Hidden in the landscape
Your editorial ‘‘Councils and rivers of dreams’’ (September 7) is a timely attempt to clarify the murky waters of New Zealand rivers. However, you fail to identify the underlying causes of the problem.
The causes are hidden in the soil and landscape that our farms and towns sit on, our unpredictable weather, the complexities of human behaviour, and the history of settlement, land development and tradition that support our society today.
Solving the problem requires an understanding of meteorology, geology, chemistry, physics, geography, history, sociology and psychology. It truly is a wicked problem.
Simple ‘‘solutions’’ such as planting trees will help but, as you suggest, nitrogen finds its way around these putative barriers.
How it does this and why it is more of a problem in some places than others needs an understanding of the science mentioned above. Fine sediment is also a serious pollutant that some see as natural. Again, perceptions can be a barrier to progress.
Environment Southland appreciates the complexity of the problem and under the current leadership is applying all the aforementioned science to address it.
The Government’s freshwater package should add strength to our new water plan. The plan already has objectives designed to protect and enhance water quality and freshwater habitats.
Environment Southland has a strong desire to improve water quality in our rivers. We need to be empathetic to the interests that are affected, but must make significant changes to the way we treat our environment. Anyone wishing to make a complaint to the New Zealand Media Council should first put it in writing to the editor. If not satisfied with the reply, complainants should then write to The Secretary, New Zealand Media Council, Box 10 879, Wellington, including a clipping of the disputed article and copies of the correspondence.