Environmental Protection Authority Ready For New EEZ Role

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is ready to go to work on its new consenting, monitoring and enforcement functions in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The regulations bringing the new EEZ Act into force were announced on Friday by the Minister for the Environment, Amy Adams.

Today, the EPA’s General Manager Applications and Assessments, Sarah Gardner, said the authority expected to receive the first formal application for marine consent fairly promptly.

“We have our systems and processes ready to act efficiently and effectively in making decisions that strike a healthy balance between protecting the natural environment and enabling people to provide for their economic well-being,” she said “and we are ready to monitor permitted activities and enforce the regulations”.

“That in a nutshell, is what the EPA’s work in relation to the EEZ is all about.”

Going on the road

Ms Gardner said that the EPA would be taking a roadshow to many parts of the country to explain how the new regime works, the marine consent process, how the  public can have input into that process, and the wider role of the EPA in the EEZ.

“It’s part of our mandate under the Act to increase public awareness and understanding of the EEZ management regime. The roadshow will allow the public to get an immediate understanding of how it will work. We encourage anyone with an interest or who may wish to become involved in a marine consenting process to come along to a roadshow presentation”.

The roadshow will happen from mid-July into August and details will be available on the EPA website (www.EPA.govt.nz).

A range of activity covered

Ms Gardner said the types of activity the EPA would manage in the EEZ included:

·         Prospecting and exploration for petroleum and minerals

·         Extraction of petroleum and minerals

·         Aquaculture

·         Carbon capture and storage

·         Marine energy generation.

“Of course management of New Zealand’s marine environment involves working with a number of other government agencies, with Māori interests, with industry and with environmental and other groups.

“It’s important work and an area of considerable interest and concern to many New Zealanders.

“We at the EPA look forward to the challenges ahead.”

ENDS

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