Otop water plan targets nitrate hotspots

matthew.littlewood@stuff.co.nz

Otop zone committee chairman Hamish McFarlane said the programme tried to strike a balance between improving water quality, and ensuring economic growth.

‘‘This has been developed to meet the community’s expectations to improve rivers for swimming, fishing and food gathering, while also providing reliable water for economic growth.

‘‘It represents a big step towards healthier rivers and waterways in our region.

‘‘There’s no doubt that it has been a balancing act – creating recommendations that will drive positive environmental change but in a sustainable way for our wha¯nau, businesses and the environment.’’

Among the changes suggested to improve water quality is to recommend no further deterioration in key water bodies in the catchment, such as the Orari Gorge and Milford Lagoon.

‘‘Within the Otop zone there is widespread concern regarding water quality and threats to drinking water, and ecological, mahinga kai, cultural and recreational values,’’ the Otop Zipa documents say.

‘‘There is also recognition of the significance of farming to the local economy, coupled with a desire to limit further diffuse discharges of nutrients that place increased pressure on the environment.’’

Among the recommendations to prevent further deterioration in spring-fed streams include extending stock exclusion to include not only waterways but also include drains and canals.

The Zipa also identifies a number of ‘‘nitrate hotspots’’ such as Rangitata Orton, Levels Plains and the Fairlie Basin, all of which are overallocated.

‘‘While the committee understand the need for a pathway to improving surface and groundwater quality, it is also recognised that Hamish McFarlane, Otop chairman these improvements will take time,’’ the Zip documents say.

McFarlane said the Zipa marked a ‘‘turnaround’’ in attitudes towards land use and water quality.

‘‘Some would say the targets are quite ambitious, but they’ve been worked through with the community,’’ he said.

‘‘For some areas of the zone, this is the first time we’ve got a real stake in the ground in regards to nutrient limits. That hasn’t necessarily been the case before.’’

The programme recommends that land use consents to farm in the zone have durations of less than 10 years. Currently, consents can be offered up to as much as 25 years.

‘‘This would enable renewal of farming land use to be relative to the plan review cycle, and ensure any future percentage reduction steps are relative to the future state,’’ the documents say.

It also recommends that nitrate concentrations in groundwater, excluding the nitrate hot spot areas, should not exceed 5.65mcg of nitrates per litre of water.

Currently, the hot spot of Rangitata-Orton has a rate of 8.4mcg/l, the Fairlie Basin 6.9mcg/l, and Levels Plain 6.3mcg/l. All of them have targets to drop below 5.65mcg/l by 2030.