River use plan on the way

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 479, 30 March 1993, Page 6

River use plan on the way

The ManawatuWanganui Regional Council is looking at ways to allow for the use and development of the region's lakes, rivers and wetlands, while ensuring that the environment is not damaged as a result. The Regional Council released a discussion document this week as the first step in preparing a regional plan for the beds of lakes and rivers. They are now seeking comments and submissions from people in the region about the best way to manage activities in the region's water bodies.

"The discussion document will be of interest to people like farmers, drainage contractors, gravel extractors and construction engineers, in fact anyone who works in or near a river, lake or wetland," said the project manager, Barry Goodwin. "Recreational users and conservationists will be keen for greater protection for certain areas in the region. We want to hear from these people as well. Lakes and rivers have special value for tangata whenua so we will talk to as many iwi in the region as

possible." At the moment, all activities in lake and river beds, from dam building to livestock crossings, are supposed to have written permission from the Regional Council. The Regional Plan will reduce this red tape," said Barry. "In the Plan, activities which don't harm the environment can be permitted without the need for a consent." "Preventing damage to the environment is a key aim of the Regional Plan," said Barry. "This includes protecting the

habitat of native plants and animals and reducing erosion of river banks and flood protection works. The Council also wants to make sure that activities like gravel extraction do not harm the river environment. Activities which could cause damage to the environment will be strictly controlled and some may even be prohibited entirely." The Regional Council has sent the discussion document to a variety of individuals, businesses, environmental groups,

government organisations and iwi in the region. Anyone else who is interested can obtain a copy from the Regional Council office, 11-15 Victoria Avenue,

Palmerston North, phone 06-357-9009. Copies will also be available to view at public libraries throughout the region. Submissions close on 1 June 1993.