06 Other RMA tools for river protection and their efficacy
Section summary
- This section examines the statutory planning framework for river management under the RMA, other than that for WCOs, and identifies opportunities to enhance river protection.
- Decision-making about use and development proposals has occurred at a faster rate than the development of a comprehensive planning framework that includes effective provisions for river protection.
- The "use" and "development" elements of sustainable management in the RMA appear to be given greater attention and weight than the "protection" element. Councils have consented major hydro-electricity and irrigation proposals with potentially significant adverse effects on river health and in-stream values.
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Strategic planning instruments, such as national policy statements and national environmental standards, have been under-utilised as means to protect rivers.99
- A National Policy Statement (NPS) for Freshwater Management was released in May 2011 and an NPS for Renewable Electricity Generation was released in April 2011. Both make regional planning compulsory with the latter on a faster time track. Both affect rivers.
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99 National policy statements state objectives and policies for matters of national significance. National environmental standards are legally enforceable regulations that provide a standard to be enforced nationally.