PROGRESS TOWARDS SELF-REGULATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH RECREATIONAL OFF-ROAD DRIVING

The conference of the National 0ff-Road Workshop held in October 2005 and your subsequent meeting with Ms Lize McCourt (nee Bothma) of my Department on 9 December 2005 have reference.

From the reports received it is evident that the Industry is getting organized towards self-regulation and I believe that good progress has been made in this regard to date.  It is however important that the impetus gained is maintained and that the good work that commenced through the conference now translate into concrete actions and ultimately culminate into the development and adoption of a self-regulation strategy; the promulgation or publication of enabling legislation or regulations (should it be proven necessary and an agreement between the industry and government toward implementation of the envisaged self-regulation mechanisms.

It is my understanding that specific activities and actions have been identified, responsibilities assigned and time frames set in order to ultimately reach the three targets eluded to above. Based on an overview of the nature and extent of tasks to be performed and activities to be performed to reach the goals set, I share the Department’s view that this would require dedicated effort and expertise in various fields, including but not limited to legal and environmental management expertise. I accordingly advise that a service provider-team be appointed by the NOW to manage the project conduct the required research, coordinate the inputs from the different sub-committees and compile the deliverables referred to above. It is my view that without this expert assistance the NOW will not be able to meet the targets set.  Failure to meet the timeframes communicated to me, namely to have all the mechanisms in place for effective and efficient self-regulation by October 2007, will unfortunately result in government intervention in the regulation of the activities of the industry.  Delivery against the set targets will accordingly be monitored closely by my Department.

It is further my understanding that the ability of the NOW to deliver against the targets set might be hampered by lack of adequate resources to procure the assistance required. In this regard, the Department will consider a request for once-off financial assistance provided that detailed project plans and cost estimates are submitted. Such a submission must indicate all the expenses associated with the project as well as funds obtained through efforts of the Working Group and its members.  It should be noted that financial assistance will only be considered for the appointment of service providers employed to do work directly related to the three main deliverables as indicated above. Once a request for assistance has been received and considered, the Department will liaise with you to make the necessary arrangements and to agree on the terms and conditions associated with such assistance if any.

Finally I would like to inform you that work by the Department to identify areas deemed to be sensitive to potential impacts caused by off-road activities is due to commenced shortly. It is imperative that there be close coordination around this work and the work to be done by the NOW as integration of the two pieces of work would ultimately be required.  The Department will keep you up to date in this regard.

In closing, I wish to ensure you of my Department’s continued assistance and support with the work you are doing. Please feel free to contact Ms Lize McCourt at 012 310 3972 should you require clarity or further information on any issue contained herein.