Devising strategies for reclamation of derelict sites due to mining of residual soil ("saibro") at Ubatuba, north coast of São Paulo state, Brazil

Between the late 60's and early 90's intensive exploitation of residual soil for civil construction took place in the municipality of Ubatuba, North Coast of São Paulo State.Tropical climatic conditions associated with a hilly landscape bordered by the Atlantic Ocean gave rise to thick (10-30m) weathering profiles derived from Precambrian granitic-gneissic rocks.Exploitation of large volumes of this material required only very simple technology, which on the other hand has caused highly adverse environmental impacts, such as deforestation, soil erosion, land instability hazards, scenic deterioration, pollution and disturbance of local water flow regime.This paper deals with the devising of strategies thus identifying stakeholders and describing their roles both on the dereliction and reclamation processes related with residual soil exploitation.The evaluation approach focused on the analysis of the regulatory framework and its practical implications and issues in terms of licensing for mining operations, commercialization of construction materials, and the relations of such mining activities with regional and urban planning.A survey of stakeholder Sociedade & Natureza, Uberlândia, Special Issue, 643-660, May, 2005 644 viewpoints was successfully achieved through a two-day workshop.The attendance included decision-makers, officials and representatives of governmental and regulatory bodies (Federal, State and Municipal), environmental research institutions, private miners (entrepreneurs) and consultants, public attorney, and NGOs.The outcomes have indicated that State and local authorities properly managed to stop illegal exploitation of residual soil in the early 90 ́s.However no land reclamation was undertaken until present.One of the main problems would be related with the procedures for mining and environmental licensing that were considered to be too complex and long (usually involving up to seven decisional instances and 2,5 years in average).Other key issues and needs identified included: a) organization of a database in a Geographic Information System; b) formulation of a Regional Mining Directive Plan consonant with the other Management Plans; c) regulation of land ownership; d) regulatory framework able to reconcile development and preservation so that to prevent illegal mining; e) development of integrated models for reclamation taking comprehensive consideration to aggregate production, reduction of risks and land recovering

Archaeology · Business · Commercialization · Enforcement · Environmental planning · Environmental protection · Environmental resource management · Geography · Land reclamation · Political science · Stakeholder · Environmental Science · Geography and Environmental Studies · Soil Management and Crop Yield