DOC wrong allowing 70 glacier trips daily
Helicopter trips to a stunning and remote Fiordland glacier will reduce dramatically after the Department of Conservation (DOC) was found to be acting in breach of its own guidelines.
The Ombudsman has found a trial allowing more aircraft to land on the Mt Tutoko Glacier, on the Ngapunatoru Plateau in the Fiordland National Park, was ‘‘unreasonable’’, with aspects of the decision appearing to be ‘‘contrary to law’’.
The trial, introduced in February 2016, allowed up to 70 aircraft a day to land on the glacier, by giving seven helicopter operators concessions for 10 daily landings each.
It was put in place to address growing tourist demand for scenic glacier landings. DOC considered the increased landings were a practical way of researching the effects of increased aircraft activity.
Under DOC’s Fiordland National Park Management Plan, helicopter landings on the plateau were to be capped at 10 per day, and 500 per year. The glacier is considered a high-use site for glacier landings and back country ski access and climbing.
Ombudsman Leo Donnelly said in his report that DOC had ‘‘statutory responsibility’’ to regulate the Fiordland National Park in accordance with its management plan.
‘‘I have formed the opinion that the department’s decision was unreasonable, and aspects of this decision appear to have been contrary to law.’’
The report found DOC’s decision to increase daily landings had the potential to ‘‘detract significantly’’ from back country users ‘‘ability to draw inspiration and enjoyment’’ from the area. DOC did not follow the required review and consultation processes for changing the landing limits.
It recommended DOC cancel the increase to daily landing limits, work to ensure existing concessions matched the limits set out in the management plan, and worked out a strategy to allocate the limited landing concessions available.
Deputy director-general operations Mike Slater said DOC accepted the Ombudsman’s findings and would work to implement them ‘‘as soon as is reasonably practicable’’.
‘‘The department was trying to be pragmatic and balance the growing demands from tourism operators for more scenic glacier landings with the impact such landings can have on other users and the environment.
‘‘But we accept we got it wrong by not following the limits set in the Fiordland National Park Management Plan.’’
The Ombudsman’s investigation came after the Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) complained about the trial.
FMC president Peter Wilson said the decision was ‘‘a victory for the outdoor community, for the rule of law on public land, and for the intrinsic values of Fiordland’’.
He said national park management plans were ‘‘not open for abuse’’ by DOC in response to pressure from the previous government and the tourism industry.