UPDATE: Mossel Bay Weather, Emergency and Disaster Observation Alert 2013/2014 - Save Plett's water sources

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plettenberg Bay's water supply is under severe threat due to the rampant spread of alien vegetation in the Keurbooms River catchment area, an area critical to the continued water supply to some 42 290 Plett inhabitants.

According to research conducted by the Eden to Addo Corridor Initiative (E2A), projections indicate that if nothing is done to curb the spread of these thirsty invaders by 2025 the Keurbooms stream flow will have dwindled to a trickle.

E2A has a project planned to restore the Keurbooms River Catchment area to its natural state by clearing 2 000 hectares of invasive alien vegetation in the mountains and hills behind Plett.

They need to raise R500 000 for the first year of this three-year endeavour, by the end of 2013, in order to receive a government grant of R 8.2 million which has been earmarked for this project.

This large-scale project will also create 100 much needed jobs in Plettenberg Bay. "Everything is ready to go, the mapping, the planning is all in place, we just need this last bit of funding," said Pamela Booth, Project Manager, on behalf of E2A.

A crowd-funding campaign has been launched at http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/more-work-water-life/x/5131357. Three days remain before the campaign closes.

To make a donation visit www.edentoaddo.co.za or for more project details contact Pamela Booth on 082 875 0342.

- Knysna/Plett Herald