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Nature Conservation |
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Conservation Chairperson's Report. 17 February 2010 As chairperson of conservation portfolio, I must apologise for lack of input during the year but a large amount of time was spent on my involvement with the Project team. Again, the need to implement the TSCIPP must be reiterated. The TSC site needs to be planted up heavily with appropriate trees and the invasive species eradicated to reduce the seed load that blows and drifts in the water into the conservancy adjacent to us. Planting indigenous and observing the TSCIPP Five years ago Hans and started planting up various areas with indigenous trees and shrubs (2 beds at the office, my site, outside the Plaat ablution block, 50 Rhus around the TSC site) and by now it must be apparent that certain species take more readily than others and produce wonderful results. The areas concerned are looking lovely, providing wind and dust breaks and bird and insect life is now abundant around these areas. Also, I have noticed on my site how the soil is gradually changing from the hard impenetrable clay to a more loamy consistency. I urge management to continue with the indigenous planting programme and implementation of the TSCIPP (Invasive Plant Policy) using the lists of plants that I have suggested. In many cases, members plant declared invaders or they plant inappropriate trees that fail, leaving their sites treeless and shadeless. If members purchase and plant their own trees, they feel it their right to plant what they like. So, the Club needs to purchase the trees and do the planting. If members do purchase and plant their own trees and shrubs, they need to be urged to first get permission from the conservation chairperson. If the species they choose are inappropriate, indigenous alternatives will be suggested. Urgent attention needs to be given to: o The removal of large black wattles as they are producing masses of seed o The removal of female beefwoods o A systematic programme in the wet months to remove saplings of invasive species Plaat camping facilities Recently, there have been complaints from members who used the vacated boat parking areas for camping as camping sites on the Plaat have been converted to permanent sites thereby reducing the number of available camp sites. The area was described as a bleak, hostile and dusty wasteland. I must agree with those comments and I think that we need to question the quality of camping facilities that we are offering our active and paying members. While converting the Plaat sites to permanent sites was suggested by the Project Team, alternative camping sites need to be created for members. According to the figures, membership is gradually increasing so additional space must be provided. One of the Project Team proposals was to expand the member area into the public area and a new public area be created further towards the public entrance. Mountain View facilities The Mountain View sites urgently need wind and dust protection. The sloot outside the fence needs to be fertilised and filled with soil and planted up. Also, large holes need to be dug on the SE side and planted up. Another option is to create a central bed in the turning area outside the blue shed. This could be planted up to create an additional and attractive wind break. Water pollution The threat of water pollution must be conveyed to water users - especially among the power boaters. In January, I came across a huge pool of oil that was allowed to spill from a boat on the launch area not far from the water. I alerted Neil Spilhaus but the culprit had disappeared out the gate (we followed the trail). Power boats remain the most significant pollution threat by TSC. One drop of oil can render 25 litres of water unfit for drinking, needless to say what it does to aquatic organisms. Suggestions I would like to propose the following and reiterate my suggestions in my Conservation Report 2 of July 2007: 1. If the vacated boat parking on the member Plaat is be allocated to camping, then the area needs radical and urgent attention. Sites need to be laid out, holes need to be dug and about 50 trees need to be planted. 2. Trees planted around the Mountain view sites - about 30. 3. The flattened dam wall on the public Plaat needs to be resurrected. This would form an effective windbreak for the public Plaat. With an earth barrier, run-off from the Plaat would then collect against it and a barrier of trees and bushes could be planted here. While some trees have been planted, a further 100 are required. I suggest that an underground drip system be installed. However, before starting the wall, a deep furrow could be dug along the length of the wall foundation and all the inorganic waste (concrete, tyres etc) could be buried before the wall is started. Compost and sand will need to be dug in where the trees will be planted. (See 2007 report No. 2). 4. The dumping of inorganic material on the TSC site needs to be curbed and an area for stock-piling inorganic waste will need to be established. This could possibly be done in the newly re-located storage area as the creation of another unsightly area should be avoided. (The option of planting hardy shrubs around this area could be considered as a natural screen). 5. Before planting trees and shrubs on their sites, members must be urged to first get permission from the conservation chairperson. If the species is inappropriate, an indigenous alternative will be suggested. 6. Include conservation projects in the budget. 7. Barbed wire fencing is very unattractive and TSC needs to re-evaluate the fencing and retain it only where it is essential. Budget I am unable to propose definite figures as I am not familiar with the current labour costs in the area and costs of hiring the digging equipment. However, I can suggest that: o 180 trees are purchased at about R60.00 each with bone meal and compost. Approximate cost R11 000.00. o 2 labourers be allocated from April to August to removed aliens. Approximate cost R30 000.00 o The digger be hired for about a week to build a wind break on the public Plaat and dig tree holes after the first rains. Approximate cost R2 000.00. Margie Cochrane February 2010 |
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