The Effectiveness of Public Participation in the Environmental Politics of Hydraulic Fracturing: the Case of the Great Karoo, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
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The Effectiveness of Public Participation in the Environmental Politics of Hydraulic Fracturing: The Case of the Great Karoo, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa Nomampondomise Cynthia Kalipa-Mini i The Effectiveness of Public Participation in the Environmental Politics of Hydraulic Fracturing: The Case of the Great Karoo, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa By Nomampondomise Cynthia Kalipa-Mini Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Philosophy in Environmental Studies Degree, Department of Geography and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, Fort Hare University (Alice Campus) July 2018 Supervisor: Dr. R. Pillay ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................vi LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................ viii LIST OF PHOTOS...........................................................................................................ix LIST OF APPENDICES ................................................................................................... x ABSTRACT .....................................................................................................................xi DECLARATION BY CANDIDATE .................................................................................. xii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................. xiii DEDICATION ................................................................................................................ xiv LIST OF ACRONYMS ....................................................................................................xv CHAPTER I ..................................................................................................................... 1 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS OF FRACKING .... 1 Background to the Study .......................................................................................... 1 Conceptual Framework ............................................................................................. 6 Literature Review ...................................................................................................... 9 Research Problem .................................................................................................. 23 Research Aims and Objectives ............................................................................... 25 Research Methodology ........................................................................................... 25 Study Location ........................................................................................................ 30 Research Rationale ................................................................................................ 33 Dissertation Structure ............................................................................................. 33 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 34 CHAPTER II .................................................................................................................. 36 THE CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY AREA .................................. 36 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 36 The Karoo Region and its People ........................................................................... 36 The Great Karoo Geology ....................................................................................... 39 iii The Karoo Climate .................................................................................................. 40 The Karoo Vegetation ............................................................................................. 41 Governance in Dr Beyers Naude’ Local Municipality .............................................. 42 The Socio-economic Status of Dr Beyers Naude’ Local Municipality...................... 43 Environmental Politics in the Karoo Region ............................................................ 45 Public Participation in Dr Beyers Naude’ Local Municipality ................................... 48 Background to the Three Sites ............................................................................... 49 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 57 CHAPTER III ................................................................................................................. 58 THEMATIC BACKGROUND OF THE RESEARCH STUDY ...................................... 58 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 58 The Rationale behind Public Participation .............................................................. 58 Public Participation Globally ................................................................................... 63 Public Participation Regionally................................................................................ 63 Public Participation in South Africa ......................................................................... 66 Aims and Benefits of Public Participation ............................................................... 71 Evaluating Public Participation ............................................................................... 72 Environmental Politics ............................................................................................ 74 The Integrated Environmental Management Paradigm .......................................... 76 National Environmental Management Act ............................................................... 78 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 79 CHAPTER IV ................................................................................................................. 80 DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS.................................................................. 80 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 80 Data Presentation ................................................................................................... 83 Summary of Data Analysis ................................................................................... 112 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 115 CHAPTER V ................................................................................................................ 116 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION ......................................................................... 116 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 116 Discussion of Findings .......................................................................................... 117 iv Limitations to the study ......................................................................................... 125 Future research .................................................................................................... 125 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 126 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 127 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................. 138 Appendix A............................................................................................................... 138 Appendix B............................................................................................................... 143 Appendix C .............................................................................................................. 146 Appendix D .............................................................................................................. 149 Appendix E............................................................................................................... 151 v LIST OF TABLES Table Page 4.1 Summary of participants 81 4.2 Exercise and Protect Rights 88 4.3 Confront Future Environmental Challenges 89 4.4 Understanding Sustainable Development 92 4.5 Understanding Environmental Management 93 4.6 Understanding Policy Formulation 94 4.7 Clear Role in Participation Process 96 4.8 Able to Add to Deliberations 98 4.9 Integration With Own Opinions 101 4.10 Understand Consequences 102 4.11 Informed Decision-making 104 4.12 Early Involvement 105 4.13 Public Still Participating 107 4.14 Participation Effectiveness (Appendix A only) 109 4.15 Participation Effectiveness (Appendices B and C only) 110 vi 4.16 Statistical Summary of Themes 114 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1.1 The spatial context of the research area 32 2.1 The Great Karoo across four provinces 37 viii LIST OF PHOTOS Photo Page 2.1 Stone Age People 39 2.2 Karoo’s sparse vegetation 42 2.3 Karoo’s unspoiled landscapes 48 2.4 Graaff Reinet engulfed by landscapes 52 2.5 Township houses in UMasizakhe 54 2.6 Scenery enroute Nieu Bethesda 56 4.1 Mahlasela in