Environmental Planning and Management - Article Example

Environment Management Name Institution Introduction The following is a report an event of the activities that we carried out as a group when we were on a five-day field study on Jervis Bay. The report illustrates about environmental management and the strategies that we learnt while we were there. It starts by defining what environmental management is and a close follow up this report will clearly describe everything that we were able to learn from the field study. 1 Environmental Management Environmental management is the process by which strategies set are in place to conserve energy, water and materials to regulate environmental health. In order to reduce the negative effects that industrial activities have on the environment, environmental management must be in practice. Although environmental management does not involve managing the environment, it involves taking steps and the right behaviors to ensure a positive effect on the environment. Environmental management involves various fields to facilitate the wise use of activity and resources to have a positive impact on the world, these fields include law, science and even business. Different organizations cultivate on management plans or system to put into operations environmental goals, maintain and manage these environmental goals. Since taking care of the planet is a responsibility for every individual irrespective of their profession, management plans set by these organizations are vital to ensuring the effectiveness of strategies to conserve energy. In every single plan set by these organizations, the first step, which is the planning step, involves marking out specific goals and objectives for that organization to achieve in relation to the environment. The company then takes the necessary steps of implementing the processes laid out in the planning stage. Following to this, the company monitors the environmental management plan, evaluating its effects and adjusting the necessary procedures. After all the three steps above, the company then involves in reviewing the complete plans and looking at reports from activities conducted and adjusting the plan (Suman, Shivlani & Milon 1999, 99). Areas of Concern in Environmental Management Environmental Management is a wide topic that and a major concern since it deals with air, water and soil pollution prevention, management of waste materials, unnecessary release of toxic substances into the environment, management of water and land resources, loss of biodiversity, global warming and land degradation. Environmental Management involves endorsing sustainable development, understanding and appreciating the business strategies to change environmental constraints, sustainable development and the growth and endorsement by the public of green services and products. Other areas of interests that incorporate Environmental Management are: Coming up with waste reduction strategies Inspecting commercial and industrial facilities for conformity to environmental regulations Watching out for opposing regulatory, legal, economical and technical concerns Supervising disposal of hazardous waste, water and air pollution in compliance to federal and state regulations Managing issues involved in environmental changes. 1.1 LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY FRAMEWORK Our group found out that the management board responsible for national parks in Jervis Bay and Australian nature reserves in NSW is in the framework under the context of legislature policy. These legislative and policies include the Wildlife and National Parks Act formed in 1974 (NPW Act), the regulation of NPW, the Conservation of Threatened Species Act put in place in 1995 (TSC Act) together with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) policies. Section 72A of the NPW Act enlists factors are considered when preparing a management plan and the policies of conservation of nature in relation to the conservation of nature, conservation of cultural heritage, amusements, public use, and investigations and provision of information are in NPWS. In addition to this, we found out that other legislation that applies in the management of Jervis Bay is the agreements and charters legislation. Assessment Planning and Environmental Act put in place in 1979 (EPA Act) demands that any proposed work must be under evaluation and improve the environment on a positive way (Conacher & Conacher 2000, 149) No operations within National Park of Jervis Bay or in the Nature Reserves of Woollamia are to go on except in accordance with the plan of management under NPW Act. Any proposed work or management strategies inconsistent in the plan cannot go on unless plans are in place for amendments. Agreements within Regional Forest The group found out that in January 2010, Jervis Bay National Park is the latest addition to the Southern Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) body which it share its cover with Woollamia Nature Reserve. RFA’s implements the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992. These agreements allow for the countries in the region to work on ways to preserve their forests, through this, there is Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management program. 1.2 PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT AND PURPOSES National Parks NPW Act preserves and protects national parks that are within and around Jervis Bay (Smith & Pollard 1996, 186)). NPW also conserves areas in this that have outstanding ecosystems that provide opportunities for sustainable visitor use, inspirational, public admiration places with outstanding and natural sites. Management of national parks under the NPW Act allows for: • Preservation, protection and maintenance of biodiversity, ecosystem functions, geological and geomorphologic features phenomenon to natural landscapes • Preservation of natural places, objects, features and landscapes for there cultural values • Protection and presentation of ecological integrity for future generations; • Supporting and understanding public appreciation of nature parks and cultural morals • Provision and enjoyment of nature parks and cultural morals for sustainable visitor use • Provision and modification of natural areas for sustainable use for buildings • Provision and supervision of the right research used in the natural parks. Nature Reserves NPW Act preserves nature reserves to protect and conserve areas containing wonderful, corresponding ecosystems, species and communities. NPW Act manages natural reserves by: • Preservation, maintenance and protection of biodiversity, ecosystem function and geomorphologic marvelous natural features • Preservation of landscapes, places, objects and natural features • Supporting and understanding public appreciation and enjoyment of natural reserve, natural and cultural values • Provision and supervision of appropriate research to be in use for nature conservation 1.3 ABORIGINAL OWNERSHIP OF NATIONAL PARKS During our field study, our group found out that the government through NSW recognizes the right of the aborigines to own lands of cultural importance to them. The government legislates for reserves ownership by aborigines of particular reserves and state parks. Through ownership by aboriginals, the government recognizes and reserves lands that are culturally important terms of their rituals, ceremonial, ritual, principles. The State Park of Jervis Bay harbors aboriginal land ownership and is one of eight parks and reserves that provide this legislation though the NPW Act (Kelleher 1999, 133). These allow the government an opportunity to: - return state parks and reserves that belonged to the aborigines - guarantee Aboriginal people in partnership with NSW manage parks - give back Aboriginal relics and their remains. Aboriginal ownership gives the aborigines a familiar relationship with the lands surrounding the park. A local land council (Jerrinja) is the one to determine the start of land return when it will wishes to ownership of the park and to manage the park in cooperation with the NPWS. In case of an agreement, there will be a signing of the will and a Board Management to run the joint run ownership land. The ownership of the park will transfer to the joint ownership and the Board of Management that will be there will determine how to manage the park and replace current plans with the new ones. If all this happens, the board of management will have a majority of aborigine landowners with 11-13 members and will have a representative from the Jerrinja, NPWS, a group of local conservation, government from within and from bordering landholders. Through this joint, the partnership between NPWS and the Board will share managerial obligations of the park when the times come and are to be given back to the Aborigine. In special accounts, the local government will cater for those whose lands will be used for the management of the park. (Foster-Smith 2002, 99) Our group went ahead to discover that for proper future management of the park, Jervis Bay formed alliances with the surrounding environmental partners to help in the management of its parks, natural reserves and waters to enable ease of management work on set goals for future needs of the society. The alliances through its visions are able to Recognize the park, the basins, the lakes around and the coast from Crook haven and Inlet areas of Heads to Sussex. These areas are nationally important and enhance benefits of this and generations to come. The park provides a magnificent beauty of the surrounding area value the culture of these areas and works on preserving them for the future. Preserve social character of the region, the alliance bases its response for natural beauty and amenities of the region for the most from most of the communities in the region. Enhances protection of heritage and culture of the Aborigines, this culture contain explicit importance to history of the region, present and future of the Shoal haven. Involves the community in discussions in respect to directions of future plans of the environment and policies regarding development Assert future development in considerations for the protection and enhancement of the nature, environment, social character of the regions culture Diversifies the region and explore prosperity through encouragement of ecological sustainability Alliance of Jervis Bay The aims of Jervis Bay Regional Alliance are: To protect and enhance the surrounding of the coast with quality, natural and environmental enjoyment for this and future generations, To maintain regional heritage, To recognize and protect Aboriginal culture and enhance worth of life among local communities, To effect management plan in all government spheres, To consign to the enhancement of nature environment protection, To develop and protect natural, To sustain and expand ecological needs. Role of the Jervis Bay Regional Alliance Only through a combination of local and regional aims will Jervis Bay Regional Alliance achieve its targets, these is through: (Conde 1995, 130) Providing support to groups in need of protecting the environment from unsuitable developments, Advocating for maintenance and enhancement of the environment, Lobbying State and Commonwealth governments to act on preserving the environment, Undertaking and promoting need for analysis of developmental policies on impacts cumulatively, Classifying, exploring and fostering practical models for developing environment friendly parks, Supporting proposals which are vital in developing and protecting natural environment, Opposing expansion development proposals where the need for expansion has not been demonstrated, Opposing approaches to regional development, which involve major expansion of the built environment, Opposing development proposals which cannot meet environmental protection standards, Challenging benefits of urban coastal sprawl, Seeking and involving communities in regional matters affecting the environment, Consulting and supporting Aboriginal communities in relation to the aims of the Alliance, Acting to promote and protect high conservation values, Encouraging and promoting issues such as wetlands, mapping and conservation of habitat protection of the corridors. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES The objectives of Jervis Bay Regional Alliance seek to ensure (Makoloweka & Shurcliff 1997, 169). 1. Effective regional planning, environmental protection and developmental authorities relevant to: Establishing and operating an integrated approach by Shoal haven City Council, state government agencies planning, Commitment to the specific outcomes of Regional Environment Plans of Jervis Bay, Commitment to the principles set in the Inter-Governmental environmental Agreements, Commitment to the NSW Coastal policies concerned with biodiversity in the area, Expansion of natural environment at the expense of the minority, Consultation with local communities in the adoption of appropriate planning in the region, Influence by major landholders on regional planning, Opposition to developments where financial arrangements between the Council and the developer place an onus of infrastructure costs on the community rather than the developer. Approval by appropriate authorities of development proposals only where there is a demonstrated need, based on a full assessment of population trends and environmental, social and long-term economic impacts. Open and transparent community consultation and involvement, 2. Effective protection of areas of high conservation values, Special protection of areas of high conservation significance through National Park status or other appropriate means, Maintenance and improvement of water quality of lakes, bays and estuaries in the region, with no net increase in the supply of nutrients and sediment to water bodies resulting from development uses, Maintenance of regional ecosystems, bio-diversity and natural bay, lake and coastal processes, Reduction of threats to endangered and protected species, Development and stringent application of guidelines for controls for habitat corridors and disturbed habitats and vegetation, Recognition and protection of Aboriginal heritage sites and cultural maintenance activities 3. Community awareness Increase in community awareness and understanding of environmental, cultural and social development issues and in support for the objectives of the Alliance and other local conservation and community groups. (Nico 2003, 170). Increase in community awareness of economic and development alternatives for their region, which are ecologically sustainable. 4. Effective & efficient control of domestic & feral animals Membership, Membership is from an individual, local community or conservation group representation. Applicants for membership into the Alliance must (Elliott, Mitchell, Wiltshire, Manan & Wismer 2001, 115). Demonstrate community action consistent with the aims and objectives of the Alliance Commit to the vision, aims and objectives of the Alliance at free will Be recommended to the Alliance by at least two members (Klaus, Jones, Turner, Simoes & Vousden 2003, 90) Office Bearers & Structure, The structure of the Alliance is as follows: Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, 3 Executive Members (the above forming a six person Executive), Member organizations, Individual members, Alliance members elect office bearers and the executive of the Alliance by secret ballot at the July meeting each year. The executive comprises of the chairperson, the secretary, treasurer and three additional other members. Meetings, The Alliance will meet at an interval of every two months. Locals who are not members can attend to meetings after and invite from a member. Decision-Making, Alliance will operate by consensus in general meetings and in cases of disagreement, the vote of the majority of members applies. The executive gets the power from the Alliance to make decisions consistent with the Charter of the Alliance. The Alliance agrees to pursue issues referred by local groups or individuals subject to the issue being consistent with the majority of the aims of the Alliance and meeting its criteria for adopted issues. Fees, The scale of membership fees are: per year for group membership, per year for individual membership, Fees will apply from acceptance of membership. Annual fees will be due at the July meeting. Voting, The Alliance normally operates on a consensus basis. However if issues need to be put to a vote: Member organizations are entitled to two votes, with two members being present, Individuals are entitled to one vote, Organizations should identify in writing the members who are entitled to represent the organization in circumstances that calls for voting. 2 Aquatic Ecology During the five days field study the institution arranged for us, our group undertook at researches methodologies to examine the frequency and biodiversity of many of the aquatic life forms from several locations in Jervis Bay from the several places we were able to go to in those five days. We went ahead to analyze our data (Kelleher 1999, 133) from different areas we were able to collect and compared them with the data that have been in the parks records collected before and after the implementation of zoning plan. 2.1 Method We made selection of different areas belonging to the different places around the park and the area surrounding and in area, a transect of 5x20m, 1-2.5m depth and 5m apart to the shore our group chose at random. On each of the selected, several marine life forms were chosen and put in observation and later characterized according to there classification in terms of type and sizes. 2.2 Method Limitations The method our group used to conduct survey on the aquatic life about the marine life had several limitations that the method we used to conduct the survey. Some of the limitations the group identified from the use of the above method from the data group. Lack of experience the group members had was another major problem in the collection of data collectors. The possible problems that resulted from this were short of experience in identification of the various species and poor (Pluss & Backes 2002, 162) method of analyzing data. Information is the key to defining the effectiveness of the zoning plan in any case study and more so to this particular case in Jervis Bay park. The group constantly experienced the problem of bad weather and trying to overcome the problem was not an easy task, there were windy conditions that constantly kept disturbing the calm of the area we selected for the survey, this did not did not give room for a systematic methodology (Smith & Pollard 1996, 186). This influenced the results the group attained. In addition, the weather conditions affected the visibility in the water. Sea diving is a critical method by which data is able to be collected from underwater life that the marine life of Jervis Bay offers. Our group members experienced trouble of lack of experience in sea diving, something which could have helped us gather adequate information about marine life. The best way to have solved this problem was to have adequate training in sea diving. This made the training day become the data-collecting day, something that gave us swimmers a very little chance of overcoming the difficulties. Due to this, influencing fish behavior became another problem too since the swimmers were not able to reduce the effects of their presence in the water. 2.3 General assessment Since its implementation in 2002, 10 years down the line has seen Jervis Bay Park experience an increase of fish species in its marine life, its waters has seen diversity of the invertebrates that inhibit its waters. A special case being a species of invertebrate’s abalone, this species responds not only to the zoning plan but also to the forbid in the abalone collection. The general conclusions of the water ecology group were that there have been changes since the implementation of the Zoning Plan 3 Water Quality Our group then went ahead to collect water samples from all the water sources Jervis Bay Catchments areas. The catchment areas included Callala, Moona and Currambene. The other areas from which water samples were collected included show lines from Crook haven Heads to Sussex Inlet. Samples collected from all these water bodies, we then analyzed with physical and biological parameters and compared to the yearly results that the management of the bay has been keeping ( Suman, Shivlani & Milon 1999, 120). 3.1 Method From the five days we had at the bay, our group had the chance to explore different sites that the bay has to offer to its visitors. Through these visits, we took the step to measure with the two common probes some of the physical parameters which included temperature, PH, turbidity, salinity, conductivity and dissolved oxygen in the waters, and we also collected water samples to measure Biological parameters Faecal coli form and e-coli in the research laboratories in the area. In addition to these, we also collected visual observations to complement and contextualize the measurements. After all the collection was effective, we compared the results to the standards for recreational waters of the ANZECC to establish waters quality of Jervis Bay. 3.2 Method Limitations The main problems that we faced during the collection processes were the inexperience of the data collection by our group data collectors. This gave us limited access to the full overview of what the real collectors do. Limited number of catchment sites denied us the wide range of data collection (Foster & Haward 2003, 90). Weather conditions and technical problems of the probe played a major restricting factor in data collection and analysis. 3.3 General assessment Ten years since its implementation saw the development of new analyzation techniques that was able to give us a good and clear water quality of the catchments of all the areas we collected water sample. This responds to the already mentioned catchments management practices promoted by committees, the current land use, and the parks that surround the catchments. Despite the fact that our group faced difficulties in collection, the results were appealing. 4 Social Analysis Our group applied the use of questionnaires and interviews to assess people’s awareness, knowledge and acceptance of the zoning plan ten years since the implementation and what effects it has had in their lives. We used the questionnaires and interviews to show how the community and environment have been able to cope with the plan since its introduction. 4.1 Method We used more than the former 174 surveys to apply to different communities along the Bay. We did not stop there, we also participated in interviews with stakeholders and almost every individual from the communities around the bay and the group participated in high school activities with. We also played the Wheel of coastal fortune; all the results considered in account in the assessment. 4.2 Method Limitations The group encountered limitations of social analysis with several communities. This was mostly so because of the limited time we had at the bay. Since our mission was not only social analysis, little time was not our major factor. Limited access to resources and inexperience of the interviewers from our groups also was the other problems we encountered (Ceballos 1996, 79). We carried out 250 surveys, with each group member carrying out 50 from diverse population groups. The surveys showed that the public as target group is too large to be a category. The public included local residents from different communities, commercial and recreational fishers, youngsters, visitors from diverse places. It was an inoperative process and was hard to distinguish differences among populations, an example of this was on weekends when different people meet at different place that are not necessarily there place of stay. People from different towns, which are on the zoning plan and those who participated in zoning plan meetings. In addition to this, number of surveys compared to the populations was not representative at all. Many important stakeholders such as aboriginal groups were not included at all in the assessment. Al the interviews gave different but valuable information, they had to pass through several steps that reduced their effectiveness, the transcription from the interviewed to interviewer then the transcription from the interviewer notes to computer. 4.3 General assessment It became clear that the communities are aware of the zoning plan among the general community and its purpose were becoming clear among the people. People seem to relate to the zoning plan more open as they do to conservation and direct benefits to them they get from them. The group included all areas and every group of the community had a part to play in the questionnaires. Most of the respondents felt that the zoning plan was either affecting directly or indirectly their lives. Stakeholders questioned did not echo the points that the communities shared. The communities felt like there was lack of concern by the government and the survey were one sided. As a result, the group did not achieve all its set goals within specific groups of people and characteristic of the people. Most of the people complied with the restrictions of the plan but they were concerns about the lack of compliance in other groups. This was a consideration that if effected might help reduce the long-term conflicts between different groups. 5 Land Use The five days field study gave our group a hand to talk to the communities around Jervis Bay Park about their thoughts about the government and the way they are using the land around the (Elliott, Mitchell, Wiltshire, Manan & Wismer 2001, 114). We went ahead to analyze our data from different communities and we were able to collect information that the communities hold for themselves since they feel that when they talk out loud about the government’s use of their land might cause conflicts between them and the government. 5.1 Methods Our group of five members divided into single individuals who specifically covered different areas of the communities. We used questionnaires to ask the residents of these areas what they felt about the whole government use of the land around them. We later used the information we were able to gather to analyze government activities and there effects on the lives of these people. 5.2 Method Limitations The group encountered limitations of land use with several communities. This was mostly so because of the limited time we had at the bay. Most of our time we had on Jervis Bay Park was to cover environmental management, definition and strategies in use, aquatic ecology, social analysis and the water quality. Since our mission was wide and was not only about land use, little time was not our major factor on our side. Limited access to resources and lack of the rightfully required experience when we were doing the interviewers from our individual role was also the other problems we encountered. We carried out 250 surveys, with each group member carrying out 50 from diverse population groups within the community members. The surveys also showed that the public as target group is too large to be a category. Al the interviews gave different but valuable information, they had to pass through several steps that reduced their effectiveness, the transcription from the interviewed to interviewer then the transcription from the interviewer notes to computers. 5.3 General Assessments It became clear that the communities are aware of the land use issues among the general community and its purpose were becoming clear among the people. People seem to relate to the land use more open than they did to all the other issues because land use issues were things that they were experiencing around them. The group included all areas and every group of the community had a part to play in the questionnaires. Most of the respondents felt that the land use was either affecting directly or indirectly their lives. Stakeholders questioned did not echo the points that the communities shared. The communities felt like there was lack of concern to the communities by the government and the issues were mostly sided on the government part. As a result, the group did not achieve all its set goals within specific groups of people and characteristic of the people. Most of the people complied with the restrictions of the plan but they were concerns about the lack of compliance in other groups. This was a consideration that if effected might help reduce the long-term conflicts between different groups. Top of Form Bottom of Form Read More