Tighter rules sought on water quality

Two environmental organisations want Environment Canterbury to toughen up its rules before it’s too late, as a major planning decision lies in limbo.

ECan’s proposed Plan Change 7, which sets new water quality limits and has a particular focus on the Orari-Temuka-OpihiPareora (Otop) and Waimakariri catchments, received hundreds of submissions. However, it could be months before hearings take place.

Both the Central South Island (CSI) Fish and Game and the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board (CACB) have argued in submissions for a toughening of water quality rules.

‘‘The Conservation Board is concerned that the rate of staged implementation (of flow and allocation regimes) will not be rapid enough to support the timely restoration of full ecological health and mauri in affected waterways,’’ CACB’s submission says.

‘‘The longer these freshwater ecosystems are functioning under highly modified conditions, the more likely remaining indigenous species will become locally extinct.

‘‘The Conservation Board is particularly concerned about deteriorating water quality in streams at popular camp sites on public conservation land at Waihi Gorge and Otaio Gorge,’’ it says.

CSI Fish and Game asks the plan be altered to ensure water quality is maintained or improved where it is degraded, and that water quality limits and freshwater outcomes safeguard life-supporting capacity.

An ECan spokesman said the final summary of submissions will be released before the end of the month. Following this, a public hearing of submissions and evidence will happen. The hearing, in front of an independent hearing panel, is likely to be held during the first half of next year.