Public comment sought on biodiversity challenges
Public comment sought on biodiversity challenges
The importance of protecting significant areas of indigenous vegetation and habitats of indigenous fauna is a focus of the Biodiversity Chapter of the Regional Policy Statement, which is being released for public comment this Saturday (23/5/2015).
The Regional Policy Statement is the region’s overarching document to guide resource management planning.
Environment Southland policy and planning manager Anita Dawe said the Variation of the Biodiversity Chapter was prepared after a number of submissions were received regarding biodiversity in the Proposed Southland Regional Policy Statement. The emphasis of the Variation is on simplifying the objectives and introducing a Schedule of Threatened, At Risk and Rare Habitat Types.
Biodiversity is one of big three priorities identified by Environment Southland as part of its strategic direction in the Long-term Plan 2015-2025.
Ms Dawe said there has not been clear information previously about people managing threatened habitats on their property.
“Southland has a range of important habitats for native plants and animals, including numerous watercourses, wetlands, estuaries, lagoons, sand dunes and beech forests.”
“These form a distinctive part of New Zealand’s natural environment and it is necessary to manage these appropriately to ensure they are there for the future.”
Land development and clearance are just some of the pressures and threats against remaining areas of indigenous vegetation and habitats of indigenous fauna.
“It is essential that government agencies, landowners, iwi and community groups continue to work together to ensure the long-term viability of indigenous ecosystems,” Ms Dawe said.
Submissions on the chapter close on 5pm on the 22 June 2015.
ENDS