Archived content: This media release was accurate on the date of publication. 

Introduction

The Department of Conservation has today lodged papers with the Environment Court appealing the decision to grant resource consent for the Mokihinui Hydro Proposal on the West Coast.

Date:  29 April 2010

The Department of Conservation has today lodged papers with the Environment Court appealing the decision to grant resource consent for the Mokihinui Hydro Proposal on the West Coast.

Meridian Energy’s proposed 85 metre hydro dam will create a 14 kilometre lake, obstructing the Mokihinui River and inundating approximately 225 hectares of public conservation land in the Mokihinui Gorge.

DOC opposed the proposal during resource consent hearings arguing the hydro dam, the associated transmission line and other infrastructure would have significant environmental effects on the river, forests and threatened native wildlife.

DOC says the decision to grant resource consent does not adequately address the Department’s concerns and it is appropriate to take these issues to the Environment Court.

Contact

Rory Newsam
Communications Advice Manager
+64 471 3104 +64 27 295 3809

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