The government call-in of three large dairy effluent discharge consents in the Upper Waitaki recognises their national significance in relation to water quality, the sensitivity of the Mackenzie lakes, and public concern.
Environment Canterbury Chief Executive Bryan Jenkins says this will allow them to be dealt with at the national level by a board of inquiry.
“We are particularly concerned with the cumulative effects of all of the applications on the water quality of the Mackenzie Basin, and in particular the Ahuriri arm of Lake Benmore.
“We also brought to the Minister’s attention the level of public concern with animal welfare issues that cannot be addressed through the RMA process.”
“We support the government’s decision to appoint to the board of inquiry three of the commissioners who are already hearing the water take consent applications for the Upper Waitaki.
“This will ensure a high level of technical expertise on the board of inquiry and provide consistency in dealing with the cumulative environmental effects of land-use intensification in the Upper Waitaki,” says Dr Jenkins.
“Environment Canterbury has been working closely with Minister for the Environment Nick Smith and ministry officials, and will continue to do so.
“We will also continue to work closely with government and other agencies to ensure an integrated process for the Upper Waitaki discharge consent applications.”
The Environment Canterbury hearing process which is already underway for the Upper Waitaki consents (for water take, associated land-use, and discharge) commenced in September 2009 and is scheduled to be completed in March this year. In total 33 applicants have applied for 110 resource consents.
Links for reporters
These may help if you need more information about the process for the Board of Inquiry appointed by the Government for the three Upper Waitaki dairy effluent applications.
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/rma/rma-amendment-act-factsheets-2009/fact-sheet-7.pdf
(Or page 31)
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/rma/central/amendments/resource-management-simplify-and-streamline-amendment-bill-2009/rma-seminar-workshops.pdf
For more information
Dr Bryan Jenkins 0274 974-973