February 21, 2017
Greater protection for Hawke’s Bay rivers considered
Environment Minister Nick Smith has appointed a special tribunal to consider an application for a water conservation order on Hawke’s Bay’s Ngaruroro and Clive rivers.
The application has been made by Ngati Hori ki Kohupatiki, Fish and Game, Whitewater New Zealand, Jet Boating New Zealand, and Forest and Bird.
Water conservation orders recognise waters considered to be outstanding as a habitat or fishery, or for scenic, scientific or recreational values, and they enable a range of extra restrictions on resource.
The tribunal will be chaired by resource management lawyer Richard Fowler, who has previously considered orders for the Buller and Kawarau rivers.
Members include former Waitangi Tribunal member Dr Roger Maaka, environmental scientist Dr Ngaire Phillips, lawyer Alec Neil and apple grower John McCliskie.
The public will be invited to make submissions on the application, and the tribunal will then hold a hearing before reporting back to Dr Smith with recommendations. The tribunal’s findings can be appealed to the Environment Court.
For more information about Water Conservation Orders visit http://www.mfe.govt.nz/fresh-water/water-conservation-orders/about-water-conservation-orders
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