https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1312/S00448/tukituki-catchment-proposal-board-of-inquiry-hearing-day-18.htm
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Tukituki Catchment Proposal–Board of Inquiry Hearing Day 18 |
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Tukituki Catchment Proposal –Board of Inquiry
Hearing Day 18 – 12 December
2013
Environmental Defence Society (continued from December 10)
Witnesses called:
• The Catalyst Group Practice Leader - Water Quality – Kate McArthur finished being cross examined with a focus on estuarine ecology.
Hawke’s Bay
District Health Boar
HBDHB
Medical Officer of Health Dr Nicholas Jones told the board
the DHB has taken a neutral position and chosen to work with
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council to ensure affects on human
health are avoided. Dr Jones outlined issues of concern with
regard to groundwater quality and cyanobacteria monitoring
and management. He suggested further conditions with regard
to the design of an adequate groundwater monitoring
plan.
Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers
Association
Hawke’s Bay
Winegrowers Vice President Xan Harding outlined concerns
that winegrowers have with the proposed minimum flow of
5,200 litres per second. He told the board it would impose
significant disruption as the wine industry is critically
dependent upon access to a reliable water
source.
Hawke’s Bay deer farmer - Tim Aitken told the board of the cost of stock exclusion on his deer farm ($277,000). He says the deer industry has put considerable effort into developing environmental management support tools for deer farmers and asks the board give them time to implement them.
June Graham outlined her concerns about Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme and the prospect of further land intensification.
Sharleen Baird expressed a desire for a wide viewpoint is taken of Plan Change 6 and RWSS that reflect all of the strengths and weaknesses.
Grenville Christie has been involved with the RWSS process for three years and is opposed to the dam for environmental and community reasons.
Patrick Kane outlined various farming systems as an alternative to irrigation and said these need to be investigated before RWSS is accepted.
Arthur Rowlands had concerns regarding groundwater bore sustainability. The board asked him if he was aware of the changes made to Plan Change 6 through the process.
Hawke’s Bay Fish & Game Council and Eastern Fish & Game Council.
Counsel for Fish & Game outlined the reasons why they disagree with the assumptions HBRC rely on for its nutrient management approach. They have significant concerns about the land use intensification arising from RWSS and the losses of ‘N’ to groundwater and the groundwater lag time. They are concerned about whether the proposed flushing flows for RWSS will be effective and the ability of the TRIM model to predict periphyton outcomes. It also questioned if TRIM is fit for purpose for managing and mitigating farm activities in relation to the limits.
Fish & Game opening submissions will continue tomorrow (Friday 13 December)
To read daily transcripts from the hearing follow this link:
ENDS