Freshwater Team Operational Plan

Transcription

1 Freshwater Team Operational Plan July 2016

2 Endorsed by Council at the Environment Committee meeting on xxx Authors Jon Roygard Group Manager, Natural Resources and Partnerships Clare Ridler Freshwater Coordinator Lucy Ferguson Freshwater Coordinator Maps Manas Chakraborty Research Associate Front Cover Photos Horizons Regional Council July 2016 Report No: 2015/EXT/1487 ISBN: CONTACT 24 hr Freephone SERVICE CENTRES Kairanga Cnr Rongotea and Kairanga-Bunnythorpe Roads Palmerston North Marton Hammond Street Taumarunui 34 Maata Street REGIONAL HOUSES Palmerston North Victoria Avenue Wanganui 181 Guyton Street DEPOTS Levin 11 Bruce Road Taihape Torere Road Ohotu Woodville 116 Vogel Street POSTAL ADDRESS Horizons Regional Council, Private Bag 11025, Manawatu Mail Centre, Palmerston North 4442 F

3 Executive Summary The Water Quality and Quantity Activity of Horizons Regional Council s (Horizons) Long-term Plan (LTP) has two main components: 1. The implementation work to address water quality, e.g. physical works to improve water quality such as fencing and planting of stream margins; and 2. Monitoring and research to track the state and trends of water quality, inform policy and nonregulatory programme development and to assess the effectiveness of work programmes and policies to manage water quality. This report, the Freshwater Team Operational Plan, overviews Horizons work programme for the implementation works to address water quality issues during the financial year. A separate report the Science Team Operational Plan outlines the work programme for the monitoring and research component of the Water Quality and Quantity Activity. The Freshwater Team at Horizons is a small team that works closely with other Horizons teams and people external to the organisation to implement works for water quality improvement. This Freshwater Team Operational Plan document is arranged in five sections to provide further information on: 1. The Manawatu River Leaders Accord; 2. The Lake Horowhenua Accord and Lake Horowhenua Freshwater Clean-up Fund projects; 3. Environmental and Freshwater Grants; 4. Advice, information and collaboration including Te Mana O Te Wai; and 5. Nga Whenua Rahui. These are briefly overviewed below, with more detail provided within the document. Manawatu River Leaders Accord The Manawatu River Accord Clean-up Fund Project was completed in June 2016, and as such, the Freshwater team will focus and continue to deliver on Manawatu River Accord obligations as agreed to in the newly refreshed Manawatu River Leaders Forum Action Plan adopted in March 2016, for financial year. This is funded with $410,000 of targeted rate funding, as well as a carry forward from the financial year which has not been confirmed at the time of preparing this report. Planned implementation work includes more stream fencing, riparian planting, fish habitat enhancement and community projects. A community project funding round for projects has been completed to identify projects to be supported in The successful applicants are expected to be announced in June Figure 1: Front covers of the refreshed Manawtu River Leaders Accord Action Plan that was launched in March 2016 and the Lake Horowhenua Accord Action Plan that was released in August 2014

4 Lake Horowhenua Accord The Lake Horowhenua Accord was signed in August 2013 by five parties Lake Horowhenua Trust, Horowhenua Lake Domain Board, Horowhenua District Council, Horizons Regional Council and the Department of Conservation. This project supports the Accord and delivery of the Action Plan (a work programme to deliver actions that arise from it). In February 2014 the Freshwater Clean-up Fund for Lake Horowhenua was announced and the project received $540,000 towards the restoration programme for the lake as part of a $1.270 million project. The balance of funding is from Local Government (Horizons and Horowhenua District Council) and in kind support from industry (Tararua Growers Association and DairyNZ). A wider work programme has been developed and is documented in the Lake Accord Action Plan that was released in August This was informed by available scientific information but will adapt as new information from the monitoring and science programme becomes available. A further project was announced in November 2015 to support restoration work to restore Lake Horowhenua. This Me Mana O Te Wai project draws $980,000 from Central Government and further funding from Horizons Regional Council, Horowhenua District Council and the Lake Horowhenua Trust to bring the full project budget to $1.2 million. This project is being led by the Lake Horowhenua Trust. The work programme over will focus on delivery of the Clean-up Fund and support of the Te Mana O Te Wai projects. At the time of the drafting of this Operational Plan the resource consent appeal process for the Lake Horowhenua restoration consents is ongoing with the Environment Court process likely to close in June The Annual Plan target for the project is to obtain the resources consents. If these are obtained the remaining funding will be diverted to implementation of lake restoration consents which include lake weed harvesting (including establishment of a boat ramp/boat ramps), installation of a sediment trap and installation of a fish pass over the weir. Regional Environmental Grants and Freshwater Grants (Focus Catchment and Aquatic Habitat) The traditional aim of the freshwater programme is to support water quality improvement projects through the Regional Environmental Grant project. These projects are typically stream fencing or planting projects to provide stock exclusion from waterways and to reduce the volume of contaminants, such as nutrients and bacteria, reaching waterways. These projects are spread throughout the Region, arising as landowners, iwi or groups keen to do waterway improvement works contact the team. The Freshwater Grants for Focus Catchments and Aquatic Habitat are more proactive, being focused into certain geographical areas. Focus Catchments are where a specific value of a waterway warrants extra effort to work with the landowners, in a non-regulatory capacity, to improve water quality and aquatic habitat. The Aquatic Habitat enhancement projects include a focus on continuing to deliver on the One Plan methods for protecting and enhancing water bodies that have been identified as Sites of Significance Aquatic (SOS-A) or Inanga Spawning and Native Fishery sites (see Appendix 1 for more information on these methods). While both grant programmes primarily support landowners and groups with fencing and planting of riparian margins, they also include work to open up habitat for native fish through willow and weed removal and installing fish passes. Advice, information and collaboration including Te Mana O Te Wai The Freshwater Team also provides advice to a large number of landowners, community groups, schools and iwi. Support is provided in a number of ways, including technical advice and by helping with project planning and management. Staff respond to requests as they come in as well as working proactively with a number of other councils, community groups and agencies. Team members work closely with other teams within Horizons providing advice and support. Other collaboration work during will include supporting the Te Mana O Te Wai projects in the Horizons Region. Horizons supported seven applications made to the Te Mana O Te Wai Fund in March 2015, however only one project has been announced as being successful to date. It is anticipated that there could be more successful projects or new applications supported in the Horizons Region over the year. The Te Kakapo Manawa o Muaūpoko being undertaken by the Lake Horowhenua Trustees is the only application to this fund which has been formally announced as being a successful.

5 Support for the Te Kakapo Manawa o Muaūpoko Project from Horizons will be in-kind support through staff time and through financial assistance for the stream fencing and planting sub-project and the native fish restoration survey and report sub-project. Further information on the Te Kakapo Manawa o Muaūpoko can be found in Section 4.5 of the Operational Plan. Horizons support for the Te Mana O Te Wai projects was sought from Council on 30 th June 2015 and was approved. The Freshwater Team continue to develop information brochures on various aspects of riparian management which can be found on the Horizons website. Figure 2: Examples of two information brochures that have been produced. The Freshwater programme will also continue to work collaboratively with a range of external individuals, groups and agencies. One focus of this work will be pursuing further collaborative projects drawing funding from a range of sources to support freshwater implementation work. One focus of this work will be observing a further development of the funding announced in 2016 Central Government budget that was identified for freshwater management work. Staff from the Freshwater Team also work with staff at District and City Councils and Department of Conservation staff within the region to provide relevant advice and support to assist projects where they improve water quality or awareness of water quality issues and solutions. Nga Whenua Rahui The Freshwater Team is also completing work on contract to Nga Whenua Rahui (NWR), a fund that supports the protection of indigenous ecosystems on Maori land. The time for the Freshwater Team input to this project is paid for by NWR via a contract. This time is used to facilitate applications to the NWR funds, organise the implementation of works, and maintain contact and liaison with landowners and managers of sites within the Region. Work Programme for This report provides a more detailed overview of these programmes, including the prioritisation of projects for the financial year. As well as delivering on the LTP targets, a key part of the prioritisation has been linkages of the work programme with the One Plan.

6 A key focus of the Freshwater Team for will be to draw on the scientific monitoring and knowledge of Horizons and other agencies to target implementation efforts. Work will continue to identify priority areas for protection such as key whitebait breeding grounds (inanga spawning sites). Another ongoing focus is to test the effectiveness of work such as testing fish passes for effectiveness and continuous improvement of methods.

7 CONTENTS 1 Introduction 7 2 Manawatu River Accord Overview Long-term Plan Targets Projects/Programme Project 1: Manawatu River Leaders Forum 14 3 The Lake Horowhenua Accord and Freshwater Clean-up Fund Projects Overview Long-term Plan Targets Project/Programme Project 1: Lake Horowhenua Accord support Project 2: Implementation of the Lake Horowhenua Clean-up Fund Project 3: Responsibilities under the Lake Accord Action Plan 20 4 Environmental and Freshwater Grants Overview Long-term Plan Targets Project/Programme Project 1 Focus Catchments and Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Project 2: Regional Environmental Grant Projects Project 3: Advice, information and Collaboration including Te Mana O Te Wai (TMOTW) 33 5 Nga Whenua Rahui (NWR) Overview Long-term Plan Targets Project/Programme Project 1: Nga Whenua Rahui Support 38 6 Appendix 1 41

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9 1 Introduction The Water Quality and Quantity Activity of Horizons Regional Council s (Horizons) Long-term Plan (LTP) has two main components: 1. The implementation work to address water quality, e.g. physical works to improve water quality such as fencing and planting of stream margins; and 2. Monitoring and research to track the state and trends of water quality, inform policy and non-regulatory programme development and to assess the effectiveness of work programmes and policies to manage water quality. This report, the Freshwater Team Operational Plan, overviews Horizons work programme for the implementation works to address water quality issues during the financial year. A separate report, the Science Team Operational Plan, outlines the work programme for the monitoring and research component of the Water Quality and Quantity Activity. The Freshwater Team at Horizons is a small team that works closely with other Horizons teams and people external to the organisation to implement works for water quality improvement. This Freshwater Team Operational Plan document is arranged in five sections to provide further information on the work programmes for: 1. The Manawatu River Leaders Accord 2. The Lake Horowhenua Accord and Lake Horowhenua Freshwater Clean-up Fund; 3. Environmental Grants, Freshwater Grants (Focus Catchment and Aquatic Habitat Enhancement); 4. Advice, information and collaboration; and 5. Nga Whenua Rahui. This report provides an overview of these programmes, including information on the prioritisation of projects for the financial year. A key part of that prioritisation has been linkages of the work programme with the One Plan. The work of the Freshwater Team has close alignment with several aspects of the One Plan, including a direct link with the objectives and policies around maintaining and enhancing water quality. The Freshwater Team s work programme formally aligns to the non-regulatory methods of the One Plan. In many cases, the Freshwater Team has been working to achieve the goals of these methods for some time. The key non-regulatory methods of the One Plan to which the Freshwater Teams work is directly related to are: Method 5-6 Lake Horowhenua and other Coastal Lakes; Method 5-7 Lake Quality Research, Monitoring and Reporting; Method 5-8 Trout and Native Fish Spawning habitat; Method 5-9 Water Quality improvement; Method 6-3 Sites of Significance Aquatic; and Method 6-4 Inanga Spawning and Native Fishery Sites Biodiversity. The Nga Whenua Rahui work also has linkages with: Method 6-1 Wetlands Biodiversity; and Method 6-2 Bush Remnants Biodiversity. Further details about these methods and the links to the work programme are provided in the chapters that follow and the full text of the methods is provided in Appendix 1. 7

10 Introduction A key role for the Freshwater Team is providing specialist advice and assistance on freshwater matters, with staff responding to requests from landowners, iwi, district/city councils, community groups and schools. Non-financial support is provided in the form of advice, project planning and management. The programme also provides financial support for works to improve water quality and aquatic habitat in the Region. The works primarily involve the fencing-off of streams and planting of riparian margins, as well as work to restore in-stream habitat through removal of willows and installation of fish barrier remedies. The Freshwater Team works with a range of agencies to both co-fund and implement works. Often the programmes have criteria for the level of funding that can be provided to landowners as a part of a specific work programme. For example, the Manawatu River Accord programme has a co-funding level of 50% for stream fencing and planting projects. Likewise, the Regional Environmental Grant funding is typically 30% of works up to a total cost of works of $10,000; works outside this scope need to be approved by the Freshwater and Partnerships Manager or Group Manager Natural Resources and Partnerships. Map 1 shows the location of the Regional Freshwater Focus Catchments where co funding of up to 50% may be offered. For other work programmes, the contribution levels for works are governed by criteria that guide decision making on funding contributions. In developing the criteria used, the Freshwater Team has researched costs for different types of works to provide benchmark costs. More detailed information on the components of the Freshwater Team Operational Plan for is provided in the chapters that follow. 8

11 Manawatu Accord and Freshwater Clean-up Fund Map 1: Focus Catchments for Freshwater initiatives throughout the Region. 9

12 Introduction 10

13 2 Manawatu River Accord 2.1 Overview Early in 2010 the Chairman of Horizons Regional Council invited key leaders with an interest in the Manawatu River to meet and discuss the state of the river. The leaders represented those sectors and groups that have an impact on or interest in the river, including local government, iwi, farming, industry and environmental groups. In August 2010 the members of the Manawatu River Leaders' Forum signed an Accord to take action to improve the state of the Manawatu River. The overall goal is to improve the Manawatu River, the mauri (life-force) of the Manawatu River Catchment, such that it sustains fish species and is suitable for contact recreation, in balance with the social, cultural and economic activities of the catchment community. This goal represents a community opportunity to develop leadership in catchment improvement and capture the social and economic benefits of such leadership. Specific goals set out in the Accord are: 1. The Manawatu River becomes a source of regional pride and mana; 2. Waterways in the Manawatu Catchment are safe, accessible, swimmable, and provide good recreation and food resources; 3. The Manawatu Catchment and waterways are returned to a healthy condition; and 4. Sustainable use of the land and water resources of the Manawatu Catchment continues to underpin the economic prosperity of the Region. One of the commitments set out in the Accord was to produce an Action Plan to be implemented by the forum and its respective organisations. Developing this Action Plan required a significant investment of time, energy, resources and collaboration from the forum members. The leaders identified six key priorities for the river: Sediment; Nutrients and bacteria from point source discharges; Nutrients and pathogens from agricultural run-off; Physical changes from flood control work; Protection of native fish and birds; and Management of water allocation. From these six priorities an Action Plan of more than 130 tasks was developed and in June 2011 the leaders launched their Action Plan to the community following the commitment to the Annual Plan the Manawatu River Leaders Forum secured $5.2 million from Central Government towards the Manawatu Clean-Up Fund project. In March 2016 a new Action Plan was launched by the Minister for the Environment; Dr Nick Smith. This revised action plan aims to build on those efforts made in the previous five years by the signatories to the Accord, including work undertaken via the Ministry for the Environment s Fresh Start for Freshwater Clean-up Fund. The six key priorities for the river, listed above, remain the same and the revised action plan includes 104 actions with task leaders and support partners identified along with reporting requirements and timeframes. This Action Plan will be reviewed in another five years in Since the signing of the Accord in 2010 three new parties have joined the Forum and are actively involved in collaborative efforts. This project was undertaken over four years and invested over $46 million into the clean-up of the Manawatu River. The Clean-Up Fund project drew funding from Tararua, Manawatu and Horowhenua District Councils, Horizons Regional Council and Dairy NZ. A range of other industry, iwi and community partners also contributed to the project. Horizons has a targeted rate for the Manawatu Acord work that has been rated since During the 2012 year this funding has been incorporated into the Manawatu Clean-Up Fund. In the other years it has been used to fund additional work including stream fencing, riparian planting, fish habitat 11

14 Manawatu Accord and Freshwater Clean-up Fund enhancement, fish barrier remediation and community projects. By March 2016 the combined efforts of the Clean-Up Fund and the targeted rate work had completed; Over 330 km of stream fencing; 120,000 riparian plants planted; 98 Environmental Farm Plans on dairy farms to reduce the environmental footprint of farming; 15 barriers to fish migration fixed or removed 6 waste water treatment plant upgrades completed or in the process of being upgraded; and 23 community involvement projects have received funding with a further 6 underway. To guide the Manawatu River Leaders Forum in the development of a new Action Plan. a Science and Mātauranga Maori panel convened in March 2015 to look at the current state of the river and to summarise the key issues and solutions. The Panel was supportive of the work currently underway throughout the Manawatu Catchment and in many cases encouraged the continuation and acceleration of current actions and work programmes as well as ongoing extensive water quality monitoring programmes throughout the Manawatu Catchment. Copies of the Joint Statement of the Science and Mātauranga Maori Advisory Panel are available on request. Figure 1: Shows the journey of the Manawatu River leaders Forum and the Accord from the first meeting of stake holders in 2010 to the launch of the second action plan in March More information on the Manawatu River Leaders Accord, the Action Plan and the Freshwater Clean-up Fund project for the Manawatu can be found at the website 12

15 2.2 Long-term Plan Targets The long-term targets for the Manawatu River Accord $410,000 targeted rate for the financial year are: 1. Stream fencing target 45 km; 2. Community Involvement Projects target 4 projects; and 3. Improve native fish habitat and fish passage target 10 sites. 2.3 Projects/Programme The Freshwater programme in the Manawatu Catchment is focused on delivering the long term plan targets and obligations Horizons has committed to through the Manawatu River Accord Action Plan Horizons has committed $410,000 of funding for freshwater initiatives this year. This funding will help to advance the goals of the Manawatu Accord; in the financial year, this funding is rated on a target rate basis to every ratepayer in the Manawatu Catchment. The table below gives further details on how this funding is proposed to be spent this year. There may be an underspend of budget in due to a dry autumn delaying some work. Any underspend will be reallocated for further freshwater initiatives within the Manawatu Catchment in the financial year in addition to the $410,000 of targeted rate. Table 1: Proposed expenditure for Manawatu River Accord work programme for Activity Service Level/Cost Total Expenditure Stream fencing 45 km of riparian fencing $262,000 Riparian planting 20,00 plants $58,000 Maintenance of priority planting sites Releasing of plants $10,000 Fish pass repairs 4 new fish passage fixes $20,000 Other Freshwater innovations Includes expert advice, willow removal, wetland enhancement $5,000 Advertising $5,000 Community Projects Assist in the completion of 4 new projects $50,000 The Manawatu Accord Community Grant Project will continue to engage iwi/hapu and the community with the River and its tributaries and help to advance the goals of the Manawatu River Leaders Accord. A new funding round for the 2016/17 financial year closed on the 13 th May 2016 and the $50,000 of funding aims to support at least four community projects over a one year period concluding 30th June The successful applicants are to be notified in June In addition to the Freshwater initiatives undertaken as part of the annual targets of the Manawatu River Accord work, the Freshwater Team will also support iwi and hapu groups with their Te Mana O Te Wai Projects if they are successful. 13

16 2.4 Project 1: Manawatu River Leaders Forum Objective: Facilitating the Manawatu River Leaders Forum. Context: The Manawatu River Leaders Forum typically meets twice a year. This project incorporates the time, a budget for initiating, holding and facilitating these meetings and the reporting and collation of material for those meetings. The Manawatu River Leaders Forum last met in March 2016 at the release of the revised Action Plan. The next meeting is scheduled for later in 2016, traditionally around November. Deliverables/Targets: Two Manawatu River Leaders Forum Meetings held. Undertake actions committed to in the Manawatu Accord Action Plan over the five year life of the plan. Photo1; Members of the Manawatū River Leaders Forum gather on the Dittmer Drive steps at the launch of the new Manawatū River Leaders Accord Acton Plan. 14

17 3 The Lake Horowhenua Accord and Freshwater Clean-up Fund Projects 3.1 Overview Lake Horowhenua is a regionally significant lake that has been identified as being in poor health and having declining water quality. Horizons has a long history of working with various parties to improve the lake through initiatives such as the Lake Horowhenua and Hokio Stream Strategy and through Environmental Grant work. The lake has also been the focus of of science and monitoring work by Horizons, including commissioning and completing pieces of science work by NIWA in 2011 and 2012 around restoration options for the lake. In response to concerns about the condition of Lake Horowhenua, Horowhenua District Council has led the development of a Lake Horowhenua Accord. The key agencies involved in the Accord are: Horowhenua District Council; Lake Horowhenua Trustees; Lake Domain Board; Department of Conservation; and Horizons Regional Council. In August 2013 the five parties listed above signed the Lake Horowhenua Accord with the intent of providing leadership, halting the degradation and putting in place remedial measures on Lake Horowhenua and Hokio Stream that will ensure these taonga hold pride of place in the Horowhenua community. The Lake Horowhenua Accord Document objectives are to: Return Lake Horowhenua as a source of pride for all people of Horowhenua; Enhance the social, recreational, cultural and environmental aspects of Lake Horowhenua in a fiscally responsible manner that will be acceptable to the community of Horowhenua; Rehabilitate and protect the health of Lake Horowhenua for future generations; and Consider how to respond to the key issues, management goals and fifteen guiding action points set out in the Accord document. On 25 February 2014 the Minister for the Environment announced the Fresh Start for Freshwater Clean-up Fund for Lake Horowhenua. The total project cost is $1,270,000 with the Government s Freshwater Clean-up Fund contributing $540,000 and with local government (Horizons Regional Council and Horowhenua District Council) and in-kind support from industry (Tararua Growers Association and DairyNZ) making up the balance. The Lake Horowhenua Clean-up Fund will support a suite of eight projects which work towards achieving the goals of the Lake Accord, these projects are: 1. Lake weed harvesting; 2. Boat wash facility; 3. Riparian fencing and planting; 4. Urban stormwater treatment interventions; 5. Sediment trap and treatment wetland on the Arawhata Stream; 6. Integrated stormwater management plan for the Arawhata sub-catchment; 7. Sustainable milk production plans; and 8. Hokio Stream fish pass and habitat restoration. The Freshwater Team is working closely with other Horizons groups, including the River Management, Science and Strategy teams, as well as external agencies and the Lake Trustees to support the implementation of the Lake Horowhenua Clean-up Fund. 15

18 The Lake Horowhenua Accord and Freshwater Clean-up Fund Projects Photo 1: Plantings from the community planting day held on 2 August 2015 adjacent to the Hokio Stream 10 months on. Photo 2: Small fish ladder installed on the Patiki Stream, a main tributary to Lake Horowhenua. 16

19 The Lake Horowhenua Accord and Freshwater Clean-up Fund Projects Since the Accord has been signed, the signatories have worked together to develop the Lake Horowhenua Action Plan, which outlines eight key issues affecting the lake and 15 management actions to address them, and identifies the roles and responsibilities of each signatory. The Lake Accord Action Plan was released in August Further work to restore Lake Horowhenua will be completed through the Te Mana O Te Wai fund project that was announced in November 2015 and started in May This is discussed further in subsequent sections of this report. 3.2 Long-term Plan Targets The targets for the Lake Horowhenua Accord this year are to: 1. Environment Court process for consents completed; and 2. Produce one report on the lake weed harvesting operations. These targets will depend on whether Horizons is granted the appropriate consents for the weed harvesting operation to go ahead. An Environment Court hearing was held in May 2016 and the process has continued into June A decision on the lake restoration consents is expected later in The outcome of this process will determine the ability to undertake the construction of the Arawhata sediment trap, the fish pass on the Hokio Stream Weir and to undertake the lake weed harvesting operation. 3.3 Project/Programme The project is arranged in three components: 1. Horizons involvement in the Lake Horowhenua Accord meetings (including technical input); 2. Implementation of the Lake Horowhenua Clean-up Fund projects and reporting to MfE; and 3. Undertaking responsibilities under the Lake Horowhenua Action Plan and reporting on these. 3.4 Project 1: Lake Horowhenua Accord support Objective: Assisting with the administration (technical support) of the Lake Horowhenua Accord and Clean-up Fund and participating in the meetings on behalf of the Regional Council. With the Lake Accord signed in August 2013 and the Clean-up Fund project having commenced in May 2014, this project has moved from the development stage to support and implementation. Accord meetings are held approximately every three months. This project encompasses the Freshwater Team s time and costs associated with attendance at meetings, the work between meetings in support of the Accord that sits outside of the Science Team s contribution and the two projects outlined below. Deliverables/Targets: Meetings of the Accord group attended as requested and advancing the achievement of the goals of the Accord. 3.5 Project 2: Implementation of the Lake Horowhenua Clean-up Fund Objective: To implement the Horizons-led projects outlined in the Lake Horowhenua Fresh Start for Freshwater Clean-up Fund work programme and project plans, and to report on all projects to MfE. Context: The Lake Horowhenua Clean-up Fund work programme and project plan document was finalised in June 2014 and Horizons Freshwater Team is working alongside Horizons Science, Operations and Hydrology teams, as well as external agencies including the Tararua Growers Association, Dairy NZ, Horowhenua District Council, LandWISE and Lake Trustees to complete the eight projects within the timeframes of the Clean-up Fund. 17

20 The Lake Horowhenua Accord and Freshwater Clean-up Fund Projects The Lake Horowhenua Clean-up Fund work is managed by contractual arrangements between Horizons Regional Council and the Ministry for the Environment. Formal reporting is completed by quarterly and annual reports with regular project meetings and at least bimonthly contact between MfE and the Horizons. The tables below outline the work programme, the milestones and budget for the Lake Horowhenua Clean-Up Fund. NB: this work programme is subject to change as the project progresses. Further details are available in the individual project plan documents. Progressing the sediment trap, fish pass and weed harvesting projects will be determined with the outcome of the Environment Court decisions. It is recognised that the milestones for the projects and projected end date for the project are expected to be revised following the decision of the Environment Court process. Further details of the projects and resource consent process are shown below. Table 2: Overall work programme milestones Year 2 (1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016) and Year 3 (1 July 2016 to 31 December 2016). Milestone name 1.3 Operation of lake weed harvester 3.6 Community Planting 3.7. Stream fencing and riparian planting 3.8 Stream fencing and riparian planting 4.1 Urban stormwater project design and consultation 4.2 Urban stormwater project design and implementation 5.2 Sediment trap design and implementation 6.4 Cropping farm management plans and implementation 6.5 Implementation of farm plans 7.2 Sustainable milk production plans completed 8.3 Fish pass and planting Activities Obtain consents and operate equipment. Undertake another community planting day (600 plants). Undertake stream fencing, pre-plant spray and planting of appropriate natives (potentially including planting in-lake and at the Arawhata treatment wetland). May include fish passage improvements and maintenance of fencing, plantings and fish passes. Scope includes work to enhance the inflowing streams to the lake and the Hokio stream (and its tributary streams). Undertake stream fencing, pre-plant spray and planting of appropriate natives (potentially including planting in-lake and at the Arawhata treatment wetland). May include fish passage improvements and maintenance of fencing, plantings and fish passes. Scope includes work to enhance the inflowing streams to the lake and the Hokio stream (and its tributary streams). Urban stormwater treatment design and consultation process completed. Urban stormwater treatment intervention works completed. Sediment trap and treatment wetland designed, regulatory permissions obtained and all works completed. Farm stormwater and sediment control plans developed through collaboration of consultant and individual farmers. Initial implementation works constructed. Aim: Plans completed for all key growers (approximately 6) and 70% of cropped area. Initiate and complete stormwater and sediment control plans on additional properties. Implementation support provided. Further implementation works constructed. 6 to 10 sustainable milk production plans completed including farm soil mapping and effluent irrigator testing. Design and construction of a fish pass at the Hokio weir, site preparation, planting and associated costs including maintenance of plantings. Completion date Total cost MFE contribution 31-Dec-16 $0 a $0 31-Dec-16 $3,000 $1, Dec-16 $17, $8, Dec-16 $17, $8, Dec-16 $0 b $0 31-Dec-16 $200,000 $50, Dec-16 $176, $88, Dec-16 $ $ Dec-16 $39, $25, Dec-15 $0 c $0 31-Dec-16 $29, $11, Total Year 2 & 3 $484, $193, a Costs for this milestone are being paid from Horizons Regional Council s budgets (separate to the Clean-up Fund project). b Costs for this milestone are being paid from Horowhenua District Council s budgets (separate to the Clean-up Fund project). c Costs for this milestone are being paid from Horizons Regional Council s budgets (separate to the Clean-up Fund project). This milestone is to provide for the final formatting of the plans in the first quarter of year 2. 18

21 The Lake Horowhenua Accord and Freshwater Clean-up Fund Projects Table 3: Overall funding summary for the Freshwater Clean-up Fund package for Lake Horowhenua. Project Project HRC HDC Industry MfE Total %Fund 1 Lake weed harvesting $125,000 $0 $125,000 $250, % 2 Boat wash facility $0 $10,000 $10,000 $20, % 3 Riparian fencing and planting $30,000 $30,000 $60, % 4 Urban stormwater treatment interventions $150,000 $50,000 $200, % Sediment trap and treatment wetland on 5 the Arawhata $175,000 $175,000 $350, % 6 Integrated stormwater plan for the Arawhata $81,500 $104,000* $121,500 $307, % 7 Sustainable milk production plans $15,000 $15,000* $13,500 $43, % 8 Hokio fish pass and habitat restoration $25,000 $15,000 $40, % All Total $451,500 $160,000 $119,000* $540,000 $1,270, % *this include in-kind contributions from Tararua Growers Association for subproject 6 and inkind contributions of DairyNZ to help with the production of the Environmental Farm Plans on dairy farms. Since the Lake Horowhenua Clean-up Fund started in May 2014, considerable progress has been made on all eight of the projects, particularly with background work into consent applications, landowner contact and collaboration. Horizons has also committed to increased funding for restoration work at Lake Horowhenua through its Long-term Plan. Three of the eight projects the boat wash, weed harvesting and sustainable milk plans are complete from a financial perspective. The lake weed harvester, custom built trailer and land for the sediment trap have been purchased. The Arawhata stormwater project has progressed through work with horticultural growers. In total 368 ha of cropping land have been surveyed, including 41ha of land surveyed outside of the Arawhata Catchment but still within the Lake catchment. Drainage and erosion management plans have been developed for all eight farms in the Arawhata sub-catchment. Horizons staff have surveyed the current drainage throughout the Arawhata sub-catchment and areas for improved drainage have been identified in consultation with the local growers. All sustainable milk plans for the 10 dairy farms within the Lake Horowhenua catchment have been completed. These plans have been presented to farmers and discussions have moved toward implementation of these plans. Since the Clean-up Fund started 1,108 metres of fencing and 3,096 plants have been established along Lake Horowhenua s tributary streams and 2,759 plants have been established along the Hokio Stream. Three community planting days have also been held around the lake, with 1,600 plants being planted, including 600 in August Three signs have been installed around the lake to highlight the risk of invasive aquatic weeds to Lake Horowhenua and outlining the eight projects being undertaken to restore the lake through the Clean-up Fund. Resource consent was required for three of the eight projects to be implemented in addition to archeological assessments, for the construction of the Arawhata sediment trap, the fish pass, lake weed harvesting operation and installation of the boat ramps. A great deal of work was put into these applications which were publically notified on Horizons request in July Submissions closed on 20 August 2015 and a hearing occured in October All consent applications were approved for the three projects to proceed, however this decision was appealed. A considerable amount of consultation has occurred over the first six months of the financial year in preparation for the Environmental Court hearing which occurred over a four days starting 23 rd May The decision from this hearing is pending. Designs for construction of the sediment trap, fish pass and boat ramps have been completed. A detailed weed harvesting strategy has also been completed. The work programme is subject to change over the course of the project. Several change requests have already been required, with the most recent changes lodged in August These changes are reflected in Table 2 which shows the revised work programme for Year 2 and 3 of the project including the extended timeframe to December

22 The Lake Horowhenua Accord and Freshwater Clean-up Fund Projects 3.6 Project 3: Responsibilities under the Lake Accord Action Plan Objective: To deliver on Horizons commitments to the Lake Accord Action Plan Context: The Lake Accord Action Plan was publically released in August The Freshwater and Science Teams at Horizons had significant inputs into the development of that document. The commitments on behalf of Horizons do not sit solely with the Freshwater Team; however, this project provides the budget and time for the actions that do. As part of Horizons commitment to the Accord Action Plan there will be ongoing lake weed monitoring. This monitoring will provide crucial information on the seasonal growth patterns of lake weed and help develop annual harvesting plans once resource consents have been obtained. This project includes support to the Te Mana O Te Wai Project which has been awarded $971,660 from Central Governments Te Mana O Te Wai Fund and which Horizons is contributing $150,300. In addition to the monetary support from Horizons some staff time and technical advice will also support the Lake Trustees with this project. Further details of the Te Mana O Te Wai projects can be found in Section 4.5 of this Operational Plan. Deliverables/Targets: Many of the deliverables/targets relate to the Clean-up Fund work above. The Clean-up funding does not provide funding for staff time and this is delivered via this project of the Freshwater Operational Plan. The deliverables include other actions such as the contributions to monitoring including lake weed mapping, water quality monitoring and work to increase communications between members of the lake Accord. Figure 3: Distribution and biomass of lake weed in summer 2014 (top), winter 2014 (middle) and spring 2014 (bottom). 20

23 4 Environmental and Freshwater Grants 4.1 Overview This output is part of Horizons Regional Council s non-regulatory response to water quality. The Environmental Grant and Freshwater Grant projects are a core component of the Freshwater Team s work to support water quality improvement and to continue what has been a concerted effort over time to undertake this type of work. It involves primarily the fencing-off of streams and planting of riparian margins, and also covers the restoration of instream habitat through the clearance of willows and installation of fish barrier remedies. As part of completing this work, opportunities to work with other agencies to achieve water quality outcomes are actively sought. The first output is proactive engagement with landowners in Focus Catchments and undertaking aquatic habitat enhancement works at Sites of Significance Aquatic (SoS-A) and Inanga Spawning areas (IS). The sections below provide a brief overview of the Focus Catchments and the reasons they have been identified for non-regulatory water improvement work. SoS-A and Inanga Spawning work focuses on delivering the One Plan methods 6-3 and 6-4 for protecting and enhancing inanga spawning and native fishery sites. The aquatic habitat enhancement work includes improving or opening up habitat for native fish through willow clearance, fencing and planting (where necessary) riparian zones, and installing fish passes at sites where passage to good habitat upstream is impeded. The budget for this work in financial year is $80,000. The second output is the traditional regional Environmental Grant work. These projects are typically stream fencing or planting projects to provide stock exclusion from waterways and to reduce contaminants, such as nutrients and bacteria, reaching waterways. These projects often result from enthusiastic landowners, iwi and community groups seeking advice and assistance from Horizons staff, and projects tend to be spread throughout the Region. The budget for this work in is $80,000. The third output is providing advice, information and collaboration with others. Staff respond to a wide range of requests from landowners, community groups, schools, iwi, Councils and external agencies. Support is provided in the form of specialised advice, financial assistance where appropriate criteria are met, and project planning and management. Increased alignment of the non-regulatory work with the provisions of the One Plan has been one component of determining the work priorities for the Freshwater Operational Plan. The Focus Catchments for the non-regulatory work are in many cases the same as those identified in the regulatory programme, although this is not always the case. For clarity, the information below aims to identify if the Focus Catchments for non-regulatory work are also target catchments for the nutrient management regulations in the One Plan. 4.2 Long-term Plan Targets The Long-term Plan targets for are: 1. Work with 25 individuals, community and iwi groups to improve waterways; and 2. Provide 20 Environmental Grants. 4.3 Project/Programme This programme is delivered in three key parts: 1. Focus Catchments and Aquatic Habitat Enhancement; 2. Regional Environmental Grant; and 3. Advice, information and collaboration. 21

24 Environmental and Freshwater Grants Project 1 Focus Catchments and Aquatic Habitat Enhancement The Focus Catchments have been selected as priorities for water quality implementation work for a range of reasons. The sections below provide some further information on the current Focus Catchments, including the some background context as well information on planned activity for the year. The identified Focus Catchments are: a. Manganui-o-te-Ao River; b. Hautapu River; c. Mowhanau Stream; d. Awarua Stream; e. Kaitoke Catchment; f. Waiwiri Stream; g. Ohau River; h. Waikawa River; i. Coastal Rangitikei; j. Porewa; as well as k. Aquatic Habitat Enhancement (Inanga spawning and native fish habitat). Outputs: A key output is to have effective works funded in these catchments to protect and enhance water quality. To ensure effectiveness of works, the Freshwater Team will continue to work closely with the Science Team and others to understand the water quality issues in these areas and to identify which works will be effective in providing protection/enhancement. In addition, five of the SoS-A and Inanga Spawning sites listed in One Plan have been identified as priorities for enhancement. Project 1a: Manganui-o-te-Ao River Objective: To protect riparian margins of the river from stock in order to protect water quality and enhance whio (blue duck) habitat. Context: The Manganui-o-te-Ao River is highly regarded for its natural values and its trout fishery, which are recognised via a National Water Conservation Order. The river is within the Kia Wharite project area, where an extensive network of predator trapping is used along private land to protect whio (blue duck) in conjunction with DOC, iwi and landowners. While there is a relatively good proportion of remnant bush and riparian vegetation in the catchment compared to some parts of the Region, protection of water quality is vital to ensure erosion of the high values is stopped or reversed. This follows the philosophy of protect the best streams/rivers. Some areas are impractical to fence so the focus is on those areas where stock regularly access the river. Additional funding to accelerate fencing of the main stem of the River has been granted from Whanganui River Enhancement Trust and Fish and Game, spread over the next three years. Project 1b: Hautapu River Objective: To halt the decline in water quality within the catchment. Context: The Hautapu River is a highly-regarded river for its natural values and its upper reaches have previously been recognised via a Local Water Conservation Notice. Invertebrate communities at two monitoring sites in the catchment are showing declining trends. Work is continuing with the Science Team around water sampling to look into this further, with the aim of identifying key sub-catchments/areas where nutrients, sediment or bacteria are most elevated. The Freshwater Team will continue work with the recently formed Hautapu Catchment Care Group, iwi and landowners to identify practical solutions to prevent or mitigate contaminants reaching the river. Staff have had an initial Wananga with Ngati Tamakopiri, and will continue working with them as well as Ngati Rangi on a wider Restoration Plan for the catchment.. 22

25 Environmental and Freshwater Grants Project 1c: Mowhanau Stream Objective: To reduce bacterial levels (measured by E. coli) in Mowhanau Stream. Context: Mowhanau Stream has high contact recreation value, providing freshwater swimming opportunities for children from Wanganui and surrounding areas. The stream flows into the sea at the very popular Mowhanau/Kai Iwi beach and is adjacent to a large playground and holiday camp. Horizons swimming spots monitoring programme had identified that the Mowhanau Stream (at the Mowhanau Bridge) frequently did not comply with the Ministry of Health contact recreation water quality guidelines. With the season as an exception, there had been an improving trend since , likely due to the increase in cattle exclusion fencing that was undertaken over that time. The aim of the implementation work in this catchment is to fence the riparian margin to exclude stock, especially cattle, aiming to reduce summer E. coli levels. In conjunction with this, some of the lower reach of the stream is being fenced to improve inanga spawning habitat and planting to create stream shading in some areas to improve native fish habitat. Mowhanau stream sampling point 23

26 Environmental and Freshwater Grants Mowhanau Stream swimming spot In recent years faecal source tracking has been undertaken in the catchment and identified the predominant source of E. coli is from cattle, however some human sourced bacteria was also located indicating potential inputs from septic tanks and/or the sewage treatment plant (STP) in the catchment. Monitoring and investigation has identified some inflow of treated effluent from the STP and contact has been made with Whanganui District Council (WDC) to identify the issue. Over staff intend to monitor this potential source more rigorously. 24

27 Percent in Health-risk Category Environmental and Freshwater Grants 100% Mowhanau Stream at Beach Footbridge 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 2004_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _16 Graph 1: E. coli results in the Mowhanau Stream over the past 12 years using the traffic light system: green is under the guideline E.coli limit for swimming; amber is within the alert level; and red where it is deemed risky for contact recreation. Project 1d: Awarua Stream Objective: To protect riparian margins of the stream from stock and replant in appropriate vegetation in order to protect water quality and enhance inanga spawning. Context: The Awarua Stream is a tributary of the Whanganui River, flowing from farmland between No. 2 Line and State Highway 3, then under State Highway 3 and Airport Road, before flowing into the Whanganui River near Corliss Island. It is a significant whitebait and eel fishery, and has high cultural values. The stream has been highly modified and is straightened into drains both above and alongside the State Highway with some diverted directly into the Whanganui River. The culverts at Airport Road and Nepia Road were perched and blocking native fish passage into what could be suitable habitat but in March 2014 remedies were put in place by Whanganui District Council and Whanganui River Enhancement Trust in conjunction with Horizons Freshwater and Science teams. Work to create more appropriate aquatic habitat both above and below the state highway continued last year, with a number of landowners completing fencing and planting, supported by Horizons. Improvements to fish passage alongside the State Highway were designed, and this year work will be undertaken with New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) to implement an appropriate solution. Project 1e: Kaitoke Catchment Objective: To improve water quality in the Kaitoke Stream, thereby protecting the coastal dune lakes. Context: The Kaitoke catchment incorporates Lakes Pauri, Wiritoa, Kaitoke and Kohata, and forms a regionally and nationally significant dune lake complex. The lakes are used frequently for boating activities and also by schools as a training facility. During the summer months planktonic algae blooms occur in Lakes Pauri and Wiritoa. Algae blooms can be toxic to stock and humans and Horizons monitors these over the summer months through the swimming spots programme. The aim of this project is to complement the restoration of the lakes by protecting the wider catchment to limit nutrient, bacterial and sediment inputs to the lakes. This work has been underway for many years with fencing and planting of the lake margins and streams in the catchment. NIWA completed an EnviroLink funded report looking at opportunities to improve water quality in the lakes in June This year s work programme will continue with the implementation of catchment protection works as well as 25

28 Environmental and Freshwater Grants following up on some of the recommendations of the NIWA report in conjunction with landowners, other agencies and community groups. In addition, monitoring of Lakes Pauri and Wiritoa, which was started in , will continue quarterly this year. This will provide information on the nutrient, bacteria, sediment and E.coli levels as well as measuring clarity, chlorophyll and algal species. This catchment is also a target zone for the contaminant management rules of the One Plan. Photo 3: Lake Wiritoa in the Kaitoke Catchment a popular recreational lake 26

29 Environmental and Freshwater Grants Project 1f: Waiwiri Stream Objective: To enhance stream habitat. Context: The Waiwiri stream flows from Lake Papaitonga to the coast. The area has been a Focus Catchment since prior to and has had fencing and riparian planting works undertaken. The planting of predominately the north side of the stream, in tandem with the Horizons River Management programme, will provide some shading to the stream and therefore enhance habitat value. The main focus of work this financial year will be follow-up work on existing plantings. This catchment is also a target zone for the contaminant management rules of the One Plan. Project 1g: Ohau Catchment Objective: To increase whitebait spawning and native fish habitat and lower bacterial levels. The Ohau River has been recognised as a Site of Significance - Aquatic. Context: The restoration of the Ohau Loop has been identified by local community groups as important. The aim of this project is to improve fish habitat in the loop. A new fish-friendly flood gate was installed at the mouth of the loop in February 2013 to allow fish passage during most of the year and shuts during high flows to protect against flooding. Testing of bacterial levels in the Ohau River identified relatively high levels that appear to source back to the Kuku Stream. Any further monitoring will identify specific reaches for the Freshwater Team to focus on contacting landowners and encouraging cattle exclusion fencing. Project 1h: Waikawa Stream Objective: Stream. To improve native fish habitat and sedimentation controls in the Waikawa Context: The Waikawa Stream is a biodiversity hot spot for native fish in the Horizons Region and the headwaters have SOS-A classification. Some instream barriers to fish passage have been removed, improving native fish migration. The stream is highly mobile, and the Operations Team has carried out some stream stabilising with willows and native trees, which will be beneficial for fish habitat. This project aims to undertake further riparian fencing and planting with key landowners to enhance native fish habitat. Recent testing of bacterial levels in the Waikawa River have identified high levels that appear to source back to the Manakau Stream. More detailed monitoring has identified specific reaches for the Freshwater Team to focus on contacting landowners and encouraging cattle fencing. This catchment is also a target zone for the contaminant management rules of the One Plan. Project 1i: Coastal Rangitikei Objective: To improve native fish habitat within the lower Coastal Rangitikei catchments. Context: The coastal Rangitikei area has potential for providing fish habitat and is culturally significant. Further work in this area will be underway this coming year to map inanga spawning habitat and, if feasible, undertake improvements. The zone in the One Plan is a large area, so for the purpose of achieving our key objective we are focusing on the zone downstream of State Highway 3. A large planting project on the Makowhai stream within the Coastal Rangitikei is being undertaken in conjunction with Ngati Apa over June 2016, and more planting is planned for This catchment is also a target zone for the contaminant management rules of the One Plan. 27

30 Environmental and Freshwater Grants Project 1j: Porewa Stream Objective: To improve water quality and enhance stream habitat Context: The Porewa Stream flows from north of Hunterville and crosses State Highway 1 numerous times before joining the Rangitikei River at Onepuhi. Some of the stream is within an Operations Scheme. The upper catchment has a number of Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) plans within it. The Freshwater Team will continue to focus on working with landowners south of State Highway 1. Any works undertaken will be in tandem with the Horizons River Management programme and will aim to remove cattle from the stream and replant where appropriate in order to provide some stream shading to enhance habitat value. This catchment is also a target zone for the contaminant management rules of the One Plan. Project 1k: Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Objective: To support projects with aquatic habitat benefits in alignment with the One Plan methods. Context: This project continues the work to align the Freshwater Team s work with the One Plan methods, in particular: Method 6-3 Method 6-4 Sites of Significance Aquatic Inanga Spawning and Native Fishery Sites Biodiversity One Plan Method 6-3 Site of Significance Aquatic (SOS-A) Context: This method seeks to protect and enhance water bodies and parts of water bodies that serve important roles in the lifecycle of the Region s rare and threatened native fish. The method proposes that resources will be directed towards the most significant sites and the target is that the top 100 SOS-A are actively managed, including protection or enhancement measures, within 10 years of the One Plan becoming operative. The SOS-A for the region are shown in Map 3. More than 150 sites have been identified through the technical work to inform the One Plan and further sites continue to be found that meet the criteria for the original definition of the sites. That definition was based on the recorded presence of one or more of the 10 aquatic species (nine fish species and the blue duck) that are considered regionally rare or threatened. Photo 4: A dwarf galaxid 28

31 Environmental and Freshwater Grants For the year this programme will prioritise these areas further, identify what enhancements will be beneficial and work with landowners to implement some works. The SOS-A sites cover large areas, in some cases including the main stem of the river from the source to the sea, including the Waikawa and Ohau rivers. Given the scale of the SOS-A sites, work to achieve the One Plan methods target will need to be completed over a long timeframe. Output: One output will be a mapping exercise of the SOS-A locations and the areas of historic and current works underway by Horizons. Further funding of works will be targeted to protection of SOS-A areas. One Plan Method 6-4 Inanga Spawning and Native Fishery Sites - Biodiversity This method seeks to protect and enhance water bodies (wetlands and streams) that serve an important role in the lifecycle of the inanga and whitebait, with resources directed to the most important sites. The method has a target of protecting and enhancing the top 30 inanga and whitebait spawning sites within 10 years of the plan becoming operative. There are overlaps between this method and the SOS-A method above in both the way the methods prescribe the work to be carried out and the sites that are being targeted. The method of working states that owners of land adjacent to water bodies will be provided advice and financial/project management assistance to carry out enhancement and protection measures including fencing, planting, replacement of perched culverts and pest (plant and animal) control. The Regional Council will seek funding from third parties to assist with this method. Monitoring of the effectiveness of the protection and enhancement works will be undertaken. This method will include publicity to increase public awareness about the importance of native fish and indigenous biological diversity. Photo 5: Inanga eggs found at Whirikino on the Manawatu River. The sites that are being targeted for protection and enhancement include the sites identified in the One Plan as inanga spawning sites (as shown in Map 2) and other whitebait spawning sites. Over the past four years, the focus has been on searching for inanga spawning zones during the key spawning period from April to June. Many previously unidentified areas were found (see Map 2), including three very large sites the Whanganui River, Whirokino near 29

32 Environmental and Freshwater Grants Foxton and the Kai iwi Stream west of Wanganui. Works to protect these sites (fencing, planting, weed control) have been undertaken over the past two years and will continue this year. Further survey work for spawning sites will be undertaken this year. Five native species make up the whitebait catch: koaro, inanga, giant kokopu, short jaw kokopu and banded kokopu. These fish are some of the species encompassed in the definition of the SOS-A sites above. Output: One output will be extending the mapping exercise of the known inanga spawning locations and the areas of historic and current protection works being undertaken by Horizons. In addition, further works will be targeted towards protection of spawning areas. 30

33 Environmental and Freshwater Grants Map 2: Locations of Focus Catchments (non-regulatory programme); Sites of Significance Aquatic; and Inanga Spawning zones (as identified in the One Plan). The map also includes inanga spawning sites identified by the Science and Freshwater Teams over the last four years, shown in black. 31

34 Environmental and Freshwater Grants 4.4 Project 2: Regional Environmental Grant Projects Objective: To support projects with water quality benefits across the Region. Context: In Focus Catchments, SOS-A and inanga spawning areas, staff are proactive at working with landowners and generally initiate contact. Outside of those catchments, water quality protection is still important and Horizons works with keen landowners to support them both with specialist advice and encouragement, as well as with Environmental Grants if the work being carried out meets grant criteria. Staff from other teams, such as the Land or Biodiversity teams, also put forward grant applications when the client does not have a farm plan and where the benefit is directly to water quality. This work tends to be relatively spread out across the Region. This enables the programme to reach across a wide range of sites, community groups and schools. Often, after one landowner undertakes projects, their neighbours or friends are more likely to seek advice to undertake similar projects hence this project has tended to grow. Planting days tend to fall into this project with staff supporting projects where there is an educational and water quality benefit. This has high value in terms of demonstrating the programme to a wider audience. Photo 6: An example of a 30% grant for native planting in a tributary of the Rangitikei catchment. 32

35 Environmental and Freshwater Grants 4.5 Project 3: Advice, information and Collaboration including Te Mana O Te Wai (TMOTW) Objective: To work with individuals, community and iwi groups to improve waterways. Context: Landowners, schools, iwi and community groups often call Horizons seeking assistance with stream or wetland projects. Freshwater staff provide a free advisory service on aspects of improving waterways both for water quality and aquatic habitat. At times these projects do not qualify for Freshwater Grants, but the advice and logistical support are still very valuable to the individual, community or iwi group. This project aligns very closely with the One Plan Method 5-9 (Water Quality Improvement), which has the following targets: All landowner requests for advice and assistance regarding water quality improvement are responded to promptly; The targets of the Dairying and Clean Streams regional action plan for Manawatu- Whanganui Region are achieved by the due dates; and Advice and assistance is offered to all landowners affected by the nutrient management rules. This area of work also includes providing guides and resources, both as Horizons publications and those in conjunction with some of our key partners. This year, as the Horizons website is being upgraded, a particular focus for the team is to continue to update and/or develop topical information sheets and upload them to the website. This is an efficient way to provide non-property specific knowledge to people wanting to undertaking freshwater projects. While this can be helpful to increase awareness and knowledge of those using it, often projects require more site-specific advice which the team provides. Advice is also offered to projects seeking Community Grant Funding (coordinated by the Communications Team); providing specific technical advice to potential applicants and assistance with the logistics of completing projects for those approved. Staff frequently collaborate on projects across other areas within Horizons, providing technical input and assistance. This includes involvement in specific projects and technical advice to the river management, policy and regulatory teams. A number of projects are also undertaken in conjunction with the Communications Team to raise the profile of Horizons Freshwater work. Freshwater staff also work closely with many of our district and city councils as well as Department of Conservation staff, providing advice and ensuring collaborative projects are as effective as possible. Examples of this are the Treasured Natural Environment Group for the Rangitikei (led by iwi and community representatives but supported by Rangitikei District Council and Horizons), and the Healthy Streams initative for urban Whanganui catchment streams (a collaboration with Whanganui District Council and Tupoho). Outputs: The individuals, groups or iwi contacts the Freshwater Team make are recorded in an Excel database and reported on in the Environment Committee report within the table below. Table 4: Reporting on the Freshwater Team s progress against some of the LTP targets. Reporting Period YTD.Measure Actual 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th Work with individuals, community groups, or iwi to improve waterways Environmental Grant applications supported Target % This year there is again a large amount of work being proposed with iwi groups in particular, work following the TMOTW funding applications made to the Ministry for the Environment in April The successful applicants were expected to be announced in September 2015 however only one project has been formally announced and that is Te 33

36 Environmental and Freshwater Grants Kakapa Manawa o Muaūpoko The heart beat of Muaūpoko to be undertaken by the Lake Horowhenua Trustees. The Te Mana O Te Wai (TMOTW) Fund was announced in 2014 and has provided $5 million over two years. The concept of TMOTW reflects the recognition of freshwater as a natural resource whose health is integral to the social, cultural, economic and environmental wellbeing of communities. The purpose of the TMOTW Fund is to provide funding to enable Māori to improve the water quality of freshwater bodies (including lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries and lagoons) that are of importance to them by: Supporting iwi/hapū to play an active part in improving the water quality of their local freshwater bodies; Enabling iwi/hapū to actively participate in managing their local freshwater bodies; Developing partnerships and working in collaboration with others; and Assisting iwi/hapū and the wider community recognise the importance of freshwater in supporting a healthy ecosystem, including supporting human health. Horizons Freshwater Team supported seven applications made within the Region. The seven applications for which Horizons provided letters of support were for: Nga Puna Rau Rangitikei project in the Rangitikei catchment led by Nga Pae o Rangitikei; Tokiahuru Stream riparian restoration project in the Ruapehu area led by Ngāti Rangi; Te Kaahui o Rauru waterways restoration project in the Kai Iwi, Okehu and Ototoka streams (Whanganui) led by Te Kaahui o Rauru; Awarua Stream wai restoration project (Whanganui) led by Riri a Te Hori 2 trustees; Tu te Manawa project in the Manawatu Catchment led by Rangitāne o Tamaki nui a Rua Inc. on behalf of several iwi of the Manawatu catchment as part of the Manawatu River Leaders Accord; Te Kakapa Manawa o Muaūpoko project to complement restoration work at Lake Horowhenua led by the Lake Horowhenua Trust as a part of the Lake Horowhenua Accord, and Ohau Loop restoration project in the Horowhenua led by Dr Huhana Smith of Tahamata Incorporation. The TMOTW application process helped strengthen relationships between staff and iwi and hapu groups. It is anticipated that many of the projects will get underway over this period; the rate at which they are completed will depend on whether the Central Government funding is approved and, for some, on finding alternative sources of funding. Ngati Rangi continue to work on a project in the Upper Whangaehu catchment, focusing on fencing, planting and weed control within a number of the smaller tributaries to restore the Mauri of the waterways. Their TMOTW application for an extended project was unsuccessful however they have still made good progress on their original plan in collaboration with the Freshwater Team. Horizons assistance has included undertaking farmer/landowner liaison, pricing and sourcing fencing materials and native plants; advice regarding methods and logistics, and environmental grants towards some of the work. This work will continue in the year. Te Mana O Te Wai Te Kakapa Manawa o Muaūpoko The heart beat of Muaūpoko is the first project to be formally announced by the Minister for the Environment in late The project has a total budget of $1,161,961 with a contribution from Central Government of $971,660. Horizons contribution is $150,500 with the difference being made up with contributions from Horowhenua District Council. Te Kakapa Manawa o Muaūpoko is led by the Lake Trust who have formed a Governance Group that includes representation from Horowhenua District Council and Horizons. 34

37 Environmental and Freshwater Grants This TMOTW project includes a range of actions identified in the Action Plan. The project has three key objectives. These are: 1. To enhance the ability of Mana whenua to actively exercise their kaitiakitanga to restore and protect the Lake and to grow direct community engagement and action in lake clean-up and protection activities; 2. To complete physical interventions to protect, clean-up and reduce impacts on our streams and Lake; and 3. To restore native fish populations as key indicators of Lake/catchment health and water quality enabling mana whenua to exercise their customary fishing rights. There are 13 main subprojects within this TMOTW project, these are identified in the table below. Objective 1. To enhance the ability of Mana whenua to actively exercise their kaitiakitanga to restore and protect the Lake and to grow direct community engagement and action in lake cleanup and protection activities. Projects 1. A community engagement programme including six community planting days establishing 4800 plants. 2. A Mana whenua engagement programme with six wānanga over the two year programme to discuss the state of the water quality and fishery and how these can be improved and how Iwi can be involved in that. 3. Develop a website, lake report card and publication to provide Iwi and the community with information on Lake Horowhenua, its cultural importance, water quality and fishery and the restoration programme. Establish signage at four key points in the catchment re the cultural significance of the Lake, water quality and fishery information, the restoration programme and what people can do to assist. 4. To undertake assessment of the legacy of sediment and nutrient inputs from the sewage inputs to the Lake and options to address this as a response to the regular questions from Iwi and the community about how to address this issue and how much the various options cost. 5. Development and implementation of a comprehensive lake monitoring framework to capture cultural and scientific data and evidence of the health and wellbeing of the Lake and Lake water quality for the duration of the project and beyond. 2. To complete physical interventions to protect, clean-up and reduce impacts on our streams and Lake. 6. To establish a nursery for production of plants for use in the ongoing programme to restore Lake Horowhenua and other areas around New Zealand. 7. To trial in-lake planting as recommended by the Gibbs 2012 report over a small area of the lake to determine sources of plants, methodologies for planting and plant survival rates and outcomes. 8. To remove rubbish such as steel standards and wire from within the Lake and to GPS locate and map pou in the Lake that should be left in the Lake. 9. To further protect the Lake from new invasive weed species entering and spreading through the Lake via constructing a Lake weed cordon around the boat ramp at the Domain and signage. Educating Iwi and the community about the risks of new weed entering the Lake through use of equipment such as boats, fishing gear etc. 10. Stormwater upgrades at three key inflows to the Lake (Makomako Road, Patiki Stream, and Mangaroa Stream) to screen rubbish and reduce the quantity of contaminants entering the Lake. 3. To restore native fish populations as key indicators of 11. Stream fencing and planting of riparian areas and fish pass repairs in partnership with Horizons Regional Council over two years aiming to complete 5km of Fencing, planting plants and 3 fish pass repairs. This sub-project would be lead and managed by Horizons Regional Council. 12. Survey of Lake and streams followed by a report that includes advice on how to best target restoration options to improve native fish populations and reduce pest fish populations. 35

38 Environmental and Freshwater Grants Objective Lake/catchment health and water quality enabling Mana whenua to exercise their customary fishing rights. Projects 13. Capturing glass eels from the Hokio stream and growing them on in an already established facility for repatriation to Lake Horowhenua to increase the survival rate of these eels and assist restoring the tuna population of Lake Horowhenua. Horizons are involved with the following subprojects and are financially supporting subproject 11 and 12: 3 Lake report card; in kind support; 4 Lake bed sediment report; in-kind support; 7 In-lake planting trial; in kind support; 11 Fencing and planting; in kind and financial support; and 12 Native fish survey & report; in kind and financial support. Horizons will operate under contract conditions with The Lake Trustees for financial transactions to occur. For example fencing and planting projects around the Lake undertaken as part of subproject 11 with landowners will see the initial contributions of the fund be made to the land owner from Horizons and Horizons will then invoice The Lake Trustees for reimbursement from the Te Mana O Te Wai Fund. This process overcomes the issue of funds only being made to The Lake Trust after works have been completed and reported on. 36

39 5 Nga Whenua Rahui (NWR) 5.1 Overview Nga Whenua Rahui is a contestable Ministerial fund established in 1991 to provide funding for the protection of indigenous ecosystems on Maori land. Its scope covers the full range of natural diversity originally present in the landscape. The fund, administered by the Nga Whenua Rahui Committee and serviced by the Department of Conservation, receives an annual allocation of funds from Government. The Committee advises the Minister of Conservation on funding applications from iwi, the placing of kawenata (covenants) and negotiates conditions. 5.2 Long-term Plan Targets The Nga Whenua Rahui work undertaken by the Freshwater Team feeds into several LTP targets but does not have its own specific LTP target. This project fits within the following targets for the Water Quality and Quantity Activity and Living Heritage Activity: 1. Continue to work with individuals, community and iwi groups to improve waterways; 2. Additional Top 100 wetlands actively managed; 3. Additional Top 200 bush remnants actively managed; and 4. Continue to support existing community-based habitat and heritage improvement projects. 5.3 Project/Programme This project is completed in line with a contract between Horizons and Nga Whenua Rahui for Horizons to provide general project management support at different stages in the protection of areas of indigenous habitat (bush remnants and wetlands) on Maori owned land that has formally signed Nga Whenua Rahui Kawenata/covenant of management agreement. The contract between Horizons and Nga Whenua Rahui covers up to 800 hours of work by a Freshwater and Science Team member. While there is scope for it to be 800 hours, unless there are a number of new projects going ahead it tends to be more like hours. The type of services may include: Advising and arranging plant and animal pest control work; Plotting and mapping of project works; Negotiating fence line locations and standards; Calculating quantity of materials required; Arranging for fence lines to be cut by earthmoving machinery where required; Sourcing fencing materials and organising delivery and planting of native plants; Keeping control of expenses and payments; Liaising with landowners over access and progress; Updating Nga Whenua Rahui on progress with projects and finances; and Monitoring Nga Whenua Rahui supported projects. A map of Nga Whenua Rahui sites in the Region is provided in Map 3 below. 37

40 Nga Whenua Rahui 5.4 Project 1: Nga Whenua Rahui Support Objective: To support projects as outlined in the Nga Whenua Rahui/ Horizons Regional Council contract. Context: The Nga Whenua Rahui work fits well with several of the One Plan methods outlined in previous chapters of this Operational Plan, including: Water Quality advice; Coastal Lakes, Sites of Significance Aquatic, and Inanga Spawning and Native Fishery sites methods. Furthermore, the project assists with delivering on policies and methods in the One Plan, including several aspects of the resource management issues of significance to hapu and iwi as identified in the One Plan. Two other key methods to which this work contributes are from the Biodiversity chapter of the One Plan: Method 6-1 Wetlands Biodiversity. This method s target is that the Top 100 wetlands in the Region are actively managed, including protection or enhancement measures, within 10 years of the One Plan becoming operative. Method 6-2 Bush remnants Biodiversity. This method s target is that the Top 200 bush remnants in the Region are fully actively managed, including protection or enhancement measures, within 10 years of the One Plan becoming operative. Full copies of the One Plan Methods 6-1 and 6-2 are provided in Appendix 1 of this report. In the key focus is on maintaining relationships and networks with the owners, trustees and farm managers to consolidate the work already progressed and to ensure plant and animal pest work is continued. There are also several new projects which are at various stages in the process which should progress over this year. Any proposals take time through discussions to agree on the best area to retire and decide on a works plan; then an ecological survey is undertaken and formal proposal agreed and submitted, before being put through the NWR board and the Minister of Conservation for approval. Similar to the other Freshwater work, there are often a number of proposed projects that do not quite meet funding criteria, in which case advice is provided. Deliverables/Targets: As identified above this work project is about general project management for approximately 500 hours of work per year. Reporting of this work will be undertaken via the Environment Committee and by way of three reports per year to Nga Whenua Rahui. 38

41 Nga Whenua Rahui Map 3: Locations of the Nga Whenua Rahui sites in Region showing existing kawenata (covenants). 39