Ruataniwha decision a win for the environment

The Green Party welcomes a decision by the Board of Inquiry into the Tukituki Catchment Proposal that calls for a limit on nitrogen entering the waterway.

The Board’s decision means the proposed Ruataniwha dam could be untenable, and protects the catchment from becoming polluted further from farming.

“This is a win for the environment, and shows what can happen when the environment is put ahead of short term economic gain,” said Green Party water spokesperson Catherine Delahunty.

“All over New Zealand, we’ve seen the Government’s drive to intensify dairy farming having a detrimental impact on our waterways.

“Two thirds of our waterways are too polluted to swim in, a lot of that pollution is caused by nitrogen from cow waste entering the water.

“We congratulate the Board of Inquiry on putting the environment first and for showing leadership on the issue, particularly when our Government seems so reluctant to,” said Ms Delahunty.

ENDS

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