ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN - SIZA



120512318384500center300003207385ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN9410036300ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN2228857023933[COMPANY NAME]941009200[COMPANY NAME]Table of Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u 1Terms and Definitions PAGEREF _Toc529874394 \h 32Purpose of this document: PAGEREF _Toc529874395 \h 43Overview: PAGEREF _Toc529874396 \h 43.1Company Background: PAGEREF _Toc529874397 \h 43.2Farm Map: PAGEREF _Toc529874398 \h 43.3Environmental Context: PAGEREF _Toc529874399 \h 43.3.1Topography: PAGEREF _Toc529874400 \h 43.3.2Meteorology: PAGEREF _Toc529874401 \h 43.3.3Land Use: PAGEREF _Toc529874402 \h 43.3.4Farm/ Packhouse Location: PAGEREF _Toc529874403 \h 43.4Objectives of Environmental Management Plan: PAGEREF _Toc529874404 \h 44Environmental Policy PAGEREF _Toc529874405 \h 55Environmental Management PAGEREF _Toc529874406 \h 65.1Environmental Management Structure and Management PAGEREF _Toc529874407 \h 65.2Legal Compliance PAGEREF _Toc529874408 \h 66Components of Environmental Management: PAGEREF _Toc529874409 \h 76.1Legal compliance: PAGEREF _Toc529874410 \h 76.2Water Management: PAGEREF _Toc529874411 \h 76.2.1Registration of water use (authorization & legislation) PAGEREF _Toc529874412 \h 76.2.2Identification and conservation of water resources (wetlands & riparian zones) PAGEREF _Toc529874413 \h 76.2.3Map of water sources PAGEREF _Toc529874414 \h 76.2.4Assessment of water availability and allocation PAGEREF _Toc529874415 \h 76.2.5Efficient and sustainable utilization of water (irrigation & measuring water use-efficiency) PAGEREF _Toc529874416 \h 76.2.6Pollution Prevention & Incidents (Buffer zones) PAGEREF _Toc529874417 \h 76.2.7Monitoring of water quality (Water samples) PAGEREF _Toc529874418 \h 76.2.8Pollution incidents and corrective actions PAGEREF _Toc529874419 \h 8If any water pollution incident(s) occurred on the farm, give a brief description of what systems are in place to minimise the impact of the pollution and what corrective actions were taken for each incident. Documentation of incidents and corrective actions must be provided as proof. PAGEREF _Toc529874420 \h 86.2.9Catchment area and Catchment management agency PAGEREF _Toc529874421 \h 86.3Soil Management: PAGEREF _Toc529874422 \h 86.3.1Pollution prevention practices PAGEREF _Toc529874423 \h 86.3.2Use of healthy soil practices (conservation & restoration) PAGEREF _Toc529874424 \h 86.3.3Erosion and Compaction PAGEREF _Toc529874425 \h 86.3.4Soil samples PAGEREF _Toc529874426 \h 86.4Handling of Chemicals: PAGEREF _Toc529874427 \h 86.4.1Storage of agricultural chemicals PAGEREF _Toc529874428 \h 86.4.2Handling and application of chemicals PAGEREF _Toc529874429 \h 86.4.3Filling stations/points PAGEREF _Toc529874430 \h 96.4.4Spray drift and Chemical Run-off PAGEREF _Toc529874431 \h 96.4.5Disposal of empty containers PAGEREF _Toc529874432 \h 96.4.6Calibration of spray application equipment PAGEREF _Toc529874433 \h 96.5Integrated Pest Management: PAGEREF _Toc529874434 \h 96.6Energy Management: PAGEREF _Toc529874435 \h 96.6.1Monitoring energy usage (Carbon footprint & Record keeping process) PAGEREF _Toc529874436 \h 96.6.2Measures to maximize energy efficiency PAGEREF _Toc529874437 \h 96.6.3Energy Reduction plan PAGEREF _Toc529874438 \h 96.7Waste Management: PAGEREF _Toc529874439 \h 96.7.1Waste Categories: PAGEREF _Toc529874440 \h 96.7.2Record Keeping of all Waste Streams: PAGEREF _Toc529874441 \h 106.7.3Recycling of Waste: PAGEREF _Toc529874442 \h 106.7.4Disposal & Transportation of Waste: PAGEREF _Toc529874443 \h 106.7.5Waste Reduction Plan & Goal: PAGEREF _Toc529874444 \h 106.8Biodiversity and Ecosystem management: PAGEREF _Toc529874445 \h 106.8.1Biodiversity inventory (rare and endangered species) PAGEREF _Toc529874446 \h 106.8.2Avoidance of natural degradation and enhancement of restoration PAGEREF _Toc529874447 \h 106.8.3Conservation management plan (areas identified for conservation) PAGEREF _Toc529874448 \h 106.8.4Planting of GM materials PAGEREF _Toc529874449 \h 106.9Invasive Alien Plant (IAP) management: PAGEREF _Toc529874450 \h 116.9.1Categories of Invasive Alien Plants: PAGEREF _Toc529874451 \h 116.9.2Areas of Invasive Alien Plants (IAP’s): PAGEREF _Toc529874452 \h 116.9.3Alien Clearing Plan: PAGEREF _Toc529874453 \h 116.9.4Review and Monitoring of IAP’s: PAGEREF _Toc529874454 \h 116.10Fire management: PAGEREF _Toc529874455 \h 116.10.1Firebreaks: PAGEREF _Toc529874456 \h 116.10.2Fire Fighting Equipment: PAGEREF _Toc529874457 \h 116.10.3Emergency Plan/Procedure: PAGEREF _Toc529874458 \h 116.10.4Fire Risk Map PAGEREF _Toc529874459 \h 117Training: PAGEREF _Toc529874460 \h 128Summary of Conservation Actions (APO): PAGEREF _Toc529874461 \h 129Monitoring and Evaluation: PAGEREF _Toc529874462 \h 12Terms and DefinitionsAuditor: Person with the competence to conduct an audit Continual improvement: Recurring process of enhancing the environmental management system in order to achieve improvements in overall environmental performance consistent with the organisation’s environmental policy. Corrective action: Action to eliminate the cause of a detected nonconformity. Environment Surroundings in which an organisation operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans, and their interrelation. Environmental aspect (EA) Elements of an organisation’s activities or products or services that can interact with the environment. Environmental impact Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organisation’s environmental aspects. Environmental management system (EMS) Part of an organisation’s management system used to develop and implement its environmental policy and manage its environmental aspects. Environmental objective Overall environmental goal, consistent with the environmental policy, that an organisation sets itself to achieve. Environmental performance Measurable results of an organisation’s management of its environmental aspects. Environmental policy Overall intentions and directions of an organisation related to its environmental performance as formally expressed by top management. Environmental target Detailed performance requirement applicable to the organisation or parts thereof, that arises from the environmental objectives and that needs to be set and met in order to achieve those objectives. Interested party Person or group concerned with or affected by the environmental performance of an organisation. Internal audit Systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which the environmental management system audit criteria set by the organization are fulfilled. Nonconformity Non-fulfilment of a requirement. Preventive action Action to eliminate the cause of a potential nonconformity. Prevention of pollution Use of processes, practices, techniques, materials, products, services or energy to avoid, reduce or control (separately or in combination) the creation, emission or discharge of any type of pollutants or waste, in order to reduce adverse environmental impacts.Purpose of this document:The purpose of this document is to provide a detailed description for the methods and procedures that are being implemented to mitigate and monitor the impacts that may be caused during daily farming activities. This document contains environmental objectives and targets which are set by company management and monitored annually to track and drive continuous improvement in environmental performance. Overview: Company Background:Provide general background information on your company. Describe the nature of the company, the products in produce and information around land marks and services. Also describe your company’s daily operational activities.Farm Map:Add a map which indicates all building structures, roads and cultivated lands. Environmental Context:Topography:Provide a brief description on the topography of the farm. Describe where it is located and the geographical characteristics (Soil types; slopes; area etc.) of the farm.Meteorology:Provide a brief description of the climate in your area. Focus primarily on your summer and winter seasons and indicate your annual rainfall.Land Use:Describe the use of land (cultivation of crops; buffer zones; conservation areas etc.) on your farm and indicate its size in terms of hectares. The different land use sections of the farm should be clearly indicated on a map.Farm/ Packhouse Location:Attach a map, that indicates the infrastructures (houses, roads, dams, rivers etc.) and borders of your farm/company. Provide all necessary geographic information (scale, north arrow, legend).Objectives of Environmental Management Plan:To provide a framework that structures and prioritizes any environmental risks that are relevant to the farming business, with detail on the necessary management actions required to proactively manage the farm in a way that ensures it’s sustainability in to the future. Ensuring compliance with regulatory authority stipulations and guidelines which may belocal, provincial, national and/or international;Ensuring that there is sufficient allocation of resources on the project budget so that thescale of EMP-related activities is consistent with the significance of project impacts;Verifying environmental performance on impacts as they occur;Responding to changes in project implementation not considered in the EIA;Responding to unforeseen events; andProviding feedback for continual improvement in environmental performance.Environmental Policy[COMPANY NAME]ENVIRONMENTAL POLICYThe management and employees of [COMPANY NAME] are aware of our responsibility to act as custodians of our natural environment. In order to ensure sustainable production and enhance product confidence, we are committed to:Ensuring compliance with relevant environmental legislationEnsuring responsible use of our natural resourcesMinimising the generation of waste and the responsible handling of any waste generatedEnsure energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissionsImprove water-use-efficiencyControl alien invasive plants (IAP)Make use of healthy soil practicesPrevent contamination to soil and water bodiesRestore natural ecosystems [COMPANY NAME] is committed to continual improvement of environmental performance. This policy will be reviewed annually and the necessary changes will be communicated to all staff, contractors and suppliers.Endorsed by: [Name and Title of Top Management]Signature:………………………..Date: …………………………………. Environmental ManagementEnvironmental Management Structure and ManagementProvide the names and positions of the personnel that are responsible for different aspects of environmental management in your company, for example waste management, water usage, agro-chemical application, energy and fuel monitoring etc. Give a brief description of the roles and responsibilities of each identified person and provide the environmental responsibilities of subcontractors at your company. Legal ComplianceAs a SIZA member we, [COMPANY NAME], declare that we comply with the following South African Environmental Legislation that is applicable to our company or farm. These legislations vary from natural to heritage resources and those that are included in the SIZA Environmental Standard are: NEMA – the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 NWA – the National Water Act 36 of 1998 CARA – the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983 NHRA –the National Heritages Resources Act 25 of 1999 NEM:BA – the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 NEM:BA - Alien and Invasive Species Regulations - 19th July 2013 NEMPAA - the National Environmental Management: Protect Areas Act 57 of 2003 NEM: WA - The National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008 National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (39/2004): National Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting Regulations. NFA – the National Forest Act 84 of 1998 NVFFA – The National Veld and Forest Fire Act 101 of 1998 SALA – Subdivision of Agricultural Lands Act 70 of 1970 SPLUMA – Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 Fertilizers, Farm feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, No 36 of 1947 The Genetically Modified Organisms Act, 1997 (Act No.15 of 1997) Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983) [COMPANY NAME] is committed to the above-mentioned legislation and compliance will be reviewed annually to ensure that we remain up-to-date with the Environmental Legislation of South Africa.Endorsed by: [Name and Title of Top Management]Signature:………………………..Date: ………………………………….Components of Environmental Management:Legal compliance:Give a brief description of what systems you have in place to ensure that you stay up-to-date and comply with relevant environmental legislation. For example: Do you get notified through your local farmers association or extension officer of any public participatory processes that would be relevant, and do you have copies of the necessary laws as evidence of awareness. Remember to add your monitoring intervals and what actions are taken when legislation on environmental aspects changed.Water Management:Registration of water use (authorization & legislation)Give a brief description of the registered water allocation for your company. Attach a formal document of the registered allocation as proof in appendix. Explain the quantity of water allocated to different uses (e.g. irrigation for crops, housing etc.).Identification and conservation of water resources (wetlands & riparian zones)If any wetlands and riparian zones are identified on the company’s property, give a brief description of the management systems that are implemented to protect and conserve these conservation areas. Map of water sourcesAdd a map, which clearly indicates all water resources that are being used on the premises. This will include surface (e.g. rivers, mountain streams, wetlands, dams) and groundwater (e.g. boreholes, aquifers, springs etc.) resources. Assessment of water availability and allocationGive a brief description of how water availability is identified on your premises and what systems are being used to allocate water to different crops.Efficient and sustainable utilization of water (irrigation & measuring water use-efficiency)Describe how your company makes use of irrigation methods and techniques to utilize available water. What methods are being used to schedule irrigation? Add how irrigation systems are being monitored to prevent water wastage and elaborate on how technology is being used to save water. If the company measures water-use efficiency (WUE), elaborate on how this calculation is being used to adapt water allocations and provide WUE records as proof.Pollution Prevention & Incidents (Buffer zones) Give a brief description of what prevention measures are being used to prevent water pollution. If buffer zones are established, add a map that clearly indicates these zones.Monitoring of water quality (Water samples)Give a brief description of how water quality is being monitored on your premises. Provide information of what SANAS registered labs were used to analyse water samples and add results of annual water samples as proof in appendix. Pollution incidents and corrective actionsIf any water pollution incident(s) occurred on the farm, give a brief description of what systems are in place to minimise the impact of the pollution and what corrective actions were taken for each incident. Documentation of incidents and corrective actions must be provided as proof.Catchment area and Catchment management agency If the management of the company is part of a catchment management agency (CMA), give a brief description on how the CMA work together to manage water in die surrounding community.Soil Management:Pollution prevention practicesDescribe the methods and practices that are being implemented to avoid soil pollution. This can be the prevention of chemical run-off, management of waste, monitoring of soil health and creating buffer zones.Use of healthy soil practices (conservation & restoration)Describe the methods and practices that is being implemented to improve soil health for example crop rotation, the use of cover crops, minimum tillage, mulching and the use of organic matter in compost etc.Erosion and CompactionDescribe what methods are being used to avoid soil erosion, as well as soil compaction.Soil samplesProvide records of periodical soil samples and describe how these samples are being used to improve soil health and to adapt fertilizer programmes etc.Handling of Chemicals:The incorrect usage of agricultural chemicals, particularly pesticides and fungicides, can cause irreparable harm to humans and the environment. Procedures and requirements pertaining to the handling, storage and disposal of agricultural remedies on farms are contained in SANS 10206:2010. Storage of agricultural chemicalsGive a brief description of the storage structure where your chemical products are being stored. This building must comply to the national building regulation and built with suitable materials. Regulations for the storage of chemicals are as follow: All chemicals must be locked in a separate storage facility; The storage facility must be water tight, have good lightning and well ventilated. Also elaborate on how records of chemical supplies, usage and disposal are dated and what measures are being implemented to prevent the leaching of chemicals into water resources during an event of rain.Handling and application of chemicalsGive a brief description on how chemical is being used safely on your premises. Is there a system in place, which provides employees with the prescribed protective clothing? Do they receive thorough training in the safe handling and application of agricultural remedies, as well as in basic first aid? Keep certificates at hand as proof of training. Also describe the procedures and policies that are being followed in the vineyard while spraying is being done..Filling stations/pointsGive a brief description on how filling stations are designed and constructed to prevent pollution, as well as how excess spray mixtures are taken care of. Remember water that is used to rinse out spray tanks may not contaminate the soil or end up in ditches, rivers or storage dams. Spray drift and Chemical Run-offDescribe what precaution measures are implemented during the application of chemicals to prevent spray drift from polluting the environment, natural water sources or adjacent properties. Also describe what measures are taken to prevent chemical run-off to water resources.Disposal of empty containersDescribe how empty containers are being exposed. When you make use of a contractor to remove the containers, keep certificates of invoices at hand as proof.Calibration of spray application equipmentDescribe the procedures and intervals for the calibration of your spray equipment. What aspects is taken into consideration during calibration and is the calibration according to label recommendation? Integrated Pest Management:IPM is the application of all available management practices and control measures to control pests and diseases, and to eliminate chemical control as far as possible or to apply it more cautiously. Energy Management:Monitoring energy usage (Carbon footprint & Record keeping process)Provide evidence for the record keeping of waste and the carbon calculator.Measures to maximize energy efficiencyGive a brief discussion of what measures and practices are being implemented in your company to be more energy efficient and to reduce energy usage.Energy Reduction planProvide a plan which your company as a whole will follow to reduce energy usage and to reduce carbon emissions.Waste Management:Waste Categories:The operations of [COMPANY NAME] will generate a range of waste. Produced waste is then classified into the following categories:Re-use: If surplus materials can be used in future operations it is classified as materials which can be re-used. Materials that can be reused in its present form and meet the necessary requirements, will be labelled and stored for future reference.Recycling: If surplus materials cannot be reused in its present form, but could be used in a different form, it will be sent for recycling or labelled as future recycling.Landfill: If the above-mentioned options cannot be satisfied, the only alternative left is to send the surplus materials to landfill. Under no circumstances will biological or non-biological waste be dumped in water resources.Record Keeping of all Waste Streams:Give a description on how waste streams are being recorded on the premises. To support this description, you will need to provide physical proof of the records.Recycling of Waste:Provide a list of all products that are being re-cycled (glass, paper/cardboard, metal, wet waste etc.) on your premises, as well as by whom. Add visual evidence (photos) of recycling in place (bins for the collection of paper, carton, plastic, glass, metal, oil and fruit waste).Disposal & Transportation of Waste:Give a brief description of policies and practices that are being used during the disposal and transportation of waste.Waste Reduction Plan & Goal:To reduce the amount of waste that is being produced at [COMPANY NAME], we will implement all possible waste reduction procedures and therefore reduce the amount of waste to be removed from sites. Management, staff, contractors and suppliers will be encouraged to explore ways to minimise the amount of waste generated at the work site. We make use of the following practices to reduce the amount of waste that is being produced on site: List the waste reduction measures that are being followed by your company.Biodiversity and Ecosystem management:Biodiversity inventory (rare and endangered species)Provide a list of natural vegetation types that were identified on your premises during a biodiversity assessment.Avoidance of natural degradation and enhancement of restorationGive a brief description of the conservation practices that are being implemented in your company to avoid the degradation of pristine (River areas, wetlands, seep-zones) natural areas. Where pristine natural areas have been impacted by farming activities, are these activities in line with legal authorizations and are there signs of proactive restoration and conservation of these areas.Conservation management plan (areas identified for conservation)This is only applicable to your Company, if there are critically endangered vegetation types on your premises.Planting of GM materialsGive a brief description of what factors are being kept in mind when new planting materials is decided on for example: yield performance, genetic diversity, impacts on neighbouring cultivated areas, disease resistance etc. provide evidence or proof that all new planting material is from reputable sources, is of high quality and meets buyers’ requirements.Invasive Alien Plant (IAP) management:Categories of Invasive Alien Plants:Provide a list of all invasive species that are identified on your property, as well as the categories in which they fall. General Name:Biological Name:Category: For more information on or help with the identification of invasive species, please visit to the following link.Areas of Invasive Alien Plants (IAP’s):Add a map which clearly indicates all areas of IAP’s.Alien Clearing Plan:Describe your AIP clearing plan for your premises. Make use of a map to indicate the areas of clearing and in what timelines it will take place. Also give a brief description of what clearing methods is being used to control or remove AIP’s. Clearing methods, with map of management units. Make use of photos as proof for areas where AIP clearing has already been implemented.Review and Monitoring of IAP’s:Give a brief description on how the regrowth of IAP’s is being monitored. Explain what procedures are used and how monitoring is being documented. Fire management:In terms of the National Veld and Forest Act of 1998, you as a landowner are responsible for the prevention and management of all fires that occur on your land.Firebreaks:Discuss the management of sufficient firebreaks on your premises and how regularly it is being maintained. Remember that farm roads in cultivated areas can also serve as firebreaks.Fire Fighting Equipment:Provide a list of firefighting equipment that is being used to control fires and what practices are being implemented to maintain this equipment.Emergency Plan/Procedure:Give a brief description of your emergency plan that is being followed during an event of a structural or wildfire. Also describe how this plan is being communicated to all staff and how employees receive training in fire-fighting.Fire Risk MapAttach a map indicating the following: high fire risk areas, firebreaks and access roads.Training:Provide a list training that the employers and employees conducted in terms of Environmental Management. For example:Safe and appropriate handling of agrochemicals, fuels etc.Appropriate IAP clearing methods & techniques Summary of Conservation Actions (APO): All producers with areas of natural vegetation and/or threatened ecosystems such as wetlands, river banks or endangered veld types on their farms, must incorporate a conservation plan which addresses the specific risks pertaining to these areas in their environment management plan.Monitoring and Evaluation: Give a brief description on how this Environmental Management Plan is reviewed and updated annually. ................
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