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Ms Codlin
advised that apologies had been received from Mr and Mrs Feather and Mr Steve
Smith who had all hoped to be present for this agenda item.
Mr Waaka
expressed concern that the Waihua/Waikari catchments had not been included in
the Mohaka Catchment Plan Change and sought clarification on when this
decision had been agreed to. In response Ms Codlin advised that various
options of geographic coverage for the Mohaka Plan Change were presented to
the Environment Management Committee in February 2012 (prior to the formation
of the Regional Planning Committee).
Messrs Reed,
Uytendaal and Powell gave a Powerpoint presentation which outlined progress
on the Mohaka catchment plan change, the next steps forward and also a
detailed management framework for the Taharua headwater catchment.
Mr Reed
outlined the indicative timeframes towards plan change notification which
included completing initial stakeholder talks in the next month. However,
it was still too early to confirm a final timeframe as this would depend on
discussions with the Mohaka Stakeholder Group which would be formed by
extending the existing Taharua Stakeholder Group.
Dr Uytendaal
outlined the reasons why there appeared to be a significant decrease in
Taharua river and groundwater nitrate-nitrogen concentrations at monitoring
sites in the upper Taharua that were in direct proximity to the dairy farms.
He noted that it was significant that the groundwater lag times at river
monitoring sites range from 6.5-8 years on average so what was being measured
has been influenced by land use practices around 2006 to 2008. With
this improvement already occurring it was hoped that the trend would continue
to improve with major farm practice improvements now in place.
Mr Powell
advised that in the past, total cow numbers peaked at around 9,500 cows on
the 3 stations in the catchment. Cow numbers are now approximately
7,600. With smaller fertiliser applications now being applied it was hoped an
ongoing effect would occur resulting in ongoing positive reductions in N
leaching changes. Nitrogen applications would still be required as part
of the system but in lower amounts.
The Committee
discussed the monitoring results to date and noted that the target for
nitrogen levels in the Mohaka River is 0.3mg/L which would result in an
improvement in the water clarity and a reduction in algae growth. It
was also hoped there would be a 50% reduction in the lower part of the
catchment.
Responding to
a question, Dr Uytendaal confirmed that the consequential effects of the
current levels was a lack of water clarity, impacts on trout in the river and
an increase in sludge and phormidium but high N concentrations did not pose
human health issues with contact recreation. Dr Uytendaal also explained the
feeding trials undertaken by Dr Chris Hickey and ongoing studies in relation
to brown trout.
Dr Uytendaal
also confirmed that the nitrate toxicity does not affect the animal in a way
that poses a health risk to the fish or the person eating it. Work
undertaken indicated tuna were hardy and appeared to be less sensitive to
nitrate than inanga.
The Committee
expressed concern about the makeup of the Stakeholder Groups which was
largely recreational/tourism. Affected parties needed to be identified
and be included in the Group.
Councillor
Scott moved an amendment, seconded by Ms Hopmans
“Agrees
that the Treaty Partners on the Regional Planning Committee be included at
stakeholder discussions”
The motion
when put was carried and became part of the substantive motion
Ms Codlin
tabled an Environmental Management Committee of Wednesday, 8 February 2012
agenda item and resolution which confirmed the decision to endorse the
development of Option 2 (a whole Mohaka Plan Change).
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