Coastal water quality

Regional Policy Statement for Taranaki
This page: Part B: Section 8.2 — Coastal water quality

8.2 Maintaining and enhancing coastal water quality
Background to the issue
Taranaki has generally excellent coastal water quality, which is the combined result of an exposed coastal line with a high degree of near shore flushing, relatively few development pressures on the coast, a reduction in the number of point source discharges to the coastal marine area, and improvements in waste treatment and disposal options. However, some coastal water quality is lost through numerous discharges from rivers as they enter the sea, and at some localities, through point source discharges.

The main influences on coastal water quality are from river and stream discharges to the sea. These carry with them the cumulative effects of activities within their catchments, including urban stormwater run-off, suspended sediments and agricultural and industrial wastes. Rivers draining the sandstone, siltstone and mudstone catchments of the inland hill country also discharge a naturally high load of suspended solids into coastal waters.

Point source discharges are not, in most cases, a major contributor to reduced coastal water quality. The number of point source discharges to the coast is relatively small and declining. In the last two decades, there has been a major reduction in the number of dairy factory and industrial and municipal discharges. There have also been significant improvements in their waste treatment and disposal options for the remaining major discharges. Other point source discharges to the coast are associated with foreshore development, dredging, and the operation and maintenance of facilities and ships and offshore installations in the coastal marine area, including sewage or ballast water discharges or chemical contamination during cleaning and maintenance operations.

Maintaining excellent coastal water quality is important for maintaining healthy ecosystems and marine life. Maintaining excellent water quality is also important for protecting amenity, cultural, recreational and commercial values associated with the coast including the use and enjoyment of surfbreaks, swimming, boating and fishing. While the effects of diffuse (in terms of river and stream discharges) and point source discharges to the coastal marine area are generally localised, nevertheless, the effects maybe of significant concern due to the nature and type of discharge, the sensitivity of the coastal environment, or the particular values associated with that locality.

The significant issues in relation to maintaining and enhancing coastal water quality are:

CWQ
ISS 1

Managing adverse effects on water quality arising from point source discharges to the coastal marine environment.

 

CWQ
ISS 2

Managing adverse effects on water quality arising from diffuse source discharges to the coastal marine environment, particularly associated with river and stream discharges.

Objective

CWQ OBJECTIVE 1

To maintain and enhance coastal water quality in the Taranaki region by avoiding, remedying or mitigating the adverse effects of discharges of contaminants to the coastal marine area.

 

Policies
Point source discharges to the coastal marine area

CWQ POLICY 1

Waste reduction and waste treatment and disposal practices, which avoid, remedy or mitigate the adverse environmental effects of the point source discharge of contaminants to the coastal marine area will be required.

In considering policies for plans or proposals in relation to the discharge of contaminants to the coastal marine area, matters to be considered will include:

(a)     the relationship of tangata whenua with the coastal environment;

(b)     the natural character, ecological and amenity values of the coastal environment, including indigenous biodiversity values and fishery values;

(c)     the effect on areas where shellfish and other kaimoana are gathered for human consumption;

(d)     the actual or potential risks to human and aquatic health and amenity values arising from the discharge;

(e)     the significance of any historic heritage values associated with the coastal environment;

(f)      the degree to which the needs of other resource users might be compromised;

(g)     the allowance for reasonable mixing zones (determined in accordance with (a) to (l) of this Policy);

(h)     the potential for cumulative effects;

(i)       measures to reduce the volume and toxicity of the contaminants;

(j)       measures to reduce the risk of unintended discharges of contaminants;

(k)     the use of the best practicable option for the treatment and disposal of contaminants; and

(l)       the availability and effectiveness of alternative means of disposing of the contaminant.

Discharges from ships and offshore installations

CWQ POLICY 2

Avoid, remedy or mitigate, to the fullest practicable extent, adverse effects on coastal water quality arising from ship or offshore installation discharges and maintenance.

Discharges from rivers and streams

CWQ POLICY 3

Encourage sustainable land management practices that avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects on the water quality of rivers and streams discharging and impacting on coastal water quality.

Explanation of the policies

Policy 1 requires waste reduction or treatment practices that avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse environmental effects arising from the discharge of contaminants to the coastal marine area from point sources. The Policy also states the matters that will be considered by the Council including having regard to the area's specific values and uses and the degree to which other resource users (both consumptive and non-consumptive) may be affected. With respect to Policy 1(g) [mixing zones], mixing should occur as quickly as practicable, and the mixing zone should not be regarded as the area where the principal treatment occurs.

Policy 2 recognises that ships and offshore installations may adversely affect coastal water quality. Where it is not possible to completely prevent the effects of discharges from ships and offshore installations on water quality, the Policy refers to avoiding, remedying or mitigating these effects, to the fullest extent practicable.

Policy 3 recognises the significant coastal water quality benefits that can be achieved by adopting sustainable land management practices in river catchments (e.g. promoting riparian management and soil conservation measures) and minimising the cumulative effects of diffuse source discharges from rivers and streams on coastal water quality.

Related policies

All policies in Section 5.1 [Soil erosion] and Section 6.2 [Surface water quality]; Policy 1 of Section 8.1 [Natural character of the coastal environment]; all policies in Section 9.1 [Indigenous biodiversity]; Section 10.1 [Outstanding natural features and landscapes] and Section 13 [Minerals]; Policy 1 of Section 15.2 [Regionally significant infrastructure]; and all policies in Section 16 [Issues of significance to iwi].

Methods of implementation

The Taranaki Regional Council will:

CWQ
METH 1

Maintain the Regional Coastal Plan for Taranaki with objectives, policies and methods of implementation addressing the discharge of contaminants to the coastal marine area.

 

CWQ
METH 2

Apply regional rules to regulate, mitigate or prohibit point source discharges to the coastal marine area.

 

CWQ
METH 3

Apply methods to encourage sustainable land management practices as outlined in section 5.2 of this Statement, including:

(a)  the application of regional rules to regulate point source discharges to land and water;

(b)  implementation of the Sustainable and Riparian Management Programmes;

(c)  provision of advice and information to promote riparian management and  farm management practices that reduce diffuse source discharges of contaminants to water; and

(d)  provision of advice and information in relation to other activities such as urban development and the development and recontouring of land to promote sustainable land management practices that avoid or reduce contamination of surface water.

 

CWQ
METH 4

Provide advice and information to promote awareness of coastal water quality issues and ways to maintain and enhance coastal water quality.

 

CWQ
METH 5

Notify the Medical Officer of Health for Taranaki and the relevant territorial authority if regional water quality shows that coastal water is unfit for contact recreation or gathering of shellfish for human consumption.

 

CWQ
METH 6

Maintain the Regional Marine Oil Spill Response Plan under the Maritime Transport Act 1994and provide adequate resources and training for emergency responders that ensures an effective response to an oil spill in the coastal marine area.

 

CWQ
METH 7

Advocate or encourage, as appropriate:

(a)  the provision of facilities for the collection of litter and on-board waste by operators of launching, mooring and berthing facilities;

(b)  the provision of areas on dry land, by operators of launching, mooring and berthing facilities, for the maintenance and cleaning of ships, and, in particular, facilities to collect and dispose of maintenance and cleaning wastes so that they do not escape into coastal water;

(c)  the undertaking of activities in a manner that will avoid or mitigate the effects of discharges of contaminants to the coastal marine area by ship operators and owners of offshore installation; and

(d)  the following of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry border protection guidelines on the exchange of ballast water to avoid the release of exotic marine organisms into New Zealand waters by ship operators.

Territorial authorities may wish to consider the following method:

CWQ
METH 8

Include in district plans, provisions to manage the adverse effects of land use activities and management practices on coastal water quality.

Principal reasons for adopting the objective, policies and methods

The objective, policies and methods of implementation establish a policy framework for coastal water quality issues in the Taranaki region. Their aim is to maintain and enhance Taranaki's generally excellent coastal water quality by addressing effects arising from the discharge of contaminants to the coastal marine area.

In respect of the discharge of contaminants to the coastal marine area, the policies and methods focus on regulatory methods and contingency planning. Regulation is a simple, efficient and effective method of controlling the adverse effects of point source discharges while contingency planning can put in place systems and processes that will reduce the likelihood of effects associated with unauthorised incidents such as spills. Non-regulatory methods such as advice and information are a more appropriate method for addressing diffuse source discharges and complement the regulatory methods adopted for point sources. The policies and methods adopted have proven to be successful to date in terms of public acceptance and the achievement of desired environmental outcomes. They are also considered appropriate having regard to their efficiency and effectiveness and their benefits and costs.

Environmental results anticipated

CWQ ER 1

Consenting and monitoring of all significant point source discharges of contaminants to the coastal marine area.

 

CWQ ER 2

Maintenance or enhancement of existing good to excellent coastal water quality.

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