1. DEAT LAW REFORM PROGRAMME : 1999 - 2001
1. INTRODUCTION
1. Background information
2. Overall process
1. Objectives
2. Approach and Business Plans
3. Outputs
4. Management
5. Stakeholder consultation
3. Focus areas
4. Time frames for sectoral law reform projects
5. Projected budget & funding sources
6. Programme planning outline
2. CONTACT DETAILS
1. PAUL MACLONS
1. Cel: 082-6568044
2. Fax: 012-3201421
3. Email: bes_pam@ozone.pwv.gov.za
2. INGRID COETZEE
1. Cel: 082-5566120
2. Fax: 021-4182582
3. Email: icoetzee@sfri.wcape.gov.za
3. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
1. Policy process gave rise to law reform
2. Translate constitutional obligations & policy imperatives into law
3. DEAT transformation & restructuring identified need for single law reform programme:
1. Covers all 3 functions - environment, tourism and marine & coastal management
2. Co-ordinated & integrated approach
4. DEAT Law Reform Programme = special priority & Government driven
4. OBJECTIVES
1. Give effect to Constitutional obligations (eg environmental right in section 24, and cooperative governance in chapter 3) & policies
2. Give effect to Section 7(3)(h) of NEMA - law reform
3. Eliminate fragmentation
4. Ensure sustainable development is promoted in law
5. Coordinate sectoral & subordinate law reform
6. Synchronise sectoral laws with framework laws (National Environmental Management Act, No 107 of 1998 & Marine Living Resources Act, No 18 of 1998)
7. Ensure Government capacity to implement & manage
8. Costing & implementation of new laws
5. APPROACH & BUSINESS PLANS

a.Approach - driven by Constitution, policies & transformation

b.Programme business plan sets out scope & focus areas, time frames, generic process & financial framework

c.Generate detailed business plans & budgets for individual sectoral law reform projects

d.Detailed business plans include:

i.Time frames, outputs & milestones

ii.Project management responsibilities & accountability

iii.Costs, budgets & funding plan

iv.Human resource requirements

v.Detailed work breakdown structure

vi.Consultation & communication strategies

vii.Reporting, monitoring & audit requirements

viii.Coordination & synchronisation within sectoral legislation

6.LAW REFORM PROCESS &

a.Identify type of law needed

b.Motivate context & components of new law/amendment

c.Generate detailed business plan

d.Consultation plan & database of stakeholders

e.Background research papers where appropriate

f.Skeleton framework/outline of new law

g.First draft of new law/amendments

h.Publish in Government Gazette for public comment

i.Compilation & summary of public & government comments

j.Final Act/Amendment Act/ Regulations

k.Implementation strategy & budget

7.MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

a.Steering Committee reports to DEAT management structures & DG:

i.Chief Director : Environmental Coordination & Communication

ii.Programme Manager of DLRP

iii.Officials responsible for sectoral law reform projects

iv.Director : Office of DG (Ctn)

v.Legal Services representative

vi.Legal drafters

vii.Co-opted member/s from government as required

b.Steering Committee consults inter-governmental structures (CEC & MINTECH/MIPTECH) to:

i.identify government needs & priorities for law reform

ii.ensure coherent & consolidated government position

iii.facilitate co-operative governance

8.STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION

a.Mechanisms to facilitate consultation

i.Information pamphlets

ii.Email & web site

iii.Information exchange workshops

iv.Public submissions to Government Gazette

v.Parliamentary public hearings

b.Institutional arrangements

i.Statutory civil society structures - NEAF & CAF

ii.Establish Sub-committees of NEAF to consult on sectoral law reform projects if necessary

iii.Parliamentary committees

9.FOCUS AREAS

i.New Acts, Regulations & Amendments

a.World heritage site management

b.Tourism

c.Integrated pollution & waste management

d.Biodiversity conservation

e.Coastal management

f.Marine resources

g.Agentisation of Weather Bureau

h.Environmental management

i.National botanical gardens

10.PROGRAMME PLANNING OUTLINE

11.DECISION-MAKING PROCESSTO GET BILL TABLED IN PARLIAMENT

12.PROJECTED DLRP BUDGET

13.CURRENT STATUS

a.DEAT is finalising overall programme business plan for submission to Minister & inter-governmental coordinating structures

b.Communication strategy near completion

c.Sectoral law reform projects to be tabled this session after State Law Advisor certification:

i.World Heritage Convention Bill (establishes management authorities for World Heritage sites & regulates management of such sites)

ii.Tourism Amendment Bill (introduces tourist guide system)

d.Various Regulations in pipeline - eg Amendments to Marine Living Resources Act Regulations

e.Commence business planning process on sectoral law reform projects identified in overall programme business plan

f.Establishing a legal resources capability in DEAT

i.Business plan to source donor funding

ii.Appointing para-legal staff