Environmental Accountability
More than 100 rigorous environmental, cultural and historical conditions were demanded by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism in the approval of the Thesen Islands development. One of the conditions of approval was the preparation of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The overall goal of the EMP was to guide the re-development of Thesen Island in a manner that would enhance, rather than be of detriment to, the Knysna estuarine environment on a sustainable basis.
The project provided a technical challenge in that, for the first time in South Africa and possibly the world, all salt marsh areas disturbed by the development had to be rehabilitated in such a manner as to ensure 'no nett loss of salt marsh'. Innovative engineering options were successfully researched and applied resulting in an overall increase in the salt marsh area. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) conducted sophisticated computer modelling to assist in the design and layout of the waterways. The various simulations derived an optimal layout allowing for excellent water circulation with sufficiently low velocities to allow marine life to flourish along the gabion embankments. In fact, contrary to some predictions, there has been an increase in the diversity of fauna and flora inhabiting the gabions with many resident sightings of the famous but endangered Knysna sea horse.
Currently, as part of the Co-ordinated Water Bird Count (CWAC), volunteer Thesen Islands residents do a bi-annual count on Thesen Islands. The data is sent to the Percy Fitzpatrick Institute of Ornithology at the University of Cape Town where studies are conducted on migratory patterns and the influence of estate developments on resident bird populations.
In recognition of the scale and complexity of the environmental and other challenges addressed in the construction phase of the development, the South African Institute of Civil Engineering (SAICE) National Award for Technical Excellence in 2005 was presented to Thesen Islands.
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