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EDS endorses recommendations on water quality
EDS endorses Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's recommendations on water quality
The two
reports released by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the
Environment today reinforce the need for further
improvements to the way we manage freshwater.
“The reports highlight that dairy conversions are still continuing apace and that a consequence is more pollution from land use entering waterways,” said EDS Chairman Gary Taylor.
“However she also correctly praises the government for its reform trajectory, which is largely in conformity with recommendations from the Land and Water Forum.
“EDS, as the instigator of the Forum, continues to have confidence in that process as it involves all stakeholders in freshwater working towards a broad consensus on the way forward.
“The Commissioner highlights the need for greater clarity in the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management. She correctly identifies the ambiguities in the some of the wording that we pointed out last year. She calls for the so-called “unders and overs” approach, where some waterways could deteriorate if others are improved, to be removed.
“We support the deletion of the word “overall” which is responsible for the ambiguity and would add that an interpretation of the National Policy Statement that allows deterioration is unlawful anyway, a point on which the Environment Court recently agreed.
“She has also called for the National Objectives Framework, part of the National Policy Statement, to be improved by the addition of macroinvertebrate community index (MCI) (which measures ecosystem health) and other criteria left out of the initial version. We agree and were critical of the Ministry when that happened.
“The reality is that urgent action needs to be taken now to improve water quality. We think regional councils need to get ahead of the reform process and not wait for expected changes to kick in.
“The RMA imposes clear and present obligations on them and has done for some time. We concur with Jan Wright’s conclusion that whilst progress is being made, it is slow and we need more action now,” Mr Taylor concluded.
ends
Environmental Defence Society
EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.
Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand
through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non-
profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.
EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It
operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together
the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.
EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental
Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.
EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.
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