concentration of chlorophyll-a per square metre (a pigment that plants use
for photosynthesis). Periphyton is also measured visually so that it can be compared to guidelines for
ecological health or aesthetic values. Weighted composite cover measures the combined cover of some of
the less desirable forms of periphyton, such as long filaments and thick mats. Monitoring is carried out where
periphyton is likely to grow. This includes sites with rocky or sandy streambeds where periphyton can
fast flowing streams run
down the hillsides and then widen and begin to
meander as the topography of the land flattens
out. Across the FMU, much of the landscape is
sheltered in native or exotic forest, or utilised for
dry stock farming (Figure 2). The hill country area
is underlain by erodible geology such as papa,
silts and clays. The hills are prone to landslides
and the slower moving rivers regularly deposit
sediment and wood along their length. During
Native Condition Index, an
Invasive Impact Index and an overall LakeSPI Index. A higher LakeSPI and Native Condition Index denotes
better lake ecological condition and higher Invasive Impact Index denotes poorer Lake Condition.
Theoretically, a pristine lake with diverse native submerged vegetation, unimpacted by human activities or
invasive species, would score a LakeSPI Index of 100%, a Native Condition Index of 100% and an Invasive
Impact Index of 0% (de Winton et al., 2022).
undertaken in a private or company
vehicle; 6.3% by walking or cycling; and less
than 1% by public bus. At 17.4% of the
census population, nearly three times as
many people worked from home as used
shared and active travel modes to a place of
employment.
This matters because motor vehicles make a
significant contribution to Greenhouse Gas
(GHG) emissions such as Carbon Dioxide
(CO2), which are driving climate change. There are also issues of traffic congestion
(available 25 September 2023) at
www.trc.govt.nz/freshwater, attending one of our workshops or by writing to the Council at
policy@trc.govt.nz
annotation http://www.trc.govt.nz/ http://www.trc.govt.nz/
annotation mailto:policy@trc.govt.nz mailto:policy@trc.govt.nz
page
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Waitara Catchment Freshwater Management Unit Discussion document Page | ii
Table of contents
Page
Waitara Catchment FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT UNIT Discussion document
Purpose and
Essential
Freshwater, covering a range of initiatives including synthetic nitrogen caps and freshwater farm plans.
The NPS-FM sets out requirements for freshwater management to:
manage activities that impact freshwater in a way that ‘gives effect’ to Te Mana o te Wai;
maintain and/or improve freshwater and address any degradation;
implement the National Objectives Framework (NOF);
avoid any further loss or degradation of wetland extents and to encourage their
..................................................................................................... 45
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vi i i
CO AS TAL P L AN F O R TARANAK I
8.1 Discharges .......................................................................................................................... 49
8.2 Structures and occupation .......................................................................................... 60
8.3 Disturbance, deposition and extraction ................................................................ 93
8.4 Reclamation or drainage
invasive species. Thus, they are capable of showing the impacts of stressors present
upstream in the catchment, such as habitat loss or pollution (NEMS, 2022). For example, when effluent is
discharged into a stream, intolerant organisms reduce in numbers or disappear, while those that are able to
tolerate such stresses increase in number.
Macroinvertebrates and the National Objectives Framework
The NPS-FM sets out requirements for councils and communities to maintain
Page | 3
surf breaks. Despite the assimilating qualities of the Tasman Sea, the quality of freshwater in the Volcanic
Ring Plain FMU does have an impact on inshore coastal water quality, particularly near the mouths of rivers
and streams where people may be swimming, surfing or fishing.
Figure 2 Indicative land use map for the Volcanic Ring Plain FMU.
Volcanic Ring Plain Freshwater Management Unit Discussion Document
page
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Background
The
organic nitrogen).
The most common sources of nitrogen include leaching and run-off from agriculture and horticulture or from
industrial or wastewater discharges.
Ammonia (toxicity)
Ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4-N), also called ‘ammonium’, is the concentration of nitrogen present as either
ammonia (NH3) or ammonium (NH4) in water. The balance between ammonia and ammonium depends on
the pH and temperature of the water. Ammoniacal forms of nitrogen enter waterways such as lakes