GEORGE NEWS - The Green Scorpions made their presence felt last Thursday when they issued a spot fine to a company that had been dumping sawdust on municipal land.

Warning letters were also issued to companies which are in violation of Air Emissions Licences.

During an inspection tour of seven premises, Environmental Management Inspectors (EMI’s) of the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs found alarming issues which need following up. At a decommissioned sawmill the remains of CCA chemicals on the concrete floor of the mill, and possible traces in a detention pond was a source of great concern. Follow-up action is being planned. "The extent of contamination if any, would be assessed after soil and water samples were sourced," said a statement from the department issued this week.

Possible transgressions emerged during Thursday’s joint operation carried out by the Department of Environmental Affairs, Eden District Municipality, George Municipality and Department of Water Affairs.

At George Municipality’s waste disposal site inspectors discussed possible solutions for the issue with the nightly, illegal burning of old tyres.

"Vagrants burn the tyres to recover the steel, causing major air pollution and a health hazard to the local community living nearby.

"The Eden district has a number of industries that not only emit noxious gases, but also produce waste material that has the potential to cause significant degradation and pollution to the natural environment." The team were deployed to monitor compliance and examine enforcement issues.

In the statement issued Minister Anton Bredell, he said, "The department also used the enforcement operation as a platform of engagement to create environmental awareness with various industries, and to build better working relations with the different spheres of government.

Officials also took the time to edu-cate industries about the alarming threat of climate change, and how the activities, that contravene environmental legislation, contribute to the effects of climate change."


A Green Scorpion or rather Environmental Management Inspector - Pieter Harmse and a colleague examine the problem of the illegal tyre burning at the George Municipal waste site on Thursday. Photo: Pauline Lourens

ARTICLE: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST