Stream Reclamation Kirsty van Reenen, Senior Resource Advisor, Environmental Regulation
Reclamation definition – new vs existing • PNRP definition only relates to • Under the operative Regional reclamation in the coastal marine Freshwater Plan there is no area. definition But Policy P102 provides some guidance: ‘the piping or covering of a stream for a distance greater than that required to form a reasonable crossing point is considered to be reclamation of the river bed.
Reclamation rules – new vs existing • • Under the operative Regional Under the PNRP non- Freshwater Plan largely complying except in discretionary outstanding lakes.
Key Policies Operative Regional PNRP • Policy P102 – Reclamation Freshwater Plan • Policy 7.2.15 – reclamation is shall be avoided except in only to be carried out in certain circumstances certain circumstances where there are no practicable alternatives and the reclamation is of an ephemeral flow path.
Other PNRP Policies Policy # Policy Content Avoid a reduction in the extent or quality of public access… P9 Adverse effects on Maori values shall be minimised… P19 Aquatic ecosystem health shall be maintained or restored… P31 Significant adverse effects on aquatic ecosystem health and mahinga kai shall be managed by… P32 More than minor adverse effects on habitats for indigenous fish species shall be avoided… P33 Protect and restore ecosystems and habitats with significant indigenous biodiversity values… P40 Activities shall avoid ecosystems and habitats with significant indigenous biodiversity values… P41 Manage the adverse effects of use and development in surrounding areas … P42
Scenarios • Reclamation which is offset with riparian planting • Channel diversion/re-location • Reclamation with mitigation through daylighting
Issues and observations • Non-complying activity status and the gateway test • No guidance on weighing up the NPSUDC and protection policies • Mismatch with policy 8 – beneficial activities
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