Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo is under threat from increasing nitrogen leaching from land uses in the catchment. To just maintain the lake's current water quality, we need to reduce the amount of nitrogen coming from farmland and urban areas by 20 per cent.
As the local government agency responsible for the lake's water quality, Environment Waikato has been working together with Taupo District Council, central government,
Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board, and other agencies and groups to find the best solutions for both the lake and the community.
In 2003, Environment Waikato released Protecting Lake Taupo - the overall strategy guiding action to protect the lake. Subsequently, new Waikato Regional Plan rules have been developed to cap the amount of nitrogen leaching from the land and a public fund has been established to purchase a 20 per cent nitrogen reduction.
From 1 July 2007, farmers in the area now need to consider whether they comply with the new rules in the Regional Plan, including whether they need to apply for resource consent to continue farming.
In this topic you'll find:
For further information contact Faith Barber or Derek Ryan on (07) 378 6539.
The Lake Taupo catchment
The new rules apply to farmers in the Lake Taupo catchment, which is shown on the map below.
