. Tukituki Catchment Proposal –Board of Inquiry Hearing

Day 20 – 16 December 2013

Hawke’s Bay Fish & Game Council and Eastern Fish & Game Council continued to present its case, with a short presentation from the Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ Inc.

Hawke’s Bay Fish & Game Council and Eastern Fish & Game Council (continued from 13 December)

Witnesses called:

• Hawke’s Bay Fish & Game Regional Manager – Peter McIntosh told the board his focus when looking at the Tukituki Catchment is around managing, maintaining and enhancing the sport fish and game resource in the recreational interests of anglers and hunters.

• Freshwater Ecologist - Dr Russell Death told the board that nutrient levels (nitrogen and phosphorus) in many water bodies in the Ruataniwha catchment will increase under the proposed RWSS regime. He does not believe the nutrient management approach in Plan Change 6 will work to reduce slime and algae.

• Prime Hydrogeology Ltd (Taupo Consultancy Company) Principal Hydrogeologist - Dr Gilbert Zemansky questioned the reliability of stream flow records for the Makaroa River at Burnt Bridge and the groundwater flow model. He told the board the TRIM model needs work and the proposed flushing flows won’t work to control slime and algae.

• PGG Wrightson Consulting – Agricultural consultant – Anthony Rhodes disagrees with the nutrient management approach in Plan Change 6.

Fish & Game will continue its case on Tuesday 17 December 2013.

Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ Inc
Dennis Page told the board the federation’s primary concern is preserving access to the eastern end of the Ruahine Forest Park should RWSS go ahead.

To read daily transcripts from the hearing follow this link:

http://www.epa.govt.nz/Resource-management/Tukituki/Hearing/hearing-proceedings/Pages/Hearing%20transcript%20and%20proceedings.aspx

ends

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