minimal rainfall anticipated, indicates that it is

unlikely there will be any further rise in water level, which may even drop due to evaporation

and seepage through the berm. The rainfall required in the Klein River Catchment to raise the

estuary’s water level to the 3 m amsl berm low points is estimated to be in the region of 100

mm. It is therefore unlikely that a natural breach will occur within the August to October

window within which we are authorised to effect an artificial breach.

4 While salinity levels are not deciding criteria within the Mouth Management Plan, the salinity

has reached unprecedented low levels (10 ppt). Recent observations of sand snake eels

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Klein River

Estuary

FORUM

(Ophisurus serpens) in shallow water along the berm have provided early indications that this

may be causing stress to some species in the estuary.

5 Several illegal attempts have been made to artificially breach the estuary at positions that are

not preferred for optimal scouring of silt from the estuary and which may lead to erosion of the

Grotto Beach and its car park. The danger exists that further illegal attempts at inappropriate

positions or unfavourable sea conditions might succeed to the detriment of the estuary.

The breaching subcommittee concluded that the preferred natural breach is unlikely to occur, and

that the circumstances are such that an artificial breach should be performed to promote

ecosystem health of the Klein River Estuary and preserve its value as a nursery area for fish.

DEA & DP have been notified in accordance with the conditions contained within the environmental

authorisation.

Yours faithfully

Rob Fryer

Chairman

TEL +27 28 313 2025 FAX 086 695 0046 CELL +27 72 185 5726 E-MAIL wcc@ocf.org.za WEBSITE www.whalecoastconservation.org.za

U1 Gateway Centre, Main Rd, Hermanus PO BOX 1949 HERMANUS SOUTH AFRICA 7200

PBO 18/11/13/4541 NPO 020-717

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