Garden Route National Park Stakeholder participation report 2019 - SANParks
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30
Garden Route
National Park
GARDEN ROUTE NATIONAL PARK – MANAGEMENT PLAN
Stakeholder
participation
report
2019
1Table of contents
No. Index Page
Prelude 3
Introduction 4
1 Background 4
2 Stakeholder participation strategy 4
2.1 Stakeholder engagement objectives 4
2.2 Approach 4
3 Stakeholder engagement process 5
4 Stakeholder identification, registration and meetings 5
4.1 Media platforms used to invite stakeholders to register and participate 5
4.2 Documentation dissemination 6
4.3 Public information sessions on Draft Management Plan 6
5 Stakeholder comments / inputs 7
2Prelude
This report is the accompanying stakeholder participation report to the revised park
management plan of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP).
The report includes the comments received from stakeholders on the draft park management
plan released for public comment on 01 July 2019.
This report is submitted with the revised park management plan of the GRNP to the
Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) for technical review.
For further information please contact:
GARDEN ROUTE NATIONAL PARK – MANAGEMENT PLAN
André Spies
Manager: Park Planning
Postal address: P.O. Box 787, Pretoria, 0001
Tel: 012 426 5285
Email: andre.spies@sanparks.org
3Introduction
1. Background
In compliance with National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act No.
57 of 2003)(NEM: PAA), SANParks has initiated a process to revise the GRNP
Management Plan.
Section 39(3) of NEM: PAA requires that all persons who may be interested or affected
by a management plan for a protected area be given the opportunity to participate in,
or comment on the plan. Section 41(2e) of NEM: PAA states that a management plan
for a protected area must contain at least procedures for public participation, including
participation by contractually included land owners (if applicable), any local community
or other interested party.
Section 24(d) of the World Heritage Convention Act (Act No. 49 of 1999) also requires
public participation.
The stakeholder engagement strategy was developed in line with the requirements of
the SANParks guidelines for stakeholder engagement and Chapter 5 of the National
Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998).
This report is submitted as a record of the formal comments received from
stakeholders on the draft GRNP Management Plan.
2. Stakeholder engagement strategy
2.1 Stakeholder engagement objectives
The objectives of the stakeholder participation process are to:
Create a channel for the accurate and timely dissemination of information to
interested and affected stakeholders;
Create the opportunity for communication between SANParks and the public;
Promote opportunities for the building of understanding between different
parties;
Provide the opportunity for stakeholders to give meaningful input into the
decision-making processes that drive the development of the Park
Management Plan.
2.2 Approach
The approach to the Stakeholder Participation Process is based on the principles
embodied in the following legal framework:
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act No. 108 of 1996);
National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA); and
The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act No.57 of
2003) as amended by the National Environmental Management: Protected
Areas Act (Act No.31 of 2004), Act No. 15 of 2009 and Act 21 of 2014.
4In addition to the above legal framework, the stakeholder process was developed with the Guiding
Principles for SANParks Stakeholder Participation in mind. SANParks thus undertakes to:
Seek to notify stakeholders of participation processes through appropriate mechanisms.
Ensure that the process provides the opportunity for input from all stakeholders within
reasonable timeframes, emphasising the sharing of information, joint learning and
capacity building.
Promote participation by stakeholders through timely and full disclosure of all relevant
and appropriate information.
Provide feedback on the outcome of the process to stakeholders and demonstrate how
their inputs have been considered in the decision-making process.
Ensure that methodologies accommodate the context of the issue at hand and the
availability of resources (people, time, money) and do not conflict with these guiding
principles.
Give attention to ensuring participation by marginalised communities, communities with
specific concerns, or communities that have contractual rights in the national park.
GARDEN ROUTE NATIONAL PARK – MANAGEMENT PLAN
3. The stakeholder engagement process
The stakeholder engagement process took the form of a wide-reaching open process, spanning
16 months, where input and/or comments on the draft sections were collected, considered and
responded to. Platforms used to reach organisations and members of the public included direct
mail to all previously registered stakeholders on the database of consulted stakeholders during
the review of the last GRNP Management plan and a regional stakeholder database. The call for
participation in the development of the “desired state” at the start of the review process, as well
as the “call for comments” to participate and comment on the draft Park Management Plan were
published in local media and social media posts, supported by news about the workshops on the
SANParks website, at local libraries and at community centres. At the six desired state
workshops and the 14 external focus group meetings that followed, as well as the six public
information sessions, stakeholders were given a chance to directly interact with park
management.
4. Stakeholder identification and registration
Stakeholders were identified from the park’s stakeholder database as well as the existing
stakeholder registers from previous public participation processes. New and existing
stakeholders were also able to register throughout the 16-month process at the six desired state
workshops, the six public information sessions and on the SANParks Website. In total, 235
members of the public registered as stakeholders during this revision process.
Stakeholder Identification:
Table 1. The various organisations that were identified to participate in the Integrated Management Plan
process included the following:
International Trans Frontier Conservation Area (TFCA) partners, UNESCO, African
World Heritage Fund
National Government The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), the South African National
Botanical Institute (SANBI), the Department of Agriculture Forestry &
Fisheries (DAFF)- and the South African Police Services (SAPS)
Provincial government The Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development
Planning, the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development
Environmental Affairs and Tourism, CapeNature, the Western Cape
Department of Water and Sanitation, the Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism
Agency, the Western Cape Department of Social Development
Local government Eden District Municipality, Bitou Municipality, Knysna Municipality, George
Municipality, Koukamma Municipality
5Local Resident/Neighbours Knoetzie Home Owners, Pezula Golf Estate, MTO (Cape Pine),
Pledge Nature Reserve, Knysna Basin Project, Mountain Club of
S.A, Southern Cape FPA, Sedgefield Ratepayers and Voters
Association, Wilderness Ratepayers Association, Sedgefield Island
Conservancy, Wilderness Lakes Sub-Catchment Management
Forum, Knysna Catchment Management Forum, Wilderness Lakes
Catchment Management Forum, Steenbok Park Nature Reserve,
Pledge Nature Reserve, Nature's Valley Trust, Plettenberg Bay
Community Environment Forum, Stewardship Working Group, Eden
to Addo, Tsitsikamma Conservation Forum, Conservancies: Middle
Keurbooms, Indalo, Noetzie, Bibby's Hoek, Gouna, Phantom-
Homtini, Redford, Kaaimans, Cola Beach, Western-Heads
Goukamma, Sedgefield Island, Paradise Ridge, Touwriver
Kaaimans, Crags.
Land claimants Covie CPA (Land Claim)
Community organisations Khoisan Village Trust, Tsitsikamma Angling Forum, Traditional
Healers Knysna, Traditional Healers Plettenberg Bay, House of
Judah Rastafarian Community, Traditional Circumcision Knysna,
Traditional Circumcision Plettenberg Bay, Rastafarians Plettenberg
Bay, Knysna Historical Society, Rotary, Edge of Africa, Knysna Drug
and Alcohol Centre, Julia Early Childhood and Aftercare Centre,
Wilderness and Lakes Environmental Action Forum (WALEAF)
Business associations Tsitsikamma Black Economic Empowerment Forum, Koukamma
Business Development Forum, George Business Chamber, Oyster
Rights Holder
Research Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Cape College,
Botanical Society of South Africa
Conservation organisations Nature's Valley Trust, Wildlife and Environment Society of South
Africa (WESSA), Fynbos Forum, Knysna Environmental Forum,
Biowise, Knysna Museum, Lakes Bird Club, Garden Route Initiative,
SC Weeds Forum, Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers
Tourist organisations Thesen Island Blue Flag Committee, World Travellers, Eden
Adventures, George Lakes Yacht Club, Lakes Bird Club, Dog
Walkers Committee
SANParks Honorary South Eastern Cluster (Wilderness, Knysna, Tsitsikamma)
Rangers
Media platforms used to invite stakeholders to register and participate
Table 2. The various media platforms used to inform stakeholders of the revision of the park
management plan.
Media Description
1. Direct e-mail All the stakeholders that were registered during the 2009
management plan revision were informed about the revision process.
(Refer to list of 41 persons).
In addition, the region’s stakeholder database was used
(refer to e-mail trail of invitations)
Key stakeholders were sent personal invites to attend any of the
public sessions.
Follow-up calls were made to ensure stakeholders RSVP.
62. National print media Advertisements to inform interested and affected parties to register as
advertisements stakeholders for participation in the review of the park management plan
and to attend the desired state workshops, were placed in the following
local newspapers:
Knysna-Plett Herald (26 March & 05 April 2018)
CX Express (28 March & 04 April 2018)
George Herald (26 March & 05 April 2018)
Action Ads (26 March & 05 April 2018)
Kouga Express (05 April 2018)
The Edge (04 April 2018)
Advertisements to inform interested and affected parties to attend
information sessions on the draft park management plan and comment on
the draft plan, were placed in the following national and local newspapers:
Sunday Times - 30 June 2019;
Rapport - 30 June 2019
CX Express - 03 July 2019.
The Edge - 09 and 10 July 2019.
Group Editors - 09 and 10 July 2019.
GARDEN ROUTE NATIONAL PARK – MANAGEMENT PLAN
3. Media coverage of the https://www.georgeherald.com/News/Article/General/desired-state-of-
‘desired state of the GRNP garden-route-national-park-201804091250
https://www.thegremlin.co.za/2018/04/06/grnp-begins-the-review-of-its-
management-plan-process-next-week/
http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/178920/SANParks-to-begin-
review-of-GRNP/NaN
4. Internet Stakeholders were able to access the SANParks website from 01 April
2018 to gain information regarding the revision process.
https://www.sanparks.org/about/news/default.php?id=57461
5. Social media April 4 at 6:08pm
Notice to Garden Route National Park stakeholders
5. Registration at meetings Participants were also able to register at the following meetings:
Brenton-On-Sea Community Hall
Hornlee Civic Centre
Wilderness Hotel
Touwsranten Civic Centre
Stormsriver Village - Village Inn Hotel, Darnell Street
Nompumelelo Community Hall
6. Public information Official notices were placed at the following public venues:
boards At the Kareedouw local municipal satellite office in Stormsriver Village
Notice board at shop in Stormsriver Village;
Nompumelelo Community Hall and Kareedouw local municipal
satellite office in Nompumelelo;
Storms River Total Filling station (next to ATM’s);
Notice board at shop in Nature’s Valley Village;
Notice board in Covie
At the Knysna local municipality offices
Hornlee Community Hall; and
Notice boards at shops in Sedgefield and Hoekville.
5. The “Desired State” Workshops
At the start of the review process, members of the public and stakeholder groups were invited to
participate in the development of the “desired state” of the park. A total of 232 members of the
public participated in six public and one internal staff “desired state” workshops. These
workshops were facilitated by external facilitators and hosted for the public to develop a vision
for the park and identify the high-level objectives which form the basis of the park plan.
Documentation relating to these workshops are available on request.
7Table 3. Public “Desired State” workshops held around the park.
Number of
Venue Date stakeholders that
attended
Stormsriver Village - Village Inn Hotel, Darnell 9 April 2018 10:00 49
Street
Nompumelelo Community Hall 17 May 2018 18:00 16
Brenton on Sea community Hall 10 April 2018 10:00 57
Hornlee Civic Centre 16 May 2018 18:00 22
Wilderness Hotel 11 April 2018 10:00 53
Touwsranten Civic Centre 15 May 2018 18:00 35
Internal workshop for all levels of SANParks Staff 12 April 2018 08:00 38
Focus Group meetings
During the process of drafting the lower level plans, 14 external and five internal focus
group meetings were hosted. A total of 315 stakeholders with a direct interest
participated in the14 external focus group workshops. Documentation relating to these
workshops are available on request.
Table 4. A summary of the external Focus Group meetings hosted
Number of
Focus Group Date(s) stakeholders that
attended
Knysna Estuary Forum 23 May 2018 13
Environmental Interpretation and Education 19 July 2018 27
Natural Resource Use (three workshops were 31 July, 23 August Tsitsikamma 9 +
hosted: one in Tsitsikamma and two in Knysna ) and 11 October Knysna 14 + 25 = 48
2018
Park Expansion, Buffer zone & Conservancy 17 and 26 23 + 37 = 60
Focus Group Workshops (Knysna and Wilderness) September 2018
Stakeholders Engagement Focus Group 4 September 2018 15
Recreational Users 6 September 2018 42
Commercial Users & Events Focus Group 11 October 2018 31
Cultural heritage Focus Group (two workshops : 18 and 19 12
Tsitsikamma and Knysna) September 2018
Southern Cape Planning forum (Province and 28 September 2018 44
Municipalities)
Knysna Estuary Zonation workshop 30 April 2019 23
6. Public information sessions on draft sections
Park management prepared a formal PowerPoint presentation addressing the draft park
management plan at the six advertised public information sessions (Table 3) where all
stakeholders had an opportunity to engage directly with park management. Stakeholders
8in attendance were also reminded that any further comments may be submitted until 9 August
2019 at any SANParks Office, by mail or electronically via the SANParks website.
Table 5. Public information session held around the park.
Number of
Venue Date stakeholders that
attended
SANParks Thesen Island Office Boardroom 16 July 2019, 10:00 33
Hornlee Civic Centre 16 July 2019, 18:00 0 public; 12 staff
SANParks Wilderness; Ebb and Flow Rest Camp; 17 July 2019, 10:00 36
Touwsranten Civic Centre 17July 2019, 18:00 29
Stormsriver Village - Village Inn Hotel, Darnell Street 18 July 2019, 10:00 18
Nompumelelo Community Hall 18 July 2019, 18:00 18
7. Documentation dissemination
GARDEN ROUTE NATIONAL PARK – MANAGEMENT PLAN
Table 6. Public venues where members of the public could view the draft park management plan.
Item Action Date
Draft document for comment George Public Library; South Main Street 30 June 2019
placed in public venues. Sedgefield Public Library; Flamingo Street
Knysna Public Library; Main Road
Hornlee Public Library; Vigilance Road
Plettenberg Bay Public Library; Mellville
Centre, Main Road
Stormsriver Village – SANParks offices;
Darnell Street
Nompumelelo Village – Koukamma Satellite
office next to Community Hall
Draft document for comment https://www.sanparks.org/conservation/park_man/ 28 June 2019
placed on SANParks Website. draft_plans_public_comment.php
Revised Park Management The documents will be available on the SANParks
Plan and Stakeholder Website once approved by SANParks ExCo. They will
N/A
Participation Report will be be made available to registered stakeholders by email
available to stakeholders. and internet link.
Dissemination of approved The documents will be available on the SANParks
Park Management Plan and Website once approved by the Minister. They will be
N/A
Stakeholder Participation made available to registered stakeholders by email
Report. and internet link.
8. Stakeholder comments
In total 130 comments were received. The 95 comments made and discussed at the public meetings
are recorded in Table 7 and the 35 comments received on the draft park management plan via e-
mail are listed in Table 8 below. General, verbal responses were given to the commentators at the
various meetings. SANParks formulated responses to all the comments/input received, including
comments received via email.
9Table 7. Summary of all comments and or input received.
WORKSHOP 1
DATE: 16 July 2019
VENUE: Knysna, Thesen Island
TIME: 10H00
No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
1 With the park ready to expand, what process do Nicci Mander Public meeting Megan Taplin – Approach the relevant park manager and
private landowners within that expansion footprint Knysna, Thesen Conservation Planning department (Maretha Alant). Do site
have to follow in order to enter into an agreement Island, 16 July visits to discuss what the options and implications are.
with the park? 2019 at 10:00
2 It seems to me you are going to battle to meet your Eric de Jager Public meeting Megan Taplin – We do get unsolicited bids, but because we
budget, so is the park open to any unsolicited bids, Knysna, Thesen are a parastatal organisation, we must go through a
in terms of commercial opportunities? Island, 16 July transparent process where we have to put that idea on tender
2019 at 10:00 allowing everybody a fair chance to tender for that
opportunity.
In terms of dealing with the shortfall, we do sometimes rely
on donor funding such as the SANParks Honorary Rangers
(SHR) (a volunteer group which does fundraising for specific
conservation projects). SANParks also receives a grant from
the government that covers about 10-15% of the required
funds and the rest we have to generate ourselves through
accommodation, activities and conservation fees.
3 Your plan looks very detailed with regards to the Eric de Jager Public meeting Megan Taplin – We have law enforcement staff that patrol
expansion of the bait reserve area, but it strikes me Knysna, Thesen these areas daily, but it is also about educating people to
that enforcement is going to be a problem, how do Island, 16 July make them more aware. We also use our SHRs as a visual
you plan on making it work? 2019 at 10:00 presence and for aiding in education.
There are issues with fines being written out for The existing bait reserve remains, but we want to go through
environmental crimes around the estuary, not the process of changing the existing one and put another
being taken seriously at court. Is there a way to additional one in the middle and one at the upper reaches of
work with the municipal court in order to put more the estuary. But we must do that through the process of the
weight on the charges? Integrated Coastal Management Act (Act No. 24 of 2008)
Will there be any changes to the bait reserve? which will also involve a public participation process.
7No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
4 Fines for non-compliance are often issued, such as Nicci Mander Public meeting Megan Taplin – That is a good suggestion, we will investigate
those for bait collection, but they never make it into Knysna, Thesen that.
the courts and enforcement thereof is weak. Island, 16 July
Perhaps SANParks could speak to the municipality 2019 at 10:00
regarding the need and support for a municipal
court which would be able to tackle these fines
along with speeding fines, which are also often
disregarded.
5 There was no copy of the PMP available at the W. Fillander Public meeting Len du Plessis – I placed it there myself, perhaps it was
Hornlee library. Knysna, Thesen removed.
Island, 16 July
2019 at 10:00
6 Are there any proposed changes to the current bait W. Fillander Public meeting Megan Taplin – The current bait reserve is to remain the
reserves in the Knysna Estuary? Knysna, Thesen same but SANParks wants to go through the process of
There are lots of problems. I am the only one from Island, 16 July reviewing the reserve and potentially reducing the current
Hornlee. There are a lot of papers and doggy poo. 2019 at 10:00 reserve and proclaiming further reserve areas in the middle
The bait reserves are a problem. and upper reaches of the estuary.
7 The landscape in the Garden Route is fragmented. Nikki Mander Public meeting Megan Taplin – The park forum is one such platform where
How does SANParks engage at landscape level? Knysna, Thesen SANParks can engage with stakeholders that have an
SANParks needs to be able to engage beyond its Island, 16 July influence on certain things. There are voluntary conservation
boundaries and build a strong system of 2019 at 10:00 agreements, such as stewardship or biodiversity
cooperative governance to get that landscape agreements, where private landowners that are linked to the
management happening in a collaborative way with park to contribute to conservation are enabled. Contractual
all these other entities. How do you build capacity national parks is also an option (this is for areas that have
and engage with the various structures and bodies high biodiversity importance and adjacent to the park).
in the landscape? Precedent has been set to manage areas through a
landowner’s association. A technical working group should
be established to look at specific details of how this can
unfold in the Garden Route.
8No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
8 I am interested in the Soetkraal issue. Where are Joan Berning Public meeting Len du Plessis – The current contract is valid until 2021, but
we on this? Knysna, Thesen in terms of national priority for SANParks, Soetkraal is at the
Has Soetkraal not been acquired yet? Island, 16 July top of the list to be purchased. Prices are being negotiated.
2019 at 10:00
9 In terms of the alien invasive programme and the Joan Berning Public meeting Len du Plessis – SANParks will follow the prioritisation
integrated fire programme, how will that play out for Knysna, Thesen strategy, targeting concerns on its own lands first. But there
the areas designated for the corridors? Will Island, 16 July is a budget allocated to the working for water buffer projects,
SANParks be clearing in those areas? 2019 at 10:00 which also has scientific reasoning and prioritisation
strategies behind it, but areas that have conservation
agreements with SANParks will be prioritised for clearing.
This will be dependent on the budget allocated for this
purpose.
Buffer zones have already been cleared over the past six
years, a map indicating priority alien clearing sites in the
buffer zones was drawn up by SANParks scientists.
10 I am pleased to see all the corridors have been Joan Berning Public meeting Megan Taplin – Thank you, noted.
considered. In particular the Keurbooms corridor. I Knysna, Thesen
want to state that that corridor is part of a bigger Island, 16 July
picture – Eden to Addo. We have a corridor 2019 at 10:00
starting at Robberg, through GRNP to
Tsitsikamma. Then a corridor connecting GRNP to
Baviaans. Nice to see corridors as part of the
SANParks Plan.
9No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
11 For our alien and fire plans, how will that play out Joan Berning Public meeting Megan Taplin – Alien/invasive species clearing is carried out
on these buffer areas? In particular corridors? Will Knysna, Thesen according to a prioritisation strategy and a planning
SANParks clear there? Island, 16 July schedule. A buffer zone strategy/plan with exit areas exist.
2019 at 10:00 We have had to reprioritise due to the recent fire. New growth
after the fire will have to be targeted. It all depends on the
budget allocation and the model we follow.
Maretha Alant - Over 6 million rand has been spent in the
buffer of the park. Keurbooms is included in the plan but work
depends on the available budget and the annual plan of
operations and we need agreements with landowners
Megan Taplin – There are small marine buffers around the
Robberg area, but it is difficult to see on the maps – we will
try to refine it so that it is more visible on the maps.
12 Regarding the Cape Pine exit areas, are you able Jessica Sandberg Public meeting Megan Taplin – Yes, it is possible to specify them.
to indicate which ones are actually exiting and will Knysna, Thesen Len du Plessis – The exercise has commenced in 2009 and
be taken over by SANParks? Island, 16 July will be concluded at the end of 2020. Of the roughly 20,000
2019 at 10:00 ha, about 14,000 ha have already exited. These areas were
identified and gazetted, and are important for connectivity in
the landscape.
Johan Baard indicted the areas on a map on the overhead
screen.
13 Does the park have a cultural heritage inventory or Margeriette Pienaar Public meeting Megan Taplin – SANParks has an inventory of its heritage
plan? (representative for Knysna, Thesen sites in the Garden Route. The rangers and the People and
Chris Mulder and Island, 16 July Conservation department do regular checks on the condition
Associates) 2019 at 10:00 of these sites. SANParks adheres to the relevant legislation
and the SAHRA permitting process. SANParks does not
have a comprehensive Cultural Heritage management plan
for the Garden Route yet, but it is one of the actions in this
plan to develop one.
10No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
14 In terms of the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve, Joan Berning Public meeting Paddy Gordon – SANParks is represented on the forum but
how are you integrating with them and is there any Knysna, Thesen there is no current budget or funding for the Garden Route
movement or action on that front? Island, 16 July Biosphere Reserve (GRBR), so for now the best contribution
2019 at 10:00 that SANParks can make is to manage the National Park
within the GRBR.
For this we need to find funding to do the projects – how do
you use a NP to increase job creation etc. But it is very new
and needs momentum. The idea is to find ways to expand
activities happening inside the park to neighbouring areas.
15 So, would it not be a good idea to share and Chris Gow Public meeting Megan Taplin – Yes, you are right. This also came out in our
combine SANParks, Landowners in buffer zones Knysna, Thesen desired state workshops. People want to make sure that
and the Biosphere Reserve in one committee to Island, 16 July areas are conserved.
discuss action plans so that we connect and not 2019 at 10:00
overlap without knowing about it?
16 Could the Biosphere Reserve not be used as a Joan Berning Public meeting Megan Taplin – Perhaps Paddy Gordon can flag this with the
platform to all the communications of actions Knysna, Thesen next BR meeting.
across the landscape? Island, 16 July Maretha Alant - The BR has a very big footprint with many
2019 at 10:00 role players and there is not a 100% overlap, but as many
parts that function, they all contribute to the bigger picture.
With so many parts, as long as they function, they can
contribute to the BR.
17 Is there are reason why alien clearing only Willem Fillander Public meeting Megan Taplin – Noted. SANParks uses a prioritisation model
happens in certain areas? Because I fight lantana, Knysna, Thesen – scientifically advised – where we deal with areas inside the
and underneath are indigenous species that fight Island, 16 July park first. All landowners are responsible for clearing alien
to live. Some of us try but battle to get ourselves 2019 at 10:00 species on their own properties. If the land falls within a
organised because we do not have resources. municipal area, it is the municipality’s responsibility to clear
The municipal teams clearing in Hornless are also those areas.
not doing a satisfactory job. Alien invasive species
around catchments in Hornlee and other areas
such as Khayalethu should be cleared before it
moves down to other areas of Knysna.
18 There are other arguments though that if you clear Chris Gow Public meeting Megan Taplin – Noted.
for another species but come across lantana you Knysna, Thesen
shouldn’t walk past it! Where I live, wherever Island, 16 July
government clears, they leave behind bottles etc – 2019 at 10:00
this is bad.
11No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
19 Sometimes SANParks cannot deal with everything Nikki Mander Public meeting Megan Taplin – Noted.
and have a huge role but so are the other agencies Knysna, Thesen SANParks does have good partnerships with external
and it is how we establish partnerships with all Island, 16 July bodies. There are numerous forums and committees that
these others that will make the difference with all 2019 at 10:00 SANParks are involved in that address issues pertaining to
the other landowners etc and that will make your the protected area and surrounding areas. The Knysna
SANParks job easier and more effective in the long Estuary pollution committee meeting is an example of these
types of partnerships.
term. This will assist in the management of the
protected area as well areas in buffer zones.
Paddy Gordon - Other examples include interactions with
MTO Forestry and PG Bison i.e. relating to the elephant and
awareness with wildlife and co-operation during events, etc.
20 With reference to Hornlee – Municipality cuts down Nikki Mander Public meeting Owen Govender - The municipality’s economic development
everything, not just aliens. Knysna, Thesen department should be an avenue for partnerships.
Island, 16 July
2019 at 10:00
21 The Plan is unbelievably comprehensive but it is Arland Read Public meeting Megan Taplin – The plan’s various strategic programmes
just so big and complex and it is re-enforced when Knysna, Thesen serve to prioritise issues and actions. The identification of the
you come to this type of forum when more than 30 Island, 16 July high-level objectives that followed the “desired state”
parties come and if this was a private company, 2019 at 10:00 workshops, were therefore the prioritisation exercise.
and you got given such a plan – it will be It is made bigger due to the big park with its different areas
unobtainable. and habitats. Do you have any suggestions what you think
one should prioritise on?
No, because everyone has their own ideas. But
maybe what you can do is to mark a few points and Paddy Gordon - The programmes and the plan are audited,
decide what you will concentrate on. Then stick and the plan has therefore been drawn up with this in mind.
within that budget. 129 pages is just too much – it What we set out to achieve is: first write out what needs to
needs to be reduced. You need 1 page for be done and then in lower level plans, decide what is
prioritisation. achievable over 10 years.
Len du Plessis - The programmes contained in Section 10 of
the plan, are a contract between SANParks and the minister.
Annual progress tracking of the plan is also undertaken. This
will be a public document which can be used to monitor
performance.
12WORKSHOP 2
DATE: 16 July 2019
VENUE: Knysna, Hornlee
TIME: 18:00
Opening: Mrs Taplin opened the meeting for all SANParks personnel present, suggesting that all staff stays for one hour to allow time for
members of the public to arrive.
Closure: Mrs Taplin thanked all staff for their attendance and noted that though no members of the public attended, stakeholders should be
reminded that there is still time until 9 August 2019 to comment on the draft plan. The meeting was closed at 19:09.
WORKSHOP 3
DATE: 17 July 2019
VENUE: Wilderness, Ebb & Flow
TIME: 10:00
No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
22 Fire management is an important part of the GR Mike Young Public meeting Noted
system, collaboration needs to be strengthened Wilderness, Ebb
between local authorities. & Flow, 17 July
2019 at 10:00
23 You do not place enough emphasis on what Mike Young Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – SANParks is aware of it and is working
climate change will do to estuaries. Sea levels are Wilderness, Ebb with DEA&DP to establish coastal setback lines and
expected to rise by 5 mm in 5 years and by 5 m in & Flow, 17 July management lines which will inform future development with
100 years, meaning the whole of Sedgefield island 2019 at 10:00 climate change in mind.
will disappear. There needs to be greater emphasis
on dealing with climate change
24 How does it happen, do you have an established John Crous Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – SANParks has liaison infrastructures that
board with members from the various communities, Wilderness, Ebb meet regularly, park forums are such vehicles, they are
with whom you discuss management plans? & Flow, 17 July however target group-specific i.e. the Knysna forum. These
2019 at 10:00 are run by P&C in conjunction with the various park staff
members. We have found that the multi-stakeholder
approach with the various SANParks departments works
best.
Mike Young - attended one of those liaison meetings and
Jonathan Britton did a fantastic job at articulating what is
happening in the Touw estuary.
13No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
25 It is concerning that the government is not Caryn Munting Public meeting Len du Plessis – SANParks received 14,000 ha of the 21,000
allocating a bigger budget for conservation when Wilderness, Ebb ha of land since 2010, the remainder will be handed over this
climate change impacts on land degradation. MTO & Flow, 17 July year (2019) and in September 2020. These areas are
handed over their land to SANParks, what’s the 2019 at 10:00 important for creating connectivity in the environment, hence
plan for these areas and could SANParks explain SANParks plans to rehabilitate these areas by removing
the forestry exit situation? alien species and by introducing fire to return the area to
fynbos.
26 We’ve lost lots of the indigenous forest pockets in Caryn Munting Public meeting Len du Plessis – The large fuel load led to unnatural fire
the recent fire and areas were refugia for animals, Wilderness, Ebb conditions, burning indigenous forest pockets that would not
is SANParks going to plant these areas or & Flow, 17 July have burnt under normal conditions. However, these
encourage some form of citizen science program 2019 at 10:00 indigenous pockets are resilient enough to return by natural
to plant forest species. succession. Although the efforts are appreciated, they are
better off spent elsewhere
27 MTO used to allow access to cyclist: will Chris Kritzinger Public meeting Len du Plessis – Bergplaas will not be exited. It is a
SANParks stop access to cyclist? Wilderness, Ebb complicated story, but in a nutshell, it is to become a
& Flow, 17 July community forestry area going forward. As a gesture, MTO,
2019 at 10:00 the current managers, planted forestry stock, giving the
community project a head start. However, with the recent
fires in 2018, these young trees were destroyed. MTO do not
have the funds to replace these and will therefore give the
land back to the Department Environment, Forestry and
Fisheries.
Sandra Taljaard -The access arrangements will be evaluated
according to the park’s zonation and will be considered
accordingly.
28 Please clarify who manages the coastal stretch Chloe Gerbouis Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – The coastal stretch is managed by the
between Touw River mouth and Leentjiesklip? Is Wilderness, Ebb George local municipality.
the area west of the Touw River mouth not & Flow, 17 July
SANParks? 2019 at 10:00
29 Secondly, are the exit areas indicated as part of the Chloe Gerbouis Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – Yes the exit areas are included in the park
park on the management plan zoning maps? Wilderness, Ebb area on the maps. SANParks is only taking responsibility for
& Flow, 17 July exit areas east of the Touw River, the other areas will be
2019 at 10:00 managed by CapeNature.
30 You talked about involving marginalized Mike Young Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – We recognised that there needs to be
communities, however, your management plan Wilderness, Ebb better ways to communicate to different stakeholder groups,
document will be incomprehensible to this group, & Flow, 17 July these stakeholder feedback meetings aim to communicate
you need to simplify it. 2019 at 10:00 directly to people in a language they can understand. Going
14forward, SANParks will communicate the plan in a more
digestible and usable way to our stakeholders.
No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
31 Thirdly, I think there is a hierarchy to the threats Chloe Gerbouis Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – Noted
that you presented. The maintenance of ecological Wilderness, Ebb
infrastructure should be higher up or top priority on & Flow, 17 July
that hierarchy. With droughts, fires and loss of 2019 at 10:00
biodiversity occurring more frequently, SANParks
must play an even bigger role in maintaining
ecological infrastructure in the GRNP. DEFF can
aid with funding the maintenance of ecological
infrastructure in which the exit areas fall.
32 Lastly, one of the tourism assets that has been Chloe Gerbouis Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – The railway is a complicated and costly
abandoned is the railway line. The old railway line Wilderness, Ebb matter, but it is noted.
traversing the park is an important biological & Flow, 17 July Len du Plessis -The railway line is not part of the park and
corridor which should possibly be retained and 2019 at 10:00 belongs to SANRAL, but there is currently a consultant that
looked at as a form of tourism infrastructure. Why is looking into the matter and SANParks will engage at the
not revalue that and start a tourism activity maybe relevant times.
cycling or trail walks?
33 I saw that one of the economic generators for Johan Botes Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – Yes, it is and will continue to be. The
SANParks is tourism, does sport tourism fall under Wilderness, Ebb business development unit (BDU) works with these
that or will SANParks make provision for that & Flow, 17 July opportunities, and we will continue to provide support and
specifically for the Garden Route because there’s 2019 at 10:00 give it momentum, endeavouring to find suitable areas for
a huge opportunity to generate revenue from it for these activities.
SANParks.
34 With carbon tax being immanent in Europe, should Johan Botes Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – probably not.
it ever be implemented in SA, will conservation see Wilderness, Ebb Len du Plessis - SANParks currently only receives a
any of these funds and revenue? & Flow, 17 July government grant which covers approximately 15% of its
2019 at 10:00 budget requirements. Perhaps over time it will cascade down
into the grant.
35 Is the Park plan asking for business proposals? Caryn Munting Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – Business proposals are handled by the
Wilderness, Ebb BDU in SANParks. Usually if people have ideas they have
& Flow, 17 July to send in proposals and then there is a process that runs
2019 at 10:00 through the business development unit where SANParks has
to advertise it is as a business opportunity that is available
within SANParks to give people a chance to participate.
15No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
36 Are activities allowed in primitive areas of the park Caryn Munting Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – Primitive areas do allow for some tourist
– surely not? Wilderness, Ebb activity, but low intensity tourism i.e. walking.
& Flow, 17 July
2019 at 10:00 Len du Plessis - Business proposals must be within the
constraints of the zonation plan.
38 In the past youth camps (e.g. Voortrekker camps) Mike Young Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – yes, indeed.
in the caravan park on the edge of the Swartvlei Wilderness, Ebb
Estuary have provided an ideal opportunity to & Flow, 17 July
educate the youth about the environment as well 2019 at 10:00
as encourage tourism to the area.
39 I noticed a PPP advertised on your website for Mr. Raubenheimer Public meeting Megan Taplin – Yes, the idea is that an opportunity exists for
mobile tented tourism in Diepwalle, is that a Wilderness, Ebb a tented camping set up to operate in the Kruger in the winter
SANParks business proposal or open to the & Flow, 17 July months and move to the Garden Route in summer.
public? 2019 at 10:00 SANParks’ BDU is currently busy with the process.
40 Are MTO still spraying roundup in the Sedgefield Caryn Munting Public meeting Len du Plessis –It wasn’t MTO and as far as we are aware
area? Wilderness, Ebb the forestry company that was doing it, have stopped.
& Flow, 17 July
2019 at 10:00
41 Looking at the expansion map, is the western part Chloe Gerbouis Public meeting Len du Plessis – The map should be called ‘the prioritisation
of the NMU campus included in the Park? Wilderness, Ebb of stewardship areas’, so it’s not an expansion of the park,
& Flow, 17 July but rather an opportunity for agreements going forward to
2019 at 10:00 expand conservation areas
42 Something to be anticipated is that increasing the Chloe Gerbouis Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – noted
network of biodiversity areas through corridors, will Wilderness, Ebb
increase human wildlife conflict. This especially & Flow, 17 July
applies to baboons. Baboon studies at the NMU 2019 at 10:00
campus have shown that the park’s buffer zone is
a useful corridor for animals.
16No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
43 Please update us on the Shot Hole Borer that is an Bianca Curry Public meeting Jessica Hayes – The park has been proactive in drawing up
emerging threat. How significant is that to the Wilderness, Ebb and distributing a poster and flyers on the beetle. Forest
indigenous forest? & Flow, 17 July scientists are currently involved on various platforms where
2019 at 10:00 the matter is being workshopped, and locally we are
gathering information for the park. In time a national reporting
hub will be established, and control measures are being
finalised for gazetting. It will almost certainly lead to a
restriction on firewood brought into the parks. The current
status of infection in local indigenous trees is still being
investigated.
WORKSHOP 4
DATE: 17 July 2019
VENUE: Touwsranten, Wilderness
TIME: 18:00
No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
44 When do we get work opportunities? John Louw Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – There are continually work available,
Touwsranten, mainly through the WfW BSP projects and the communities
Wilderness, supply the work force for these projects. It is noted that on
17 July 2019 at the door of the venue where we are meeting currently,
18:00 available jobs are advertised.
45 We have picnics yearly next to the lake but have Tertius Jones Public meeting Sandra Taljaard - This area belongs to to Knysna
been told that it will be excluded by a fence. This Touwsranten, Municipality.
concerns me. Wilderness, The Scientific Services Department is aware of the situation
17 July 2019 at in this area. It is close to a slipway and the fence will be
18:00 wooden poles to keep vehicles out, not to keep people out.
17No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
46 Do you have information on fishing licences, bait Irene Grootboom Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – SANParks is not out to ‘catch’ people but
restrictions and catch size. It feels as if SANParks Touwsranten, the law is there for the protection of the resource.
“wants to catch us”. Wilderness, The Rangers will form focus groups and do public awareness
17 July 2019 at exercises with the interested parties.
18:00 Johan Baard further explains the rationale (sustainability and
reproduction of the taxa). Signage showing sizes and
numbers allowed to catch, was erected and is visible in many
of the fishing areas. Brochures were also placed at tackle
shops and post offices where licenses are bought for fishing.
47 Are the contractors (BSP) trained? The question Irene Grootboom Public meeting Sandra Taljaard – New workers are trained well before
refers more to skills development than questioning Touwsranten, deployment and most of this training is organised through
if untrained people use e.g. machinery. Wilderness, BSP where these people are used.
17 July 2019 at
18:00
48 I am a pensioner and cannot afford the fishing Catherin Hardnick Public meeting Jonathan Britton - I will put your request through to ‘fisheries’.
permit fee as I do not have enough money. Touwsranten,
Wilderness,
17 July 2019 at
18:00
49 Is there a contract term for WfW BSP work? It is John Louw Public meeting Jonathan Britton - The allocation of contracts depend on
always the same people getting work. Touwsranten, funding. I will put you in contact with the project offices.
Wilderness, Tertius Jones - (From the floor) - The contract was for a five
17 July 2019 at year term.
18:00
50 Where is climate change dealt with? Mary-Ann Public meeting Paddy Gordon – The climate change strategy is within the
Mngomezulu Village Inn plan.
Stormsriver,
18 July 2019 at
10:00
18WORKSHOP 5
DATE: 18 July 2019
VENUE: Village Inn, Storms River Village
TIME: 10:00
No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
51 Knysna is already heavily utilised, why allow more Mary-Ann Public meeting Paddy Gordon – We have already moved towards restricting
activities? Will the new activities not exacerbate the Mngomezulu Village Inn activities in the estuary. In the previous management plan,
problem that the estuary is already experiencing? Stormsriver, the entire Knysna estuary was zoned as Low – and High –
18 July 2019 at Intensity Leisure. 53% of the estuary is now zoned as quiet,
10:00 reducing the pressure on the estuary in terms of activities.
So, there is already a significant move towards restricting
certain activities on the estuary.
Our scientists are also looking at the carrying capacity of the
estuary e.g. specific activities or vessel types. This means
that we will allow activities, but we will also put a cap on how
many we can allow
52 Based on the sensitivity map – will new Anneline Wyatt – Public meeting Paddy Gordon – Depends on what is triggered. The National
activities/concessions go through an Stormsriver Village Inn Environmental Management Act (NEMA) EIA Regulations
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process? Adventures Stormsriver, provides the criteria The Big tree development had to go
Based on my understanding, new projects in the 18 July 2019 at through an EIA (Even SANParks is subject to it – it is national
Western Cape do not have to go through an EIA 10:00 legislation)
process. Is this correct?
Len du Plessis – An applicant needs to send a detailed
proposal to DEA (now DEFF) to find out whether an EIA will
be required. If the proposed project is on SANParks land,
SANParks will provide input. EIA-listed activities differ
between provinces. Zoning maps is SANParks’ way of pre-
screening areas for certain activities and the plan pre-empts
and makes allowances for specific activities.
The list of allowed activities is at the back of the management
plan document and is listed per category.
19No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
53 Surely, you as SANParks would also want to Anneline Wyatt – Public meeting Paddy Gordon – Yes, if the proposed project is on SANParks
ensure if the process is followed? Stormsriver Village Inn land and we suspect that the project will trigger an EIA, we
Adventures Stormsriver, will see to it that the process is followed. But we have also
18 July 2019 at noted how the process differs from the Eastern and Western
10:00 Cape provinces. For instance, in the Eastern Cape province,
any tourist accommodation, irrespective of the size will
trigger an EIA process whereas in the WC, any development
that houses more than 35 people will trigger an EIA process.
Len du Plessis – The EIA legislation is national, and the
provinces do not have the luxury of choosing whether they
want it or not. There could be differences from one province
to the next, but they cannot remove the process from the
system. The new minister (Barbara Creecy) has said that she
would not want developments to stop or be delayed because
of the bureaucracy in the system. Any delays that are there
should only be because of the merits of each development
project.
As SANParks, we are also guided by our zoning maps,
where different types of activities are already highlighted
guiding us on where we can and cannot allow certain
activities. This approach also assists us in guiding applicants
as to where they can investigate the development of new
structures in the park without wasting time. The plan also
requires us to list the types of activities and tourism products
that are possible inside the national park.
20No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
54 Is anything being done to the Knysna municipality Mary-Ann Public meeting Paddy Gordon – The intergovernmental relations framework
regarding pollution (sewage dumping) issues? This Mngomezulu Village Inn does not allow one government agency to take another to
is becoming a big threat/health hazard for the Stormsriver, court. SANParks has written letters to the Knysna municipal
people of Knysna. Is there any fine/court case that 18 July 2019 at manager and the mayor to inform them of our concerns. We
will compel the municipality to stop polluting the 10:00 have also shared with them the results conducted by other
estuary? This is primarily because litigation has members of our Estuary Management Forum, of which the
been a strategy used very quickly against poorer Knysna municipality and the district municipality are
communities. members. From these results it is clear to see that the
contamination is concentrated on the shallow channel behind
Thesen Island (i.e. the Ashmead channel), which is the outlet
of the wastewater treatment plant. The pollution levels in
deeper channels that are flushed by the tides twice a day are
acceptable (no trace of E. coli contamination).
The municipality has come around recently and have now
initiated several projects, but the biggest challenge is that
they have is that the Waste Water Treatment Works
(WWTW) is situated at the bottom of an industrial area with
vehicles and bakeries spilling substances such as oils into
their outlets which end up at the WWTW (the WWTW is not
able to handle these inappropriate discharges). These issues
are also compounded by the fact that the plant itself is old.
55 What about fish being caught in the estuary – are Mary-Ann Public meeting Paddy Gordon – No fish are being tested at the moment, only
they being tested? Fishermen are catching fish Mngomezulu Village Inn the water quality is tested (i.e., E. coli counts) but we can
from the system. Tests should be done to ascertain Stormsriver, safely say that, based on other areas where similar studies
if the residents of Knysna will be safe from any 18 July 2019 at have been done, like the Swartkops system in Port Elizabeth
health risk that may be associated with eating fish 10:00 and the recent study in Cape Town showing that marine
caught in the estuary, as most of the fish are caught organisms are accumulating toxins, this is a real concern.
just outside the SANParks regional offices at the The Jetty is currently not at risk.
Jetty. Recently we have seen a report from Cape
Town about the amount of toxins that are absorbed The challenge is that we do not often connect the dots for
by such fish. What is SANParks doing to prevent people/subsistence fishermen, therefore they may not
exposure to these toxins? realise that the pollution that is coming from somewhere is
ending up on our coasts.
21No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
56 SANParks wants to acquire Soetkraal. Who owns Mary-Ann Public meeting Paddy Gordon – Soetkraal is owned by a body corporate and
Soetkraal and why is it being cleared by Mngomezulu Village Inn this may have been a reason why it took so long to acquire
SANParks? Stormsriver, the property.
18 July 2019 at
10:00
57 Wouldn’t it have made more business sense to buy Mary-Ann Len du Plessis – SANParks spent R35 million to date (the
it while it was full of aliens? Government money Mngomezulu Public meeting last 15 years). The property covers approximately 36,000 ha
was spent to improve it, also increasing its value by Village Inn and has been a contractual national park. The current
the time of purchasing it. Stormsriver, contract is valid until 2021. There were other technical and
18 July 2019 at legal aspect that led to it not purchased earlier.
10:00 However, the biodiversity/conservation importance of the
area has never been disputed. The management of
Soetkraal has contributed significantly to the provision of
drinking water for the entire Tsitsikamma region. So, the
money spent in Soetkraal was money well spent on providing
ecosystem services (providing water). Progress has been
made with regards to the negotiations and as such it has
become the number one priority for SANParks in terms of
land acquisition.
58 Has any money been budgeted for the cleaning of Mary-Ann Public meeting Len du Plessis – The area does not belong to SANParks. It
the dump site behind Coldstream, Puntjiesbos, Mngomezulu Village Inn is in the buffer zone. The dump is on municipal land but does
behind Olifant Vlakte? Why is this not being taken Stormsriver, affect SANParks operations.
care of – this must be in the plan as that is an 18 July 2019 at
indigenous forest and SANParks needs to allocate 10:00 We will use the Inter-Governmental Framework mechanism
a budget for it. to engage with the Municipality. SANParks will visit the site
and then issue a response on the way forward.
Communities are kept out of that area and need a
permit only obtainable from the Stormsriver village
office. Fines are issued to community members
should they be found in that forest without the
necessary permits. Yet, SANParks is not doing
anything about the pollution problem. The
management of that land needs to be budgeted for.
22No Comment / Input Commentator/s Reference Official response
59 Please provide access to the community to that Mary-Ann Public meeting Paddy Gordon – SANParks will investigate it.
specific forest segment. We need an area where Mngomezulu Village Inn
locals can go for walks – legal access – should give Stormsriver,
monitors books for issuing of permits in these 18 July 2019 at
areas. 10:00
60 Notice has been given of leopards in or near Mary-Ann Public meeting Paddy Gordon – People and Conservation will engage with
Coldstream. How is this being communicated to Mngomezulu Village Inn communities. There are leopards in various areas (e.g.
communities? Stormsriver, Harkerville). Our camera traps are picking up very healthy,
18 July 2019 at very good-looking leopards in the region. We were once
How is impact on animals and communities being 10:00 asked to comment about the leopards in the region and we
lessened? Areas are being used by people asked the Leopard Trust on whether the Cape Leopard is as
walking. dangerous as the Kruger Leopard. There are varied opinions
on leopards and the possible dangers they pose.
61 Nature’s Valley – can the MPA be expanded to Mary-Ann Public meeting Paddy Gordon – The Marine Protected Area is legally
include the area at De Vasselot, similar to the other Mngomezulu Village Inn gazetted, and the management thereof is assigned to
areas of the MPA? Stormsriver, SANParks. SANParks administers the conditions of the
18 July 2019 at MPA, but cannot effect changes to it. Such changes will
10:00 need to be done through the former DEA, now DEFF, and
this will follow a legal and public engagement process.
62 What is the E. coli status in Nature’s Valley? Mary-Ann Public meeting Paddy Gordon (input from Ian Russell) – Water quality and
Mngomezulu Village Inn E. coli tests are done at least once a month by the Bitou
Stormsriver, Municipality. More frequent tests are conducted when there
18 July 2019 at is an incident. By far the samples that are taken have shown
10:00 that E. Coli levels are well below the acceptable limits. In a
few cases where the Groot River mouth has been closed and
water levels rose to affect low lying sewage systems, there
were spikes in E. coli levels, however the saline environment
has a positive effect and the E. coli levels usually return to
normal within a week. This situation has persisted for many
years but has not shown to get worse over the years.
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