Rare fish findNew populations of endangered native fish (including two whitebait species) have been recorded for the first time in parts of the region, during fish surveys by Council’s science team. Recently published Fisheries Assessment reports show that koaro are living in the upper reaches of a number of Rangitāiki River tributaries, above Lake Aniwhenua. Shortjaw kokopu were discovered for the first time in the Ohineangaanga Stream which feeds into the Kaituna River, and new populations of banded kokopu were found in several streams throughout the Kaituna and Waitahanui catchments. Read more>> Clean water package submissions extendedConsultation on Ministry for the Environment’s Clean Water package 2017 closed on 28 April. The proposals included changes to the National Policy Statement (NPS) for Freshwater Management 2014 and a suite of new initiatives to improve freshwater. Council’s submission supported the general intent of the proposals but sought clarity and flexibility on some aspects, to allow continued progress on current water quality initiatives and community priorities. Ministry for the Environment (MfE) has invited additional submissions on the proposed national swimming targets by 25 May. This follows the 11 May release of two new reports by MfE and NIWA,on the swimmability targets. Kaituna River document to be notifiedThe Proposed Kaituna River Document that's been prepared by Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority will be notified for public submissions from 27 May - 24 July 2017. The document outlines a vision, objectives and desired outcomes to promote the restoration, protection and enhancement of the Kaituna River and its tributaries. See details here>> Wet feet on World Water DayTeachers from ten Bay of Plenty Schools got their feet wet on World Water Day, as they learnt how to assess stream health and teach students about freshwater use and impacts. Cyclone recovery continuesFrom flood management to Civil Defence response, recovery and volunteer co-ordination efforts, our staff have been working with local communities to deal with the effects of Cyclones Cook and Debbie, which brought unprecedented levels of rain to the region last month. Many staff were seconded to the Whakatāne District Recovery Project and our Land Management Officers have been offering practical advice and funding assistance for landowners affected by large slips. An independent review of the circumstances that led to the breach of a stop bank and subsequent flooding of Edgecumbe township has been commissioned. Findings are due this July. Kaituna River re-diversion early works underwayWork to improve natural water flows through Papahikahawai Creek into Te Awa o Ngatoroirangi/Maketū Estuary and create new areas of wetland in the Lower Kaituna Wildlife Management Reserve began in March. The work is currently paused due to cyclone impacts and duck hunting season, but will restart in June. Read more>> Water Quantity Plan Change submissions assessedA summary of submissions on Proposed Plan Change 9 – Region-wide Water Quantity is nearly complete and a call for further submissions will be notified from 30 May to 28 June. A total of 78 submissions were received. The plan change proposes new rules and policies in the Regional Water and Land Plan that are designed to strengthen water allocation limits and management. It’s an interim step while localised limits and rules care established through Council’s NPS implementation work with iwi and catchment-based communities. Community reference groups reconveneA fifth round of workshops for Freshwater Futures community groups in the Kaituna Maketū, Pongakawa Waitahanui and Rangitāiki catchments are scheduled for late May and June. The groups will be discussing what an acceptable level of water quality and quantity would look like in their local waterways. They’ll be exploring what scale of recreational, economic or other uses should be provided for. The use of computerised projections (modelling) will also be introduced, for deeper discussion at future workshops. See www.boprc.govt.nz/freshwaterfuturesreports for notes from the community group meetings. Water meter verifications dueMany water take consent holders in the Bay of Plenty will soon receive reminders that their water metering system verifications and compliance checks are due. Data from water users helps Council to quantify water needs and availability more accurately. Under the 2010 National Water Metering Regulations and resource consent conditions, all water-take consent holders (>5 litres/second) are required to regularly record and report on their water use using a verified system. See more>> Kopeopeo Canal clean up commencedPhysical works are now underway on the Kopeopeo Canal Remediation Project, with large security and dust fences surrounding the first containment site on SH30 just outside Whakatāne. The project will restore the mauri of the Kopeopeo Canal by safely removing and treating up to 40,000 cubic metres of sediment that was contaminated as a result of historic sawmill discharges into the canal. Read more>> Nutrient reduction for Rotorua lakesContinued progress is being made on a mix of regulatory, engineering and land management initiatives to improve water quality in the Rotorua lakes. Wildlands Consultants have been commissioned to prepare a shortlist of viable engineering solutions to contribute towards removing 50 tonnes of nitrogen from Lake Rotorua. They’re assessing options like weed harvesting, watercress beds, wetland and wall construction. These will add to the reductions planned to be achieved by a nitrogen removal plant at Tikitere, and improved sewage reticulation around the catchment. Hearings on Proposed Plan Change 10 (Lake Nutrient Management) ended on 4 May. The change proposes new rules in the Regional Water and Land Plan that will restrict land use to reduce nutrient run-off into Lake Rotorua. A decision is expected from the hearings committee in August. On-farm detainment bunds are being trialled to reduce phosphorous run-off into Lake Rotorua. Twenty-two farmers in the region have created temporary pooling areas on their farms where storm water run-off is stored. Efficacy of the bunds will be monitored over the next three years through a multi-agency research partnership. Beyond the BayHere’s some handy links to recent Central Government reports on freshwater topics: |