Operative Waikato Regional Policy Statement (October 2000)

<<Previous    Index    Next>>

3  Significant Resource Management Issues, Objectives, Policies and Methods

3.4  Water

3.4.8 Wetlands

Principal Reasons for Adopting: Wetlands are an important but diminishing resource in the Waikato.

Wetlands are recognised as vital ecosystems which contain a rich variety of flora and fauna. They often have a role in helping to reduce flooding and water pollution and are highly valued by people, local communities and tangata whenua.

Drainage, taking of water, and catchment works affect the habitat and character of the wetland by changing the flow regime. Stock access to wetland areas, and to rivers and riverbanks of waters flowing into wetland areas, may destroy habitats, increase sedimentation and raise nutrient levels. Land developments such as reclamations, peat mining and deposition of land fill material can have significant effects on habitat and the flow regimes.

Ensure that the natural character of significant wetlands are protected.

1. Identify, in consultation with territorial authorities, DoC and other interested parties (including regional communities), wetlands of regional significance, and through regional and district plans, develop measures which ensure their protection.
   
2. Through regional plans and district plans, establish methods (including rules, criteria, conditions, guidelines, and information as appropriate) and through resource consents establish conditions for the protection of significant wetland areas.
   
3. Use environmental education programmes in conjunction with territorial authorities and DoC to encourage recognition by landowners and users of the values of wetlands.

Allow the use and development of other wetland areas while avoiding, remedying or mitigating any adverse effects on the wetland characteristics in the Region.

1. Use environmental education programmes in conjunction with territorial authorities and DoC to encourage recognition by landowners and users of the values of wetlands.
   
2. Through regional plans and district plans, establish methods (including rules, criteria, conditions, guidelines, and information as appropriate) and through resource consents establish conditions for the protection of significant wetland areas.
   
3. In consultation with interested parties and landowners, promote the remediation of degraded wetlands within the Region where practicable.

Wetlands are the interface between land and water ecosystems. They can significantly influence water bodies and are an integral component of the Region’s water resources. Once covering extensive areas throughout the country, wetlands are now some of New Zealand’s rarest and most at risk ecosystems. For these reasons Policy One and the corresponding implementation methods are necessary to ensure that significant wetland areas are adequately protected from inappropriate use and development. Also refer to Biodiversity section 3.11 and Appendix 3.

Wetland areas are subject to a large number of threats within the Region such as peat mining, development and modification of farmland, reclamation, lowering of water tables and stock access. Lowland wetlands have faced the most pressure, mainly from agricultural development and drainage. However, it is recognised that use and development of some wetland areas is inevitable and should be provided for. Policy Two enables such uses to occur while ensuring that any significant adverse effects are avoided, remedied or mitigated.

Wetland areas have a number of associated characteristics:

1. significant botanical, aquatic and wildlife habitat
   
2. storage area for flood waters
   
3. a means for stripping nutrients and sediments from discharges
   
4. educational and intrinsic qualities
   
5. aesthetic, scenic and landscape values
   
6. role as elements of natural character and natural features
   
7. life supporting capacity.

1. Unique botanical, aquatic and wildlife habitat of wetlands protected.
   
2. Wetland areas protected and enhanced.
   
3. No net loss of total wetland characteristics.

<<Previous    Index    Next>>