Fish and Game warns of farming ‘disaster’
Fish and Game New Zealand has fired off a dire warning about an environmental disaster in the south but Environment Southland rejects any suggestion it is not doing its job.
Fish and Game said it had concerns about how farmers were following winter crop-growing guidelines.
The group also released photos of the Otapiri Stream, saying they showed waterways affected by sediment.
However, when pushed for details on the photos, it was revealed they had been taken two weeks ago, when the south had experienced heavy rainfalls.
Environment Southland director science and information Graham Sevicke-Jones said ES was disappointed at the release issued by Fish and Game.
Tackling Southland’s water quality was a big, complex challenge that required us all to work together, SevickeJones said.
Sediment loss can come from heavy rainfall, disturbance of the riverbed or bank by heavy machinery, or through direct discharges, he said.
Southland has experienced record-breaking rain during November and December and these events were likely to have impacted sediment run-off and the photos presented by Fish and Game appear to directly reflect this, he said.
‘‘We know that intensive winter grazing poses a significant risk to water quality in Southland.’’
Fish and Game chief executive Martin Taylor said the regional council was ignoring its environmental responsibilities and was pandering to the wishes of farmers. ‘‘Crops are being planted too close to streams and on steep slopes with no effort being made to exclude gullies, provide proper buffer zones or follow guidelines,’’ Taylor said. The sediment from these practices was damaging waterways and choking estuaries. Taylor said Fish and Game had not gone to Environment Southland about its latest concerns.
The regional council’s proposed Southland Water and Land Plan includes specific rules relating to setbacks for cultivation and intensive winter grazing to address these issues.
The proposed plan is working through the appeals process.