Ryall and Smith playing fast and loose with the facts

It is a pity that Tony Ryall and Nick Smith had not bothered to read the Ministry for the Environment’s submission on Environment Bay of Plenty’s Proposed Regional Water and Land Plan before firing cheap political shots, Environment Minister Marian Hobbs said today.

“If they read the submission they would find that it supported the regional council’s intention to control the inflow of nutrients to the lakes but sought some amendments to improve the effectiveness and operation of the rules,” Marian Hobbs said.

“The government is working with Environment Bay of Plenty and others for better environmental outcomes, and it is sad that these MPs are so focussed on scoring cheap points rather than better outcomes for these lakes.

“My officials from the Ministry for the Environment will continue to work closely with Environment Bay of Plenty and others to prevent further deterioration of the water quality in the lakes and to improve their water quality over time,” Marian Hobbs said.

The Ministry for the Environment’s submission included amendments to: "Redraft Rule 11 to more clearly specify environmental outcomes and clarify how the rule will work in practice." "Clarify how landusers will know whether they comply with the rule or not." "Specify clear quantitative targets and timelines for the Action Plans."

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