Forestry and Water Resources-Policy Development for Equitable Solutions

Abstract

SYNOPSISForestry is an important user of water. Itis also, in the eyes of some, an efficient user -and it is undoubtedly a nationally important industry.As pressures for the water resources increase, the forest industry finds itselfranged more and more frequently against both accustomed and previously less recognised users. Industrial and agricultural demands are growing, the needs of the environment are no longer ignored, and rural communities dependent on local water sources have at last found a champion. The consequence has been confusion as much as conflict, with understanding perhaps a bigger problem than knowledge. Far reaching modifications in the exercise of control over new afforestation were imposed early in 1995, and these are shaking out as government moves towards a broadly based national forestry policy.It would seem to be policy in practice that research is no longer needed to prove that trees use water (vide the demise of catchment research experiments), and efforts are now being aimed at the search for solutions. A number of approaches present themselves immediately. The country's goal with regard to timber production must be clearly and honestly spelt out, and must be reconciled with its need for water. Strategic planning must be integrated! So too should regions be assessed on a strategic basis, with decisions driven at national, regional and even quaternary catchment level.

Forestry as a streamflow reduction activity in South Africa: Discussion and evaluation of the proposed procedure for the assessment of afforestation permit applications in terms of water sustainability

“…The APS was never without controversy (Heydenrych 1995;Van der Zel, 1995;Versfeld, 1996), although it was supposed to be a dynamic process. From an industry point of view it was considered to be too restrictive and discriminatory (Versfeld, 1996) and from an environmental point of view it was deemed to be inadequate to deal with all environmental issues and impacts (Heydenrych, 1995;Alletson, 1998).…”

“…From an industry point of view it was considered to be too restrictive and discriminatory (Versfeld, 1996) and from an environmental point of view it was deemed to be inadequate to deal with all environmental issues and impacts (Heydenrych, 1995;Alletson, 1998).…”

“…Two committees were appointed to investigate this problem (Van der Zel, 1995), and in 1968 the Interdepartmental Committee concluded that forestry should be allowed to develop freely, except in areas where water resources were already committed and development could be threatened, until natural and economic checks became effective. In 1972 the Forest Act (72/1968) was amended through the Forest Amendment Act (46/1972) to include articles specific to the control of afforestation (Van der Zel, 1995;Versfeld, 1996) leading to the introduction of the Afforestation Permit System (APS).…”

“…Thus, the basis of regulation was the water supply and demand situation within major river catchments (Versfeld, 1996). For the purpose of applying the APS, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry distinguished three types of catchment where restrictions would be imposed on new afforestation (Table 1) (Van der Zel, 1995a;Versfeld, 1996).…”

“…Forestry as practised in South Africa has many impacts, of which the impact on the water resource is best understood and accepted (Versfeld, 1996). In this regard, industrial forestry is concentrated on 10% of the land area that produces 60% of the country's water resource (Warren, 1998, p. 6).…”