Catlins LWRP Report Summary

In its new Land and Water Regional Plan ORC must set environmental outcomes for the freshwater values identified in the Catlins FMU.  

An environmental outcome statement describes the desired future state that communities in the Catlins FMU and tangata whenua would like to see for a specific value.  

The environmental outcome statements are very similar across all FMUs and rohe in Otago, which reflects the fact that the aspirations that tangata whenua and the different communities have for the environment are largely consistent across the region. Table 1 sets out the draft environmental outcomes for the Catlins FMU. 

Table 1: Draft environmental outcomes 

¹*Asterisk indicates that the baseline state of these compulsory attributes is not known, but monitoring is now being undertaken.

Attributes are indicators that we can measure and monitor. Attributes tell us about the state of a river or lake. A target attribute state (TAS) is the state that an attribute must achieve to make sure that an environmental outcome is met. The timeframe for achieving the TAS for each FMU is set by the environmental outcomes for the FMU.  For the Catlins FMU, the environmental outcomes are to be achieved by 2030. By monitoring attributes and comparing their baseline state with their TAS we learn how well how well we are on track towards achieving the environmental outcomes for this FMU. 

While the environmental outcome statements are largely consistent across Otago, baseline states and TAS are usually specific to each FMU and rohe. Attributes for each value and baseline states for those attributes have been identified along with trends derived from the Otago Regional Council's State of the Environment (SoE) monitoring data. 

The baseline state and TAS for the Catlins FMU are in the map below.

This map shows the proposed monitoring sites and the attribute states in Otago.

Zoom into an area and view the various locations of proposed monitoring sites in an area(s).

Select the yellow dot representing a proposed monitoring site to see the Target Attribute States.

You can further select the Target Attribute States table to view a larger version of the table.

(Note: If you are on a mobile device, tap on the arrow next to the 'X' icon for the table to show.)

National direction requires Council to set limits as rules or action plans (as appropriate) to achieve the environmental outcomes. This can be done at a region-wide level or at FMU/rohe level. The draft region-wide rules are set out in different chapter summaries, including Primary Production, Wastewater Management, Stormwater Management, Earthworks and Drilling, Environmental Flows and Limits (Water Quantity) and various others. However, for the Catlins FMU a number of specific rules are proposed that are needed to make sure the environmental outcomes for this FMU are achieved overtime. These additional rules, which will be included in the Catlins FMU chapter of the new Land and Water Regional Plan, are shown in the table below.
 

Table 2: Overview of proposed additional provisions for Catlins FMU 

The Catlins FMU chapter will also include take limits and environmental flows and levels for rivers and lakes in this FMU.  

Take limits reflect the total quantity of water that can be taken, dammed or diverted from a stream, river, lake or aquifer. Once the combined rate of take for all consented water takes, diversion or damming activities from a water body matches this take limit no further water can be allocated in new consents.  

Environmental flows (for rivers or streams) or environmental levels (for lakes and aquifers) include minimum flows or levels that when reached all consented (and some permitted) takes, diversions and damming activities must cease. These restrictions on water taking, diversions or damming activities typically occur during dry periods and are needed to make sure after important values, such as threatened fish, drinking water supply or mahika kai (food and resource gathering) values, are looked after. 

Environmental levels and take limits for the Catlins FMU’s lakes are shown in the table below. Given the uniqueness of these lakes, it is proposed that a narrative take limit is set for these lakes that prohibits any new takes, damming or diversions that could impact lake levels (except for takes that are permitted under the Resource Management Act 1991).  This will ensure that these lakes will continue to behave naturally.   

Table 3: Environmental levels and take limits - Lakes 

Environmental flows and take limits for the Catlins FMU’s rivers are shown in the table below. Take limits and environmental flows are often set as a percentage of the 7-day Mean Annual Low Flow (7-day MALF). The 7-day MALF is a flow statistic that provides an indication of how low the flow gets in a typical year.

For smaller rivers or streams with a mean flow of 5,000 l/s or less, such as the Purakanui River or Nugget Stream, a total take limit is set as 20% of the 7-day MALF. For larger rivers with a mean flow of more than 5,000 l/s, such as the Catlins River, a larger take limit is set at 30% of the 7-day MALF.

Restrictions on water takes, diversions and damming activities in catchments of smaller rivers or streams are triggered when flows are at 90% of the 7-day MALF, whereas for larger rivers these restrictions do not kick in until flows are at 80% of the 7-day MALF.

Rivers managed by default minimum flows and take limits  

Table 4 provides estimates of the actual minimum flows and take limits for different catchments based on the default method using the best available information to determine the 7-day MALF of each catchment. The numeric minimum flows and take limits will not be included in the LWRP. Instead, the LWRP will refer to the relevant % of 7-day MALF. 

Table 4: Rivers managed by default minimum flows and take limits  

Outstanding water bodies are water bodies that have one or more outstanding values. National direction requires the Otago Regional Council to identify outstanding water bodies and protect their important values. The table below lists the outstanding water bodies in this FMU and describes their outstanding values.

A map of these water bodies are available below as well. 

You can zoom in and view the various water bodies in an area(s). 

Water bodies are shown in a blue colour. Select an area to view the water body name .

(Note: if you are on a mobile device, after selecting a water body, tap on the arrow next to the 'X' icon to view more information.)